western us travel map

The Wandering Road

Usa rv road trip travel blog.

The Ultimate Western USA Road Trip Guide

Our 10-week rv route through montana, wyoming, and the pacific northwest – including detailed itinerary and expense breakdown.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Quick stats, cost breakdown.

The American west was made for road trips. We spent the better part of 10 weeks exploring this wonderland of big skies, open roads and small towns. Our early summer trek, first through the mountains and later along the coast, kept us in temperatures that peaked in the 70s. Such a difference from the summers of our recent past spent in the humidity of Washington, D.C. or the 100 degree+ temperatures of the Sacramento valley.

The route included some of our favorite places along with some new discoveries. While Montana will always have my heart, I have a new found appreciation for Idaho’s unsung beauty. And I think everyone should drive down the Oregon coast at least once.

Living in D.C. for so long, one of the small talk questions I got the most when people learned I was from California would be: “which coast is your favorite?” My default answer was always that I like the west, and I like the east, for different reasons. But if I am honest with myself, there is something that just feels right when I am in the western states. Maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s all that space, maybe it’s the wild west and gold rush history that didn’t happen all that long ago. If you haven’t had a chance to get out there and see it for yourself, what are you waiting for?

Read on for a detailed account of our 10-week trip, including destinations, campground reviews, and costs to help you plan a road trip through the American west.

Looking for more travel ideas? Read my detailed coast-to-coast itinerary here or check out my other USA destination guides here .

• Days On the Road: 69.
• Miles Traveled in RV (not counting the additional miles put on the car when exploring): 3,427.
• States Driven Through: 6.
• National Parks Visited: Crater Lake National Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Redwood National and State Parks.
• Number of Campgrounds Parked At: 21 (9 county/state/national parks, 9 private, 3 free camping spots).
• Visitors: 9, for a total of 20 nights. Life at The Chateau became like adult summer camp!
• Repairs: Oil changes for both vehicles, sealant for a leaky roof seam. The Chateau got its first road scars after we backed it into a campsite all wrong and scratched the back bumper. Nothing serious, thankfully.
• Grand Total Travel Costs for 10 Weeks On the Road: (read later in post for more details): $6,6775

Campground Price Guide:

$ = Free $$ = $10-$30/night $$$ = $30 – $50/night $$$$ = Over $50/night

Departure: We kicked off the summer road trip by rolling out of Sacramento at the end of May 2019.

Klamath Falls Four Mile Flat Quarry – GPS: 42.431503, -122.160638 $ Review: We started the trip with some free camping. It was hard to find info about this spot online but it exceeded my expectations. Kind of middle of the nowhere. A rocky parking lot by the water with more camping spots tucked along a rough road. I would stay here again for a night but wouldn’t make this a destination in itself. Local attractions: Crater Lake National Park (about an hour away). Miles from previous location: 360 miles.

Sweet Roystone Hot Springs – 7882 N. Hwy 52 Sweet, ID 83670 $$ Review: A very nice family-owned campground with renovated bathrooms and wifi. My favorite part was the hot springs that you can access for a minimal fee. Local attractions: Boise. Miles from previous location: 400 miles.

Bellevue Riverside RV Park and Campground – 403 Broadford Road, Bellevue, Idaho $$ Review: An older, small private campground with lots of long-term guests. Good wifi and close proximity to Sun Valley. Local attractions: The charming towns of Hailey and Ketchum (the nation’s first ski resort and the final resting place of Ernest Hemingway), Craters of the Moon National Monument. Click here to read about our visit. Miles from previous location: 195 miles.

Jackson Area

Spread Creek – Forest Road 30290 $ Review: This is our favorite boon docking spot to date! No amenities, unbeatable views and an unmatched location for exploring the northern part of Grand Teton National Park. We stayed in spot #3 and it was great for our rig. The road to spots #5-10 gets really rough so might not be a good fit for larger RVs. Read more about our visit here. Local attractions: Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. Miles from previous location: 267 miles.

Kelly Gros Ventre Campground – 100 Gros Ventre Campground Rd, Kelly, WY 83011 $$$$ Review: After four nights of boondocking, we decided to try out our first National Park campground. We snagged a spot without a reservation. This is a nice woodsy spot with electric hookups but no showers. We found showers at the Colter Bay Campground and at a gym in town. There’s a great spot to see moose near the campground. Local attractions: Jackson, Grand Teton National Park. Miles from previous location: 44 miles.

West Yellowstone Baker’s Hole Campground – 3 mi NW of West Yellowstone on US 191 $$ Review: We were torn about where to stay during our visit to Yellowstone National Park. Our priorities were 1) staying as close to the park entrance as possible; 2) avoiding “parking lot” campgrounds and 3) paying a reasonable fee. This campground fit the bill! We found a first come first serve electric hookup site. No showers available. No cell service, either. Local attractions: West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park. Read my guide to help you avoid the crowds in Yellowstone here . Miles from previous location: 124 miles.

Cody Buffalo Bill State Park, North Fork Campground – near Cody, Wyoming off US 14 W/ US 16 W / US 20 W $$$ Review: One of the best state park campgrounds I have ever seen. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Cody. We were able to find a walk-up site with electricity but were told that it is hard to get in without a reservation later in summer. Nice views of the surrounding rocky cliffs (some of the formations reminded us of southern Utah). Coin operated showers. Local attractions: Cody is the quintessential wild west town. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 132 miles.

Livingston Osen’s RV Park – 20 Merrill Lane, Livingston, MT 59047 $$$ Review: We picked this campground for its proximity to downtown Livingston, which also made it a good launching point for exploring both Yellowstone and Bozeman, Montana. It is clean and well-maintained but the spots are pretty close together. Management closes the entrance gates at 9 pm each night but you can open and close them manually as needed. Local attractions : Ben and I love Livingston; it’s just about the perfect small town. It was the original gateway city to Yellowstone. Be sure to check out the Murray Bar and Neptune’s. Bozeman is about 30 minutes away. It’s a larger college town with a very walkable main street. Miles from previous location: 178 miles.

Helena Cromwell Dixon Campground – 15 miles west of Helena at MacDonald Pass off Highway 12. $$ Review: Quiet, rustic camping on the top of a mountain just outside of downtown Helena. Local attractions: The state capitol building is gorgeous. Visit quirky Lewis and Clark Brewery and Broadwater hot springs. Miles from previous location: 123 miles.

Great Falls Dick’s RV Park – 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 $$$ Review: This is an urban campground with older facilities and lots of long term guests. That being said, it is the most convenient place to stay while exploring Great Falls. Local attractions: Great Falls feels like a city on the rise. Read my guide to the Electric City here. Don’t forget to visit the mermaids. Miles from previous location: 121 miles.

Kalispell Rocky Mountain Hi Campground – 825 Helena Flats Road, Kalispell 59901 $$$ Review: Glacier country is a whole other (unbelievably gorgeous) world. This campground is spacious and has a full laundromat on site. It gets busy with families and kids on the weekends. Local attractions: Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Kalispell. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 227 miles.

*** If you want, add a stop in Wallace, Idaho on your way to Washington. It’s a much-celebrated small town with a big personality that I look forward to visiting in the future.

Spokane Area Peaceful Pines – 1231 W 1st St, Cheney, WA 99004 Review: We stayed about 20 minutes outside of downtown Spokane in the sleepy college town of Cheney. This private campground is small with recently updated bathrooms and showers. We had some issues with the wifi connection. Local attractions : Spokane is an under-the-radar city with a charming waterfront and beautiful architecture. Read my guide to the city here. Take a day trip to the nearby resort town of Coeur D’Alene. Miles from previous location: 250 miles.

Yakima Area Horn Rapids Park – 78410 Overlook Dr, Benton City, WA 99320 $$ Review: Inexpensive and spacious with electric hookups. Kind of in the middle of nowhere, yet convenient for exploring Yakima wine country. Local attractions: Highly recommend stopping by some wineries (like WIT and Col Solare) or breweries (Bale Breaker) and a trip into Yakima proper for some of the award-winning tamales from Los Hernandez. Miles from previous location: 154 miles.

The Dalles Area Rufus Landing $ Review: Free boon docking on the river. I was surprised by how busy this gravel parking lot gets! We stayed here two nights. Local attractions : The Dalles is a quaint small town; there’s hiking in a state park nearby; Hood River is a good stop for breweries and outdoorsy fun. Miles from previous location: 120 miles.

Tillamook Air Museum Grounds – 5005 Highway 101 South, Tillamook, OR 97141 $$ Review: A no frills and inexpensive camping spot next to the tiny Tillamook airport and air museum. Super close to town. Local attractions: Tillamook was our first stop on the Oregon coast. Be sure to visit the famous Tillamook Creamery – it lives up to the hype. From this home base we also explored Cannon Beach and Pacific City. Click here to read my complete guide to the Oregon Coast. Miles from previous location: 157 miles.

Yachats Cape Perpetua Campground – 2200 US-101, Yachats, OR 97498 $$ Review: This is it. The perfect campground in the perfect coastal town. (As long as you don’t need cell service.) I fell hard for Yachats. Local attractions: Redwoods, fresh sea food, and tide pools galore. Click here to read my full guide to Yachats. Miles from previous location: 93 miles.

Coos Bay Bastendorff County Park – 63379 Bastendorff Beach Rd. Coos Bay, OR, 97423 $$$ Review: We were excited to get a last minute spot at this campground but it came with serious pros and cons. It’s a great location for checking out Charleston, North Bend, Coos Bay, and the surrounding area. It’s also very busy and crowded and the bathrooms leave much to be desired. Local attractions: Be sure to check out the nearby adorable beach towns of Florence and Bandon. Click here to read my complete guide to the Oregon Coast. Miles from previous location: 74 miles.

Brookings Sea Bird RV Park – 16429 Highway 101 South Brookings, OR 97415 $$$ Review: Truth be told, we planned to state at Harris Beach State Park but turns out everything was full because there was a kite festival that weekend (true story). Sea Bird is a small private campground with a mix of travelers and long term residents. Local attractions: There’s no shortage of stunning views along Oregon’s southern coast. Be sure to stop by Crazy Norwegian’s Fish and Chips in Port Orford. Miles from previous location: 107 miles.

Trinidad Emerald Forest Cabins & RV – 753 Patricks Point Drive, Trinidad, CA, 95570 $$$ Review: What a wonderful campground, with camping spots tucked in among tall evergreens! Great for families. Just outside of the quiet fishing town of Trinidad. Local attractions: It’s a short drive to Redwood National and State Parks or Eureka. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 86 miles.

Fortuna Area Van Duzen Campground – Swimmers Delight – 12 miles east of Highway 101 on Highway 36 $$ Review: This was a last minute find for us. While we only stayed for one night, this would be a fun spot to spend a long weekend. The spots are large and quite literally surrounded by giant redwoods. Local attractions: Soak up the nature, and visit the charming Victorian village (and dairyland) of Ferndale. Miles from previous location: 40 miles.

Fort Bragg MacKerricher State Park – West Pinewood Campground – three miles north of Fort Bragg on Highway 1, near the town of Cleone $$$ Review: IMHO this is the best place to stay in Fort Bragg, by far. Huge campsites within walking distance to the beach and only a short drive to downtown. However, in our experience, California state parks are more expensive to dry camp in than other states, and the amenities are limited. Local attractions: Fort Bragg is a charming coastal town with shops, restaurants and North Coast Brewing Co.. Enjoy fresh seafood, beach hikes, and wildlife watching. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 117 miles.

Arrival: We returned to Sacramento at the end of July 2019, just in time to see friends and family and then fly back to Washington, D.C. for a work trip.

Just like “normal” life, you can pretty much spend as little or as much as you want while living the full-time RV lifestyle. I was very curious to compare our costs during this leg of the trip with our expenses from April 2019, our mad dash across the country. (You can read about that itinerary and why we had to travel across the whole USA in one month here .)

And you guys, guess what? I think we are figuring out this whole full-time RV thing! In June and July, we stayed at several pricey campgrounds out of necessity while visiting popular destinations like the Tetons or the California coast. But we also found some great deals at state park campgrounds and boondocked whenever we could. We found our travel speed sweet spot, moving every five days or so and limiting drive days to around three hours (most of the time). That schedule helped us balance time for work with time for fun. We are loving how RV travel allows you to experience an area the way the locals do.

I added a new “health” category to our expense tracker this month. We had our first dog health scare this month when Hobbes had a flare up of a past back injury. I shared more about how we keep Hobbes healthy on the road in this blog post for the Pet Food Institute. My top recommendation for RVers (or anyone traveling with their dog) is to keep a file of past health diagnoses and vaccination records with you. It was so helpful to be able to share this information with the new-to-us vet so they had some context for his symptoms.

Western Road Trip RV Travel Expenses At a Glance:

10 Weeks/69 Days on the Road

Gas: $1,497 This included fuel for both The Chateau and our car. Let’s just say the difference in gas prices between Montana and the California coast was “significant”. Ouch.

Campground Fees: $1,922 This breaks down to $28/day. Not bad. We stayed at a mix of free campsites, state and national parks, and private campgrounds. This total also includes parking fees in the few cities we visited with parking meters. In comparison, we spent $1,300 for just 30 days in April.

Eating and Drinking Out: $1,585 Mostly includes meals in the $15-30 range (and lots of coffee). We admittedly spend a lot in this area since trying new restaurants is one of the best ways to get to know a new city, IMHO.

Entertainment: $282 A minor league baseball game, bowling, the Cody Nite rodeo, and visiting a dinosaur dig.

Groceries: $1,288 This number also includes random household supplies purchased along with groceries at Walmart.

Health and Wellness: $165 Mostly day passes for gyms (and showers)!

RV and Car Maintenance: $213 Oil changes, etc. Also includes some organizational supplies and a new ottoman!

Connectivity: $451 My phone plan, a wireless jetpack for wifi, and our mail forwarding service.

Grand Total: $6,775

This breaks down to $98/day or $1.98 per mile.

Our primary goal in embracing the full-time RV lifestyle is to see and experience as many new places as possible (rather than saving money) – and clearly that shows. Adjusting your speed of travel or avoiding eating and drinking out are the easiest ways to save money on the road.

I hope this information is helpful if you are planning to jump into fulltime RV living or just an extended road trip across the American west. Feel free to send me a comment or an email if you have any questions about the itinerary.

I am currently planning the next leg of our journey : fall in the USA’s upper Midwest… your recommendations would be much appreciated! Be sure to click here to read my latest dispatches from the road and follow me on Instagram for more updates!

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Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

Home | Travel | North America | United States | Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

Traveling along the West Coast of the United States  had been in my head since the day I found out I’d be moving there for work. Who hasn’t dreamed about a road trip across the Western US? For me, the landscapes that automatically come to mind are the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley among others, as we have seen again and again in a bunch of movies.

Grand Canyon

In addition to nature, the American West Coast also offers you visits to symbolic cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

My favorite part of this trip was definitely the National Parks where natural wonders of this incredible country are concentrated within. I had been taking note of them on a  Western US  map   for a long time so that I could visit them as soon as I had the chance.

That’s how I started planning the 10-day West Coast USA road trip that we took in August.

THIS WAS OUR 10-DAY WEST COAST USA ITINERARY:

Our 10-day West Coast USA road trip itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas.  Beginning of our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip.
• Day 2: Monument Valley + Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend.  The most popular places in the Western USA.
• Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park. One of the less touristic national park in the West Coast USA.
• Day 4: Zion Canyon National Park. One of the places we like the most during our 10-day West Coast USA trip.
• Day 5: Grand Canyon,  a must-visit place on the West Coast.
• Day 6: Mojave National Preserve + Death Valley,  the best of our 10-day West Coast Itinerary.
• Day 7: Yosemite Valley, the best attraction in the Western USA.
• Day 8: Upper Yosemite Falls,  the best hike of our West Coast America road trip.
• Day 9: Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. You cannot skip this highlight of West Coast USA:
• Day 10: Return flight from San Francisco.  En of our 10-day Western US trip.

If a Western US road trip is also one of your dreams, you will find everything you need to prepare your trip here:

• 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip

Best places to visit in West Coast America

• Our West Coast USA 10-day itinerary
• How to plan a self-drive trip to the Western US

How much does it cost a West Coast USA trip?

• Map of Western US

10-day west coast USA road trip

One of the first things I am sure you will be wondering about is how long a West Coast trip could take. My opinion is that you could be discovering the American West Coast for months and would still have things to do.

Death Valley – Zabriskie Point

When looking at a West Coast USA map, it may initially seem that the best tourist destinations are close to each other. However, distances in this country are huge, and you will spend a lot of time on the road during your trip.

Keep in mind that the US public transportation system is very scarce outside of the big cities, so the only practical option is to rent a car and prepare for a West Coast USA driving holiday.

On our West Coast USA road trip, more than ¼ of the trip was spent driving and still, along with the Canadian Rockies trip , it was one of the best trips of our life.

Another highly recommended option is to take a West Coast RV trip , as this country offers all kind of facilities for those who like to travel with their motorhome. You can check the best RV rental companies in the USA here.

Although it takes a long time to travel across the West Coast in depth, if you don’t have too many days or prefer to combine them, I encourage you to spend in West Coast America at least 10 days.

Grand Canyon – Plateau Point

There are thousands of West Coast USA tours you can take, so the first thing you have to choose is a few must-see places. It may seem complicated to plan this trip at first, especially when you do not have much time.

To help you choose your perfect West Coast America itinerary, you will discover the main tourist attractions in this section. Then, you can design the West Coast USA holiday itinerary that best suits your needs.

I suggest that as you read through this article, write down  the things to do in West Coast America  that interest you most on a map to help determine the best itinerary.

SAN FRANCISCO

If you like to visit cities, one of the places you cannot miss on the West Coast America is San Francisco. This popular city of California, is characterized by the steep slopes and the well-known Lombard street.

The most popular thing to do in San Francisco is visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in the US and a classic in many American films, as seen in Godzilla and Superman.

In addition, another interesting activity to do is visiting the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary whose best-known prisoner was Al Capone. It was said that nobody could escape from this maximum-security prison island since the only way was by swimming almost two kilometers in cold and treacherous waters.

If you are visiting this city, stay in one of the best hotels in San Francisco.

Las Vegas,  also known as “Sin City”, is one of the American classics famous for its countless casinos, open container laws (aka public drinking), and legalized prostitution in nearby counties.

The largest city in the state of Nevada welcomes both domestic and global tourism, where vice is a right. It is not surprising to hear the old saying: What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.

Welcome Las Vegas

Whether you like gambling or not, it is a must-see Western American city. It is also a good place to celebrate your (fake) wedding if being married by Elvis is also one of your dreams. Here you can find the ultimate list of things to do in Las Vegas.

If you are visiting this city make sure you know where to stay in Las Vegas , since its hotels are some of the most amazing in the World.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS to do in las vegas

• Los Angeles

Los Angeles , also known as LA, is the most populous city on the West Coast of USA. The City of Broken Dreams and Hollywood stars is located in California.

The Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign are probably the main tourist attractions in Los Angeles , although a visit to Santa Monica , the beach where Baywatch was filmed, is also recommended.

Another place of interest is the Warner Bros. studios , where you can visit the film sets of a lot of movies, as well as Venice , where the canals remind you of those from the Italian city with the same name.

LA is a stop that you cannot miss on your 10-day West Coast US trip if you happen to enjoy both cities and film. You can find where to stay in Los Angeles here.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES

Grand canyon.

If we had to choose just a single place to start, visiting the Grand Canyon  would probably be the first that we recommend to do in West Coast USA.

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona and was shaped by the Colorado River over millions of years. In some points, the Canyon reaches a depth of more than 5250 feet.

Grand Canyon – Helicopter Tour

If you don’t have much time, taking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour is a good option, as we told you in that article about our experience. However, if you have several days, I advise going down the canyon  through one of the many different hikes to discover the Colorado River.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO DO IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK and best places to stay in Grand canyon

Havasu falls.

If you like adventure, visiting the Havasu Falls is an essential of West Coast USA.

The Havasu Falls, along with others in the area, belong to the Havasupai Indian Reservation and are guarded by a tribe of Native Americans. They are inaccessible by car, so you must be in excellent physical condition to visit as you will be hiking in and out.

Plan well in advance for your visit, since you will need a permit that usually runs out shortly after the beginning of the  reservation  period which starts in February of each year. In addition to the permit, you will have to book a camping spot, as it is mandatory to stay there when visiting the falls.

SANTA BARBARA

Back at the coastal area, Santa Bárbara, located 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles, can be another interesting stop.

The main beach largely resembles Santa Mónica, except Santa Bárbara is not as popular.

However, Santa Bárbara is not just a beach: its architecture with Hispanic colonial roots is an important tourist attraction.

MONUMENT VALLEY

Between Utah and Arizona, Monument Valley is another one of the supernatural landscapes in the American West. It is a huge valley where very interesting geological formations rose with reddish colors. This was also a scene featured in many classic western films.

Monument Valley

This desert valley is located within the Navajo Nation, a territory that belongs to the Navajo natives who are responsible for both maintenance of the reserve and collection of entrance fees, which is not included in the US National Parks pass.

The best time to photograph the valley is during sunrise when the sun is behind the monuments, or during sunset when the monuments are illuminated by the last rays of the sun. In addition, there are different hiking trails that bring you closer to the main monuments of the valley, or you can even take a Jeep tour with one of the Navajo guides.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO Do IN Monument Valley and WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

Page: antelope canyon and horseshoe bend.

Page is a town inside the Navajo Indian Reservation, located in Arizona.

The most interesting attraction here is the Antelope Canyon , a geological feature formed by consecutive floods throughout history, which eroded narrow labyrinths of sandy rock into its terrain.

Antelope Canyon

Do not miss our Guide to antelope canyon TOURS

In addition, if you visit Page, you cannot miss a sunset in  Horseshoe Bend, which is named after its shape. It is probably the most famous bend of the Colorado River.

Horseshoe Bend

Do not miss our Guide to VISIT horseshoe bend

Here we leave you the best guide to know where to stay in Page.

The Wave in Arizona is another attraction to see in Western America.

To see this solidified wave-shaped dune, you must have a permit issued  four months in advance and by lottery (only 20 visitors per day are allowed).

It is one of the few virgin wonders that remain in the United States, so if you missed the date of the draw, it is always a good idea to check if someone has canceled his or her tour on the calendar. Visit this booking website both to participate in the lottery and to check the calendar.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Bryce Canyon National Park is a reserve located in Utah and is popular for the peculiar rock formations also known as “Hoodoos”. This park should be included in any Western US National Parks itinerary.

Due to the reddish color of the terrain, the best time to contemplate the main amphitheater viewpoint is at sunrise and sunset.

Bryce Canyon

There are also several hiking trails that will take you through the formations, where you can discover some with very interesting forms and names like Thor’s Hammer or Queen Victoria.

Do not miss THE BEST HIKES IN bryce canyon and the BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BRYCE

Close to the Mexican border, we will find San Diego, the second largest city in the state south of Los Angeles

This city is a good stop on your 10-day West Coast US road trip if you are more interested in beach areas. La Jolla Cove is the most popular beach and you can find all kinds of wildlife including sea lions there.

In addition to the beach, there are other places of interest, such as Old Town San Diego, where you can find original buildings of the first Spaniards that arrived here, and Balboa Park, where many museums are concentrated, or the Coronado Island , where you can find the best views of the city.

ZION NATIONAL PARK

In Utah, one of the most important landmarks of the state is  Zion National Park, where the main interest here is an 800-meter-deep canyon carved into the reddish terrain for 24 kilometers by the Virgin River.

There are different hikes that you can take in this park. One of the most popular is Angels Landing, where you can get a full view of the canyon after three hours of hiking and up the Via Ferrata section.

Zion Canyon

Another longer route is The Narrows , which can be completed in 8 hours or done over several days. The route goes through the narrow gorges carved in by the virgin river, so you always need to check river flow the day before at the visitor’s center, and also to get water shoes.

Do not miss THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO IN zion national park and WHERE TO STAY IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

Joshua tree national park.

Located in a desert area in southern California, Joshua Tree National Park stands out for its unique rocks and mountain shapes.

Although its name comes from the unique Joshua Tree , what makes this park really interesting are the infinite rock-climbing possibilities .

Whether or not you are a climber, if you decide to visit Joshua Tree National Park on your West Coast USA trip over 10 days, you will experience the feeling of finding yourself on another planet.

DEATH VALLEY

On your 10-day West Coast America self-driving tour, you cannot miss the Death Valley that is located in California.

Death Valley

This immense desert is famous for Badwater, a dry area with the highest negative elevation within North America, situated at 262 feet below sea level. In addition, it is one of the hottest places on earth during summer, with a maximum recorded temperature of 58ºC.

Zabriskie Point

If you are going to cross it, be sure to fill the fuel tank and bring plenty of water to survive the extreme desert temperatures during the day.

Do not miss tHE bEST tHINGS TO DO IN Death Valley and where to stay in Death Valley

Mojave national preserve.

The Mojave Desert  spreads across Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) and the Mojave National Preserve.

While you will find Joshua trees all over in this vast extension of land, the world’s highest concentration is located within the Mojave National Preserve .

Mojave Desert

In addition to the flora, the fauna is abundant and diverse, from reptiles like snakes, lizards, and turtles to mammals like bobcats or hares.

