best time to road trip out west

How To Plan A Trip Out West in 2024: Your Complete Guide

Oh, the wild west! Whether you want to road trip along the Kenai Peninsula, spot wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, or stroll through the vibrant Grand Canyon, there's much to explore. But with so much scattered around, is it possible to see it all? Let's break down the steps and start planning your next adventure out west.

From navigating the national parks and diving into history-rich museums to feeling the city buzz and dipping into the rugged coastline, you're spoilt for choice. Whether it's a peaceful retreat or an adrenaline-fueled vacation, there's no doubt you'll find it here. 

But with a hefty handful of things to do in the west, how can you squeeze it all in? Maybe you're heading out on a 7-day trip out west, or perhaps you're thinking about a 3-week road trip… This in-depth guide will take you through everything you need to know. Here's how to plan a trip out west! 

Step 1. Decide when you want to head out west 

How many days do you need for a road trip out west? The answer you're looking for depends highly on you. It's about your preferences, travel style, the attractions you want to see, and the activities you want to do. The best time of year to road trip out west can vary greatly depending on these factors. 

Planning a trip out west any time of the year can offer many pros and cons. Each season hosts unique experiences, like shredding on snowy slopes in winter or hiking in spring.  

The west is well-known for its sublime scenery, and an ideal time to explore is during the shoulder seasons. The springtime showcases a wealth of wildflowers as they surge across the snow-melted mountains. In contrast, the fall brings colorful foliage with a few raindrops. The low season offers backpackers more affordable prices on accommodation and flights too! 

The wintertime offers action-packed events and activities for both snow and sports lovers. If you're interested in skiing or snowboarding, now's the time to shine! Prices can soar around Christmas, so it's not ideal for budget travelers. 

The west's summertime boasts hot and dry weather, making it a stellar time for outdoor activities. Tourism is usually at its height this season, so it may not be ideal for those bound to a strict budget. 

Step 2. Create your ideal travel budget 

If you're planning a trip out west, you're probably left thinking, how much will this cost? Now's the time to construct your very own travel budget. It sounds simple and not so appealing, but it's a crucial step to get more bang for your buck. 

When creating your ideal budget, remember to factor in accommodation, transport, flights, rental car hire, food, etc. Every last detail counts! 

The standard daily budget for travelers out west can differ greatly, depending on your travel style. If you're looking to keep it low cost, stay just outside the popular tourist areas and find budget accommodation in advance. If you're planning to hire a car, remember the money for fuel and tollways!  

Traveling has become more affordable in recent years. You can make the most out of your adventures by using these comprehensive  budget travel tips .  

Step 3. Figure out the must-see destinations 

All right! The United States West is home to an inundating inventory of dazzling destinations. Whether you want to lay low in a coastal town or sweat it out in a national park, a lot goes on on this side of the country. If you're heading out on a road trip out west, here are some top destinations you could add to your itinerary: 

• Yosemite National Park 
• Museum of American West in Denver 
• San Francisco city 
• Rocky Mountain National Park 
• Jackson Hole 
• Getty Center in Los Angeles 
• Yellowstone National Park
• Space Needle in Seattle 
• Beaches in California 
• Zion National Park
• Grand Canyon 

Step 4. Establish your route  

How do you plan on getting around? Are you thinking about a 2-week road trip out west, or would you prefer a 5-day visit? Are you driving a car, campervan, or participating in a group trip? 

Whatever your preference is, there really is no right or wrong way to do it. Plan your route out west, and remember to calculate time, cost, and distance. 

Step 5. Figure out your accommodation 

Out west, there is a huge range of accommodation. Depending on your travel tastes, what you choose can vary greatly. When planning a trip out west, you'll encounter everything from budget hostels to luxury resorts. You can also choose between  Airbnb ,  Couchsurfing,  hostels , sharehouses, and hotels. 

Save yourself time by comparing different hotel options on websites like  Hotels.com . You can even sign up to score hotel deals alerts to save extra money.  

 Step 6. Research some activities and attractions 

Now's the time to ask yourself, what are some of the best things to do out west? Maybe you've seen a photo of a canyon you'd like to conquer, a beach you'd like to bathe on, or a desert spa that's calling your name… 

Whatever you're feeling, get it down on paper! Here are some activities to add to your itinerary out west: 

• Kayak through the Emerald Cove
• Hit the dunes of Las Vegas on an ATV tour
• See Palm Springs from above on the aerial tramway  
• Hike through Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park on a day tour  
• Tour the Grand Canyon 
• Hit the heights of Temecula on a hot-air balloon ride   
• Go on a Napa and Sonoma Wine Country full-day tour  

Step 7. Get down to the nitty gritty  

Now that you know how to plan a trip out west, it's time to get down to business. Get your travel visa and documents organized, and make sure you've got travel insurance too. Being prepared in case things go wrong can bring you great peace of mind. If you need help figuring out what's right for you, take a peek at this insider's guide on the  best travel insurance for 2023 .

Step 8. Start packing  

Packing doesn't have to involve running around your room, frantically fumbling through drawers, throwing clothes everywhere, and screaming, "I can't find anything"… In fact, packing can be quite the opposite. All you need to do is stay organized and pack ahead of time. 

Scan over all the items in this  complete vacation packing list  to ensure you've all the necessities. Keep your clothing organized with  packing cubes  and utilize all the room you have. Heck, even stuff socks and underwear into your shoes! 

When planning a trip out west, there are going to be some long hours spent on the road. To help make your life easier and not break the bank, don't forget these travel essentials: 

• Universal Travel Adapter
• Power Bank  
• Water Bottle  
• Travel Wallet  
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones  
• Hiking Shoes  

Why visit the west? 

This part of the United States is home to some of the most unique landscapes on earth. With rolling hilltops, sandy deserts, vibrant cities, and a whole lot more, there is something to satisfy every type of traveler. 

Rural escapes, stunning scenery, crashing coastlines, and more! 

Now that you know how to plan a trip out west, it's time to take off your serious shoes and slip into something a little more comfortable. Pilot can help you plan the most epic trip, so what are you waiting for? Start the countdown now! 

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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How to Plan a Road Trip Out West

Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Grant

Despite the fact that Grant and I live just outside Atlanta, GA, we have done MANY road trips out West. Some of those have been relatively short (1-2 weeks), while others have been a month or longer. So, let’s talk about how we plan a road trip out West (or anywhere else) and give you tips on how you can plan a similar adventure of your own.

We’ve done road trips both with and without our RV. Many aspects of planning an RV road trip are the same as a road trip with just a normal passenger vehicle. But there are some logistics that you should consider if road-tripping with an RV.

I’ll use our 2017 RV road trip that took us all the way to California as my example. This particular trip was about seven weeks long. Yours may be longer or shorter, but the planning stages are the same, regardless of the amount of time spent on the road.

Planning any trip can feel overwhelming, at least in the beginning. Even I get nervous when I start thinking about planning a trip and I’ve planned many trips and generally enjoy doing it.

The key to planning your road trip is to take it one step at a time. Do what you can, when you can and don’t stress about the details until the time comes to think about the details. You can’t figure out what hotel or campground you’re staying at if you don’t know where you’re going. Start with big ideas and then narrow things down from there.

(Disclaimer: When we link to places where you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes that earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our  Review Policy   for more information.)

Choosing Your Road Trip Itinerary

When choosing your itinerary, choose a few big stops that really fuel your passion and get you excited. Then add additional stops in nearby places along the way.

This 2017 itinerary had us on the road for 50 days. That beat our previous “longest road trip to date” by a whopping 12 days. Since then, we’ve typically spent about 6-7 weeks on the road every summer. Yes, both of us being teachers has its advantages when it comes to travel!

We chose this itinerary for several different reasons. Traveling West is truly one of our favorite directions to go. Almost all of our long-term trips have taken us west of the Mississippi River.

In 2016, we forced ourselves to New England for a new adventure. While we loved it, we quickly realized it had been three years since we explored the western frontier in the summer. Quite simply, we were ready to return to our “happy place.”

In planning our itinerary, we considered just about all destinations “out West,” focusing on the West Coast. We considered California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah… You get the idea. Ultimately, we had to narrow things down so that we wouldn’t be moving too much! We decided our main two stops would be Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.

We chose Yosemite because we had not traveled to California together. Not only did we get to add another state to our list, but we got to add one of the most amazing national parks as well. Who wouldn’t be excited about that?

We chose to return to Yellowstone because it is truly one of our favorite destinations in the world. This was our fourth trip there together and we were still very excited. We always love seeing geysers, canyons, wildlife and so much more! It truly never gets old.

Wherever you decide to go, make sure it is something that you are really excited about!

Determining Your Road Trip Route & Details

Once we made the decision on the big stops, it was time to fill in the details and find additional sites to visit. National Park sites fuel many of our road trip routes. We try to string together several sites to make an interesting route, both on the way out and on the way back.

Suggestions for planning your route:

• Use Pinterest to search for interesting ideas.
• Ask coworkers and friends for suggestions.
• Visit family or friends in the area.
• Retrace the steps of a memorable childhood vacation.

Our first real stop after leaving our home in Woodstock, GA was in the Flagstaff, AZ area (after three days of driving). A work colleague told us about Meteor Crater and, with a few Google searches, we were sold!

There are several National Park sites nearby as well, which is always a plus for us. We, of course, also spent some time “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona” while we were in the area.

Another big stop, after Yosemite , was Great Basin National Park . We had considered Great Basin for a few years. Since it is more-or-less between Yosemite and Yellowstone, this worked out perfectly for this trip!

After a trip I took with my dad and sister many years ago, I knew driving the Extraterrestrial Highway across Nevada would be interesting. My research with Google and Pinterest searches also brought up information about Cathedral Gorge State Park. And, just like that, we had an interesting route across Nevada from Yosemite to Great Basin!

Another big stop was western Colorado. It was “on the way back” and allowed us to visit several National Park sites we haven’t seen and see some family.

• Hardcover Book
• National Geographic (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 560 Pages – 10/18/2022 (Publication Date) – National Geographic (Publisher)

Campground or Hotel Reservations

Once you have the route mapped out, it is time to start making reservations. We sometimes struggle with how detailed we should plan things out. When we were tent camping, we could be a bit more spontaneous and wait until the last minute for campgrounds or hotels. We have found we are not comfortable doing that with the trailer and, especially when our cat, Alee, traveled with us.

First, we simply had to find a place with hookups so we could leave Alee during the day. Second, when pulling a trailer, hotels are pretty much off-limits unless they have ample parking. Even if we could park, many hotels do not accept pets, much less cats.

Sadly, we lost Alee, our camping kitty to a tumor in 2019. We miss having her with us at home and on the road.

So, we used to find ourselves planning the details a bit more rigidly than we might really want to. Now that we are traveling without a cat, we do have a little more flexibility. Still, with the rise in popularity of RVing and camping, we often find ourselves making reservations fairly far in advance.

I typically use campground reviews on RV Life , along with Tripadvisor and Campendium to research campgrounds and find us the best place to stay. I also created this document to help me compare campgrounds and pick the right one .

For hotels, we prefer the Hilton chain, where we love earning and redeeming Hilton Honors points . If there isn’t a Hilton hotel in a particular area, we use Tripadvisor to find hotels.

Once I start making campground reservations, I keep a record of everything using my Campground Reservation sheet . This allows me to know exactly what I booked and all the pertinent information of the reservation. This is especially useful for campgrounds, which are less likely to send an email confirmation than a hotel.

National Park or Other Attraction Reservations

Even when visiting national parks these days, you do have to think about timed-entry reservations. There are a few parks, like Arches NP, Rocky Mountain NP and Glacier NP that require reservations to enter some of all areas of the park. Many other sites require reservations for house tours, cave tours or other types of guided tours.

Even some museums and other attractions have begun requiring timed-entry reservations.

As you begin planning your road trip, be sure to check the website of each park or attraction to find out if you need to make advance reservations. Finding out early on that you missed your opportunity to get tickets for a specific park or tour could affect your entire trip.

When it comes to national park reservations, it is important to note that many times only a fraction of tickets are released initially, which is often several months in advance. Additional tickets are often released 1-2 days prior. We had to rely on these “last minute tickets” when visiting Arches in 2022 after the historic flooding forced us to completely cancel our entire summer trip to Yellowstone.

Read my full guide on national parks trip planning here.

When to Make Reservations

If you have more flexibility, you could certainly wait and make at least some of these decisions on the road. How much you plan in advance is totally up to you, your travel style and where you are visiting.

On that note, some places fill up quickly. Do your research and know if you need to book in advance. Yosemite is very popular in the summer, so I made those reservations in December. Others weren’t made until April.

Every destination is different, so do your homework early and know what to expect. And, if you aren’t making reservations in advance, be ready to not have as many choices or possibly even miss a desired stop because there is no availability.

That actually happened to us on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park a few years ago when we were tent camping. We didn’t have a reservation. We visited several campgrounds and hotels and found no vacancies. Cell phone coverage was basically non-existent, so we couldn’t call or do much research.

We ended up driving all the way to the other side of Denver and skipping Rocky Mountain altogether. That is always a risk when you don’t have a reservation.

On the flip side, we once had a three-night reservation at a state park in southwest Montana. Bad conditions, along with the remoteness of the campground, led us to leave early. We ended up moving on after just one night and forfeiting our payment for the other two nights.

That’s one of the fun things about travel: you never know what will happen!

A big consideration for any road trip is the budget. Your budget will often dictate, or at least influence, where you go, how long you are gone, where you stay and much more.

Hopefully, you think about your budget before you start planning. Grant wrote an in-depth article on travel finance, which covers many aspects of budgeting for travel. If you have questions on budgeting, start at Travel Finance 101 .

Budgeting for a long road trip can seem overwhelming. But there is one benefit to a long trip that is sometimes easier to deal with than on a shorter trip: You are able to use your “normal” monthly budget.

Of course, you have fixed bills at home which have to be paid even when you’re away.  Mortgage, car insurance, and electric bills are still due, even when traveling. Sure, you could turn off your cable or internet if you’re gone for a while, but that may not be worth it if you’re just gone a few weeks.

What you can use is your food, gas and entertainment budgets. Those are costs you don’t have to worry about too much (assuming your income is still consistent) since you would be spending money on them anyway. You may even find food or gas costs are lower on the road.

Traveling in a trailer allows us to keep food in a refrigerator and cook meals “at home” even when on the road. This allows us to save money by not having to eat out every meal.

If you want to compare costs on different travel styles, check out this article: Road Trip Styles – A Cost Breakdown . In this article, Grant compares the costs of staying in hotels, tent camping and RV camping.

Read more about how we save money on the road.

Leaving Your House

Of course, leaving your house for several weeks can be nerve-wracking. That is one reason we now live in an apartment (and, previously, a condo). We feel much more at ease when we are traveling knowing there are other people living in the building. If anything goes wrong, they can notify us easily.

If you don’t live in a condo or apartment, you just need to make sure you have a neighbor or friend set up to come by once or twice a week to check on things. How often will depend on what you might need to be done at home and if you are leaving behind any pets.

Even in an apartment with no pets at home, we still need someone to check the mail and just make sure nothing crazy happens. As a thank you, we generally pick up a bottle or two of a local spirit for whoever helped us out.

Complications on the Road

Of course, complications can always happen when you are traveling. That is especially true during a road trip. We’ve had several instances when our truck or camper needed service on the road. We also had to delay a trip because our truck needed service the day before our scheduled departure.

When we visited the Great Lakes region in 2019, we had to cut our trip short because the camper needed substantial repairs. Unfortunately, the same issue caused us problems again in 2021 when in Salt Lake City. Both of those were frustrating, but we handled it.

As mentioned previously, we also had to replan an entire summer trip on the road in 2022. We had made it halfway to Yellowstone when the historic flood of 2022 happened. The park was still closed to all visitors the day we were supposed to arrive for our month-long stay at Fishing Bridge RV Park. Sadly, we had to scrap the entire trip and come up with a new itinerary.

Most recently, our engine had difficulty as we approached Shreveport, LA while returning from a road trip to New Mexico. The good news is that we found a service center to squeeze us in for diagnostics the next morning. The bad news is that we had to leave the truck in Shreveport and rent a car to get us home. On top of that, we had to reschedule a planned trip to Chicago so that we could drive back to pick up the truck.

Complications while road-tripping can always happen. It’s all part of the adventure. You just have to roll with it and make the best of a difficult situation.

Need Help Planning Your RV Road Trip?

If this sounds overwhelming, consider ordering our upcoming book: Moon USA RV Adventures . That’s right! We wrote our first book and it will help simplify this entire planning process!

Moon USA RV Adventures include 25 RV routes all over the country. The itineraries range from less than a week to more than a month and include stops at many of our country’s best national parks, landmarks and other attractions.

Each route includes step-by-step driving directions along with what you should see and do along the way. We provide campground suggestions and reviews, restaurants, grocery stores and more!

• Sinclair, Bonnie (Author)
• 560 Pages – 02/28/2023 (Publication Date) – Moon Travel (Publisher)

Final Thoughts on Planning a Road Trip

We always love a good road trip. But there’s truly something special about a road trip out west. The wide open spaces that you find when you get west of the Mississippi River just aren’t the same on the east coast.

Yes, planning a road trip can be difficult. But it is absolutely worth it.

Not only can you see and do a lot on a road trip, but the drive itself is a huge part of the adventure. We never tire of watching the scenery change as we make our way across the country.

Travel Resources

What do you use to find a flight.

We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start. Click here to search for a flight.

What do you use to find a hotel?

We typically stay at Hilton properties , so we use the Hilton website . You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express. Click here to book a Hilton property.

If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way. Click here to search for a hotel.

We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.

What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?

We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN , or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them. Click here to search for a vacation rental.

Who do you use for rental cars?

As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia . Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct . We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Click here to rent an RV.

What do you use for booking tours?

We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first. Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership. We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there. Click here to get a AAA membership.

11 thoughts on “How to Plan a Road Trip Out West”

Great article! I have now done 13 big cross-country summer road trips with my family and you covered the planning process very well.

Did you like Great Basin? We stopped there a couple years ago and loved it. The pure silence away from the usual sounds of civilization was simply amazing.

Thanks so much! To say we loved Great Basin NP is an understatement. Baker is a neat town to visit and hiking the trails was something to behold. We went out to the nearby archeological site one night to watch the stars come out. WOW! That’s something we just don’t see in the east.

Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and fantastic style and design.

Wow! Thanks so much! We are glad you are enjoying the blog Please let us know if you have any questions… We love talking about travels and helping folks out!

Great article.

I actually had some complications of earlier cars and trucks from Enterprise rent an automobile provider, however lately, together with James assisting me with my own reservation I’ve received everything I desired. Amicable and prepared to support. That’s exactly what I can say regarding their employees. Many thanks and keep on being successful!

Thanks so much, Myrah! I have used Enterprise and Hertz in the past for rental cars. In the past, at least, Enterprise has had a restriction on crossing too many state borders, which would not work for our longer trips. That said, both companies are great in terms of service from my experience.

WOW just what I was looking for.

Excited finding your blog on long road-trips! My husband and I will leave for our first 35 day trip next week and are planning a possible 3 mo trip next summer. We’ve motorhomed for 12 day and less trips but just curious what you’re experience has been moving often. Our upcoming trip has several 3 night stops mixed in but also many harvest host one nighters and lots of 2 nighters. Concerned about how it will feel moving that much. Any thoughts from your experience?

From our experience, the longer we stay in one location, the more we enjoy it. That said, crossing the country means one night stays. We would just say to make sure you build in rest time after long driving days and overnight stops.

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The Ultimate 2024 Itinerary for a Road Trip Out West

Have you ever wondered if there's a perfect road trip itinerary that captures the essence of the American West?

Well, imagine a journey that takes you from the glitz of Los Angeles to the rugged beauty of Yellowstone National Park, with iconic landmarks and hidden gems along the way.

As you follow this meticulously planned route, you'll uncover the natural wonders and rich history of the region, but there's one crucial element that sets this itinerary apart – it's not just about the destinations, but the unforgettable experiences waiting to be had at each stop.

Day 1: Los Angeles to Zion National Park

Start your road trip from Los Angeles to Zion National Park by grabbing a quick breakfast on the go from Pauls Place and hitting the road early to make the most of your day.

As you drive north on the National Road, consider making a stop in Barstow to fill up your gas tank and try the original Del Taco. It's a great way to experience a bit of local flavor and break up the drive. If you're feeling peckish, an optional pit stop at Eddies World for snacks can also be a fun addition to your journey.

Continuing on your drive towards Zion National Park, you'll be treated to stunning views as you head towards the South Canyon. The landscape transforms as you approach the park, offering a taste of the natural beauty that awaits.

To make the most of your time in the park, consider staying at Hurricane KOA, which provides convenient access to the wonders of Zion National Park. This strategic choice will allow you to start your exploration early the next day, ensuring you optimize your visit to this magnificent destination.

Day 2: Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park

As you depart from Zion National Park early in the morning, consider taking a scenic drive towards Bryce Canyon National Park to make the most of your day. The road trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon offers breathtaking views and a chance to soak in the natural beauty of the West Coast.

As you journey along the scenic route, keep an eye out for the stunning vistas of the Grand Canyon, and the mesmerizing landscapes along the Pacific Coast.

Upon reaching Bryce Canyon National Park, make sure to explore the South Rim and take in the awe-inspiring sights of the hoodoos. Don't miss the opportunity to hike the Queens Garden Trail, which offers an up-close encounter with the unique rock formations.

Lastly, take a leisurely drive along the park's loop road, allowing you to revel in the captivating beauty of the natural wonders that Bryce Canyon has to offer.

This day promises to be a truly unforgettable experience.

Day 3: Bryce Canyon & Capitol Reef National Parks

As you start Day 3 of your road trip, get ready to witness the mesmerizing hoodoos and rock formations at Bryce Canyon National Park. The natural amphitheaters and spire-shaped rock formations will leave you in awe as you hike through the park.

Then, hit the scenic byway to Capitol Reef National Park and take in the unique geological features as you drive through.

Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos

When visiting Bryce Canyon National Park on Day 3 of your road trip, prepare to be mesmerized by the tall, thin spires of rock known as Hoodoos, creating a stunning and otherworldly landscape.

The Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon are a sight to behold, offering a unique and surreal experience. As you hike among these natural wonders, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of geological artistry.

The interplay of light and shadow during sunrise and sunset adds a touch of magic to the already breathtaking scenery.

Exploring Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos is an adventure that will leave you spellbound and inspired, a journey through time and nature's grandeur.

The sheer beauty and intricate formations will evoke a sense of wonder and awe, making it an unforgettable highlight of your visit to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive

Embark on a scenic drive through Capitol Reef National Park, where vibrant sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations await your discovery on Day 3 of your road trip.

Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive offers access to a variety of hiking trails, including the Hickman Bridge Trail and the Capitol Gorge Trail.

As you make your way along the National Road, keep an eye out for ancient petroglyphs and the charming orchards from the historic Fruita area.

This drive provides an excellent opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes and geological features of Capitol Reef National Park.

For the best views, plan to visit during sunset or sunrise when the dramatic lighting and shadows enhance the beauty of the scenery.

It's a must-see stop on your ultimate 2024 road trip out West.

Hiking Trails Highlights

Day 3 of your road trip out West brings you to the hiking trails highlights of Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, where you can continue your exploration of stunning landscapes and unique geological features. As you lace up your hiking boots, get ready to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of these parks.

The hiking trails offer a chance to witness the breathtaking vistas and diverse landscapes, making for an unforgettable experience. Here are a few highlights to look forward to:

• Discover the beauty of Capitol Reef National Park by hiking through its scenic trails and experiencing its unique geological features.
• Don't miss the opportunity to hike the famous Navajo Loop Trail at Bryce Canyon, offering incredible views of the hoodoos and natural amphitheaters.
• Consider exploring the lesser-known but equally spectacular hiking trails in Capitol Reef, such as the Cassidy Arch Trail and the Hickman Bridge Trail.

Day 4: Dinosaur National Monument & Flaming Gorge Dam

Upon arriving at Dinosaur National Monument and Flaming Gorge Dam, you'll be immersed in the fascinating world of fossils, petroglyphs, and breathtaking natural beauty. To make sure you have plenty of time to explore, start your day early and take the scenic National Road along the rim of the monument. This will lead you to various places to visit within the National Monument.

Rent a car to ensure you have the flexibility to stop and admire the stunning views along the way. Once you reach Flaming Gorge Dam, the best time to visit is during the morning or late afternoon to capture the beautiful reflections on the water. If there's an option, consider taking a guided tour to gain insights into the dam's history and engineering marvels.

Afterward, head to the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hiking. Don't miss the chance to take a boat tour or go rafting on the Green River. Lastly, visit the Red Canyon Overlook for stunning views and potential wildlife sightings before crossing the US state line.

Day 5: Casper, Wyoming & Mammoth Site

When you arrive in Casper, Wyoming on day 5 of your road trip, you'll have the opportunity to explore the city's rich pioneer history and historic trails.

Then, head to the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota to witness the incredible discovery of mammoth fossils and other prehistoric creatures. The guided tours at the Mammoth Site will give you a deeper understanding of the unique geology and ongoing excavation efforts.

Casper's Historical Significance

Casper, Wyoming's historical significance as a crucial stop on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails during the westward expansion of the United States is undeniable. The city played a pivotal role in the development of the American West, serving as a hub for trade, transportation, and communication.

Here's why Casper's historical significance will leave you in awe:

• The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper provides insights into the trials and tribulations faced by pioneers during their arduous journeys.
• Casper's connection to the Pony Express and the establishment of the first telegraph station in the Wyoming Territory showcases its pivotal role in shaping the nation's history.
• The nearby Mammoth Site offers a unique and important site for paleontological research, with a fossil bed featuring over 100 mammoth skeletons, providing a glimpse into the prehistoric past.

Casper's historical significance is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and the pioneering drive that shaped the American West.

Mammoth Fossils Discovery

Casper's historical significance extends to the present day with the remarkable Mammoth Fossils Discovery waiting to captivate you in Casper, Wyoming.

As part of your ultimate 2024 road trip itinerary out west, this stop at the Mammoth Site offers a unique opportunity to witness paleontological discoveries in action. Explore the rich history of mammoth fossils and immerse yourself in an educational experience about prehistoric creatures and their environment.

The site provides insight into the ancient giants that once roamed the earth, making it a must-see attraction for any road trip enthusiast. Don't miss the chance to learn about these magnificent creatures and the fascinating discoveries that have been made at this extraordinary location.

The Mammoth Fossils Discovery is an essential section of your westward journey.

