In a country as large as the United States, there’s no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car. Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip entails an epic, cross-country journey or a shorter jaunt through a few of its most iconic national parks, your options are as large and varied as the country itself.
From scenic drives along wildflower-dotted coasts to routes that help you learn more about America’s history, the following U.S. road trips allow you to enjoy the detours as much as the final destination. No matter your mode of transportation—be it van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—these are 21 of the best road trips in the nation to consider.
Cross-country road trips in the U.S.
Plan your next Route 66 trip around thirst-quenching stops.
Photo by Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock
There are many ways to do a cross-country road trip in the USA, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.
1. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2
Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. This drive runs the entire top border of the U.S. and showcases otherworldly natural wonders like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Mackinac Island in Michigan. The route also passes through Canada, taking road-trippers through Ontario into Quebec—this route may focus on nature, but you won’t want to miss a stop in Montreal or Ottawa.
You’ll also get to explore Montana and Glacier National Park (reservations required) before passing the Columbia Plateau and ending in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time in the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) for a peek at one of the most scenic places on the West Coast.
2. Chicago to Los Angeles: A Whiskey Road Trip on Route 66
It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entirety of Route 66. And to take your cross-country road trip to the next level, we recommend exploring another American pastime—whiskey.
Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop by some of the leading craft distilleries in the United States, like Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. In between tastings, make time for detours to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and quirky roadside attractions, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Just remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip after all.
Plan your trip
The full itinerary: Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip
Shorter road trips throughout the U.S.
Not all of us have the time to drive cross-country. Fortunately there are plenty of amazing, shorter road trip routes (ranging from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries, New England routes that shine especially well in the fall, scenic East Coast adventures, and a variety of Midwest journeys for folks farther from the coasts.
3. Dana Point to San Francisco: Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway
The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are what road trip dreams are made of, and exactly what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655-mile stretch, we pulled together a list of the ones well worth pulling over to view. Don’t miss the perfect surfing waves in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon a the boardwalk in Santa Monica, or a night in Big Sur as you drive between Dana Point (just south of Los Angeles) and San Francisco.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: The Best Stops for a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
- The AFAR Guide to San Francisco
4. Big Sur to Mono County: A Literary Road Trip Through Northern California
Yes, this itinerary requires you actually put down your book to drive, but seeing some of the pivotal places that shaped American authors will be so worth it. Follow in the footsteps of writers like Jack Kerouac, Maya Angelou, and Amy Tan on this road trip that takes you through literary landmarks in Northern California, such as Caffe Trieste, a meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, and other bohemian writers and thinkers. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to stay relatively close to home.
Plan your trip
The full itinerary: The California Road Trip All Book Lovers Should Take
5. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: An Iconic Arizona Road Trip
This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers along some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and biking—as well as tasty food along the way. Hike the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or take in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona on a hike to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: The Classic 5-Day Arizona Road Trip
- Grand Canyon guide: The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
- Where to eat in Phoenix: A Chef’s Guide to the Best Restaurants
- Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Arizona; The Best Airbnbs in Sedona
The Delicate Arch living up to its name in Utah’s Arches National Park.
Photo by tusharkoley / Shutterstock
6. Zion to Grand Canyon: A National Parks Road Trip in the Southwest
If you’re looking to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwestern itinerary is for you. This journey through Utah and Arizona lets you hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel tiny under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon remain on the rim, but we recommend staying at least four days to venture within the canyon and take advantage of the trails and river rafting.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: The Ideal Road Trip Through U.S. National Parks
- Utah’s 8 Best National Parks and Monuments
- 10 Best National Parks and Monuments in Arizona
- The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
7. San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip: An Adventure Through Southwestern Colorado
This Colorado trip takes you along the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you will see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns, and craggy peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy refreshments after a long day of driving, this route features many opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado, such as Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: The Ultimate Southwestern Colorado Road Trip
In small-town Buena Vista, the riverfront Surf Hotel offers front-row seats to Colorado-style adventure seekers.
Courtesy of the Surf Hotel
8. Denver to Montrose: A 420-Mile Road Trip Through Colorado
Want to explore even more of the Centennial State? Head out on this weeklong road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit numerous small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor, and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the nation.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: Art Stars, High-Altitude Wines, and a Remote National Park: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
- Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Colorado
- The AFAR Guide to Denver
9. Portland to Astoria: An Oregon Coast Road Trip for Outdoor Lovers
If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the coast of Oregon is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will meander along Oregon’s dramatic, rocky coastline, discovering some quintessentially Pacific Northwest vistas along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are ample opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like the historic old town in Florence.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, such as Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
- The AFAR Guide to Portland
The State Capitol Building in Nashville marks the end of this road (trip).
Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock
10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women’s Suffrage Movement
Starting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include stops at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House; Union Square in New York City, which was the site of the first suffrage march; and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: Celebrate Women’s Suffrage on an Epic, Self-Guided Road Trip
- Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Nashville
- The AFAR Guide to Nashville
- The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.
11. Charlottesville to Asheville: A Scenic Road Trip Through Virginia and North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down into the Blue Ridge Mountains, then into the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, which is perfect for admiring the dramatic outlooks and green plateaus. This eclectic itinerary features stops at an art museum, a dairy farm, and plenty of hiking trails.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
- Where to stay: 12 Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins You Can Rent on Airbnb and Vrbo
Dowa:kwe dance group from Zuni Pueblo in 2019
Courtesy of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
12. Albuquerque to Las Cruces: Discover New Mexico on This Three-Day Road Trip
This route steers you away from New Mexican tourist hot spots like Taos and Santa Fe and instead takes you on a three-day adventure with places that teach you about Pueblo history. You’ll stop at Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that features Indigenous cuisine; pick up peppers at Three Brothers in Hatch; and slide down the dunes in White Sands National Park.
Plan your trip
The full itinerary: This New Mexico Road Trip Is the Perfect Introduction to the Land of Enchantment
13. A Five-Day Scenic Road Trip Through Texas Hill Country
This Texas road trip starts and ends in San Antonio with stops in small towns like Bandera, Boerne, and Sabinal. Over five days, you’ll find opportunities to stroll in a Japanese tea garden in San Antonio, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers by inner tube, and eat as many tacos as you want. Seriously: You could eat tacos for every meal on this road trip and not get tired of them.
Plan your trip
The full itinerary: Tree Houses, Tubing, and Tacos: The Ultimate Texas Hill Country Road Trip
Mount McKinley looms large on a drive through Denali National Park.
Photo by warnsweet / Shutterstock
14. A Weeklong Road Trip Through Alaska’s Most Majestic Sights
This weeklong drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four scenic byways; explore Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, the largest U.S. national park; catch sight of Denali, the tallest peak in North America; and enjoy the surprisingly stellar food scene of McCarthy, a one-road town with only a couple dozen residents.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: Glaciers, Mountain Peaks, and Organic Farms: The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip
- Which Alaska National Parks Should You Visit?
15. Boise to Sun Valley: Explore Idaho’s Scenic Byways
Even a short road trip can be packed with adventure, good food, and scenery, which is exactly what this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway offers. Although the drive only takes six hours, we recommend taking a few days to explore all the stops and detours along the way. One can’t-miss spot is the Kirkham Hot Springs, where you can stand under a waterfall that will splash you with 135-degree mineral water year-round.
Plan your trip
- The full itinerary: The Little-Known Idaho Road Trip You Need to Drive
- Things to do: The Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Idaho
16. Duluth to Grand Portage State Park: A Scenic Minnesota Sampler
Although there are many appealing road trips throughout the Midwest, this 143-mile, three-hour circuit, which starts and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, is worth keeping in mind. Meandering north on MN-61 with this itinerary, you will enjoy prime views of Lake Superior and towns like Grand Marais, as well as Grand Portage State Park, home to waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe community who occupy the land today. Once back in Duluth, enjoy a beer at Canal Park Brewing Company before checking into the waterfront Canal Park Lodge nearby.
Plan your trip
Wind your way through colorful foliage in New Hampshire
Photo by Shutterstock
17. Kancamagus Highway: A Quintessential New England Drive
Yes, you can take a road trip in New England at any time of the year, but this region shows off its best colors in the fall, when locals and tourists alike head out into the country to view the changing colors of the trees. Join other admirers of fall foliage on this popular, 56-mile road trip along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, colloquially known as the “Kanc,” for picturesque ponds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.
Plan your trip
Plan Your Fall Getaway With This Peak Foliage Prediction Map
18. Maine’s “Lobster Trail”: Travel Route 1 Along the Coast
Traveling Route 1, affectionately known as “the lobster trail,” along Maine’s storied, jagged coastline is an exercise in indulgence. Sample lobster dishes in all forms—buttered, steamed, on a roll, or even in a decadent mac-and-cheese.
The trip starts in the quaint small town of Ogunquit, with its rare (for the area) 3.5 miles of white-sand beach. Make your first lobster of the journey count, steamed with a side of drawn butter at Barnacle Billy’s in picturesque Perkins Cove harbor. Stop at Big Daddy’s for a cone on your way to the shipbuilding center—and summer home of George H. W. Bush—Kennebunkport. Stay at the recently redesigned 150-year-old classic White Barn Inn, and consider a sailing trip for an afternoon. With lobsters cooked in ocean water, the legendary lobster roll at the Clam Shack is a must.
Plan your trip
8 Scenic East Coast Road Trips to Take This Year
Throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont region, innovative restaurants, shops, and restaurants like Leah & Louise in Charlotte, above, are creating a buzz.
Photo by Peter Taylor Photography
19. Raleigh to Charlotte: A 4-Day Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core
North Carolina’s Piedmont region extends from the coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes farmland and rolling wooded hills, especially on the 1-40 stretch near Hillsborough. Starting in Raleigh, drive the short distances to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte to see how these cities are innovating through art, food, and a celebration of the past. Take your time—four days should do—to experience downtown arts districts, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and civil rights museums that speak truths.
Plan your trip
A Road Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core
20. Scenic Highway 30A: A Sunday Drive Through South Walton, Florida
Florida is full of places to cruise with the top down, but it’s hard to beat a Sunday (or any day) drive along Scenic Highway 30A through northwest Florida, home to a postcard-perfect stretch of seaside towns known as South Walton.
The roughly 28-mile route through South Walton County kisses the coast for nearly all its length, taking you through gorgeous residential Gulf-front communities like Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach. Roll down the windows and let the emerald-hued views in.
Pull over to explore, too—maybe to admire the New Urbanism architecture in Alys Beach or to swim in the clear waters at Grayton Beach State Park. (The beach here has been lauded among the best in the world.)
Plan your trip
The full itinerary: The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing
Stand-up paddle boarding is just one way to enjoy a Florida Keys sunset.
Shutterstock
21. The Florida Keys: An Island-Hopping Getaway
For a sunny road trip itinerary in Florida, skip Miami and head farther south. Beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is often overlooked for more well-known routes up north, but it is well worth going out of your way to experience.
As the name suggests, this route is very scenic, so plan to spend at least a few days exploring it and numerous stops along the way. Some highlights include driving across the impressive Overseas Highway, stopping to admire art in the town of Islamorada, and enjoying the historic sites, food, and (of course) beaches in the city of Key West.
Plan your trip
The full itinerary: How to Road Trip in the Lesser-Known Florida Keys
Additional road trip planning resources
Picking the route for your road trip is only one part of your planning. From what snacks to pack to which podcasts to listen to, these additional resources will help you prepare for your next adventure:
- Best road trip snacks
- Road trip planning apps
- Podcasts and audiobooks to download
- What to pack for a road trip
This article originally appeared online in August 2020. It was most recently updated on April 19, 2023, to include current information. Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, Ray Rogers, Terry Ward, and Sheryl Nance-Nash.