Do not miss WHAT TO DO IN mojave desert

Arches national park.

Arches National Park , located in Utah, has the highest concentration of stone arches in the world, however, there is no record of how many arches there are in this extension. This is the reason why it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Utah.

In addition, we can find another type of geological formations that defy gravity here, such as the Balanced Rock, a rock that seems to be falling at any time, yet has been standing for thousands of years in the same position.

The best way to go across Arches National Park is through a park ranger-guided tour that takes you to the purest and most virgin area of the park, where you cannot access on your own. You can book it here.

This park is one of the most acclaimed by photographers since the impossible shapes of the arches are very easy to use in any composition.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

An essential stop in West Coast USA is Yosemite National Park , located in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

This park is remarkable for two of the most important climbing sites in the United States and the world: the big granite walls of El Capitan and the Half Dome. In addition, we can find the American Giant Sequoia, one of the largest trees in the world, as well as extensive fauna that includes raccoons and black bears in this park.

Yosemite Valley

If you are a lover of nature, outdoor activities, and camping , this is surely going to be one of your favorite places near West Coast of the United States.

Do not miss all you have to do in Yosemite and WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE

Sequoia national park.

In Sequoia National Park, you can find the largest concentration of giant sequoias in the world. These are grouped within what is known as the Giant Forest.

The park is located about 10000 feet above sea level, a critical altitude for this type of trees to grow. However, it may be closed during the winter because of the snow.

In addition, here we can find the giant sequoia known as General Sherman standing at 275 feet. While it is the largest single-stem tree, the Hyperion , located in Redwood National Park, California, stands taller at 379 feet as the tallest living tree known in the world.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is the oldest national park in the United States. It stands out for the incredible volcanic activity in the area and for the abundant fauna that inhabits the park: buffalo, grizzly bears, black bears, moose… If you want to enjoy the authentic American wildlife and landscapes with a smell of sulfur taken from another world, Yellowstone is an essential place to visit on the American West Coast.

I didn’t visit it during my first trip to the West Coast in the United States in 10 days, but during my next trip in which I toured Yellowstone and Grand Teton for 10 days, a great plan if you are looking for an alternative itinerary.

Check WHAT TO DO IN YELLOWSTONE and WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE

Grand teton national park.

The mountains of Grand Teton National Park are one of the most haunted landscapes by photographers on the West Coast. If you like wildlife, hiking, and want to flee the typical 10-day US West Coast itineraries , I recommend visiting this national park that promises a quiet vacation away from the masses even in peak tourist season.

Grand Teton adjoins Yellowstone National Park, so taking a 10-day tour of the US West Coast combining these two parks is quite popular.

Check what to do in grand teton and WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON

Our 10-day west coast usa itinerary.

As we stated above, our West Coast USA trip was focused on national parks and all the natural wonders of this area in North America.

Cities in the west coast are for sure some interesting destinations, but, without a doubt, if we had had more than 10 days to travel the American West Coast, we would have kept exploring the natural places that this country offers, each one so different and full of contrasts.

DAY 1 – West Coast America Trip: FLIGHT TO LAS VEGAS

We arrived in Las Vegas at noon, picked up the rental car and made a quick route to see the highlights of the city.

After a mandatory stop to make the classic photo with the Welcome Las Vegas sign, we headed to Monument Valley (6 hours driving) where we spent our first night.

DAY 2 – West Coast America Trip: DAWN IN MONUMENT VALLEY + ANTELOPE CANYON + HORSESHOE BEND

We photographed the sunrise in Monument Valley to see the incredible geological formations of the Navajo Reservation tinted in beautiful reddish colors.

Monument Valley (Our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip)

In the morning we went to Antelope Canyon , in Page (2 hours driving) to take both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours.

Antelope Canyon (Our 10-day West Coast USA Trip)

In the afternoon we had a rest at  Lake Powell. Then we went to Horseshoe Bend from where we watched and photographed an unforgettable sunset.

Horseshoe Bend (Our 10-day Western US Road Trip)

We drove 2.5 hours until our next stop on our 10-day route along the West Coast.

DAY 3 – West Coast America Trip: BRYCE canyon NATIONAL PARK

We woke up in Bryce Canyon National Park , where we took pictures of the twilight from Sunrise Point overlooking the amphitheater.

We hiked the Rim Trail, seeing different Hoodoos as Thor’s Hammer.

Bryce Canyon (Our 10-day WesternUSA Road Trip)

At night, we returned to photograph the amphitheater under the Perseid Meteor Shower, and camped inside the park.

Bryce Canyon – Sunrise Overlook

DAY 4 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: ZION NATIONAL PARK

We arrived in Springdale (2 hours driving), parked our car and took the shuttle to Zion National Park.

We did the Angels Landing trail to get the best views of the valley.

Zion National Park (Our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip)

In the afternoon, we drove 4 hours to the next stop on our 10-day Western US trip.

DAY 5 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: GRAND CANYON

We watched the sunrise at the Grand Canyon from Mather Point in probably the most epic light display we have ever seen during a sunrise.

Grand Canyon (Our trip to West Coast USA for 10 days)

In the morning we take this tour , as we tell you in this article about Grand Canyon helicopter rides . Without a doubt, I enjoyed my visit the most.

In the afternoon, we descended the first section of the Bright Angel Trailhead trail.

In the evening we drove to the next stop of our 10-day Western US trip, Mojave National Preserve (4 hours driving), where we spent one of the best nights of our life camping in the wild desert.

Mojave National Preserve

DAY 6 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: MOJAVE DESERT + DEATH VALLEY

We photographed the first sun rays of the day through the branches of the Joshua trees in the Mojave National Preserve.

We filled the tank to cross the Death Valley and made stops at the main viewpoints.

Death Valley (Our 10-day West Coast USA Self-drive Trip)

We arrived at Yosemite National Park where we set up a bivouac to spend the night in order to get accommodation the next morning at the historic Camp 4.

This day we drove a total of 10 hours, more driving hours than any other day of the entire trip.

DAY 7 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Once settled in Yosemite National Park valley we went to discover the main viewpoints of the valley, from which we would photograph the last sunrises and sunsets of our 10-day trip to the West Coast USA.

Yosemite (Our 10-day West Coast USA holidays)

We took the opportunity to enjoy the real camp life,  cooked on the bonfire at night and raccoon watched with our campmates so they didn’t eat our food.

DAY 8 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

On the eighth day, we did the most strenuous hike of our 10-day West Coast USA trip. We climbed to the Upper Yosemite Falls, where we had a bath in one of its natural pools.

Yosemite Falls (Our 10-day West Coast USA vacations)

In the afternoon we took refuge in the tent as a hail storm fell – remember that weather in Yosemite, like any high mountains, is quite unpredictable even during summer season.

DAY 9 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

On our 9th day, we decided to try one of the small hiking trails in Yosemite National Park, such as the hike that takes you to Bridal Veil Falls or the Taft Point viewpoint.

In the afternoon we visited Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where we could see these giant trees.

Tuolumne Grove (Our 10-day West Coast USA self-drive holidays)

DAY 10 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: FLIGHT BACK FROM SAN FRANCISCO

We left Yosemite National Park to head to San Francisco , where we took our return flight home.

Our initial idea was to have the last day to discover the city. However, we liked Yosemite so much that we ended up leaving just enough time to catch the flight back. It took us 4 hours to get to the airport.

How to plan an self-drive trip to the Western US

Although many travel agencies offer West Coast USA holiday packages, this destination seems more appropriate to be planned on your own (unless you are interested in photography and decide to take a photo tour to the West Coast America ).

In any case, we will explain step by step how you can plan a trip to the West Coast USA on your own in this section:

• Choose your best West Coast USA itinerary
• Plan how to get to West Coast USA
• Get your US tourist visa
• Hire the best travel insurance for traveling to the United States
• Book a rental car
• Buy America the Beautiful Pass to enter the US National Parks for free
• Book the best accommodation  on the West Coast

HOW TO CHOOSE THE best West Coast USA itinerary

From the previous section where we highlighted the best places to visit in Western US, choose 8 (if taking a 10-day West Coast road trip) or 15 places (if taking a 20-day trip) that interest you most.

Jot them down on a map of  West Coast USA (I suggest using  Google MyMaps ).

Connect the different points and check on our map below to see if there is any tourist attraction that is on your way or that you can easily reach.

Finally, check that the driving hours are compatible with the itinerary or else leave them out of your list.

Driving in the West Coast USA

Do not be frustrated, no matter how long you stay on the West Coast, you will always leave something to explore for the next trip 😉

how to get to the West Coast of USA

In order to define our itinerary, we must know how to get to the Western US.

The best way is by flying to one of the following three airports:

• San Francisco

If you want to find cheap flights to the West Coast , the best time to book them is 3 months in advance. You can find here the best cheap flights hacks . My favorite search engine is Kiwi.com.

Also, if you want to visit too many places in the West and do not have much time, I suggest that you do a one-way trip , starting at a different airport from where you will return home through. This will increase the travel budget a bit, but you don’t get to travel to the Western US every day, do you?

VISA FOR THE UNITED STATES

There are two ways to travel as a tourist to the United States. If you belong to one of these countries you can travel to the US without a visa, but must obtain a travel authorization called “ESTA”.

HOW TO PROCESS THE ESTA

The ESTA is very easy to obtain. Simply fill out the application form on iVisa and you will receive the approval in about 6 hours by email.

We have a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the ESTA to the USA.

HOW TO PROCESS TOURIST VISA B2

If you do not have a passport from one of the countries mentioned above, you need a B2 visa to travel as a tourist to the United States.

This type of visa is more difficult to obtain. In addition to preparing the required documentation which proves that you are not going to travel to the United States with the intention of living or working, you will have to go through an interview at the embassy.

A more extensive explanation of how to process this visa can be found on the US Department of State website.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE UNITED STATES

Living in the USA, I know how important is to have good travel insurance for the USA. Since health care cost in this country is very high, hospitalization without insurance can easily make your bill rise above $100,000.

So when we moved here, we bought long-stay travel insurance , although we are currently using annual multi-trip insurance.

Death Valley dunes

Although I always recommend buying the best travel insurance wherever you go, you must have extraordinary coverage for the US (never consider hiring anything that covers below $30,000 if you travel to the United States).

You can get the best quality-price insurance with Heymondo .

5% OFF your travel insurance

western USA car rental

As we have said, the only practical way to travel the Western United States is by renting a car.

Driving in Death Valley

If you do not have too much time, consider taking a  one-way instead of a round-trip  along the West. We picked up the car in Vegas and left it in San Francisco. Although this meant an increase in the budget because of the drop off-fee, we were able to visit more places during our 10-day West Coast trip.

The cheapest way to rent a car is using DiscoverCars , where we hired the rental car in Las Vegas.

FIND CHEAP RENTAL CARS IN THE US

ANNUAL NATIONAL PARKS PASS – AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

If you are planning a Western US National Parks itinerary, I recommend that you buy an annual America the Beautiful pass.

This pass allows access to all US National Parks, as well as other state parks.

The pass is valid for one year from when it is purchased and covers entry for one vehicle with up to 5 passengers. Display pass by hanging it over the rear-view mirror).

In addition, the pass is issued for two owners who must sign behind the card to use. A very good option is to buy the annual pass, leave one signature blank, and resell it to a second owner at the end of your Western USA tour.

Even if you don’t resell the pass, you will get your money’s worth just by visiting 3 or 4 National Parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite …).

The pass can be purchased online from here or directly at the ticket office of the first national park you visit.

ACCOMMODATION ON THE WEST COAST US

It is difficult to find cheap and very good quality hotels at the same time on West Coast America. Therefore we will try to help you by listing the best places to stay, considering different budgets, tastes, and needs.

Best accommodation in West Coast USA

Keep in mind that accommodation will be one of the major expenses of your trip to  West Coast America. On the other hand, sometimes a good hotel can even be one of the best attractions you can enjoy during your trip.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO

• HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel: Hostel in the heart of San Francisco that has both shared and private rooms at a very low price. Free WIFI. Includes breakfast and a kitchen for those who want to cook.
• Buena Vista Motor Inn: Hotel with complimentary parking in the middle of Lombard street. Wi-Fi and breakfast included. Totally safe area to walk at night. Just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Guide on where to stay in San Francisco

WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS

• Venetian:  Venice-themed casino resort with gondoliers included.
• Circus Circus: Casino hotel with circus theme, with its own indoor amusement park that runs throughout the year.
• Stratosphere:  Casino hotel that includes vertigo attractions at 350 meters high.
• Bellagio: Inspired by Italy, it is one of the most luxurious resort and casinos in Las Vegas.
• New York – New York:   Resort casino inspired by the big city where we can find a miniature statue of liberty.
• Paris Las Vegas:   Perfect casino hotel for honeymoon or couple trips with miniature Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
• Excalibur:  You will find yourself in the Middle Ages in this casino resort within its castles.
• Planet Hollywood:  Modern hotel and casino where you will feel the essence of the West Coast.

Guide on where to stay in Las Vegas

WHERE TO STAY IN LOS ANGELES

• Hollywood Travelodge:  Located very close to the walk of fame. Includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and free parking.
• Samesun Venice Beach:  The best option if you want to enjoy the Venice boardwalk and its beach. They have bicycle rental service.
• Cal Mar Hotel Suites:  If you prefer to be close to Santa Monica beach this option is very well priced.

Guide on where to stay in Los Angeles

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND CANYON

If we visit the South Rim, the most touristic edge of the Grand Canyon, it is quite important to stay in the Grand Canyon Village, since two of the main attractions of this jewel of Western US is their sunrise and sunset. So, the closer we are to the edge, the easier it will be for us.

We camped in the Grand Canyon, at the  Mather Campground on the South Rim.

If you prefer to stay at a hotel, all accommodations at Grand Canyon Village are run by the company   Xanterra ,  and you can make reservations on whose website.

Guide on where to stay in Grand Canyon

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGE

• Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell: This hotel is located in the center of Page. As it is highly valued, you will have to book it well in advance, since rooms tend to run out being such a small and tourist place at the same time.
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson: Without a doubt the best hotel in Page, both the price and the charm of its rooms. It is not in the center but is closer to Horseshoe Bend.

Guide on where to stay in Page

WHERE TO STAY IN BRYCE

Bryce is one of the best places to camp in the Western US. In addition to two conventional campsites ( North Campground and Sunset Campground ), there are 12 backcountry campsites.

If camping is not your thing and you prefer to stay in one of the best hotels in the West, then I recommend the Best Western Ruby’s Inn , a historic hotel at the gates of the national park that also has a camping area.

Guide on where to stay in Bryce

WHERE TO STAY IN ZION

• Bumbleberry Inn:  One of the few hotels near Zion whose price is below $200 a night and with a great value.
• La Quinta Inn and Suites : Another hotel that also has good prices and is highly rated near Zion, known for its buffet breakfast that includes delicious homemade waffles.

Guide on where to stay in Zion

WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

If you want to enjoy dawn with the best views of the valley, I recommend that you camp in the Monument Valley. The campground is called The View Campground and the only way to reserve it is by calling +1 435-727-5802.

This campsite belongs to  The View Hotel , a hotel run by the Navajo Indians with equally amazing views.

Guide on where to stay in Monument Valley

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA BARBARA

• Hotel Santa Barbara: One of the best hotels in Santa Barbara with a great location in the city center and very close to the beach. Includes Wi-Fi, breakfast and free parking.
• The Eagle Inn:   On the beach of Santa Barbara and in a beautiful historic building. The price is a bit higher but it includes a jacuzzi in the room.

WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE

We decided to camp at Camp 4 during our visit to Yosemite. Here, the hippy movement was born in the 60s and spread throughout the United States.

However, if you don’t want to camp, don’t worry. There are very good hotels in Yosemite. Some of the best are:

• The Ahwahnee
• Yosemite Valley Lodge
• Curry Village

Guide on where to stay in Yosemite

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO

• Staypineapple at Hotel Z: One of the best hotels in downtown San Diego. Modern design and quite affordable. It offers free bicycles to its customers.
• HI-San Diego Point Loma Hostel: Hostel with shared rooms, very good price and located next to the beach. Ideal if you visit San Diego with the intention of meeting other travelers.

WHERE TO STAY IN JOSHUA TREE

The best place to stay in Joshua Tree is in one of its campsites. There are 4 campsites throughout the national park that can be reserved, and another 4 first-come, first-served campground. All the information regarding the Joshua Tree campgrounds can be found on the National Parks Service website.

WHERE TO STAY IN DEATH VALLEY

• The Inn at Death Valley: This Oasis in the middle of the desert is the most luxurious resort you’ll find here. Refresh between your palm garden and its spring water pool and relax in your spa area.
• The Ranch at Death Valley: Run by the same company as The Inn at Death Valley, it is the familiar and informal complement of the previous one. If you want to relax in a unique environment but without too many pretensions, this accommodation is for you.
• Panamint Springs Resort:  This resort offers both tourist resorts and lodging in tents. It’s close to the west entrance of the national park, from where you’ll have stunning views of the sand dunes.

Guide on where to stay in Death Valley

WHERE TO STAY IN MOJAVE DESERT

There are no motels inside Mojave National Preserve. The only way to stay is camping. There are two family campsites, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and Mid Hills Campground. Both are first-come, first-served campgrounds.

There is also the possibility of doing backcountry camping. If you want more information, check the US National Parks Service website.

WHERE TO STAY IN ARCHES

There are no campsites or hotels within Arches National Park. The best thing to do is to stay somewhere close to the entrance:

• Red Cliffs Lodge:  All rooms have views of the Colorado River. In addition, you have access to a private living room with a fridge and microwave. This accommodation is the best you’ll find if you visit Arches National Park from the west. Do not miss its western cinema museum.
• Under Canvas Moab:  This accommodation is located east of Arches National Park and offers already pitched tents, some with private bathrooms. If you are not a fan of the camps, but you would like to try, this is your place. In addition to the bed linen, the hotel will lend you towels and a flashlight. A very comfortable way to learn a little about the American camper culture.

WHERE TO STAY IN SEQUOIA

• Montecito Sequoia Lodge: This rustic mountain accommodation offers a place to relax, surrounded by lakes, forests and rugged peaks. It has a restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet.
• Bearpaw High Sierra Camp: This established camp has 6 canvas tents with wooden floors. The views of the surroundings are amazing. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the accommodation.
• Wuksachi Lodge:  It is the emblematic hotel of Sequoia, an amazing mountain hut made of stone and cedar located in the heart of the park, surrounded by a powerful sequoia forest and towering peaks of the sierra.

WHERE TO STAY IN HAVASU FALLS

As we commented, if you visit Havasu Falls, it is compulsory to spend at least one night in one of its campsites, since you cannot make excursions exclusively for one day. Book both the tour and the camping permit from the official website of the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE

There are only  9 hotels within Yellowstone National Park , so in peak tourist season, most travelers only find accommodation outside the park.

You can find the best options on our guide on where to stay in Yellowstone National Park, but my favorite hotels are:

• Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
• Yellowstone Gateway Inn
• Stage Coach Inn
• Al’s Westward Ho Motel
• Travelodge by Wyndham
• Absaroka Lodge

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON

There are many places to stay in Grand Teton National Park but my favorite ones are:

• Colter Bay Village 
• Jackson Lake Lodge  
• Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch 
• Jenny Lake Lodge

To calculate  how much a road trip along the West Coast cost, keep in mind that gasoline in the United States is quite cheap compared most European countries, so even though you will drive many kilometers, this is not something you have to worry too much about when planning your itinerary.

Regarding the food , going to restaurants or going out to have a drink is very expensive; especially when you are looking for somewhere that serve healthy and quality food. If you’re willing to eat fast food, your West Cost travel budget will decrease since the United States is the paradise for junk food.

Regarding accommodation , while it is more expensive in the US than other countries, there are ways to make it cheaper .

Consider camping during your West Coast America tour. In addition to being cheaper, it is very fun and do not forget that there is no country in the world with such an active camping culture as in the United States. You will enjoy watching all the American accessories that make camping more comfortable, and the amazing motorhomes that are better than many houses. You can check some tips for traveling by rv in the USA here.

If you want to know how much we spent during out trip, you can check our West Coast travel budget for 10 days.

West Coast USA combinations ideas

In case you have more time, you can combine the West Coast of the USA with other destinations. Some of the most popular combinations are the following.

West Coast America and Hawaii holidays

If you love nature, combine  West Coast USA and Hawaii to enjoy the most active volcanoes in the United States. These wild islands in the middle of the Pacific, offer a native culture totally different from any other place in the world, in addition to beautiful beaches. The Western US and Hawaii landscapes are an excellent combination for the more adventurous.

RIVIERA MAYA and WEST COAST USA honeymoon

Riviera Maya and West Coast America honeymoon trips are very popular.  With this travel itinerary, we can enjoy a mix of the natural American West Coast landscapes with turquoise water beaches and the history of ancient civilizations. This is the best combination for honeymoons or for travelers interested in a mix of all-inclusive vacation packages.

WEST COAST AND ROUTE 66 road trip

If you want to travel the most famous road in the United States, plan a Route 66 – Western US road trip. With this tour, you will have a chance to visit my favorite city in the US: Chicago. I don’t recommend this combination if you do not like driving since much time of this trip will be spent inside the car.

West Coast USA tours from New york

Another very popular combination, especially if you are traveling from Europe. A New York & West Coast America fly-drive itinerary mixes the Western US National Parks with the busiest city of the East Coast. This option is perfect for those who also enjoy visiting big cities, since there are plenty of things to do in New York City.

With any of these combinations, I recommend spending at least 10 days in West Coast America .

However, if you only plan to travel to the West Coast and can afford it, I would recommend spending 2 or even  3 weeks.

map of West Coast USA

Finally, it is very useful to plan your trip using a map of Western US , marked with your places of interest. Then check the following map to see if there is any other attraction on the way.

SEE you ON THE WEST COAST and do not hesitate to ask if you need help preparing your itinerary!

Ascen Aynat

80 replies on “ Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary ”

We are from Singapore and planning a 20 days trip in June to West Coast of US and would be our first drive trip to the US. We wanted to cover Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite, route 66, UTAH but not sure if we are able to (or worth to) cover up till Seattle. We love your advise as it will be our first trip to West Coast of US and accommodation recommendations will be helpful plus itinerary. regards Melvin

Hi Melvin, Wow, that sounds amazing! There is so much to see the western United States. I think you’ll find our road trip itineraries from Las Vegas to be super helpful. As for accommodation, it depends on whether you’re renting a car or RV since an RV will take care of accommodation for you. Otherwise, the hotel recommendations above in this article are a great place to start. 🙂

Hi! Wow, relieved i came accross this blog. Thank you for sharing this.

I made an almost similar itinerary and posted it in trip advisor.

we are arriving early morning in Vegas on March 10 and flying out late night from San Francisco March 20. For the 10 day trip, we’d like to see Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Most of the comments says most of the time will be spent driving hence the trip might not be an enjoyable one. Some even suggested dropping Yosemite as this is too far from the rest of the places we’re hoping to see.

With all the driving you did on this trip, do you think you still spent a good time exploring the parks?

Thanks heaps!

Yes, it was a lot of hours driving but it was a trip of a lifetime. I won’t change any of the stops I did so I highly recommend it specially if you don’t mind driving at night and you don’t have more time to spend on the West Coast USA.

Hi, very informative post there ! May I know what route did u take to travel to yosemite from death valley ? I supposed you travelled when the tiogo road was closed ?

We traveled in August when the Tioga Road was open. So we just drove Nort through the Eastern Sierra and enter from the Northeastern part of the park 😉

i am planning to go to a trip with my friends but iam confused where should i go.

It’s difficult to choose when there are so many great options! My recommendation is to check the places and pictures and just pick the 4/5 places that you find more interesting 😉

Hi Martin from Australia here. I am busy planning an 8 day self drive tour in April starting in, and returning to Las Vegas. I stumbled on your website and found it to be a fantastic resource, full of very helpful information. One thing that is puzzling me with your route. Why did you go to Monument Valley first and then criss-cross south to Antelope Canyon, north to Bryce Canyon and then south again to the Grand Canyon. This appears to add an additional 400 miles (appx). I had originally been planning a circuit through Bryce Canyon, Monument Park, Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon. Then Back to Las Vegas via Mojave Desert and Death Valley. Thank you

We did that itinerary because we were traveling in August (high season) and wanted to camp in Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, so we book the only days available hehehe

Your itinerary sounds great. Let me know how you do it finally.

Hi! I would love your help in planning my itinerary for my West Coast Roadtrip Honeymoon. We would love to check as many of the same locations off our list as you have in this post. Would love to get your thoughts on cost efficiency, glamping/camping vs. RV rentals and what we HAVE to see, and what we could skip. We definitely don’t want to spend the majority of our trip in the car. Thinking of flying into Vegas and then going from there. We would be going from June 12-20th. This is by far the most helpful article I have found online so far! Thanks for writing!

We will be happy to help. Let me know any questions you may have and we will help.

we are a couple, 60 years+ but able to drive and planning a trip next Sep. 2020. However we note that at some places you had to camp. I don’t think we are up to camping and wonder how to achieve the trip you made without camping.

