Introduction

When it comes to a variety of beautiful landscapes to offer, few places can rival the USA for a good road trip. The incredible mountains, parks, canyons, and thriving towns are just the beginning of the USA’s incredible road trip potential. On top of all of that, you also have endless opportunities for breathtaking views, spontaneous roadside stops, and hiking trails that are just a little off the beaten path.

So, for your next trip, be sure to consider the 10 best road trips in the USA. Every one of them offers something special. Whether you’re looking to go to the beach, the mountains, the desert, or are just looking for a fun vacation, there’s something for everyone.

1. Pacific Coast Highway, California

Route: San Francisco → Monterey → Big Sur → Santa Barbara → Los Angeles

Approximate distance: 450 miles

Many consider the entire route of the Pacific Coast Highway to be the most stunning road trip in all of the USA. The views and road stops along the Pacific Ocean are quite the sight to behold and impossible to beat on road trips 1 and 2.

Start your trip in the Bay Area at San Francisco and head down to Monterey Bay before visiting the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean in Big Sur.

There are countless scenic views, waterfalls, and hiking trails. And don’t forget to take your camera to capture the majestic Bixby Creek Bridge.

Travel south to Santa Barbara, where you’ll find another laid-back Californian city graced with coastlines and stunning Spanish-style buildings. Then move along to Los Angeles.

Best time to visit: Spring to fall.

Why take this road trip: Incredible coastal scenery, relaxing beach towns and stunning landscapes dotted with cliffs and coastal towns with some of the most beautiful and iconic views in America.

2. Route 66: Chicago to Santa Monica

Route: Chicago → St. Louis → Oklahoma City → Amarillo → Albuquerque → Flagstaff → Los Angeles/Santa Monica

Approximate distance: 2,400 miles

“Main Street of America” or Route 66 is known for being one of the most famous and historical American road trips. This route stretches across multiple states and offers a unique perspective into the culture and history of American road trips.

Even though modern highways have replaced a majority of Route 66, there are still plenty of historic sections of the road to visit with roadside attractions, diners, and small towns.

Some of the more popular destinations include St. Louis, the Route 66 Museum in Oklahoma, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, the Petrified Forest, and the many attractions along the route in Arizona.

To celebrate completing this iconic road trip, head to the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall.

Why take this road trip: The history of America comes to life through the unique attractions and classic diners found on this road trip along the heart of America.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

Route: Shenandoah National Park → Roanoke → Asheville → Great Smoky Mountains

Approximate distance: 470 miles

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the ideal route for those who wish to travel through the mountains, forests, and scenic views.

The Parkway is built through the Appalachian Mountains to connect Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains.

There are innumerable overlooks, hiking paths, and waterfalls, and there are mountain communities sprinkled throughout.

One of the top places to visit on the Parkway is Asheville, North Carolina. This city has a large food and drinks culture and is home to the Biltmore Estate.

Autumn is a lovely time to travel the Parkway to see the mountains painted with fall colors.

Best time to visit: Late spring through fall, especially October for fall foliage.

Why take this road trip: There is plenty of mountain landscape, opportunities to hike, and fall colors to enjoy.

4. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

Route: Glacier National Park

Approximate distance: 50 miles

Even with a distance of 50 miles, this Parkway is one of the most beautiful mountain drives in the United States.

Going-to-the-Sun Road is within Glacier National Park and crosses the Continental Divide to show the breathtaking alpine landscapes of the United States.

There are always mountains, forests, and waterfalls with deep canyons and even wildlife, like mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

Roads lead to Logan Pass, one of the highest places in the park accessible by road. There are several trails to hike and various mountains to oversee.

Due to winter precipitation, road closures can occur, so visitors should check for updated travel advisories before visiting.

 Best time to visit: Late spring to early fall, subject to road closures.

 Why take this road trip: Spectacular views of the mountains and valleys, rich wildlife, and ample opportunities for hiking.

5. Utah’s Mighty 5 Road Trip

Route: Zion → Bryce Canyon → Capitol Reef → Arches → Canyonlands

Approximate distance: 400–500 miles based on stops along the way.

Taking the road trip through Utah’s national parks will be an amazing journey of a lifetime, visiting the parks of the Mighty 5.

Starting off at Zion, with its majestic rock cliffs and impressive canyons, will kick off this road trip. Bryce Canyon is the next stop with its unique formations.

Capitol Reef is next and has colorful and impressive rock formations along with cliffs and canyons.

Arches will offer a different scenery with its thousands of natural arches of rock, including the famous Delicate Arch.

Canyonlands is the last park with its vast wilderness and integrated canyons and mesas.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall.

 Why take this road trip: 5 national parks, opportunities to hike and take amazing pictures with the striking landscapes and adventures outdoors.

6. Florida Keys Overseas Highway

Route: Miami → Key Largo → Islamorada → Marathon → Key West

Approximate distance: 165 miles

The Florida Keys will be the tropical and scenic ocean road trip of your dreams.

The Overseas Highway starts on the mainland of Florida and ends on Key West.

This drive has many bridges over water where you make many stops to snorkel, kayak, fish, or enjoy the beach, the fine seafood, and the sunsets.

Water activities are best in Key Largo, and Islamorada is best if you like to fish. Still more activities are to come in Marathon, where you can visit more beaches before you have fun in Key West.

Key West has fun things to do like visit the historic parts, waterfront, and eateries and view the famous sunsets.

Best time to visit: Winter through spring.

Why take this road trip: Tropical scenery and an island atmosphere where you can relax, snorkel, and eat seafood are the highlights of this Sunset drive.

