A Highway to Love: Romantic Weekend Escapes Across the Country

Romance is in the air as Valentine's draws near and everyone is vying for reservations and roses. This year, make your Valentine's romantic and unique. Here are some driving routes that provide for a romantic and scenic drive.

California/Route 1, Big Sur Coast Highway: This highway is more like a roller coaster than a road with its constant ups and downs but will surely be a ride of beauty. The highway hugs the Pacific coast from Carmel to the Los Padres National Forest where the redwoods stand tall. The Big Sur Coast Highway stretches for 72 miles where you are likely to see sea lions, cypress trees and towering canyons. Also along the way you can view the Bixby Bridge, Carmel Mission and Basilica, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Point Lobos State Reserve. Hot spots along the way include the restaurant Nepenthe, the Ventana resort and the Hearst Castle.

Oregon/Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: Nestled in the Northeast corner of Oregon, this byway winds along with canyon that separates the state with Idaho. The 218 mile-long routes travel south and east past the 10,000-foot peaks of the Wallowa Mountain to the rim of Hells Canyon. Along the way you can see where the Canal fire of 1989 burned some 23,000 acres, Wallowa Lake and the historic tenderfoot wagon road. Also along the way you can see the nature reserve, Imnaha River, and Hells Canyon.

New Mexico/ Highway 25 Albuquerque to Santa Fe: The scenic desert landscape surrounded by flowers and mountains will warm to your heart as you drive this 63-mile stretch. Along the way you can see mesas and arroyos, pinon trees, yucca flowers and a ski resort.

Illinois/ Meeting of the Great Rivers: This 57-mile long route will take you past where the Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois rivers meet in the heartland of the USA. The route is made of historic villages, islands, farmland, orchards and forests. You will find two ferries along the drive and civil war reenactments, hiking trails, the Mark Twain wildlife refuge and Camp DuBois, built by Lewis and Clark. The breathtaking views and amazing scenery will provide a memory not soon to be forgotten.

Indiana/Historic National Road: This 156-mile long stretch of road was the first federally funded interstate highway and along the way you can see the Hayes regional Arboretum, Gaar Mansion, Richmond Art Museum, and Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Everything from the Indianapolis Zoo, Whitewater State Park, Indy hall of fame museum, and Flower Park Pioneer Village all dot the way.

Connecticut/Merritt Parkway: The road stretches a mere 37 miles from Greenwich at the New York State border to Milford. The landscape is beautified with elms, white pines, rhododendrons, and provides a seasonal time of beauty. Along the way there are 68 original bridges that traverse it. Along the way you will visit Stamford, Darien, Westport, Norwalk, Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stratford each with its own unique attractions to visit.

Maine/Acadia Byway: Tour Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor in Maine this year as a welcome change. The 40-mile long byway snakes through the park and offers a beautiful view of the shorelines, mountains, lakes of forests of Maine. Along the way you can go whale watching, take a ferry ride, and watch the sailboats along the shoreline.

Kentucky/Country Music Highway: This road starts in Kentucky and runs for 144 miles through the heart of Country Music. Take a guided tour and learn about Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam and Patty Loveless. Besides the country stars homes along the way, you can also see Native American landmarks, pioneer settlements, coalmines and Civil War sites. Along the way stop at Butcher hollow where country music star Loretta Lynn was born and raised.

North Carolina/ Blue Ridge Parkway: This 469-mile long road stretches from Virginia to North Carolina. It stretches along the ridges separating the Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is considered one the most scenic roads in America and reaches more than 6,000 feet in spots. Watch for the milepost markers to be sure you are still on the right path and you will find many landmarks along the route.

Hawaii/Hana Highway in Maui: This highway along the eastern end of the island of Maui will be the most magical drive you'll ever take. The 52 miles will take you around three hours but is truly what paradise looks like. You will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get there in comfort as it contains some 600 curves and dozens of bridges. The road is dotted with beautiful waterfalls and dazzling views.

Enjoy the ride and make this year a romantic and unique Valentine's Day.