You don’t need to camp if you don’t want to. There are many hotels where you can stay 🙂 Let me know your itinerary and I will give you some hotel ideas.

I wish more people would post valuable content like this. This is the first time I’ve been on your website, but after this, I doubt it will be the last time.

Thanks Robert!! You are always welcome 😉

Planning a trip in mid December. Is your 10 day trip feasible at this time of year ? Thanks.

Yes, it’s perfectly fine. Just bear in mind that you might find snow in some places like Bryce and Yosemite and the main roads to Yosemite from the east (Tioga road) is gonna be closed.

Hope you have a beautiful trip!

Have you ever thought of planning a trip of the Four Corners States of the Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado & Utah). There are so many sites that would be a tough decision. New Mexico has the Gila National Forest, City of Rocks in the southwest, Carlsbad Caverns to name just a few, Colorado, Arizona, Utah you could go on and on. This would also the sunrises and sunsets, rivers canyons. It is so vast that each state could provide what every photographer would want to see and shoot. Just think about it. if you more information, please contact me.

Sure! We still have a bunch of places we want to visit!

Thank you It was very useful

Thanks Isabel!

Great post, thanks for the info I’m considering doing this trip with my dad, how fit do you have to be to do this trip? He can’t really walk a whole lot at a time.

Hi Emiliano,

You don’t need to walk if you don’t want to. Just visit the main lookouts accessible by car.

Let me know if you have any other question.

Well, that was a pretty fascinating read, not going to lie. I really hope you continue to write. Probably one of the more informative pieces I’ve read on this subject. Thanks!

Thanks Justin! Glad to see our USA West Coast article was useful and you enjoyed it reading!

You know if you are not on Instagram, you should be. I know you can’t put text up, but just throw in a few pics and build an audience there. I think you’d find a ton of people who would be super interested in your blog here.

Thanks for the advice. We already use Instagram, our account is: @Capturetheatlas

Well… consider yourself added to my blogroll. I have like six other blogs I read on a weekly basis, guess that number just increased to seven! Keep writing!

Thanks Chris! and Welcome to Capture the Atlas! 😉

Way to go on this post man. Really killer stuff. I’ll be back to read your other posts.

Thanks Travis! Glad you found the information helpful!

Wow! What a scenery. I hope I can visit those place in the future too! People on your newsletter must love you. This content is pure 100% gold

Thanks Matthew for your kind words! I am sure you will be fascinated by the West Coast USA landscapes when you visit them.

Feel free to join our community and receive our newsletter 😉

Hi, My family of 3 will be travelling to West of USA for about 12 to 14 days this coming September month 2019. Can you help us to plan the trip visiting all the interesting places and also advise us the cost.

We give a lot of piece of advice on our blog. Please read it and let us know if you have any question.

I am flying from Toronto, Canada and am unsure which airport to arrive and leave in. I am planning on visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cathedral Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Grand Canyon (South Rim). I am unsure whether to fly to Las Vegas and leave from Arizona, or vice versa, or do a loop. Any suggestions?

Amazing blog by the way!

Which airport in Arizona are you considering? Las Vegas in quite close to those places you want to visit and usually there is cheap flights to go there.

Let me know if you have any question

Thank you for your reply! I was thinking Phoenix airport. Just not sure the best route and will be renting a car!

Also, do you know if its possible to rent a car at one airport and return it to another?

Hi, i am traveling with 6 adults. Planning to arrive in New York, then fly to LA and hoping to have a glimpse of the city and its surrounding and fly to vancouver . We will fly back home from Vancouver.

How many days do you think is good for us? I am travelling with my parents aged 60yo.

Can you give me any recommendations

Hi Felicia,

I would say to book at least 10 – 15 days. As recommendations I would suggest hiring good travel insurance for the USA and check the different articles we have at the blog.

Let me know if you need something else,

Hello there,

We have about 8-9 days along the West Coast after a conference in Vegas. Looking at the following itinerary/places we want to visit. Do you think this is something workable/have any comments? Thanks so much!

Day 1: (From Vegas) Antelope Valley/Horseshoe Bend (Find somewhere to stay for the night – is there a recommendation where we can stay in that area?) Day 2: Grand Canyon Day 3: Travel back to Vegas, fly to San Francisco. Day 4: San Francisco Day 5: San Francisco -> Monterey, Big Sur (Find somewhere to stay?) Day 6: Travel to LA Day 7: LA Day 8: LA

Thanks very much for your message and for reading us!

Until day 4 your itinerary is gonna be very intense but definitely doable, as we made a very similar itinerary at the beginning of our trip. You can find recommendations for the night near horseshoe bend/Antelope Canyon in this section of our article.

As for the second part of your trip, We didn’t travel from SF towards the south so don’t know if that would be something possible.

Please let me know if we can help with any other questions.

Best regards,

Hi I am trying to plan a trip with my son for September 2019 have i left enough time to do this? And could you help us with an itinerary Also if we choose to camp do we purchase this in the USA as we are travelling from the UK Thanks

Hi Richard,

Thank you very much for your message.

You are still in time for planning the trip, so I ‘d definitely try to do it!

You can see different itineraries in our US articles depending on your days and preferences. Hope that helps.

As for the campings it depends on the campsite, some accept online reservations like the one in Monument Valley while others are filled in a first-come first-served basis like Camp 4 in Yosemite.

Please let us know if we can help with any other questions.

Hi everyone! Could you help me to make a itinerary with the time and 10 destinations?

We will need some more information to help you. When and where are you starting your trip, days, preferences and so on.

Hi guys, Love your work. I’m a photographer and looking to do a road trip through the west cost of the USA, covering as much of the national parks as possible (Yellowstone a must). We only have a 2 week gap during July to do this. Do you have any tours available for July 2019 for 2 super fun people?

Me, along with spouse and 13 year old son, are planning for a 10 day trip to LA, LV & SFO from India during June last week.

Request if you could help build us an itinerary for First Timers to US. It would be with a driver if we have to hire a car.

Do you deal in hotel accommodations too – 4 star?

Could you please let me know a rough expenditure on all this.

Kindly do mention your charges too for helping us out with a good itinerary and any help on ground that you could provide during our stay.

Thanking You, MOHAN

I have sent you an email with our service rates.

Have a nice day!

I am planing with my boyfriend our trip in June to California for 10 days. We are landing in LA and we would like to visit Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and San Diego. Could you please give us some tips? We are afraid that Tioga Pass might not be opened at the beginning of June..

Thanks a lot!

Hi Anabel, I think you have enough time in 10 days to visit the cities and NP you mentioned. You can do 2 days for LA, 3 days for Yosemite, 1 day for Death Valley, 1 day for Las Vegas, 2 days for Grand Canyon and 1 day for San Diego.

As you said, Tioga Pass maybe is still close in June, so I recommend you booking a hotel around Fresno (in case Tigoa Road is close) and other around Mammonth Lakes (in case it is open). And cancel the one you are not going to use once you know the Tioga Road status?

Let me know if you need anything else.

Hello, Thanks for the detailed analysis of west coast. We are planning to visit west coast from Philadelphia and would like to cover California/LA/SFO/Las Vegas. We would however fly to Seattle from PHL and take our trip to west coast from Seattle.

Please provide us with an itinerary.

We are planning 10 days for this trip and would like to over not just national parks but also Golden gate bridge/Hollywood/Alcatraz etc. We don’t want to do the theme parks.

Sure, I have sent you an email with our planner services rates.

Hi, Thanks for itinerary! We are going on a trip from LA in September for 16 days, and this helped a lot! If you could give some tips on showering…it’s not available in a lot of camp sites. Also, if you have some experience with laundry service, I would appreciate some info. Thanks!

Hi Soma! Thanks for your message and words!

You can check beforehand which campsites offer shower utilities and plan according to your needs. We booked camping with showers in Grand Canyon and Yosemite, taking a shower at least every 2 days. As for laundry service, I would suggest doing the same. We went just for a week and didn’t really need to do any washing but if you are staying 16 days some campings have some sort of place for washing. As an example again, you can find those utilities in Grand Canyon and Yosemite, and I am sure there will be more in other important campgrounds.

Hope that helps and have a wonderful US West Coast trip!

Hi we are planning a 15 day stay flying into LA hiring a car can you recommened a route then we fly back out from LA.Thanks

The US West Coast is huge and there are endless possibilities doing a round trip from L.A.

Depending on your personal taste and the number of miles that you are willing to drive, there are many itineraries.

I recommend that you check all the main attractions explained throughout the article and once you know your preferences, you can design your own route.

Hope it helps and you make the most of your trip!

Planning on driving to monument valley and staying at View hotel I need driving directions from Salt Lake City

Take I-15 S, US-6 E, US-191 S and US-163 S to Main Monument Valley Rd/Monument Valley Rd in Oljato-Monument Valley

Hi my husband and I are planning a trip to tour the west coast next June/July next year for 4 weeks starting in San Francisco driving down the coast then across to Vegas by car then possibly hiring a camper van to visit the national parks, would you be able to advise us of some places to stop and stay and give some advice as to how long we should stay at certain places, we would also like to spend a week in Washington and New York at the end of our stay but we will fly to the east coast, thanks Tracey

Sure, I have sent you an email more information about our trip planner services. I can also help you to plan your visits to NYC and Washington. I live in Philadelphia, that is 2hours from NYC and two hours from Washington, so I know these cities very well and I can help you too.

Hello Jaz, thank you for the useful information. I am planning for the west coast trip but could you confirm will it be too much to digest if I cover all/most of the destinations mentioned in your article above in just one trip?

Or shall I split the trip in multiple trips to enjoy and assimilate the delightful view which each destination has to offer?

That is up to you. How much time do you have? Where are you coming from? If I could, I would do it in one trip (3-4 months).

Let me know if you need something else, Ascen.

We are planning a tour of West Coast starting and ending at LA. Can you suggest a good travel itinerary for family of 3 or 6 pxs. for 8-12 days sometime in June or July 2019. Thanks Jaz

Hi Jasmine, I have sent you an email with our rates. Ascen.

Planning to gravel to west coast of USA Visiting friends & also travelling (self drive) . I have 14 days from Sep15 to Sep30 Would like to visit Yosomite, Death Valley Coastal Drive & Las Vegas and Grand canyon. Thanks for your help with an itinerary.

Sure! I will help you to plan your West America trip. I have sent you an email.

Hi, I am planning for west coast tour for 10 days in July. I would like to start from San Francisco . Could you please suggest road trip plan

Hi Rajan, I will be happy for helping you to plan your west coast USA itinerary.

I have sent you an email regarding our travel planner services.

Hi, I am planning a 15 days trip to USA with my family of 5 (2 sons aged 24, 25, Daughter 18). What route would you recommend us to take? We are looking to rent a car and drive around ourselves. Thank you.

Hi Sharon, I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Thanks, Ascen.

Hi.. myself and 2 friends are planning a trip up the west coast from San Francisco in April.. We are renting an RV ..we would like to try and go as north to Portland maybe Seattle.. could you advise of the best route and places we should try to see.

Hi we are planning to Visit West coast in the month of June 19 . Not sure about self drive option but could u please suggest some best places to explore in 10 days . We are landing at San Francisco & leaving to New York from LA .

Would appreciate if u could help us to arrange our trip .

Thanks Sunil

I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Hi Loved reading your information on USA! My husband and I want to travel the west coast in September this year. We have booked so far return flights from Sydney to San Francisco. We would like to see Yosemite Bryce Zion Death Valley Redlands Lake Tahoe Sequoia and Grand Canyon. Not interested in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. We thought we would return via The big Sur to San Francisco. Do you think we can do this in a month? What would be the best driving route to do all this. Can we also purchase driving maps? Any help you could give I would be most grateful! Thanking you

Hi Cath, I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Hi, thanks a lot for your details itinerary which is very much appreciated. I’m planning my self-drive trip to west coast USA for about 12 days, in May 2019. Just wondering any tips on what to wear? Will it be cold in the Yosemite national park? I’m planning for Grand Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon + Horseshoes band, Yosemite, is it still worth to get the annnual pass? There are total 6 of us.

Hi Joey, If you are only visiting two national parks (Yosemite and Grand Canyon ) it is not worth getting the annual pass. Pay just for the standard fee in each of them. Horseshoe Bend is free and Antelope Canyon is private, so you will have to pay the Navajo fee.

In 12 days you have enough time to visit Death Valley, Bryce and Zion too.

Regarding what to carry in the backpack, please check the camping and cold weather section of this post.

P.S: Next sunday we will be posting our Guide to Yosemite and I am sure you are going to find it interested!!

Best, Ascen

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24 Epic Western US Road Trips for Your Bucket List!

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Planning to explore the western United States? These epic western US road trips are a fabulous way to discover the diverse and beautiful landscapes for which the west is famous.

Majestic mountain parks studded with alpine lakes. Vast expanses of desert. One of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet. A plethora of lively cities and laid-back towns. You’ll find all these and much more in the western USA.

From the Rockies to the American Southwest and the California coast, there are many iconic road trip routes from which to choose.

While we’ve done numerous Western US road trips, for this round-up of the best western US road trip ideas, we asked travel blogging colleagues to chime in with their favorites as well, to give you a wide variety of options for your next adventure on the great open road.

Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. For more details, refer to our disclosure .

From the great national parks of the west to vibrant cities, our western US road trip itineraries offer diversity and excitement.

Our amazing US West road trip itineraries will make you want to load up the car and head out on an adventure immediately.

Let’s get started discovering the most amazing road trips in the west!

California Highway One Road Trip Between Los Angeles And San Francisco

One of the most popular road trips in California (and arguably in the United States!) is Highway 1 between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Sometimes known as the Pacific Coast Highway road trip, this iconic west coast road trip adventure is on many travelers’ bucket list.

This 450-mile drive along the California coast has everything you could want in a road trip, and you can drive it in either direction.

While you could easily spend weeks exploring everything along this route,  4-5 days is a good length  to experience the highlights.

California is known for having lovely weather most of the year, but any time from April to October is ideal for this road trip. Late spring is a particularly nice time, with bright green hillsides and lots of wildflowers.

No matter what you like to do, you’ll find countless things to see and experience throughout this drive.

The two California cities that book-end the drive, LA and San Francisco, are iconic destinations you’ll definitely want to explore!

Take a cruise of the San Francisco Bay, explore Golden Gate park, walk (or bike) the Golden Gate Bridge, and tour Alcatraz in San Francisco.

In Los Angeles, hike up to the Hollywood sign, explore Hollywood, enjoy the beach and Ferris wheel in Santa Monica, and discover the many museums and gardens.

Animal lovers will enjoy spotting elephants seals, sea otters, whales, and dolphins along the coast. If you look up, you might even spot the endangered California condor, with its massive wingspan!

There are dozens of hikes in the many state parks and along the beaches for every skill level.

Santa Barbara is one of the best stops on the Pacific Coast Highway , and you’ll love exploring the charming towns of the Central Coast, from Pismo Beach to Morro Bay and Cambria .

Probably the most famous stretch of this drive is Big Sur , a 90-mile portion between San Simeon and Carmel-by-the-Sea that boasts the most unforgettable views.

Here you can see the famous Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, and Hearst Castle.

Make sure you spend some time at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and marvel at the stunning redwoods, and visit beautiful Pfeiffer Beach.

To the north of Big Sur, Monterey offers excellent whale-watching and a world-class aquarium. South of Big Sur, the little seaside village of Cambria makes for a lovely stop!

And don’t forget about the food! Take advantage of all the local seafood restaurants and fill up on some amazing cuisine along the way.

Suggested by Stefanie of Open Road Odysseys

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Road Trip

For one of the best road trips in the western US, head to the beautiful states of Wyoming and Montana. 

On this road trip, you will explore the stunning Grand Teton National Park and the unique  Yellowstone National Park . They are two of the most iconic national parks in the western USA !

Start your journey in either Jackson Hole, Wyoming, or Gardiner, Montana. This road trip is approximately 150 miles.

A week is a good estimate of the amount of time you will need to explore this area.

The best time to take this road trip is from mid-May until late September. The reason for this is that many of the facilities and roads in the Tetons are closed during the winter months.

Jackson Hole is the closest town to Grand Teton National Park. 

When in Jackson Hole, visit Jackson Town Square for a great place to walk around, shop, and dine.

After exploring the town of Jackson Hole, make your way to Grand Teton National Park.

This park is famous for its stunning Teton range. The Tetons are a great place to take in scenic views, and go hiking, biking, fishing, and rafting.

After exploring the Tetons, you will be on your way to the popular Yellowstone National Park. 

See Old Faithful, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Springs. Look for herds of bison and other wildlife!

The closest town to Mammoth Springs is Gardiner, the North Entrance of Yellowstone.

Get your picture taken at the Roosevelt Arch and explore this cute, western town to end your epic road trip. 

Suggested by Kim of Traveling Swansons

If you are looking to rent a car for your Western US road trip, consider  Discover Cars ! They scour multiple providers to get the best price for you, including brands like Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, and Sixt. Check prices and availability on car rentals now!

the Oregon Coast: One of the Best Western US Road Trips!

The Oregon Coast is truly a beautiful stretch of the West Coast and is a great place to go on a road trip.

You can start your road trip anywhere along the coast, but the ideal starting point is at the very southwestern corner of Oregon, near Brookings, from where you can work your way up to Astoria, in the very northwestern corner.

To travel the entire coast, it’ll be just over 300 miles, and you can fully experience it in 5-6 days.

Though the coast is beautiful year-round, the best time of year to visit Oregon is the summer months, as the weather is warmer, and the sun tends to be out more often.

Even just the drive along Highway 101 on the coast is unbelievably beautiful.

Starting in southwestern Oregon, your first stop should be Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Here one of the best things to see is Natural Bridges, a unique and beautiful rock formation over the Pacific Ocean.

About 3 hours north, stop in Florence at Sand Master Sandboarding to rent sandboards and enjoy some time boarding down the Oregon Sand Dunes.

Next, in Yachats, you’ll find the famous Thor’s Well, a sinkhole on the coast that seems to be bottomless.

For one of the most unique and beautiful places along the Oregon Coast, head to Cape Kiwanda. This phenomenal location has sand dunes and red sandstone rock formations.

Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Astoria will be the final stops on your Oregon road trip.

Here you’ll find some of the beautiful filming locations for popular movies like The Goonies. These are some of the most popular places on the coast, so they’ll likely be fairly busy.

If you’re planning a road trip in the Western U.S., you should definitely consider the Oregon Coast!

Suggested by Kassidy of The Hiking Helper

Los Angeles to Southern California Deserts Road Trip

The Southern California deserts offer spectacular scenery, old west history, and diverse hiking opportunities. With several parks to visit, a road trip is the ideal way to enjoy the desert vistas.

Los Angeles makes the perfect start and end point for this loop trip, especially if you are flying into the area.

This epic California desert road trip itinerary covers 851 miles, and you’ll need a minimum of 7 days to do justice to all the parks. Of course, if you can spend longer, you can do more hikes, and take in more desert sunrises and sunsets (they tend to be amazing!).

It’s a desert road trip, so the cooler months of the year are the best time for this trip: any time from late fall to early spring is great.

Starting from LA, make your way to Death Valley National Park , where you can gape at the badlands from Zabriskie Point, drive up to Dante’s View for panoramas, walk the salt flats in the Badwater Basin, and hike the dunes at Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes.

If you have the time, do a short detour to Lone Pine en route to Death Valley. Here you can explore the beautiful Alabama Hills, in the high desert. The rock formations are spectacular!

Next, you’ll visit another beautiful California desert national park, Joshua Tree . Your driving route takes you through the Mojave National Preserve, where you can visit a historic railroad depot and climb even higher Kelso Dunes.

Joshua Tree National Park is famous for its enormous boulder formations and strange-looking Joshua trees. Hike, go rock climbing, and visit old west ranches and remnants of mines.

All of these parks offer excellent night sky observing. You’ll be amazed at the number of stars you can see on moonless nights!

Take a city break in Palm Springs , known for its mid-century modern architecture, resorts and spas, and shopping and dining. Try a date shake, tour a wind farm, or visit desert botanical gardens.

Your final stop on this deserts road trip is Borrego Springs. Explore Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. If you visit in the spring of a good bloom year, you will be treated to fantastic wildflower displays here.

After you complete your explorations of the park, return to Los Angeles to complete your road trip.

Suggested by Dhara of Roadtripping California

Washington State National Parks Road Trip

This  Washington State road trip  is great if you only have one week to spend in Washington State, and you enjoy hiking, but you aren’t an incredibly experienced hiker. It’s roughly 550 miles total.

This road trip begins and ends in Seattle and is best done during late spring, summer, or early fall.

Once you grab your rental car in Seattle, head to Mount Rainier National Park. This incredible park surrounds glacier-capped, 14,410-foot Mount Rainier.

You can admire Mount Rainier from the Sunrise Visitors Center, which can easily be reached by car. There are also many incredible hikes to take in Mount Rainer National Park.

The Grove of Patriarchs is also a must-do in Mount Rainier National Park. The trees here are estimated to be over 1,000 years old, and they are HUGE.

The next stop on your road trip will be Olympic National Park. Here, the Quinault Rainforest will be the first highlight to visit.

Then, drive to Kalaloch Beach, which is home to “The Tree of Life.” Ruby Beach is also close by and worth a visit, thanks to its unique landscape and rock formations.

The Hoh Rainforest is also worth visiting, as are the La Push beaches just outside of Forks, Washington. At Hoh, be sure to stroll the Hall of Mosses Trail!

After you’ve had your share of hiking, and the outdoors, head back to Seattle for a day of fun exploring the city!

From the Pike Place Fish Market to “The Fremont Troll” to the Seattle Center, there are plenty of fun things to do and see in Seattle before you head back home. 

Suggested by Lindsey of Have Clothes, Will Travel

Utah Road Trip

The state of Utah is full of magnificent canyons, red rock formations, and other scenery, and one of the best ways to see it is by taking a road trip from Moab to Zion.

Stop at lots of slot canyons in Escalante along the way, and then end with the thrilling Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park.

For this road trip, you’ll need to drive a distance of at least 400 miles, and plan on about 7 to 10 days.

Utah is nice any time of year, although you might want to avoid going in the mid-summer months (July and August) because of the excessive heat.

Moab has lots of its own things to see, including the Arches National Park and a wide variety of canyons, dunes, and hoodoos.

The Corona Arch trail is a good lesser known hike outside of the national park.

Dead Horse Point State Park is also a must visit!

Some of the best places to stop between Moab and Zion are the slot canyons in Escalante: Zebra Slot, Peekaboo Canyon, and Spooky Gulch.

The canyons are stunningly beautiful, and they’re just now starting to become popular to visit. Now is the time to go before the crowds!

Other good things to see on the way from Moab to Zion include the Lower Calf Creek Falls (one of Utah’s nicest waterfalls), the hoodoos at Devils Garden (also in Escalante), and the Utah Highway 12 Scenic Byway near Bryce.

Once you reach Zion National Park, you’ll want to spend a few days doing some of the best hikes in the park, like Observation Point, The Narrows, and Angels Landing.

They are bucket list quality hikes, but if you are looking for easier trails, you will find those in Zion as well, along with exceptional scenery.

Suggested by David & Intan of The World Travel Guy

Southern Colorado Road Trip

Colorado is an amazing state to visit, and one of the best western US road trips takes you to three national parks in Southern Colorado. 

For this Colorado road trip, start in Alamosa and end in Montrose, for about 600 miles of driving.

The best time to do this road trip is early summer or early fall, when the weather is mild.

Eight days allows you to see a good number of the attractions along the route without feeling rushed.  

After you rent a sand sled in Alamosa, spend your first day riding the dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park. 

Drive to Mesa Verde National Park the next day, stopping at Chimney Rock or Canyons of the Ancients National Monument on your way.

Stay at the Farview Lodge in Mesa Verde. It is worth it to see the sunrise and sunset over the park! 

Spend day 3 exploring Mesa Verde. Go on a guided tour to see one of the cliff dwellings up close, drive the Mesa Top Loop to learn about the people that lived here, and take a hike to explore the landscape.  

All aboard the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad on day 4! This train takes you on a scenic ride to Silverton to spend a few hours exploring and back to Durango. 

Next, drive the famous Million Dollar Highway to Montrose. Stop at Silverton for a mine tour and Ouray to soak in the hot springs. 

Spend days 6 and 7 hiking the north and south rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. 

Take a day trip to Colorado National Monument to see the unique rock formations and hike, to end this amazing southern  Colorado road trip . 

Suggested by Caitlin of Twin Family Travels

Route 66 Road Trip: Santa Fe, New Mexico to santa Monica, California

Driving Route 66, known as the Mother Road, is a cherished bucket list item for many travelers. On this western US road trip, you can drive part of the iconic route, through three of the western states: New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

While you can drive it in either direction, it’s fun to end in Santa Monica on the California coast, where you can pose for a photo with the marker that says “end of the trail.”

At about 1,000 miles, this road trip is best done over several days: at least a week, but more is deal, because the route is packed with epic destinations and lots of landmarks.

Any time from late fall to early spring is the best time for this section of Route 66, because quite a bit of the route is through the desert.

In Santa Fe, check out the historic La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel. The historic Route 66 passed quite close to the hotel. Other than the plaza, New Mexico’s capital offers lots of museums and markets.

