Best USA Road Trips: 18 Ideas for Your Next Big Adventure (2024)

About these USA Road Trips

These road trips range from just a several days to two weeks in length. Most them are written as 7 to 10-day itineraries.

This is not a list of scenic drives, which are drives that can be done in a few hours or a full day (for example, Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Beartooth Highway). However, these scenic drives are included in the itineraries below.

For each road trip, we list the approximate distance you will travel and the best time of year for each trip. Most of these can be done all year, but like any travel destination, there are ideal times for each of them.

Most of these road trips include at least one national park. We are on a quest to visit all 63 national parks, and they make perfect road trip destinations.

We have done all but a few of these USA road trips…several are still on our bucket list. And on this list we have a few favorites, what we think are must-have experiences in the USA, and I’ll share those with you at the end of this guide (or you can skip ahead now).

#1 Route 66

Distance: 2,448 miles
Length of Time: 1 to 2 weeks to drive the entire distance, or you can drive a section of Route 66
When to Go: All year

Highlights: Chicago, ghost towns in New Mexico and Texas, quirky roadside shops and restaurants, Petrified Forest National Park, Santa Monica. If you drive the entire length of Route 66, you will drive through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Route 66 is one of the most famous roads in the USA. This historic road is also called the Main Street of America and the Mother Road.

This road runs from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, totaling 2,448 miles. In the 1930’s, it was the route used by those migrating west to escape the Dust Bowl. And in the 1950’s, this route was used by vacationers on their way to Los Angeles.

In the 1960’s, as more direct highways were constructed, traffic along Route 66 declined, leading towards its demise. Portions of Route 66 were bypassed and neglected, although in recent years, there has been revitalization along this route.

As far as planning your road trip, you can drive the entire distance, which takes one to two weeks, depending on what you do along the way. Or, just road through a portion of Route 66.

We have driven Route 66 in Arizona. With quirky roadside stands and several great places to visit along the drive (Petrified Forest National Park, the Meteor Crater, and Flagstaff) this is one of the most iconic sections of the drive.

Holbrook, Arizona | Best USA Road Trips

#2 California: The Pacific Coast Highway

Distance: 650 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: spring and summer

Highlights: San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles

Tim and I did this over 20 years ago, and it still remains one of my favorite USA road trips.

The Pacific Coast Highway, also called California State Route 1, runs north to south from Leggett to Dana Point. The classic Pacific Coast Highway road trip runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles, but you can also add on San Diego in the south or continue the drive north into northern California.

This road trip is done point-to-point and can be done in either direction.

The drive between San Francisco to Los Angeles, as the road winds along the rugged coastline in Big Sur, is one of the most beautiful drives in the USA. It takes 8 to 10 hours to drive this stretch of road, but most people break the drive up into several days, spending the night in either Santa Barbara, Solvang, Morro Bay, and/or Monterey.

There are also some great nearby destinations to add on to this road trip. Napa Valley, Pinnacles National Park, and San Diego all make great additions to a Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

With more time, you can continue the road trip by heading north to northern California, add on more time in each city, or add on Pinnacles or Yosemite National Parks.

Bixby Bridge at Big Sur: Phitha Tanpairoj/shutterstock.com

Cable cars in San Francisco

#3 American Southwest

Distance: Varies, 1,000 – 1,500 miles
Time: 7 days to 2 weeks
When to Go: Best during the spring and fall months

Highlights: The Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks

American Southwest Route | Best USA Road Trips

Admire the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon, hike the thrilling trails in Zion National Park, and photograph the millions of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. The list keeps going, with the sweeping views of Monument Valley, dusty, off-road adventures in Grand Staircase-Escalante, and numerous slot canyons to scramble through. With more time, you can extend the road trip and head farther into Utah, exploring Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Parks.

