As someone who’s from the US I often take the beauty of this country for granted. From snow-capped mountains to arid deserts and small towns to large cities, there are so many things to see.
One of the best ways to see these amazing destinations, is to take a road trip. I’ve asked some of the best travel bloggers for their help to share the 10 best road trips in the US. Get started planning your next getaway!
10 Best USA Road Trips
East Coast
#1 Miami to Florida Keys
Submission by Adrienne from The Haphazard Traveler
Driving the Florida Keys from Miami to Key West is an iconic American road trip. Spend a week exploring the best sights of the Keys along the route, which crosses 42 bridges over 113 miles of the Overseas Highway. This is a fun trip for beach-loving couples, families, and friends, and is perfect any time of year with the exception of August and September, when Florida hurricane season peaks.
Key Largo is a great first stop. A world-class snorkeling and diving destination, Key Largo has many options for aquatic adventures including the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Next, spend a few days in Islamorada or Marathon for watersports, shopping, and dockside restaurants for sunset each night. Visit Sombrero Beach, one of the best public beaches in the Keys, and the Turtle Hospital to learn about their sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation programs.
Next, stop at Bahia Honda State Park for hiking, snorkeling, and beach time before arriving in Key West. Then get ready for the sights, restaurants, and nightlife that have made Key West famous! Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, shop and dine on Duval Street and Old Town, and catch a sunset from Mallory Square. If there’s time, take a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park to see its historic fort, amazing snorkeling, and deserted beaches.
#2 Route 1 to Maine
Submission by Karen Warren from Outdoor Adventure Sampler. Follow her on instagram here.
A road trip on historic Route 1 is the classic way to see the beauty of the coast of Maine. See historic waterfronts with seafaring fishing boats, picturesque villages, welcoming beaches, and quiet islands. Fall is the best season to take a road trip on Route 1. The summer crowds have thinned and the foliage is stunning.
Kennebunkport is the first stop on the Maine road trip. The vibrant waterfront village is jammed with boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops. Look for a view of the Goat Island Lighthouse across the water. Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the Cape Porpoise Islands. Portland is the largest city in Maine and is a foodie destination. Food Network worthy chefs ply their cooking skills at charming restaurants in the Old Port district on the waterfront.
Continuing on to Freeport, shoppers will love the outlets and the iconic L.L. Bean superstore. Take your photo in front of the giant L.L. Bean boot out front. The city of Bath is next on your road trip. A visit to the Maine Maritime Museum explains the maritime history and shipbuilding industry of Maine. Get the best lobster roll at Red’s Eats in nearby Wiscassett. The next stop along Route 1 is the seaport of Camden. The Windjammer schooner fleet sails from Camden. Visit the waterfront to admire these historic masted sailing crafts.
Further Downeast, take a short detour to see Acadia National Park. The park preserves the rocky headlands of the Atlantic coast. Watch a sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast. The road trip ends near Lubec. The spectacular Bold Coast has splendid hiking, puffin tours, and a visit to the Quoddy Point Lighthouse, located on the most eastern point of the continental United States.
#3 Blue Ridge Parkway
Submission by Carrie from Trains Planes and Tuk Tuks.
If you’re looking for a view-packed road trip with plenty of places to stop and explore, the Blue Ridge Parkway is perfect! The Parkway runs 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the NC/TN border. It passes through a handful of towns — namely Roanoke, VA and Asheville, NC. But for the most part it’ll just be you, your car, and endless mountains.
Plan to spend at least three days driving the Blue Ridge Parkway (one-way). You’ll want to stop at dozens of the overlooks that are spaced every few miles. The Parkway also provides easy access to hiking trails — among the best are Linville Falls, Grandfather Mountain, Craggy Pinnacle (great for sunsets!), and Black Balsam Knob. Don’t forget to pull off at Mount Mitchell State Park to walk up to the highest point east of the Mississippi!
You can take a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip anytime from April to October. Spring is great for wildflowers, the weather is warm in the summer, and autumn means gorgeous fall colors. Most of the Parkway closes in the winter (usually December-March, but it can be periodically closed earlier or later based on local real-time road conditions). Pack a good rain jacket whenever you visit.
