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Fill your tank, climb in the driver's seat, and hit the road. There’s no better way to celebrate travel plans in 2020 than driving out on a cross country road trip. Belt out some Dolly Parton, order a mammoth-sized burger at a diner, and fall in love with Kerouac culture, making America such a romantic place for the nomadic soul.
Whether it's Route 66 or the ocean spray roads of New England, few landscapes in the world offer so much variety in scenic wealth as the USA.
From the rugged coast to the rocky mountains, the mountain ranges to the mining towns, the shining sea to America's heartland, the drama of death valley to the delta, here are a few of our favorite classic road trips worth exploring…
The Delta Blues Trail
Music lovers and those seeking some genteel hospitality and a closer look at some of the USA’s most important history should hit the swampy highway 61 that flows through Memphis down to New Orleans, The twang of blues music is sure to be pouring out of every door, the alligators lazing beside swamps, moonshine brewing on rusty porches and shrimp as big as your head ripe for feasting.
State(s): Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee
Total Miles: 1,001 km
Days: 6 days
Where to Stop: On your deep south sojourn you can hit up
- Graceland, The Home of Elvis Presley (Memphis, TN)
- the Civil Rights Museum (Memphis, TN)
- the Delta Blues Museum (Clarksdale, MS)
- and of course the famous French Quarter in NOLA
The Pacific Coast Highway
The California coast is every inch as salty and sublime as your imagination promises it to be. Along the golden highway of Route 1, you will get to swing by Pacific Ocean perfection at Big Sur, the magic of wealthy Monterey, the sand dunes of Oregon and admire the Glass Beach in Fort Bragg on this west coast road trip.
State(s): Washington, Oregon, California
Total Miles: 2,655 km
Days: 1-2 weeks
Where to Stop:
- Follow in the footsteps of famed writers like Steinbeck and The Beats,
- see the Avenue of Giants as you marvel at the mammoth trees in Northern California,
- gulp down fresh air and salt tang in the Olympic National Park or the Olympic Peninsula Loop,
- explore the historic Oregon Trail,
- hit up the buzzy bright lights of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge,
- explore the back country trails of Yosemite National Park,
- drop down to Los Angeles (if you dare) and go out for a glitzy night on Sunset Boulevard,
- swing down to San Diego and grab a breakfast burrito along the way,
- then make your way back up along the coast to stop through Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, and all of the other beautiful like towns along the way.
Route 66
Perhaps the most famous road trip in North America, historic Route 66 cuts right across from Illinois to California swallowing up all the best sights and landscapes as it goes. The most impressive stretch is said to be between the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. As far as road trip routes go, you get so much bang for your buck as you hit up a feast of roadside attractions that carry you across right states.
State(s): Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Total Miles: 3,800 km
Days: 3 weeks
Where to Stop: Seeing the golden light pouring across the cathedral-like Grand Canyon is bright bucket list material. Other memorable sights include
- Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX for some artsy and strangely placed Cadillacs (yup, the car),
- Petrified Forest National Park in Holbrook, Arizona, which is made up of stone-like trees and stumps,
- Meramec Caverns in Missouri for a trippy underworld experience,
- the Rialto Square Theatre in Illinois for a cathedral European-esque Neo-Baroque style theatre
- the Mojave National Preserve,
- dear Santa Fe,
- and the neon lights of crazy Las Vegas.
This is the ultimate road trip USA.
Hana Highway
If you like your road trip served with a slice of tropical sunshine, then swap the mainland for the scenic route that makes Hawaii so famous. We are talking about simmering volcanoes, world-class surf, velvet green canopies, black sand beaches, and intensely bright flora and fauna.
State(s): Hawaii
Total Miles: 104 km
Days: 2 days
Where to Stop: The Hana Highway may stretch across Maui for only 51 miles, but it’s a hell of a memorable 51 miles. Along the Highway to Heaven, you can
- visit Ho’okipa Beach Park for scenic views and touristy restaurants,
- catch the thunder of Wailua Falls,
- take epic hikes,
- and see the recent lava flows in Maui lava fields.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Connecting Virginia with North Carolina, the poetically named Blue Ridge Parkway is 400 miles of Appalachian trail wilderness. This road is consistently named America’s favorite drive and for a dam good reason. Deep cut valleys, quaint towns, the splendor of the mist moving over the Great Smoky Mountains and endless hikes entice you to stretch your legs; the Appalachian mountains offers up a truly impressive scenic drive.
