1. Pacific Coast Highway
Traveling from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the Pacific Coast Highway offers a road trip adventure through California's stunning coastline. This route is lined with views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and landscapes on the other. Embarking on this journey allows drivers to explore a series of towns, each with its unique charm and attractions.
Starting in San Francisco, famous for its Golden Gate Bridge and hills, you'll explore the streets, cuisine and historical sites. Moving south, Santa Cruz presents an opportunity to discover its boardwalk and surf spots.
As the trip continues, the ambiance shifts upon reaching Big Sur, where the redwoods reach towards the sky beside cliff faces overlooking beaches. Pull over at the Bixby Bridge to soak in panoramic views—a spot for travel photos.
Further along, Monterey invites travelers to its aquarium showcasing marine life from kelp forest tanks to sea otter habitats. This segment of the journey blends coastal charm with cultural enrichment.
Approaching the end of the drive, Santa Barbara serves as a stretch to relax, featuring Spanish architecture and local wineries that offer tastings of regional wines.
Finally, the trip concludes in Los Angeles, where the end of Highway 1 meets an array of urban experiences—from the entertainment in Hollywood to the shores of Malibu.
Each segment of the Pacific Coast Highway introduces road trippers to diverse ecosystems, making it a drive through California's scenery and a journey through distinct atmospheres—from cityscapes to nature escapes.
2. Route 66
Route 66, celebrated as the Main Street of America, embodies the heart of the American road trip. Connecting Chicago to Los Angeles, this highway winds its way through the American landscape, offering a slice of life that captures the essence of the nation's history and culture. Embark on a journey filled with Americana, roadside wonders, and a sense of adventure found on this historic route.
The adventure begins in Chicago, Illinois, where urban exploration meets Midwestern charm. Here you can start your journey with a deep-dish pizza before hitting the starting point at Grant Park, marking the beginning of your Route 66 expedition. As you depart the city, the urban landscape gives way to the settings of the Illinois countryside, with classic diners like the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield.
Meander through small towns steeped in history such as Lincoln, with its Route 66 landmarks, and continue to St. Louis, Missouri. There, the Gateway Arch looms as a symbol of western expansion.
As Route 66 advances into Oklahoma, the roadside takes a turn towards the whimsical with attractions like the Blue Whale of Catoosa—a statue that has become a photo op for travelers. Meanwhile, Tulsa's historic district offers a glimpse into the oil boom that once earned the city its riches.
Travel deeper into the heart of America as you enter Texas, where the Cadillac Ranch art installation awaits. This landmark features ten graffiti-covered Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground—an ode to America's car culture that invites passersby to leave their own spray-painted mark.
In New Mexico, the hues of the Southwest are on display in cities like Santa Fe and Albuquerque, where Native American and Spanish influences meld in architecture and culinary offerings.
Arizona offers dramatic landscapes that highlight the natural beauty of the Southwest. The Petrified Forest National Park presents a landscape of fossilized trees, while the meteor crater near Winslow offers a reminder of space's vastness touching earth.
Your final stretch toward California provides images of the American West. From the Mojave Desert's expanses to the spiritual landmark of Amboy's Roy's Motel and Café, each stop brings you closer to the endpoint in Santa Monica. Arriving at the Pacific Ocean, the journey along Route 66 concludes with a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier.
From beginning to end, Route 66 offers a montage of landmarks, historic spots, and memorable experiences—a classic in the annals of America's highways. This road trip lets you witness the physical landscapes and delve into the cultural heartbeats of diverse American communities, making every mile a story waiting to be told.
3. The Great Northern
Embarking on a trip along U.S. Route 2, known as The Great Northern, promises to be an expedition weaving through the northern expanse of the United States from Washington to Maine. This drive traverses the diverse landscapes reflective of America's northern frontier, offering panoramas that are splendid and expansive.
Initiating your journey in Everett, Washington, you're greeted with the charm of the Pacific Northwest, characterized by its evergreen forests and the Cascade Mountains. Meander alongside the northern banks of the Puget Sound, a haven for those passionate about seafood and maritime history. As you continue east, you might explore the spires of North Cascades National Park, where trails and alpine vistas astound travelers.
Cross into Idaho and venture through the city of Sandpoint, situated on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, before dipping south to visit Coeur d'Alene. Here, outdoor enthusiasts can revel in paddle boarding or hiking during summer months, with arts and culinary scenes providing cultural fodder.
Montana's segment of The Great Northern is laden with Americana and the vistas of Glacier National Park. Its visually exhilarating Going-to-the-Sun Road, ranked among the most scenic driving routes on the continent, should not be missed—be sure to check road conditions since it closes seasonally.
Shifting landscapes welcome you as the route meanders through the plains of North Dakota. Then Minnesota offers the intrigue of rivers and the charm of its Scandinavian heritage, particularly through towns like Moorhead.
Wisconsin brings natural escapes with national forests like Chequamegon alongside small towns sprinkled with classic diners and roadside attractions. Don't rush through Michigan; the stretch includes crossing the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula—an area with lighthouses, coastal views, and indigenous history.
Completing The Great Northern culminates in an entrance into New England, where Maine's rocky coastlines and landscapes of dense forests await. From wilderness areas like Baxter State Park to the coasts of Bar Harbor, every twist along the way encapsulates a hint of the evolving American narrative.
From the rainforests of Washington to the New England charm of Maine, traversing The Great Northern is a sweeping saga across America's rooftop, stitched together with a thread of highway shepherding wanderers across one timeless adventure.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway
Embark on a journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway, a route that epitomizes the beauty of the Appalachian Highlands. Stretching over 469 miles from Virginia's Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, this road trip is known for its vistas and winding paths that invite exploration and reflection.
Begin in the northern reaches in Virginia, where the parkway threads through green forests. Here, the Peaks of Otter await with hiking trails that lead to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It's a site to witness the morning mist over the hills or to catch a brilliant sunset.
As you journey south, the parkway offers an array of overlooks. Each provides a new perspective of the rolling hills and valleys that define the region. Mabry Mill, a preserved slice of Americana, offers insight into the life of early settlers, with its gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. Here, autumn's palette of reds, yellows, and oranges makes for a photographer's dream, especially when reflected off the waters of the millpond.
Transitioning into North Carolina, the landscape shifts to reveal more rugged territories, marked by steeper cliffs and deeper valleys. The air grows crisper, filled with the scent of pine and the aroma of changing leaves. In this part of the parkway, the Linn Cove Viaduct presents an engineering marvel designed to protect the habitat of Grandfather Mountain. Driving across this structure is like floating above the forest.
Further along, the town of Blowing Rock provides a stop with boutiques and local dining spots that offer Southern hospitality. Culinary adventurers here can savor apple cider made from local orchards or try a slice of homemade apple pie, a regional staple. Ashe, nearby, offers cultural treasures such as the Ashe County Cheese Factory, where visitors can watch cheese being made and sample some of the freshest cheeses in the Southeast.
Entering the southern end of the parkway near Asheville, you reach the highest elevations along the drive, with Mount Pisgah and its towering presence. This area is rich with native history and arts. Stretch your legs with a hike to the summit of Mt. Pisgah or explore the artistic enclave of Asheville, known for its arts scene and historic architecture.
This drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway invites a slower pace and an appreciation for the subtler details—a cool breeze through a forest, the distant call of a waterfall, and the presence of the Appalachian's beauty. Whether seeking solace in solitude or adventure in the outdoors, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a path that leads to both, making it a quintessential American roadway experience.
5. The Overseas Highway
The lure of the open water beckons along The Overseas Highway, a picturesque route stretching from Miami to Key West across the Florida Keys. This chain of islands, linked by a series of 42 bridges including the Seven Mile Bridge, unfolds along the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. This remarkable artery offers ocean vistas and serves as a portal to a world of island charm and adventure.
Your journey begins in Miami, a city rich with Latin influence and energy. As you depart the mainland, anticipation builds with the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf on the other, a reminder of the unique road trip experience ahead on The Overseas Highway.