Monument Valley | Best USA Road Trips

Zion National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Antelope Canyon | Best USA Road Trips

If you have the time, I recommend planning a two-week road trip through this region. On just one road trip, you can visit the Grand Canyon, Utah’s Mighty 5, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, and Las Vegas.

With less time, we have a great 10-day road trip that includes several highlights and wonderful off-the-beaten-path destinations in the American Southwest, and a 7-day road trip that includes Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. We are frequent visitors to the American Southwest and have a lot of different road trip itineraries on this website.

#4 Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks

Distance: 900 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Early July through mid-October, when all of the roads in the national parks are open

Highlights: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks

This is one of the best USA road trips if you want to visit three popular national parks. We like this road trip so much that we have done it twice.

This USA road trip is done point-to-point. It can be done in either direction, but most people start in Grand Teton and then head north to Glacier National Park.

In Grand Teton National Park, visit Jenny Lake, hike to Inspiration Point or head farther into the Teton Range, go wildlife spotting at Oxbow Bend, photograph the mighty Teton Range, and spend some time in Jackson.

Then head to Yellowstone, where the wildlife sightings are some of the best in the national parks and you can visit bubbling mud pots and technicolor hot springs.

Finally, the trip ends with its grand finale in Glacier National Park. Drive the beautiful Going-to-the-Sun Road, take your pick between short and long hikes, and marvel at this gorgeous national park.

Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park

Hayden Valley, Yellowstone

Glacier National Park | Best USA Road Trips

#5 Washington State Road Trip

Distance: 1,225 miles
Time: 7 to 14 days
When to Go: July through September

Highlights: Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks, Leavenworth, Lake Chelan

Washington state makes an excellent road trip destination, especially for outdoor lovers, hikers, and families. Three national parks are located in Washington.

Mount Rainier National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Olympic National Park | Best USA Road Trips

North Cascades National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in the United States. In just one national park, you can climb peaks as high as 8,000 feet, walk through old growth temperate rainforests, and stroll along beaches littered with driftwood.

For hikers, Mount Rainier is one of the best US national parks to visit. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails loop around Mount Rainier, a glacier-capped active volcano. For an epic experience, you can also climb to the summit of Mount Rainier on a multi-day hiking trip.

North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, and we also think that it is one of the most underrated. It’s also another great spot to go hiking.

On a road trip through Washington state, you can also add on the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, go wine tasting at Lake Chelan, visit Mount Baker, go on a day hike in the Enchantments, and visit Seattle.

#6 Las Vegas to San Diego

Distance: 640 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: fall, winter and spring

Highlights: San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park (the cover photo for this article)

This USA road trip is great in the wintertime. Joshua Tree and Death Valley tend to be some of the hottest spots in the USA, so it’s best to visit this area when the weather is cool.

Since this road trip is done point-to-point, it can be done in either direction. Here is a sample 10-day itinerary, starting in Las Vegas and ending in Las Vegas. For more information, plus an alternative route that includes the Mojave National Preserve, read our Las Vegas to San Diego Itinerary.

For a shorter version of this itinerary, skip Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the day trips from Las Vegas.

Death Valley National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Las Vegas | Best USA Road Trips

Valley of Fire | Best USA Road Trips

Joshua Tree National Park | Best USA Road Trips

#7 Florida Keys Road Trip

Distance: 200 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: All year but this road trip is best from November through March, when the weather is cooler, rainfall is low, and there is no threat from tropical storms or hurricanes.

Highlights: Miami, Key West, Florida Keys, Everglades, Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Parks

White sandy beaches, warm sunny skies, palm trees, key lime pie, warm sunny skies…sounds nice, right?

Driving from Miami to Key West is one of the best USA road trips.

The Florida Overseas Highway connects mainland Florida with Key West. As you road trip through the Florida Keys, you can visit state parks, beautiful beaches, animal conservation centers, breweries, and boutique shops. Dine al fresco, on the beach, in the shade of palm trees.

Spend some time in Miami and Key West and you can also add on three national parks: Biscayne, Everglades, and Dry Tortugas.

