This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you love the open road but not the traffic, this map is for you. Geotab analyzed traffic data to find the quietest highway in every U.S. state. Some of these roads cut through vast wilderness, others wind through rolling countryside, and some follow scenic coastlines—offering the kind of peaceful drive many road-trippers dream about.
One standout is the Dalton Highway in Alaska, the quietest route in the entire U.S. This remote road stretches 414 miles from Livengood to Deadhorse, skirting the Arctic Circle and offering some of the most untouched landscapes in North America. You might drive for hours without seeing another car—except maybe a truck heading to the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. The Dalton Highway has been called one of the loneliest roads in the world, and if you ever take it, you’ll understand why.
Other highways on the list are less extreme but still offer plenty of solitude. U.S. Route 50 in Nevada, often referred to as the “Loneliest Road in America,” runs through vast stretches of desert with little sign of civilization. In Hawaii, Highway 11 takes you along the Big Island’s southern coast, where black sand beaches and volcanic craters replace city skylines.
Why Are These Roads So Quiet?
Many of these highways stay low-traffic because they pass through remote or sparsely populated areas. Some were once major routes but became quieter after interstates took over. Others, like the Dalton Highway, were never meant for regular travelers—they were built for industrial use and remain off the beaten path.
The Most Scenic Highways
But if you prefer stunning views over solitude, the map also highlights America’s most scenic routes, marked with red stars. These include famous drives like California’s Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1), with its breathtaking coastal cliffs, and Maine’s U.S. Route 1, which hugs the rugged New England shoreline. If you’re looking for a road trip with incredible scenery, these are worth adding to your list. You can check out the full list of scenic routes here.
Do you have a favorite quiet highway? Or maybe a road trip story from one of these routes? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them!
