18 Best Road Trips In The USA
Are you strives to plan one of the best road trips in the USA?
18 Best Road Trips In The USA:
1. Northern California Road Trip Highlights
- San Francisco
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Redwood National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
Northern California is impressively diverse, offering a variety of stunning natural landscapes all along your route.
If you are planning a California road trip, consider going to Northern California to escape the crowds and heat often found in the southern part of the state.
A Northern California road trip along Highway 101 and down through the Cascades is the ideal way to see some of the best that California has to offer while making memories that last for a lifetime.
This road trip will take you to the mystical Cypress Tree Tunnel at the Point Reyes National Seashore.
It will have you enjoyment at the wildly loud sea lions at San Francisco’s Pier 39.
Then discover yourself wandering the Jurassic Park landscape of Fern Canyon in Redwoods National Park.
You’ll also spectacle at volcanoes and waterfalls and find marine life in tide pools at low tide.
After all that, I have no doubt you’ll be booking your next American road trip to come back for more.
This is also one of my beloved Summer Trips in The USA!
2. Oregon Road Trip Highlights
- Portland
- Columbia River Gorge
- Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
- Cannon Beach
I have explored Oregon thoroughly and have yet to be disappointed by a single location.
It’s greenery and waterfalls tend to remind me of Iceland in summer. The natural beauty is astonishing.
From the funky, colorful city of Portland, you’ll leave the city streets for the splendid outdoors beginning your road trip off right with some of the most spectacular waterfalls you’ve ever seen.
The whimsical waterfalls, such as Multnomah Falls, alone are enough to land this among the best road trips in the United States.
You might be amazed to find your road trip route then ventures away from the forests and lacy waterfalls to the unique Oregon desert landscape of the Painted Hills and Smith Rock State Park.
But don’t worry, the trip continues with more vibrant blue natural pools, more waterfalls of course, sandy beaches along the coast, and more cities full of life.
The beauty of Oregon’s natural landscape is enough to make anyone faint. I’m in love with Oregon and know you will be too.
From the coastal waters to the relaxing hot springs you’re in for a excellent road trip USA adventure.
3. Arizona Road Trip Highlights
- Flagstaff
- Sedona
- Grand Canyon
Arizona is a dry desert with many desert plants such as ancient saguaro, photogenic prickly pear, and sun-drenched jumping cholla.
But Arizona is also vibrant red rock, stunning waterfalls, refreshing swimming holes, and abundant forests of pine and aspen.
One of the major attractions is Grand Canyon National Park with its awe-inspiring views and challenging trails.
A Grand Canyon road trip is one of the great American road trips for the total family.
An Arizona road trip is the best way to experience a piece of each of these Phenomenal unique landscapes that will have you at a loss for words.
Arizona is perfect for hiking, swimming, and enjoying nature’s accurate beauty and artistry.
Though the state is probably known for its heat, particularly in Phoenix in the summer, the winter could not be more ideal with highs in the upper 60s.
If the summer heat is particularly fiery, you can always spend more time up north in Flagstaff, Sedona, or at the Grand Canyon where summer temperatures are more pleasant.
These are some of the best stations(stops) on any Southwest road trip.
With sunshine all year long and an lush of outdoor activities, how can you not include this among the best road trips in the USA?
take your hiking poles, boots, and sunscreen and soak up the diverse landscapes of Arizona.
4.Utah Road Trip Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
There’s no better way to experience a handful of the country’s most spectacular national parks in one trip than embarking on a Utah road trip.
The alliance of Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks are referred to as the Big 5.
I can assure you they’ll occupy a large place in your heart after you return from your great American road trip.
You’ll begin your Utah road trip with the stunning arches and vast landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands National Park. They’ll leave you in awe at the ability of nature to make masterpieces.
In between hopping from one impressive national park to the next, you’ll visit state parks and national monuments that simply hold their own among the Big 5.
You’ll end up your journey at the most famous of all the stops, Zion National Park.
The views from Zion’s abundance of fantastic hikes are the stuff of dreams. These are some of the best hikes in the country.
Hop in your car to start one of the most well known road trips in the USA as you find the best places to visit in Utah.
5.Alaska Road Trip Highlights
- Talkeetna
- Denali National Park
- Seward
There’s nothing quite like visiting “America’s Last Frontier.” I suggest setting aside at least a week for your Alaska road trip, though two weeks would be perfect.
I’ve visited Alaska many times and can promise you that you’re in for an wonderful unique experience when visiting the rugged 49th state.
It’s one of the best road trips in the USA for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many of adventures to be had, mountains to explore, and the occasional elk or bear to happen upon.