Seven Mile Bridge | Best USA Road Trips

Key West | Best USA Road Trips

Dry Tortugas National Park | Best USA Road Trips

If you have less time, this itinerary can easily be shortened to one week. Travel point-to-point through the Florida Keys. In our Florida Keys Itinerary, we give suggestions on how to do this.

#8 Northern California & Oregon

Distance: 650 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Summer and early fall

Highlights: Redwood State and National Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Crater Lake National Park

On this loop, visit three national parks: Crater Lake, Redwood, and Lassen Volcanic National Parks. This road trip is still on our to-do list. When we were planning one of our big summer trips, we had to choose between the Washington road trip (listed above) and this one. Washington won but we are hoping to do this one soon.

Since this USA road trip is done as a loop, there are several different spots to start this trip. Medford, Oregon is the most convenient location that I have found, since it has one of the largest airports in the area.

Below is a 10-day road trip itinerary starting and ending in Medford.

Crater Lake National Park: Nature’s Charm/shutterstock.com

#9 Washington DC to Asheville, North Carolina

Distance: 700 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: May through October

Highlights: Washington DC, Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, New River Gorge National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville, Gatlinburg

If you are looking for a USA road trip to do in the fall, this is one of the best on this list. In October, all three national parks are ablaze in fall colors, making this one of the most beautiful times to visit this part of the USA.

Spend a day or two in Washington DC, visiting the Smithsonian Museums, national monuments, and iconic landmarks. Then, leave the city behind, as you road trip through Shenandoah National Park, driving the beautiful Skyline Drive.

Next, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to Natural Bridge. Take a detour west, spending a few days in one of the USA’s newest national parks, New River Gorge. After New River Gorge, resume the drive south, visiting Asheville, North Carolina, before ending the trip with a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Shenandoah National Park in October | Best USA Road Trips

New River Gorge National Park | Best USA Road Trips

The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina | Best USA Road Trips

Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Best USA Road Trips

To turn this into a 7-day itinerary, eliminate New River Gorge National Park and do this as a road trip from Washington DC to Asheville, North Carolina.

#10 Arizona Road Trip

Distance: 1,080 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Fall, winter and spring

Highlights: Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend

On this Arizona road trip itinerary, you will visit three national parks, drive past the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley, walk through magical Antelope Canyon, and hike the desert hills of Sedona. Arizona is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the United States and this road trip is the perfect way to see them.

Arizona is a large state with a lot to do. This road trip focuses on the national parks, Sedona, and Monument Valley, but if you have more time, you can also add on Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and Scottsdale.

Grand Canyon National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Sedona, Arizona | Best USA Road Trips

Saguaro National Park | Best USA Road Trips

#11 Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Distance: 100 to 300 miles
Time: 1 to 7 days
When to Go: All year

Highlights: Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Louisville, Bardstown, Lexington

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT) is a collection of eighteen bourbon distilleries located in and around Louisville. If you want to tour all eighteen distilleries, you need a minimum of seven days. For those who just want a taste of the KBT, this area also makes a great weekend getaway.

There is a lot more to do in this part of Kentucky than just tour bourbon distilleries. Enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night in a historic tavern.

Maker’s Mark | Best USA Road Trips

Horse Racing at Churchill Downs | Best USA Road Trips

One week is a long time to spend on the bourbon trail and it will get repetitive. I only recommend doing this if you are a BIG fan of bourbon. It took us several different trips to Kentucky to visit all of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries.

#12 Alaska Road Trip

Distance: 700 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: May through September

Highlights: Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Kenai Fjords and Wrangell – St. Elias National Parks

There are many different ways to put together an Alaskan road trip, and in our Alaska Itinerary post, we share three detailed itineraries.

Our favorite is a 10-day trip that includes Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Kenai Fjords, and Wrangell – St. Elias. It’s our favorite for two reasons.

