Romantic weekend road trips to take this summer
Prioritize scenery over mileage with iconic drives on the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Columbia River Gorge.
Edited by Kaitlyn Dreyling | May 14, 2026
Short drives can feel more romantic because they leave room for scenic pauses, slower mornings, and the kind of spontaneous detours you remember long after the weekend ends. This guide compares three legendary routes — the Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Columbia River Gorge — where the journey is just as memorable as the view.
In this article: Romantic road trips in the U.S.
Pacific Coast Highway
For couples who want a Pacific Coast Highway road trip with a cinematic atmosphere and manageable mileage, focus on the Central Coast from Santa Cruz through Monterey and Big Sur. This route earns its romance through sea mist, cliffside curves, and elegant pauses in Carmel-by-the-Sea before the drama of Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls. It works best as a weekend getaway, giving you plenty of time for long lunches, scenic pull-offs, and sunset pacing. Hampton Inn Monterey is an easy midway anchor right off Route 1. Enjoy free parking, EV charging, and free hot breakfast to fuel your drive south. If you need a break from the wheel, bike the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, share a seafood feast on Cannery Row, or stroll along Del Monte Beach at sunset.
Blue Ridge Parkway
If your idea of romance leans cozy, the Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is a serene and soulful choice. Instead of attempting all 469 miles (755 kilometers) through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, keep your long weekend centered on Asheville, where quick access to the Parkway opens onto panoramic overlooks, Craggy Gardens, and the artsy energy around the Biltmore Estate. Summer brings Craggy’s famous rhododendron bloom and scenic hikes to see cascading waterfalls. This is a route for unhurried coffee, windows down, and stopping often for photo ops and can’t-miss views. Make Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area your home base with free parking, free hot breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms for your furry travel companions — downtown Asheville has its own Dog Welcome Center after all!
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Columbia River Gorge
For couples seeking the biggest scenic payoff with minimal effort, a Columbia River Gorge road trip in the Pacific Northwest is hard to top. Follow the Historic Columbia River Highway from the western Gorge toward Hood River, where Vista House at Crown Point overlooks soaring river views before the picturesque Waterfall Corridor builds toward Multnomah Falls. Summer is busy but beautiful, so plan ahead with a timed-entry permit at Multnomah Falls. Perfectly positioned right off I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Hampton Inn & Suites Hood River streamlines your logistics with on-site EV charging, free parking, and free hot breakfast. After a day of exploring, unwind with a dip in the indoor pool before retreating to your river-view suite to rest up for your next adventure.
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