The best part of your vacation will likely be the unmatched beauty of Denali National Park.
With amazing backcountry hikes, glaciers, and an abundance of wildlife, it provides a dream landscape for nature lovers.
When you’re not exploring the national park you’ll be visiting beautiful towns, walking along the beaches, fishing, and enjoying every moment of your drive through the undisturbed natural landscape.
Get the Forecast, drive carefully, respect the animals, and bask in Alaska’s wild beauty. This is one of the rare American road trips you will love!
6.Colorado Road Trip Highlights
- Denver
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
Your Colorado road trip will feature the state’s best, from stunning landscapes and bucket list hikes to flavorful food and city vibes.
National parks are also plentiful giving you more than enough chances to immerse yourself in Colorado’s natural beauty.
You can pick and pick from the stops and activities depending on how much time you have to spend in each place.
Colorado is a playground for adventurers and lovers of the great outdoors. There are a lot of epic hikes in Colorado!
The landscape will continue to change throughout your drive taking you from one spectacular scene to the next.
It is one of the finest road trips in the USA because it has a little bit of everything including bustling cities, mountains, lakes, snowshoeing, backpacking, skiing, fishing, sand sledding, ruins, and rock art.
It’s hard to go wrong exploring this superb state. Bring your hiking shoes and an adventurous spirit. ready for the American road trip of a lifetime.
7.West Coast Road Trip Highlights
- Yosemite National Park
- San Francisco
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Portland
- Seattle
You are spoiled for choice when visiting the West Coast of the USA.
The scenery is amazing. There are redwoods, beaches, charming gardens, and towering rock formations.
My West Coast road trip route starts in San Diego and take you up the California coast through Oregon and up to Washington where you will complete this wild ride and fly out of Seattle.
With all it has to offer, you could go through a lifetime exploring the West Coast and still not see and experience everything.
Yosemite’s stunning rock domes, San Francisco’s renowned bridges, the fascinating redwood forests, and the funky Portland vibes help make this one of the best road trips in the USA.
There’s no lack of incredible stops that will stay in your memory for a longtime.
This road trip only brushes the surface of all the spectacular things you can do, but I’ve picked stops that will leave you in wonder and ravenous for the next adventure.
So pack up your bags and start the car because you’re about to take off on one of the most memorable US road trips.
8.Oregon Coast Road Trip Highlights
- Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor
- Bandon
- Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area
- Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
- Cannon Beach
The Oregon coast is made of charming coastal towns, the well known haystack rock of Cannon Beach, natural rock bridges, concealed beaches, crashing waves, and historic lighthouses.
While traveling in Oregon, you will walk in the footsteps of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, explore sea caves at low tide, and witness the turbulent ocean sucking water into its depths.
An Oregon coast road trip is the ideal getaway to calming natural landscapes where you’ll be met with impressive ocean views and reviving salty air.
There’s nothing like a good walk along the beach to keep energy high as you road trip the USA.
From scenic viewpoints to an lush of hiking trails in Oregon, there’s no shortage of things to do along the coast.
I guarantee you won’t regret basking in the charming natural landscapes of the Oregon coast on one of the best USA road trip routes.
9.Idaho Road Trip Highlights
- Boise
- Shoshone Falls Park
- Craters of the Moon National Monument
- Sawtooth National Forest
- Coeur d’Alene
If you have never visited Idaho, now it’s time to add it to your bucket list!
This Idaho road trip will show you everything this pretty state has to offer including surging waterfalls, lush forests, vibrant cities, and so much more!
Idaho is a nature lover’s dream with so many stunning landscapes to explore.
At Shoshone Falls Park, you will find a 212-foot waterfall with multiple streams cascading into an heroic gorge. There are many trails with different viewpoints to find out.
Then, at Craters of the Moon National Monument ,you will feel as if you have crash landed on the moon as you walk around a rough landscape formed by oldest lava flows.
Sawtooth National Forest offers a lot of outdoor recreation such as hiking, swimming, boating, and soaking in some of the best hot springs in the USA.
In winter, Idaho is also one of the finest places for skiing in the USA.
End one of the most adventurous USA road trips by relaxing in the lake town of Coeur d’Alene. Spend the day lounge at the beach or taking a boat tour.
10.Yellowstone Road Trip Highlights
- Old Faithful
- Mammoth
- Boiling River Hot Springs And Lamar Valley
- Tower Fall And Dunraven Pass
Yellow National Park is found on many bucket lists and it is a dream destination for many of travelers.
It has an lush of jaw-dropping sights, and our Yellowstone road trip has all the best ones.