Explore Albuquerque and Gallup on your way to Arizona. In Albuquerque, don’t miss the Old Town and the Sandia Peak Tramway. Its balloon festival is very popular as well.

Arizona has many miles of the original road still open. Flagstaff is the largest city along the route in Arizona. Don’t miss the Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook, and the many vintage cars along the way.

Route 66 in California runs through the desert in the eastern part of the state. Here you can stop at many ghost towns and iconic attractions like Roy’s Motel and Cafe in Amboy.

Stop at Elmer’s Bottle Ranch, an iconic California roadside attraction, before making your way to San Bernadino, where you can see the other Wigwam Hotel and the very first McDonald’s, now a museum.

Pasadena is a fun stop, with many Route 66 attractions as well as a lively Old Town. Then it’s on to Santa Monica, where you will find the “End of the Trail” sign on the pier.

Suggested by us

Road Trip the Southern California Coast

One of the best road trips in the United States is traveling the Southern California coast, a 220-mile drive that starts in San Diego and ends in Santa Barbara.

Though this region is lovely at all times of the year, a spring, summer, or fall trip is ideal so that you can enjoy the sunshine and beaches.

If you’d like to make a lot of stops, plan at least seven to ten days for this road trip! 

In San Diego , you can spend a few days exploring and checking out the popular attractions, like the San Diego Zoo, Coronado Island, Cabrillo National Monument , Seaport Village, and Balboa Park .

Next, drive up to Temecula, where you can visit some of the best wineries in Temecula , Southern California’s wine country.

After wine tasting, you can drive to Los Angeles, to visit Disneyland in Anaheim, Beverly Hills, or the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Or you can opt for a scenic route along the coastline, stopping at beach cities like Huntington Beach and Long Beach. 

Next, stop in Ojai for some relaxing hiking, olive oil tastings, and spa days in this laid-back town before heading to Santa Barbara.

If you have the time, you can also do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park: ferries run from Ventura or Oxnard.

In Santa Barbara, watch the sunset from Stearns Wharf, check out the wineries and breweries in The Funk Zone, and see famous buildings like the County Courthouse of Santa Barbara! 

Suggested by Brittany of Travel by Brit

New Mexico Road Trip

Starting and ending in Albuquerque, this 550-mile  road trip in New Mexico   is the ultimate American Southwest experience.

To enjoy New Mexico best, plan for 5 to 7 days during spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild, explore the numerous archaeological sites, appreciate the rich culture, and admire the fantastic scenery.

Upon arriving in Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, head to Acoma Pueblo for your first day. A Native American pueblo settled on a mesa top, Acoma Pueblo is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the US.

Spend the second day exploring the ruins of Chaco Canyon, an important cultural center for Ancestral Puebloans during the 10 to 12th centuries. Wander the large complex and picture the life of the Pueblo people.

Head to Taos, known for its historic adobe buildings, on the third day. The surrounding Southern Rocky Mountains make Taos an ideal destination for hiking in the warm months and skiing in winter.

On day four, visit Bandelier National Monument, with its fascinating multi-story cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Pueblo.

On the fifth day, explore the Pueblo-style architecture and former 17th-century Spanish colony architecture of Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, before returning to Albuquerque.

For further Pueblo cliff dwellings, add a trip to Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly National Monument and the Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado, and turn the 5-day itinerary into a 7-day road trip. 

Suggested by Patricia of Ze Wandering Frogs

Road Trip to Grand Canyon and Page, Arizona, from Las Vegas

Visit the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon and check out the natural wonders in Page on this 740-mile road trip that starts and ends in Las Vegas .

The best time of year to do this road trip is fall through spring, when outside temperatures are pleasant during the day.

Plan on about 6-7 days for the best experience: there’s a lot to see and do!

Just an hour south of the Las Vegas Strip lies the Hoover Dam. This man-made wonder is a feat of modern engineering.

You can either choose the free experience of parking at one of the open lots next to the top of the dam, or you can pay to park in the garage and enjoy the paid indoor tour. 

The Hoover Dam is a great stop on your way to the Grand Canyon, one of the main highlights of the road trip.

While you can stay overnight in nearby Flagstaff, it’s a better experience to stay at one of the lodges inside Grand Canyon National Park, which allows you to see both sunrise and sunset over the canyon.

For the best experience of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, plan to spend two nights in the park. Do the scenic drives along the rim, hike, and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Your next stop is a  hike in Antelope Canyon  in Page, Arizona. All visitors here have to pre-book a guided tour with an approved tour company.

Also worth seeing in Page are Horseshoe Bend State Park and Lake Mead. Horseshoe Bend is an amazing viewpoint, where the Colorado River forms a picture-perfect horseshoe.

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are among the best places to visit in Arizona .

Plan to spend two nights in Page to experience all the sights.

On your way back toward Las Vegas, stop at Zion National Park. You can drive through it during the low season (December through February) or take the tour buses between sightseeing stops.

In order to see at least most of the park by vehicle, plan to spend one night in the town of Springdale.

Just an hour outside Vegas, stop at Valley of Fire State Park to experience the magnificent red rock formations. You can simply do the scenic drive through the park, or get out and explore on foot.

Suggested by Brodi of Our Offbeat Life

Road Trip from Los Angeles to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, California

A 6-day adventure from Los Angeles to two of the country’s top national parks, a Sequoia and Yosemite road trip combines wide open roads with beautiful views, natural scenery (some of the best in the world!), and abundant wildlife.

The best time to do this road trip tends to be between May and September, when the weather is warm, and roads are not snowed in.

To get the most out of your trip, plan for at least 6-7 days, spending three days in each national park. 

Sequoia and Yosemite lodging are plentiful and diverse so you have your pick of hotels, campgrounds, and everything in between when it comes to accommodation.

For the most scenic route from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park, take the I-5 North to Wheeler Ridge, where you’ll take the Golden State Highway (CA-99).

After Bakersfield, turn right on CA-65 until you reach the General’s Highway into the national park. This drive is 204 miles and takes about 3.5 hours.

Some attractions to see along the way include Angeles National Forest, Fort Tejon Historic Site, Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, Zalud House, and Slick Rock Recreation Area.

Once in Sequoia, be sure not to miss the General Sherman Tree, the Giant Forest Museum, and Moro Rock.

Yosemite is about 200 miles from Sequoia and the drive takes about four hours.

Be sure to stop in Fresno and check out area attractions such as Forestiere Underground Gardens and the Fresno County Blossom Trail in season. Wild Water Adventure Park is also great if you’re traveling with kids.

And of course, once you reach Yosemite, you’ll want to visit the top attractions in the park, like Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and El Capitan Meadow.

The Mist Trail is a must-hike to enjoy Vernal and Nevada Falls, and you can drive Tioga Park Road if you visit when it is open.

Suggested by Jenna of Up and Away

Southern Idaho Road Trip

If you’re looking for a great less-touristy road trip in the Western USA,   head over to Southern Idaho .

With 8 days, you’ll start in Boise, the capital and the most populous city in Idaho, and you’ll end in Idaho Falls, for a total of 321 miles.

The best time for this road trip is between late spring and fall, for warmer weather and abundant sunshine.

Plan on 2 days in Boise, where you’ll want to wander downtown, do some paddleboarding (or kayaking) at Esther Simplot Park, hike the Old Oregon Trail, and visit the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

Then, drive southeast to Thousand Springs State Park. Make sure to stop at Malad Gorge Unit and the Ritter Island Unit. Take your time to do some hikes and see the waterfalls.

At the end of the day, stop at Banbury Hot Springs to soak in the natural hot springs. You can stay there overnight.

Next, head to Twin Falls, where you can admire the Shoshone Falls and the Perrine Coulee Falls, walk under the Perrine Memorial Bridge, and relax at the Centennial Park. Plan on staying 2 days in Twin Falls.

On the next day, drive north to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Stop at Idaho’s Mammoth Cave and Shoshone Ice Cave on your way. You can stay for a day or two to explore the Craters of the Moon.

The next day, arrive in Idaho Falls. Walk along the river and admire the waterfalls.

If you still have time, you can drive south to visit Lava Hot Springs, Soda Springs, and Bear Lake (at the border of Utah) before returning to Idaho Falls to end your trip.

Suggested by Emilie of Love Life Abroad

Road Trip from Crater Lake, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington

This road trip begins in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, and ends in Seattle, Washington, for a total driving distance oif 568 miles.  

Plan for 4+ days, depending on how many stops you plan to make and how many sights you plan to see.

The best time of year for this road trip is July through September, to ensure all roads are fully open. 

Crater Lake is an ideal place to take in nature and fully explore the outdoors.  You will have out-of-this-world views when hiking up the side of the crater.  

Swimming is another favorite pastime, located off the Cleetwood Cove Trail. The crystal blue waters are remarkable against the dramatic backdrop.

From Crater Lake National Park, take US Route 97 headed north to Leavenworth, Washington.  

Along the way you will get gorgeous views of the Columbia River from Maryhill State Park. Also, slightly further north on this stretch of road you will notice the beautiful wind turbines in the distance.

Leavenworth is a unique Bavarian-style village nestled in the Cascade Mountains. While here, you must take a stroll down Front Street to fully appreciate this colorful city. 

Leavenworth is also widely known for having the world’s largest Nutcracker Museum, which holds over 7,000 varieties of nutcrackers.

Heading on I-90W, take a short detour about 40 minutes outside of downtown Seattle. Here you will see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington.  

Snoqualmie Falls is free of charge to visit, and is easily accessible with viewing platforms. There is also a Railway Community Park nearby in Snoqualmie with a historic train depot. This worthy detour you will find to be one of the trip highlights.

Seattle has so many fun things to do! While here, enjoy the Emerald City by visiting famous landmarks such as Pike’s Place Market and the Space Needle.

If you like marine life, don’t miss the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and watch the salmon swim upstream. 

To fully appreciate Seattle, plan for two days at a minimum.

Have time to extend your vacation? Continue your road trip to Port Angeles Washington just outside of Seattle, and take a ferry to beautiful Victoria in British Columbia .

Suggested by Erin of Erin’s Travel Tips

Montana: Billings to Glacier National Park Road Trip

Montana has a plethora of beautiful city and natural sites to visit, although the distances between places can be long.

You’ll need a minimum of 6 days for this Montana road trip, with at least 4 days on the road between Billings and Whitefish and 2 days in Glacier National Park.

However, to do it right, you should extend, with at least 6 days on the road and 4 or more days in Glacier. You could easily spend a week in Glacier National Park if you have the time!

Given the large distances in Montana, the trip will cover approximately 600 miles and take at least 10 hours of on-road time.

The best months for this road trip tend to be July to early October, when the Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP is open.

Outside these months, you’ll be limited in where you can drive in Glacier, but you can hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe your way into many park areas. 

Starting this trip in Billings, take a quick trip outside the city to visit the National Monument commemorating the battle of Little Bighorn and pay your respects to the US and Native warriors who fell here so many years ago.

After your visit, set off east from here along I-90, taking in the massive cattle ranches en route.

Make a stop at Pompey’s Pillar National Monument to view the signature of William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) on the sandstone pillar. The pillar also features lots of petroglyphs.

Spend the night in Bozeman and enjoy the restaurants and old western feel of the town. Be sure to check out the Museum of the Rockies for its incredible dinosaur exhibit (famous as a scene from Jurassic Park) before heading towards Butte, Montana.

In Butte, discover its copper mining history and explore its historic buildings and museums. You can even dine at the oldest continuously operating Chinese Restaurant in the US, Pekin Noodle Parlor.

The following morning, head north towards  Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site , a working cattle ranch operated by the National Park Service. After your visit, continue to Missoula to dine, explore, and spend the night.

After you leave Missoula, head north towards Flathead Lake. If you have time, you can do the scenic drive through the National Bison Range.

Regardless, be sure to stop or look east at the beautiful Mission Mountains on your way. Make your way to Whitefish by evening. Be sure to check out downtown Whitefish and grab a sandwich at the Wich Haus.

If you are here in the summer, you’ll want to wake early to explore Glacier National Park.

Several days can easily be spent wandering the trails in the park. Drive the Going to the Sun Road!

Book a stay at one of the lodges or campsites in the park: lodging fills up months in advance, so plan ahead.

Suggested by Anwar of Beyond my Door

Road Trip from San Francisco to Crescent City, California

From coastal redwoods to wine country and dramatic beach cliffs, it doesn’t get much more breathtakingly diverse than road-tripping from San Francisco to Crescent City.

Direct, the journey can take just 6.5 hours over 355 miles on Highway 101. However, this  Northern California scenic drive  is about 450 miles with the detours outlined here.

Spread the journey over at least 5 days to fully appreciate all the small towns, trails, and beaches along the way.

Setting off from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, explore the incredible Muir Woods National Monument before taking the coastal Highway 1.

Many dramatic twists and turns later will take you to Point Reyes. Point Reyes is worthy of a good day or two of exploration, from the scenic lighthouse walk (if it’s open and not shrouded in fog!) to the calm inlet of Tomales Bay. 

You can stick along Highway 1 for the full Northern California experience. However, this is where you should head inland for a couple of days to experience the best Napa and Sonoma wine counties have to offer.

Advance bookings are required at many wineries for tastings, but there’s plenty to stop, see, and taste along the way besides wine. Take the Silverado Trail or some of the lesser-used back roads for the complete and picturesque wine country experience. 

Ready for some more curvy mountain roads? The northern Pacific Coast Range makes for some dramatic driving.

Take a cut through the Hendy Woods Scenic Drive, and you’ll hit the rugged but exceptionally beautiful Mendocino Coast.

Visit the famous Fort Bragg Glass Beach (if there’s any glass left!) and enjoy the dramatic coastal cliffs before descending back to Leggett and the junction of the northern end of Highway 1. 

Next up are the Redwoods National and State Parks, covering a vast area of northern California.

Your journey really starts once you hit the Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Make sure you turn off the 101 to experience the Avenue of the Giants scenic drive.

Many visitors choose to break up their journey with a stop in Eureka before continuing the dramatic journey through to Crescent City.

Highway 101 essentially runs through the redwood forests, so you can see plenty by car, but do get out and explore some of the trails.

The drive can be done at any time of year but do look out for wildfires in the summer that may lead to route closures and possible landslides in the winter.

Fog can also wreak havoc with the pretty coastal views in summer, and you’ll, of course, hit summer vacation traffic in July and August, making the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall the best time for this drive.  

Suggested by Keri of Family Road Trip

Colorado Road Trip Through Rocky Mountain National Park

This epic Colorado road trip covers some of the most popular destinations in the state on a loop starting and ending in Denver.

Discover beautiful mountain scenery and enjoy Colorado’s best cities on this road trip, for which you should ideally allow 7-10 days. On a 10-day trip, you can spend three days exploring Rocky Mountain National Park.

The trip is 383 miles total, and is best done in the very late spring, summer, or fall, when Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park is open.

Start your trip by discovering Denver, Colorado’s capital and one of the top places to visit in Colorado . Visit the art museum and botanic gardens, and stroll LoDo: Downtown Denver is home to several dozen shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

In nearby Morrison, be sure to visit the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Even better, take in a show or concert in the theatre for an unforgettable experience.

Explore Boulder, a lively university town with a walkable downtown, before heading to Estes Park, the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Spend at least a couple of days exploring charming Estes Park and the magnificent mountain scenery in the park. Enjoy hiking or biking, view the beautiful lakes, look for moose, and admire wildflowers or fall colors in season.

Drive Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake on your way to the charming mountain town of Breckenridge. in “Breck,” stroll the historic district: its main street is adorable. Explore hiking trails or go for drives to take in the views.

If you have the time, do a side trip to Vail, arguably Colorado’s most famous ski resort. It’s beautiful in any season!

Then drive southeast to Colorado Springs, where you can drive to the top of Pike’s Peak for panoramic views, and explore picturesque Garden of the Gods Park before returning to Denver to complete the loop.

Best of Oregon Loop

Starting in Portland or Salem, you can easily visit the impressive range of Oregon’s diverse terrain in a short time. 

This loop covers a distance of 530 miles.

You’ll want to spend a minimum of 3 days on this beautiful road trip, though the trip is best enjoyed over a full week or more.

For the best road tripping weather in Oregon, aim for June through September. 

First, be sure to enjoy the restaurants and sights in Oregon’s largest and most popular city: Portland. The city is famous for its many gardens and museums.

Next, head east on I-84 through the impressive Colombia River Gorge and its many waterfalls to the trendy windsurfing town of Hood River. 

Stop by local apple farms as you head south through Mt. Hood National Forest and pass numerous mountain peaks on your way to Central Oregon.

After pursuing your favorite outdoor adventure activities around Bend, make your way back over the mountain range to Silver Falls State Park. Here you can see 10 or more waterfalls on one trail – and even walk behind two of the falls! 

Continue back into the  Willamette Valley  and explore Oregon wine country around McMinnville, Oregon. Take your pick of scenic vineyards for wine tasting.

Once you’ve had your fill of pinots and cabernet sauvignons, continue west just one hour to reach the Oregon Coast.

Climb the dunes at Pacific City and when you’re ready, make a stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory on your way back to Portland.

Suggested by Michelle of Intentional Travelers

Highway 395 Road Trip in California

California’s Highway 395, tucked on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, provides beautiful mountain views and dynamic scenery throughout its 344 miles.

This nine-day road trip will take you from Death Valley National Park to Yosemite National Park, with plenty of jaw-dropping vistas along the way.

October is the perfect time to explore this little slice of heaven: Death Valley will be a manageable temperature, Yosemite’s eastern entrance near Highway 395 will still be open (with the heavy snowfall it receives, this entrance is closed for at least half the year), and the eastern Sierra Nevadas will be covered with beautiful autumnal foliage.

Start in Death Valley National Park , spending three days on experiencing iconic sights like Zabriskie Point, a unique rock formation amongst swirling badlands, or Badwater Basin, with salt flats that stretch out over 200 square miles.

Next on your trip is the Alabama Hills, a striking landscape of enormous monzogranite boulders, sitting at the foot of the towering Sierra Nevadas (including the tallest mountain in the lower contiguous United States, Mount Whitney!).

After a day of outdoor adventures here, you’re ready to move on to a couple of days in Mammoth Lakes, a charming ski town with easy access to the mountains and several amazing natural hot springs.

To cap off your trip, drive through the Tioga Pass entrance of Yosemite National Park to enjoy three days of exploring some of the most dramatic scenery in the United States, including the granite behemoth El Capitan or Yosemite Falls.

Suggested by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

Eastern Oregon Road Trip

An  Eastern Oregon road trip  is perfect for desert lovers who live in the Pacific Northwest, but don’t want to travel too far away!

You’ll start and end in Bend, Oregon, for a 400-mile loop.

Plan on 3-5 days for this road trip. The best time to visit is early summer or early fall.

Eastern Oregon is considered a high desert climate, with tons of examples of volcanic activity, curious rock formations, wild prairie land, and wildlife.

Some of the most iconic stops on this route include Tumalo Falls and Smith Rock (Bend), The Painted Hills, Crane Hot Springs, and the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

If you enjoy landscape photography, you will love the colorful Painted Hills, considered one of the “seven wonders of Oregon.” Smith Rock is also on the list.

This trip is ideal for outdoor lovers because, besides outdoor activities, there’s not much else! 

Eastern Oregon is quite serene, making it a perfect getaway spot to avoid more crowded areas of Oregon.

You can easily plan a shortened road trip for a 400-mile loop between Bend, Burns, John Day, and then a return to Bend.

For accommodations, you can find limited Airbnb rentals in smaller towns like Burns, John Day, and Mitchell. Bend will give you the most options for accommodations and hotels.

Or go boondocking on this trip: much of the area is on National Forest and BLM land, where dry camping (camping with no running water or toilets available) is legal. Come prepared with your camping supplies to make the most of your trip!

Suggested by Emily of The Mandagies

Utah’s Mighty 5: One of the Best Western US Road Trips

Utah’s “Mighty 5” makes for a classic western US road trip, one that is on the bucket lists of many outdoor enthusiasts. It includes Utah’s five national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion.

You can start the itinerary in Salt Lake City and end in Las Vegas, or vice versa.

The road trip is about 900 miles total, and if you enjoy hiking and the outdoors, you should plan on about 10 days.

Late spring or early fall are the ideal times for the Mighty 5 road trip. Winters can get too cold, and summers sweltering hot.

Arches National Park is known for its stunning red rock formations and its natural arches, and is one of the best places to visit in Utah .

Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in the park, well worth the hike. Also don’t miss Double Arch and the Windows.

If you have the time, visit the beautiful Dead Horse Point State Park on a day trip from Moab.

Canyonlands National Park is large and lesser visited. Most people spend their time in the Island in the Sky district, which is close to Moab. If you have the time, the Needles district is also worth visiting.

If you have the time, visit Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon, located on the route between Moab and Capitol Reef.

Capitol Reef National Park features gorgeous rock formations and arches, and the drive through the park is the easiest way to take in all the best sights. Hickman Bridge is a must-do hike.

Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its hoodoos. Drive along the rim and stop at the iconic viewpoints: Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. The Queens Garden and Navajo combination trail is not too long and very picturesque.

Zion National Park contains a couple of the country’s most epic hikes: Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. While these two hikes are considered very challenging, the park also offers shorter and easier hikes.

Northcentral Arizona: Road Trip from Phoenix to Page, AZ

Road tripping through the spine of Arizona offers a little bit of everything: marvelous red rock mountains, ancient cliff dwellings, Navajo culture, and sparkling waters flowing through slot canyons. 

This road trip from Phoenix to Page and back to Phoenix is 720 miles total. Plan on at least 7 days for the best experience.

Spring and fall are the best times to embark on this road trip adventure. Summers are brutal in the south, and winters are cold in the north.

Phoenix is the most accessible starting point for those flying in. After touring America’s fifth-largest city, head north towards Sedona, stopping at Montezuma Castle National Monument en route to marvel at ancient cliff dwellings. 

You can easily spend days in Sedona, hiking through endless trails featuring jaw-dropping scenery, shopping at Tlaquepaque Village, and seeing the sunset at Airport Mesa. 

Continue north towards Page, detouring for Grand Falls, a 181-foot muddy waterfall in the middle of the desert. This seasonal attraction is best viewed in spring or after heavy rains.

Adventures in Page, Arizona  are abundant! Experience Navajo culture in the vast beauty of Arizona’s nature.

Get the million-dollar photo shot of Antelope Canyon, kayak Lake Powell to discover hidden slot canyons, and soak in views of Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam. 

Detour at the town of Cameron to drive the entirety of Grand Canyon National Park, one of America’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Now it’s time to head back to Phoenix. If you have an extra day, tack on Saguaro National Park near Tucson, just two hours south of Phoenix.  

Suggested by Catherine of Nomadicated

Las Vegas to Denver Road Trip

A   Las Vegas to Denver road trip  provides ever changing views across four states, plenty of hiking opportunities, and two bustling cities to explore.

The entire journey can be completed in as little as a week, but allowing 10 days will mean more time to explore at each location.

For the best weather and low crowds, aim for an early May departure.

Begin your 930-mile road trip with a day in exciting Las Vegas , discovering the many themed hotels and the Bellagio fountains on the Strip .

Next, head into Arizona, where you’ll be able to ride on the iconic Route 66 to Flagstaff.

From there, head north to the Grand Canyon’s south entrance to see one of the most awe-inspiring natural landmarks in the United States.

The next stop is Monument Valley, on the border of Arizona and Utah: the spires and buttes here have been featured in many movies including John Ford’s westerns and Forrest Gump.

Continue north to Moab, Utah, where you’ll explore two more national parks, the sprawling Canyonlands National Park and the popular Arches National Park.

Pause for a day in Grand Junction, Colorado, to visit the Dinosaur Journey Museum and the Colorado National Monument, before taking the scenic I-70 towards Denver.

Stop for a visit at Red Rocks Park in Morrison, Colorado, before cruising into Denver, where museums, shopping, and dining await.

Suggested by Natalie of Cosmos Mariners

Arizona: Grand Canyon to Sedona Road Trip

A great road trip in the western US is from the Grand Canyon to Sedona.

The drive from the Grand Canyon to Sedona is about 120 miles. Fall and spring are the best times for this road trip, to avoid the warm summer temperatures.

This road trip can be done in as few as three days, but if you would like more time for hiking in either location, you can spend five days or more.

At the Grand Canyon, you should start your day at the Visitor Center. Here, rangers will have helpful information about current conditions and the best hiking trails for your group.

There are also exhibits here with information about the Grand Canyon’s wildlife and geology. You can also access some of the beautiful viewpoints and the Rim Trail from the Visitor’s Center.

If you’re looking for an adventurous day at the Grand Canyon, you can bike the Hermit’s Rest Road, go on a mule ride down into the canyon, or take a helicopter ride over the canyon.

As you make your way to Sedona, stop at Bearizona Wildlife Park, visit the historic district in downtown Flagstaff, and explore the Tuzigoot National Monument.

In Sedona, there is a really fun downtown area as well as miles and miles of trails to explore. The  hiking trails in Sedona  are the highlight of this area. The beautiful red rocks, vortexes, and caves make Sedona an incredible place to spend time hiking.

Some of the most popular hikes in Sedona are Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge, Airport Mesa, and Soldier’s Pass.