7. The Great River Road

Route: Minneapolis/St. Paul → St. Louis → Memphis → New Orleans

Approximate distance: 2000+

The Great River Road has many different food, cultural, and historical activities among natural scenery along the banks of the Mississippi.

You can choose which portion of the route you want to take based on your available time and interests.

There are lots of activities among the many historic river towns, like museums, scenic overlooks, and food towns, which are among some of the best cities in America.

Music and food are the highlights in Memphis, and New Orleans offers the best of Jazz and all things historic.

Best time to visit: Spring and Fall

Why take this road trip: The best of the South’s food, music, history, and scenic river drives are along this route.

8. Oregon Coast Road Trip

Route: Astoria → Cannon Beach → Newport → Florence → Brookings

Approximate distance: 360 miles

If you are looking for an alternative to California’s Pacific Coast Highway, look no further. You will find steep cliffs, sandy beaches, forests, and little coastal towns.

Cannon Beach, with its massive Haystack Rock, is a popular stop.

Keep going south, and you will find viewpoints, tidal pools, forests, and really nice little towns.

Newport is another popular stop, especially for people who like seafood and marine coastal attractions.

The Oregon Coast is also a great place for photography. With the weather combined with forests, cliffs, rocks, and the ocean, there is beautiful, dramatic scenery.

Best time to visit: The best time to go is in the summer when the weather is milder, but also in the fall.

Why take this road trip: You will see the coastline, forests, and lighthouses, as well as beautiful little towns and beaches with amazing seafood.

9. Grand Circle Road Trip, Southwest USA

Route: Las Vegas → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Page → Grand Canyon → Las Vegas

Approximate distance: 750 miles

The Southwest has some of the most amazing and popular landscapes.

From Las Vegas, head to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and then Page in Arizona.

Close to Page are the stunning canyons and the Horseshoe Bend that you can enjoy before you head to the Grand Canyon and then back to Las Vegas.

This trip has the appeal of seeing enormous canyons, rock formations, deserts, and incredible sunsets all in one journey.

Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall.

Why Take This Road Trip: You are treated to the views of the Grand Canyon, landscapes of deserts, formations of red rock, amazing photo opportunities, and the beauty of National Parks.

10. New England Fall Foliage Road Trip

Route: Boston to New Hampshire to Vermont to Massachusetts

Approximate Distance: 500-800 miles depending on the stops along the way.

This trip is one of the most colorful journeys you can take, especially in the autumn season.

Regions in New England are known for the vibrant autumn colors, especially in the red, orange, and yellow color ranges.

This trip starts in Boston and makes its way North to New Hampshire, which is home to the White Mountains, one of the best scenic areas of New England, full of covered bridges and great hiking.

This trip then carries on to Vermont, which is known for its charming villages, farms, and covered bridges and various scenic rural landscapes.

You end this trip with either an excursion to the western edge of Massachusetts or an extension into the great state of Maine.

Foliage is unpredictable and varies each year; therefore, local foliage trackers should be consulted to time this trip.

Best Time to Visit: Between September and October, but this can vary by region.

Why Take This Road Trip: Experiencing New England culture by hopping from farms to towns to scenic areas with covered bridges and vibrant fall colors.

How to Pick the Best Road Trip in the USA

With an abundance of routes, selecting one can be challenging. The best road trip for you depends on your preferences, budget, time constraints, and the time of year.

Ocean views and beaches: Pick from the less traveled routes of the Pacific Coast Highway, Oregon Coast, and Florida Keys.

National Parks: Try Out Utah’s Mighty 5 and The Grand Circle.

Mountains: Pick from the Blue Ridge Parkway and The Going-To-The-Sun Road.

History: Enjoy the experiences on Route 66 and The Great River Road.

Fall: New England and the Blue Ridge Mountains have beautiful fall views.

Tropical: The Florida Keys are hard to beat.

Best Road Trip Across the USA Advice

There are a couple of things you can do to make your long road trip safer and more enjoyable.

Have a Plan

While you should have a plan, leave the details to be discovered on the trip. Some of the best experiences on a road trip are spontaneous things that you don’t plan for.

Know What to Expect on the Roads

Roads and routes in the mountains and national parks can be closed for different reasons, from snow and storms to construction. Be sure to review the most up-to-date information on the roads and parks.

Get Your Loggings Early

The hotels and lodgings that support activities in the national parks fill up quickly in the popular summer months and the fall months when the leaves change.

Prepare Your Transport

Before you hit the road, be sure to check your vehicle for oil, brakes, fluid, lights, and tire maintenance. In remote areas, be sure to keep your gas tank full. Also, have the basic emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Download Offline Maps

Service may be spotty in national parks and remote areas. Download your maps while you have access to consistent internet.

Take Breaks

Driving long distances can be draining. Stop frequently to give yourself a break and switch drivers. If you feel at all fatigued, do not drive.

Leave Nature as You Found It

When you are in the more remote areas of the country, like a national park, following the rules, staying on the trail, and carrying out your trash prevents damage to the area and helps future visitors enjoy these places.

Conclusion

The 10 best road trips in the USA have options for all types of people. The variety of landscapes and experiences along all of America’s highways ranges from New England’s fall foliage to the California coastline.

An adventurous spirit can appreciate the road trip nostalgia of a drive along Route 66. If you enjoy scenic national parks, then the Grand Circle and Utah’s Mighty 5 are amazing options. The Coastal Highway of the Pacific and the drive through the Florida Keys are spectacular views sure to please an ocean lover.

It is the journey, the roadside attractions, diners, and funny picture-taking that are the most meaningful memories of a trip.