For one thing, Wrangell – St. Elias is one of the most underrated US national parks. This place blew us away, with its multiple ranges of mountain peaks, glacier hiking, and flightseeing.

The second reason is that Denali Park Road, in Denali National Park, is closed at about the halfway point, while a bridge is constructed around a landslide. Until this road fully reopens (2023 or later), I think it is best to save Denali and visit the other Alaskan national parks instead.

In our article 10 Day Alaska Itinerary: 3 Road Trip Ideas, we provide three different road trip routes through Alaska, but below is the 10-day itinerary with Wrangell – St. Elias and Kenai Fjords National Parks.

With more time, you can add on Denali or add on a day trip to Lake Clark or Katmai National Parks.

Kenai Fjords National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve | Best USA Road Trips

#13 New England Road Trip: Acadia to Boston

Distance: 700 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Late spring through fall; October is the best time for fall colors

Highlights: Acadia National Park, Kancamagus Highway, Franconia Notch State Park, Stowe, Lake Champlain, the Berkshires, Boston

This is a road trip that is very high on our to-do list. We have been to Acadia National Park and Boston, the starting and ending points of this itinerary, and loved both experiences. Our visit to Acadia coincided with peak fall colors and it’s breathtaking.

We live in the mid-Atlantic region of the US so we get to see some beautiful fall colors in our backyard, but there is something extra special about New England in October. Not only do the fall colors seem more vibrant, but the small towns and state parks make this region one of the most beautiful destinations in the USA for a fall road trip.

In the summer of 2023, Kara and a friend took a 12 day road trip through New England, visiting Providence, Cape Cod, Isle au Haut in Acadia National Park, Franconia Notch State Park, and the Kancamagus Highway. You can see the full itinerary in our 12 Day New England Itinerary.

Acadia National Park in October | Best USA Road Trips

Boston | Best USA Road Trips

#14 Utah’s Mighty 5

Distance: 900 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: Spring and fall

Highlights: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

If you like rugged, desert landscapes, it is hard to beat the beauty of Utah. If you are a hiker, there are enough trails in these parks to keep you busy for weeks. And if you like a good road trip, Utah is the perfect place to explore from behind the wheel of a car.

Without a doubt, this is one of the best USA road trips. We can’t get enough of this part of the USA…Utah keeps calling us back.

Hike the bucket list worthy trails at Zion, explore the fantasyland of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, photograph the arches and unique rock formations at Arches National Park, explore the waterpocket fold in Capitol Reef, marvel at the landscapes at Canyonlands Island in the Sky, and hike through the unique landscape in The Needles at Canyonlands.

This is just a short list of things to do on a Mighty 5 road trip. You can spend weeks here and never run out of new things to do.

Arches National Park | Best USA Road Trips

The Needles, Canyonlands National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Bryce Canyon National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Capitol Reef National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Below is a 7-day road trip itinerary through Utah’s Mighty 5. In this guide, also have alternate 7-day itinerary, plus a 10-day itinerary that gives you more time in the national parks and gets you off-the-beaten-path to several of Utah’s underrated state parks.

#15 Colorado Road Trip

Distance: 1,050 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Summer and early fall

Highlights: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks, Aspen and Snowmass, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and numerous scenic drives.

With four national parks, numerous national forests and state parks, plus historic towns scattered throughout the Rocky Mountains, Colorado makes an awesome road trip destination.

Our 10-day road trip itinerary includes all four national parks, which are linked together with some of Colorado’s best scenic drives (the San Juan Skyway, the Million Dollar Highway, Top of the Rockies, Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park).

Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain National Park

Mesa Verde National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

This itinerary is done as a loop, starting and ending in either Denver or Colorado Springs. It’s a great road trip for families, hikers, and those who love the great outdoors and scenic drives.

