Americans spend a lot of time in their cars. Here in the Nutmeg State, the average one-way commute time to work is about 26 minutes. Add in time spent driving to run errands and go on leisurely outings and you've got a whole bunch of time spent on the road each year. If you're going to be stuck behind the wheel for so much time, don't you want to at least make sure your surroundings are pleasant? We all know there are plenty of beautiful places in Connecticut, but it's not just the stops themselves that are pretty. Some of the best scenic drives in CT offer up amazing windshield views that are absolutely gorgeous. These scenic drives in CT will ensure that your drive is every bit as beautiful as your end destination.

1. Connecticut Route 219

Connecticut Route 219 is one of the more peaceful and scenic roads in Connecticut. It runs from New Hartford to Granby, up in the northern portion of the state. A trip down Connecticut Route 219 will take you past lots of forested areas. The gently rolling hills and twists and turns make for a unique drive that has some beautiful scenery.

2. Connecticut Route 169

Route 169 isn't quite as well-traveled as some of the other scenic drives in CT on this list. That's because it's tucked away in the state's Quiet Corner. The northeastern part of the Nutmeg State is primarily rural farmland that's interspersed with a few charming small towns. Route 169 is another of our favorite drives in Connecticut. It starts in Norwich and then travels through 32 miles of Connecticut before it finally enters Massachusetts. This route is so pretty that it was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 1996.

3. Connecticut Route 154

The charming town of Old Saybrook is one of the best little beach towns in the state. Connecticut Route 154 passes right through Old Saybrook, and is actually one of the main streets in this charming town. Route 154 will take you straight to Harvey's Beach, a beach that tends to be a little less crowded than some of the state's more popular beaches.

4. U.S. Route 7

The Route 7 CT scenic drive is a lengthy winding highway that covers the entirety of the state, from north to south. You'll head through some great cities if you enjoy the entire path. Route 7 takes you all around the beautiful

” target=“_blank”>Litchfield Hills region, which is one of the most beautiful areas of the state. No matter what season you enjoy Route 7, it's sure to be beautiful!

5. Merritt Parkway

Did you know that the Merritt Parkway is one of the oldest parkways in America? This 38-mile road stretches from Fairfield County to New Haven County. This is such a lovely, tranquil drive! The overpasses along the route have unique designs, and the road is surrounded by trees.

6. U.S. 1

U.S. Route 1 runs parallel to the more commonly-traveled I-95 and is about 117 miles in length. It goes through some of the best beach towns in Connecticut, so it's an especially perfect trip during the summer. A drive down Highway 1 will take you straight through some adorable shoreline towns, like Mystic.

7. Connecticut 85

Another of the best scenic drives in CT is CT-85. This historic highway connects the towns of

” target=“_blank”>New London and Bolton. You'll travel through some great smaller towns, like Hebron and Waterford. It's an amazing road if you're looking for a quick day trip, as it only takes about an hour to drive the entire route.

How many of these roads have you driven down? Did we miss your favorite scenic drives in CT? Share your vote for "most beautiful road in Connecticut" in the comments!

Of course, if you're going to be enjoying a road trip in Connecticut or anywhere else, you'll want to make sure you're properly prepared. Check out our Road Trip Essentials packing list to make sure you're ready for whatever life has in store.