Day 6: The Black Hills & Mt. Rushmore

Start your day by visiting the Black Hills and witnessing the iconic Mount Rushmore. As you drive through the Western US, take the time to soak in the panoramic vistas of the Black Hills and explore the grandeur of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Marvel at the colossal sculptures of former U.S. presidents, feeling a deep sense of patriotism and historical significance. Admire the intricate artistry and craftsmanship of the Mount Rushmore sculptures, recognizing the immense dedication and skill that went into creating this national treasure.

After spending time at Mount Rushmore, make sure to explore the state parks and hiking trails in the Black Hills, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the region. Take a moment to reflect on the historical and cultural importance of this site, and consider the impact of these monumental sculptures on the American identity.

This one day in the Black Hills will leave you with lasting memories of an unforgettable stop on your road trip through the Western US.

Day 7: Badlands National Park & Deadwood

After immersing yourself in the historical significance of Mount Rushmore, continue your journey by exploring the stunning landscapes of Badlands National Park and experiencing the Wild West charm of Deadwood on Day 7 of your road trip itinerary out West.

When driving through Badlands National Park, make sure to stop and take in the breathtaking views from Badlands Loop Road. This scenic route offers panoramic vistas of the park's dramatic rock formations and rugged beauty. Consider exploring some of the park's trails to get up close to its unique geology and diverse wildlife. Joining a guided tour can provide deeper insights into the park's fascinating history and geology.

In Deadwood, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere filled with lively saloons, casinos, and a dose of Old West charm. Take a stroll through the historic town and visit the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickok. The town's rich Wild West history comes to life as you wander through its streets.

Day 8: Devils Tower & Yellowstone National Park

Upon arriving at Devils Tower, you'll be captivated by its unique geological formations and rich cultural significance. As you drive up to this iconic monolith, you'll be in awe of its sheer size and the way it juts out from the surrounding landscape. Take the time to explore the area and appreciate the spiritual and cultural importance it holds for Native American tribes.

After soaking in the wonder of Devils Tower, it's time to head to Yellowstone National Park. The drive will be filled with anticipation as you prepare to encounter the natural marvels awaiting you.

• Witness the impressive geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife that make Yellowstone National Park a one-of-a-kind destination.
• Hike around Yellowstone's Grand Canyon and be awestruck by the stunning Lower Falls, a sight that will stay with you long after you've left.
• Keep your eyes peeled for unique wildlife such as bison, elk, and grizzly bears, and revel in the opportunity to observe these creatures in their natural habitat.

Yellowstone National Park is a fitting continuation of your ultimate road trip out West, offering a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions How Many Days Do You Need for a West Coast Road Trip?

You'll need at least 2 weeks for a West Coast road trip and 1 week for the Pacific Coast Highway. Consider 2-week blocks for a 2-month itinerary. Rent a campervan for flexibility and explore national parks from Phoenix or Las Vegas.

How Do I Plan an Ultimate Road Trip?

Want to plan the ultimate road trip? Start by setting clear objectives, researching routes, and scheduling key stops. Consider vehicle size and necessary supplies. Don't forget to inform someone about your travel plans for safety.

How Long Does the Ultimate Road Trip Take?

You'll cover over 2 months with 2-week blocks for manageability, averaging 27 hours of drive time and 2500 km per week. Stops at national parks and attractions offer flexibility for exploring and sightseeing at each destination.

How Many Days Do You Need for a Cross Country Road Trip?

You'll need about 2-4 weeks for a cross-country road trip, allowing 3-4 days in each major location. Strategic planning can create a shorter trip, focusing on specific highlights and cutting down travel time.

As you head back to LA, reflecting on the incredible sights and experiences of your road trip out west, you can't help but wonder what other hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes await your next adventure.

The memories of hiking through national parks, marveling at iconic landmarks, and immersing yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors will stay with you forever.

Who knows what other amazing discoveries lie ahead on your future journeys?

Stay tuned for more epic road trip adventures.

Farrukh Khurshid, Editor and Founder of Exploring Leisure is a seasoned traveler and writer with a passion for exploring the world's many wonders. With a keen eye for the beauty and diversity of different cultures, Farrukh brings a wealth of experience to the Exploring Leisure blog. His love for journeying to new destinations is matched only by his eagerness to share insights and stories with fellow travel enthusiasts. Whether it's the bustling streets of a city or the serene landscapes of the countryside, Farrukh's vivid descriptions and practical tips inspire readers to embark on their own adventures. Join him on Exploring Leisure as he continues to traverse the globe, one incredible place at a time.

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13 Amazing Days Out West: US Road Trip Itinerary

Looking to create a jam-packed itinerary and see a bunch of national parks out West in the United States? Look no further!

In May 2021, I took a road trip with my travel buddy, Doug, and one of his friends. We explored SIX different states and saw SIX different national parks in just 13 days. It was an exhausting but ever so rewarding trip.

To save you the time in creating a road trip itinerary for yourself, check out ours to use or use as a starting point to plan your own version of this road trip!

Day 1: Las Vegas, Nevada

Fly into Las Vegas, Nevada. Enjoy the Las Vegas Strip and nightlife for a fun and exciting start to the road trip!

Day 2: Las Vegas, Nevada

You’ll probably need a recovery day after your flight/nightlife adventures. Hang by the pool at your hotel and get that tan started.

To save yourself some time tomorrow when the road trip officially starts, go pick up your rental car. The LV Strip is extremely close to the LV airport, so you can take a cheap taxi or Uber there to pick up your car.

Day 3: Las Vegas, Nevada to Flagstaff, Arizona

Today is a jam-packed sightseeing day on the road trip! We’re going to make a few stops along our journey from Las Vegas to our final destination in Flagstaff.

When you’re leaving Las Vegas, make a quick stop at the infamous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign .

About a half hour from Las Vegas, you’ll be able to make a tiny detour and see the Hoover Dam ! Park your car, and take a quick walk over the pathway to take in the full sight. It’s quite marvelous.

Drive two more hours and welcome to Arizona. First stop in Arizona is Oatman . This town is something straight out of a movie. It is your typical old west town and there are donkeys roaming around the streets. Yup. Donkeys. This is one of the many stops along the famous Route 66.

About one hour further down Route 66 there is a cute rest stop called Hackberry General Store . They’ve got souvenirs and snacks and super clean bathrooms , which is a must while on a long road trip.

Three more hours in the car and you’ve arrived in Winslow, Arizona . Another town along Route 66. This one made famous from The Eagles’ song “Take it Easy”. This is the place to stop for some lunch. There is a 50s style restaurant called the Sipp Shoppe right across the street from the Eagles’ corner that has some great and affordable options.

Also in Winslow, there is the Meteor Crater , which is essentially just a giant hole in the ground, but still a pretty neat spot if you’re willing to spend $22pp on this giant hole.

Last stop for the day is Flagstaff, Arizona. There’s plenty to do here, but a must stop is the Lowell Observatory . This is a late night activity, so get a good nap in before, but it is a relaxing way to end your evening in Flagstaff.

Day 4: Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village

Rise and shine! Hop in the car and drive two hours to the Grand Canyon Village. Grand Canyon Village is about 10 minutes from the South Rim Entrance of the Grand Canyon . This one is pretty self-explanatory. You can hike, eat, or just admire the beauty of the Grand Canyon for the rest of the day.

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Another day in the Grand Canyon… Again, self-explanatory…

Day 6: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico

A decent amount of driving is on the schedule today, so plan to get up on the early side. We’re back on Route 66 now, and three hours of driving will bring you to Holbrook, Arizona , which is known for their dinosaurs. Basically there are dinosaur statues everywhere. Spoiler alert: they’re underwhelming.

Right outside of Holbrook is Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Dessert . Driving through and making stops throughout the park will leave you speechless.

Once you’re done staring at the colors of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, hop in the car and drive three hours east to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the night.

I recommend staying at Hotel Albuquerque Old Town. There is a Mexican restaurant right in the hotel that is to die for. You’ll thank me later.

Day 7: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Alamosa, Colorado

A fun morning in Albuquerque ahead, so fill your bellies with a delicious breakfast at Frontier Restaurant . Get anything with a tortilla. They’re made in house, and are perfect. Me and Doug still talk about them.

After breakfast indulge in a self-guided Breaking Bad tour . Starting at the Breaking Bad Store. Check out sites such as Dog House Drive In and Walter & Skylar’s house, but beware of the homeowners here. There is a woman who sits on a lawn chair on the front lawn with signs and threatening to call the cops at everyone taking pictures of her house.  

After the tour, drive approximately 4 hours to Alamosa, Colorado. Alamosa is the closest city to Great Sand Dunes National Park . This is the perfect late afternoon activity since the sun isn’t as strong. Pack your goggles and tie up your hair, because it can get WINDY.

Back in Alamosa, there is a delicious Thai restaurant called Siam Cuisine to end the evening at.  

Day 8: Alamosa, Colorado to Denver, Colorado

Alamosa has a bunch of chain restaurants to indulge in as well. One of my personal favorites, IHOP was our choice for breakfast before the four-hour drive to Denver, Colorado.

Spend the day enjoying the city. There is plenty to do. For lunch, enjoy a half-yard of beer at The Yard House with a delicious Bavarian pretzel too.

For dinner, head to Avanti , which is a pretty unique place in my opinion! It’s open seating, so first-come first-serve. There are waiters and waitresses wandering around to take your drink orders, but the food is all different stations/restaurants that you can order from by just walking over to whichever one you’re in the mood for! Pretty neat.

Day 9: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Another day another national park! Today is Rocky Mountain National Park , which is about 1.5 hours away from Denver, Colorado. It’s actually much closer to Boulder if you’re looking to stay in a closer city.

Take in the mountain views and hike around the trails and lakes. It’s one of the most beautiful, serene places out there. That’s coming from someone who doesn’t like snow and the mountains were covered in it.

Day 10: Denver, CO to Moran, Wyoming

Today is a road trip day. Pack the car with lots of snacks and make a good playlist. We have eight hours ahead from Denver to Moran, Wyoming, where we’ll be staying for our next few national parks.

The drive from Denver to Wyoming may be long but it is absolutely beautiful, so don’t dread it!

Once you arrive, settle into the Hatchet Resort , where you’ll feel nothing but comfortable. It’s a really homey little place, and I cannot recommend it enough. Hatchet is about 30 minutes from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. To get there you have to drive through Grand Teton National Park (don’t worry you’re not charged for this section), so the drive is unbelievably gorgeous and will leave you speechless.

Jackson Hole has some amazing restaurants to choose from and some great shopping. It’s a wonderful down to relax and wind down in after that long day in the car.

Day 11: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone is a bit of a drive from Moran, but Moran is the closest place to the Wyoming entrance. It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to arrive at the Yellowstone National Park entrance .

Heads up!!!! You HAVE to drive through and PAY for Grand Teton National Park if you are entering Yellowstone through Wyoming. This isn’t a problem for the annual pass holders of course, but if you are paying per park, each one is $35 to enter, so that’ll be a $70 day just to enter the park. Plan wisely.

Visit the famous Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring ! Take in all of the colors and smells of the springs. That’s right, did you know sulfur smells terrible because if not, you’ll learn really quick.

There’s an abundance to see in Yellowstone, so ensure you pick your spots and plan it out well to not waste anytime.

Day 12: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming to Salt Lake City, UT

Grand Teton National Park is an absolutely majestic place to see, and even though you drove through it to get to Yellowstone and drove by it each trip into Jackson Hole, I recommend taking a few hours to drive around the park itself.

You can see some more bison wandering around, an adorable family of grizzlies , and even a fox or two!

Make a stop at Jenny Lake and admire the glacier-blue, crystal-clear waters. Your whole world will stand still when you see the beauty here.

Once you’re done in Grand Teton, hop in the car and start your 5-hour journey to Salt Lake City, Utah.

This part can be adjusted, and I honestly recommend it to be. Flights out of Jackson Hole were not doable for us this time around so we went to SLC for better flight options, but you don’t have to.

Day 13: Salt Lake City, UT

Before heading to the airport, make a stop at Red Butte Gardens . The colors and aroma of the flowers is the perfect relaxing activity before boarding that plane. There are plenty of different flowers and plants to see. You might even see a bunny hopping around!

Grab some lunch and head to the airport. It’s time to go home and tell all of your family and friends about your amazing road trip out west!! 

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So glad you,re back!! You did something that I always wanted to do but didn,t. To this day I still regret it. however,you are keeping my dream alive with all your blogs and I sincerely want to thank you and say to you keep them coming!!

I am so happy that I can keep your dream alive for you! I promise to keep the content coming and interesting!! xoxo

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30 Gorgeous West Coast Road Trip Routes You Gotta See to Believe

Posted on Published: January 31, 2023  - Last updated: December 18, 2023

Ready for an epic road trip adventure through the American west? From amazing coastal views to stunning national parks, the western part of the USA has some truly unbelievable landscapes. If you’re looking for the best west coast road trip – here’s 30 routes you’ll absolutely love.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my  disclosures .

Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely drive over a long weekend or plan an amazing adventure covering a lot of ground over 2 weeks, this list has a bit of everything.

Visit charming towns along the California and Oregon coast. Go hiking in the national parks out west and catch views of dramatic landscapes. Rugged coasts, dense forests, wide open spaces and outta-this-world desert scenes, you’re about to find your perfect road trip out west in this guide .

Let’s dive in!

Must-see video: west coast road trips

West coast road trip map

This map includes highlights of some of the destinations on the west coast road trip itineraries below. Check out the full guide on each destination below!

Oh and by the way, I haven’t been everywhere (yet), so I’ve called in some help from some fellow travel writers to create these epic itineraries. Enjoy!

Essentials for your Road Trip USA west coast

Before we dive into the list of awesome road trips, make sure you’re prepared by packing the right gear. Here are some suggestions to make your road trip go smoothly.

• Collapsable cooler. Perfect for if you’re flying to a destination for a road trip, or just to store when you’re not using it. A collapsable cooler keeps your drinks and food cool, too.
• Appropriate clothing for weather. From tank tops to a winter coat, be sure to check the weather before you go and take the appropriate layers. If you’re hiking, this is my favorite medium hiking coat , rain jacket and sun hat .
• Emergency items like satellite communicator and first aid kit . We all think it will never happen to us – until it does! This 2-way satellite communicator comes with me on all road trips and hiking adventures. Take this first aid kit for your car or pack it for day hikes.

• GoPro. Capture the best photos and videos of the road (while another adult is driving) or take it for underwater adventures and swimming. This GoPro goes with me on every trip!
• Reusable water bottles. Pack one or two for each person to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles. Refill at restaurants, hotels and clean water stations at national parks.
• Right hiking gear. If you’re visiting any of the national parks in the west and stepping foot out of your car, you’ll want the right gear to be comfortable. These are my favorite hiking shoes , hiking socks , trekking poles and hiking backpack that accompany me to any hiking destination.

By the way, if you’ll need to rent a car for this adventure, try searching Discover Cars first. It’s free to use, the site searches the major car companies and I typically save 10-30% using Discover Cars .

US west coast road trip

Gahhh! I’m so excited for you! Epic adventures await on a west coast road trip. Starting off with a few of my favorites…

1. Oregon Coast road trip

Distance: 745 miles Recommended time: 5-10 days Best time of year: May through October

The Oregon Coast is perfect for road trips, with 363-miles of stunning coastlines and more than 15 not-to-be missed towns.

It’s perfect for a choose-your-own-adventure kind of trip, to accommodate your interests and the amount of time you have to spare. But if you have some flexibility, you could easily spend a week and a half exploring the coastline.

Start your trip in Portland and make your way to the northern portion of the Oregon coast. Cannon Beach should absolutely be on your bucketlist, home to the iconic sea stack, Haystack Rock. Here, you can explore tidepools, keep a lookout for puffins in the summertime, and have a bonfire right on the sand. 

Making your way south, stop at Pacific City Beach, which offers sweeping sand dunes and epic rock formations at Cape Kiwanda . If you’re brave, this is an excellent spot to take on the chilly Pacific waves at a surf lesson- it’s one of the most popular places along the coast to catch a wave!

Continuing south, the town of Florence has a charming historic downtown, with ice cream parlors and salt-water taffy stores. Florence is also home to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area , a 40-mile stretch of rolling sand dunes that has earned the town the name “Sandboarding Capital of the World.”

At the southern tip of the Oregon Coast, you’ll find the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor in Brookings. This recreation area has rugged sea stacks, secluded beaches, and some of the most jaw-dropping vistas you’ll find on the West Coast.

Finally, make your way back to Portland, completing the 745-mile loop around the western portion of the state.

Summer is absolutely the best time to head to the Oregon Coast , thanks to the pleasant weather and clear skies. If you want to avoid the crowds, though, early fall (late September and early October) can be a good time to get most of the attractions to yourself and snag some decent deals on accommodations.

The Oregon Coast from Portland is certainly worthy of being on this list: road trip USA west coast!

Recommended by Jessica of Uprooted Traveler

2. Pacific Coast Highway road trip: San Francisco to San Diego

Distance: 615+ miles Recommended time: 3-10 days Best time of year: November through April

You’ll want to keep this west coast road trip itinerary! The drive from San Francisco to San Diego, California is absolutely stunning.

From the rugged, untouched coast of Big Sur to the sandy beaches of Southern California and charming towns in between, this is a bucket list road trip, for sure!

Fly into San Francisco and rent a car , drive the coast and fly back out of San Diego. You can do this trip in as little as 3 days, but 7-10 days is recommended.

There are over 30 fabulous stops on a San Francisco to San Diego road trip , so you’ll never run out of things to do.

Starting in San Francisco, be sure to visit the Golden Gate Bridge and hike the Land’s End Trail for spectacular views of the bay. Next up is Monterey, where you can shop and dine in the historic Cannery Row, or visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium .

There are plenty of things to do with kids in Monterey too, making this road trip option one of the best on this list for families.

A must-see along this US west coast road trip is Carmel-by-the-Sea. Charming architecture met with great beaches, this is a fun stop. This is a great spot for an overnight stay , because Big Sur is next and there’s not very many accommodations for a few hundred miles.

Fill up on gas in Carmel-by-the-Sea before hitting the road to Big Sur. This undeveloped stretch of land is where cliffs meet the ocean, where whale watching, sea lions and sea otters are prominent nearly year round.

There are so many things to do in Big Sur that every vacation style will love this region. Be sure to stop by the Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls and Sand Dollar Beach.

As you make your way through Southern California, the charming towns of San Luis Obispo and Solvang make way for Malibu, Huntington Beach, La Jolla and finally to San Diego.

Ideally, you could spend 2 days in San Diego , visiting the highlight including Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego , the Gaslamp District and Coronado Beach.

This fun-filled road trip can be done any time of year. The Big Sur coast sees a lot of marine fog during the summer and early fall months, so winter and spring are the best times for views and the fewer crowds.

Recommended by me – Nikki of Inspired Routes

3. Washington National Parks

Distance: 600+ miles Recommended time: 7 – 14 days Best time of year: June through September

If you’re looking to see some of the most beautiful views on the western part of the United States, then a Washington state national parks road trip is a must!

On this trip, you’ll see the sites and hear the sounds of Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades National Parks, as well as see the Rainy City, Seattle.

Start the road trip in Mount Rainier, hit Olympic second, and then make your way towards North Cascades for a long , but totally worth it road trip. 

This trip can quickly become over 600 miles, so it’s recommended to have at least a week to complete it, but having 10 to 14 days is more ideal.

Starting in Mount Rainier, it’s a must to visit the Paradise area of the park, and spend some time hiking the trails, such as the Skyline Trail . The Nisqually Vista trail is one of the best beginner trails in the state.

After you’ve spent time enjoying the best things to do in Mt Rainier National Park , head north towards Olympic National Park. Start your visit on the western half, along the Pacific Coast. Visit Ruby and Rialto Beaches before heading to Hurricane Ridge.

From here, drive out of the park and stop in Seattle before the last leg of the trip. Spending just one day in Seattle , you can see the highlights like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Be sure to take one of the Pike Place Market food tours while you’re in town!

North Cascades is your final destination, where you’ll be greeted with towering peaks. See the fabulous Diablo Lake and Washington Pass Overlook. Embark on the Maple Pass Hike or to Blue Lake.

Because this Washington road trip is through many mountains, it’s best done in the summer, as many roads close in the winter.

If you’re flying in, it’s best to fly into Seattle and then rent a car there. And don’t forget your America the Beautiful parks pass , as you’ll get good use out of it on this trip!

Recommended by Kassidy of The Hiking Helper

4. Anchorage to Seward, Alaska (one of the most scenic on this list of road trip USA west coast)

Distance: 125 miles Recommended time: 2+ days Best time of year: April through September

The drive from Anchorage to Seward Alaska is arguably among the most beautiful stretches of road in the USA. On a map the distance between these two cities is just 125 miles, but with all the stunning views and beautiful places along the way it takes much longer than 2 hours to drive.

This road trip follows the Old Seward Highway which traces Turnagain Arm, a waterway that forms the northern boundary of the Cook Inlet off of the Gulf of Alaska.

On one side of the road is deep blue water with snow-capped mountains in the distance and on the other side are the stunning forest-covered Chugach Mountains with endless hiking trails to explore. Beluga whales can be spotted along this section from July through August.

Once you reach the town of Portage, the highway crosses onto the Kenai Peninsula, where the small harbor town of Seward is located. Here you will find Kenai Fjord National Park , which is accessible by both land and water. By land, hike up to Exit Glacier or, by water, spend a day on a glacier cruise into the park.

Other great places to stop on this road trip from Anchorage to Seward include the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the Alyeska aerial tram in Girdwood and a boat ride to Portage Glacier in Portage.

This road trip is best in the warmer months, from April through September. Beginning in October, many businesses and tours begin shutting down for the season. Seward is a charming town to stay in with many lodging options ranging from hotels, quaint cabins by the water and bed and breakfasts.

This Alaskan adventure is undoubtedly one of the best west coast road trip itineraries!

Recommended by Susan of This Big Wild World

5. Arizona road trip: Phoenix to Tucson

Distance: 110+ miles Recommended time: 3+ days Best time of year: spring or fall

This US west coast road trip is based in Arizona, and you’re certainly in for a treat!

While Phoenix may be the official capital of Arizona, Tucson is the outdoor hub of the state. One hundred and twelve miles to the southeast of Phoenix, Tucson’s surrounded by mountains, saguaros and the only National Park protecting the sacred Saguaros – Saguaro National Park. 

The drive on Interstate 10 isn’t much to write home about, but when you begin to close in on the Tucson City limits, the fun begins. You’ll first reach the western half of Saguaro National Park, a pristine landscape covered in cacti.

This part is geared toward photographers and those without the need for handholding. It’s best viewed at sunset when Arizona’s famed skies put on a show.

After sunset, continue into the city for delicious Mexican food and your lodging. The following day you can explore Tucson , drive the 50 minutes up to Mt Lemmon, a 9,000+ foot goliath casting its shadow over Tucson, or head to the eastern end of town for the second half of Saguaro National Park.

If you choose the park, know it’s more developed, mountainous (trails go as high as 8,000+ feet), and has a visitor center. The eastern part is perfect for families and those looking for a moderate day hike. The main area isn’t large but offers a nice loop drive with various trailheads to start your walks.

If you’re visiting in the warmer months and looking to escape the heat, Mt. Lemmon is your best friend. On average, the top of the mountain offers visitors a 22-degree reprieve from the heat below . Here, you’ll find miles and miles of hiking and mountain biking.

After your adventure, stop by the famous Cookie Cabin for delicious pizza and an even more tasty Pizookie. Then, on your way down, stop by Windy Point and take in the sunset. Tucson’s known for putting on the best sky magic in the southwest. 

Lastly, be careful while driving on Mt. Lemmon’s scenic byway. It’s curvy and a favorite of cyclists in the area. 

Recommended by Alec of Explore with Alec

6. San Francisco to Yosemite (iconic west coast road trip route)

Distance: 212 miles Recommended time: 2+ days Best time of year: May through September

Visiting Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular weekend trips from San Francisco, and is a fantastic option for one of the best west coast road trips itineraries!

A scenic road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite is the best way to enjoy the area. The most scenic route to  Yosemite from San Francisco  takes CA-99 S and CA-140 E and goes through the towns of Merced, Mariposa, and Midpines to the Arch Rock Entrance of Yosemite National Park. 

The distance between San Francisco and Yosemite NP via this scenic route is just over 200 miles, and the average driving time is about 4.5 hours. 

However, making stops in Merced, Mariposa and Midpines on the way to Yosemite is a must-do. Therefore, choose to spend an extended weekend in Yosemite instead of a weekend.

Merced, called the “Gateway to Yosemite’, is about 130 miles away from San Francisco. Make a stop in Merced and do wine tasting at Vista Ranch , see the historic Merced County Courthouse Museum and visit the fabulous Merced Antique Mall. 

After a break in Merced, head to Mariposa, only 37 miles from Merced. The town Mariposa is such a charming Gold Rush town.

You might enjoy staying overnight in Mariposa . Choose a 2-hour zipline adventure at Yosemite Ziplines & Adventure Ranch from the mountain in Polaris Rangers to Downtown Mariposa. Afterward, indulge in delicious bites at Charles Street Dinner House and explore fantastic Mariposa wineries like Casto Oaks Fine Wine and Art and the Butterfly Creek Winery.

Continue to Yosemite after Mariposa, but make a break in Midpines, which is only 12 mi southwest of El Portal in Yosemite. Midpines is a lovely place for picnicking, swimming, rafting and fishing.

After Midpines, head to Yosemite. The stylish Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite is in Buck Meadows and on the way from Midpines to Yosemite Valley. Check-in at your room and start exploring the marvelous Yosemite National Park.

El Capitan, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point viewpoint, Fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias await you! 

The best time to visit Yosemite is from May to September. 

Recommended by Milijana of World Travel Connector 

7. Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon

Distance: 726 miles Recommended time: 3+ days Best time of year: spring or fall

One of the best road trips in the western USA is  Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon . Because Las Vegas airport has so many connections and fairly cheap flights, many people like to fly into Las Vegas and explore from there.

This road trip starts in Vegas and explores some of the amazing destinations northern Arizona and southern Utah has to offer.

You can do this road trip as a loop, or as a there-and-back trip. Starting out at Vegas head west towards Flagstaff and along the way you can stop off and enjoy Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Kingman Arizona.

From Flagstaff head north towards the Grand Canyon, one of the best stops on this road trip. After checking out the Grand Canyon, head north to Page, Arizona, which is a great stop-over city to spend the night.

The next morning head out to explore all the best sights near Page, such as Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. After touring these incredible places, you can start heading towards Zion National Park.

After hiking some incredible trails inside the park, grab a hotel room in Springdale , just outside Zion. The next day head out back towards Las Vegas, while stopping at Valley of Fire State Park on your way back.

Of course you can spend longer at any of these destinations, but if you’re short on time this road trip can be done in 3 days . 

