Follow Rand McNally and drive these remarkable routes

— -- With $4-a-gallon gas prices threatening to put the brakes on summer road trips, would-be motorists may be looking for extra guidance on routes that are truly worth the trip.

Rand McNally offers five suggestions with its 2009 Best of the Road awards, announced this week and outlined in its 2009 road atlas. Now in their eighth year, the awards lay out itineraries of 250 miles or so that offer more than mere scenics.

"We're always looking for great scenic routes, but they have to have a lot of things to see and do along the way," says editorial director Laurie Borman.

Fewer Americans may be hitting the road this summer, according to a Rand McNally survey in May. Among those who had planned vehicle trips, 57% said they would cut them short. An additional 10% said they would forgo the trips altogether.

Rand McNally's current picks:

•The coast road from Provincetown, Mass., to Boston. Highlights: exploring Cape Cod's sand dunes; eating fresh seafood at the Naked Oyster Bistro & Raw Bar; touring Plimoth Plantation's 17th-century re-creations.

•The Ozarks from Jefferson City, Mo., to Branson, Mo. Highlights: hiking in the tallgrass prairie at Runge Conservation Nature Center; watching fruit-eating bats at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum; enjoying the from-scratch dinner rolls at Lambert's Cafe.

•The International Selkirk Loop in Idaho, Washington and southern British Columbia. Highlights: feeding the elk at Selkirk Mountain Elk Ranch; shopping at the Crawford Bay artisans community; touring and sipping at the Nelson Brewing Co.

•Florida's West Coast from Tampa to the Everglades. Highlights: sampling Greek pastries in Tarpon Springs; touring circus magnate John Ringling's mansion; taking in the photos at Big Cypress Gallery.

•Big Island of Hawaii Circle Drive. Highlights: horseback riding at the Parker Ranch; touring the Pacific Tsunami Museum; sampling the fare at local coffee farms.

• For previous year's winning routes, visit randmcnally.com.