One of the first notable stops as you dive deeper into the Keys is Key Largo. Known as the 'Diving Capital of the World', it offers a peek into underwater marvels at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America's first undersea park. Here, snorkeling and scuba diving provide encounters with coral formations and marine life.
Continue your coastal cruise to the Middle Keys, where marathon awaits with promises of Florida adventures—swimming with dolphins and kayak excursions through mangrove trails. Marathon's Curry Hammock State Park protects wetlands vital to the local ecology, making it a locale for environmentally-aware travelers.
As you cross over the Seven Mile Bridge, perhaps one of the most exhilarating segments of the trip, you find yourself suspended above emerald waters, a ribbon of road cutting through the blue. This engineering marvel connects Marathon to the Lower Keys, which hosts a slew of small islands defined by their natural beauty and leisurely pace.
Finally, Key West summons with its bohemian allure. Far from just a geographical terminus, it's where American literary legacy meets Caribbean laziness; roosters saunter along streets lined with tropical-hued homes. Styling itself as both a historical treasure trove—with sites such as Ernest Hemingway's former residence and President Truman's "Little White House"—and a hotspot of vibrant nightlife on Duval Street, Key West offers an apt finale to this sun-soaked odyssey.
En route back, relive the sunsets from Mallory Square or the deer at Big Pine Key's wildlife refuge—an encounter in silhouette against the twilight sky.
Each mile along The Overseas Highway reveals the Keys' qualities, from beaches and sanctuary islands to waterfront tikki bars where the seafood is as fresh as the ocean breeze. It isn't just about destinations along this route—The Overseas Highway is a journey, 113 miles of highway offering moments for rejuvenation and seascapes, where each mile marker encourages you to slow down and breathe in the sea air. Wind down your windows, let the salty wind tousle your hair, and cruise through these tropical isles in true Floridian style.
6. The Loneliest Road
Heading across Nevada on U.S. Route 50, dubbed 'The Loneliest Road in America,' combines solitude, history, and scenery that stirs the spirit of adventure in even the most seasoned traveler.
This expansive route throws you back into an era where the landscape was an integral player in tales of boom and bust towns—it whisks you through small, scattered communities, each with a patina of history etched into their fabric. This highway has mastered the art of stillness and wide-open spaces, qualities that earned it its name from a Life magazine article in 1986 and a challenge from the AAA.1
Begin your journey in the bustling state capital, Carson City. As you leave behind the clatter of modern life, the humbling size of the Nevada desert begins to unfold. Austin comes up along the way, a dot of civilization that harkens back to Nevada's silver mining strike in 1862. Pause at Stokes Castle, a three-story stone tower standing solitary on a hilltop.
Not long thereafter, Eureka announces its presence, proffering what could be termed a "living ghost town," where history is captured amidst daily lives lived among refurbished historical buildings. The town's Opera House and the Sentinel Museum beckon passersby to explore Nevada's vivacious mining epoch.
Continuing along, you'll roll through the golden hues of the Sand Mountain Recreation Area. You can stop and listen to the sound of silence buzzing in the air, watch or even partake in off-road vehicle activities that paint streaks of dust against the unending vistas.
Taking a detour, the Great Basin National Park let you stretch your legs amidst groves of ancient bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living trees on earth. Reflect on the passage of time under the starlit sky at the Lehman Caves, known for their extraordinary limestone formations.
The sense of being 'the only soul on earth' becomes palpable as U.S. Route 50 delivers mile-upon-mile of unadulterated landscape. A significant solitude envelops you as mountain ranges silently witness your progress across this age-old trail.
Challenging as it might be, traveling this route yields a greater appreciation for both the emptiness and fullness of the American landscape. This is a true driver's route – an invitation to enjoy the quiet nobility of Nevada's vast realm. For those who relish the opportunity to wander freely amidst whispers of yesteryears and magnificent desolation—Route 50 awaits.