Suggested by Candice of CS Ginger

More American West Travel Inspiration

• The Great National Parks of the West
• The Best West Coast Weekend Getaways
• Must-Do Day Trips from Las Vegas
• National Parks to Visit from Vegas

MORE US TRAVEL INSPIRATION

Looking to explore the eastern part of the country? Check out our round of the best East Coast road trips to take, from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Florida Keys and New England.

We also have a round-up of the most iconic USA road trips : you have to take these in your lifetime!

Want to get away for short breaks on the east coast? We’ve compiled a list of the most exciting  East Coast weekend getaways  from which to pick your next escape.

Love the vibrancy of US cities? Check out our article on the  best USA weekend trips . From NYC and Boston to New Orleans, San Diego, and  Las Vegas , you’ll find excellent options for your next city break.

Did you find this article informative? Pin it for later reference!

Dhara's travel interests are eclectic, spanning everything from natural wonders to history, culture, art and architecture. She has visited 22 countries, many more than once, plus almost all 50 states of the USA, and has amassed a hoard of cherished travel moments.

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Your Guide to a Western United States Road Trip (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming & More!)

This summer, we took a 10-day road trip through the Western United States, hitting Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and briefly passing through Utah and Nevada on the way back to San Francisco. This part of the country is famously beautiful, characterized by lush green alpine landscapes and snow-capped peaks, winding rivers, and countless small towns dripping with old western charm. We rode horses and ate beef, as one must, and went on some of the most scenic hikes anywhere.

Our itinerary included three out of the five most conservative states in America — Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho — and I now know what it feels like to experience culture shock in my own country. People live in isolated rural areas hours away from the nearest grocery store. Trump 2020 banners hang proudly in front of houses and wave in windy fields and farmland. At local businesses and restaurants, taxidermy animal mounts outnumber patrons. A waitress showed us a photo of herself at four months old next to a bear her father had just killed. Locals openly carry guns at family-friendly tourist destinations, and, I assume, elsewhere.

At a restaurant in small-town Idaho, we had a lengthy conversation with a man about his stockpile of 100 guns, the 300+ gophers he killed with his 5-year-old grandson on a recent hunt, and his belief that the standoff between liberals and conservatives will end in a bloody civil war. While his convictions differ significantly from mine (I’ve lived in liberal cities my entire life and have never handled a gun), it was eye-opening to hear an opposite perspective on familiar issues. It hits different when you are talking to a flesh-and-blood human rather than working yourself up over the contents of a Facebook comment.

We took our road trip at the height of summer, and I highly recommend anyone considering a visit to this region to travel during this time. In Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, sunsets are well after 9 pm each day. You’ll be able to do and see so much more compared to the rest of the year. In this guide, I divulge essential tips and tricks for a successful road trip, share a 10-day itinerary, and outline detailed guides to every destination we visited, including where to stay and places to eat. I hope you find it useful when planning your own road trip through the Western United States!

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Table of Contents

• Road Trip Tips & Tricks
• 10-Day Western US Road Trip Itinerary
• Destination Guide Stanley, Idaho Salmon, Idaho Missoula, Montana Big Sky, Montana Livingston, Montana Beartooth Highway Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton National Park Escalante, Utah Las Vegas, Nevada

Western United States Road Trip: Tips & Tricks

Consider your accommodation budget.

We mainly used Booking.com to book low-cost motels located on our route. However, because we road-tripped in the summer and stayed near well-known US national parks, these cost about $100 an average each night — not the cheapest option for accommodation. Alternatively, you can rent an RV or campervan and have your shelter conveniently on wheels. Outdoorsy has a diverse selection of road trip vehicles ranging from no-frills campervans to glamping-ready RVs that fit any budget. If we could redo our trip, I would have gone this route. If you are on a tighter budget, you can do a mix of motels and camping, or even camp the whole time. Find and book campsites wherever you are with ReserveAmerica or Campendium (roughly $30 a night) or use an app like Free Roam to locate Forest Service and BLM land where you can legally boondock.

Bring Snacks & Lots of Water!

We brought a cooler from home to use during our trip and bought groceries along the away. Doing this will spare you both money and time during long stretches of driving and help you eat a little healthier. For water, we purchased a few 1.5-liter bottles and refilled them at gas stations throughout our trip.

Aim for a Good Balance of Driving vs. Sightseeing

I’ve made the common road trip mistake of trying to pack too many stops into a short time period. This time around, we tried to keep driving at a minimum outside of a few necessary travel days. A good rule of thumb is to aim for under four hours of driving per day so you have time to enjoy your destination. It’s always better to see fewer destinations more completely than more destinations incompletely .

When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that the estimated driving time on Google Maps is often longer when you factor in bathroom and restaurant stops.

Get the AllTrails App

If you plan on hiking — a must on any Western US road trip — AllTrails is a great resource for locating the best trails in your area. The app provides route maps, difficulty levels, trail photos, user reviews, and more.

Buy a National Park Pass

If you plan to go to more than one national park, opt to buy an annual pass for $80 instead of individual day passes at $35 a pop. The pass also gets you free parking at all federal recreation areas.

Download Offline Maps & Media

The United States is an enormous country, and there are large swaths of sparsely populated land without cell service. Download offline maps on Google to ensure that you will never get lost and your favorite playlists and podcasts on Spotify to stay entertained.

Our 10-Day Western United States Road Trip Itinerary

Here is our exact day-to-day road trip itinerary from San Francisco:

Day 1: Drive from San Francisco to Stanley, Idaho (~12 hours) Day 2: Stanley, Idaho Day 3: Salmon, Idaho & Missoula, Montana Day 4: Drive from Missoula to Big Sky, Montana Day 5: Big Sky, Montana & Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Day 6 : Livingston, Montana Day 7: Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Day 8: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Day 9: Escalante, Utah Day 10: Las Vegas, Nevada Day 11: Drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco (~8 hours)

We had a rough plan in place prior to our trip but gave ourselves the leeway to make unexpected stops the way — hence why we hit Yellowstone twice! In the next section, I’ll dive deeper into what we did in each destination.

Western United States Road Trip Destination Guide

Stanley, idaho.

Stanley, population ~60, is located in Central Idaho, about 130 miles from Boise. With rustic log cabins, winding rivers, and rolling green meadows — all framed by the snow-capped the Sawtooth mountains — the town looks straight out of a fairy tale. Minus the ostentatious Trump 2020 banners hanging on some of the houses, of course.

In all seriousness, I had no idea Idaho was this beautiful. The entire state is a paradise for anyone who loves hiking, swimming, or anything outdoorsy. Here’s what we did in Stanley:

• Hike! We did the Iron Creek trail to Alpine Lake , a moderate seven miles out-and-back. You can go further to Sawtooth Lake, which adds an additional three miles. The hike is lovely, with wildflowers and sweeping views of Sawtooth’s jagged peaks along the way. The AllTrails app can guide you to even more hiking options in the Stanley area.
• Swim, raft, SUP, boat, or fish. It seems like you are never far from a river, creek, or lake in Idaho. Stanley is located on the banks of the Salmon River, and Redfish Lake is right nearby in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. There are numerous shops that offer equipment rentals and guided rafting adventures in the area—just give it a quick Google search once you arrive.
• Horseback riding. Mystic Saddle Ranch offers trail ride in the Sawtooth mountains and near Redfish Lake.

Stay: The Sawtooth Hotel is a charming and relatively budget-friendly option.

Eat: Sawtooth Luce’s serves up cold local beer and a mean Idaho Kobe beef burger, and we had a delicious breakfast at Stanley Baking Company. The oatmeal pancake is a must-try!

Salmon, Idaho

Salmon, two hours north of Stanley, is another small Idaho town of 3000+ residents.

Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The springs, located at the top of a mountain, are reachable via a relatively short but steep hike. Once you complete the hike, you are rewarded with six warm pools, a waterfall, and sweeping views of the scenery below.

Stay : Super 8 by Wyndham Salmon.

Eat: We ate at Last Chance Pizza & Pasta in town. The artichoke spinach dip and conversation with local patrons were to die for. Ponderosa Pies is a food truck in Salmon that I wish we tried (they were sold out when we went). Their pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven installed directly in the truck.

Missoula, Montana

After Salmon, we drove to Missoula, a funky college town of 75,000 that we loved.

We arrived in the evening, so we watched the sunset at Higgins Street Bridge, took a walk downtown, and had a few drinks at The Rhino Bar , a proper dive with yummy beers on tap (this part of the country has consistently incredible beer). Though Missoula is pretty small, the nightlife is young and lively and there were a lot of people out and about. We had many “hmmm….should we move here?” moments during our visit.

On Saturday morning, we checked out the city’s weekly farmers’ market , which we read is a must during any visit to Missoula. It was cute, and we picked up some locally grown cherries and bison pepperoni for the road.

Stay: Econo Lodge Eat : The Hob Nob on South Higgins Street has good coffee and very filling, all-American brunch fare — all at a very reasonable price.

Detour to Garnet Ghost Town On our way to Big Sky from Missoula, we stopped at Garnet Ghost Town, a former mining town active from the late 1800s to the end of World War I. The town was apparently poppin’ in its heyday and had no less than thirteen saloons. I guess when you live in the middle of nowhere you’ve got to entertain yourself somehow. Because of its recent history and remote destination in the mountains, the buildings are well-preserved and worth a quick stop if you have time.

Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky, like so much of Montana, is absolutely stunning, with wide-open skies, winding rivers, and purple-hued mountains in the distance. Here are the top things to do in the area:

• Horseback riding . We went horseback riding in Big Sky with Jake’s Horses . The horses are gentle and well-trained, and in an hour-long ride you’ll cross creeks and scale a hill for sweeping views of the valley below. At $50 per person, it is 100% worth it!
• Take in the scenery on Taylor Fork Road. Our horseback riding guide told us to visit Taylor Fork Road if we were interested in seeing bears, moose, and other wildlife. While we didn’t see any animals (much to Lenza’s dismay), the views and photography opportunities made the trip worth it. If you are looking for a free place to camp, there are many options, but be warned that Taylor Fork is a dirt road where an off-roading vehicle is ideal. Bear spray is also a must.
• Hike. Beehive Basin Trail No. 40 is a popular 7.1-mile hike with spectacular views, meadows, creeks, waterfalls, and wildflowers. Use the AllTrails app to find even more options in the area that fit your hiking level.
• Visit Yellowstone National Park. Big Sky is a scenic hour away from the West entrance of Yellowstone. We ended up driving through the park en route to Livingston and visited a few iconic attractions along the way.

Livingston, Montana

Livingston is a historical railroad and ranching town in Southwestern Montana, a short distance north from Yellowstone National Park. Downtown Livingston, pictured above, looks like an idyllic old western town, though vintage shops and cafes now line the street instead of saloons. Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance.

The highlight of our Livingston visit was Pine Creek Lake , a 12-mile out-and-back trail to not one, not two, but three alpine lakes (AllTrails says this trail is nine miles, but don’t believe it). The scenery at Pine Creek Lake is stunning, but boy, do you have to work for it. The hike consists of six unforgiving miles straight uphill, covering 3653 feet of elevation.

I almost gave up and turned around halfway through but persisted with the encouragement of Lenza and a one-pound bag of Tillamook beef jerky. When we reached the first lake, I came close to tears because we had worked so hard for the beautiful views.

Be warned—this trail is not for the faint of heart, but you will be rewarded with some of the best views Montana has to offer. If you choose to take on the task, make sure to bring sunblock, plenty of water, and snacks to fuel you along the way.

Stay: Country Motor Inn is a budget motel in town. And it actually feels homey!

Eat: Tru North Cafe , owned by a recent Los Angeles transplant who came to Livingston on vacation and “accidentally bought a coffee shop,” serves a mindblowing Maple Mountain Cloud latte and blueberry jam breakfast sandwich. All around high-quality food in a rustic but modern wild west ambiance.

Detour to The Old Saloon in Emigrant, Montana 20 minutes away from Livingston is The Old Saloon , an old western restaurant and bar established in 1902. The menu is creative and modern, with local twists like elk meatballs and a bison burger. We really enjoyed our chicken fried steak and roasted pork tenderloin with rosemary and huckleberry demi-glace.

The venue is an experience in itself, with wild game taxidermy lining the walls, a sturdy wooden bar, and a vintage piano in the corner. There is a stage and ample seating outside where live shows are hosted in the summertime, and guests flock in from Bozeman, Livingston, and other nearby towns for the experience.

Beartooth Highway

From Livingston, we took a two-hour drive to Red Lodge to enter Yellowstone via the 68-mile Beartooth Highway. This excursion — essentially a big loop back to where we started — took almost the entire day, but I really wanted to see what is considered one of the most beautiful and treacherous roads in America.

If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. There are lots of unique views and hiking opportunities along the way.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

So much has been said about Yellowstone already, so I’ll just share a list of attractions we visited in the park:

• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Norris Geysers
• Grand Prismatic Springs
• Old Faithful
• Lamar Valley (to see all the bison!)

Detour to Ashton, Idaho It is impossible to find a campsite in Yellowstone in the summertime. Jackson, the closest town, is crowded and expensive. So, we made the hour and a half drive to Ashton for affordable lodging, which we found at the Eagle Peak Lodge . In the morning, we had a gluttonous, all-American breakfast at Trails Inn Restaurant in town, which was just amazing. I’d never seen so many taxidermy animals in one place, and near the counter, a sign read “gun safety rule #1: carry one.” Seriously, look at this place:

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

We walked 7.7 miles around Jenny Lake , one of the many hiking trails in Grand Teton. It was flat and easy, with gorgeous views of the lake and the Tetons. Still, I’m not sure I would choose this trail again as it was crowded and there is a large portion that runs alongside a road.

Again, a quick search on AllTrails will present you with a list of trails within the park that you can choose from based on scenery, difficulty level, and user reviews. If I return to Teton in the future, I would try the more difficult Delta Lake vis Amphitheater Lake Trail .

Escalante, Utah

After Teton, we embarked on the 8-hour drive towards Escalante, Utah, stopping at Salt Lake City to sleep overnight. In the morning, we arrived to these views:

Utah is home to Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, and other majestic but crowded national parks. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, on the other hand, is just as impressive and a true hidden gem.

Never heard of it? Me either. But fun fact: designated in 1996, Escalante was the last part of the continental U.S. to be mapped .

We spent our afternoon hiking to the Escalante Natural Bridge , which we had all to ourselves. It is an easy walk on soft sand with multiple river crossings. The trail is so gentle on the feet that we actually did it barefoot!

Eat: Circle D Eatery has yummy BBQ ribs and a buttered trout plate. Georgie’s Outdoor Mexican Cafe has a quesadilla bursting with melted cheese and generously portioned fish tacos.

Stay: We slept at our friend’s quaint and reasonably priced Airbnb, though there are also a few motel options in town.

Detour to Capitol Reef or Bryce Canyon National Park Capitol Reef National Park is an hour and a half north of Escalante, and Bryce Canyon is about an hour South.

Bryce Canyon is obviously more famous — we’ve all seen photos of the park’s breathtaking Sunrise Point — but Capitol Reef received raving reviews from our friends and is far less crowded.

Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip!

Las Vegas, Nevada

I would write about Las Vegas, but really, what hasn’t been said about it already? The strip is obnoxious and ostentatious, crowded with symbols of American capitalism, casinos, wedding chapels, and strip clubs. Visitors range from overweight midwestern American families on their annual vacation to scantily-clad young girls ready for a night at the Marquee. People have a lot to say about Vegas, but in my opinion, you just gotta enjoy it for what it is: a tacky fabulous adult Disneyland.

Eat: Vegas is a food destination that I hope to explore more in the future. We had all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ at Ginseng BBQ on the strip and authentic, mouthwatering Shanxi beef noodle soup at Shang Artisan Noodle. I had an “I love America” moment at Shang’s because only here will you see a Hispanic person hand-pulling noodles in the Northern Chinese tradition. So good! If you are a Chinese food enthusiast and find yourself in Vegas, I highly recommend this place.

Stay: We loved our stay at Luxor, the Egyptian-themed, pyramid-shaped casino hotel located right on the strip. Obviously, there are many other options at all price ranges.

Few things are more romanticized than an all-American road trip, and I’m happy to report that they do indeed live up to the hype.

If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. I am always happy to help!

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Dottie is a travel blogger and YouTuber, and one part of Dots on a Map. Check out her YouTube at www.youtube.com/dotsonamap, where she tells stories about travel, food, and local cultures around the world.

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40 Places to See in The Western United States (Vacations, Landmarks) [2023]

This article will show you 40 (stunning) places to see in the Western United States.

These are pretty stunning destinations perfect for vacations, road trips, and for anybody interested in discovering these landmarks and points of interest.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Table of Contents

1. Moaning Cave –  Moaning Cavern Park (California)

Moaning Cave sounds like the title to an Indie film you’d probably want to avoid, but don’t be deceived. Discovered (modernly) during the Gold Rush, this cavern earned its name from the moaning sound that echoes throughout the cave. You can’t deny the intrigue of caverns, especially ones that emit moaning echoes. If you’re in the Gold Country area then try to stop by.

2. Paint Mines – Paint Mines Interpretative Park (Colorado)

Most people think about the Rocky Mountains when they think of Colorado. Here’s a lesser known spot worth your time called “Paint Mines.” This park is a cluster of hoodoos and sand-capped spires of all colors.

There’s an array of wildlife here, too. Everything from horned toads, mule deers, falcons, and coyotes call this place home. Definitely look into visiting.

3. Horsetail Fall in February – Yosemite National Park (California)

Ever seen a “fire fall?”

Better yet, have you ever even heard of a fire fall?

You’ll only be able to catch a glimpse of this elusive wonder at Yosemite National Park two weeks out of the year in February when the sun shines on the fall just right at sunset. But if you’ve ever wondered what a waterfall looks like when lit on fire, now you know.

4. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Yellowstone National Park ( Wyoming)

Everybody knows about the Grand Canyon. And everybody knows about Yellowstone . But not everyone knows that there’s a “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone” and that it is one of the most stunning places in the country.

5. Kanarra Creek – Zion National Park (Utah)

Now that Antelope Canyon is growing in fame and rightfully so, I felt the need to showcase another stunning slot canyon, Kanarra Creek. Unlike Antelope Canyon, you’ll actually have to do some hiking through the Zion backcountry to get to this picturesque location.

6. Hidden Lake – Glacier National Park (Montana)

Really, the entire national park of Glacier could be put on this list because so few people know about the many peaks, lakes, and (you guessed it) glaciers that make up this spectacular park. I figured Hidden Lake exemplified the unknown beauty of Glacier, in both its name and its scenery.

7. Rialto Beach – Olympic National Park (Washington)

Standing tall and shaped like the Pacific’s version of the “Burj Al Arab” (the sailboat skyscraper) in Dubai, this iconic beach is a photographer’s paradise. And as the caption below suggests, Rialto Beach may be the best “Kelped” secret of the Pacific Northwest coastline.

8. Painted Hills – John Day Fossil Bed National Monument (Oregon)

Here’s a scene right out of a Dr. Seuss book except it’s real life. I’ve seen a similar sight in Asia but who knew we had this here in the United States? The painted hills are a part of a larger area of the John Day Fossil Bed where you can find fossils of horses, camels, and even rhinoceroses. And by “you” I mean skilled paleontologists, of course.

9. The Subway – Zion National Park (Utah)

Going to or from the Subway, you’ll dive through emerald waters, rappel through multiple slot canyons, scramble over boulders the size of houses, and pass dinosaur tracks. Oh yeah, and you’ll catch a glimpse of this wonder.

10. Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison sounds like a place straight out of a fantasy novel and it looks like one, too. It’s one of the steepest mountain descents in the world and the photos here will leave you with no doubt of that fact.

11. Zabriskie Point – Death Valley National Park (California)

Here’s yet another location you’ll have to see with your own eyes to believe it’s actually earth you’re looking at. See the tiny black things on the left that look like penguins? They’re actually humans — that’s how vast this unique landscape is.

12. White Pocket – Arizona

White Pocket’s not really white but actually full of brilliant, vibrant color… and dragons, too.

13. Palouse Falls –  Palouse Falls State Park (Washington)

Not quite a hidden gem if you live in the Pacific Northwest, but Palouse Falls is a destination many outside of the photography and hiking world have not heard about. Not to mention most people can’t believe to find out this spot is in Washington state and not somewhere in the Southwest.

14. Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota

For those who always ask what there is to do in North Dakota, well now you have an answer. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is full of badlands just waiting to be explored. The park is also known for its abundant wildlife, which include feral horses, golden eagles, and elk among many others.

15. Hidden Lake – North Cascades National Park (Washington)

Another hidden lake makes the list. This one will take a few miles of hiking to get to capture the view but as you can see it would be worth it.

16. Cathedral Lake – Yosemite National Park (California)

While this point may be known to frequent hikers to Yosemite, it’s still a destination constantly overlooked by many for other destinations inside Yosemite Valley that are easier to access. If you’re planning on making it here be sure you to apply for a permit early or take your chances with first come, first serve.

17. Tent Rocks – Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (New Mexico)

I know what you’re thinking. These cones look like they were shaped by volcanic eruptions that likely occurred 6 to 7 million years ago. Well, you’re right. Stop by Tent Rocks to witness the artistic side of mother nature if you’re ever in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area.

Related: 18 Best National Parks in New Mexico

18. McWay Falls – Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park/Big Sur (California)

Can it get more beautiful than a waterfall (or “tidefall”) pouring into turquoise waters on a California beach at dusk? I don’t think it can. I really don’t think it can….

Okay, so maybe it can….

19. Goosenecks – Goosenecks State Park ( Utah)

A quick stop allows you to see this triple entrenched meander located close to Mexican Hat and not far from Monument Valley. Just be aware that your GPS on your cell phone will sometimes do some funky things in this region of the country. Make sure you’re actually headed to Goosenecks State Park and not an abandoned gas station 50 miles out of the way (not that it ever happened to me).

20. Garden of the Gods – Colorado

Visit the Garden of the Gods National Landmark and you will be blown away by the stark contrast between the Garden’s bright orange and the surrounding terrain. There are tons of photo ops around this place and it is easily accessible by car. Don’t miss it if you’re in the Colorado Springs area; it’s a perfect road trip pit-stop.

21. Mono Lake – California

In 2010, scientists thought they’d discovered a new “alien” DNA here, and can anyone really blame them? Just look at the formations happening here. Now, I’m pretty sure that “discovery” has been debunked, but I’m still holding out hope for aliens.

22. Bisti Badlands – New Mexico

Badlands never get old, especially when they look like giant petrified mushrooms. Here’s some badlands in New Mexico, not known to many.

23. The Window – Big Bend National Park (Texas)

Big Bend is one of the least visited national parks due to its location just west of middle-of-nowhere, Texas. But what it lacks in visitors it makes up in breathtaking views like this one.

The Window is one of those places where you have to just put life on hold, get comfortable on a bench and watch the vast Texas sky transform into a real-life painting at sunset. It’s one of my favorite national parks in Texas .

And after you get your sunset fix, head to nearby Marfa,Texas to see the sky get real freaky when the Marfa lights come out.

24. Green River Overlook – Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

A lot of people have seen images of the Canyonlands, but I still think Canyonlands National Park is overlooked so I included it. You’ll catch some of the most amazing sunrises and sunsets you’ve ever seen at this park. And if you’re a movie buff, try heading to Blue John Canyon where you can see the site where the actual accident occurred in the movie,  127 hours .

25. Blue Mesa/Painted Desert – Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)

Now it’s back to Dr. Seuss land with more absurdly colored desert land. And what makes this place even weirder is that the brown stuff you’ll assume is dirt is actually little bits of petrified trees that are reallllly old. It’s one of my favorite national parks sites in Arizona ( read more about others here ).

26. Valley of Fire – Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)

Don’t think you’ll ever be able to make your way to Mars? Well, luckily you can catch a glimpse of Mars at this state park in Nevada where Hollywood has also gone looking for the Martian terrain. There are ton of formations to check out here but the Fire Wave (seen below) is one of my favorites.

This place is only about 60 miles out from Las Vegas, so if you don’t want to drive all the way to the Grand Canyon this is the place you want to stop. If you visit this place in the summer, be sure to bring extra water because it gets HOT. Dry heat or not, it’s still the Valley of Fire .

27. Antelope Canyon – Arizona

While Antelope Canyon is becoming more known it still deserves a place on this list, because I meet tons of people who still don’t know about this sacred place. Witnessing the light beams in this canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list. Check out my write-up on Antelope Canyon for more info.

28. Inspiration and Bryce Point – Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

Well known to photographers, the average vacationer is probably more interested in seeing sites like the Grand Canyon when in the area but this sight is not to be missed, especially at sunrise.

29. Smith Rock – Oregon (Smith Rock State Park)

Smith Rock, located in central Oregon, is a frequent rock-climbing destination for professional climbers and known as the birth place of “sport climbing.” The best of the best are consistently developing the latest routes and climbing techniques out here. Even if you’re not a climber it’s a beautiful setting to watch the sunrise as it illuminates this huge rock, resembling a castle towering over a surrounding moat.

