Great River Road named the Best Scenic Drive in America

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Thanks to the support and votes from fans, the Great River Road has been selected as the Best Scenic Drive in America in the 2025 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
A panel of travel experts nominated 20 routes for the Best Scenic Drive distinction, including the Great River Road as well as other highways and byways like the Natchez Trace Parkway (which starts in Natchez, Mississippi—one of the cities on the Great River Road), the Blue Ridge Parkway, Route 66, and the Pacific Coast Highway.
Online voting ran from April 7 through May 5, and thanks to an incredible effort from fans, the Great River Road took the top spot.
“We are thrilled to see such strong support from our fans and the thousands of travelers who drive the Great River Road every year, whether it’s a short segment or the whole route,” said Susanne Thiede-Barnet, Managing Director of the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission. “And if you haven’t explored the Great River Road yet, it’s a great time to see all the outstanding things we have to offer, including incredible parks and scenic overlooks, our official network of nearly 100 Interpretive Centers, and dozens of welcoming towns and cities along the Mississippi River.”
Summer is an ideal time to explore the scenic beauty of the Great River Road, which follows the Mississippi River through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana.