Road Trip Across America: 13 Unforgettable Routes To Explore This Year
There’s something timeless and thrilling about a road trip across America, a way to slow down, take the scenic route, and explore the diverse landscapes, cultures, and small towns that make the country so unique. From coastal highways and desert canyons to alpine lakes and hidden lakeshores, these unforgettable road trips offer the perfect mix of adventure, beauty, and discovery. Each one includes detailed stops and sample itineraries to help you plan your next epic getaway.
1. Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1)
Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, California’s Pacific Coast Highway hugs dramatic ocean cliffs, passes through misty redwood forests, and winds its way past charming seaside towns. Along the way, you’ll experience some of the most iconic coastal landscapes in the United States, from towering bridges to hidden coves. This area alone makes for a great California Coast Highway road trip.
- Distance: ~650 miles
- Travel time: 7–10 days
- Best stops to make: San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles
2. Oregon Coast (US-101)
The Oregon Coast is a windswept wonderland of sea stacks, tidepools, waterfalls, and historic lighthouses. This rugged and wild drive offers unmatched access to beaches, cliffs, and lush forests, all while weaving through laid-back towns and scenic coastal parks.
- Distance: ~360 miles
- Travel time: 5–7 days
- Best stops to make: Astoria, Cannon Beach, Cape Kiwanda, Florence, Bandon, Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, Brookings
3. Route 66 (Chicago to Santa Monica)
A Route 66 road trip is a nostalgic, cross-country journey filled with retro diners, neon signs, roadside attractions, and vintage motels, a moving time capsule of 20th-century Americana. It’s perfect for those who want a blend of kitsch, culture, and historic charm.
- Distance: ~2,448 miles
- Travel time: 2–3 weeks
- Best stops to make: Chicago, St. Louis, Tulsa, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Santa Monica
4. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)
This drive through the Appalachian Highlands is known for winding roads, lush valleys, historic overlooks, and vibrant fall foliage. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or just enjoying the view, the Blue Ridge Parkway delivers endless opportunities for peaceful mountain scenery.
- Distance: ~469 miles
- Travel time: 4–6 days
- Best stops to make: Shenandoah National Park, Roanoke, Blowing Rock, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
5. The Great Northern (US-2)
This transcontinental route offers big skies, vast wilderness, and access to some of the most pristine national parks in the northern U.S. It’s perfect for travelers looking to disconnect from crowds and discover remote landscapes with mountain ranges, lakes, and alpine towns.
- Distance: ~2,600 miles
- Travel time: 2–3 weeks
- Best stops to make: Duluth, Minot, Glacier NP, Coeur d’Alene, North Cascades National Park, Seattle
6. The Loneliest Road (US-50)
Stretching coast to coast, US-50 offers solitude, wide-open desert, and a genuine sense of discovery through the forgotten heart of America. It’s a road trip for dreamers and minimalists, no distractions, just the road, the sky, and the stillness of the unknown.
- Distance: ~3,200 miles
- Travel time: 2–3 weeks
- Best stops to make: Ocean City MD, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Dodge City, Great Basin National Park, the famous Lake Tahoe, Sacramento
7. Florida Keys Road Trip (Miami to Key West)
A tropical drive over turquoise water and coral reefs, the Overseas Highway connects a chain of islands unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Expect white-sand beaches, seafood shacks, and breathtaking sunsets on this short but unforgettable journey.
- Distance: ~165 miles
- Travel time: 2–3 days
- Best stops to make: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honda State Park, Key West
8. The Southwest Desert Loop (Arizona + Utah)
This red rock journey takes you through a landscape of canyons, cliffs, arches, and ancient desert. It’s a playground for outdoor lovers and one of the most visually striking drives in America, with every stop more dramatic than the last.
- Distance: ~1,000 miles
- Travel time: 7–10 days
- Best stops to make: Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Page Arizona, and of course Zion National Park as well as Bryce Canyon
9. Sierra Nevada Mountains (California + Nevada)
This high-altitude adventure in the Sierra Nevada Mountains winds through glacial valleys, granite peaks, alpine lakes, and giant Sequoia groves in Sequoia National Park. From the grandeur of Yosemite National Park to the shimmering beauty of Lake Tahoe, this route is a nature-lover’s paradise.