#16 Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore

Distance: 1,400 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: May through October

Highlights: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, Beartooth Highway, Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, Custer State Park

With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but that’s not all. You also have enough time to visit the highlights of Grand Teton, day trip out to Badlands National Park, spend some time at Wind Cave National Park, and cruise the scenic drives and spot wildlife at Custer State Park.

That’s four national parks in one road trip, not to mention two national monuments, one incredible state park, and several very scenic drives.

It’s possible to do this in 7-days, although you will have to give up a few destinations. Get the details on how to do this by clicking here.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park

Beartooth Highway | Best USA Road Trips

Mount Rushmore National Monument | Best USA Road Trips

Badlands National Park | Best USA Road Trips

#17 California National Parks

Distance: 700 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: May through October; some roads in Yosemite are only open from mid to late-May through mid-October

Highlights: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks

This itinerary starts in San Francisco, travels through three national parks, ending in Los Angeles.

This road trip skips Death Valley National Park. Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are best in the summer and fall, when the roads are open. This happens to be the worst time to visit Death Valley, since it is so hot. You can add on Death Valley, just be prepared for scorching temperatures if you plan to do this from May through October.

We did this road trip in 2017. At that time, there was a road closure on the Pacific Coast Highway, so we drove through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, rather than taking the coastal route. This also makes a very nice USA road trip, particularly for those who are trying to visit all of the US National Parks.

You can turn this into a longer national park road trip by adding on Channel Islands National Park when you are in LA. And if you can brave the heat, spend a day in Death Valley. That totals five national parks in one road trip.

Yosemite National Park | Best USA Road Trips

Sequoia National Park | Best USA Road Trips

#18 The All-American Cross Country Road Trip

Distance: 3,000 miles
Time: 10+ days
When to Go: best in the spring, summer, and fall

Highlights: The USA

Driving cross country is the ultimate USA road trip. Crossing the country by car, visiting small towns, big cities, national parks, and numerous landmarks along the way is definitely a bucket list kind of trip. In fact, it’s still on our travel wish list.

There are many different ways to drive across the US. It takes about 5 days to do this drive, averaging 8 hours a day, without making any stops. Once you start adding on time for sightseeing and detours, the distance and amount of time spent gets much longer.

Ideally, plan on doing this over a minimum of 10 days, although more time is better. Some people set aside a full month, or the entire summer, to road trip across the United States.

Here are a few cross-country road trip ideas:

Connect two big cities, New York and LA, visiting the Las Vegas, Moab, Denver, Nashville, and Washington DC on the drive (3,200 miles).

On a northern route, start in Boston, visit Niagara Falls, drive through Chicago, South Dakota, visit Yellowstone, and end in Seattle. (3,300 miles)

If you are looking to do this in the winter, you can drive across the southern US, starting in San Diego, going through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, visiting New Orleans and the Florida panhandle, ending your trip in Savannah, Orlando, or going all of the way to Miami (2,700 miles).

Which One(s) Should You Do?

If you need help trying to decide which road trip to do, here are a few suggestions.

Our favorites are the American Southwest, Utah’s Mighty 5, and Alaska.

Best Road Trips for Families

• Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks
• American Southwest
• Utah’s Mighty 5
• Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore

Best Road Trips for Hikers

• Washington road trip
• Colorado road trip
• American Southwest
• Utah’s Mighty 5
• Alaska road trip
• California national park road trip (Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia)
• Northern California and Oregon loop

Best Road Trips for Non-Hikers

• Florida Keys road trip
• New England road trip
• Utah’s Mighty 5
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail
• Pacific Coast Highway in California
• Route 66

Best Road Trips for Fall Colors

• New England road trip
• Washington DC to Asheville

Best Road Trips in the Winter

• Florida Keys
• Arizona road trip
• Las Vegas to San Diego

You can also visit Utah’s Mighty 5 or do an American Southwest road trip, but it can be cold and there is a chance of snow.

And if you have any questions about these road trip itineraries, you can also let us know in the comment section below.

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