7. Historic Route 1
Embarking on Route 1, sometimes referred to as the Atlantic Highway, offers travelers a dense tapestry of the United States' Eastern Seaboard from the rugged charms of Maine to the sunlit expanses of Florida. Hugging the coast for much of its over 2,000-mile length,2 this epic journey is peppered with historic sites, bustling cities, idyllic small towns, and an array of ecosystems—from rocky shorelines to sprawling beaches.
Initiating your road trip in the North, Fort Kent, Maine, serves as a quiet sentinel at the northeastern tip of the United States. This modest town marks the beginning of US Route 1 and sets the tone for the historical and cultural revelations to unfold.
Traveling south, you emerge into a maze of contrasting scenes:
- Picturesque coastal towns like Rockport
- The vibrant, historically rich cities such as Boston, Massachusetts
- The hallowed corridors of independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where Liberty Bell once rang out to gather citizens for the reading of the Declaration of Independence
Diving further into the Mid-Atlantic, Route 1 ushers its way through Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. The proximity allows for a detour into the nation's capital—home to iconic landmarks such as the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and a myriad of free museums on the National Mall offering absorbing narratives of American roots.
Beyond the capital lays the verdant depths of Virginia, traversing through Richmond where echoes of the Civil War resonate at historic battlefields and estates that now stand as museums dedicated to narrating stories of old.
As Route 1 carves its path through the Carolinas, travelers can venture off the highway to experience the Atlantic's coastal beauty or explore the southern charms and savory cuisine that hallmark the route through Savannah, Georgia.
Down in Florida, Route 1 concludes in vibrant Miami but not before allowing explorers to meander through the enduring tranquility of St. Augustine—America's oldest European-founded city3 dotted with colonial Spanish architecture, and down through the everglades where landscapes teem with wildlife.
Each destination along Route 1 extends an invitation to explore beyond just landmarks; to eat local culinary offerings, celebrate community arts and culture, and discover nuanced tales waiting in shadowed corners from cobblestoned lanes in New England to sun-drenched boardwalks in the South. This historical vein of America not only connects a medley of cultures but invites curious travelers into the diverse human stories, flavors, and traditions etched along its course from Maine to Florida, making Route 1 an unforgettable corridor through the very heart of Eastern America's past and present.
8. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road carries travelers atop the world within Montana's remarkable Glacier National Park. Envision driving along a highway where every curve brings a new view of natural beauty. Carving through the park's rugged terrain for about 50 miles, it slices through majestic mountain ranges, revealing nature at its most wild and undisturbed.
The road itself stands as an engineering marvel. Crafted during the automobile boom of the early twenties, it is named after the nearby Going-to-the-Sun Mountain and was completed in 1932.4
Your journey begins at either Saint Mary or West Glacier. As you ascend from the lower lands into the crisp alpine air, notable points like Lake McDonald – the park's largest lake – seduce the eye seamlessly between mounts Clements and Cannon.
In the heart of summer when the road fully opens, Logan Pass welcomes at its height. Not far lies Hidden Lake, providing fabulous hiking escapades amidst panoramas of white-goat peaks and sprawling vistas. Nearby, fields ribboned with wild purple cry out wilderness joy, furry marmots scamper alongside half-hidden snow patches.
Halfway through, Weeping Wall showers adventurers with springtime melt. Crystal Point then seems to smirk green-eyed, reflecting torrents under tribute by Sunrift Gorge's veiling mists descended off sheer drops.
Mystery clings to Rising Sun Motor Inn aside St. Mary Lake, lies spent in lower prairie lofts. One thousand feet hugs light nesting wildflower, flaunting their colors. Recognize Going-to-the-Sun Road not only for the passage crafted answering Continental Divide but for the quietus of high-altitude capstones crowned—here journeys frame not merely road but a preserving gallop through glories signed by glacier thunder promise.
In essence, the Pacific Coast Highway serves as a vivid corridor through California's coastal beauty, offering a blend of natural splendor and cultural richness that captures the essence of the region. It stands out not just for its scenic routes but as a journey through diverse atmospheres that define each town along its path.