If you want to cut costs along your road trip, consider camping. You can even find free accommodation if you’re willing to hike for it — backcountry camping spots abound, especially in the NC section. Pisgah Campground is the best car-camping spot. Finally, make sure you fill up on gas every time you pass through a town! The mountains eat up fuel a lot faster than highway driving, and there are only gas stations every 50 miles or so.
West Coast
#3 Eastern California Route 395
Submission by Dhara from Road Tripping California
One of the best California road trips you can do is US Route 395, which runs through eastern California. The route is so scenic that this road trip easily qualifies as one of the best road trips to do in all of the US.
Start in LA and join US 395 going north. You will drive through the stunning scenery of the Sierra Nevada mountains, including passing Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. Soak in natural hot springs, admire the beauty of pristine alpine lakes, and do some epic hikes.
At Mammoth Lakes, visit the Devils Postpile National Monument. Further north, take a detour to visit Bodie, a ghost town from the days of the California Gold Rush. End your trip in Lake Tahoe, a gorgeous year-round playground, where you can enjoy activities in the water and along the shore. Fly out of nearby Reno after you complete the trip.
While this trip can be done any time between spring and fall, fall is really the best time to go, because of the stunning leaf colors. Allow 3-7 days for the trip, to be able to stop and enjoy the sihhts along the route.
#4 Pacific Northwest Highway 101
Submission by Britts from Britts Bella Vita. Follow her on Instagram here.
Explore some of the Pacific Northwest’s most enchanting cities, all while exploring the beautiful Oregon coastline on HWY 101. If you are coming from out of state for your road trip you’ll want to fly into one of the bigger PNW cities, either Portland International Airport or Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
The best time of year to visit the PNW is usually July- October, and to be able to explore the highlights of this region, I would suggest taking at least 5 days to complete your trip. You’ll be amazed by the beauty and diversity of the PNW, as you drive the coast from Seattle, Washington to Newport, Oregon, making this road trip a bucket list experience for travelers.
Seattle- There is something for everyone in the city of Seattle – amazing food, a thriving arts scene, and captivating views. While in the city, grab a cup of coffee from The Original Starbucks and take a stroll through Pike Place Market, where you can support local artisans and take a picture at the Insta-famou Gum Wall. In Downtown Seattle you’ll have access to tourist favorites such as the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden + Glass, and The Seattle Great Wheel.
Astoria- When taking the scenic 101 route you’ll get to drive over the stunning Astoria bridge, which crosses over the Washington-Oregon border and Columbia River, and is famous for being the longest continual truss bridge in North America. You might also recognize this charming town from the classic film “The Goonies.” You might as well take a drive by the original Goonies house, and stop by The Oregon Film Museum to learn more about Oregon’s film history.
Cannon Beach- Cannon Beach is one of the most popular spots for people to come take pictures, the prominent Haystack Rock is a landmark in the town, and during low tide you can walk up and see this geologic feature up close. This is a very bio-diverse area, and during the Spring-Summer Tufted Puffins can be seen migrating around Haystack Rock.
Tillamook Creamery- If you are a cheese and dairy fanatic then you’ll love this stopping by Tillamook Cheese Factory for a self guided tour. You’ll get to witness the cheese making process from start to finish, and delight yourself in some of their famous Ice Cream or other American classic dishes on your way out.
Newport, Oregon – Newport, Oregon is a quaint coastal town, with a delight food and beverage scene, serving local seafood and Oregon wines. Head over to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse to see the historic piece of maritime, and soak in the views of some of the state’s more beautiful rugged coastline. If you are looking for a unique stay, you can check out the Newport Belle, which is Boat Bed & Breakfast right in the Newport Marina.
#5 Pacific Coast Highway
Submission by Allison from California Crossroads
It doesn’t get any lovelier than a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway up the California coast! This epic road trip runs almost the entire length of the West Coast of the United States, from San Diego, CA all the way up to Olympia, WA. However, you can do any fraction of the PCH that you choose! The most popular and indispensable stretch is the route from Los Angeles to San Francisco, so that’s what I’ll cover here. However, you can extend it further south or further north, however you choose!
A trip from LA to SF via the PCH has several can’t-miss stops, and it should take at least 3 days in order to do it justice (though a week would be better). A few of the absolute must-stop destinations are: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo (staying in the Madonna Inn!), Morro Bay, Big Sur (as well as Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls, and other photo stops), Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and some of the small cute beach towns along the San Francisco peninsula like Pacifica or Half Moon Bay.