The best time to do this road trip is in spring or fall. In the summer it can be incredibly hot in this part of the country. Zion in particular is one of the best national parks to visit in May , if you can arrange for it.

The winter is a great option if you really want to avoid the crowds, but some trails and roads could be closed so keep that in mind. Don’t forget to buy your Antelope Canyon tickets in advance, as they sell out really fast.

Recommended by Jessica of Unearth the Voyage

8. Utah national parks road trip

Distance: 878+ miles Recommended time: 5 – 14 days Best time of year: anytime

One of the best American west coast road trip adventures is through the Mighty 5 in Utah. A stunning display of nature and endless views greet you on a Utah national parks road trip .

It’s best to start this road trip by flying into Salt Lake City and departing from Las Vegas. Rent a car, RV or camper van to explore these amazing national parks.

From Salt Lake City, travel about 4 hours to Moab. There, you’ll have access to Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Ideally, you’d have a few days to explore each park. But you can see quite a bit with just one day in Arches National Park .

Hike to Delicate Arch, the most famous arch in the world! Visit the Devil’s Playground, where you’ll see multiple arches in a short distance. The last major stop within the park is The Windows, where you see the huge Double Arch.

Canyonlands National Park has expansive views with many overlooks and hiking trails. The Mesa Arch Trail is a short walk to an arch overlooking the canyon, and perfect for a sunrise adventure. Be sure to check out the views at Grand View Point Overlook, Green River Overlook and White Rim Overlook.

The journey to Capital Reef is a fun drive along Utah Scenic Byway 24. Once there, be sure to check out the Fruita Historic District, Hike the Hickman Bridge Trail and take the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.

For out-of-this-world views, you’ll love Bryce Canyon National Park. Check out the viewpoints at Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. This park has a shuttle system that’s convenient and prevents congestion within the park.

Be sure to take the shuttle to Sunrise Point, where you can start a phenomenal 3.2 mile hike, the Queens Garden Trail and Navajo Loop . Walk through the funky hoodoos into the base of the amphitheater. So fun!

The last park on this US west coast road trip is Zion. This is one of the most visited national parks in the USA, and for good reason! Massive canyon views surround you throughout the park.

Take the Zion shuttle to hike The Narrows, or apply for a permit to hike Angels Landing . For a low-key trip to Zion with kids , you could hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, Emerald Pools or Pa’rus Trail.

After your visit to the Mighty 5 in Utah, take the 2.5 hour drive to Las Vegas. Fly out directly or spend a day or two exploring Vegas and the area’s many attractions.

Want to see more of Las Vegas? Check out what you must do in Vegas for first timers .

9. Salt Lake City to Yellowstone (perfect US west coast road trip)

Distance: 321+ miles Recommended time: 3+ days Best time of year: May through September

Salt Lake City is a beautiful place to start your road trip to Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains, breathtaking views will greet you from the get-go.

The drive from Salt Lake City to the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park is 321 miles and takes 5 hours to drive via I-15N. It’s one of the best west coast road trips USA!

If you’d prefer a more scenic route, consider taking a longer trip to the south entrance of the park through Jackson, Wyoming, via Highway 89. This longer loop (SLC to Yellowstone and back to SLC) includes 12 hours of road time, covering 734 miles.

Whether you have a few days to spare or all week, take this trip at your own pace.

The scenic drive from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone detours through Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is a popular ski resort and has a charming wild west feel to the town.

If you’re looking for lodging in Jackson, consider staying at Elk County Inn , Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole or at The Lodge at Jackson Hole .

Grand Teton National Park is just miles away from Jackson. The beautiful park features amazing hiking trails and scenic views, including Inspiration Point Grand Teton . Most known for its beautiful mountains, the Teton Range is famous for its sharp peaks.

Once you’ve made your way to Yellowstone, best places to stay in Yellowstone are limited. Old Faithful Lodge and Cabins, Canyon Lodge and Cabins, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are great options for lodging. Keep in mind West Yellowstone and Gardiner are also great nearby areas to stay.

Most of the roads and amenities in Yellowstone are closed through May in the Tetons and in the park. May is a great time to visit because it’s less crowded, but most of the park, including the most popular attractions, is open.

Recommended by Candice of CS Ginger 

10. Salem, Mt Hood and Oregon waterfalls loop

Distance: 530 miles Recommended time: 3+ days Best time of year: June through September

Starting in  Salem  or Portland, you can easily visit the wide range of Oregon’s diverse terrain in a short time. This Oregon Highlights loop can be completed in less than 11 hours (530 miles) of driving time. 

You’ll want to spend a minimum of 3 days on this road trip, though it’s best enjoyed over a full week, or even longer.

While the trip can be enjoyed all year round, you may sometimes need chains or snow tires to drive through the mountain pass in winter. For the best road tripping weather in Oregon, aim for June through September. 

First, spend as much time as you want in Oregon’s largest cities – Portland or Salem, where you’ll find tasty eateries, urban hikes and cute shopping streets. 

Next, head East on I-84 through the impressive Colombia River Gorge with its many waterfalls, on your way to the trendy windsurfing town of Hood River. 

You can pick up treats from local apple farms as you head South through Mt. Hood National Forest and drive by snow-capped mountain peaks on your way to Central Oregon.

After enjoying your favorite outdoor adventure activities in the high desert, make your way back over the mountain range to Silver Falls State Park . This is where you can see 10 waterfalls on one trail – and even walk behind a few of the falls! 

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

Then, continue West just 1 hour to reach the rugged Oregon Coast. You can climb the dunes at Pacific City and grab some crispy fish and chips. Make a final stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory on your way back to Salem or Portland.

Recommended by Michelle of Intentional Travelers

Can you believe this list?! Not even half done, there’s way more ideas to build your perfect west coast road trip itinerary coming right up!

11. Death Valley to Yosemite (find adventure with this road trip USA west coast route)

Distance: 319 miles Recommended time: 2-3 days Best time of year: September or October

The drive between Death Valley and Yosemite is an epic adventure through some of America’s most iconic national parks, and it’s one of the best west coast road trips!

The 2 parks have their own distinct personalities — Death Valley National Park is a desert expanse with hundreds of mountain ranges and some of the lowest elevation points in North America, and Yosemite National Park is filled with granite cliffs and waterfalls that provide majestic landscapes.

Start your trip at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park. You can stop along Highway 190 as it passes through Furnace Creek, but plan on stopping near Zabriskie Point for sunset views of the surrounding mountains and valley floor.

Then head north towards Mono Lake and stay overnight in Lee Vining or Mammoth Lakes . End your trip in Yosemite Valley after driving through Tioga Road in Yosemite.

The drive from Badwater Basin to Yosemite Valley is 319 miles and takes 6 to 6.5 hours non-stop. You can finish the road trip within a day but it’s recommended to spend at least 2-3 days exploring the parks and in between.

Highlights of this road trip include Lone Pine, Crowley Lake and Mammoth Lakes.

The best places to stay are inside Death Valley National Park and Yosemite National Park so you’ll get more time to explore the park. Since Tioga Road is closed from November through May and Death Valley gets scorching hot during the summer, the best time to do the road trip is in the fall. 

Recommended by Rasika of Bae Area And Beyond

12. Road to Hana, Maui

Distance: 52 miles Recommended time: 1- 2 days Best time of year: anytime

When you think of Hawaii, a road trip may not come to mind but driving the  Road to Hana  on Maui is one of the best ways to experience this island. The scenic drive takes you from Kahului to the eastern side of the island to the town of Hana. 

While obviously not located in the Continental US, it’s a must-see on this list of best road trip USA west coast!

The Road to Hana is 52 miles of one lane bridges, hairpin turns and curves. This road trip will take up an entire day so make sure you pack lots of snacks and fill up for gas before you embark on this journey.

The winding road takes you past jaw-dropping seascape views, roaring waterfalls, pristine beaches and through lush rainforest. Some highlights of this drive include Twin Falls, the Painted Forest, Honomanu Bay, the awe inspiring Wai’anapanapa State Park, Wailua Falls and Haleakala National Park.

Most people drive the Road to Hana and back in the same day but if time allows, stay the night in Hana town . If you stay at the  Hana Maui Resort  you’re in for a real treat.

This will give you a full day to experience the Road to Hana and to not feel rushed on the way back. Plus it’s not the most enjoyable drive at night on a narrow, winding cliffside road.

Since we are talking about Hawaii, you can road trip the Road to Hana anytime of the year. Just avoid this journey during heavy rains as flash floods can happen in the blink of an eye and parts of the road can get swept away.

Don’t forget to wear your bathing suit, water shoes and pack a lightweight towel because pulling off the side of the road to swim under a waterfall is the name of the game. Buckle up, enjoy the ride and prepare for a road trip of a lifetime.

Recommended by Jess of I’m Jess Traveling 

13. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe

Distance: 323 Recommended time: 2+ days Best time of year: June through October

A road trip from the San Francisco Bay Area to Lake Tahoe is filled with gorgeous vistas and plenty of amazing things to do!

This road trip is 323 miles and can be done in only 2 days, but do yourself a favor and spend a few more to really soak up the beauty of the area! A road trip to Lake Tahoe can be completed in any season of the year, however summer or fall is recommended to avoid possible road closures due to snow.

Departing from San Francisco, travelers should head east on Highway 80 through Donner Pass, Truckee and then Tahoe City on the lake. 

Driving around the full length of Lake Tahoe is 72 miles of pure beauty. In summer, there are  many swimming beaches  such as Kings Beach, Zephyr and Sugar Pine Point Beach. 

The Tahoe East Shore Bike Trail is a 3 mile long paved path that runs from Incline Village to Sand Harbor either on bike or on foot. Many other hiking trails also provide a break from being in the car, such as Eagle Rock or down to Emerald Bay.

Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa and Hotel Azure Tahoe are both wonderful choices for lodging due to their lakefront locations, incredible views and lovely rooms.

After circling the lake, visitors are in for a fun day of adventure in Virginia City . This old silver mining town is filled with old saloons selling sarsaparillas, tours of underground mines and old schoolhouses, wooden sidewalks and plenty of cute shops. 

This Lake Tahoe road trip can end by taking an easy flight out of the Reno airport or travelers can head back on the scenic Highway 50 for another route back toward the Bay Area. No matter which route you choose, your San Francisco to Lake Tahoe adventure is sure to be one of the best west coast road trips!

Recommended by Sierra of Island and Alpine

14. Grand Teton to Glacier National Park (amazing sights on this road trip USA west coast)

Distance: 500+ miles Recommended time: 10 – 14 days Best time of year: August or September

The next road trip USA west coast is a must-see! A Wyoming and Montana road trip from Grand Tetons National Park to Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park is a great way to take in some of the most scenic and wild places in America.

At Grand Teton National Park, you’ll see the Teton Mountains, considered one of the most beautiful stretches anywhere in the Rockies.   Must-see in Grand Teton include Inspiration Point, Jackson Lake Beach and the Hike to Taggart Lake.

These parks are so amazing in late summer and early fall, Grand Teton made the list of one of the best places to visit in August in the US.

In Yellowstone, you’ll see some of the most famous landmarks in the country: Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Prismatic Spring. The wildlife, wide open spaces and scenic views are simply incredible.

And finally, in Glacier, you’ll see the park’s namesake glaciers, along with big horn sheep and, depending on the season, one of the most famous drives in America: the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Don’t miss the beautiful waterfalls in Glacier National Park , including Virginia Falls, Saint Mary Falls, Baring Falls and more.

You can start by basing yourself in Jackson, Wyoming, then move on to West Yellowstone, Montana, and end your trip in Whitefish, Montana. 

The trip is over 500 miles from start to finish, however, plan on putting many more miles than that on your car as you explore the parks. 

If you rent a car , you can fly into Jackson and fly out of Kalispell. Just make sure you get a car with unlimited miles!

Timing this road trip is the real challenge, as these parks are remarkably different from season to season.  

This trip is perfect for a shoulder season road trip since you’ll find smaller crowds in May and September than in the summer. 

However, watch for seasonal closures, as some of the highlights of the parks (especially Glacier) are only open in the late summer. If you want to be able to experience all of the best sites at each park, plan your trip for August or the first half of September and book early! 

While these parks can technically be visited in winter, highway closures combined with heavily restricted park access make these a winter destination for those with a true sense of adventure (and an ability to be flexible!).

Ten days is enough to get the highlights of each park, but, if you can spring for 2 full weeks, you won’t regret it! If you do end up with more time, you can even see more of the  National Park Sites in Montana  or Wyoming.

Recommended by Stephanie of History Fangirl

15. Kauai road trip

Distance: 80 miles Recommended time: 3+ days Best time of year: anytime

While not in the continental US, this is absolutely one of the best west coast road trips!

Home to the jaw-dropping NaPali Coast, you can’t actually circle the whole island via car, but you can drive most of the perimeter. This road trip takes you around as much of the island as you can drive from north, to south, then west and back north again.

Starting in Princeville, Hawaii on the north shore of Kauai, visit the famous Hanalei Pier , an iconic place in Kauai. Go snorkeling on Anini Beach, one of the best beaches in Kauai . You’ll want to spend at least one day exploring the north shore, or more if you have the time.

Next stop is Kapaa, this eclectic beach town perfect for smoothies and swimming. Be sure to stop at Java Kai, one of the best places to eat in Kauai . Later that day, make your way south to Koloa.

Famous for Poipu Beach, this is typically the sunniest and driest part of the island. Visit Shipwreck Beach and hike the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail , where you’ll see the stunning southern coastline.

On your 3rd day touring the island, you’re in for a real treat! Drive about an hour northwest to the Waimea Canyon State Park. Also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the Waimea Canyon is a stunning, multicolored canyon and a must-see in Kauai.

There, you can spend some time at the overlooks or hike the Waimea Canyon Trail , which takes you into the canyon to a lush waterfall. So fun!

After seeing the Waimea Canyon, you’ll want to head to Koke’e State Park to witness the stunning NaPali Coast . Visit the Kalalau Lookout or Pu’u O Kila Lookout for amazing views of the rugged coastline. If you’re prepared with hiking boots and trekking poles , hike the Pihea Trail for even more views of the NaPali Coast.

This epic Kauai vacation and road trip around the island can be done anytime of year. You’ll want to spend as many days in Kauai as possible to experience the magic of the island, but at minimum 3 days and 4 nights to complete this road trip.

Recommended by Nikki of She Saves She Travels

16. Portland to Seattle, plus Astoria

Distance: 275 miles Recommended time: 4+ days Best time of year: spring and summer

One of the best road trips in the western U.S. hits 3 of the best cities in the Pacific Northwest: Portland, Astoria and Seattle.

The entire route is only 275 miles and about 5 hours if you drive straight through. But you’ll want to spend 2-3 nights in each stop to enjoy each of these wonderful spots and their surroundings. This PNW road trip is the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, history, bucket list attractions and great food.

In Portland, stay at the Hyatt Centric and you’ll be in walking distance to Pioneer Courthouse Square, as well as some great restaurants. The City of Roses is one of the best food cities in America after all.

Make sure to eat some of the  famous foods of Portland  like a Voodoo Doughnut and local charcuterie from Olympic Provisions. If you have the time, a day trip to the Columbia River Gorge is worth an excursion.

Drive to Astoria via route 26. It’s worth the 5 extra minutes on your 2 hour trip for the scenery. The best part is you’ll see the northern Oregon Coast. Stop at Ecola State Park for stunning views of Cannon Beach.

When you arrive in Astoria on the Columbia River, stay at the Bowline Hotel . Spring for a riverfront room where you’ll have gorgeous views from your balcony. Stroll the Riverwalk, admire the Victorian architecture, and explore the historic gems of the Lewis and Clark expedition. 

When leaving Astoria, go across the Astor-Megler Bridge to follow the 101 to Seattle. This large port city has lots of museums, gardens, and coffee shops.

Although it’s touristy, go to the top of the Space Needle for incredible vistas and explore Pike’s Place Market to see whole fish being tossed back and forth at the fish markets. 

This American west road trip offers classic views of the ocean and the moody coastline. Plus it’s a road trip you won’t soon forget!

Recommended by Denise of Chef Denise

17. Las Vegas, Southern Utah and Arizona (epic adventure: road trip USA west coast)

Distance: 850+ miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: March through May

Start and end this  epic 7 day southwest road trip loop  in Las Vegas. You’ll see 12 amazing natural features, including 4 national parks, and one modern engineering marvel. Not to mention any extra days spent exploring Vegas at the beginning or end of your trip!

Begin with a day trip out to Death Valley National Park. Return to Vegas for the night.

Next, explore the beauty of Red Rock Canyon scenic drive , a national recreation area in the morning and the fiery red swirls of Valley of Fire State Park in the afternoon. Drive to St George, Utah to spend the night.

Enjoy the next 2 days exploring Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks . Both have stunning hikes and views. Continue on to Page, Arizona.

Spend a day in this area visiting photogenic Horseshoe Bend, touring Antelope Canyon and paddling or hiking around Lake Powell.

Next, explore the Grand Canyon’s South Rim in just a day . Take the scenic drive in from the east entrance and end the day at Mather Point viewpoint for stunning sunset views. Drive to Flagstaff, Arizona to overnight.

A quick morning visit to Walnut Canyon National Monument is worth it to see ancient cliff dwellings up close and personal. Then get on the road and drive to Hoover Dam, gaining an hour as it operates on PST, arriving in time to catch one of the afternoon Dam Tours.

Back in Vegas, use the evening to explore or catch a show!

Spring is the ideal season for this road trip. You’ll avoid the extreme heat of summer but also miss most of the snow and reduced winter hours at the higher elevation parks.

An America the Beautiful National Park Pass will save you hundreds of dollars on this road trip itinerary. It pays for itself several times over in just a week, and it’s valid for a year.

This amazing western USA road trip is busy and covers a lot of ground! If you can expand your time to 2 weeks, you take take a more leisurely pace.

Recommended by Rachel of Means to Explore

18. Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes, California

Distance: 200 miles Recommended time: 4-5 days Best time of year: spring or fall

Take an amazing American west coast road trip full of outdoor adventures in the Eastern Sierras from Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes!

The drive north along US-395 is approximately 200 miles and takes about 4 hours straight through, but it’s definitely worth taking at least 4 or 5 days to fully explore all the areas along the way.

Start your road trip in Death Valley National Park , located along the border of Nevada and California. Death Valley is home to the highest recorded air temperature on earth, as well as the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin.

Head from Death Valley to the town of Lone Pine, which is famous for being home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental US. You’ll need a permit to hike Mt. Whitney , but if you’re lucky enough to snag one, standing on the 14,505 foot summit is a truly incredible feeling. If you just want a view of Mt. Whitney, camp in the Alabama Hills for a truly spectacular sight of the Sierra Nevada.

After you come down from that high, drive north to Bishop and partake in your favorite outdoor pursuit . This mountain town is home to plenty of hiking trails, mountain biking trails and rock climbing crags.

Finally, make your way to Mammoth Lakes where you can continue your outdoor adventures or take a break and soak in some of the many nearby hot springs . Be sure to check out the Crab Cooker if you like it hot! And say cheers to your epic road trip with a local beer at Mammoth Brewery.

Recommended by Allison of She Dreams of Alpine

19. Alaska Highway (amazing idea for west coast road trips)

Distance: up to 1,390 miles Recommended time: 7+ days Best time of year: May through September

Are you looking for an epic road trip USA west coast? Look no further than the Alaska Highway! Stretching 1,390 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Delta Junction, Alaska, this highway will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Canada and Alaska.

To get to the Alaska Highway (Alcan), you’ll need to take one of two ways to get to Dawson Creek: either up Icefield Parkway ( Banff to Jasper National Park ), or through British Columbia down the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Perhaps take one there and the other on your way back home!

When planning your road trip on the Alaska Highway, it’s important to consider how much time you want to spend on the road and where you want to stop along the way.

The highway can be completed in as few as 3 days, but that will feel very rushed. Even spending at least a week along the Alcan highway will feel too fast if you’re fully taking advantage of everything this incredible journey has to offer. 

While the Alaska Highway winds through some of the snowiest parts of the world, the road is open and maintained all year long. However, this amazing west coast road trip is best between May to September.

From wildlife viewing opportunities and breathtaking mountains, to roadside attractions like Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park, there is something for everyone along the Alcan Highway. 

There are plenty of national parks, provincial parks and free remote camping spots along the way, as well as small hotels and inns in even the smallest of towns. Do keep in mind that peak season along the Alaska Highway is short and things book up fast, so the earlier you make reservations the better!

Recommended by Chris & Sara of Chris and Sara

20. Southern California road trip: Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, San Diego

Distance:  408 miles Recommended time:  4 days Best time of year:  spring or fall

If you’re looking for a Southern California sampler, this 4-day road trip itinerary is for you! On this looped route, you’ll see the best of Southern California including Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park, and San Diego for some city, desert and beach time!

Whether you’re traveling to Southern California as a couple, solo, with young kids or even exploring LA with teens , you’re going to love this road trip!

Because this route is a loop, you can easily start from Los Angeles or San Diego depending on where you can secure the cheapest flights. Spring and fall are the best times to visit all 3 destinations because of great weather and fewer crowds.

In Los Angeles, you’ll want to stay at least 2 full days to get a good taste of the city. 

First, visit the downtown LA area where at Grand Central Market, you can try many local favorites including strawberry donuts from The Donut Man and Mexican sweet and spicy fruit cups at La Frutería.

Also nearby is Angel’s Flight Railway, the Last Bookstore and the iconic Bradbury Building.

On your second day in LA, be sure to visit Griffith Observatory, which has great views of the Hollywood Sign and downtown LA. If you prefer another museum, the Getty is one of the best art museums in the city, or instead opt for a half day at the Santa Monica Pier to ride the ferris wheel at Pacific Park.

In Los Angeles, stay in Burbank for a more quiet location, or Silver Lake to be right next to the action downtown!

Next, take a  day trip to Joshua Tree National Park . 

Check out Barker Dam Nature Trail with authentic petroglyphs, Keys View for a one-of-a-kind view of ecosystems colliding, hike Lost Horse Mine Trail Loop to learn about the Western mining history in the park, and finally visit Cholla Cactus Garden with plants that you can only see here.

Joshua Tree has some phenomenal camping or check out the many unique vacation rentals nearby including those that look like spaceships!

San Diego is the final stop on this loop (or maybe first for you depending where you flew into). 

You can see the highlights of San Diego in one day including Balboa Park where there are over 20 local museums and gardens, the historic Gaslamp Quarter with a vibrant nightlife scene, and Cabrillo National Monument where you can explore the Point Loma Tide Pools and maybe spot some sea lion!

Be sure to check out the best things to do in Old Town San Diego as well, including the birthplace of California.

In San Diego, stay along the marina or near the Gaslamp Quarter for the most central location. The Horton Grand Hotel is a great affordable option with a beautiful courtyard!

Recommended by Alanna of Periodic Adventures

More ideas for a west coast road trip

This final 1/3 of the list we’ll hit more of the west coast states, including Washington, California, Oregon and many more. Let’s keep going!

21. Denver to Moab

Distance: 348 miles Recommended time: 5+ days Best time of year: April through October

This is an American west coast road trip that offers a variety of views from the stunning Rocky Mountains to the desert landscapes in Utah.

Starting in Denver, Colorado, spend a day enjoying the city sights like Union Station, 16th Street Mall and the Denver Art Museum. From there, hit Interstate 70 through the gorgeous Rocky Mountains.

So many charming mountain towns greet you along the way. Be sure to stop and see lake Dillon, and Sapphire Point Overlook which is stunning, particularly in the summer sun.

Next stop by Vail for shopping and dining. This 4-season town is great for skiing in the winter, hiking and biking in the spring, summer and fall. Stay overnight at the Lodge at Lionshead to break up the long drive on this Denver to Moab road trip .

The next day, you’ll drive through more of the Rocky Mountains and Glenwood Canyon out to western Colorado. Swim at the world’s largest mineral hot springs in Glenwood Springs or grab lunch in the charming downtown.

On your way out of Colorado be sure to visit the Colorado National Monument, where this scenic drive provides hiking opportunities and the last of the dramatic landscape in Colorado.

Hop off I-70 and take the scenic highway 128 in Utah. Drive through rocky red desert scenes along the Colorado River to Moab.

Once in Moab, take a day or more to hike in Arches National Park and see the sights of Canyonlands National Park. From there, take a long day’s drive back to Denver, or go through the Mighty 5 in Utah and fly out of Las Vegas.

22. San Francisco, CA to Newport, OR (one of the most underrated road trips USA west coast)

Distance: 625 miles Recommended time: 3+ days Best time of year: May through October

Taking a  Pacific Coast road trip  is a bucket list experience, and one of the most beautiful stretches is between San Francisco, California and Newport, Oregon.

Start to finish is about 625 miles and will take approximately 14 hours, so allow at least 3 days for this road trip. North of San Francisco, catch CA-1 and stop at Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s a great place to spot gray whales and elephant seals in the spring.

As you continue north, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and rugged cliffs. Once you reach Mendocino, take some time to explore this charming coastal town. Enjoy the best Mendocino restaurants , Glass Beach, botanical garden and so much more.

Pick up Highway 101 when CA-1 ends in Leggett. When it’s time to stop for the night, you can camp at Sue-Meg State Park in Trinidad. It’s a verdant park with easy access to oceanfront trails.

Get an early start the next day, because you’re in redwoods territory. Plan to do some hiking in Redwoods National and State Parks. Since there are multiple parks, stop at the visitor center for maps and advice from rangers.

The next stretch of the coast is stunning! You’ll want to stop at every scenic overlook; there isn’t a bad view along the entire drive. This is especially true once you enter Oregon. 

Brookings is a good place for an overnight at Beachfront Inn . From there, Newport may only be 200 miles away, but it’s definitely going to take some time to get there. A few of the must-see spots include Spruce Island Viewpoint, Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint, and Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Perpetua. 

Once you’re in Newport, head to Mo’s Seafood and Chowder for some crave-worthy clam chowder. While there are now multiple locations, there’s nothing like a cup from the original.

With its incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, historic lighthouses, charming towns, and lush forests, a drive from San Francisco to Newport is one of the best west coast road trips , and an experience you’ll remember forever.

Recommended by Theresa of The Local Tourist

23. Kona to Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

Distance: 200 miles Recommended time: 5-7 days Best time of year: anytime

The Big Island of Hawaii is a bucket list destination and a must-see. A road trip to experience all the unique places should definitely be part of your Big Island itinerary . 

As most visitors land at Kona International Airport, this road trip starts in the beach town of Kona, then continues to the rainforest town of Hilo, followed by a visit to the Volcanoes National Park and then back to Kona.

A total of 5-7 days are recommended for this Big Island road trip to explore all the best sights. 

Plan to spend a few nights in Kona to experience the amazing beaches and snorkeling activities. Kona is the drier side of the Big Island and where all the brand-name resorts are.

The next stop is Hilo, which is around 2 hours drive from Kona. Hilo is where the amazing waterfalls are like Akaka falls and Rainbow Falls. Plan to spend a couple of nights in Hilo. 

Hilo makes for a great base to visit the Volcanoes National Park which is around 45 minute drive from Hilo.

There are amazing hikes here like the Kilauea Iki Crater hike, and you can see the lava glow depending on recent volcanic activity in the park. Visit the nearby black sand beach which is amazing to see. (Oh and if you love unique beaches, be sure to add the Black Sand Beach Vieques in Puerto Rico to your bucket list!)

Finally, make your way back to Kona to complete your road trip. 

In Kona,  King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel  is a great beachfront hotel at a prime location. In Hilo, the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is a great oceanfront property. 

Although not on the continental US, you can definitely say this is one spectacular road trip USA west coast!

Recommended by Anu of Destination Checkoff

24. Boise to Twin Falls (road trip USA west coast – perfect weekend getaway)

Distance: 285 miles Recommended time: 2+ days Best time of year: May through September

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path road trip in Western USA, give Idaho a try.

From Boise to Twin Falls, you’ll walk on the Oregon trails where emigrants travelled in the early 1800s, discover lava tube caves and paddleboard on a crystal clear turquoise river.

Start in Boise, the capital city of Idaho . Make sure to walk around the city center, visit the Old Idaho Penitentiary and hike the Table Rock trail (a 3.5 miles hike).

Then, drive to Three Island Crossing State Park. It’s 73 miles away from Boise.

Stop at Y Knot Winery for a winery tour and a wine tasting. You can stop at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Site and see the original wagon ruts and Conestoga replicas. Or take a self-guided tour of the park.

The Three Island Crossing State Park has a nice campground if you’re camping.

The next day, drive to Twin Falls and explore the Thousand Springs State Park complex . Make a first stop at the Malad Gorge unit, where you can walk along the rim to the Devil’s Washbowl Overlook.

Next up, drive to the Ritter Island unit, where you can paddleboard around the island and admire Lemon Falls. When you are ready, drive to Box Canyon Springs. You can hike down to enjoy the Snake River.

End your day at the Niagara Springs unit before arriving in Twin Falls for the night.

Don’t miss the Perrine Coulee Falls, the Shoshone Falls and the Perrine Memorial Bridge in Twin Falls. If time allows, drive north to Shoshone and stop at the Mammoth’s Idaho Cave and the Shoshone Ice Cave.

Recommended by Emilie of Love Life Abroad

25. Portland to Yellowstone National Park

Distance: 800+ miles Recommended time: 2+ days Best time of year: May through August

A great road trip to take in the Western USA is from  Portland, Oregon to Yellowstone National Park , and back again.

There are 2 routes that are roughly the same distance, one which follows a southern route and one which follows a northern route. It’s the northern route that passes through some amazing landscapes.

Taking the northern route will cover over 800 miles and can be done in as little as 2 days. However, if you are combining it with a visit to Yellowstone National Park, visit the park first and take a leisurely drive back to Portland over several days, stopping at least once along the route.

From Portland, you take I-84, along the Columbia Gorge Creek. If you have time and are doing this route over a few days, stop at Multnomah Falls, one of the most popular recreational places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

After Columbia Gorge Creek, you will meet I-90 which travels through spectacular scenery and past Coeur d’Alene which sits on the northern end of Harrison Slough lake. 

From wide open country to mountain passes with slopes of trees on either side and then ranch country of Montana, the ever-changing landscape will leave you awe-inspired. 

Yellowstone National Park is your destination and it won’t disappoint. Don’t miss Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs.

On your return journey, spend a few nights in Missoula and enjoy leisure time in Caras Park, meditate among the statues of the Garden of 1000 Buddhas, or visit the National Bison Range. And then head back toward Portland.

This route is best taken during summer due to possible road closures due to snow/ice conditions during the winter. There are some steep mountain roads to pass which may be hazardous to drive. 

And be aware that later in summer, the landscape may not be completely visible due to forest fires. However, if you manage to avoid them, you will have a pleasurable drive along this US west coast road trip!

Recommended by Cath of Passports and Adventures

26. Anchorage to Fairbanks (gorgeous west coast road trip itinerary)

Distance: 360 miles Recommended time: 5 – 7 days Best time of year: June through September

Alaska offers an ideal road trip to visit its gorgeous national parks!

Starting in Anchorage, head north toward the small town of Trapper Creek for approximately 2 hours. You should stay 1-2 nights in the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. This quaint lodge is in a secluded area and has a few restaurants onsite.

From there, you can drive further north for 2 hours to Denali National Park or take the  McKinley Explorer train ride  from the nearby town of Talkeetna. This luxurious train offers double decks for upstairs seating under the glass dome windows and downstairs restaurant dining.

The scenic train journey (climbing from 350 to 1600 feet altitude) takes 5 hours and crosses many rivers.

Once in Denali National Park, you can stay at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights. This resort offers a huge main lodge, several restaurants and many gift shops.

You’ll want to spend at least 1 full day touring the nearby Denali National Park where you’ll see jaw-dropping scenery. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some wildlife such as grizzly bears, ground squirrels, golden eagles, Dall sheep or wolverines!

Onward to Fairbanks for a 2.5-hour drive, you can stay at the comfortable  Westmark Fairbanks Hotel which offers expansive views from the rooms.

One fun excursion to do in Fairbanks is the  Riverboat Discovery tour  which takes you on an eventful cruise on the Chena and Tanana rivers aboard an authentic sternwheeler boat. Observe sled dog training, bush pilot flying and visit a traditional village.

This is one of the best west coast road trip itineraries, and the best time of year to do it is in September to see the amazing Autumn colors!

Recommended by Jan of Jan Adventures

27. Southern California charm: Ventura, Santa Barbara, Solvang

Distance:  130 miles Recommended time:  3-4 days Best time of year:  anytime

While this west coast road trip may be low in mileage, it takes you through some of the best spots in California! A route primarily along an ocean-front section of Highway 101, you’ll see Ventura, Channel Islands National Park, Santa Barbara and Solvang. 

Departing from Los Angeles, drive north roughly 2 hours to your first stop, Ventura. You’ll want to spend at least 2 nights here.

On your first evening, you should visit Ventura’s Main Street. This pedestrian-friendly street is full of theaters, boutiques, breweries, and restaurants . Check out TikiGirl for shopping and Rumfish y Vino for dinner. You could also visit the historic Spanish Mission San Buenaventura or grab drinks at the VenTiki Tiki Lounge.

Using the next full day, visit Channel Islands National Park . Departing from Ventura Harbor, take the official boat taxi, Island Packers, to see one of the least visited national parks in the country. Along the way, dolphin, sea lion, or other marine life sightings are nearly guaranteed. 

On your 3rd day, drive an hour north along the coast for your next stop, Santa Barbara . Two nights are also recommended here. Santa Barbara has a wide variety of activities.

From surfing to kayaking and hiking to wine tasting, there is no shortage of fun things to do . If you’re looking to stay in the heart of the action, try the Hotel Californian. Other recommended spots for food or drinks include Zaytoon, Handlebar Coffee Roasters, Loquita and the Santa Barbara Public Market.

Finally, your last stop takes you inland to California’s Danish town. Solvang is memorable for its windmills sprinkled throughout the walkable town.

A thematic experience, Solvang boasts many bakeries and hosts festivals celebrating its Danish heritage. It’s also within the Santa Ynez Valley, so you can visit many wineries and sample some of California’s best wines. If you like cycling, this area is also quite popular among cyclists and you can even do a wine and cycling tour . So fun!

Recommended by Taylor of Taytrum Travels

28. Portland to Southwest Utah (more amazing sights on this US west coast road trip)

Distance: 2,000+ miles Recommended time: 6+ days Best time of year: May or June

This is the West USA road trip for pacific northwest dwellers who are emerging from a long winter and craving sunshine!

The best time for this road trip is the last week of May or the first week of June. The parks are open and it’s hot in SW Utah but it is not the high season yet.

At just over 2,000 miles roundtrip, you will cover some ground. Plan on setting aside at least 6 days to complete the loop, and 8+ days if you have the extra time. 

Beginning in Portland, drive east to Boise, Idaho for your first night. Make sure to stop at Shoshone Falls on the way.

From Boise, continue to SW Utah, stopping in Salt Lake for lunch. Spend 3-5 days exploring all that Southwest Utah has to offer and soaking up the desert sun.

Stay at Under Canvas Zion for a luxury glamping experience, and/or at Zion EcoCabins for other worldly views from your A-frame or private hot tub. For details and more places to stay check out where to stay Near Zion National Park . 

Allocate at least 1 day to explore Zion National Park. Hike Angels Landing for sunrise and Canyon Overlook Trail in the afternoon.

The next day, venture to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area for incredible scenery and hiking, then hop over (5 minutes) to Quail Creek Reservoir to cool off. You can even rent paddle boards and kayaks. 

On your last day, begin your journey home and stop at Bryce Canyon National Park on the way.

Spend a few hours exploring the trails around Sunrise Point to get a feel for the park. The Queens Garden Trail and Navajo Loop offers spectacular scenery.

Continue on to Park City for your last night. Spend the evening strolling the picturesque streets. Rise early to make your way back to Portland.

Recommended by Jade of Well and Good Travel

29. Las Vegas to Death Valley

Distance: 298 miles (there and back) Recommended time: 1 – 3 days Best time of year: October through April

Unknowingly to most, Las Vegas is actually a perfect starting point for many west coast road trips itineraries. You can oftentimes find affordable flights to the McCarran airport which will start your adventure off on the right foot.

This Las Vegas to Death Valley road trip will take you to other-worldly landscapes, epic hikes and some of the best views. 

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley is located just over 2 hours from the airport and this road trip can actually be completed in just one day! Get an early start to your day so you can catch the breathtaking sunrise inside the park. 

After arriving in the park, head to Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes to watch the sun rise over the undisturbed and smooth sand dunes. You can choose to hike to the top of a dune or watch closer to the parking lot. Once the sun has risen, head to the Mosaic Canyon Trail for a 3.3-mile hike. 

Other stops on this road trip include lunch at Stovepipe Wells, marveling at the lowest place in North America , Badwater Basin, driving Artist Palette drive, Golden Canyon trail and watching the sunset over Zabriske point. 

It’s HIGHLY discouraged to visit this park in the summer months as the temperature rarely dips below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so this road trip is best done between October and April . If you’re wanting to extend your time in Death Valley, you can grab a room at one of the 4 on-site lodges or a campsite.

If completing this west coast road trip in a day, you will then return back to Las Vegas for a good night’s rest and to prepare for the rest of your L as Vegas adventures . No matter how long you choose to spend on the road trip, it’ll surely be one to remember for years to come.

Recommended by Jordan of The Homebody Tourist

30. Seattle to Glacier National Park (a favorite on this list of American west coast road trips)

Distance: 805 miles Recommended time: 5+ days Best time of year: April through October

This west coast road trip itinerary is one of the most scenic routes in the U.S! It passes through 2 national parks, varied landscapes, gorgeous lakes and quaint cities like Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. 

A perfect itinerary would be spending 1 full day hiking through Mount Rainer, exploring the best of Paradise Mt Rainier , including Myrtle Falls and Reflection Lakes.

The next day can be spent by driving to the Idaho panhandle. If you have the time, be sure to stop in Palouse Falls and Spokane City along the way.

Then spend one day in Coeur d’Alene, and 2 days exploring Glacier. Be sure to check out all the amazing things to do in Glacier National Park like the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Avalanche Lake Trail , iconic Lake McDonald and going stargazing.

It’s optimal to take this road trip between April – October since the scenic roads at Mount Rainer and Glacier National Park are closed in the winter. 

To make the most of your time, make sure to leave early from Mount Rainer on day 2. There’s a lot of ground to cover between Mount Rainer and Coeur d’Alene, and you will thank yourself for finishing it in a single day.

Waking up in Idaho on day 3 will make the remainder of the trip much more relaxing.

In each National Park, there are lots of campsites available to reserve, but in between Mount Rainer and Glacier, one of the best places to stay is at One Lakeside Hotel , right at the heart of Coeur d’Alene.

Of course, if you have more time, you could add a day for each part of the journey, or spend one day in Seattle , too.

Recommended by Caleb of Pazook Travel Journal

US West coast road trip itineraries

Whew! What a list!

There are exciting adventures around nearly every curvy road, mountain, desert scene and coastal area in the American west. There’s simply so many breathtaking views along these routes in the west. How do you ever choose?!

Let’s recap that list one more time, in a quicker fashion…

Road trip USA West Coast ideas

• Oregon Coast
• San Francisco to San Diego
• Washington National Parks
• Anchorage to Seward
• Phoenix to Tucson
• San Francisco to Yosemite
• Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon
• Utah national parks
• Salt Lake City to Yellowstone
• Salem, Mt Hood and Oregon waterfalls loop
• Death Valley to Yosemite
• Road to Hana, Maui
• San Francisco to Lake Tahoe
• Grand Teton to Glacier National Park 
• Kauai road trip
• Portland to Seattle, plus Astoria
• Las Vegas, Southern Utah and Arizona
• Death Valley to Mammoth Lakes
• Alaska Highway
• Los Angeles, Joshua Tree, San Diego
• Denver to Moab
• San Francisco, CA to Newport, OR 
• Kona to Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii
• Boise to Twin Falls
• Portland to Yellowstone National Park
• Anchorage to Fairbanks
• Ventura, Santa Barbara, Solvang
• Portland to Southwest Utah
• Las Vegas to Death Valley
• Seattle to Glacier National Park

Related posts to read next: 29 Amazing Road Trips USA: Scenic (& Underrated) Routes You’ll Love 17 Exciting Winter Road Trips USA: Scenic and Unexpected Routes You’ll Love 32 Amazing Stops on a San Francisco to San Diego Road Trip (You’ll Love) AMAZING Utah National Parks Road Trip (Map, Best Hikes, Scenic Route Between Parks + More) 12 Epic Scenic Drives Colorado (Map + Tips + Photos)

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Sunday 19th of February 2023

These all look like beautiful road trips! I think I would combine a few different ones and go for a couple of weeks of exploring!

Thursday 2nd of March 2023

Loooove this idea! So many good ones, it would be hard to choose. Wise to combine a few :)

Thursday 16th of February 2023

Marvelous places! I’d so loooove to ride my motorcycles on some of these roads, especially Death Valley!

Friday 17th of February 2023

Oh that would be so much fun Isabella! Sounds like a trip in your future ;)

Wednesday 15th of February 2023

This is an epic road trip guide through the American West Coast. We are planning to take a road trip from Seattle to San Francisco so this will serve as a great resource.

Oh that will be an awesome road trip! Love the coastal, moody vibes from Seattle to San Francisco. Have fun!!

Linda (LD Holland)

We do love a great road trip and these are some great choices on the west coast. We have talked about investing in a satellite communicator and really should follow up. And now day we will make it up to Alaska for a great summer road trip.

Linda yes! A satellite communicator is crucial when you're in areas with no cell phone coverage. And gosh, a road trip through Alaska sounds amazing too. Enjoy!

These all so incredible, I don't even know how I would choose! The Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon route looks out of this world😍

Right?! There's so many fabulous places in the western USA, it's really difficult to decide, that's for sure!

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

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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 Rentalcars. However, do not hire the insurance when making your online booking: wait to pick up the car at the counter to hire the insurance.

FIND CHEAP RENTAL CARS IN THE US

We hired the rental car in Las Vegas.

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!

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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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Ultimate USA West Coast Road Trip: 7, 10 or 15 Days Itinerary Ideas

Are you looking for the best US west coast road trip itinerary to explore the most beautiful places along the Pacific Coast? Our 7 to 15 days USA West Coast itinerary will help you explore this part of the country from the stunning Grand Canyon to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Visit Hollywood in LA, the Space Needle in Seattle, and gamble in Las Vegas while you road trip the Western USA. Read our ultimate West Coast of USA road trip itinerary now. You may also like our post on Best Places to Visit in the USA .

Welcome to our West Coast road trip planner.

West Coast USA road trip is a grand adventure.

This classic road trip has the ultimate Clint Eastwood Western meets Baywatch vibe.

Drive on lonely, dirt-caked roads and stumble upon mining ghost towns.

Discover millions of years old landscapes and rock formations.

Lose track of time in the utter stillness that surrounds you.

Fall in love with sleepy coastal communities and find your inspiration in Hollywood.

Sunbathe in Malibu and take in the beauty of Big Sur’s rocky coastline. 

But that is not all this trip has to offer.

Unique geographic sites are littered throughout the West Coast road trip map and nature reigns supreme here.

Visit the lowest and driest place in the continent at Death Valley.

Feel dwarfed by the 50 feet tall Saguaro cacti and 350 feet tall coastal redwoods.

Hike in the prehistoric Fern Canyon and explore foggy cities along the Pacific Coast.

Climb up to active volcanoes and experience the earth’s geothermal activities along the Ring of Fire. 

Travel Tip – For a unique West Coast road trip, visit Alaska! Plan the ultimate Alaska road trip around Denali, Fairbanks, and Anchorage.

Walk-through history as it happened and discover momentous lands on the West Coast America road trip.

Explore the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Honor the first pioneers on the California trail at Donner Pass and see the first settlement on the West Coast at Old Town San Diego.

Understand the military importance of the Presidio of San Francisco and the Klondike Gold Rush that led to the fortunes of Seattle.

The USA west coast tour itinerary is an educational experience and perfect for a family summer vacation with kids. 

Epic West Coast Road Trip Itinerary Planner

Planning a West Coast itinerary is not easy.

And that’s why we have created this Ultimate West Coast road trip planner.

Use our suggested road trip route to plan an epic West Coast American road trip.

As always, we have included recommendations to customize this Western USA Itinerary based on your interests and the number of days you have.

Whether you want to begin in Las Vegas or San Diego and end in San Francisco or Seattle, we can help you plan a memorable and epic road trip.

We have linked this guide to our in-depth articles covering the region – Click on the names of cities and natural attractions to read more about them.

7 Day USA West Coast Road Trip

If you have just 7 days, you cannot see the entire West Coast.

You have a few options to either see the southwest and California or plan a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway in the Golden State.

Or see the highlights of the Pacific Northwest.

We have outlined these suggested Western road trip itineraries in this section.

Vegas Grand Canyon LA San Francisco

This West Coast USA tour itinerary covers the most visited attractions of the West Coast from the Grand Canyon to the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you can plan only one trip to the West Coast, then use this route. 

Las Vegas – 2 Days

Begin your West Coast driving trip in Las Vegas .

Explore the attractions of the strip including the beautiful Fountains of Bellagio and the Eiffel Tower ride in Paris Las Vegas.

Watch a concert or Cirque du Soleil show.

Gamble and enjoy the nightlife in Las Vegas.

See the scenic Valley of Fire State Park then head over to the Grand Canyon in the afternoon.

Grand Canyon National Park – 1 Day

Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the natural wonders of the world.

It is one of the essential attractions on a road trip to the West Coast.

On a visit, you can see the exhibits about the formation of the canyon at the visitor center and admire the expansive views of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim Drive.

Spot the wildlife in the Grand Canyon including mountain goats and buy Native American arts and crafts at Trading Posts.

If you have time see the beautiful Antelope Canyons in Page. 

Los Angeles – 2 Days

Then head over to Los Angeles .

See the Walk of Stars and the Oriental Theatre in Hollywood.

Take behind the scenes movie studio tours and visit Universal or Disney.

Visit Museum Row on Miracle Mile and admire the art at LACMA and fossils at La Brea Tra Pits.

Walk on the beach and enjoy a sunset on the Pacific Ocean during your road trip on the West Coast. 

San Francisco – 2 Days

End your West Coast trip in San Francisco .

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge and climb down Lombard Street.

Take a ferry to historic Alcatraz Island and admire the San Francisco skyline from Twin Peaks.

Enjoy delicious seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf and the dim sum in Chinatown.

Conclude your trip by wine tasting and shopping in Union Square.

Los Angeles to California via Big Sur

While this road trip is based only in California, it is one of the best west coast road trips.

It has plenty of diverse attractions from world-class cities, stunning natural areas, and sleepy coastal communities.

This road trip is said to be the most scenic in the world for its gorgeous views along the wild coast. 

After exploring the urban attractions of Los Angeles , head up north towards San Francisco along the coast.

Enjoy the beach life in Malibu and Ventura and admire the view of Santa Barbara from the clock house tower.

Feel the trendy vibe in the college town of San Luis Obispo and climb the dunes at Oceano Beach.

Go wine tasting in Paso Robles. 

Big Sur – 2 Days

Then comes the highlight – a drive through stunning Big Sur .

See the elephant seals at San Simeon and visit the Lime Kiln State Park.

Photograph the engineering marvel of Bixby Creek Bridge and see the stunning McWay Falls.

Go antiquing in charming coastal communities like Pismo Beach and Carmel by the Sea and take a whale-watching cruise in Monterey.

See scenic lighthouses along the foggy coast. 

The 90 miles of Big Sur is filled with beautiful beaches and coves.

It has numerous hiking trails along bluffs and campsites right on the beach.

You can see marine life including whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, and a variety of tide pool creatures.

Big Sur is also home to tall coastal redwood trees and blooms with beautiful wildflowers in the spring.

This region is a delight for nature lovers and a delightful stop on road trip USA West Coast.

San Francisco & Yosemite – 3 Days

Get your urban fix in San Francisco and end your West Coast trip USA on a high note at the Golden Gate Bridge.

Then explore the stunning Yosemite National Park and see the legendary granite faces of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited in the country and worth a visit on a West Coast roadtrip.

To plan this road trip, read our post on the Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary . 

Pacific Northwest Road Trip

Explore the Pacific Northwest on an ultimate road trip through hip cities, scenic drives, and open spaces.

See one of a kind geological landforms and eat plenty of seafood.

Go from the mountains to the beaches and drive through river gorges.

This road trip has plenty of hidden gems and underrated attractions. 

Portland – 2 Days

Begin your road trip in Portland and wrap your head around its ‘weird’ vibe.

Visit attractions such as the Japanese Garden and the Shanghai tunnels.

Eat the city’s famous doughnuts and visit the food truck pods.

Take a photogenic view of the Portland skyline with Mount Hood in the background from Pittock Mansion. 

Columbia River Highway – 1 Day

Then drive along the historic Columbia River Highway.

This scenic route has plenty of waterfalls and small communities.

The scenery here looks stunning in fall.

Visit the beautiful Multnomah Falls and admire the view from the Vista House Museum. 

Optional – Coastal Oregon & Washington

If you have more time, head to the coast and Cannon Beach.

See the beautiful haystacks before heading up towards Astoria.

Spend time admiring the seaport city from the Astoria Tower and understand about the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Fort Clatsop. 

Follow Highway 101 to Olympic National Park in Washington.

The park is a UNESCO Heritage Site and has attractions such as the Hof Rainforest and Sol Duc Hot Springs.

See the beautiful mountain views at Hurricane Ridge then tour the Washington State Capitol at Olympia as part of US road trip on West Coast. 

Also Read: Best Things to do in Washington State

Mt. Rainier National Park – 1 Day

Mt. Rainier National Park is a beautiful paradise in the Cascade mountains.

This active stratovolcano looks scenic when surrounded by wildflowers filled meadows in the summer.

One of the most popular regions to visit in Mt Rainier National Park is Paradise and Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center.

Sunrise road and the visitor center are also scenic and have beautiful trails. 

Tacoma – 1 Day

Then spend a day enjoying the cultural attractions of Tacoma.

A must visit in the city is the Museum of Glass and the Bridge of Glass which connects the museum and downtown Tacoma. This bridge has Dale Chihuly’s artwork.

Other good museums include the LeMay Car Museum and the Washington State History Museum which has a model railroad.

Take a stroll at the scenic Fort Defiance Park in Tacoma before heading to Seattle. 

Seattle – 2 Days

In Seattle , drink lots of coffee and visit the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market.

Visit the Seattle Center and climb up the observation deck of the Space Needle to see beautiful panoramic views of Seattle.

See the Chihuly Garden & Glass and enjoy the exhibits at Pacific Science Center.

Take a whale-watching excursion to the islands in Puget Sound before ending your road trip with a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture.

For more West Coast Road Trip Itinerary 7 days ideas, see our post on Best Road Trips to take along the West Coast . 

10 Day West Coast Road Trip

If you have 10 days to road trip the West Coast USA, then you can see many more attractions along the West Coast.

Here are our favorite comprehensive West Coast road trip ideas for the first time US visitors. 

Vegas to San Francisco via SR 395

While this road trip sounds similar to the one we mentioned earlier, you will be taking the much more scenic route through the Sierra Nevada and eastern California.

See the unique Death Valley National Park and reach Yosemite via the eastern entrance.

Then visit San Francisco and Los Angeles to complete your road trip in USA west coast. 

Explore the highlights of Las Vegas.

Walk along the Las Vegas strip and see the famous casinos including Bellagio, Luxor, Ceaser’s Palace, the Venetian, etc.

Explore the Freemont Street in downtown and take a photo with the Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

Hike the trails in Red Rock Canyon and see the Hoover Dam.

Grand Canyon – 1 Day

Either head for Grand Canyon on your 2nd day in Las Vegas or If you want to make a day trip, see the Grand Canyon from the western rim.

Grand Canyon West is not located in Grand Canyon National Park but on the Hualapai Indian Reservation.

At the western rim, visitors can walk over the glass panels on the Skywalk and see the Grand Canyon spread out before them.  

Death Valley – 1 Day

Then visit Death Valley National Park.

Death Valley is the aridest and hottest place in the country; it is also the lowest.

See the salt flats at Badwater Basin and the panorama from Dante’s View.

Hike along the Salt Creek trail and see the pupfish and sandboard the Mesquite Flat sand dunes. 

Then drive along SR 395 north towards Yosemite.

The best time to drive this road is from summer to fall; the rest of the year you may encounter snow and/or attractions may be closed.

See Alabama Hills, Manzanar historic site, Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake, and enter Yosemite National Park through the eastern entrance.

This entrance is closed during winter and spring.

Yosemite – 1 Day

Drive along the Lee Vining Canyon Scenic Byway.

The road will take you to the Tioga Pass entrance into Yosemite’s high country.

This area is snowed over from late fall to spring but is incredibly scenic in the summer.

See the attractions like Tuolumne Meadows and the panorama at Olmsted Point Overlook.

Then check out the attractions in Yosemite Valley including Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome. 

After checking Yosemite, take the drive to San Francisco.

Walk or bike across Golden Gate Bridge and see the attractions in the Presidio of San Francisco including Crissy Fields, Fort Point, Walt Disney Museum, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

See the sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf and devour the chocolate at Ghirardelli Square. 

Big Sur – 1 Day

Take a short day trip through scenic Big Sur before heading to Los Angeles on this west coast of USA road trip.

You will need to leave on day 2 from San Francisco and reach Los Angeles late in the day to get the time for this side trip but it is totally worth it.

Explore Big Sur’s attractions including Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, Keyhole Rock, McWay Falls, the redwood groves, and Point Sur Lighthouse. 

In Los Angeles, take a movie studio tour or walk along the iconic Hollywood Blvd.

Snap a photo with the movie stars on the sidewalk and shop on Rodeo Drive.

See the movie star homes in Beverly Hills and see the museums.

Spend time on the Santa Monica Pier and people watch at Venice Beach.

Enjoy the SoCal vibe to make the most of your West Coast America road trip. 

10 Day California Road Trip

Spend the entire time in California, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to San Diego.

Then explore the state’s desert region of Joshua Tree and Death Valley.

Follow SR 395 through Alabama Hills and Mammoth Lakes to Lake Tahoe. 

San Francisco – 2 Day

Explore the best attractions in San Francisco including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Lombard Street, and Alcatraz Island.

Take a ride on the historic cable car and dine in popular Fisherman’s Wharf.

San Francisco is very diverse and has something for everyone, whether you are visiting for the first time or a frequent traveler to the city.

Photograph the Victorian architecture and take a day trip out to Muir Woods.

Then drive down south along Pacific Coast Highway towards Big Sur. 

From the urban skyline of San Francisco, the scenery changes quite a bit even before you reach Big Sur.

Highway 1 will take you through communities such as Half Moon Bay and Pescadero before reaching beautiful Monterey.

Spend some time in Monterey at the Cannery Row. See sea lions or take a whale-watching cruise.

Visit the aquarium and hike in Point Lobos then head for Bixby Creek Bridge. 

Visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park which is home to the beautiful McWay Falls.

Then visit the purple sand Pfeiffer Beach before checking out scenic landscapes in Garatappa State Park and Andrew Molera State Park.

Enjoy surfing on the crescent-shaped Sand Dollar Beach.

See the Point Sur lighthouse and the elephant seal rookery at San Simeon. 

Los Angeles – 2 Day

Then drive down California’s coast to Los Angeles.

Experience the city’s beach and movie culture.

Take a photo with the Hollywood sign and dine at Michelin starred restaurants.

Relax on the sandy beaches in Malibu and see stunning art at the Getty Center.

Visit the Griffith Observatory and see gorgeous views of the city from above.

Buy fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market and take pictures for the ‘gram at the Broad. 

From Los Angeles, drive to Death Valley National Park.

Located in California’s high desert, Desert Valley is a hostile environment.

This is the driest, lowest, and hottest place in the country.

It is home to stunning salt flats at Badwater Basin, mysterious moving rocks at Racetrack Playa, and unique geological landforms such as Artist’s Palette and Zabriskie Point.

See the nearby ghost town of Rhyolite while leaving Death Valley for Yosemite. 

Yosemite – 2 Days

Take the SR 395 north towards Lake Tahoe.

On your way, you will pass via attractions such as the alien landscape of Alabama Hills, the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine, and Bodie, a mining ghost town.

Finally, arrive in Yosemite and take the Lee Vining Tioga Pass Road to Yosemite Valley.

Explore attractions such as Yosemite Falls and Tuolumne Meadows before driving back via the same road to Lake Tahoe. 

Lake Tahoe – 1 Day

The scenic Lake Tahoe is California’s favorite outdoor playground.

The lake is located on the Nevada California border and is stunning blue in the summer.

Take the Lake Tahoe Loop Road trip to explore attractions along the lake.

See Emerald Bay State Park and the Viking Castle.

Bike the famous Flume Trail and enjoy South Lake Tahoe. 

To plan this road trip, read our post on 10 Days in California . 

Portland to San Francisco

Another awesome option is to follow Oregon Highway 101, California Highway 101, and Highway 1 down the Pacific Coast.

You will be treated to stunning coastal views, rock formations, sandy beaches, waterfalls, marine life, coastal towns, whale watching, lots of history, and fresh seafood on this West Coast USA itinerary 10 days. 

Also Read the full post here: Portland to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary

Start this amazing road trip down the coast in Portland.

The city is best for foodies and you should sample local doughnuts and ice creams as well as food truck pods in the city.

Visit the independent bookstore Powell City of Books and tour the underground tunnels.

Visit Portland’s beautiful gardens including the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Lan Su Chinese Garden.

See the beautiful views along the waterfront. 

Columbia River Gorge – 1 Day

Take a day trip to Columbia River Gorge via the Historic Columbia River Highway.

The road is extremely scenic and has many attractions including waterfalls.

The most popular waterfall by far is the stunning two-tiered Multnomah Falls.

Walk up to Benson Bridge and see the iconic falls up close.

Visit the Multnomah Falls Lodge Visitor Center before driving all the way to Mount Hood to enjoy your trip. 

Northern Oregon Coast – 1 Day

Then it is time to head down to the coast.

Spend a day exploring the attractions of the northern Oregon Coast.

Start at the beautiful seaport city of Astoria. See the Goonies filming locations.

Then head down to Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach .

Take the iconic photo of Cannon Beach sea-stacks from the state park.

Have fun on the beach, then visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory and try the fresh cheeses. 

Central Oregon Coast – 1 Day

There are many things to do on Oregon’s central coast.

Visit the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and enjoy the stunning views.

Hike through old-growth forests of giant Sitka spruce and see the Devil’s Churn.

You can also whale watch from the shores.

Explore the scenic towns of Yachats, Florence, and Newport, which is home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Visit the Devil’s Punchbowl area and see the unique geological formation.

Tour the charming Yaquina Head Lighthouse and Heceta Head Lighthouse. 

Southern Oregon Coast – 1 Day

Continue the drive down Highway 101 through Southern Oregon.

Take a short scenic road trip along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

This 12-mile long route has plenty of panoramic coastal views and pullouts to enjoy them.

See the lighthouses at Cape Arago, Cape Blanco, and Pelican Bay.

In southern Oregon, you can also see the giant coastal redwoods along the Oregon Redwoods Trail.

The southern coast also has lots of breweries and is a great place to drink craft beer. 

Northern California Coast – 2 Days

Then cross over the border into northern California.

Northern California is the best place to have a variety of redwood experiences including drive-through trees and single log cabins.

Use the two days to explore attractions such as the Avenue of the Giants, the Fern Canyon hike, the Glass Beach at Fort Bragg, the coastal city of Mendocino, and Point Reyes.

Eat the oysters at Tomales Bay and see the Birds filming locale in Bodega Bay.

Read our North California road trip itinerary to plan your 2 days in North California. 

Make your way down to the northern California city of San Francisco.

See the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and take the tour to Alcatraz Island.

See the famous federal prison and know about the prisoners incarcerated here including Al Capone.

See the oriental architecture in Chinatown and the murals in Balmy Alley.

Drive down twisting Lombard Street and dine at the Ferry Market Building.

See the city of San Francisco from the Marin Headlands and enjoy the laid back vibe of Sausalito. 

West Coast USA itinerary 2 weeks

If you have 2 weeks, then you are in for the treat of a lifetime.

You are going to drive through ever-changing landscapes and explore the diversity of the West Coast.

Start your road trip at the Canadian border near Seattle and go south till you reach the Mexican border in San Diego.

This USA west coast itinerary 2 weeks is the ultimate road trip adventure. 

While you won’t get time to see all of the natural attractions including Mt. Rainier, Columbia River Gorge, Yosemite, Big Sur, and Coastal Oregon-Northern California coast, we recommend picking a few of the attractions you most want to visit and dividing your days accordingly for this West Coast road trip 2 weeks. 

Start your 2-week West coast USA itinerary in the Emerald City of Seattle .

It is known for its coffee houses, wet winter season, and the iconic Space Needle.

Try out the city’s famous attractions and tour the Seattle Underground.

Visit the Chinatown-International District and enjoy shopping for knick-knacks and souvenirs.

Eat dishes such as pho, noodles, and Ramen.

Visit the Seattle Museum of Art and the free Olympic Sculpture Park along the waterfront.

Read our guide on Seattle to plan your trip. 

Optional: Mount Rainier National Park – 1 Day

Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.

The National Park is very close to Seattle and hence easy to see on a day trip.

If you are visiting from July to September, check out the Sunrise Visitor Center and hike the Sunrise Nature Trail or Sunrise Rim Trail.

During the rest of the year, visit the Paradise area and the Henry M Jackson Visitor Center.

The views from the Paradise area are also equally stunning and you can see the active volcanic peak of Mt Rainier, wildflowers, wildlife, and glaciers. 

Then make your way south to the hip and trendy city of Portland.

The Willamette River runs through this city and Tom McCall Waterfront Park is located along the river.

Check out the park and its memorials before checking out Portland’s attractions including the Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the Pittock Mansion.

Take a hike through Forest Park and discover the Witch’s Castle!

Go on a food spree and eat unique dishes all around the city. 

Optional: Historic Columbia River Gorge – 1 Day

It’s time for a historic trip down the Columbia River Gorge.

Take the scenic Columbia River Highway from Portland to Mt. Hood and explore the attractions along the 75-mile long route.

Start in the town of Troutdale and visit the historic McMenamins brewpub.

Then stop at the beautiful Multnomah Falls Scenic area. Hike along the falls and other famous hiking trails in the area.

See the panoramic views from Crown Point.

At the end of the road, continue along the Mt Hood Scenic Byway.

Return to Portland for the next part of the trip. 

Optional: Coastal Oregon and Northern California coast – 2 to 3 days

You can either drive down the coast for which you will need at least one additional day without stopping anywhere or fly from Portland to San Francisco for a fly and drive West Coast itinerary.

If you are driving, we recommend devoting 2 to 3 days to this stretch which is filled with redwoods, beautiful lighthouses, charming coastal cities, and more. 

In Oregon, must-see stops include Astoria, Cannon Beach, Tillamook Creamery, Yachats, Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devil’s Punchbowl, Cape Perpetua, and Samuel H Boardman Scenic Byway.

Read our post on Coastal Oregon road trip itinerary to know more about these attractions and plan the trip. 

In Northern California, some of the must-visit attractions include Redwood National and State Parks, Russian River, Avenue of the Giants, Leggett drive-through redwood tree, Napa/Sonoma County, Point Reyes, etc.

To see all the attractions, read our Northern California road trip guide. 

In the city, see the best things to do in San Francisco including the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium, California Academy of the Sciences, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and other attractions.

Take a day trip to Napa or Sonoma wine counties and go wine tasting, see the geyser in Calistoga, check out the Bay area attractions in neighboring San Jose and Palo Alto, or see the redwood trees at Muir Woods in case you missed them further up the coast. 

Optional: Yosemite National Park – 1 Day

If you want to see the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas and the Sequoia trees, then go on a day trip to Yosemite National Park.

This is one of the most visited national parks in the country and has amazing scenery.

Start your visit in the Yosemite Village and see the valley.

See the highlights of Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, etc.

Drive around the national park and see the famous views of Tunnel View, Valley View, Glacier Point Road, and Olmsted Point Overlook.

See the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees and see the wildflowers on Tuolumne Meadows. 

Optional: Big Sur – 1 Day

Welcome to beautiful, bold Big Sur.

The beauty of California’s unspoiled central Coast has inspired artists, poets, and writers.

This is the place to visit for secluded beaches, lots of marine wildlife, tide pools, hiking trails on the coast, and waterfalls.

Visit small charming communities like Carmel by the Sea, Pismo Beach, and Morro Bay to understand and appreciate the relaxed life here. 

Then head down to Los Angeles and enjoy some of the best sunsets of your life.

The city is pretty huge and most of the landmark tourist attractions aren’t concentrated in one place but you can easily get cabs and rideshares to get around the city.

Start your day at Hollywood in Central LA and see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Kodak Theatre which hosts the Academy Awards, and the Hollywood Museum which has movie props, scripts, and costumes.

See other attractions including Griffith Park and Observatory, Getty Villa, Rodeo Drive, and the museums. 

Optional: Anaheim – 1 Day

If you have kids or adults in your party that love theme parks, then make the stop at Anaheim.

Our favorites are the Disney theme parks – Disneyland and California Adventure.

Disneyland is perfect for younger kids who want to meet Mickey and friends and the princesses while California Adventure is more for older kids who like roller coasters and other thrill rides.

You can also visit Universal Studios to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

There are many other theme parks in Anaheim besides Disney and Universal and you are in for a fun day. 

San Diego – 2 Days

End your road trip in the sunny city of San Diego .

It is known for its warm sun, mild weather, and inviting beaches.

Explore Old Town San Diego and its historic buildings.

Eat delicious Mexican cuisine and walk along the waterfront Embarcadero.

Explore Balboa Park and its attractions.

See the museums housed in historical buildings and take a day trip either to Coronado island or the sunny beaches in La Jolla. 

USA West Coast itinerary 3 weeks

In 3 weeks you can cover a whole lot of the country.

Drive from border to border along the Pacific Coast, then make a beeline for the southwest.

Visit one of a kind attractions such as Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Monument Valley.

Experience the best of Western USA on this epic road trip. 

If you look at the West Coast America road trip map, you will be covering an L shaped section of the western USA.  

To plan this road trip, follow our suggested route for the 2-week itinerary up to Los Angeles.

Then take the route to Las Vegas from Death Valley.

From Las Vegas, embark on a week-long southwest road trip to the Grand Canyon and beyond.

The itinerary will follow the route as follows:

There is no better place than Seattle to start your West Coast 3 week road trip itinerary.

You will begin near the northern border in Canada and explore the most vibrant city of the Pacific Northwest.

See iconic attractions of the Greater Seattle area including the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Waterfront.

Understand the history of Seattle and the Klondike Gold Rush at Historic Pioneer Square neighborhood.

Read our Seattle itinerary guide to plan your trip. 

Optional Mount Rainier National Park – 1 Day

After seeing Seattle, drive to Mt. Rainier National Park which is located to the southwest of Seattle.

The drive takes about 2.5 hours and is incredibly scenic.

At the end is your destination, the iconic Mt. Rainier. This is an active stratovolcano in the Cascade ranges.

At the national park visitor centers, you can see exhibits about the volcanic activity, plants, and animals in the National Park.

Then enjoy hiking along the park trails and enjoy the waterfalls in the Paradise region.

If the roads are open, drive to Sunrise Visitor Center to see Mt. Rainier from a different vantage point. 

Your next destination is Portland. Start your visit in Washington Park.

This urban park is home to Oregon’s many attractions including the Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum, and the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

It also has expansive gardens including the International Rose Test Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum.

See the famous Pittock Mansion and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Visit the local Farmers Market, hike in Forest Park, and walk across the beautiful historic St. John’s Bridge. 

Today, you will be visiting one of the best places to see on the West Coast – the stunning Multnomah Falls.

The falls are 620 feet tall and are the tallest waterfall in the state.

The falls cascade from the basalt cliffs in two tiers.

The charming Benson Bridge overlooks the base of the first tier and has an excellent vantage point over the falls.

After seeing the falls, check out Hood River and other falls including Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, etc.

Then drive down to San Francisco. 

As we mentioned before, spend 2 to 3 days on the course from Portland to San Francisco.

Start at the Lewis and Clark Expedition Site in Fort Clatsop in Astoria.

See the beautiful view from Ecola State Park and visit the Tillamook Creamery.

Hike Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and the Devil’s Punchbowl near Yachats.

See the cities of Newport and Florence before heading into Northern California.

In Northern California, hike in Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwood State Park and drive through the fog-covered Redwood Highway.

Sport elks and the other wildlife and view the scenic lighthouse in Crescent City.

Admire the Victorian architecture of Old Town Eureka and see the beautiful glass beach at Fort Bragg.

Read our Coastal Oregon road trip itinerary and Northern California road trip itinerary to plan a trip along this route.

Meander your way down the coast to the amazing city of San Francisco.

Enjoy its hip vibe.

If this is your multiple visit to the city, then discover hidden attractions such as the Grateful Dead house in Haight Ashbury neighborhood , the 16th Avenue tiled steps, and Mission Dolores Park in Mission District.

Eat your way around the egg tarts in Chinatown, Mission-style burritos, and sourdough clam chowder soup at Boudin’s Bakery. 

Yosemite National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful places to visit on the West Coast.

Take the scenic Highway 140 through Mariposa to Yosemite Valley.

Visit the museum and take a stroll around Yosemite Village.

Then explore the valley and its major attractions.

You can also see the valley on a guided tour given by the park rangers if you have less time.

Drive up to Tunnel View and see the beautiful panorama of El Capitan, Half Dome, and the Bridalveil falls.

Hike in the valley and explore the park’s wildlife before coming back to the coast. 

Optional: Big Sur – 2 Days

The drive through Big Sur is one of the most beautiful road trips in the world.

You will be driving parallel to the rugged coast and have awesome views of the coastal cliffs and the blue water of the Pacific Ocean.

There are many hiking trails and natural areas along the road including Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Garatappa State Park, Lime Kiln State Park, etc.

Beautiful waterfalls, hidden beaches, and coves surround this area.

Stay at Big Sur village and enjoy the stunning beauty of Big Sur. 

Optional: Channel Island National Park

Channel Islands National Park is one of the least visited National Parks in the country.

Located off the coast of California, the park comprises five islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Visitors can either take a ferry or a plane to the Channel Islands, with the ferry being the more economical option.

The trips depart from Ventura where the park visitor center is also located. 

Two of the most visited islands include Santa Cruz and Anacapa Island.

On Anacapa Island, visitors can hike to Inspiration Point to get stunning views of the islands.

The lighthouse on Anacapa Island is also worth a visit.

In Santa Cruz, visitors can see sea caves including the Painted Cave.

The Channel Islands are also popular for diving among the kelp forests and seeing wildlife including seals and sea birds. 

From Ventura make the trip down along the Pacific Coast Highway to Los Angeles.

This is the second-largest city in the country and a must-visit while road tripping the West Coast.

Its many attractions include watching movie stars shop on Rodeo Drive, seeing their homes in Beverly Hills, taking a movie studio tour including Warner Brothers, Sony, and Paramount.

The city is a top cultural destination and has many noteworthy museums including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits, the Getty Center, Getty Villa, and the Broad.

Also must try are the several renowned restaurants in Los Angeles. 

Anaheim – 1 Day

Anaheim, located in Orange County, is home to California’s theme parks.

The city also has sports stadiums as well as many free things to do besides theme parks.

In Anaheim, you will find Disney Parks, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, etc.

Foodies must visit the Anaheim Packing House, a renovated food hall.

Other free things to do include taking a stroll through the historic district and seeing the architecture and famous buildings. 

Optional: Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

After seeing Los Angeles and Anaheim, make the trip towards the southwest to the Sin City of Las Vegas.

Along the way, you can make the detour to Death Valley National Park.

As we mentioned, this is a park of extreme landscapes and weather.

It is the lowest, driest, and hottest place in the country. Death Valley is famous for its salt flats at Badwater Basin.

Other things to see at Death Valley include the Harmony Borax trail, the Mesquite Flats sand dunes, Artist’s Drive, and the 360-degree panorama at Dante’s View. 

Now it’s time to road trip the Death Valley Scenic Byway to Las Vegas.

The city is most famous for its casinos and the strip attractions including Bellagio Fountains, the volcano at Mirage, the canals at the Venetian, etc.

Other than the Las Vegas strip attractions, you can also check out hidden gems in Vegas including the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum, Discovery Children’s Museum.

Also, take the time to explore outdoor Las Vegas including Seven Magic Mountains, Red Rock Canyon, and Valley of Fire State Park. 

Zion National Park – 1 Day

From Las Vegas, visit the stunning Zion National Park.

After checking out the Visitor Center, take the shuttle or drive along the Zion Scenic Drive.

This drive is spectacular and has stunning views of the red rock canyon landscape.

Hike along popular short trails such as the Emerald Pools, the Riverside Walk, and the Weeping Rock.

Or spend half a day to more strenuous hikes such as the Narrows or Angels Landing.

The hikes will show you stunning views of the Zion Canyon and the Virgin River through different vantage points. 

Optional: Bryce Canyon National Park – 1 Day

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of Utah’s most underrated National Parks.

It is famous for its spire-shaped hoodoo rock formations caused by weathering due to wind and rain.

In the famous area known as the Bryce amphitheater, you can see a variety of these hoodoo formations.

Hike the rim trail to see the hoodoos from above and hike down into the canyon using the Navajo Loop Trail to see the hoodoos from below.

Road trip the 21 miles long Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive and see the canyon from the lookout points. 

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend – 1 Day

Another must on an epic West Coast road trip USA!

The Antelope Canyons in Page, Arizona are the most beautiful slot canyons in the world.

The canyons are made of red sandstone and formed due to weathering.

The floodwaters from millions of years ago have left beautiful swirling patterns on the canyon walls and seeing the Canyons just as the sunlight lights them up is a delight.

Another popular attraction in Page is Horseshoe Bend overlook.

Here the Colorado River forms a beautiful horseshoe-shaped meander.

Visitors can see the scenic Horseshoe Bend from an observation platform. 

Optional: Monument Valley – 1 Day

If you have time, then venture into the beautiful landscape of Monument Valley on your road trip US West Coast.

This red sand desert region located in Arizona is probably one of the most photographed spots in the country.

Monument Valley has a fascinating landscape of red sandstone buttes that reach up towards the sky.

You can see all of these buttes on a scenic drive through Monument Valley. 

The views of the buttes are awesome and otherworldly.

Monument Valley is also a popular filming location and the movie Forrest Gump was filmed here. 

Grand Canyon National Park – 2 Days

End your memorable adventure in the Grand Canyon National Park.

The Grand Canyon is a majestic natural wonder and you will seldom see anything comparable to its vast scale ever again.

The Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon over millions of years of weathering action.

Visit the South Rim and enter the park through the popular Grand Canyon Village.

Check out the visitor center exhibits about the geological formation of the canyon and its natural resources.

Then go to Yavapai Point to see one of the most amazing viewpoints of the canyon.

Hike the rim trail and drive all the way to Desert View Watchtower. 

Optional – Phoenix

After seeing the Grand Canyon, you can either drive to Las Vegas or Los Angeles for the return flight or to see even more of the country, drive to Phoenix.

The route will take you through many attractions including historic Flagstaff on Route 66, the beautiful red rock landscape of Sedona, and the ghost town of Jerome.

In Phoenix, you can experience the beauty of Arizona’s deserts at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

In spring and early summer, the cacti will be blooming with beautiful colorful flowers.

Hike up to Camelback mountain for iconic views of the city.

Take the kids to see the Phoenix zoo.

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is also lots of fun for youngsters.

See the OdySea Aquarium and enjoy learning science at the Arizona Science Center. 

Art lovers should visit the Phoenix Art Museum to see Renaissance-era art and the Heard Museum to understand the Native American culture.

See the unique Musical Instrument Museum and the Hohokam Native ruins at the Pueblo Grande Archeological Park & Museum.

Architecture lovers should visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West in nearby Scottsdale. 

4 Week USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

If you have an entire month for the USA road trip on the West Coast , then we really envy you!

Very few lucky souls have that kind of time and even we hope to go on such a grand adventure one day. 

With 4 weeks in hand, follow our same route as above except take time to see each and every optional attraction.

Stop in cities like Bend in Oregon and Santa Barbara in California while coming down the coast. 

Drive south all the way down to San Diego before you venture into the Californian desert and American southwest.

See Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park both before going to Las Vegas. 

In Las Vegas, see Lake Mead and Hoover Dam plus the area’s outdoor attractions.

Spend two or more days in Zion and hike all its trails including the famous Narrows hike along the Virgin River.

Make the detour to Grand Canyon north rim after seeing Bryce if the roads are open. 

See both the upper and lower Antelope Canyons in Page.

Spend a day cruising on Lake Powell and see the Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

Camp in Monument Valley to see its dark sky and the silhouette of the buttes at night. 

In the Grand Canyon National Park, hike all the way down via the Bright Angel Trail or go river rafting in the Colorado River.

Get a permit and hike to the beautiful Havasupai Falls.

Drive down to Phoenix and spend some time exploring the Grand Canyon State on an epic Arizona road trip through Saguaro National Park and Petrified Forest National Park.

These are just a few ideas to make your road trip better!

The USA West Coast road trip is an adventure of a lifetime.

This road trip is more American than any road trip could ever be.

If you have any trip planning questions, let us know in the comments.

How to Plan a Trip Out West (Itinerary Included)

If you’ve ever wanted to plan a trip out West, but feel overwhelmed by the amount of places to go and see, I’m here to (hopefully) ease your anxiety!

When my husband and I started planning our trip out West we were completely frazzled by the amount of information available to us online. While it was all helpful, it almost made it more challenging. It felt like we had to jump back and forth between multiple websites to get all of the details we needed.

I’m here to share our full itinerary from the trip, including hotels, places to eat, hikes and more. I’m hoping you can use this posts as a starting point to plan your trip.

* Please keep in mind we planned far in advance and were able to watch prices to ensure we found the cheapest deals. We booked (almost) everything in May for an October trip!

Basic Overview

Dates: Oct. 19 – Oct. 28, 2017

Transportation: Flights from Cleveland -> Las Vegas, Las Vegas -> Cleveland nonstop via Spirit Airlines. It cost $170 per person, roundtrip. We rented a car via Dollar Car Rental, which is a part of the McCarren Rental Car Center. It cost roughly $25/day to rent the car.

Locations in order: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park (UT), Page, Grand Canyon National Park (AZ), Las Vegas (NV)

First Stop: Zion National Park [Hotel: Bumbleberry Inn ]

We flew into the Last Vegas airport, rented the car and drove straight to our hotel in Zion. The drive took about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The drive is easy and scenic (if you’re driving during the day). We arrived to the hotel after midnight.

We stayed at the Bumbleberry Inn, which was $90/night. It was one of the cheapest places we could find in the area. We stayed here for three nights. It’s located in Springdale’s downtown area, where you will find almost all of the hotels and places to eat.

The good and bad.  The room was cheap, so as you can imagine it was subpar. We didn’t mind, though, since we only needed it for sleeping and showering. As long as we had a bed, decent WiFi and running water, we didn’t care. The major good: the hotel has it’s own restaurant called Wildcat Willies, where you get a free breakfast every morning as part of your stay. The food was incredible. It is not what you picture when you think of hotel food. This was great for us since we needed a hearty meal to start each day before hiking. The hotel is in walking distance of a market, a lot of other restaurants and a shuttle stop, which you’ll need to take to get in to the park.

Where to eat.  As mentioned above, we ate at Wildcat Willies every morning for breakfast since it was free for us. We also enjoyed a dinner there the first night. It’s relatively cheap and again, delicious! Our second dinner we went across the street to Oscar’s Cafe, a Mexican restaurant. It was cheap but we had giant servings, so we were pretty happy. Just try and get there early – it seems to be one of the more popular places to eat!

