Scenic Drives Near DC: Five Road Trips Worth Renting a Luxury Car For

Some cars are made for traffic lights and valet stands. Others come alive on an open road, with the city behind you and nowhere you need to be until dinner.

At Supercars By The Day, we think one of the best ways to enjoy a rental is to leave the city behind. Here are five drives within reach of Washington, DC, with the distance, a car to suit each one, and what to know before you set off. If you'd like help planning your route, just ask us.

Five scenic drives from DC

Every distance below is measured one way from our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, with drive times in light traffic, so you can see how a round trip fits into your day.

Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland

About 31 miles away, roughly 50 minutes.

The closest escape on this list. Sugarloaf rises out of the Frederick County farmland, and a paved road climbs in switchbacks to overlooks with views across the countryside. The mountain is privately owned by a nonprofit and open to the public, with a small donation suggested at the entrance.

Plan around its rules: the entrance gate is open from 8 AM to 4 PM, cars must be off the property by sunset, and the mountain road has a 15 mph limit. Park only in the marked lots, because roadside parking isn't allowed, and arrive early on weekends, when the two lots near the top fill up fast.

The roads around the base wind through farms and small villages, which makes it a relaxed half-day drive. The climb is slow and tight, so this suits a car you can enjoy at gentle speeds, such as a Porsche Macan S or one of our Corvette convertibles.

Good for: a morning drive, a picnic with a view, or a gentle first outing in your car.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway to Mount Vernon

About 35 miles away, roughly 55 minutes.

The National Park Service manages more than 25 miles of this parkway, which was designed for recreational driving. Heading south from Washington, it follows the Potomac River through Old Town Alexandria to George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon, with river views and parking areas along the way.

Avoid weekday rush hours, when the parkway fills with commuters, and check for lane closures before you set off. Want more? Georgetown Pike (Route 193), which winds past Great Falls, became Virginia's first designated scenic byway in 1974.

This is a drive for a classic or a grand tourer rather than a race car. Our white 1965 Mustang convertible or a Rolls-Royce suits its pace perfectly.

Good for: a riverside afternoon, combined with lunch or a stroll in Old Town Alexandria.

Middleburg and Loudoun wine country, Virginia

About 44 miles away, roughly 70 minutes.

Route 50 west through Aldie to Middleburg runs through Virginia horse country, past old stone cottages, rolling fields, and a long list of wineries and tasting rooms. Middleburg itself has a historic main street with shops and restaurants, and you can carry on west along Route 50 to Upperville for more of the same views.

A top-down Ferrari feels right at home here. The Ferrari Portofino, our most relaxed grand tourer, or the 458 Spider both have folding hardtops for when the weather changes.

Good for: a weekend afternoon or a birthday drive. Planning to visit tastings? Book a chauffeur so everyone can enjoy them, because nobody should drive after drinking.

Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland

About 42 miles away, roughly an hour.

Maryland's capital sits on the water, with a historic downtown, the City Dock, and the US Naval Academy close by. From Annapolis, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge carries you about four miles over the water toward Kent Island and the Eastern Shore.

The bridge is tolled heading east and the tolls are collected electronically, so ask us how tolls are handled on your rental. Summer weekends bring heavy beach traffic, so go early or pick a weekday. For a group, a Lamborghini Urus gives you supercar style with seats for five and room for three suitcases.

Good for: a seafood lunch, a sunset over the bay, or a weekend away on the Eastern Shore.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

About 73 miles to the Front Royal entrance, roughly an hour and a half.

The big one. Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with overlooks across the Shenandoah Valley. The speed limit is 35 mph in most places, so it's about the views, not the speed.

Both photos at the top of this page were taken on this stretch of road, in the park's North District: the golden trees near mile 10, and the red and gold trees just south of Jeremys Run Overlook at mile 26.4. The mileposts count up from the Front Royal entrance, so you'll pass both spots early in the drive.

The park charges an entrance fee per vehicle, and the road can close at any time in bad weather, so check the park's website before you leave. Fall color draws big crowds, especially on October weekends, so arrive early, and watch for deer, particularly around dusk. A comfortable car with a quiet cabin makes the most of a long day, such as a Rolls-Royce or the Portofino.

Good for: a full day, or better still, a two-day rental with a night along the way.

Choosing your car

A great road trip comes down to three things: the right car, enough miles, and a realistic plan for the day.

For open-air drives: our convertibles include Ferraris, an Audi R8 Spyder, Corvettes, a modern Mustang, and the 1965 Mustang. The roof can go up if the weather turns, but check the forecast and pack a layer.

For winding roads at gentle speeds: a grand tourer or luxury car is more relaxing than a track-focused supercar.

For more than two people: choose an SUV such as the Urus, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, or a Cadillac Escalade, or book two cars and drive together.

Low sports cars need care on steep driveways, gravel lots, and uneven surfaces, so ask us if you're unsure whether a stop suits the car you want.

Miles and timing

Every rental includes 100 miles per day. That covers a round trip to Sugarloaf or Mount Vernon with room to explore. Annapolis and Middleburg come close to 100 miles there and back, and Skyline Drive goes well beyond it. Any extra miles are charged at the per-mile rate shown on each car's listing.

Planning a longer trip? Tell us your route when you book. We're flexible on mileage, and we'll include the miles you need in your quote, or suggest a multi-day rental instead.

Allow more time than the map suggests. Weekend traffic leaving DC, photo stops, and lunch all add up, and you'll want to return the car on time without rushing.

Good to know before you book

• Drivers: each driver must be at least 18, hold a valid driver's license, and have insurance approved for the car. Everyone who drives must be named on the rental agreement and approved by our team before pickup.
• Deposit: each car's deposit is shown on its listing. It's separate from the rental price, and we return it after we get the car back and inspect it.
• Cancellation: if your plans change, let us know as early as you can. Our cancellation policy explains refunds and credit.

For insurance, delivery, and other common questions, see our FAQ.

Ready to book?

Not sure which drive suits your day? Tell us how long you have, who's coming, and what kind of scenery you love, and we'll suggest a route and a car to match. You can browse every car in our collection.

Contact Supercars By The Day or call (240) 244-9206 with your dates, your planned route, and the car you have in mind. We'll send you a custom quote with the miles you need.