While admittedly, California can be a pricy state, you can keep your costs down by picking up lunches to go and stopping at our world-famous In-N-Out burger to save some bucks on a lunch on the road! It’s a California-must do. Other cost-cutting choices include camping along the way, such as in Big Sur, and skipping some of the pricier places for an overnight stay such as Carmel-by-the-Sea and instead picking cheaper overnight accommodations.
While this road trip is great any time of year, I believe it’s best in the spring. You have the best chance of whale watching, the weather is likely to be stunning but not too hot, and there will be wildflowers all up and down the coast!
The Rest of the US
#6 Utah and Arizona
Submission by me from Lita of the Pack. Follow me on Instagram here.
Red Rocks and stunning natural features take over the landscape in the Southwest. You will be blown away by all of the beauty this part of the world has to offer. Taking a road trip through Arizona and Utah is an unforgettable experience that will make you want to go back and see more.
The best time to go to the Southwest is during the Fall and the Spring when temperatures are mild and you can see plenty of the park’s sights. To get there many people fly into Las Vegas, but you can fly into other cities in the Southwest like Phoenix and Salt Lake City. Once you’ve landed you will have to drive to the other destinations. I suggest giving yourself at least a week for your trip to the Southwest. Below you’ll find the suggested stops and Route.
- Valley of Fire State Park – If you start in Las Vegas, then this is a wonderful stop on your way to Zion. Spend the day exploring these crazy red rock formations. While you’re there see the Fire Wave and the Pink Canyon.
- Zion National Park – Then, drive to Zion National Park and spend a day or two there. This park is known for it’s beautiful red cliffs that sit over the Virgin River. There, you should take the shuttle through the park and do hikes like the Narrows and Angel’s Landing.
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Bryce Canyon is only a few hours from Zion and it’s one of my favorite parks! This park can easily be seen in a day, but you’ll be amazed by the beauty of the hoodoos. You can catch a sunrise at Sunset Point or hike through the Queen’s Garden.
- Capitol Reef National Park– From Bryce, you can take the Scenic Byway 12, which is one of the prettiest drives in the country to get to Capitol Reef. Capitol Reef is the least visited of Utah’s Mighty 5, but it’s amazing. There, you can drive the scenic drive and hike Hickman Bridge or Grand Wash.
- Moab, Utah: Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Arches National Park – After spending a day in Capitol Reef, you’ll drive to Moab. You should give yourself at least two days in this adventure hotspot. All three of these parks are amazing and you could spend more than a day exploring each one of them.
- Page, AZ: Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend – Leave Utah, and head back into Arizona. Page is another area that has plenty of outdoor activities and sights. You can do plenty of activities in Lake Powell like Kayaking or ATVing. Then, stop to see the crazy natural wonders at Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell.
- Grand Canyon National Park – Finally, your last stop is one of the most famous places in the US- the Grand Canyon. Spend a day here, see scenic views, and do a day hike or spend more time and explore deeper into the Canyon.
#7 Big Bend and Terlingua
Submission by Gemma from Two Scots Abroad Follow her on Instagram here.
Big Bend National Park is an obvious choice for a Texas Road Trip. While Big Bend isn’t the largest national park in the USA, don’t underestimate just how big it is! At 801,163 acres you could easily spend three days hiking, relaxing and hitting the hot springs.
Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in the park. There are over 200 miles of treks which vary from easy to difficult. Spring and fall are the best times to visit as hikers enjoy the cooler West Texas temperatures during those seasons.
You can’t just rock up to Big Bend. There are only three official campsites and one concession. All require pre-booked reservations so if you plan to stay overnight in the park, in a tent or RV hook up, remember to check your dates on the website and pay for your spot before you set off.
At the gateway of Big Bend, you will find the historic ghost town, Terlingua. It is common for visitors to spend a night in a cool teepee, visit the 1800s mining ruins and watch the sunset with a cool beer outside the Starlight Theatre.
You can fill up with gas at Terlingua. If you are not from Texas, you’ll be surprised at how cheap gas is. Always fill up before you hit the park and never go under a quarter or face an expensive visit from breakdown services!
#8 South Dakota
Submission by Jordan from The Homebody Tourist. Follow her on Instagram here.