30. Bodega Head – Bodega Bay (California)

When bringing up California beaches, the names usually mentioned first are those like Malibu and Big Sur. But here’s one you probably haven’t heard: Bodega Bay. At Bodega, massive cliffs suited for whale-watching overlook rocky beaches, and trails will lead you all around scenic terrain and even down to secluded beaches where you’ll be the only human being walking on the sand.

Say hello to the seals at Seal Rock and then visit the tide pools that are among the most diverse in the world and have attracted the likes of National Geographic. Just watch out for the birds when visiting the nearby town of Bodega.

31. Paradise Valley – Mt Rainer National Park (Washington)

Paradise valley. The name really says it all…

32. The Racetrack – Death Valley National Park (California)

Just how did these rocks get there? Aliens? The prankster of the century? God? Nobody really knows . The Race Track is a true natural wonder because if you visit it you will inevitably spend all day wondering who really moved these rocks?

33. Horseshoe Bend – Page, Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is another spot growing with popularity but still often times confused with the Grand Canyon National Park. From a nearby parking lot, it’s a short hike to the overlook but be careful about getting too close to the edge — it’s a long 1,000 feet down to the Colorado River below.

34. B adlands – Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Badlands National Park is the place to see badlands. It’s also a perfect place to find unique wildlife, such as bighorn sheep, the swift fox, bison, and the most endangered mammal in North America: the elusive black-footed ferret. Try to catch the sunset or sunrise here and if you’re lucky you may even catch a sight of the Northern Lights.

35. Fiery Furnace – Arches National Park (Utah)

So everyone goes to Arches National Park just to see the arches, right? Not exactly. Here’s one “non-arch” spot worth checking out. Enter the furnace at your own risk, however. Inside, there are no signs, trails, or cairns and due to the height of the sandstone walls your GPS is likely to fail as well.

36. Spider Rock – Canyon De Chelly National Monument (Arizona)

Recently used as a backdrop in last summer’s record-setting flop, The Lone Ranger , Canyon De Chelly is another destination worth a visit. The taller of the two spires is said to be home of the “Spider Grandmother” who according to folklore is responsible for all of creation. There’s more breathtaking views like the one below to checkout so make sure you see them all. Also, be sure to bring some cash with you to purchase some local art that makes for great souvenirs.

37. Giant Sequoias – Sequoia National Park (California)

So trees are kind of boring to most people including myself, but giant sequoias are definitely an exception. Sometimes growing higher than 300 feet, many of these trees are over 2,000 years old and have up to three-feet thick of squishy bark.

Head to Sequoia National Park to see them as well as the largest tree in the world, The General Sherman Tree.

38. Rio Grande Gorge – New Mexico 

The Rio Grande gets a bad wrap sometimes but this view should change your mind. If you’re ever making the cross country road trip through southern New Mexico then check out the “Gorge Bridge” where you’ll be awestruck with views like this.

39. Hospital Reef Potholes – San Diego, California

Hospital Reef Potholes, near San Diego, is known for its potholes that kind of resemble the surface of the moon. Speaking of the moon, all you national park junkies may want to start gearing up because you may have one hell of a hike to get to one of the upcoming National Park sites, soon.

40. Mammoth Springs – Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

We end the list with another Yellowstone site that many wouldn’t be able to recognize and constantly overlook, leaving it ranked as low as the 23rd attraction for Yellowstone according to TripAdvisor. On your way to the hot springs and in nearby areas, you may run into some real wildlife.

I’m talking about grizzly bears, moose, bison, elk, that kind of stuff so watch out. But everyone seems to be blown away by these hot springs, which make a worthwhile destination in the summer or in the -20 degree winter.

Remember to tread lightly and do your best to preserve these wonderful locations by using common sense and having respect for the land, the locals, and other visitors when you visit.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

Great website. Never knew some of these places existed. Will definitely be visiting some of these places.

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Map of Western United States

The Western United States makes up the largest of the five US regions , covering 4,851,699 square kilometers (1,873,252 square miles) and 13 states. The region makes up about half of the total area of the USA.

The size of the region also contributes to its high degree of geological diversity. The majority of the country’s deserts lie in this region, as do the country’s highest mountains, temperate rainforests, a section of the Great Plains, and several glaciers.

There are multiple definitions used to describe the Western United States, also known as “The West” or “The American West.” The definition used by the Census Bureau is the one we’ll use in this post and what is described by the map below.

Road Map of Western United States

Total Area: 1,717,856 km 2 (663,268 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 731,721

Alaska is the state in the Western United States with the greatest total area and the smallest total population. It was the 49th state to join the USA in 1959, and the area had previously been mostly controlled by Russia.

Prior to colonization, many indigenous peoples called the area that is now Alaska home. Some of these are the Tlingit, Aleuts, Haida, Yup’ik, Alutiiq, and Gwich’in. Many of these groups still live in the area.

As the northernmost and westernmost state of the USA, Alaska is the only non-contiguous state in the country that is on the North American continent. It is characterized by large areas of uninhabited wilderness, mountains, millions of lakes, glaciers, and the Aleutian Islands.

Alaska is home to the Bering Glacier, the largest in North America.

Total Area: 295,234 km 2 (113,990 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 7,400,000

Arizona was the last contiguous state to be admitted to the USA, and the 48th state overall. It is located in the southwestern part of the country and shares a border with the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California. There is a large population of indigenous peoples in Arizona, and about a quarter of the state is reservation land.

Geographically, Arizona has varied elevations that affect local climates. The state is home to deserts at its lower elevations in the south that see mild winters and very hot summers. The plateaus in the northern part of the state are at a higher elevation and are typically cooler though still arid.

Arizona is also home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon. The canyon is 446 km (277 mi) long, up to 29 km (18 mi) wide, and reaches a depth of 1.6 km (1 mi); it is mostly located in the country’s first national park.

Total Area: 423,970 km 2 (163,696 mi 2 ) 2022 Population: 39,185,605

California is the most populous state in the USA and the third largest. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Mexican state of Baja California to the south, and Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona to its north and east. The state of California also has the largest indigenous population of any state in the country.

Aside from its size and population, California is famous for its impact on global culture and technology. Hollywood, the world’s largest film industry, is located in this state and has an enormous impact on global entertainment. California is also considered the birthplace of personal computers and where many tech companies have their headquarters.

The large size of California gives it a range of climates and geographic features. There are temperate rainforests in the north, snowy alpine regions, an arid desert in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate along the coast. Droughts are frequent in California, and water security is a frequent source of concern.

Total Area: 269,837 km 2 (104,094 mi 2 ) Estimated 2022 Population: 5,850,000

Colorado has the nickname of the “Centennial State” because it acquired statehood one hundred years after the declaration of independence of the United States. However, the region is thought to have been inhabited by indigenous peoples for more than 13,000 years.

One of Colorado’s most famous features is its landscape. There are picturesque mountains, plains, forests, canyons, mesas, rivers, deserts, and plateaus that cross the state and attract people from all over the country. There are 53 Rocky Mountain peaks within the state of Colorado, and the many ski resorts in the Western Slope region attract enthusiasts of snow sports.

About 22% of Colorado’s population is of Hispanic or Latin American heritage, and the largest ancestry group in the state is German at 22% of the population. There are many Spanish idioms in the spoken English used in Colorado due to its relatively large Hispanic population.

Total Area: 28,311 km 2 (10,931 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 1,430,000

Hawaii was the 50th and last state to join the USA in 1959, after Alaska. It had been a territory of the United States since 1898, after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Western businessmen in 1893.

The state of Hawaii is unique as the only state not in North America, the only state in the tropics, and the only archipelago state. It’s located in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles from the mainland, and it is the eighth-smallest state in the union.

Due to the beautiful beaches and pleasant climate that lasts all year, Hawaii is a popular tourist destination, which is an important part of its economy. In addition to tourists from other US states, there is a high number of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean tourists that visit the islands each year. Holidays tend to be the busiest dates for tourism.

Total Area: 216,443 km 2 (83,569 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 1,980,000

The state of Idaho lies in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, although it is the only state in this region without any coastline. It shares a small border with Canada to the north and with six other states to the east, south, and west.

Idaho has a fairly dynamic landscape, with large areas of unspoiled wilderness. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the country outside of Alaska at a size of 2.3 million acres.

Some significant contributors to Idaho’s economy are the industries of food processing, timber production, and electronics manufacturing. The capital and most populous city of Idaho is Boise, which is located in the southwestern corner of the state.

Total Area: 380,800 km 2 (147,040 mi 2 ) Estimated 2022 Population: 1,140,000

Montana is located in the northwestern United States, bordering Canada to the north as well as four other states. It is the fourth-largest state in the country and is often referred to by its unofficial nickname, “Big Sky Country.”

The name of this state comes from the Spanish word monta ñ a which means “mountain.” There are multiple mountain ranges in the western part of the state, but about 60% of Montana’s topography is prairie. Rivers and valleys also populate the state, as does a diverse group of fauna, including the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states.

Montana is known for its abundance of natural and mineral resources. Gold, silver, copper, coal, sapphire, and other resources are mined in the state, making significant contributions to the economy along with the timber industry.

Total Area: 286,382 km 2 (110,577 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 3,200,000

Nevada is a landlocked state that is surrounded by California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. It is home to the world-famous resort city of Las Vegas and is known as the “Silver State.”

The name of this state comes from the Spanish word for “snowy,” but the state is mostly covered in deserts with a semi-arid climate. The name refers to the overlap of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, though this only makes up a small section of the state.

The first Europeans to explore the area that is now Nevada were Spanish, and the Native American, Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes inhabited the land prior to their arrival. The area was then controlled by Mexico, annexed by the USA, and became the 39th state in 1864.

Total Area: 314,918 km 2 (121,591 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 2,100,000

New Mexico is a state in the southwestern United States that shares a small border with the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua to the south as well as six other US states. It is the fifth-largest state of the union and its capital city, Santa Fe, is the oldest in the country.

With forests, mountains, and sparse deserts, the climate in New Mexico varies greatly from region to region. The northeastern parts of the state are generally cooler, and the southwestern areas are warmer and dryer. The Rio Grande river runs through the center of the state from North to South and provides a green valley with a riparian climate.

There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nevada, which is the most of any state. These are Taos Pueblo, Chaco Canyon, and Carlsbad Caverns.

Total Area: 254,806 km 2 (98,381 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 4,250,000

Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, to the south of Washington and north of California and Nevada. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and Idaho to the east.

Geographical diversity is very high in Oregon; there are volcanoes, several types of forests, extensive shrublands, high deserts, and many bodies of water. Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the USA is also a part of this landscape.

Agriculture, fishing, and hydroelectric power are the main contributors to the state’s economy, and the state is one of the nation’s top lumber producers. There are also a growing number of technology-related businesses in the state, and its largest public corporation is sportswear company Nike, headquartered in the city of Beaverton.

Total Area: 219,887 km 2 (84,899 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 3,420,000

Utah is a landlocked state bordered by six others in the Western United States. Inhabited for thousands of years by the Ancient Puebloans, Navajo, and Ute peoples, Utah became the 45th state of the USA in 1896.

This state is known for its high Mormon population, the majority of whom belong to the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), which is headquartered in the state’s capital, Salt Lake City. Utah is also known for beautiful national parks such as Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, and several others. It’s also home to some world-famous ski resorts.

Total Area: 184,827 km 2 (71,362 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 7,760,000

Washington is the northwesternmost state in the USA, bordering the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Idaho to the east, and Oregon to the south. The area was inhabited by large indigenous populations prior to European arrival, and people of many tribes still live in the state.

The state of Washington is known for being socially liberal, its beautiful landscape, and for being the home of giant corporations like Amazon, Starbucks, and Boeing. The state’s tallest mountain, Mount Rainier, has the highest topographic prominence of any in the country. The state is also the Hoh Rainforest, a large temperate rainforest that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The capital city of Washington is Olympia, and the largest city is Seattle. Seattle was home to the grunge music scene in the mid-1980s and continues to host a vibrant music culture.

Total Area: 253,600 km 2 (97,914 mi 2 ) 2022 Population Estimate: 581,813

Wyoming is the least populous state in the USA and is located in the country’s Mountain West subregion. The Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, and Shoshone are some of the tribes that inhabit the state currently and for thousands of years prior. Wyoming became the 44th US state in 1890.

The eastern half of Wyoming is mostly covered in prairie land called the High Plains, and the western portion of the state is home to ranges of the Rocky Mountains. There are temperature extremes throughout the year in Wyoming, and it’s drier and windier than most of the country.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks are two major tourist attractions in Wyoming. Yellowstone was the first national park in the US, and many agree it was the first national park in the world.

Related: Map and States of Southeast US

• Bull Moose in Water with Mountain Backdrop: © Michelle Holihan/Shutterstock
• Salt River with Surrounding Mountains in Arizona: © Harry Beugelink/Shutterstock
• Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset: © S.Borisov/Shutterstock
• Autumn Colors in Colorado Mountains: © Peter Kunasz/Shutterstock
• Scenic View from Pali Lookout, Oahu: © Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock
• Downtown Street with Mountain View: © Charles Knowles/Shutterstock
• Canoes on Lake McDonald with Mountain Background: © SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock
• Las Vegas Skyline with Stratosphere Tower and Mountains: © Virrage Images/Shutterstock
• Shiprock Formation at Sunset: © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
• Stairway to a Rocky Beach at Sunset: © B.A.BALLANTINE/Shutterstock
• Downtown Salt Lake City Skyline with Mountains in Background: © f11photo/Shutterstock
• Seattle Skyline with Mount Rainier in the Background: © kan_khampanya/Shutterstock
• Bison in front of Grand Teton Mountain Range: © moosehenderson/Shutterstock

The Complete 2 Week Road Trip Guide To The Western United States

Want to see the most beautiful landscapes in the US? Keep reading for the best Western road trip itinerary. While Highway 1 in California , also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, takes the cake as America’s best coastal road trip, The Grand Circle road trip is the ultimate National Park road trip. For everyone who enjoy road trips and there is no better place to visit in the United States than the West Coast, home to a majority of the National Parks. The Western United States is full of amazing landscapes ranging from deserts, mountains, amazing rock formations, coastal views and dense forests.

➳ Read More: The Ultimate Road Trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco

In this guide of how to plan a trip out west we include our favorite state parks, national parks and the best cities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Some of the highlight destinations include the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon , Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Las Vegas , Death Valley, and the Valley of Fire .

There is no better way to explore the Western US than in a car or RV, so you can visit every destination at your own pace and stop at any hidden gem between. While you can honestly spend months exploring this region of the US, we have created the ultimate two week road trip itinerary to the Western United States.

USA Road Trip Travel Video

Important travel information to plan your west coast road trip.

The best way to explore the southwest and west coast of the United States is with an epic road trip. We recommend renting a campervan or RV instead of a car so you can have more freedom on planning your trip as you can sleep anywhere where it is allowed. If you already own a van make sure to have the perfect van accessories to make your trip even more fun and easy.

For this trip we rented a campervan from Travellers Autobarn and had a fantastic experience! We were able to sleep in gas station parking lots, camping areas and BLM land. Even though the upfront cost of renting a campervan is more expensive than renting a small car, you will save more money in hotels and being able to cook your own food. We spent around $500 USD in gas and $1,000 USD in the van.

Travellers Autobarn has three locations in the USA: Los Angeles , San Francisco, and Las Vegas , which are perfect starting points for your epic road trip to the Western United States. The campervan comes with free unlimited miles on all rentals, which is very convenient as road trips are full of fun detours and unexpected destinations.

If renting a campervan is not your road trip style can always rent a small car that consumes less gas, but requires additional camping gear or more hotel stays.

14 Days US Western Road Trip  Itinerary :

Day 1: arrive to las vegas, nevada.

Depending on where you are flying from traveling to Las Vegas Airport is often the cheapest option. It has been the best choice for us when flying from Europe, South America and even domestically.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to explore the city that never sleeps, check out our complete guide to the Las Vegas .

Use the first day of your western road trip itinerary to pick up the van, go grocery shopping and rest! If you prefer staying in a hotel in Las Vegas instead of sleeping in the van the first day look for hotels that offer free parking and that have free outside parking. If you want to start the road trip immediately you can sleep at the Pilot Gas Station, which is half way to Valley of Fire State Park and it is free!

Day 2: Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park

Wake up early in the morning and head to Valley of Fire State Park, which is located about 50 miles northeast from Las Vegas. 

Valley of Fire is one of the most beautiful state parks in the United States and the oldest and biggest state park in Nevada. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and the entrance fee is $10 USD per vehicle per day.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park

We recommend to spend a full day at the Valley of Fire State Park to complete the Fire Wave Trail and see Elephant Rock. If you book in advance you can even camp at the Valley of Fire that night or drive two hours to the campground near Vermillion Cliff. 

Day 3: Valley of Fire State Park to Vermillion 

The next morning wake up super early to head to the Vermillion to apply for the lottery to visit the Wave. Only 10 people will get the chance to go to this amazing natural spot and get their number drawn. 

The Wave is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and to protect this natural monument, only 20 people are able to do the hike per day. To hike the Wave you must have a permit and be on the list. Otherwise, if caught you face fines up to $10,000 per person. 

You can get the hiking permit by applying to the lottery online or by showing up to the visitor center office the day before you would like to hike. If you choose to apply online you do so through the BLM’s official website but to be honest you have lower chance to get the permit as thousands of people apply from around the globe for a handful of permits. The online lottery cost $5 per person and you can apply up to 4 months in advance for your desired date.

If you choose to apply in person it is free to enter the lottery and you will have higher chances of winning as there are normally at most 200 people applying. Keep in mind that the permits are dispensed for the next morning, not for the same day hiking! To apply in person you have to been in the office between 8:30 to 9:00 AM. 

Also apply to visit the South Coyote Buttes. It is as fantastic as the Wave but less popular, so you have a higher chance to win the permit lottery. Keep in mind that you will need to have a 4WD car to reach this hike as it is really sandy the way there. This is not possible in our campervan, but we made friends with other lottery winners who offered us a ride.

After the lottery, whether you were chosen or not to visit the Wave, we recommending spend the rest of the day hiking. We hiked the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch and loved it! You go through so many canyons and with so few visitors you have the opportunity to get fantastic photos.

Another great option is to visit White Pocket. It is a fantastic area with deep red and orange rock formations but can be hard to reach as you need a 4WD car. 

Day 3: The Wave or Coyote Buttes South

We unfortunately did not win the lottery to visit the Wave, but were picked for a permit to the South Coyote Buttes. If you have an extra day, you can always show up again to the permit lottery and test your luck.

Otherwise, spend the day hiking through the breathtaking landscapes of Coyote Buttes South or the Wave, if you won permits, or there is more time to visit White Pockets if your previous day was full.

Day 4: Coyote Buttes South to Grand Canyon 

A full day at the Grand Canyon is never enough to enjoy the majestic views of one of the most popular National Parks. Make sure to take the free shuttle bus to see some of the best viewpoints in Grand Canyon as well as drive along the Desert View Drive. In one day you will only have time to enjoy the views from the rim along with some short walks down into the canyon itself.

There is only so much time to spend at each destination during a complete two week road trip out West to the four corners states. While you do get a good view from each stop, this road trip itinerary can easily be extended to a full month if you have the time!

Day 5: Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Make sure to reserve a spot for Antelope Canyon as the tours are generally fully booked year round. Antelope Canyon has two spots you can visit the lower and upper slot canyons. Both sides are amazing, each with its unique features. The Lower Canyon is more tight and you cannot bring a tripod with you while the Upper Canyon is wider and they offer photography tours.

Either Canyon can only be visited with a tour guide. The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is during the summer the and it is recommend to get a tour between noon and 1PM to see the light rays shine through the canyons. The entrance fee for Antelope Canyon costs between $55 to $75 USD depending on the tour you choose. Antelope Canyon is a must on your western road trip itinerary.

For us, the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend is right before sunset to enjoy the rich colors of the sky. Please take a lot of water as it can get super hot! Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day but does not allow for re-entry as you will have to pay again.

As evening rolled in we kept on driving and slept in a Burger King parking lot, with permission, right before arriving to Monument Valley. 

Day 6: Monument Valley

Wake up early and head towards Forrest Gump Point to get the iconic photos from Monument Valley and avoid the crowds. It is spectacular to see the sunrise there! The entrance fee for Monument Valley is $20 USD per vehicle.

Spend the day exploring Monument Valley enjoying the vast red sandstone landscapes and dramatic viewpoints.

Day 7: Monument Valley to Arches National Park

Valley of Fire State Park is is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park located about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. This is a popular place to witness the bright red-orange sandstone formations, the iconic Fire Wave hike and thousands of years of human history.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Arches National Park

Day 8: Arches National Park to Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in Utah and it is a short drive from Moab, where you should refill your car and stock up on supplies. This remote national park has three main sections: Island in the Sky, the easiest section to reach, the Needles and the Maze.

The Island of Sky  visitor center  is your last stop for water, as there are no services further into the park. The park offers many hiking trail from less than a mile to up to 17 miles and plenty of spots to just relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Canyonlands National Park

Day 9: Canyonlands National Park to Capitol Reef National Park

A two hour drive west is Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah, encompassing the Fruita Historic District and the Capitol Reef scenic drive. Capitol Reef offers sweeping sandstone landscapes with iconic features including the Capitol Dome, Navajo Formation and Chimney Rock, a 400 foot tall sandstone pillar. Capitol Reef National park is definitely a stop you must include on your Western road trip itinerary.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Capitol Reef National Park

Day 10: Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most beautiful parks we have visited in the United States. It features an 18-mile scenic route to access 13 different viewpoints from the rim of the canyon over the bright red sandstone hoodoo formations. All of the viewpoints are on the left side of the road, making them easier to to reach by first driving all the way to the end of the scenic road and pulling off on the way back.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Bryce Canyon

Day 11: Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is best known for the Las Vegas Strip, lined with iconic casinos for gambling and home to extravagant shows. Do not miss out on the historic center of Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience.

➳ Read More: The best things to do in Las Vegas

Day 12: Las Vegas to Death Valley

Death Valley is the lowest point in elevation in the United States and the holds the record for the hottest temperature on record. It might sound extreme environment, but this National Park offers beautiful and unique landscapes. With vast salt flats and colorful mineral rich mountain ranges, there is so much to enjoy. Just make sure to stay hydrated and cover up in the bright sun!

Camping within Death Valley is not for everyone as nighttime lows in the summer can remain over 100 F, but it does make for a beautiful night.

Day 13: Death Valley to Las Vegas

Unfortunately the end of your two week road trip to the Western United States is coming to an end. Drive back to Las Vegas and enjoy the last few hours of adventure.

Depending on the time of your departing flight, spend the last few hours of your road trip exploring the Las Vegas Strip. If you rented a campervan from Travellers Autobarn make sure to return it with enough time to get yourself to the airport. I hope this guide helped you plan your next Western road trip itinerary.

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Road trips in Western USA

Road trip usa.

Explore the diversity of the American West on this captivating road trip ! From the hustle and bustle of the big cities to the majesty of the canyons, you'll travel through breathtaking landscapes.

USA by Motorhome

Discover the richness of the American Southwest on this memorable trip. Experience the freedom to explore these varied lands, where breathtaking landscapes reveal themselves at every turn.

Book your road trip with us and get $75 off! Offer valid for bookings made before April 28th 2024.

USA Family Vacation

Make memories with the whole family along the winding roads of the West, where wonder blends with the cultural and natural diversity of this incredible American region.

The American West

Take time to discover some of the most impressive desert landscapes in the American Southwest. Soak up the timeless spirit and rich culture of the Wild West.

California, a living canvas of natural contrasts, marvels at its diversity. From endless beaches to snow-capped peaks, rolling vineyards to arid deserts, every corner offers a unique tableau.

The American Dream

Travel the great classics of the American West on this colorful road trip through the national parks!

On the Road

Discover the great national parks of the Southwest with a motorhome as your nomad base, and experience adventure in complete freedom, between arid deserts, tranquil lakes and snow-capped peaks.

West coast National Parks

A unique journey, between wilderness and urban pulse. Follow mythical roads linking some of the most beautiful national parks in the American West.

Unspoiled Nature

Wake up in the heart of the great outdoors, with nature as far as the eye can see. Discover some of the most spectacular and iconic landscapes in the American West.

Cowboy Route

In the comfort of your motorhome, soak up the spirit of the Wild West on this short trip through the mythical desert landscapes of the American Southwest.

Best of the West

Unique rock formations, natural arches, deep canyons, rocky ridges: this is the recipe for a road trip in the heart of spectacular natural landscapes.

Seattle to San Francisco

Diverse landscapes, lush forests, a rugged coastline and an eclectic culture combine to make the Pacific Northwest a unique and captivating region to discover.

Larger than Nature

Encounter fascinating wildlife on this road trip that promises an unforgettable outdoor adventure, where every bend in the road reveals the raw, untamed beauty of the American West.

Hit the Road

Cross breathtaking landscapes from vast plains to majestic rocky mountains on this road trip. Camp under a starry sky that seems to stretch on forever.

California Escapade

Between the scenic drive along the Pacific coast, the iconic waterfalls and the majestic giant redwoods, you'll have plenty to see on this short stay in California.

California Coast

Highway 1 is one of the most scenic roads in the United States. Running along the Pacific coast, it winds its way between mountains and cliffs, offering spectacular views of the panorama.