Second stop: Bryce Canyon National Park [Hotel:  Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn ]

After we wrapped up our hiking in Zion for the day, we hopped in the car and made the drive to Bryce Canyon, which is about 1 hour and 50 minutes, and we gained an hour driving into Arizona. We arrived a little after 7pm.

Keep in mind while you’re planning that Utah and Arizona are in different time zones. So throughout the trip you may gain or lose an hour, depending on where you’re headed. 

We stayed at the Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn, which was $95/night. There are only two or three hotel options in Bryce Canyon, so I’m guessing you’d end up staying here. Our room was fairly nice and close to the restaurant. We stayed here for two nights.

The good and bad.  The room was nicer than the one in Zion, but this time we did not have complimentary breakfast. The hotel is broken up into several buildings, so if you get the second floor you won’t have to deal with noisy upstairs neighbors. The hotel had a pool and hot tub, which we took advantage of. There’s also a decent market, where we purchased all of our snacks for hiking.

Where to eat.  There is literally two restaurants in the entire area, so getting dinner the first night was a bit challenging and frustrating. The restaurant connected to the hotel, Cowboy’s Buffet & Steak Room, is big and has a buffet option, but since there are limited places to go it was packed. Try and grab food at an odd time to avoid the crowds.

Third stop: Page, AZ [Hotel:  Best Western View of Lake Powell Hotel ]

We woke up early in Bryce to catch the sunrise and complete our last hike, then left to make our way to Page, AZ where we planned to visit the famous Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. The drive was about 2 hours and 30 minutes. We arrived a little after 4pm.

We stayed at the Best Western View of Lake Powell hotel, which was $100/night. This was the nicest hotel room we stayed in. It had a nice little pool and a decent complimentary continental breakfast buffet. We stayed here for one night.

The good and the bad.  As I mentioned, this hotel was very nice. It had an excellent view of Lake Powell and a clean, welcoming lobby. The room was easily the nicest one we stayed in on the entire trip. We had no complaints!

Where to eat. Since we only stayed one night, I can only offer one suggestion to you: El Tapatio (can you tell we love Mexican?!). Our server was friendly and fun, the margaritas were so good, and the food was great.

Fourth (and last) stop: Grand Canyon National Park [Hotel:  Yavapai Lodge ]

After a long day spent in Page, we hit the road for the Grand Canyon. The drive was about 2 hours and 30 minutes. We arrived around 6:30pm.

We stayed at one of the well-known hotels within the park, Yavapai Lodge, which was $120/night. The room was similar to the one in Bryce Canyon, and it was broken up into buildings the same way. We stayed here for two nights.

The good and the bad.  The cell service in the Grand Canyon is not great, so we were pretty disappointed when we discovered we had no WiFi in our room. The only place you could access it was in the main lobby where the restaurant is, which was about 5 minutes from where we were staying. We were right by a shuttle stop, which was really nice when we were ready to begin hiking.

Where to eat. Restaurants are pretty limited once you’re inside the park and at this point in the trip we were getting lazy, so we ate in the main lodge both nights. It’s set up like a Sheetz, where you go up to a screen and order your food and drinks, then wait for your number to be called. They also had a pasta buffet option if you didn’t feel like waiting. The food was so so.

I hope you found this information useful as you begin to think about or plan your trip. There are plenty of other great places to visit in the area like the Arches, but this was the route we wanted to take in order to see the most with the time we had. We definitely want to take another trip out there! It’s hard to see everything if you don’t have a lot of paid time off (which we don’t).

Share this:

Eat*Drink*Cleveland

Wildcat Willy’s is amazing! We are there every day we were there. We stayed at a B&B though.

juliabszabo

You travel like we do, making sure we catch the deals and trying to find cheap hotels. This is a great guide!

Gordon Naruta

Nice guide! Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

som eof those photos are incredible

This is very helpful, thank you. Do you remember some of the names of hikes you did at each place? We are planning a trip and will have three little kids so trying to find some manageable hikes for them. We will have a 5yo, 3yo, and 8mo

madalynstoner

Zion – Emerald Pool, Weeping Rock, Pa’rus would all be great options with kids! Bryce – I would say the rim trail would be your best bet.. it’s the flattest area. Navajo Loop would be fun too but there is some elevation! Grand Canyon – honestly I think you could really only do the rim trail area. Any other trails take you down the canyon which can become very steep and challenging.

I hope you have a great time!

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Plan the ultimate us west coast road trip: itinerary, packing list, budget & more.

Last modified on May 30, 2022

Planning a west coast road trip itinerary in the USA can feel like a daunting task. With so many epic locations and things to see you could spend a lifetime exploring all that the western half of the United States has to offer!

It US as a whole has so many amazing road trips on offer – and this part of the country is no different.  In order to truly experience the beauty and diversity of the west coast, you’ve got to organise your itinerary and see it by road.

Here’s how to plan the ultimate west coast road trip in the US .

Go on, plan your west coast USA bucket list road trip today!

Jump straight on in...

When is the Best Time to Undertake my West Coast Road Trip?

The beauty of the west coast is that it generally receives mild weather year-round.

California has everything from sunshine to snowy mountains, while Oregon and Washington tend to have gloomier weather that gets cold during the winter.

Even though you could go on a west coast road trip year-round, the best times to hit the road are April through June or August to November.

The summer months are certainly sunnier and warmer, but any desert location will be absolutely unbearable during the hot summers.

Which Direction Should I Go on my West Coast Road Trip?

Your direction largely depends on what time of year you go.

Since the desert gets unbearably hot in the summer, you’ll want to head north to south if you’re travelling during the fall, and south to north if you plan on travelling during the spring and early summer.

How Long Should My Road Trip Itinerary Be?

The longer the better-always, since you’ll be able to see more. However, life on the road can get dirty, tedious and taxing. A month is a great amount of time, but in order to make your road trip budget-friendly, plan on camping for several nights at a time.

Shorter itineraries, such as two weeks, will be tough since you’ll likely want to spend a few days in each spot. In order to avoid road fatigue, try to pick just a few key attractions and save the rest for another trip.

What Should I Budget for a West Coast Road Trip?

Car rentals and hotels can destroy anyone’s travel budget in America. If you plan on staying in hotels every night and eating out each day, expect to pay between $150 to $250 a day for meals, gas, lodging, and attractions.

For the budget-friendly expect to camp (you can even find free camping in the USA along the way). Staying in hotels only when you need a break from your tent. If you bring or rent a camp stove, you can cook most of your own meals and splurge on occasion. This will keep your budget closer to $50 to $100 dollars a day. Factors that affect your budget include:

• The fuel efficiency of your vehicle. If you opt for a larger vehicle, you can sleep right in your car, but you’ll pay more in gas.
• The distance you drive each day. If you plan on driving from Mexico to Canada in a short amount of time, you’ll spend plenty on gas.
• Cooking your own meals vs going out.
• Camping vs utilizing hotels or Airbnb’s
• How many paid activities you participate in.

Where to Stay on Your West Coast Road Trip Adventure

For the budget-conscious and adventure driven, consider camping for the majority of your adventures.

The west coast of the US offers an endless array of natural beauty and the best way to see that is by sleeping in your vehicle or tent. Finding free camping in the USA isn’t too complicated, but be prepared (we’ll touch on what to pack in a second). Always respect nature and leave no trace. This includes picking up your trash (toilet paper included), staying on marked trails, and following wilderness guidelines.

For longer trips, consider renting a campervan. Campervan rentals have become increasingly popular in the US. You’ll have your bed on wheels and as long as you stopped in a place with overnight parking, you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.

After several days of camping, you’ll probably want a roof over your head for a night. Consider staying at cheaper motels or a room at an Airbnb. This helps prevent road fatigue on both short and long journeys.

You can use apps like Booking.com to find great last-minute deals

Tips for the Ultimate American Road Trip Itinerary

There are several tips for road tripping to keep in mind while you wander the west coast.

• Have a rough plan . You might stop somewhere and fall in love, be sure to allow some flexibility in your schedule to shift things around
• Book popular campsites and permitted hikes in advance . In almost every national park there is a permitting system for popular hiking trails and campgrounds. These spots fill up fast – particularly for the most popular national parks . For example, hiking Half Dome in Yosemite requires an advanced booking or getting lucky with an early-morning lottery. Be sure to do your research, as every park is different.
• Stay off of private land . Americans can get picky and possessive with their land. Make sure you’re staying in designated public lands to avoid any unwanted encounters.
• Buy a National Park’s Pass . It’s much cheaper than paying the daily fees to visit the parks.
• Remember, the USA is a huge country . It takes quite a bit of time to get from point A to point B, remember to plan accordingly.
• Be friendly . Americans are really friendly, sometimes they ask questions that appear rather strange to foreigners. As odd as the question may be, always be polite.
• Rest up .  You can use WalMart parking lots and truck stops as places to sleep in a pinch.
• Freshen up .  Many truck stops offer showers you can use to get clean. Most of these are quite safe, especially if you visit during the daytime.

USA West Coast Road Trip Itinerary Stops

From the southern tip of the west coast all the way to the Canadian border there’s a wide variety of things to do and see along the west coast of the USA.

Here’s a look at a few must-see stops along your west coast road trip

Surf in San Diego

San Diego is a chilled-out southern California town known for its laid-back attitude and awesome beach scene. Catch a wave at La Jolla beach where you can rent surfboards and take surf lessons

Explore the Desert of Joshua Tree

Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best ways to explore this unique desert environment. Make your way through giant boulders and watch rock climbers defy gravity. Watching a sunset in the desert is one of the most beautiful experiences.

Feel the Heat in Death Valley

Head to the hottest spot on the planet, Death Valley, to experience the driest and lowest land of extremes. Hikes here should be done early and with plenty of water. Even consider driving during the morning or evening hours to avoid overheating your vehicle.

Soak Up the Glam of LA

For an iconic California experience, head to the palm tree-lined streets of Los Angeles. Catch a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, check out the famous sunset strip, spend your time sunning yourself at one of LA’s famous beaches or check into a hotel with an incredible rooftop pool .

Though you could spend weeks there, even if you only have one day in Los Angeles it’s a worthwhile stop (though of course, we recommend more.)

If you do have a little more time on your hands, there are lots of incredible day trips from Los Angeles too – why not add a few to your itinerary?

Gaze Upon Granite Monoliths of Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is a sight that needs to be seen to be believed. Hike to the top of the famous Half Dome or take a scenic drive to Yosemite Falls. Glacier Point is another must-see view that is guaranteed to take your breathe away.

This area has some fantastic accommodation on offer too – we suggest you check out some of the amazing Yosemite Airbnbs whilst you’re there.

Get a Dose of Culture in San Francisco

Don’t race right through LA to San Francisco and then onward.  With so many fantastic shops and sights in the City by the Bay, you’ll want to allow plenty of time to explore!

We recommend hiring a hike and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge and then heading out to the redwoods!

This city is widely recognised as one of the most gay-friendly in the world so it’s a fantastic stop for LGBTQ travellers (and for everyone!)

Ride the Pacific Coast Highway (and Camp on the Beach!)

See the best of Northern California and Oregon via the Pacific Coast Highway. This iconic highway runs the entire length of the west coast, so hop on and off at your leisure to get your ocean views. Some of the best sections are in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sure and San Simeon – all located in California. There are many areas to camp along these beautiful stretches of coastal driving.

Relax Near the Blue Waters of Lake Tahoe

Located just two and a half hours east of San Francisco , the jewel-toned waters of Lake Tahoe offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and fun in the Sierra Mountains. There are a variety of fun-filled activities in Lake Tahoe , including short hikes to hidden beaches, an annual Shakespeare festival, and scenic boat rides.

Hike Around Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park was formed back when a volcano exploded and filled with water. It’s a sight to behold and a must-see on any west coast road trip itinerary. Drive around the scenic lake or opt to hike. Don’t forget to watch a sunset here.

Hug a Redwood

The Redwood National Forest in California is home to the biggest trees in the world! The tree trunks are so large, you can drive through them! No west coast road trip is complete without hugging one of these mega-giants.

Cruise the Cascades

Located in Oregon, the Cascade Mountains are home to many famous peaks including Mount St Helens. Plan on spending several days exploring these magnificent, volcanic peaks.

Drive the Beach

Unlike anywhere else in the US, there are certain areas along the Oregon Coast where you can Drive on the beach. Yup, put your tires in the sand and drive to your heart’s content along Cannon Beach. Be sure to check out the unique Haystack Rock.

Keep it Funky in Seattle

Seattle is a fun, urban hideout filled with tons of counter-culture and unbeatable coffee spots. Scope out the Public Market, visit the iconic Space Needle, and get funky in Fremont. Other areas of interest include Ballard and Belltown.

Pro Tip: We highly recommend you detour from Seattle to Vancouver, BC .  It makes for a perfect little side-trip!

Deception Pass

Deception Pass, located in coastal Washington near the Canadian Border is a great stop to gawk at an iconic sea bridge that is truly an engineering marvel. Take your time exploring the area and visiting the different sounds by boat tour.

What to Pack for a West Coast Road Trip

When it comes to packing for a US road trip, remember that you’ll be exploring many different environments with variable weather. Be prepared with these west coast road trip essentials:

• Sleeping bag *
• Travel pillow
• A USB charger with extra battery pack (most cars have USB charges, but bring a car charger just in case)
• Cook stove (you can also rent this from an outdoor store)*
• Basic cooking utensils (you can also purchase these from a Goodwill Store or Target when you arrive)*
• Cooler (again, you can buy used or rent)*
• Purchase stove fuel once you arrive, since you cannot take it on a plane
• Good walking/hiking shoes
• Warm socks and regular socks
• Plenty of undergarments
• A warm jacket for the mountains
• A rain jacket
• Day pack for hiking /exploring
• Toiletries: Don’t forget to pack your prescriptions. It’s harder to get medication in America, but there are plenty of basic over-the-counter medicines available
• An international driver’s license
• Passport with copies
• Book, cards, and other forms of entertainment
• The ultimate road trip playlist for music
• Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Apps like HipCamp (boutique camp spots), Airbnb, Yelp, and more!

*Only required if camping

Now You’re Sorted, It’s Time to Hit the West Coast on Your Road Trip!

If you’re into beaches, mountains, desert wonders, and cultural meccas, you’ll love the adventure of a west coast road trip.

Take your time and explore the unique sights of the western US by road.

Guest Post by Meg Atteberry.  A full-time freelance writer for the outdoors, she grew up in the western US and now calls Colorado home. She wants to empower you to go on the adventure of a lifetime. As a rock climber, mountaineer, and geography nerd, she loves to explore the natural nooks and crannies of the word. You can learn more about Meg on her blog, Fox in the Forest . She’d rather be dirty than done up.

Find her on Instagram and Facebook too!

Keen to book your own West Coast road trip through the United States? Go on, pin this post…

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TWO WORLDS TREASURES

Explore Texas & beyond from Dallas/Ft. Worth

Best Trips Out West: Road Trip Itinerary

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I have personally used and would recommend. Also, Two Worlds Treasures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Trips out west is in every road tripper bucket list. Who doesn’t dream to hike to the famous Delicate Arch in Utah or see the Old Faithful shots its hot water to the air?

Our family got a chance to road tripping the west in the summer of 2015. Then we went again to visit part of the region the following years, and three years later when we drove from Denver to Moab. Still, we haven’t got to visit all the beauty places there. So, more trips out west in the future for us.

When we went in 2015, part of our trips out west was with a family friend who live in Utah. But that doesn’t mean they’ve been to Moab or Yellowstone before. It was their first time to both places. Hard to believe, right?

Also, we couldn’t get them committed long before the trip because of his work. By the time they agreed with the dates, I had to find accommodations for two families in less than a month. It’s not fun at all.

When I thought about it again, I think they didn’t understand that you need to make a plan ahead of time for this kind of trip. So, for the last 3 days of our trips out west, after we parted, we decided not to do any reservations at all. I was tired searching for accommodations in a last-minute. See where the adventure would take us.

Our starting point.

Since we left from Texas, we had to cross New Mexico to get to Utah. So, we stopped there for a couple of nights to visit places we didn’t get to see from our road trip to the Southwest the year before.

Below is our itinerary that you can follow on your trips out west. You can always adjust it, depending on how long you will be on the road or your starting point.

Remember! If you travel with others, make sure you are in the same path. You will find how inconvenient it is if you travel with people who you think are like you, but they aren’t.

Table of Contents:

• Best Road Trip Itinerary for the West
• Day 1: Tinkertown Museum & Sandia Peak in Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Day 2: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, Loretto Chapel, and Turquoise Trail in Albuquerque & Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Day 3: Wilson Arch & Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
• Day 4: Arches NP & Hole N’ The Rock in Moab, Utah
• Day 5: Arches NP & Canyonlands NP in Moab, Utah
• Day 6: Antelope Island State Park near Salt Lake City, Utah
• Day 7: Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Day 8: Tony Grove Lake in Logan, Utah
• Day 9: Yellowstone National Park
• Day 10: Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP & Jackson Hole in Wyoming
• Day 11: Flaming Gorge Dam & Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal, Utah
• Day 12: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Day 13: Great Sand Dune National Park, Red River & Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico
• Day 14: Capulin Volcano National Monument in Capulin, New Mexico
• Tips for the Trips

Day 1: Home (North Texas) to Albuquerque, New Mexico (649 miles, about 9 h 30 m, different time zone at the destination.)

Places Visited:

• TINKERTOWN MUSEUM . I read about this museum from a parenting magazine. It’s a tiny museum filled with handmade dioramas of Old West scenes by its creator, Ross Ward, as well as antique toys. Pretty neat! Address: 121 Sandia Crest Rd., Sandia Park, NM 87047.
• SANDIA PEAK . We drove all the way to the top to see the city of Albuquerque from above, but we could only stay for a few minutes because summer storm started to hit us. It’s pretty common in the area during summer. Hope you will get better luck than us when you go.

Entrance Fee:

• Tinkertown Museum: Adults/Seniors: $6.00; Kids 4-16: $3.00; Kids Under 4: Free. Prices are subject to change.

Accommodation & Meals:

• Lots of hotels and restaurant to choose in Albuquerque that matched your budget. A couple of times we camped at Turquoise Trail Campground and RV Park in the Sandia Mountains, around 15 minutes from Albuquerque. Address: 22 Calvary Rd., Cedar Crest, NM 87008.

Day 2: Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM.

• KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT , Cochiti Pueblo. We finally got to see the unique rock formations at this park. The 1.5-mile, one-way trek into a narrow canyon with a steep (630 ft.) climb to the mesa top was so worth it. I would say this is a must-visit while in Albuquerque or Santa Fe area. Address: Jemez Springs, NM 87025.
• LORETTO CHAPEL , Santa Fe. The famous chapel with its unusual spiral staircase that has two 360 degrees turns and no visible means of support.   
• TURQUOISE TRAIL , a scenic route that connects Santa Fe and Albuquerque. We stopped at Madrid, an artists’ community and the location of the movie The Wild Hogs.
• Tent-Rocks is Free with National Park Pass; or $5 – private vehicles, group pass up to 25 individuals $25, 25-100 individuals $100.

As of April 13, 2021 update, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument remains closed due to Covid-19.  

• Stop at Cowgirl BBQ in Santa Fe for their Mother of Green Chile Cheeseburger.

Note: find out more about things to do and see around Albuquerque and Santa Fe here. You will find more info on National Monuments and museums in and around the cities. 

Day 3: Albuquerque, NM to Moab, Utah (365 miles, about 6 h).

• WILSON ARCH . When you see cars parking by the road on your road trip, you know there must be something that worth the stop. And yes, we’re glad we made the five minutes scramble up the red dirt to Wilson Arch. I felt like an ant under the arch. If you are a rock climber, you can climb to the top of the arch and rappel down. Address: Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. Less than a mile south of La Sal Junction.
• ARCHES NATIONAL PARK . After supper we made a quick trip to Arches. We stopped not too far from the gate and let the children climbing the rocks there. We named the giant rock formation in front of us “The Penguin” because they looked like ones. Then we drove around the park until it got dark. If you get to Moab late in the afternoon like us, I encourage you to go to Arches National Park and make a stop at places that are closer to the entrance. That way you save yourself some time for the next day.
• Wilson Arch is free.
• Arches NP: Free with National Park Pass; or $30 – private vehicle, $25 – motorcycle, $15 – individual on bicycle or foot. Good for 7 days.
• We rent a condo at the South Gate Village and cooked our own meals.
• Lots of hotels/condo/campground and restaurants that match your budget around Moab. On our second visit we stayed at a cabin in a RV Campground.

Note: It’s the first day when we met our friend and his family for this trips out west.

Day 4: Moab, Utah

• ARCHES NP . We went to see The Windows and after that our friends’ daughters wanted to go back to the condo so they could go back to their video game. Help!!! It’s not even 10 a.m. This is not what I had in mind for our trips out west. I wanted to cry because I didn’t see we could do all the things I had in my bucket list. We finally managed to stop at The Balanced Rock, Courthouse Towers, and Park Avenue. Then we stopped at downtown Moab for a window shopping and lunch.
• HOLE N’ THE ROCK . I was so upset, I preferred to go to Hole N” The Rock rather than swimming with the group. It’s a house build inside the rock, but I found it not too interesting. There’s not much to see in the house. So, you can skip it. Address: 11037 US-191, Moab, UT84532.
• Hole N” The Rock: House tours: – $6.50, Under 5 Free. Zoo: $4.25 per person, Under 2 years old Free.

Day 5: Moab, Utah

• ARCHES NP . Woke up early in the morning to hike to the Delicate Arch. Our friend offered to watch our son because he had a teleconference meeting at 8 a.m. and their daughters would stay in the condo with him. That’s not the option. Our son had to come with us and he praised the Delicate Arch as a master piece after he saw it, though he was whining all the way to the top because his friends were still sleeping when we left.
• CANYONLANDS NP . Made a quick loop in Island in the Sky district late in the afternoon. When you have a limited time like us, make sure you hike to Mesa Arch and walk to Grand View Point.
• Canyonlands NP: Free with National Park Pass; or $30 – private vehicle, $25 – motorcycle, $15 – individual on foot or bicycle. All good for seven days.

Day 6: Moab to Salt Lake City, Utah (234 miles, about 4 h).

Place Visited:

• ANTELOPE ISLAND STATE PARK . I floated in the smelly Great Salt Lake with brine shrimps and flies. It’s gross, far from my experience floating in the Dead Sea. You can skip floating here, but it’s a nice park to visit. Address: 4528 West 1700 South, I-15 exit #335, Syracuse, UT 84075.
• $15 per vehicle up to 8 people. Senior entrance fee (65 years of age) $10 per vehicle up to 8 people. Bicycles, Motorcycles, Pedestrians $3 per person.
• Lots of hotels and restaurants in Salt Lake City that match your budget.

Note: We spent a night in Salt Lake City while our friend and his family drove straight home to Logan, north of Salt Lake City.

Day 7: Salt Lake City to Logan, Utah (82.3 miles, about 1.5 h).

• TEMPLE SQUARE . This is an interesting place to learn about the Mormon Church. We also stopped at the LDS Genealogy and Family History Library, did a quick search on my husband’s great-grandfather. It’s free and I heard it’s one of the best library of its kind in the country. If you visit on Thursday, you can visit the famous Tabernacle Choir practice in the evening, for free.
• Lunch at The Garden Restaurant in the Temple Square. It has a best view of the square from the top. Today we stayed at our friend’s house in Logan, about an hour and a half to the north of Salt Lake City.

Day 8: Logan, Utah.

• TONY GROVE LAKE . We had a lovely hike in this picturesque mountain lake area. I felt like we were somewhere in Switzerland, although I haven’t been there yet. Haha.. Wish we could explore more though, but the 4th of July fireworks was awaiting us back in Logan. Address: Hwy 89 turnoff in Logan Canyon, about 15-16 miles from Logan.

Day 9: Logan, Utah to Ashton, Idaho (206 miles, about 3 h).

• YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK . After we checked in at the hotel in Ashton, we went to Yellowstone. Car line on the west entrance was quite long. We got to see the Old Faithful and tour the Upper Geyser Basin, drove to Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Fall, and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone before we went back to Ashton.
• Free with National Park Pass; or $35 – private vehicle, $30 – motorcycle/snowmobile, $20 – individual on foot, bicycle, ski, etc. Good for 7 days.
• We stayed in Ashton, Idaho because of late booking. Packed our lunch because we’re not sure whether we would be around restaurants inside the park during lunch time.

Day 10: Ashton, Idaho to Rock Springs, Wyoming (247 miles, about 5 hours).

• YELLOWSTONE NP, WY . Exploring more of Yellowstone between West Entrance and South Entrance that we didn’t get to visit the day before, while our friend went home to Utah.
• GRAND TETON NP, WY . Did a quick stop at the Teton.
• JACKSON HOLE, WY . Strolling around downtown of this ski resorts city in Wyoming. We made a hotel reservation for Rock Springs from here.
• Grand Teton NP: Free with National Park Pass; or $35 – private vehicle, $30 – motorcycle, $20 – individual on foot, bicycle, ski, etc. Good for 7 days.
• Roadside hotels and restaurants to choose that match your budget in Rock Springs.

Day 11 – Rock Springs, WY to Delta, CO (289 miles, about 5 h 30 m).

• FLAMING GORGE DAM , Utah. We did a tour here with a group of motorcyclist. They had to take off all of their metal accessories before joining the tour. I think our trips out west was getting interesting. Address: Southern end of Lake Flaming Gorge in northeastern Utah.
• DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT , Vernal, Utah. A cool place to see approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones on the wall. A must-see for dinosaur and fossil enthusiasts. Address: 11625 E 1500 S Jensen, Utah 84035.
• Flaming Gorge Dam is free.
• Dinosaur NM in Vernal, Utah: Free with National Park Pass; or $25 – private vehicle, $20 – motorcycle, $15 – individual on foot or bicycle. Good for 7 days.
• We stayed in Delta, CO. It was the first day of our no reservations trip.

Note: From Vernal we thought about going to Estes Park in Colorado, but hail and flash flood made us turned to a different direction. We ended up in Delta, Colorado and we never heard about this place before. While searching for the hotel, I saw there’s a National Park here. Woo hoo!

Day 12 – Delta to Alamosa, CO (222 miles, about 4 h).

• BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK . Probably one of the less visited National Park in the U.S., we found this park very interesting with its steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. And the park ranger took his telescope out while we were there, so we got to see the sun with its tongues flickering.
• Free with National Park Pass; or $30 – private vehicle, $25 –  motorcycle (maximum of two people), $15 – pedestrian/cyclist. Good for seven days. 16 & under free; Black Canyon Annual Pass: $55.
• Choices of hotels and restaurants in Alamosa, CO.