- Distance: ~600 miles
- Travel time: 5–7 days
- Best stops to make: Yosemite NP, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, Lake Tahoe, Sequoia NP, Kings Canyon NP
10. Alaska’s Parks Highway (Anchorage to Fairbanks)
A journey through Alaska’s untouched frontier, this road trip offers incredible wildlife, endless mountain views, and access to Denali National Park, home to North America’s tallest peak. It’s one of the few road trips where you might spot bears, moose, and the Northern Lights in the same week.
- Distance: ~360 miles
- Travel time: 4–6 days
- Best stops to make: Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Fairbanks
11. New England Fall Foliage Trail
New England transforms into a blazing palette of red, orange, and gold in autumn, and this drive takes you straight into the heart of that magic. This is why doing a New England road trip, especially uduring mid October is one of the most memorable trips you’ll ever take in your life. Meander through mountain passes, country roads, and charming villages filled with maple syrup, cider, and seasonal charm.
- Distance: ~800 miles
- Travel time: 5–7 days
- Best stops to make: Boston, Kancamagus Highway, White Mountain National Forest, Stowe, the Green Mountains of Vermont, Berkshires
12. Michigan Upper Peninsula Loop
A rugged, water-filled adventure along Lake Superior, this road trip brings you to waterfalls, cliffside trails, and some of the most beautiful shorelines in the Midwest. The UP feels like its own world, remote, wild, and deeply peaceful.
- Distance: ~1,000 miles (loop from Mackinaw City)
- Travel time: 7–10 days
- Best stops to make: Mackinac Bridge as well as Mackinac Island, the famous Pictured Rocks, Marquette, Porcupine Mountains, Copper Harbor, and (this is not officially in the UP) the Apostle Islands
13. North Shore of Minnesota (Duluth to Grand Portage)
One of the most underrated drives in the U.S., the North Shore Minnesota route follows Lake Superior’s shoreline through pine forests, cascading waterfalls, and postcard-worthy lakeside towns. It’s ideal for anyone seeking relaxation, hiking, and lakefront beauty.
- Distance: ~150 miles
- Travel time: 2–4 days
- Best stops to make: Duluth, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche SP, Grand Marais, Grand Portage
Packing List
Whether you’re road-tripping along the coast, through deserts, or into the mountains, this ultimate packing list will help you stay organized, prepared, and comfortable throughout your journey.
Car Essentials
- Valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance
- Spare tire, jack, and tire iron
- Jumper cables
- Roadside emergency kit (flares, reflective triangles, first aid)
- Windshield washer fluid and wipers
- Paper map or atlas (as backup to GPS)
- Phone mount and charger
- Reusable trash bags
Adventure + Outdoor Gear
- My Amazon gear list
- Daypack or hiking backpack
- Refillable water bottle or hydration bladder
- Trekking poles (for hiking-heavy routes)
- Binoculars (especially for wildlife or scenic views)
- National Park Pass (America the Beautiful Pass)
- Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, if applicable)
- Headlamp or flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Travel towel
Clothing + Layers
- Comfortable driving clothes
- Hiking boots or trail shoes
- Rain jacket or windbreaker
- Warm layers (even summer nights can be cool in the mountains)
- Lightweight clothes for hot climates
- Swimsuit (beaches, hot springs, rivers)
- Hat and sunglasses
- Gloves, beanie (if doing a cold-weather route like Alaska or Sierra Nevada)
Food + Drink
- Cooler (hard shell or soft pack)
- Non-perishable snacks (granola, jerky, trail mix, dried fruit)
- Reusable utensils, plates, and cups
- Jetboil or portable stove (if camping or cooking)
- Reusable coffee mug
- Grocery bags or containers for restocking
Personal + Tech
- Cell phone and power bank
- Camera + memory cards
- Notebook or travel journal
- Toiletries (toothbrush, wipes, soap, etc.)
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Medications and vitamins
- Small first aid kit
Comfort + Entertainment
- Pillows and blanket
- Audiobooks and playlists
- Travel games or cards
- Books or Kindle
- Folding chairs (for beach or campsite stops)
Optional But Handy
- National park maps and brochures
- Towel clips (for beach or campground use)
- Microfiber cloth for cleaning camera gear or car windows
- Laundry bag and detergent (for long trips)
- Extra tote bag for souvenirs or dirty gear
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re chasing waves, waterfalls, mountaintops, or desert sunsets, these 13 unforgettable road trips across America offer something for every type of traveler. Let the open road guide you, because sometimes, the best way to see the country is one mile at a time.