Taking a trip to Yellowstone is the greatest summer activity.
Along the way to the popular national park, you’ll stop in Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, and Grand Teton National Park where you can hike, camp, drive scenic routes, and watch the magical landscapes reflect on the water of exceptionally picturesque lakes.
But the highlight of this trip that lands it among the best road trips in the USA is of course Yellowstone National Park.
If you’re planning a Yellowstone road trip, you’ve no doubt heard of Old Faithful, the renowned geyser charming crowds with its powerful eruptions.
But the Awe-inspiring national park has so much to offer besides its iconic geyser.
From flowing waterfalls and hikes through forests of pine to majestic meadows and relaxing hot springs, you can’t help but be swept up in the charm of this natural wonderland.
Finally, Yellowstone is one of the finest places for road trips in the USA!
11.Florida Road Trip Highlights
- Ginnie Springs
- Orlando
- Miami
- Everglades National Park
- Key West
- Dry Tortugas National Park
Millions of people flock to Florida each year to enjoy the tropical weather and beaches along with the many amusement parks, fun cities, and national parks.
Florida is one of the finest road trips in the USA if you’re looking to mix a lot of rest and relaxation with the chance to release your inner adventurer.
Though your Florida road trip starts with the large city of Jacksonville, you’ll rapidly find yourself heading for less populated territory as you venture to the coastal city of Saint Augustine.
Next, Ginnie Springs is your starting dose of the pretty outdoors where you can snorkel, kayak, or just relax in an inner tube while the water gently carries you along.
Perhaps you’ve always had the desired to swim with manatees. That can be finish at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
Or maybe you’re looking ahead to taking the kids to Disney World in Orlando.
The amazingly scenic hiking trails at Everglades National Park await you as well.
There’s no shortage of adventures to be had during your Florida road trip. Pack your luggage because it’s time to make some memories in the Sunshine State!
If you want to do an even more cooler trip, why not add on a Florida Keys Road Trip?
12.East Coast Road Trip Highlights
- Acadia National Park And Bar Harbor
- Boston
- New York City
- Washington DC
- St. Augustine And Key West
My East Coast road trip has you Begins in Maine, passing through New York, then down to the Carolinas and Florida.
You’re in for a real treat exploring the wide variety of locations and attractions that the East Coast has to provide.
From the mountain peaks and pristine beaches of Acadia National Park to the rich history of cities such as Boston, New York City, and Washington DC, there’s more to do along the coast than you can hopefully see in one trip.
If you are doing this trip during winter, you can catch Christmas In Washington DC as well as Boston and NYC which is amazing and night of lights in Saint Augustine is amazing too!
The stops I’ve laid out for you make for the ideal introduction to one of the best road trips in the USA.
Though the West Coast is more famous for its stunning natural beauty, the East Coast has plenty of wonders of its own.
It should not be counted out when you think about which USA road trip routes are worth your time.
Set out to start this truly wild American road trip ride.
Ready for your belly to be filled with the most delicious food, your eyes to feast on the most alluring landscapes, and your heart to fall in love with the East Coast.
Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway on the East Coast or want a longer trip, you will have enjoyment for sure!
13.Montana Road Trip Highlights
- Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
Montana is among the finest road trips in the USA because of its fascinating wilderness, national parks, and wildlife.
It’s the conclusive location for those who love the outdoors and hiking.
Your Montana road trip will take you from Glacier National Park to Missoula with enticing stops in between.
You’ll see sights such as the renowned geyser Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park and the charming freshwater spring of Giant Springs State Park.
The landscape will continue to change during your drive as you pass from one amazing location to the next.
The state has a little bit of everything including pretty cities with interesting local shops and cozy small-town vibes, miles upon miles of great hiking trails, and terrific places to eat, stay, and relax.
If you’re ready to road trip the USA and explore the great outdoors of Montana, pick your loved road trip playlist and hop in the car.
With so many great things to do in Montana, you will not want to leave easily!
14.New Mexico Road Trip Highlights
- Santa Fe
- Chaco Canyon
- White Sands National Park
- Carlsbad Caverns
This New Mexico road trip is among the best road trips in the USA with an majestic three UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route.
You’ll begin your road trip in Albuquerque where you’ll want to visit Old Town and grab a margarita at Monroe’s.
From there you’ll be voyage down desert roads.
Applaud artwork at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe.
Look into the turquoise jewelry in Madrid or stargaze at the Very Large Array.
Hike the dramatic dunes at White Sands National Park. Make sure yourself to explore the caves at Carlsbad Caverns as well.
