Route 66 turns 100 years old on 11 November this year. The historic American road trip route is rightly lauded for being as classic as apple pie – stretching from Illinois in the east across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and ending in California in the west, it allows drivers to see a diverse cross-section of country.

But it isn’t the only way to see the US. In fact, whether you want a raucous night out in New Orleans or a family trip to the Great Lakes, there’s a road trip route for you. And many of them are much more of a secret than Route 66, meaning that instead of road rage, you’ll have the open highway to yourself.

Here are some of the best alternatives to Route 66, from Scenic Byway 12 in Utah to the Extraterrestrial Highway in Nevada.

They both set off from in or around Chicago, but Interstate 65 – Route 66’s little sister, if you like – heads south instead of west and passes through four states: Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Spend some time in the Windy City, from a scenic boat cruise to a trip to the top of the Willis Tower, before aiming for Indianapolis (known for its Indy 500 motor race).

Stop off for a mint julep or neat bourbon in Louisville, then take a honky tonk crawl in the original Music City, Nashville. In Alabama, try some of America’s best barbecue in Birmingham and discover the history of the civil rights movement in Montgomery. Nearly 900 miles later, you’ll end up in New Orleans, where you can soak up blues and jazz in the French Quarter.

How to do it: Travelbag has a 19-day itinerary, including accommodation, flights and car hire, from £2,299pp.

Spanning 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known as America’s favourite drive, as well as its most scenic. This is largely because it was designed purely for beauty: stretching between Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it winds along the crest of the Appalachian Highlands, delivering near-constant panoramic views, all without the stress of commercial traffic.

En route, there are over 250 panoramic stopping points, offering everything from sweeping valley views to rolling mountain ridges, waterfalls and wildflower meadows. You can also experience a variety of hiking trails, where you might spot anything from black bear to white-tailed deer, and make pit-stops in quaint towns such as Charlottesville, once home to Thomas Jefferson, and Roanoke, famous for the Mill Mountain Star, a vast neon landmark.

How to do it: An 11-day road trip with Original Travel starts from £1,980pp, including accommodation, flights and car hire.

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