These 10 road trips show you the best of the USA
Taking a road trip through the USA is one of the most iconic American experiences you can have. A road trip brings you close to the country’s most striking landscapes – dense eastern forests, windswept plains, red canyons, dramatic Pacific coastlines – and gives you the opportunity to stop at some of the most famous cities, all on a single journey. Flights may be faster, but they take you over the country instead of through it.
With an extensive network of well-maintained highways, the USA is remarkably easy to cross by car. In a continent-sized country, long distances are a given, but fuel, food, and accommodation are generally easy to find (except in some of the most rural areas). In addition, having your own car gives you the freedom to take extra detours along the way.
Here is a list of our favorite routes through America’s open expanses, along with tips on how to get the most out of your trip.
Best road trip for Pacific Coast views
San Diego–Seattle; 1600 miles (2575 km); 8–12 days
The Pacific Coast Highway delivers one of the USA’s most iconic road trips, connecting the West Coast’s most remarkable cities, quirky Californian beach towns, ancient redwood forests, and the dramatic headlands and bays of the Pacific Northwest. The route includes Hwy 1, Hwy 101, and I-5, starting in San Diego and winding up the coast through Los Angeles, Big Sur, San Francisco, and Redwood National & State Parks before ending in Seattle.
Planning tip: Always check for road closures, especially in the Big Sur area, where landslides are common as the road winds along sea cliffs.
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 USA’s oldest mountain range and delivers view after view of rolling green mountains filled with enchanting hiking trails, rushing waterfalls, ancient rock formations, and rich wildlife. The parkway begins next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and follows the mountains through the spectacular Pisgah National Forest, a series of state parks and recreational areas, as well as Roanoke, Virginia, before ending at the southern entrance to Shenandoah National Park.
Detour: In addition to the opportunities in the state and national parks that the parkway passes through, many standalone hikes begin directly along the route itself. Consult hiking maps to avoid missing some of Appalachia’s best trails.
Best road trip for American kitsch
Chicago–Los Angeles; 2250 miles (3620 km); 1–2 weeks
Called the Mother Road, Route 66 has permanently etched itself into the international consciousness as the ultimate American road trip. Starting in Chicago, the historic highway crosses eight different states and connects travelers with national parks, strange but wonderful roadside attractions, and plenty of vintage Americana.
Planning tip: The route can be driven in stages or all at once, but we suggest allowing plenty of time to explore, as the distances are long and the activities many.
Best road trip for Southern history
Pasquo, TN–Natchez, MS; 444 miles (715 km); 2–3 days
The route of the Natchez Trace Parkway was originally created not by humans, but by bison that roamed through the region from central Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi. Indigenous hunters and traders soon followed, and the route later became a full-fledged highway for European colonists, soldiers, and dignitaries. Today, a drive down the Trace offers beautiful scenery, historic towns, and the experience of traveling on one of the country’s most historic roads.
Best road trip for Gulf Coast culture
Amelia Island–Key West; 475 miles (765 km); 6 days
Florida’s Hwy 1 runs along the entire Atlantic coast of the state before turning east at Miami and ending in breathtaking 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-filled Daytona, laid-back Fort Lauderdale, and glamorous Miami and South Beach.
Planning tip: Hurricane season runs from June to October – the most active months are August and September – and can potentially affect the entire state. If you visit during this period, keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Best road trip for Rocky Mountain peaks
Durango–Durango; 236 miles (380 km); 1–3 days
The San Juan Skyway delivers some of the Rockies’ greatest high-definition views. This route – which includes the famous Million Dollar Hwy – hops across the mountainous heart of central Colorado and connects Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and Mesa Verde National Park, the latter known for the cliff dwellings left behind by the Ancestral Puebloans.
Planning tip: As the name suggests, the San Juan Skyway runs through high-elevation terrain, making road conditions somewhat unpredictable, especially in the shoulder season. Always check for closures or local warnings before setting out.