Day 13: Alamosa, CO to Capulin, NM (159 miles, about 2 h 30 m).

• GREAT SAND DUNE NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE , Alamosa. Another National Park we found on our way home to Texas. We had a great time sledding on the sand, just like when we went to White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
• RED RIVER, NM . A favorite place for Texan during winter, we saw people fishing everywhere along the river. I think that’s a favorite thing to do during summertime here. We stopped for an ice cream break and strolled a bit in downtown area.
• PHILMONT SCOUT RANCH, Cimarron, NM . My husband wanted to show Philmont Scout Ranch to our son. This is the base for the Boy Scout to backpacking to the top of Baldy Mountain. The Boy Scout Museum is also located here.
• Great Sand Dune NP is Free with National Park Pass; or $25/private vehicle, $20/motorcycle and riders, $15/person for over sized vehicle with 15+ passengers, ages 16+.
• Lots of restaurant along the way and we pitched a tent at Capulin RV Park. Yup! When we were searching for a hotel, a little voice from the back seat said, “Let’s camping! What’s the point of bringing a tent if we don’t use it?”

Day 14: Capulin, NM to home in North TX (540 miles, about 8 h).

• CAPULIN VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT . I think it was our 5th time visiting this place. We just like it and this time we got to see a family of fox. They were so cute!
• Free with National Park Pass; or $20 – per private vehicle, $15 – per motorcycle and riders, $10 – per person arriving on foot or bicycle. Receipt valid for 7 days.

General tips for the trip :

• Buy a National Park pass for the trip that is also good for National Monument (cost $80).
• Booked hotels in advance, especially for Yellowstone NP.
• Find information online, from bloggers, magazines, and friends who’d been to those places or live around the area.
• AND, make sure you really know the members of your traveling mate.

So, whether you go West, Southwest, Midwest, South, or East Coast for your National Park road trip this coming vacation, make sure you read this 10 Best National Parks Vacation . It has complete information on what activities (like hiking, biking, or swimming) to do in the parks and where to stay in or near the parks.

Updated on March 20, 2020.

Thank you for sharing this:

Umiko Buhl is a travel blogger and the founder of Two Worlds Treasures. She travels around Texas to neighboring states and around the country with her family and dog from their family home in the south of Dallas/Fort Worth. Originally from Indonesia, she tries to go home every 2-3 years to spend time with her families and friends while exploring Indonesia. Her mission is to share her honest reviews of places she visited.

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48 comments.

Awesome article. We were there precisely one year ago… little did we know this year was going to be so different with no traveling due to Covid-19. Thanks for this article, it put a smile on my face! Marcella

Who would have thought everything will be different this year. I’m glad I could bring back your memories to these places.

That sounds like an amazing road trip! I used to live in Utah and I still haven’t been to Moab. I would love to visit.

So our friend and his family weren’t the only one. 🙂

I LOVE detailed road trip itineraries like this one! You included so much helpful information! I am saving this for our future trip to the parks! Thank you!

I’m glad you found it helpful.

A work friend is doing a “year of National Parks” and is visiting a new one every month. I’m totally sending him this post, he’ll love it. Meanwhile, you’re going to all of the parks that are on my bucket list! The tent rocks look so cool, I’d love to find out more about how they were formed!

Your friend is lucky to be able to do it once a month. I will be happy if you share this post to him.

That is quite the trip! I have seen delicate arch once before, it is very impressive. You have made me want to take my own road trip to some of these spots.

Parks at the West are amazing and makes you want to visit again and again.

Wow. That was quite the trip that you took. so many parks and what a beautiful area. I’ve explored a lot of Colorado and New Mexico myself but never been on a road trip quite this long to so many cool places sounds like you had a ton of fun

For part-time traveler like our family, we don’t have a freedom to go whenever we wanted to. It depends on time off from school and all the activities. So, this is one way to do it.

There is nothing like a good road trip! Thanks for sharing these great tips, there is so much to be explored in the West.

Never ending exploration.

Those cone shaped mountains are quite cool looking, Id like to go check thouse out… Love nationaol parks especially Banff, its my favorite..

Yeah, I like Kasha-Katuwe, the national monument that has cone shaped rocks. I haven’t been to Banff, but I must do it.

There’s just so much to see in do in the Western U.S.. What a great trip! Sounds like your family was able to see so much!!

And there are still so much that we haven’t seen yet. The western U.S. is a heaven for outdoor lovers.

Great detailed list here, have always wanted to do a road-trip through the US with a focus on all the amazing national parks. This seems like a great itinerary. Will certainly save for when this trip comes to light.

Thank you! I hope you will make it one day.

This is pretty much my dream itinerary – love living in New York but hate being so far (and usually a pretty pricey flight) away from all the weat coast national parks.

I understand that. I sometimes wish living in Colorado so it’s easier to go to all those national parks in the west.

Great compilation! There are so many parks on the west coast that it’s hard to see them all! So this is a great guide to seeing some of them.

Thank you, Amy!

I know that “sandia” is the Spanish word for watermelon… was there something particularly watermelon-like about Sandia Peak?

Honestly, I didn’t know that. But I will stop again next June, so I will find out about it. Thank you for giving me something to think about.

That’s such an amazing two-week trip! We’ve never made it to any parks out west, but I want to so badly. The pictures look amazing! I love that the US has so many gorgeous places to see…right in our own backyard! Which park was your favorite?

For this trip, I fell in love with Arches. It captivated me with its giant rocks formation the minute we drove to the park. I’ve never seen giant rocks like that before.

I’m hoping to do something similar to this soon (but from Denver, and to Grand Canyon instead of Yellowstone). Thanks for all the tips!

You are welcome! We’re going to Grand Canyon also this summer, then Colorado in July.

I did a similar impulse trip a couple of years back where I hit some of the same spots! I could spend forever in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. You should definitely try to make it to Montana too!

Montana and Idaho are our next destinations when we go up there again. So many parks to see, but the opportunity is not always taking us to that direction.

Wow! That looks like an awesome 14 days with minimal planning! I’m planning on doing Utah soon so will definitely keep your tips in mind!

It was crazy awesome! lol. I know that we need to do Utah only in the future. There are so much parks – National or States – to explore there.

My partner and I have been meaning to go park hopping! We love the park scene and the calmness of camping. I will be bookmarking this list to revisit with her. Thanks!

Awesome! I hope you will have a blast when the time is here.

You’re so lucky you have all these wonderful landmarks on your front door! I’ve seen many photos of Moab in Utah and think it’s spectacular! I also love those interesting rock formations, so unique and unlike any other I’ve seen before.

I know, right? But tell you what. I’m sad because most people I know don’t care about these wonderful landmarks. They only want to go to Disney, Paris, or New York. There’s nothing wrong with those places, but they need to open their mind for alternative destinations.

I can’t believe you did all that with no planning!! You should do that more often! the Hole n in the Rock and the Mammoth hot springs looked amazing. Kids look like they had a ball! Thanks for the awesome list!

It’s not the whole trip without reservations. Just the last 4 days and 3 nights. I can see we will do more in the future.

Wow! You sure got around in two week’s time! I love road trips and this is a great itinerary. We’ve done a lot of the things you covered in the south, but on up into Idaho is a dream of ours.

That’s what we like to do. Rest time is at night, or in the car. 🙂 We actually thought about going to Idaho this summer.

That was a great read! Your trips are similar to ours…always on the move! I will keep this in mind when we head to Utah and Colorado. This summer we are going to the Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier areas.

Good to hear from another family that has similar trip like us. I hope you will have ton of fun at those National Parks. I’ve never get enough of Yellowstone, and still have to explore Teton and visit Glacier.

This is a great well put-together itinerary. I love how you have gone into detail, given prices and drives times. I always find these details super useful. The landscapes and scenery look amazing too.

Thank you very much, Katie!

I can’t believe how much you packed into two weeks! I would love to know how you found floating in Great Salt Lake with those shrimps and flies? Was it gross or did you feel great and refreshed after.

Well, for us hotel is only for sleeping, shower, and breakfast. Then we spent the whole day outside. Maybe that’s why we could pack a lot in two weeks. Though in Moab we did stay in the condo during afternoon hours. And, floating in the Great Salt Lake was gross. But I was there already. So, just do it! lol.

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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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The Ultimate 2 Week West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

The American West Coast is undoubtedly one of the most incredible road trip destinations in the United States , if not the world.

It really has a distinct identity all on its own, picture gorgeous red rock formations as tall as the sky, colorful sweeping canyons, long dusty roads lined with cacti, and vast native American culture.

It’s easy to understand why people fall in love with this place as it is like no other.

To truly explore this place in depth you really need an entire month. I only had two weeks to explore this incredible area and was determined to hit all the best places possible.

Ready to feel the wind in your hair? Buckle in, as I’m here to share with you my West Coast adventures and how you can also explore this fantastic part of the world with my complete 2-week West Coast USA itinerary.

Ready to hit the open road? From Monument Valley to sunny Palm Springs this unforgettable 2-week West Coast USA itinerary has it all. 

Geographically the West Coast includes states such as Washington, Oregon & California however, I decided to throw Utah into the mix and make this a West Coast/South West kinda road trip.

The trip begins in Los Angeles , travels through Utah and Arizona, and ends in Los Angeles, California.

You can easily explore this west coast itinerary in reverse as it is just one big loop. That said you can modify this road trip to add more cities or national parks if you have more time to explore.

2 Week West Coast USA Itinerary Outline

Stop 1: los angeles.

Stop 2: Palm Springs

Stop 3: Las Vegas

Stop 4: Bryce Canyon National Park

Stop 5: Moab, Utah

Stop 6: Monument Valley

Stop 7: Page, Arizona

Stop 8: Zion National Park

Stop 9: Las Vegas

Stop 10: Los Angeles

One thing I do recommend doing before exploring any of the national parks is to get yourself an Annual Parks Pass.

This $80 park pass will grant you entry to many of the national parks in the United States and will save you a ton on entry fees.

Some popular parks, trails, and attractions may require a reservation or permit. Check out Travel in the USA’s article for parks that require a reservation for 2023.

Car, Camper, or RV?

For this 2-week West Coast USA itinerary, you will most likely need a car or RV-style camper. The west is very accustomed to this style of travel. We traveled in our converted campervan, and it was so much fun.

Websites like Cruise America and RVshare are great if you’re looking to book an RV for your road trip.

Not a big fan of camping? You can always rent a car and stay in hotels along the way. Kayak has some great deals on car rentals, I also like to use rentalcars.com as well.

Best time of year for a 2-week USA West Coast Road Trip?

You can follow this 2 week West Coast USA itinerary at any time however, there are definitely better times of the year to visit than others.

In my opinion, the best time to visit out west is in the early Fall and Spring seasons.

The temperatures are milder, which makes hiking and other outdoor activities more enjoyable. We visited during the tail end of the summer, and the temperatures were still very high 100°F (38°C). With this in mind, I wouldn’t recommend this time as it’s just too hot for comfort.

Accommodation: Hotel Ziggy West Hollywood

I personally recommend starting and ending your trip in Los Angeles, California. This is for a few reasons, you won’t have to deal with one-way costs of car rentals, and there are always cheaper and more affordable flights from LAX Airport.

Los Angeles is a major city with a direct international airport making it the perfect hub for many international tourists visiting the United States.

If you decide to use a rental car service kayak is a great place to start and compare prices and if you are feeling extra adventurous consider hiring a camper van , true road trip style!

Los Angeles is a HUGE city with a lot to offer, you will want to spend at least 1-2 days exploring the highlights such as Venice Beach, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica.

West Hollywood

Known to the locals as “WeHo” this fun and vibrant Los Angeles suburb is right in the middle of everything making it the perfect starting point for exploring LA. Check out below my top things to see and do in West Hollywood.

Hollywood Bowl

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills is LA’s Hollywood Bowl an amphitheater used for live concerts. Since its opening in 1922, the bowl has been the epicenter for live music in Southern California. Check here for tickets and showings.

Griffith Park

Home to the Griffith Observatory , Los Angeles Zoo , Autry Museum , and of course the iconic Hollywood Sign. Griffith Park is the best way to see Los Angeles from above. The observatory is a great spot to discover outer-space exhibits and the surrounding hiking trails offer stellar views of the entire Los Angeles valley below.

Hike to the Hollywood Sign

Nothing screams more iconic than hiking to the famous Hollywood Sign. Choose from 3 hiking routes the Mt. Hollywood Trail, Canyon Boulevard Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. The hike is roughly 2-3 hrs roundtrip including the walk to the trailhead.

I can’t think of a better way to enjoy the great outdoors, it’s my favorite hike in all of Los Angeles, and it’s certainly worth adding to your Los Angeles bucket list.

Read more 

The ultimate 3-day itinerary for los angeles , lacma and academy museum of motion pictures.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art aka “LACMA” is located on Museum Row, adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits. The museum features great art displays from ancient periods right up to the present day.

Don’t miss taking a photo at the popular Urban Light display out front of the museum.

Just a short walk from the LACMA is the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures another excellent museum filled with Hollywood movie props, cultural exhibits, and more.

This a great place if you are into the art of movie making and film, there is always something fun and exciting happening at the Academy Museum.

Santa Monica & Venice Beach

Exploring LA wouldn’t be complete without a quick visit to Santa Monica and Venice. Don’t miss exploring the Santa Monica Pier and its famous Pacific Park, it’s also worth waiting to watch the sunset from the beach.

Lastly, to end your day in Venice, I highly recommend hiring a bike and leisurely riding along the boardwalk to Venice Beach from the Santa Monica Pier. Be sure to check out the highlights such as the famous Venice Beach Sign, Abbott Kinny Boulevard, and Venice Canals.

Los Angeles’s beaches are not to be missed. If you have extra time I also recommend visiting Malibu, it’s about 45 mins from West Hollywood and is known for its beautiful beaches and celebrity homes.

Stop 2: Los Angeles to Palm Springs

Drive time: 1hr 46mins

Accommodation: Outdoor Resort Palm Springs

The next stop on this West Coast road trip itinerary is Plam Springs. This gorgeous town is filled with beautiful palm trees, and boutique restaurants and not to mention has a stellar collection of mid-century modern homes.

It’s the quintessential oasis for relaxing and outdoor adventures.

Spend a full day exploring the town and its top highlights. You can wander downtown and explore the many boutique cafes and restaurants or rent a bike and leisurely ride around the neighborhoods admiring the stunning mid-century modern architecture.

The Best Summer Weekend Getaways In The USA

Palm Springs located in the Coachella Valley has so much to offer. Check out below my top things to do in Plam Springs.

Palm Springs Visitor Centre

Albert Frey’s Ariel Tramway is a Palm Springs landmark and is also home to the Palm Springs Infomation Centre. The center is touristy but totally worth checking out, here you can find souvenirs, maps, and apparel for sale.

Moorten Botanical Gardens

This place is cacti heaven! The garden showcases over 3000 different species of desert cacti and plants. Enjoy strolling through the garden and learning about all the different succulents and desert plants and the areas in which they grow.

Joshua Tree National Park

If you get enough time, I highly recommend exploring the natural beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree displays a fascinating variety of plants and rock formations which are native to the Mojave Desert.

Be sure to check out the many hiking trails within the park, my favorite spot is the beautiful Cholla Cactus Garden, but be careful walking through you don’t want these prickly guys to touch you.

Stop 3: Palm Springs to Las Vegas

Drive time: 3hrs 56mins

Accommodation: Wynn Las Vegas  

On day three you will want to get up for an early morning start, as the drive from Palm Springs to Las Vegas is roughly 4hrs.

Since Vegas is so iconic I could not put it on my list of places to see, it wouldn’t be a West Coast road trip without it am I right?

You’ll want to spend the whole day exploring the area, and if it’s your first time in Las Vegas, then I highly recommend staying on the strip amongst all the glitz and glamor.

The list of top things to see and do in Vegas is endless, and there is always something for everyone.

Vegas is known for its live shows, gambling, fine dining, and glamorous nightlife. Be sure to check out the many strip hotels, each with its own unique theming.

Don’t miss popular attractions such as the Bellagio Fountain Display and of course, snap a selfie at the famous Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas sign.

Regarding restaurants, Vegas is well known for its Michelin-star dining and of course buffets. If you’re looking for the best all-you-can-eat, hit up the buffet at the Wynn Hotel, It’s absolutely incredible.

Stop 4: Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon

Drive time: 4hrs 

Accommodation: Bryce Canyon National Park Campground

Utah is home to many incredible national parks with Bryce Canyon being one of them. This impressive national park is full of unique rock formations, fantastic hiking trails, and the most spectacular views you will ever see.

Bryce Canyon is so underrated, and like no other park, I have visited. The best thing about Bryce Canyon National Park is that you only need a day or two to explore its surroundings fully.

Bryce Canyon is one of those parks that can be explored in just one day, however, you will want to spend at least two, so you can really make the most of the park. Allowing two days will let you see a sunset when you arrive and a sunrise the next morning.

When it comes to choosing a hiking trail, honestly they are all pretty amazing so you really can’t go wrong. See below my Bryce Canyon itinerary and how to make the most of your two days at the park.

Visitors Center

Start your day off at the Visitors Center. Here you can get some trail maps, check the weather conditions of the park, and any souvenirs you wish to buy. The rangers here can help you if you have any questions.

The Visitors Center is also the central hub for the park shuttle, it’s free to catch and commutes guests to the most popular overlooks, amenities, and trailheads.

Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail

The best hike in the park and also my favorite is the Navajo Loop paired with the Queens Garden Trail. Starting at Sunset Point, begin your hike on the Navajo Loop Trail, connect with the Queens Garden Trail, and finish at Sunrise Point.

Walk back to your car via the Bryce Canyon Rim Trail. The total length of the hike is 2.9 miles (4.6 km) and has an elevation gain of 515 feet (157 m). The hike should take around 1-2 hrs to complete, depending on your fitness level.

Drive to Bryce Point

Hop in the car for a short drive to the Bryce Point Parking Lot. Spend some time taking in the incredible views and surroundings.

Watch the Sunset at Sunrise Point

Your last stop of the day! Head back towards the Vistors Center stopping at Sunrise Point. Weirdly enough, I personally think the best spot for viewing the sunset is Sunrise Point. It’s a definite must-see from here, and the views won’t disappoint.

Watch the Sunrise at Sunset Point

Kick off your last day at Sunset Point to watch the sunrise. If you’re not a morning person I totally get it I’m not an early bird either however, I do like to make exceptions at places I feel I may only ever get to see once and it’s always 100% worth it once you’re there.

Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive

It’s time to cruise along the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive. The drive starts at the Visitors Center and ends at Rainbow Point. The route is a 38-mile round-trip scenic drive with 13 viewpoints, each offering slightly different views.

I recommend driving all the way to Rainbow Point and then stopping at the viewpoints on your way back down. My favorite overlooks were Natural Bridge, Black Birch Canyon & Agua Canyon.

Lunch at Bryce Canyon Lodge

Stop for lunch at the Bryce Canyon Lodge. The dining at The Lodge offers a wide variety of food options. We actually ate here twice when we visited the park it was that good.

Breakfast is served from 7.30 am to 10 am, lunch is from 11.30 to 3 pm, and dinner is from 5 pm to 9 pm. Seating in on a first come first serve basis.

Hike Mossy Cave Trail

This is your last stop in Bryce Canyon before heading to your next location, this stop is also optional depending on how much time you have. Mossy Cave Trail is located just outside the main park entrance in the northern section of the park on Highway 12.

This beautiful hiking trail follows a stream to a mossy cave (hence the trail name). With only a 300 ft elevation gain this trail is considered easy according to the National Park Service.

Stop 5: Bryce Canyon to Moab

Drive time: 4hrs 20mins

Accommodation: Free Dispersed Camping and Willow Flat Campground

Moab, Utah is the ultimate hub for adventure seekers, campers, and photographers. It’s home to two of the most famous national parks in the United States Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

When I first arrived at this place, I remember feeling so at home as it felt similar to my hometown in Australia (minus the amazing rocks & canyons). The vibes were very chill here, and all the locals were super friendly and welcoming.

If this is your first time visiting the area, well you’re in for a treat. Explore the many parks, rivers, and hiking trails that boast Moab’s dramatic scenery.

The one great thing about Moab is just how close the two national parks are, Arches is roughly 5 miles (8 km) from the center of town, and Canyonlands is 30.2 miles (48 km) from town.

You could easily spend a whole week here and not see everything however, you can cover many of the park’s highlights without even leaving your car.

Arches National Park

Arches is a relatively small national park, the downside to this is that the park can become very busy during the high seasons.

I recommend starting your hikes super early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This is also good for high-heat conditions if you visit during summer.

Double Arch

Hiking to Double Arch is one of the many popular hiking trails within Arches, visitors love this trail, and for a good reason. Double Arch is a short, primarily flat hiking trail that leads hikers to a double-arch rock formation.

This arch may look small from the car park however, the sheer size of the arch becomes super clear the closer you get to it. It’s absolutely massive! It’s also considered the third-largest arch opening in the entire park.

The hike is a 0.8-mile (1.2 km) round trip and is considered an easy trail.

Delicate Arch

The arch with the most attention goes to Delicate Arch. It’s the arch you see all over social media and is undoubtedly one of North America’s most famous rock arches .

It certainly wouldn’t be a 2-week west coast USA itinerary without a visit to this spot. For the best views go at sunset and watch the stars come out making the arch glow in the afternoon light.

Be careful on your way back down as you will be hiking in the dark, be sure to have your hiking essentials with you like a headlamp and compass.

Gift Ideas for the Adventurous Backpacker

Sand dune arch.

Another must-do hiking trail is Sand Dune Arch. It’s considered easy and takes literally 15 mins to complete.

This popular trail leads hikers to a secluded arch between tall sandstone walls. While the trail is mostly level, you do have to walk on soft sand and hike between narrow openings.

The roundtrip distance for this trail is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) with zero elevation gain.

The Windows Primitive Loop

Last up we have The Windows. This trail consists of three arches along a short 1-mile scenic loop. This hike is best viewed at sunrise or during the afternoon at sunset.

The trail starts at the North Window and then heads to the South Window. On the way to the North Window, you can also take a side detour to the south to view Turret Arch.

Canyonlands National Park

Located 30 mins from Moab, Canyonlands National Park is known for its impressive desert landscape carved out by the Colorado River. Canyonlands consists of three major land districts the Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze.

If your coming from Moab, your best option is to visit the Island in the Sky portion. This is the most visited section of the park and the most accessible from the north.

If you have more time on your hands, you can definitely check out the other two areas, these are sometimes overlooked and have unique hiking trails and breathtaking views of the surrounding canyons.

My recommendations below are for the Island of the Sky as that’s where I visited on my west coast trip and what I suggest if you are short on time.

Drive the Scenic Route

Starting at the Visitors Center drive the entire 34-mile (54.7 km) Grand View Scenic Route stopping at all the amazing overlooks on the way. Starting at Shafer Canyon Overlook and ending at Grand View Point Overlook.

My all-time favorite overlook is Green River Overlook, featured above, especially at sunset. The overlook is located just past the Willows Flat Campground and showcases some of the best views of the two mighty rivers.

A great short trail to check out is Mesa Arch. Mesa is the perfect trail for families and beginner hikers. It’s a 0.5-mile (0.8 km) loop and ends at a stunning 500 ft (152.4 m) cliff with a view of White Rim through the rock arch.

This arch is best viewed at Sunrise as the sun glows directly through the arch in the early morning. If you plan to hike at sunrise, be very careful as the trailhead can become very busy during this time.

Please note that there are no railings at the arch to prevent fatal falls and always remember not to climb on the arches themselves.

Grand View Point Overlook

Another short trail worth checking out is at the Grand View Point Overlook. The trail displays spectacular panoramic views as you follow the canyon’s edge. The elevation of this hike is 73 ft (22 m) and takes around 1.5 hrs to complete.

Dead Horse State Park

Roughly 10 mins from the main entrance to Canyonlands you will see Hwy 313 which will lead to Dead Horse State Park. I highly recommend visiting if you have some spare time.

Dead Horse Point Overlook is absolutely incredible and totally worth checking out.

Stop 6: Moab to Monument Valley

Drive time: 2hrs 40mins

Accommodation: Goosenecks State Park

Next, we have Monument Valley, one of America’s most famous and magnificent landscapes. Much of its natural beauty can be experienced by driving its scenic routes which pass by many notable landmarks and features.

I couldn’t be more amazed by its natural wonders, Monument Valley has been on my list of must-visit places for a long time, and I can honestly say it did not disappoint.

Monument Valley is a 17-mile (27.3 km) road that starts at the Vistors Center and weaves its way through the valley.

Highlights of the valley include the Mitten Buttes, the Three Sisters, the Totem Pole, and the famous Forrest Gump Hill.

Spend the day enjoying a long drive through Monument Valley on Valley Drive soaking in the stunning vistas in all directions. The drive is roughly 3-4 hours and costs about $20.00 to enter.

Driving through the valley truly feels like your driving through an old classic Hollywood western. Fun Fact: It wasn’t until John Ford featured Monument Valley in his films that it started to gain major popularity in the movie industry.

It’s now been shown in many iconic films such as Forrest Gump, National Lampoons Vacation, Back to the Future Part 3, and Mission Impossible 2.

The perfect place to catch the sunrise in Monument Valley is at Forrest Gump Hill, this spot makes for the best photos as it’s the main viewpoint of the road leading up to the rock formations that makes up the valley itself.

Goosenecks State Park

Another excellent place to check out is Goosenecks State Park, it’s located just north of Mexcian Hat and is roughly 20 mins from Monument Valley’s Forrest Gump Point.

The state park overlooks an impressive deep meander (a meander being a series of strenuous curves in a river channel).

Look down the San Juan River 1,000 ft (304.8 m) below you and see the results of millions of years of geological erosion.

Stop 7: Monument Valley to Page, Arizona

Drive time: 2hrs 

Accommodation: Beehive Campground

Hello Arizona! The perfect thing about Page, Arizona is that it’s the main hub for the best things to do in the great American South West.

Page is a small northern Arizona town home to many unique attractions including Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powell.

With so many fun activities to choose from it can be hard to pick just a few when exploring the town of Page. With plenty of adventure opportunities, check out my top recommendations on what to see and do.

Horseshoe Bend

Definitely, the most popular attraction at Page is Horseshoe Bend. The overlook at Horseshoe is an iconic landmark and displays an impressive view of the Colorado River below.

The hike to the overlook is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) roundtrip, costing $20.00 to enter.

This beautiful meander was a lot bigger than I expected and super busy. Regardless of the season, Horseshoe becomes extremely busy during sunset.

I highly suggest visiting super early in the morning, to avoid the crowds. Aim to get there at 8 am when the car park opens. Another reason for going early is to beat the heat, during the summer months the heat can become intense.