There’s even a place called Pie Town! There’s nothing better than loading up on Scrumptious pies before going to the Gila National Forest.
Chaco Canyon, home to a extremely huge collection of ancient ruins including Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, and the Fajada Butte to name a few, is just one example of the rich history of New Mexico.
Beyond that, the state is amazingly unique. For beginners, there’s an International UFO Museum and Research Center committed to the famous Roswell crash of 1947.
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, outdoor adventures, or captivating small towns, New Mexico has something for everyone.
This is the finest road trip itinerary in the USA for hidden gems and distinctive landscapes!
15.Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip Highlights
- Skyline Drive And Shenandoah National Park
- Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain
- Ashville
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Looking for one of the finest road trips in the USA for scenic views and vibrant fall foliage?
The 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway might just be the best adventure for you.
Mile markers will make it simple for you to recognize stops along the way.
From Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and everything in between, you’re in for some of the most lovely views you’ve ever seen.
It’s every ideal Bob Ross landscape painting times ten and in real life.
This is the kind of trip where you’ll have fun with your time spent in the car soaking everything in with your eyes just as much as the time spent exploring each destination.
To really enjoy every moment I suggest taking a week to complete your trip, but the route can simply be enjoyed with less days as well.
Though this road trip passes through the casual town or city, its highlights are the natural beauty of the area.
You will see so much from cascading waterfalls and endless mountain ranges to haze hanging over mountain peaks and forests and encounters with wildlife.
There is an lush of tremendous hiking opportunities showcasing the landscape along the route as well as picturesque camping spots.
This road trip is peaceful and soul-stirring, and I suspect it might make its way to the top of your US road trips list.
16.Route 66 Road Trip Highlights
- Chicago
- St. Louis
- Cadillac Ranch
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Santa Monica
For the outstanding cross-country road trip in the USA, set out on the iconic Route 66.
Extend for 2,400 miles between Chicago, Illinois, and Santa Monica, California, this route is one of the finest ways to experience the country.
You will see a blend of lively cities, beautiful nature, and distinctive road side-attractions.
Whether you drive the complete route or only a portion, you will have a great time finding picturesque stops.
Spend time in Chicago before going south to St. Louis, Missouri, and Gateway Arch National Park.
As you continue towards California, you will discover many one-of-a-kind attractions such as Cadillac Ranch, the Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, and more.
Stop at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona to appreciate a various and colorful landscape including fossilized wood.
Once you arrived to Santa Monica, enjoy some time at the pier and take in views of the Pacific Ocean especially in sunset.
You will agree this is the finest road trip across this country!
17.Big Sur Road Trip Highlights
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
- Bixby Creek Bridge
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
A Big Sur road trip is one of the best ways to take in the glory of the central California coast.
Big Sur is about 90 miles of undeveloped coastline because preserving its natural state perfect for disconnecting and discovering gorgeous natural scenery such as pretty waterfalls, pristine beaches, and epic rock formations.
There are many places to stop Which includes tourist attractions, accommodation on this road trip.
Begins with the adorable Carmel-by-the-Sea, one of the finest small towns on the West Coast. Look into the shops and art galleries before going to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo.
You will have an amazing time in clicking pictures and hiking in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as sea lions, sea otters, and seals.
For beach views and an stunning waterfall, visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The 80-foot McWay Falls cascades directly into the ocean.
As you can enjoy one of the top driving trips in the country, you will fall in love with the sweeping views of where the mountains meet the ocean.
This might be the best American road trip route for ocean lovers!
18.New England Fall Foliage Road Trip Highlights
- Kancamagus Highway
- Woodstock, VT
- Acadia National Park
- The Berkshires
New England is one of the best Locations to experience fall in the USA. If you want to see blazing colors, add this region to your bucket list!
It consists of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
As your road trip through these small states in the fall, you will see many cute, small towns and state parks full of color.
Make sure to check the fall foliage report before setting out as peak time varies from year to year.
There are so many scenic routes to choose from including Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, Route 100 in Vermont, and Coastal Route 1 in Maine.
Some of the finest New England towns for fall foliage include Stowe and Woodstock, Vermont; Meredith, New Hampshire; and Litchfield, Connecticut.
The Berkshires region of Massachusettes is also beauty with small towns and farms.
As you drive, make stops for scenic hikes, jaw-dropping overlooks, fun apple orchards, and tasty pumpkin-flavored donuts!
visiting to New England in the fall is honestly one of the best road trip ideas!
I hope you have found US road trip inspiration!
You will experience the abundant cultures, powerful history, and astonishing landscapes that make the country so amazing.