These 10 road trips will show you the best of the USA
Road-tripping across the US is one of the most iconically American things you can do. Here are 10 of the best ways to do it.
Road-tripping across the USA is one of the most iconically American things you can do.
Hitting the road gets you up close to the country’s most striking landscapes – dense eastern forests, windswept plains, red-rock canyons, dramatic Pacific coastlines – and allows for pit stops at some of its most famous cities, all in one go. A flight might be faster, sure – but it whisks you over the country, rather than through it.
Crisscrossed with an extensive network of well-maintained highways, the US is remarkably easy to traverse by car. In such a continent-sized country, long distances are given, but gas, food and accommodations are largely easy to come by (except in some of the most rural locales). Plus, your own set of wheels gives you the freedom to do extra side jaunts along the way.
Here’s a list of our favorite routes across America’s wide-open spaces, along with tips on how to make the most of your journey.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
Best road trip for Pacific views
San Diego–Seattle; 1600 miles (2575km); 8–12 days
The Pacific Coast Highway delivers one of the US’s most iconic road trips, stitching together the West Coast’s most notable cities, quirky California beach towns, ancient redwood forests, and the dramatic capes and pools of the Pacific Northwest. The route includes Hwy 1, Hwy 101 and I-5, starting in San Diego; it winds up the coast through Los Angeles, Big Sur, San Francisco and Redwood National & State Parks, eventually terminating in Seattle.
Planning tip: Always check for road closures, particularly in the Big Sur area, where rockslides are common as the road snakes by sea cliffs.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
Best Appalachian road trip
Cherokee, NC–Waynesboro, VA; 469 miles (755 km); 2–5 days
This spectacular route takes you through the heart of the US’ oldest mountain range, delivering view after view of rolling green mountains chock full of enchanting hiking trails, thundering waterfalls, ancient rock formations and prolific wildlife. Part of the National Parks Service system, the parkway begins adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and traces the mountains through the spectacular Pisgah National Forest, a number of state parks and recreation areas, and Roanoke, Virginia, before ending at the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park.
Detour: In addition to opportunities with the state and national parks the parkway passes through, many one-off hikes originate along the route itself. Consult trail maps to avoid missing some of Appalachia’s top routes.
3. Route 66
Best road trip for American kitsch
Chicago–Los Angeles; 2250 miles (3620km); 1–2 weeks
Nicknamed the Mother Road, Route 66 has permanently ingrained itself in the international psyche as the ultimate US road trip. Starting in Chicago, the storied highway crosses eight different states and connects travelers to national parks, weird-but-wonderful roadside attractions and tons of vintage Americana.
Planning tip: The route can be driven in pieces or all at once, though we suggest allotting plenty of time to explore, since distances are long, and the activities numerous.
4. Natchez Trace Parkway
Best road trip for Southern history
Pasquo, TN–Natchez, MS; 444 miles (715km); 2–3 days
The path for the Natchez Trace Parkway was originally carved not by humans, but by buffalo that wandered the region from middle Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. Indigenous hunters and traders soon followed, and the route later became a full-fledged thoroughfare for European colonists, soldiers and dignitaries. Today, a trip down the Trace yields gorgeous scenery, historic towns and the experience of traveling one of the most storied roads in the country.
5. Florida Highway 1
Best road trip for Gulf Coast culture
Amelia Island–Key West; 475 miles (765km); 6 days
Florida’s Hwy 1 runs the length of the state’s Atlantic Coast before banking east at Miami and ending in stunning Key West. This sublime multi-day journey takes you past many of Florida’s most iconic sights: historic St Augustine, windswept Canaveral National Seashore, Nascar-fueled Daytona, laid-back Fort Lauderdale and the glam and glitter of Miami and South Beach.
Planning tip: Hurricane season lasts from June through October – the most active months are August and September – and has the potential to significantly affect every part of the state. If you’re visiting during this window, keep close eyes on the forecast.
6. Badlands–Black Hills Loop
Best road trip for taking in the Great Plains
Badlands National Park–Badlands National Park; 330 miles (531km); 2 days
If you want to get a taste of the Great Plains’ vast expanse, head to South Dakota for this fascinating road trip through a state of major ecological and cultural importance. Start your trip at the mind-bendingly beautiful Badlands National Park before looping over to the Black Hills, home to the Crazy Horse Memorial, Mt Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park. Along the way, take in views of thriving buffalo herds, fascinating rock formations and plenty of rolling hills.
7. San Juan Skyway
Best road trip for Rocky Mountain peaks
Durango–Durango; 236 miles (380km); 1–3 days
The San Juan Skyway delivers some of the Rockies’ biggest views, in high definition. This route – which includes the renowned Million Dollar Hwy – leapfrogs across central Colorado’s mountainous core, connecting Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride and Mesa Verde National Park, the last known for the cliff dwellings left behind by the Ancestral Puebloans.
Whether you’re a history buff, ski bum, landscape photographer or simply someone who enjoys a thrilling drive, the San Juan Skyway has something for you.
Planning tip: As its name suggests, the San Juan Skyway runs through high-altitude terrain, making road conditions somewhat unpredictable, particularly during shoulder season. Always check for closures or local warnings before setting off.
8. Richardson Highway
Best road trip for Alaskan grandeur
Fairbanks–Valdez; 364 miles (586km); 2–4 days
No road trip roundup would be complete without a journey through the country’s northernmost and largest state. The Richardson Hwy, Alaska’s oldest, connects Fairbanks with Valdez, winding past dramatic mountain peaks and glaciers and giving travelers a front seat to some of the country’s most jaw-dropping natural attractions. Be sure to budget time for pit stops to hike, fish and go white-water rafting.
9. Scenic Byway 12
Best road trip through red-rock country
Bryce Canyon National Park–Capitol Reef National Park; 122 miles (196km); 1 day
Southern Utah feels like a different planet, and this backroads route takes you through the best scenery this geologically diverse state has to offer. Start your journey in the town of Panguitch, right outside of Bryce Canyon, then follow the road through red-rock canyons, historic towns and pine forests. You’ll finish your journey in Torrey, gateway to Capitol Reef National Park – and one of the West’s best-kept secrets.
Detour: From Torrey, it’s an easy 2½-hour drive to Moab, Canyonlands and Arches, making these routes the best way to see Utah’s Big 5. And the road itself takes you through some amazing lunar-like scenery that contrasts sharply with the red rocks. It’s just wild.
10. Coastal New England
Best road trip for Atlantic maritime vibes
New York City–Portland, ME; 430 miles (692km); 3–5 days
Prep yourself for beach days, picture-perfect oceanside towns and all the lobster you can handle: this coastal New England trip will definitely help you find your sea legs. Start in New York City and make your way north along the coast, stopping to enjoy the lovely beaches in Connecticut and Rhode Island; Massachusetts’ wealth of historical heavy hitters; and New Hampshire’s lighthouses. The route ends in the culinary hot spot of Portland, Maine.