South Dakota may not be on the top of everyone’s bucket list, but it is a true hidden gem in the United States. With unique attractions, wildlife, hiking, history, and the MOST amazing National Park, it is the perfect state for a road trip. Whether you have a couple of days or a month to explore, I can assure you, you will be left with the best memories. Plan your trip for the early summer months as the winters can be brutal. In June, you will be met with mild temperatures in the low 70’s—perfect for outdoor exploring!
Recommend Stops on your South Dakota Road Trip (From east to west):
- Badlands National Park– Miles of uncharted natural beauty to hike and explore. Be sure to stop and feed the cutest prairie dogs on your way to the park!
- Wall Drug- Trust me, you will see the 5,000 signs advertising this massive gift store.
- Big Thunder Gold Mine- Tour an old gold mine and try out panning for gold!
- Cosmos Mystery Area- An outdoor museum of illusions—You have to try it to believe it!
- Mount Rushmore– A quintessential stop on this road trip. Tip: There is an easy trail that will take you closer to the monument.
- Bear Country USA- A drive-through bear sanctuary—with many other animals to view as well!
- Custer State Park-71,000 acres in the Black Hills of South Dakota. A true natural gem not to miss! Hiking trails, swimming, wildlife and MORE!
#9 Colorado
Submission by Nikki from She Saves She Travels. Follow her on Instagram here.
One of the best road trips in the USA is driving through the picturesque Colorado. With gorgeous scenery and a wide variety of places to stop along the way, it’s a road trip adventure you’ll never forget!
The beautiful thing about a Colorado Road Trip is that you can make it as short or as long as you’d like. I recommend at least 7 days for a trip like this, but you could take an extended stay in the state and spend up to 30 days exploring all that Colorado has to offer!
The best place to start is in Denver, Colorado. From there, head north to check out the breweries in Boulder, before hitting one of the most beautiful national parks in the US – Rocky Mountain National Park. Take a hike in the mountains or simply enjoy the scenic drive.
Next you can head out west, through the ski towns of Vail, Frisco and Keystone. If you plan this far enough in advance, make a reservation for the incredible Hanging Lake hike. It’s a bucket-list activity for sure! Visit natural hot springs in Glenwood Springs before seeing the iconic Colorado National Monument in the far western part of the state. Next head southeast where you’ll hit the next scenic park on this list: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Drive the million dollar highway from Ouray to Silverton before visiting a 3rd national park – Sand Dunes National Park. From there you can loop back north and see the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. It’s a must on an epic road trip like this! As you return back to Denver, visit the Botanical Gardens, 16th Street Mall downtown or the Red Rocks Park Amphitheater.
The best time to take a road trip like this is spring to fall, although the winter creates indescribable beauty in Colorado too! It just may be a little more treacherous of a drive.To make your trip budget-friendly, you can consider renting an RV or booking vacation rental properties along the way. Staying in a picturesque Colorado log cabin is like icing on the cake to this amazing road trip!
#10 Montana and Wyoming Parks
Submission by Sarah from She Travels. Follow her on Instagram here.
This Rocky Mountain Road Trip will take you through some of the most beautiful places in the US. You’ll start off in Glacier National Park in Northern Montana. Glacier is said to have a magnetic effect on people – once they visit, they come back again and again! Some of the highlights of this area are Going to The Sun Road, Highline Trail, Lake McDonald, Grinnell Glacier, and more.
After Glacier National Park, you’ll drive south to Yellowstone National Park . I’d try to give yourself at least two full days to explore Yellowstone since there’s so much to see. At the very least, make sure you visit Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. If you have two to three days, this guide will tell you exactly how to see Yellowstone in a weekend.
Just south of Yellowstone National Park is Grand Teton National Park which is the next stop. You’ve got to visit Mormon Row in the park and see the infamous Moulton Barn. Aside from that, there are a number of trails to hike to get some amazing views. For this leg of the trip, you can stay within or just outside the park.
I’d recommend giving the road trip about 10-12 days total, preferably in the late spring, summer, or early fall since all of these parks will be open. Since you’ll be visiting three different national parks, I’d also highly suggest buying the America The Beautiful Park Pass for $80 which lets you into all US National Parks for an entire year. That will be cheaper than paying the entrance fee at each park separately, but you’ll want to order the pass at least a month before you plan to go to make sure you get it in time.
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These road trips are so amazing! I’ve done several of them but next on my list would have to be Big Bend. 🙂