California Dreamin'

This dream California getaway promises a harmonious blend of nature, culture and adventure, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Rockies

Embark on an unforgettable road trip through the majestic Canadian and American Rockies. From snow-capped peaks to crystal-clear lakes, every turn reveals a breathtaking landscape.

The Far West

A memorable week discovering the classics of the American Wild West. A real immersion in the desert landscapes and traditions of this mythical and unique region.

The Great Explorer

My custom road trip.

Explore the USA your way with a 100% tailor-made road trip. Create your ideal itinerary by selecting the iconic destinations, must-see attractions and experiences that most resonate with your desires.

Top 10 places to visit with the family in the American West

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It is possible to enjoy a USA road trip all year round, depending on the region you are travelling to.

For a Western USA road trip for example, peak season is from mid-July to mid-August . That is also when there are the most travellers on the road and prices are at their highest. It is also possible to travel in winter ( mid-December to mid-March ), but it is important to note that some destinations, such as the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, may even see snow.

Travel in Florida is enjoyable all year round but be aware that hurricane season is from August to October.

Visit our " When should I visit? " section to learn more.

Driving in the U.S.

It's a good idea to learn about the American highway code before setting out on your USA road trip .

And our blog article " Driving in the U.S ." contains useful information, driving tips and some things you'll need to watch out for when driving in the land of Uncle Sam.

When should I book my trip to the U.S.?

For your road trip to California or elsewhere in the U.S., it is best to book at least 6 months in advance .

To be sure of availability, or to at least make sure that the top attractions are not sold out, you need to book early. For some destinations, such as the American West , many travellers book up to 1 year in advance .

Availability isn't the only reason to book in advance. The earlier you book, the more you save.

So there is really no good reason to wait until the last minute to book your trip to the U.S.!

Visit our " When should I book my trip? " section to find out more.

How do I choose between a road trip by car or by RV?

Should you take to the American roads in a rental car or RV ? There is no wrong answer.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessarily cheaper to travel by RV.

Check out our " Car vs RV " section to help you make an informed choice!

See all FAQ about U.S. road trips

Consult our complete list of FAQ about road trips in the U.S. or our " Practical Information " section to help in planning your trip to the land of Uncle Sam.

Customize your canadian road trip on the Authentik Canada trip planner .

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Western USA Tours & Trips

From the illuminated sunset strip of Las Vegas and the cactus-filled plains of Joshua Tree to the bright red bridge that dominates San Francisco and California's Disneyland where dreams come true. The West Coast of the USA is a paradise offering a range of adventures for the whole family no matter what time of year . Embark on a cruise to Alaska or opt for some time out in Yosemite , the possibilities are endless on a vacation America's West Coast.

250+ Western USA tour packages with 12,827 reviews

• Mountain Hikes
• Hiking & Trekking

7 Day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Camping Tour

This was an amazing package! It covered everywhere I wanted to see in the South West area and our guide (John) was very good and familiar with what he was doing, he took us to places that we would not have known at all if not in the tour. The only thing that was off putting as a non-American, not to blame the tour but more a cultural shock, was that everywhere we went (including this tour itself) at the end we were supposed to tip which I had never seen in my entire life in Europe. But overall a very nice and memorable trip.

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Alaska Kenai & Denali Adventure

Alaska was beautiful and our tour guide Rachel was an amazing source of knowledge, a great driver and a great person. She kept the show running so well. All the hotels were great! Would definitely do again!

7 day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Tour

All We Could Have Asked For and More! We recently returned from the ""7 day Southwest National Parks Grand Canyon Tour"". Our tour was led by Kaitlyn Usher. The tour was wonderful, everything was near perfect and Kaitlyn is one of the kindest, hardest working and knowledgeable guides we've ever had! I had mentioned that my husband was turning 70 on the 1st day of the tour to someone at Bindlestiff 2 weeks before the tour and Kaitlyn had a small birthday cake and candles on that first lunch stop! What a nice surprise for my husband. Most anything we asked of her was taken care of and questions answered. We just can't say enough good things about her! The itinerary of the tour was great, we saw and did everything we wanted to do. The van was comfortable and kept clean by Kaitlyn every night. Plenty of items for the picnic lunches (a super idea). She always had options to match physical abilities. The 50 minute ride over the Grand Canyon (optional) was spectacular, the heliport is a distance from the rim, so be sure to do the longer ride to have enough canyon viewing time. The optional Hummer tour was very exciting and scary (in a good way). Thank you for a wonderful birthday trip and great memories!

Hiking Utah's Mighty 5

Loved this trip, got to meet some awesome people and even got to do some hikes that weren't on the itinerary but were on my bucket list. All in all I couldn't of asked for a better trip

• Christmas & New Year

Sedona, Monument Valley & Antelope Canyon – 3 days

Amazing tour. Our driver Ozzie and tour guide Lorenzo were incredible. They were very organized, punctual and made the whole trip very comfortable. The experiences you get for the price are unbeatable. Highly recommend!

California Express - 3 Days

We did not see route 1 and the city of Carmel as it was written in the itinarary. The guide did not give much information about the places we visited. But overall it was a good tour.

Mighty 5 From Las Vegas

Excellent tour. Our guide Robin, was very informative and had an entertaining flair. We went to a series of awe-inspiring viewpoints and did some wonderful hikes in what were referred to as “the mighty five” of Utah. An unforgettable trip with a terrific group of people and a very knowledgeable, gregarious guide.

• Photography
• Walking Adventure

Yellowstone / Grand Teton 4 Day / 3 Night Wildlife Adventure

This trip was completely worth the time and money spent! We had the pleasure of having two guides: Gannon and Rachel, and they could not have been nicer people. Informative, enlightening, funny, interesting -- they just couldn't have been any better. The scenery in Grand Teton and Yellowstone was magnificent, and we saw plenty of wildlife, up close and at a distance. Hotels were pleasant, and the meals were good. I would recommend this trip to anyone who hasn't traveled to the western United States.

Mighty 5 From Salt Lake City

Fabulous experience, small group

Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Adventure

Tim was a great tour guide. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and always upbeat. Time with the wildlife expert was phenomenal. the tour itself was excellent. The good ranking has to do with communications from Intrepid Travel, which were poor and lead to changed air flights and other headaches.

Western USA National Parks Loop

Judd was excellent, and very knowledgable, he was very prepared and i would recommend Intrepid to my friends and family

Majestic Alaska (10 Days)

In general things went very well. However, At the Denali location there was a shortage of staff which prevented full service at the Park, Ie. not all dinning venues were normal and our room service such as daily service was missing. We were told, staff shortage due to Canadian employees may have left due to concern of border being closed into Canada. Hotel dysfunction on a limited basis due to that concern. On our last day at the Anchorage Hilton room service was missing also. Not sure why. Most other activities were well supplied/performed. We were pleased.with our Tour Director Tyler, Bus Driver Les and Health coordinator Carol., Some other venues were a bit restricted due to COVID-19 concerns which appear to be out of control of Tourradar. We loved Valdez,, Fairbanks, Anchorage and Kanai Fjords National Park, as well as the Athabascan Village and flat boat ride and other amenities such as the Husky Dog Farm. Overall pleased, except as noted above. The weather cooperated 100%.

• In-depth Cultural

Hawaii Four Island Adventure (13 Days)

The four-island tour with Trafalger was wonderful.

• Overland Truck

Alaska Adventure - 20 Days

This tour rocked. By far the most efficient and cost effective way I found to see a bunch of great highlights of Alaska. Got to travel with killer guides and a great group that made camping and traveling through Alaska memorable

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing

Jewels of Alaska (Classic, 7 Days, Anchorage Airport And Post Trip Hotel Transfer)

What people love about western usa tours.

We thoroughly enjoyed the 7-day tour of the US southwest . We love the destinations included in the tour, every place we visited is on our bucket list. I wanted to pinch myself every day that I visited those iconic and beautiful places as shown in my photos below. We enjoyed all the extra, optional experiences that were suggested by the tour guide. They added more fun to the tour. The Hummer tour in Moab, Utah was one of the optional experiences and it was a blast! Not only it’s fun, you get to see the amazing scenery during the sunset. One previous review mentioned he or she was forced to participate in the Navajo taco dinner in Monument Valley. That comment is not true. You have a choice not to do that and the guide can make a different arrangement for you. The optional Navajo taco dinner is one of the highlights of the tour that we will remember for a long time. It would be a shame not to have this cultural experience when you get to meet Navajo people when you are in the Navajo Nation! Our tour guide, John did a fantastic job. He was full of enthusiasm and energy. He kept the tour well organized and always provided information we needed. We highly recommend the tour.

Everything was great organized, our CEO Megan was so kind and well prepared.

What a lifetime experience everyone needs Jun 2023 • Solo Within 7 days, we drove in 3 states, visited 5 national parks / 2 state parks, hiked 60 miles, made friends from 7 different states/nations, and eventually traveled through the iconic Route 66 back to Las Vegas. What a lifetime experience everyone needs Day 1 - Zion National Park Day 2 - Bryce Canyon National Park Day 3 - Canyonlands National Park Day 4 - Arches National Park Day 5 - Monument Valley Navajo Nation Day 6 - Grand Canyon National Park / Antelope State Day 7- Grand Canyon back to Las Vegas via Historic Route 66 AMAZING!

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The Ultimate Western US Road Trip

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Ready for an adventure? Pack your bags, get your vehicle ready to go, and let’s hit the road!

As a world traveler who’s always on the search of the next bucket list destination, I realized I didn’t know my home country, USA, nearly as well as I knew many others around the world. I had traveled it some but for short weekend getaways or snowboarding trips but not much else.

When the time came to leave Vietnam, after living there for 3 years , we had our first pause in our travel plans for as long as I could remember. We knew the next step was to apply for our freelance visas in Portugal but knew those would take a few months to process. Instead of staying still and relaxing at my parents, we knew it was the perfect time to explore the US.

And what better way than in a van we converted ourselves? 

I’ll dive into our van build and how you can customize your own house on wheels another day. Today is all about the trip, not so much the technicalities getting us ready for said trip. 

A few tips to make your road trip excellent:

• Don’t rely on hotels, it’s fun to camp, whether in your car or a tent, and will save you loads of money.
• Know where to camp for free: Campendium and iOverlander were lifesavers.
• Keep meals simple and cheap with easy recipes you can make with minimal ingredients and cooking gear.
• Don’t get lost on the trails and use AllTrails instead. No need to pay to download the maps offline, just have the trail open you want to follow before you lose service and your GPS will continue to work. 
• Save money on gas with GasBuddy. Another app that helped us find the lowest gas prices in the area, just know it’s not always 100% accurate.
• Genuinely like the person or people your road tripping with. Trust me, it’s a lot of together time and choosing the person you make the trip with isn’t something I’d take lightly.
• If you travel with your dog, use GoogleMaps to find dog parks in the area on driving days so your furry friend can burn his/her energy before a long day in the car.

We had talked about vanlife years before, both agreeing that we’d like to try it in the US, just never knowing exactly when that time would be. After getting back to Nashville, we quickly scourged the area for a van we could convert, finally finding Wanda, our 2003 Ford Econoline with the best paint job we could have hoped for. 

After spending a few tiring months building her out and getting her ready, it was time to hit the road.

I’ll be honest here, Raf and I are not the planners it might seem we are. We both typically dream big and latch on an idea together and just go for it, hoping for the best along the way. That’s what this van trip was. We didn’t really know where we were going except west.

And I’m so happy we did it this way.

Not planning meant being able to go where we pleased, work around the weather, and spend more or less time in a place depending on how we felt about it. I’d highly recommend you not plan as much as you can get away with so you can build your itinerary while you’re in the midst of it. 

The only thing we knew was we had to be back in Atlanta, GA for a wedding mid-November then back to Nashville two weeks afterward for Thanksgiving. That gave us 2.5 months to travel as much as we wanted. And it turns out, we wanted to travel a lot.

I’m talking 9,000 miles of road and 21 states. 

We couldn’t see everything and we did have to make some big decisions on what to choose and what to pass on but we did see a lot- far more than I thought we’d see- and it was spectacular. 

If you have some time to spare and want to see truly breathtaking sights, pull out your map and save these places for your road trip of a lifetime through the Western US.

Heading out of Nashville, our first big destination was Denver, CO. We passed through the midwest (Missouri and Kansas) as fast we could, and apologies to you from those places, I don’t feel like we missed out by getting through them quickly. It wasn’t the most exciting way to start our trip but we were eager to hit the mountains and that gave us the motivation to keep us going. 

I’ll highlight the 11 states we spent the most time in and share my favorite parts of each of them. Keep in mind, we were traveling in a van and prioritizing nature, hiking, and national parks. Plus, we had our dog, Bandido, with us that we always strive to keep happy.

If you’re also traveling in a van or plan to sleep in your vehicle, use iOverlander and Campendium to find free campsites near you. We didn’t pay for a single night on our trip, minus the 2 nights we opted for hotels.

At a quick glance, our western road trip itinerary went like this:

• Colorado (again)

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Colorado: Widest Variety of Adventure Sports

We actually passed through Colorado twice on the trip, once at the beginning and again at the end. I’ll cover both times though here so all things Colorado stays together.

Our main highlights in Colorado were:

• Great Sand Dunes National Park

Denver is a really great city to spend the day in. If you’ve never been, an easy place to see the city, walk around, grab a beer and some good food is Larimer Square and 16th Street Mall. Probably some of the more touristic places in town but if you’re just here for a day, I really like walking around there. 

From Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs aren’t too far away. We didn’t go to either of these towns this trip but I’ve been before and they’re both nice mountain towns in Colorado .

Vail and Aspen are both high-end mountain towns that are seriously picturesque, especially in the fall when the aspen trees are bright yellow. Unless you have a much bigger budget than us, I’d recommend heading to these towns for hiking more than anything else. 

In Vail , we loved (and struggled through) Berrypicker Trail. It’s straight up a popular ski slope and since we had only been at altitude for 2 days, it hit us harder than I expected. We made it up and enjoyed the challenge though. You get rewarded by being able to take the gondola down, too. 

In Aspen , I highly recommend Maroon Bells. If you only have time for 1 hike, this should be it. You have to reserve a ticket in advance and take a shuttle to the park but in my opinion, it was worth the fee. It was more crowded than other hikes we did, but I understand why. There are a few different trails in the area. We opted for Crater Lake. It’s nice and not too difficult. You can always add on some distance too by following a backcountry trail and turning around when you’re ready to head back.

From Aspen, we drove to Jackson, WY. We opted for the more scenic route through NW Colorado, instead of driving back through Denver, and I’m so glad we did. We were really in the middle of nowhere most of the drive and it was fantastic.

But before I jump into Wyoming, at the end of our road trip, between Utah and New Mexico, we swung back into Colorado to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park . It’s exactly what it sounds like, except for a more mountainous backdrop than I was expecting. 

We rented a sandboard for the day and that made the park so much fun. It’s also one of the few national parks that’s dog friendly so be sure to bring your pup along for the journey! In October the weather was chilly and the sand was cool but be careful with your pup’s paws in the summer- sand tends to heat up quickly!

Wyoming: Best (& Most Unusual) Wildlife

Our main highlights in Wyoming:

• Grand Teton National Park (and surrounding area)
• Yellowstone National Park

Our first real taste of Wyoming was The Grand Tetons . They brought me to tears the first time I saw them because they pop out of nowhere and gave me the most wonderful surprise. It’s really a treat to see these mountains in person. We stayed in Jackson longer than we expected but really enjoyed the town to be able to catch up on some work and take a break from a long previous week of driving. 

Jackson also has a plethora of free campsites in the Grand Tetons National Forest that were all really wonderful. 

Wyoming is for you if you love epic views and unusual wildlife. 

Unfortunately, we couldn’t do any hiking in either national park (Grand Tetons or Yellowstone) because like most national parks, the trails are not dog friendly. Regardless, if you’re traveling with your pup, you should still drive through the parks and take in the views.

Between the Tetons and Yellowstone, get ready to see moose, bison, bears, and elk. Although maybe it was lucky, I seriously couldn’t believe the wildlife we spotted with just 3 days total in both parks. 

Beware, it's probably colder here than you expect. We were greeted in early September by snow in Yellowstone so be sure to pack accordingly!

Montana: Most Views That'll Kill

Our Montana highlights:

• Yellowstone National Park (it’s split between Montana and Wyoming)
• Glacier National Park
• Flathead National Forest

We entered Montana through Yellowstone and headed towards Bozeman. Bozeman is a small yet cute town to spend a day or two. We enjoyed exploring their downtown, grabbing a bison burger, and some local beers. 

From Bozeman, we decided to head north to Glacier National Park . This was a last-minute decision but one I am so happy we made.

The drive through Glacier was seriously epic. If you’re scared of heights you probably shouldn’t be the driver though as much of the “Going to the Sun” road is narrow with little room for error. We spent an entire day driving through the park, pulling over at nearly every turn. 

The area around Glacier is stunning, too. We spent 3 nights in different parts of Flathead National Forest and had free mountain views and solo spots each night.

Standard Peak is a solid dog-friendly hike that we all 3 really enjoyed. Plus, you can stay overnight on the same road as the trailhead so you can use it as an off-day from driving, too. At the peak, you’ll get views of Glacier as well. 

While you're already so far north in the US, it's easy to cross the border and take advantage of epic spots in Canada. From Glacier National Park, it's only a 4.5 hour drive to Banff National Park where you can explore the beauty of Lake Louise and surrounding areas.

Idaho: Friendliest People

Our Idaho highlight:

• Coeur d’Alene (we didn’t actually spend much time here but it was recommended to us multiple times)

From Montana, we knew we wanted to go to Washington. To get there, we needed to pass through Idaho. To be blunt, I knew nothing about Idaho except they have great potatoes so I thought we’d just pass right through the state.

On the way, we needed to stop to work so I found a cute, dog-friendly coffee shop in Sandpoint, Idaho . I thought we would just stay for the day to turn in some work then head off but the locals had other plans for us.

In that coffee shop, we ended up making friends with a few locals that were interested in our journey. The most interested being an 82-year-old world traveler and adventurer who had made similar trips as us (plus far more) in his lifetime. He quickly invited us over for a hot shower, a place to sleep, and the promise of great stories.

We were skeptical and didn’t take up his offer immediately. The next day though, he called and said he had invited some friends over to meet us and to use his words, “be here or be cursed.” We went. 

And I am so glad we did. Larry and his wife are salt-of-the-earth people who have treated us like family. We ended up staying 2 nights with them and loved them both. Since then we’ve kept in touch and really feel a deep connection with them. Sometimes strangers aren’t so nice but sometimes they’re better than you could ever imagine.

Also in Sandpoint, we did our biggest hike yet: Scotchman Peak . We were greeted by a moose on the trailhead, saw bear prints in the snow on the way, but unfortunately, didn’t see any of the mountain goats that are usually at the summit. 

This trail is tough but fantastic. We hiked in tennis shoes which I would not recommend. The summit in October had about a foot of snow that quickly iced our toes. We made it but would have been far more comfortable had we been properly prepared.

Washington: Best Enchanting Forests

Our Washington highlights:

• North Cascades National Park
• Rockport State Park
• Olympic National Park

What I loved most about Washington was definitely the landscape, mainly the rainforest. I’ve spent a few months living in the Amazon Rainforest and it was the same... but completely different.

The hikes we did there, namely the Evergreen Trail in Rockport State Park , were simply fantastic. It wasn’t tough at all but was so unique with the giant Redwoods covered in moss, ferns, and mushrooms. We felt like kids in awe strolling through this area.

I’m happy we went to Seattle and drank all the coffee we possibly could , but it didn’t wow me like Portland later would. 

After Seattle, we drove the highway around Olympic National Forest , stopping at the rocky beaches along the way. We also did a few coastal hikes but in our opinion, nothing topped the Evergreen Trail.

Oregon: Best All Around

Our Oregon highlights:

• Cannon Beach
• Smith Rock State Park
• Crater Lake National Park

We drove down the coast to Oregon and crossed the bridge to Astoria . We had a great lunch of clam chowder and watched seals (or maybe sea lions) play in the water next to us. It was a perfect welcome to what soon became our favorite state of the road trip. 

From Astoria, we continued along the coast to Cannon Beach . This beach was gigantic and more dramatic than I had thought from pictures. It was also far, far colder with the wind ripping off the coast without prevail. Still, we loved it.

After Cannon Beach, we swung inland to Portland. Portland stands out as our favorite city from the road trip so if you have the time, I suggest you check it out as well. 

Our favorite area in Portland was Hawthorne Avenue . There you’ll find a wide variety of thrift stores with great clothes and even better prices. Be sure to stop by Hawthorne Asylum for food pods with a wide variety of food and drinks. Be sure to save room for a donut at Blue Star Donuts, a local favorite compared to the overhyped VooDoo Donuts downtown.

I’d also recommend Mississippi Avenue for another, similar option, with more shopping and food pods.

After Portland, we faced another issue: stay on the coast or head inland. It was a tough one, and although I don’t know what the coastal route had in store, inland did not disappoint. The drive to Bend was full of snow-covered mountains, camping spots, and great hiking. 

Namely, hiking at Smith Rock State Park . There are a few different trails at this park as well but we opted for the Wolf Tree Trail . There are harder ones in the area and had it not been so cold, we probably would have gone for them but this one was relatively easy but beautiful. The end of the trail especially provides great views. 

If you’re in the area, visit Bend . It’s smaller than I thought but their downtown and greenway are especially picturesque.

Really though, the star of inland Oregon to us was Crater Lake. Crater Lake is exactly as described, a lake surrounded by mountains with a little island in the middle. What made it so special though was the snow. The contrast of bright white snow, clear blue sky, and deep blue water was better than expected. Although it was cold and most trails were closed, if you’re not there to hike, I really loved seeing this spot in winter weather.

California: Most Disappointing

Our California highlights:

• Redwoods National Park
• San Francisco 
• Carmel-by-the-sea
• Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1)

Here I am to possibly burst your bubble: California did not live up to its hype.

After visiting so many fantastic states, California left us feeling let down and honestly, disappointed. We had this idea in our heads that California was the mecca of vanlife and dog parents and people looking for a little bit of hippie-esque fun. That wasn’t the reality we found.

Overnight parking was tough and always done in parking lots or on the street, which after months of being in nature, wasn’t a change for the best. 

Most beaches we came across, with the exception of Carmel-by-the-sea which was doggo heaven, were not dog-friendly. This is understandable but just didn’t line up with the imagine we had perceived of California.

To top it off, gas was almost $1 more per gallon than other states and food and drinks were also pricier, even just at the grocery store. 

All of that considered, we cut out time in California short. Turning towards Vegas halfway down Hwy 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

I will say, it’s a beautiful state. The Redwoods, Yosemite and Hwy 1 are really spectacular but the state, all in all, didn’t match up with it’s neighbors. We were craving something more raw, less privatized, and with a lot more room for adventure.

Nevada: Most Likely to Take Your Money

….so we headed to Las Vegas!

Well, kind of. We did go to Las Vegas yet but not for those reasons mentioned above. We wanted to gamble a bit and see what the Sin City had in store for us before heading deeper into the desert. 

Here we opted for a hotel and let Bandido stay with a Rover sitter so we had the night to ourselves. It was extremely fun bouncing around hotels on the strip.

My biggest suggestion: learn Craps before you go. It’s a great game, much more fun than Black Jack, easier to hop in than Poker, and way less mind-numbing than slots. 

Let loose, toss the dice, and have some fun!

Arizona: Most Iconic Scenery

Our Arizona highlights:

• Grand Canyon
• Horseshoe Bend
• Monument Valley

After shockingly doubling our money in Vegas (definitely beginner’s luck), we headed to Arizona. 

Arizona was a desert dream come true. After doing 1 hike in Sedona , we stretched our time there to do another before heading out of town. It seemed to me everywhere you looked, Sedona was surrounded by epic desert views. The sunsets here were especially rewarding.

I’d recommend both hikes to anyone willing to walk around 8 miles each time. Cathedral Rock Loop: Hiline and Templeton Trails and Boynton Canyon Trail were both great. The loop was much quieter than the other trail and provided fantastic views the entire time. Boynton was much more crowded but understandably so. Just be sure to take a slight detour and head to the Subway Cave for an extra special view. Even if heights scare you, I’d recommend pushing yourself on that one. It won’t disappoint!

From Sedona, we headed north to check off the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend . Both of extremely well-known and popular but for good reason. Find a quiet spot and enjoy the views!

If you want to see giant cactuses, like ones in cartoons, head south to Tucson . We didn’t have time for this detour but would have potentially made time had I known we weren’t going to see them all throughout the desert. 

Utah: Most Inconsistent Views

Our Utah highlights: 

• Arches National Park

We really had one big reason to go to Utah and that was Moab. Monument Valley was a lucky bonus that I’m glad we included but not the reason we made the turn north.

If you want to visit Monument Valley , do note it closes earlier than expected. We were unable to enter in to drive the scenic loop after 3pm. Online it states it closes at 5pm but do to off-season and I’m sure pandemic restrictions, the time is now earlier.

We were definitely bummed that we weren’t able to do the scenic loop but just north of the entrance, further into Utah, we were able to get some great views to pull over for lunch. Also further up the highway is the iconic Forrest Gump viewpoint that really was just as beautiful in person, if not even more so. 