State(s): Virginia, North Carolina
Total Miles: 754km
Days: 5 days
Where to Stop:
- Ride a fully functioning steam train around North Carolina,
- admire the majesty of Blowing Rock,
- cross the Linn Cove Viaduct,
- swing by Asheville for delicious southern coastal grub at one of their outdoor dining patios or live music,
- and taste local brews at the Beech Mountain Brewing Company along the way.
The Florida Keys
Take the US 1 section of overseas highway that connects Key Largo to Key West and follow the road that strings the islands together. From coral reef parks to crossing one of the longest bridges in the world, hand-feeding fish and stop off for underwater adventures and to embrace the slower pace of seaside life.
State(s): Florida
Total Miles: 181 km
Days: 5 days
Where to Stop:
- Take a guided snorkeling tour of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park,
- rock up at Islamorada, a tiny key surrounded by tropical water where hammocks swing steps from the Atlantic Ocean
- and pull over to hop on deck and try your hand at big sport fishing and hit up the Bahia Honda National State Park.
Route 12, Utah
From the colorful curve of Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon National Park, road trippers will fall hard for the otherworldly scenery that marks Utah as one of the most interesting places to explore. A glut of national parks, charming small towns, falls and petrified forests come washed in color, charm, and the crowning glory of Capitol Reef.
State(s): Utah
Total Miles: 199 km
Days: 5 days
Where to Stop:
- Hiking, history, and burnt red canyons make Capitol Reef a must for snapping up great photos.
- Hike the great staircase around Calf Creek Falls,
- and marvel at landscaped natural wonders like the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Zion National Park to Grand Canyon
The USA is chock full of wilderness and there's no better national parks road trip than the famous spots of the US west. From the dizzying delight of the Grand Canyon's key sights to the retro charm of the small towns scattered along the stretch of Route 66, the Hoover Dam, and even on to the bright lights of Las Vegas should you want - this all American road trip captures the beauty of the open road.
State(s): Utah, Arizona,
Total Miles: 410 km
Days: 4 days
Where to Stop:
- The Arches National Park will blow you away as you hike Angels Landing with its dreamy gigantic arches and sculpted sunset shades.
- Raft down the Grand Canyon river and explore the lesser-known north rim.
- Book an organized trip to explore Zion National Park, Moab, or Bryce Canyon
Anchorage to Valdez
With prehistoric glaciers booming out of the earth, icy peaks, and hiking trails that capture pure pristine beauty - Alaska serves up an epic road trip every time. Reindeer farms, vistas to take your breath away, this is one of the best road trips for rugged outdoor lovers looking to get off the beaten path.
State(s): Alaska
Total Miles: 482 km
Days: 2 days
Where to Stop:
- If traveling with young ones in tow, the Palmer Reindeer Farm is a must.
- Sit down to your picnic at the Matanuska Glacier Marker
- and for those intrepid road-tripping junkies, you can even walk on the glacier if you take a turn at the 102-mile marker (or go with a guided tour of the Alaskan glaciers to be safe)
Northern California Wine Route
Sip and swirl your way across the sun-drenched corner of the USA as you head out from your starting point of San Francisco towards Napa Valley and Sonoma. Cute small towns, bubbling hot springs, and fields of rolling vineyards and culturally rich art galleries and picnic spots make this one road trip you won't forget.
State(s): California
Total Miles: 259 km
Days: 3-4 days
Where to Stop:
- Swing by Meadowood Napa Valley to booze and lunch at one of the best spots in America's wine region.
- Soothe driving tired muscles at the Vichy Hot Springs Resort spot
- Hit the Jack London State Historic Park to stroll off that epic lunch.
Which places to visit will be making your big USA bucket list? Are you hankering for small-town coziness or scenic byway splendor, are you drawn to the wild west of the American southwest or are you craving those major cities like New York City and the glittering lights of the east coast? Share your favorite scenic road trips or your next USA road trip ideas with us in the comments.
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