Moab though was the jewel of Utah in our eyes. Again, we stayed longer than planned and really took it easy in Moab, enjoying the campsites and amazing desert views backdropped with snowcapped mountains.

In Moab, be sure to drive through Arches National Park . Again, we didn’t do any hikes in the park because we travel with our dog, but the drive was fantastic.

We opted to hike Corona Arch trail and would recommend you do the same. Great landscapes, few people, and dog-friendly. Need I say more?

There were some reviews on AllTrails making the hike sound more intimidating than it was. At times there is a rope to help you up a rock and right after a ladder to climb up, but both are short, and neither felt scary in our eyes. Bandido also handled these parts like a champ. We opted to take him off the leash for this since no one was around and to let him find his own way up, which he did, issue-free.

After Moab, we circled back into Colorado before heading south again to New Mexico.

New Mexico: Most Dog-Friendly

Our New Mexico highlights:

By this point in the trip, we were exhausted. We had been moving at a quick pace and had seen a lot. This state though was one I was looking the most forward to so instead of trying to rush it and do too much, we chose to spend more time in Taos and Santa Fe and really soak them up.

My favorite parts of New Mexico were absolutely the architecture and the food. Between those two things, we were content simply walking around town and taking it slow. 

Taos Pueblo was unfortunately closed due to the pandemic but if it's open when you drive through, it seems like a really beautiful, historic place to visit. Otherwise, enjoy walking about Taos and Santa Fe. Both have plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes to keep you entertained. Beware though, the price tags in Santa Fe were far higher than I ever imagined!

From there, we made the long drive back to Atlanta, spending a night in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Mississippi along the way. 

As tired as we were, this road trip was seriously epic. We saw a lot, experienced a lot more of my home country than I thought possible in one go, and had a lot of fun living in the van and camping each night. 

Save this road trip to add to your bucket list or grab inspiration from it, making it your own along the way. I will say, the US is a big, beautiful country with so much to see, doing it on land instead of air is the way the go.

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People planning a vacation in the western United States usually make two big mistakes.

The first is that they spend too much time in Los Angeles. But there is so much more to do in the western United States than explore the bubble of rich homes and Hollywood clones, that we would argue you should skip LA completely.

The second mistake is that they assume Las Vegas is all about the gambling, and miss out on the geological wonderland and incredible natural surrounds. And while we’ll include Las Vegas in this itinerary, we do so as a base for exploring further out.

Western USA is an incredible region for a road trip, and travelers have a diverse range of exciting cities, coastal towns, and natural wonders to choose from when planning an itinerary. But being that there is so much to cover, we wouldn’t blame you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re struggling with planning your route, use the following guide to fill two weeks worth of driving . These are the highlights of Western USA … not including LA.

For safety when making your way across the US by car, make sure you pick up prepaid USA travel SIM cards  which you can use for both data to power Google maps / GPS, and calls if you find yourself needing help on the road.

Route for a Two Week Road Trip in Western USA (Not Including LA)

San francisco.

San Francisco is one of those cities that has a little bit of everything, so it makes sense as a place to start your road trip. From stunning landscapes to iconic monuments, along with a thriving arts, culture, and food scene, there are plenty of things to do and see.

The Golden Gate Bridge is obviously a must, though we recommend that you walk across it (taking care to watch out for cyclists who share the pedestrian walkways), and then make a stop at the visitors center.

You’ll find yourself at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which has a beautiful waterfront promenade, and excellent photo opps. You can book a spot on a free walking tour of San Francisco to not miss other highlights of the city.

To get the most out of San Francisco, you should plan for 3 days to really experience everything. For help planning your time here, check out this three day itinerary .

Yosemite National Park

From San Francisco it’s a four hour drive to one of America’s most famous natural regions; Yosemite National Park.

With glaciers reaching back over 30 million years, ten waterfalls over 500 feet, yellow pine and oak forests and open meadows on the valley floor, Yosemite Valley is one of the most beautiful, and most photographed places on earth.

Enchanting and majestic, this magnificent panorama includes El Capitan, “the world’s largest monolith of exposed granite, the distinctive Half Dome granite formation, and Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, measuring 2,425 feet from top to bottom.”

Scenic trails for hikers abound.

More info on the National Parks Service website.

Image:  Giuseppe Milo  (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Or … Highway 1

If you’re feeling more coastal than Yosemite, you can drive from San Fransisco down the country’s most famous and scenic highway; Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway .

“An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliff-hugging, 123-mile (198-kilometer) route along the central California coast takes about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace.”

Stops along the highway include both the Big Sur Coast Highway and the San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway. Take in spectacular destinations like Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Point Lobos, Big Sur, Garrapata State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Cambria and Morro Bay.

You’ll definitely want to spend some time at Redwood State Park south of San Francisco. The redwoods are massive, majestic trees. At Morro Bay, turn east and head toward Sequoia National Park.

Sequoia National Park

Cousins to the redwoods, Sequoia National Park is known for its giant sequoia trees. Crossing the valley and going up into the mountains to the park gives you a good sense of the vastness of California and the Central valley.

Though the park is known for so much more than just being home to the world’s largest trees.

Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, and vast caverns spanning over 404,064 acres, this is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the United States.

There are dozens of small wineries on the trip between Morro Bay and Sequoia, though if you’re driving make sure you’re not drinking irresponsibly!

 Onto Las Vegas

From Sequoia National Park, it’s a 6 hour drive to Las Vegas. You can get a perfectly good hotel room for very little money during the week; think around $60 a night for 5 star luxury.

You can spend the extra money on something exciting like a Las Vegas Helicopter Tour (click here to book) .

But don’t be fooled – Las Vegas is about far more than gambling ; in fact, we would recommend you save your money and not even spend on the casinos (you’ll contrast the complete lack of free games as opposed to the  unlimited free games you can play at every online casino ).

Pro tip:  The Go Las Vegas Pass  allows free access to 27 attractions in Las Vegas, including the High Roller Ferris wheel, and all the main sights in the city. Click here to book it .

Las Vegas is a great base for day trips. To the west, Red Rock Canyon will prepare you for Bryce National Park.  And geological wonders are right at your doorstep in  Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Mead to the east and northeast. There’s also Hoover Dam.

If you still have the energy to continue to explore Vegas’ various attractions after witnessing its geological wonders, spice things up a little by incorporating a scavenger hunt into your tour.

There’s no better way to experience the glamour of The Strip, Downtown, and Town Square than through a fun and exciting Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt .

Companies like CityHUNT  can help set up your hunt, customizing it according to your preference, so you and your family will have a good time.

Continue to Utah

After a 2-3 days in the Las Vegas area, head towards Utah. Skip Zion National Park; it’s very hot in the summer, ridiculously crowded, and the next park, Bryce, is much more interesting.

We don’t want to raise expectations too high but Bryce National Park makes a spectacular first impression.  If you love the outdoors, Utah is hands down one of the best US states to be in.

There are five national parks across Southern Utah (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef), and these parks are collectively made up of thousands of natural arches, immense and impressive canyons, and “towering buttes and rock faces that have become a nation’s sacred natural treasures.”

On the way to Bryce is the small town of St. George, Utah. Just outside St. George is the Tuacahn Center for the Arts .  They have a wonderful outdoor theater and put on classic plays. As part of your planning, check out their schedule for the dates you’ll be there.

Image:  PiConsti  (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr

The Grand Canyon

We have to admit that the Grand Canyon is so big that we have never fully experienced it.

It’s one of the world’s most powerful and inspiring landscapes; both immense and overwhelming, and the opportunity to stand on the rim of this vast canyon is without a doubt one of the most phenomenal encounters with nature.

There are options to take in the West Rim glass skywalk, and stay overnight at a ranch on native land. You can choose to travel on horseback, and witness the magic of a sunrise which most tourists will never understand.

You can walk down to the river but do so only in cool weather; it is much hotter at the bottom than at the top and people have been known to dehydrate tragically.

The trip from Bryce to the Grand Canyon is a great road trip in itself as you wind down toward a valley that you don’t see until you go around a curve. Then the valley opens up in an amazing panorama.

Read this post if you’re wondering which rim to visit  (there are four rims, and each is a very different experience.)

Ending the Trip in Vegas

You can end your road trip in Las Vegas, where you can return your car rental and catch a flight. From the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas is a 4 hour drive.

If you’re  dying  to get to Los Angeles , the drive from Vegas is 4 hours. Though it may come as a culture shock after having spent so much time in the wild.

It’s important to estimate your driving times and distances when you’re planning out your trip. Also, give yourself extra time when planning out these drives, as the routes are very scenic, and will have many stop offs along the way.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind  Waking Up Wild ; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.

26 Comments

Thank you for sharing this useful article, Actually I am planning to visit that place and your blog will definitely help me out there.

Glad the post was helpful for you Zahid. Enjoy your time in the USA :)

That was exactly why I was surprised you listed Las Vegas after the Sequoia.It is the best place to leave from- lots of flights everywhere- and usually at reasonable prices- at least if you are going to another place i the US.

Ended up using Vegas as a base to do a loop and return to. I generally try not to backtrack when we head out on major roadtrips, but this seemed like a good exception :)

Been roadtripping USA and Canada for over three years now :) Driving from mid-coast Maine to St Augustine Florida over the next 3 days. I’ve spent time in the Deep South, PNW, Rocky Mountains, Midwest, Southwest, and now Eastern USA. Still have a lot to see, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada (not Vegas) are big on my list for future road trips.

Such an incredible continent, I swear you could spend a whole lifetime exploring just this region! Sounds like you’ve covered quite a lot though, hope you’re enjoying your current trip!

Yes indeed, there is enough for a lifetime of exploring! Made it to New Jersey tonight, man what a change from mid-coast Maine and small town life. I do like to mix it up with bigger cities and smaller towns. The population of the last town I visited could fit in the bar/restaurant I just went to tonight LOL

We love mixing it up too – we live in a town of 400, so city breaks are often a nice change! Sounds like you’re having a blast!

Ha ha ha ? I live in LA ? Yes, you are right about tourists coming to LA why they miss out on some of the best LA has to offer. Tourists often do not know where our “neighbourhoods” are and the coastal cities within 45 minutes’ drive, depending which part of LA you live. From where I am, I am only 15-20 minutes to Beverly Hills and its chic eateries, 35 minutes to Santa Monica where you can see the beaches of Malibu and close to the Malibu canyons, same distance to Venice, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and not far to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach and definitely Laguna Beach.

Unfortunately most people do end up on Hollywood Blvd (locals don’t go there) and Universal Studios and Disneyland. Your article is definitely helpful for those exploring Western states. I used to live in Utah. So I know.

Haha so you’re probably sick of the mass tourism too then :D There are definitely some incredible regions throughout greater Los Angeles, I really loved the coastal cities you’ve mentioned like Santa Monica, Newport beach was my favorite, really fell in love with the clean cut, family friendly atmosphere there. Laguna Beach too – we were swimming in the ocean and dolphins came right up to us, it was surreal!

Glad you enjoyed the article, I would love to live in Utah at some point if I could manage it – so much amazing nature to explore, what a backyard!

The Western USA has so much to see and do on road trips.

Absolutely, you could almost spend a lifetime in just this region!

Don’t skip Zion NPS just get there early hit the trails & the crowds disappear! Enroute to Vegas (if you like that city) is Death Valley NPS an unbelievable park!That shot you’ve used of GrandCanyon is actually Horseshoe Bend in Page, a really cool place!

Thanks for the tips! I’ll have to get back for a sunrise trip to Zion on the next trip :) I do give the US credit for having so many amazing Nat parks! Yes I’ve always gone back and forth re whether to include Horsehoe Bend as part of the Grand Canyon – ended up going with it :D

It is H-Shoe bend which, technically, is in the northern head of Gr. Canyon. We live in upper AZ and visit it when fly fishing the canyon with friends/family for another WOW moment… Lee’s ferry (leesferry.com) has wonderful guides, if you need one; all gear included!; ) An amazing way to view the red rocks all around you; they’re majestic!

Thanks for the tip Ilona! You live in a spectacular part of the world :)

Great post! Thank you for the tips. We had a great time last may.

PS: for the curious amongst us some clips of how we traveled .

Glad you enjoyed the post Steven, thanks for sharing your clips, looks like a fab trip!

I’m guilty of only thinking of gambling when I think of Vegas! Guess I’ll have to go check out the other stuff!

Glad we could set you up with a couple of other ideas :D SO much cool stuff to do in and around Vegas during the day, especially if you’re interested in nature. I find the majority of people are usually pretty amazed! Hope you have the chance to get back for another trip at some stage :)

Thanks for reading!

Hi, I am planning to start a trip from Las Vegas in July for 10 Days. Can you please suggest itinerary (Road Trip/Tour) so that I can utilize best out of the time ?

Hi Dipen, thanks for reaching out :) So you can pretty much take this itinerary and do it in reverse if you’re starting from Las Vegas. It also really depends on what type of things you’re interested in though, ie are you interested in experiencing the culture of the big cities, more interested in nature, interested in seeing the coast, or combining them all into a ‘best of’ itinerary to see a sampler of the region?

Also, do you want to end back in Las Vegas, or does it not matter if you finish the trip in a different city, like San Francisco?

Let me know and I can make some suggestions for you :)

I’m planning to visit Vegas soon. Thank you for sharing tips!

Amazing! Hope you have a fabulous trip :)

There are a lot of cool scavenger hunt companies out there like city hunt as well as Cashunt, Watsons adventures, adventure hunt and so much more. each one provides something different but each one brings a lot of fun!

Such a cool activity for sure! Thanks for reading :)

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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!

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Explore map of Western US, The Western United States is a large region located in the western part of the country. It includes states like California , Arizona , and Colorado. This area is known for its diverse geography, which includes mountains, deserts, and coastlines. The Rocky Mountains, a major mountain range, run through several states in this region. The West is also home to the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the beautiful Pacific coastline in California. This variety of landscapes offers a lot of different outdoor activities, like hiking, skiing, and beach visits. The climate in the West varies a lot, from very hot deserts to snowy mountain areas.

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14 Western-inspired Travel Clothes That Actually Go With Everything in Your Suitcase — From $15

Keep reading for our favorite cowboy boots, hats, denim, and more.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

Western wear, cowboy aesthetic, country couture — whatever you'd like to call it — has taken the fashion world by storm, but it's not just a mere passing trend. As a New York City-based travel writer , it's hard to go a block without seeing studded belts and vintage washed jeans , and the trend has spread far beyond Manhattan; I've even spotted it on recent trips up and down the East Coast. Though its resurgence in pop culture features new spins on the traditional fashion genre, Western wear obviously has roots dating back centuries, but there's something about the classic look that will forever exude cool. With celebrities like Beyoncé and Bella Hadid showcasing the best of the Americana lifestyle, this latest resurgence is beckoning everyone (including myself) to give their travel clothes a refresh. 

Beyond looking sharp, the Western wear trend embraces easy-wearing, high-quality basics inspired by country living, making it a must-have for your travel wardrobe. It prioritizes timeless pieces like maxi denim skirts and cowboy boots that can be worn and reworn in a plethora of ways to maximize your travel outfit possibilities. These pieces are typically denim-, cotton-, leather, and suede-heavy, making them the ideal transitional garments that can be worn throughout spring (and some of our favorite finds can even be rocked in the summer). 

Don’t know where to start transforming your wardrobe to embrace a Western aesthetic? I’ve curated a selection of pieces that I’m absolutely loving this season that will look great anywhere, be it a serene getaway in Wyoming , an exciting rodeo, or even to a "Cowboy Carter" listening party.  

Tecovas The Annie Cowgirl Boots

Cowgirl and cowboy boots are undoubtedly one of the most prominent items emerging from the Americana fashion movement, and if you’re looking to embrace this shoe trend, then you should do so with the best: a pair of Tecovas . The Austin-based brand prioritizes authentic craftsmanship to make its top-quality, already-worn-in-comfy boots that are made to last. I’m utterly obsessed with this Annie style, the brand’s best-selling cowgirl boot, and am eager to add them to my collection because I know that they’ll be my comfortable go-to pair of boots that’ll last me years to come. Plus, they'll look equally wonderful with a pair of jeans as they would with a flowy dress. 

If you’re looking for a more affordable option to achieve the same look, consider shopping the Soda Reno Women's Cowboy Boots that boast a $50 price tag at Amazon.  

Madewell The Santiago Western Ankle Boots

Not quite ready for full-on cowboy boots? Or, maybe you're headed somewhere warm. Either way, if you want to dip your toes into the style, these Madewell ankle booties are the perfect way to start. Beyond their alluring 82 percent discount (thanks to an on-site double deal — just use the code SPRING30 to unlock an extra 30 percent off at checkout), they’re absolutely adorable. Country styles embrace shiny hardware and durable materials like suede, as seen on these boots, which’ll elevate any look that you have planned. And, because they’re crafted with elastic and a low block heel, they go on-and-off seamlessly and will be easy to walk in. Hurry, they're selling out. 

J.Crew Maxi Denim Skirt

Maxi denim skirts, and denim in general, are totally country-approved thanks to their utility style that is a bit more polished and put together than a mini skirt. I’m all in for embracing more maxi denim skirts into my wardrobe. They can be styled with T-shirts, blouses, vests, and more, making them a welcomed, versatile staple in your suitcase. In fact, denim skirts are among the first garments that I look for when preparing for a trip, because of the way that they can seamlessly elevate any look. If you want to test the waters on this trend, do so with this stunning, on-sale skirt from J.Crew while it’s 46 percent off. 

Wrangler Women’s Cowboy Cut Jeans 

Wrangler is among the original cowboy couture brands, selling high-quality denim that parallels the rise of country since the 1940s. Needless to say, you can’t go wrong with anything from the cowboy fashion pioneer to adapt your wardrobe to Western style, but I recommend starting with these Cowboy Cut jeans. They effortlessly blend classic aesthetics with contemporary details for unmatched comfort. Crafted with 98 percent denim and 2 percent spandex, these jeans exude vintage charm with the modern ingenuity of a comfortable pair of travel pants. And at just $50, they’re the perfect garment to wear on your spring adventures. 

Amour Vert Violette Organic Cotton Eyelet Dress

Amour Vert 

Flowy, flirty dresses add a feminine touch to an otherwise rather masculine trend. And this prairie-style dress not only embodies the essence of country living, but it also serves as the ideal white sundress for the vibrant seasons of spring and summer. Crafted with 100 percent cotton, adorned with delicate details, and featuring a fashion-forward corseted bust, this dress is a timeless and breathtaking addition to your wardrobe. And to complete the look, I recommend pairing with a pair of cowboy boots — duh! 

Sézane Women’s Amerie Shirt

This Western-style embroidered chambray snap shirt is an incredibly versatile choice that radiates versatility. With its long-sleeve design, this shirt offers year-round comfort while shielding you from the elements (without causing overheating). It’s also a stunning option to add to your collection of Americana-inspired garments, inviting endless styling options, whether paired with a denim skirt, jeans, or classic boots. 

Unfortunately, this stunning top is about to sell out. If you have your heart set on the look, check out the newly dropped Grosy Women's Embroidered Plain Tunic Shirt for $40 at Amazon.  

Free People Wilder Embellished Sling Bag

Free People 

Conchos are the focal points of any Western look. Instead of wearing the classic disc around your waist, you can sport it on your travel bag. Here, the historically rich accessory decorates the belt bag's strap to add that cowboy flair to any outfit. It also offers the spacious, hands-free functionality of a great belt bag; wear it as a crossbody, off the shoulder, or as a belt bag, and will confidently safeguard all of your items as you explore new destinations this year.  

Wrangler Western Shoulder Bag

For a larger option, this adjustable shoulder bag is winning over shoppers for boasting the " perfect size " and a " sturdy feel that feels well-made ." That also happens to be the ethos of Western fashion, prioritizing items that both look and feel good — just check out that stunning embroidery! And starting at just $52 and available in an impressive 50 different colors and prints, the Montana-styled bag is just waiting to be added to your cart. 

Mavi Venus Denim Vest

Denim is widely recognized as a premium and long-lasting fabric, making it an ideal choice for outdoor activities and country living. Western wear is known for its practicality, and as such, many denim styles are adorned with functional pockets and comfortable cuts that are perfect for all-day wear. Take this stunning denim vest from Mavi, which features front pockets and a straight fit that can be styled in various ways (and will look great in each of them). Whether you choose to store your lip balm in one of the frockets (front pockets) or utilize them for your ID and cards, you will never regret adding this versatile top to your collection.

Quince Women’s Suede Trucker Jacket

It would be wrong to share a list of high-quality Western wear to add to your travel wardrobe without including a buttery soft suede jacket, and this one from Quince is just what your transitional wardrobe needs right now. It’s warm enough to wear as the temperatures continue to dip and rise, but remains lightweight and soft for hot days ahead. And since the trademark of this style is practicality, you can bet that this jacket is equipped with a few functional pockets to hold onto some of your small belongings. 

Livingston Straw Cowboy Hat

Saddle up travelers! To bring your entire Western ensemble together, you need a cowboy hat. This iconic accessory not only exudes a relaxed and cool vibe, but it also serves a practical purpose. Originally designed to protect cowboys from the scorching sun while working outdoors, these hats have now become a versatile (and useful) fashion statement. This utility also lends them as the perfect accessory to shield your face from the sun at the beach, festivals, and beyond. 

This lightweight hat can also travel like a dream with the help of a convenient hat clip . Plus, it gives your outfit more style points than any old baseball cap or sun visor would. 

Steve Madden Women’s Recent Gladiator Sandals

Modern takes on Western wear draw inspiration from classic country accessories like the studded (and classic) concho belt — which are on full display in these Steve Madden sandals. I personally love a strappy gladiator for travel, as I find that they have more support and grip compared to other styles on the market. This pair caught my eye for its stunning look that I know would be a standout at any festival or vacation that I have planned this season.  

Superdown Robyn Strappy Back Top

Plenty of these styles possess a classic and timeless appeal due to their simple yet classy look. However, the recent revival of this style has inspired retailers to think outside of the box and explore incorporating Americana prints, like cowhide, to give a fresh twist to this country craze. For instance, try out this stylish cow print top from Superdown, which will surely make a statement at any music festival or evening event that you have on the schedule. 

Werforu Leather Belt

A true Western-inspired outfit is never truly complete without a concho belt. This $15 one from Amazon is embellished with beautifully etched hardware that’ll effortlessly pull together any look, while remaining understated enough to not cause too much attention. Style it with a pair of vintage wash jeans or wear it with a dress to give yourself some extra waist-cinching magic. 

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Indefinite bridge closure creates traffic trouble for Gunnison County

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GUNNISON COUNTY, Colo. — A bridge on US Highway 50 located between Gunnison and Montrose was immediately shut down by the state's transportation department in both directions of travel after a safety inspection revealed cracking.

After an ongoing safety inspection, the Federal Highway Administration and state bridge engineering experts urged the Colorado Department of Transportation to close the bridge. CDOT closed US 50 between Highway 92 and milepost 138 and only local traffic is allowed through the closure point to reach residences. 

"They shut the bridge down indefinitely and it is the only road between Gunnison and Montrose and will affect travel," said Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie. "It's a very heavily used road, especially for emergency services, transports from the small Gunnison hospital and we have transports that go to Montrose and Grand Junction for treatment."

CDOT directed travelers to plan an alternate route. 

The inspection was required because bridges around the country with similar structures have known issues, said CDOT. 

A defect was first observed during an early investigation and CDOT immediately conducted a second inspection and performed another testing method to determine if the defect posed a safety hazard on the bridge. The second inspection took place on Thursday.

CDOT recommended alternate routes:

This closure will create a significant detour for commuters between Montrose and Gunnison. 

• The recommended detour route for through traffic is via Interstate 70 to the north or US 160 to the south. CDOT said it understands the inconvenience that this creates and is rapidly evaluating options to improve options for residents, businesses, and travelers on the Western Slope. 
• The northern route is 354 miles and requires approximately six hours of travel. 
• The southern route is 331 miles and requires nearly seven hours of travel. CDOT and local partners are exploring if it is feasible to clear local seasonal routes that may be able to help reduce the detour time for local travelers.

Sheriff Mundie said the condition of old mountain roads is not great and not meant for travel, but with improvements they could be good options for local traffic. Another obstacle for county officials to consider is the environmental closures for Gunnison sage grouse habitat protections. 

"These are back country roads, not highway roads," he said. "If we can authorize a way to make the back roads travelable we would look at opening them to locals only, the highway will still be shut down to large trucks and semis - it's the only option to get any transportation out or in."  

The sheriff recalled a bridge closure from last year on Highway 133 just east of Somerset after a big culvert was washed out. Crews put in a temporary bridge before the repairs could be done.

"We are well versed at dealing with bridges being closed and we will find an alternate route as I'm going into a first meeting to try and answer some of those questions," said Murdie. "They had an alternate route for local traffic with a pass system."

Residents were issued a pass they used to get past the closure onto a dirt road constructed to help locals travel around the closure. 

RELATED: Crews at Baltimore bridge collapse continue meticulous work of removing twisted steel and concrete

RELATED: Repairs begin on Jefferson County bridge hit by 'oversized load'

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