Horseshoe Bend is very exposed, and the trail there and back provides little to no shade. So be prepared.

Antelope Canyon

Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is a stunning slot canyon that has been shaped by millions of years of water and erosion. It was named after the herds of pronghorn antelope that once roamed the nearby area.

Certain areas of Antelope Canyon can only be accessed via a guided tour. You can visit two areas of the slot canyon: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon.

When people refer to Antelope Canyon in general, they usually refer to the Upper Canyon.

Which is better to explore, lower or upper? The Upper Canyon is a lot smaller, and darker and takes on more tours however it is the most photogenic of the two.

The Lower Canyon is a lot brighter with more light shining in, it has stairways, and it is more fun to visit.

If Antelope Canyon is on your bucket list, I recommend booking your tour well in advance, so you don’t miss out. Antelope Canyon is becoming more popular than ever, because of this it’s super important to book your tickets ASAP.

Stop 8: Page to Zion National Park

Drive time: 1hr 44mins

Accommodation: Free Dispersed Camping , or Zion NP Campgrounds

Zion National Park is one of the most incredible and unique places on planet earth. The highlight of Zion is of course its 2000 ft (609.6 m) sandstone cliffs which are considered a climbers paradise.

Located on State Route 9 in Springdale, Utah Zion National Park is a bucket list destination for many outdoor enthusiasts.

It’s ranked the second most visited park in the United States reaching an average of 5 million visitors per year.

The park’s dramatic landscape features many slot canyons, natural arches, and hiking trails that people from all over the world come to experience.

Its top highlights include The Narrows, Angels Landing, Observation Point, and of course its crown jewel Zion Canyon.

Ideally, you will want to spend 2-3 days exploring Zion National Park. This will give you enough time to see the top highlights and hike some of the longer trails within the park.

See below my ideal 2-day itinerary at Zion National Park.

Head down to the Visitors Center to plan out your activities. Here you can collect maps, check hiking trail conditions, and stock up on souvenirs.

With only 2 days to explore the park, getting an early start for the best experience is critical.

Plan to have at least one big activity per day and end with a few smaller ones. For most this is either hiking The Narrows or Angels Landing two of the most popular hikes in the park.

The Narrows

The narrowest section of Zion Canyon is The Narrows (hence the name). It’s a beautiful hike through the Virgin River passing by enormous canyon walls that have eroded into beautiful rock forms.

This is a wet hike! Expect to be in wading through water for 90% of the time. Be ready for slippery cobbles in water that may be waist-deep and quite cold.

Bring river shoes that you’re okay with getting wet. Alternatively, you can rent neoprene river shoes at the Zion Outfitters

Depending on how far you go, the hike is 5 to 9.4 miles (8 to 15.1 km) roundtrip and can take hikers anywhere between 3 to 7+ hours to complete.

The trailhead starts at the Temple of Sinawava Parking Lot. Please note there are potential hazards when hiking this trail, see here for more information.

Stop for lunch at the Zion Brewery, before heading out for a few smaller hikes to end your first day in Zion.

The Pa’rus Trail

A very short and easy hike! This beautiful paved trail starts at the park’s southern entrance and heads to Canyon Junction, showcasing stunning views of The Watchman along the way.

The Pa’rus Trail is considered an easy route 3.5 miles (5.6 km) roundtrip and takes an average of 1-2 hours to complete.

The Emerald Pools Trail Head

The lower, middle, and upper Emerald Pools are relatively easy to moderate trails that consist of 3 main sections. The trail follows a small lush stream that collects in a series of “pools.”

Hikers can choose to visit the Lower Pool Trail, the Middle & Upper Pool Trail, or combine all three trails. It takes 2.5 miles (4 km) roundtrip to hike all three. The hike time for the Emeralds is roughly 1 hour.

End your day at Canyon Junction or hike the Watchman Trail. Both spots have incredible views and are best seen at sunset.

The Canyon Overlook Trail

This great little trail leads up to a viewpoint overlooking the entire Zion Canyon below. Located just past the Zion Carmel Tunnel you will find a small car park, this is the start of the Canyon Overlook Trail.

It’s easy to reach and relatively flat, making it quite popular for many hikers. It’s about 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip and takes about 1 hour to complete.

Be sure to reach the overlook before sunset the mountain will capture the sun well before it sets. For this, you will want to ensure you’re not walking back in the dark if you do remember to bring a headlamp with you.

Angels Landing

End your last day in Zion with a bang and hike to Angels Landing. It’s the most popular and well-known hike in all of Zion. Yet it’s one of the most strenuous and dangerous hikes you can do in the park.

With 1630 ft (496.8 m) of elevation gain, this hike is not for the faint-hearted. This 5-mile (8 km) hike will take you along a daring ridgeline of a monolith that overlooks the entire Zion Canyon.

At its peak, there are no guard rails which can be quite daunting for some as hikers are already 1,000 ft (304.8 m) above ground at this point. However, the hike to Angels Landing is truly rewarding and offers some of the most spectacular views.

Please note, you do need a permit to hike this trail. The trail is 5.4 miles (8.6 km) roundtrip and is considered difficult. Depending on your hiking level, the trail can take 2-4 hours to complete.

End your afternoon with a scenic drive through Zion before heading to your next destination.

Hwy 9 to Mt. Carmel Junction

This gorgeous scenic byway runs directly through Zion National Park. It winds past the Visitors Center and many famous landmarks.

If hiking isn’t your thing, this is one of the best ways to see and enjoy the park. Take the time to stop at all the overlooks and be sure to have your camera ready. Zion is a photographer’s dream.

Stop 9: Zion National Park to Las Vegas

Drive time: 2hrs 42mins

Accommodation: The Bellagio Hotel

To end your 2-week West Coast USA itinerary, head back to LA via Las Vegas, exploring new areas of the city and surrounding landmarks.

Spend your day exploring Downtown Las Vegas, and visiting the Hover Dam and Grand Canyon.

Downtown Las Vegas

Vegas has more to see than just the strip! Head to downtown Las Vegas and explore the historic heart of the city. Downtown Las Vegas is known for its bustling casinos, museums, and glitzy cocktail bars.

Be sure to check out places like the Mob Museum , Seven Magic Mountains, The Neon Museum , Fremont Street, and Las Vegas’s oldest casino the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.

Grand Canyon National Park

A 2-week road trip out west isn’t complete without visiting this iconic park. Grand Canyon National Park is the most recognizable and popular landscape in the United States if not the world.

The Grand Canyon is a whooping 1,904 square miles in total and is 18 miles (28.9 km) at its widest.

The Canyon is divided into 4 sections the South Rim, North Rim, West Rim, and East Rim. Coming from Las Vegas the closest entry to the park is via the West Rim.

This is where the famous skywalk is located. A glass horseshoe-shaped skywalk that dramatically extends over the canyon ledge.

There are endless things to see and do at the Gand Canyon including hiking, river rafting, walking the historic district, guided tours , and more.

The Hoover Dam

Another great attraction worth checking out is the famous Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam is a gigantic concrete dam located at the Arizona/Nevada border near the Colorado River.

Named in honor of President Herbert Hoover, the dam controls the flooding of the Colorado River and provides water to over 16,000,000 people.

Power generated by the dam also provides energy to over 500,000 homes in the states of California, Nevada & Arizona. The Hoover Dam is a short 30 min drive from the Las Vegas strip and is a fun activity to add to your USA road trip itinerary.

The Hoover Dam’s massive size is without compression, be sure to  book a tour of this incredible man-made wonder.

Stop 10: Las Vegas to Los Angeles

Drive time: 4hrs 7mins

Accommodation: Level Los Angeles Hotel

Los Angeles is the perfect place to end your road trip! Now is the time to explore other fun attractions of LA that you may have missed on your first two days.

From theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios to Hollywood Boulevard and Beverly Hills, Los Angeles is a city that keeps on giving.

Coming up with the perfect 2 week West Coast USA itinerary is almost impossible. There is so much to see and do that you can make this road trip as eventful or relaxing as you like.

I hope my 2-week West Coast itinerary has given you some major inspiration and made things a lot easier for you to create your own incredible road trip! I had a trip of a lifetime doing this, and I’m sure you will as well.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, what tips do you have for crafting your own 2 week West Coast USA itinerary?

Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog.

You will not pay more when you buy through these links. All opinions are my own, and I would never recommend anything I don’t personally love.

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• SOUTH DAKOTA

I did a national park road trip out west from Michigan… x2! Detroit, Indiana, Chicago, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho

There are truly soooooo many different ways that you can do a road trip out west from Michigan!

So consider below a starting point to give you ideas… the places I went on a road trip out west from the Detroit area!

For both of the road trips west, time on the road from leaving Michigan to driving back was around 3 weeks.

I did more than just national parks.

It’s possible to make it shorter.

It is all about your time, interests, and more!

It will depend on a lot things, including how much driving you prefer to do, how many stops you want to make along the way, and how much time you want to spend in one location to take it all in at a slower pace!

Of course the more time you have will always be better!

But ideally, you’ll have at least 2 weeks to do a road trip out west when you’re driving from Michigan.

It will take you 2-3 days one way just to get to South Dakota or Wyoming.

So again, this is just to get you started!

Note that in addition to the “official” national parks (called “national park” in the name), there are national monuments , national memorials , national lakeshores , and more nationally designated sites also operated by the National Park Service.

National park road trip out west #1: Dakotas road trip

Detroit michigan to indiana to chicago to wisconsin to minnesota to north dakota to south dakota… and back.

In August 2021, I did a road trip out west to North Dakota and South Dakota from Michigan.

There is one official national park in North Dakota, and there are 2 official national parks in South Dakota .

National parks to visit for your road trip out west to North Dakota and South Dakota:

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
• Badlands National Park (South Dakota)
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial (South Dakota)
• Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)
• Jewel Cave National Monument (South Dakota)

For Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave, you can stay in one spot and do day trips. You need to plan ahead for the cave tours because they sell out early in the day.

Staying in Custer State Park would give you the best outdoors experience and a good location to do those day trips. There’s regular lodging, regular camping, and some camping cabins .

The big city nearby is Rapid City SD, but it would be more convenient to stay in a smaller town around Custer State Park.

While you are in the area, you may also be interested in the Mammoth Site National Natural Landmark .

To get you started on more detailed road trip itinerary planning out west to South Dakota, take a look:

• 10 days in South Dakota
• Best places to visit in South Dakota for VIEWS!
• Best campgrounds in South Dakota to see the best of South Dakota (tent camping and RV camping)
• Things to do in Badlands National Park for views
• Things to do in Jewel Cave National Monument
• Things to do in Wind Cave National Park
• Things to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for views

National park road trip out west #2: Wyoming road trip

Detroit michigan to indiana to chicago to wisconsin to minnesota to south dakota to wyoming to idaho… and back.

In September and October 2021, I did a road trip to out west to Wyoming from Michigan.

There are 2 official national parks in Wyoming .

National parks to visit for your road trip out west to Wyoming, along the way, and beyond:

• Devils Tower National Monument (Wyoming)
• Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
• Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
• Craters of the Moon National Monument (Idaho)

To get you started on more detailed road trip itinerary planning out west to Wyoming, take a look:

• Driving from Chicago to Yellowstone National Park
• 7 days in Wyoming
• 3 days in Wyoming national parks
• One day in Yellowstone National Park
• One day in Grand Teton National Park
• Things to do in Devils Tower National Monument for views
• Driving from Yellowstone to Idaho
• Things to do in Craters of the Moon National Monument

From Wyoming and Idaho, if you want to drive more and make time for it, you can head south to the Utah national parks , including Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park .

And then further south is Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona!

Adding in Utah and Arizona would make it a MUCH longer road trip though!

Still undecided about a road trip out west?!

Michigan also makes for an amazing road trip destination!

• National lakeshores in Michigan with amazing views
• Best places to visit in the UP
• Lake Superior camping spots in Michigan
• Michigan waterfalls road trip
• Michigan lighthouse road trip

Also to the south in Tennesee and North Carolina, Detroit to Gatlinburg TN and the Smoky Mountains is around a 9 hour drive:

• Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the most visited national park in the country)

Also to the south in Kentucky, Detroit to Mammoth Cave is around a 7 hour drive:

• Things to do in Mammoth Cave National Park

HAPPY DRIVING OUT WEST FROM MICHIGAN!

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• Published April 27, 2021

Inspired by films and iconic images, photographer Thibaut Buccellato took to the open road on a trip across the wonderful and wild western portion of the United States. Along the way, he experienced much of what California and the nearby states have to offer.

Here are 11 of the best spots in the western part of the U.S. — and why each should be added to your road trip itinerary.

Check out the very best of California’s national parks while you’re out west, and use our national park trip planner to make sure you’re prepared to have the best experience possible wherever you go! And because everyone should be able to experience all this natural beauty, have a look at wheelchair-accessible trails out west . 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

This coastal city is known for the fog, steep streets, eclectic architecture, Golden Gate Bridge, and one former island penitentiary. The famous cable cars are the only National Historic Monument that can move (albeit, at only nine miles an hour). San Francisco is also home to the “Ellis Island of the West,” Angel Island, and the city features more than 200 historic landmark buildings.

Why you should go: For the beauty of the streets and the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge

LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA/NEVADA

Freshwater Lake Tahoe straddles the border of California and Nevada, and is the second deepest lake in the U.S. Formed about two million years ago, the lake is known for the clarity of its water and the beautiful surrounding mountains. Tahoe experiences sun 75% of the year, making it the perfect photographic pit stop.

Why you should go: For the relaxing blue of the water

MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIFORNIA

The Mono people have lived in this area for thousands of years. The site is both geologically active and geographically diverse. Thibault couldn’t help but notice the shift from city to desert to fields to forest. Only four square miles in size, the town is actually located within Inyo National Forest, and is home to one of the most well-known ski resorts in the western United States.

Why you should go: For the tranquility

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Why you should go: For the sunsets and skaters at Venice Beach

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

This southern California city sits right on the border of Mexico, and was the first site visited by Europeans when they first came to the West Coast. Originally claimed by Spain in 1542, San Diego became part of the U.S. after the Mexican-American war in 1850. Though it’s a major U.S. city, San Diego is also home to the largest number of farms in an urban environment and produces more avocados than any other place in the country.

Why you should go: For the beaches

SLAB CITY, CALIFORNIA

Snowbirds flock to this city in the winter … and no, not the kind with wings. Slab City, which takes its name from the concrete slabs found at an abandoned WWII Marine Corps barracks, is a popular choice for those seeking a retreat from the cold weather up north. “The Slabs” offers free parking, but has no electricity or running water, so most residents (both permanent and temporary) use their own generators.

Why you should go: Because it was featured in the film adaptation of “Into the Wild”

DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Thibaut was only able to bear the heat of Death Valley for a few minutes, and rightly so, since it is one of the hottest places on Earth. Gold seekers named it when they had to cross the desolate expanse to reach the gold fields in the mid-1800s. Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States, was featured many times in the “Star Wars” franchise, and is home to mysterious stones that seemingly move of their own accord.

Why you should go: To experience the unique desert landscape

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Now famous for its casinos and exorbitant nightlife, Las Vegas only legalized casino gambling 86 years ago. Thanks to the influx of people due to construction of the nearby Hoover Dam and the city’s increased tolerance for gambling and entertainment, the city has boomed ever since. Now, there are so many hotel rooms that it would take one person 288 years to spend a night in each one.

Why you should go: For the mesmerizing neon signs that light up the night

MARBLE CANYON, ARIZONA

This section of the Colorado River technically marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon. It’s a popular place for river runners to start their journey through the magnificent crater, and is known for the Navajo Bridge, a pair of steel arch bridges that cross the chasm. Despite its name, there is actually no marble here at all.

Why you should go: For the colorful landscapes

GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA

This massive hole in the ground is arguably the most well-known canyon in the world. It is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep at some points. The Grand Canyon has exposed nearly two billion years of Earth’s history, and has been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years. Explorer John Wesley Powell once said, “The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself.” Upon seeing the canyon, Thibaut agreed wholeheartedly.

Why you should go: Because no photos can truly show the scale of the landscape

MONUMENT VALLEY, ARIZONA/UTAH

The “Valley of the Rocks” is a cluster of sandstone buttes near the border of Arizona and Utah within the Navajo Reservation. It may look familiar, as it’s a well-known visual symbol of the Western U.S. due to its presence in many of director John Ford’s movies. Critic Keith Phillips said, “Its five square miles have defined what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American West.” Thibaut remembers it as the place where he saw one of the best sunrises of his life.

Why you should go: For the sunrises and feelings of being in the Wild West

See more of Thibaut’s work on Instagram .

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The pursuit of self on south africa’s spectacular otter trail, two hours from: reykjavic, from the arabian sea to your plate: seafood in varkala , explore by region, explore by map.

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Port of Baltimore suspends ship traffic after bridge collapse: What it means for travel

Travel is being impacted by Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse along Interstate 695 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Drivers were immediately directed to take alternate routes through the city, following the early morning incident. What’s less clear is what the bridge collapse may mean for upcoming cruises in and out of Baltimore.

“Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice,” the Port of Baltimore posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Live Updates: Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship hits it; construction crew missing

Rep. Kweisi Mfume, D-Md., whose district includes the bridge and the port, called the collapse an “unthinkable horror” and said he had spoken with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the White House. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

“They are responding with all of the assets at their disposal,” he said in a statement. “Our prayers right now are for the missing individuals and victims of this tragedy. We thank God for the effective service of our first responders.”

Here’s what we know.

Which cruises go to Baltimore?

Several major cruise lines serve Baltimore. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, published itineraries in the 2024 calendar year include a dozen ships making 115 stops in Baltimore.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Key Bridge that occurred last night and extend our support and heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” CLIA spokesperson Anne Madison said in an emailed statement. “We join everyone in extending our thanks and appreciation to the first responders and emergency workers in Baltimore, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other professionals who are working with one goal in mind—to save lives. We are closely following this situation.”

Carnival’s website shows Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend also have sailings into or out of Baltimore set for April. 

Carnival Legend will temporarily move operations to Norfolk, Virginia.

The ship's current cruise, which left for a planned round-trip sailing from Baltimore on March 24, will end in Norfolk on Sunday. Passengers will then receive free bus rides to Baltimore. The vessel's next cruise will sail round-trip from Norfolk later that day.

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Carnival president Christine Duffy said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

The cruise line has not yet shared plans for Carnival Pride. Carnival's parent company, Carnival Corp., said the temporary change in homeport is estimated to have an impact of up to $10 million on adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income this year, according to a news release .

Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, which left from Baltimore on March 23 , will return to Norfolk instead on April 4. "Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements," a spokesperson said in an email.

The ship's April 4 and 12 cruises will leave from Norfolk, too. "Our guests booked to sail with us will receive compensation due to the necessary adjustments made to their vacations," the spokesperson added. "After returning from the April 12 cruise, Vision will head to the Bahamas for its previously scheduled maintenance."

Was your cruise itinerary changed?: What to do next

American Cruise Lines has roundtrip sailings from Baltimore scheduled in May, according to its website.

“We will monitor the situation and make adjustments to future cruises if needed, but at the present time our schedules remain unaffected, and our thoughts remain with those affected by the immediate situation and rescue efforts underway,” an American Cruise Lines spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t appear to have any Baltimore sailings until September on Norwegian Sky . The line will stay in contact with the port and share any changes with passengers and travel partners, according to a spokesperson.

"In the meantime, we wish the city of Baltimore strength during this very unfortunate event," they said in an email.

Alternate routes for the Baltimore bridge

Most drivers can take Interstate 95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or Interstate 895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) to avoid the collapsed bridge. However Maryland Transportation Authority notes there are some exceptions .

Vehicles carrying hazardous materials, including more than 10 pounds of propane, are not allowed in the tunnels. Additionally, vehicles more than 13-feet and 6-inches high or 8-feet wide may not use the 1-895 Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Vehicles more than 14-feet and 6-inches high or 11-feet wide may not use the I-95 Fort McHenry Tunnel. 

Those vehicles should use the western portion of I-695 instead.

Watch CBS News

Maps and video show site of Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore

By Paula Cohen , Kerry Breen

Updated on: March 27, 2024 / 6:14 PM EDT / CBS News

A major search and rescue operation has now transitioned to a recovery mission at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck by a cargo ship and collapsed early Tuesday , sending vehicles and people plunging into the water below. The U.S. Coast Guard said the ship had reported losing propulsion and control as it was leaving Baltimore harbor, before the collision occurred at around 1:30 a.m. ET. 

Two survivors were pulled from the water soon after the collapse, officials said — one unhurt and one with serious injuries, who was treated at a hospital and later released, CBS Baltimore reported . 

Six were missing and presumed dead. Officials said the bodies of two victims were recovered Wednesday.

Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said all six were construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge at the time.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, with city, state and federal teams converging at the scene. 

Map of the Key Bridge in Baltimore

The Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River, a key waterway that along with the Port of Baltimore serves as a hub for East Coast shipping. CBS News Baltimore reports that the four-lane, 1.6-mile span was used by some 31,000 people a day.

The Maryland Transportation Authority  said  all lanes were closed in both directions on I-695, which crosses the Key Bridge. The agency said traffic was being detoured to I-95 and I-895. 

The portion of the bridge that collapsed was on a stretch connecting Hawkins Point, on the south side of the waterway, and Dundalk, on the north. 

Video of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore

Video captured the moment the heavily loaded container ship struck a bridge support, sending sections of the overpass tumbling into the river below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CBS News (@cbsnews)

Officials said in a news conference that the ship had reported losing power and a mayday had been issued before the collision, which allowed officials to stop traffic onto the bridge. Officials did not clarify how many vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. 

Moore said he "can confirm that the crew notified authorities of a power issue," and he said that the decision to stop traffic onto the bridge "saved lives last night." 

Earlier Tuesday morning, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott called the collapse "an unthinkable tragedy."

"We have to first and foremost pray for all of those who are impacted, those families, pray for our first responders and thank them," he said. "We have to be thinking about the families and people impacted. We have to try to find them safe."

What was the ship's route?

The Singapore-flagged Dali, operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, was chartered by and carrying cargo for Maersk. It had left the Port of Baltimore, just north and west of the bridge, before turning to head south and east along the Patapsco River. 

The ship had been in the port for two days, according to ship tracking website  VesselFinder , and was expected to spend nearly a month at sea before it reached Colombo, Sri Lanka.

CBS News analyzed the path of every cargo ship taking this route over the past month and found Dali had veered more than 100 yards off the usual route when it struck the bridge support.

Timeline of the disaster

Click the arrow below to see an interactive timeline of how the collision occurred.

Before-and-after photos of the Francis Scott Key Bridge 

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge opened to traffic on March 23, 1977, and was a crucial thoroughfare for the region, carrying some 11.3 million vehicles per year. 

The photos below show how it looked following the collapse Tuesday morning, and how it looked intact just a few days earlier.

A witness who lives near the bridge  told CBS Baltimore  the collapse felt like an earthquake and sounded like "a big bash of thunder."

"The whole house vibrated, like my house was falling down," he said. "I've been in this neighborhood 57 years, I remembered when they built this bridge. Can't believe it's gone."

Another resident reflected on being on the bridge just yesterday. "To see the bridge gone knowing I was on that bridge not even 10 hours ago — it's devastating."

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Bridge Collapse
• Patapsco River

Paula Cohen is the senior managing editor of CBSNews.com, where she oversees coverage of breaking news and stories on a wide range of topics from across the U.S. and around the world.

More from CBS News

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Unified Command begins wreckage removal at Key Bridge

Timeline to reopen Port of Baltimore unclear as collapsed Key Bridge cleanup begins

Orioles honor three men who saved countless lives during the Key Bridge collapse

Drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West: Your Guide to This Bucket List Road Trip! 2024

Looking to make the incredible drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West ? Well if so, you’re not alone!

The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is one of the most popular road trips in America .

Driving the Overseas Highway to Key West was always a bucket list dream of mine and I can happily say that I’ve now done this drive a few times!

So join me as I help guide you on this ultimate bucket list road trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West!

Everything you need to know is here, plus we will talk about the best destinations to stop at along the way!

Planning Your Trip? Use Our Favorite Resources Below!

  Accommodations –  Booking.com

  Tours –  Viator

  Rental Car –  Discover Cars

How far is the drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West?

The drive from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Key West is approximately 189 miles. On this drive, you will travel along the scenic Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1).

If you were to drive direct without stopping it would take you approximately 4 hours to reach Key West from Fort Lauderdale.

Is the drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West worth it?

Absolutely! The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is definitely worth it and is considered one of the most scenic road trips in the United States.

The journey takes you along the iconic Overseas Highway, which offers stunning views of the sparkling turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, picturesque bridges connecting the islands, and lush tropical landscapes.

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to explore charming coastal towns , indulge in fresh seafood, and experience the laid-back, island atmosphere that the Florida Keys are famous for.

Additionally, the journey is an adventure filled with scenic beauty, unique wildlife sightings , and the thrill of driving through a series of small islands connected by bridges. So, if you’re looking for a memorable road trip that combines natural beauty, cultural exploration, and a touch of tropical paradise, the drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is definitely worth embarking on.

Map of Route from Fort Lauderdale to Key West

Where to stop on a fort lauderdale to key west road trip.

When you make the drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West , there are many exciting places to stop and explore along the way.

Yes, you could drive directly to Key West, but you would be missing out on a lot of fun and adventure! So make sure to take some breaks and visit a few of the following places along the route!

If you have more time to spare, stay overnight at one of these stops!

Here are several stops that are worth considering on a drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West!

1. Hollywood Beach

Start your journey from Fort Lauderdale to Key West by visiting Hollywood Beach . Hollywood Beach is known for its pristine sandy shores and lively boardwalk. Take a stroll, rent a bike, or grab a bite to eat at one of the beachfront restaurants.

Our favorite spot to eat at Hollywood Beach is LandShark Bar & Grill at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. And this is because of the fun, family-friendly beach vibe with an excellent location overlooking the beach.

Recommended Hotel in Hollywood Beach:

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort

2. Everglades National Park

You’ve made it this far south in Florida, so why not cross Everglades National Park off your bucket list too?

And the best way to experience the Everglades is on an airboat tour. I highly recommend doing an airboat tour with Everglades Holiday Park . Not only do you get a 1-Hour Narrated Everglades Airboat Tour but they also have a fun Gator Show hosted by the renowned Gator Boys from the Animal Planet reality show.

And you can’t leave Everglades Holiday Park without getting your picture taken holding a baby alligator .

Recommended Hotel Near Everglades Holiday Park:

Residence Inn Doral Mall Area

Miami is a must-visit destination on your drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West.

I absolutely love Miami! It’s a vibrant and culturally diverse city that offers a unique and exciting atmosphere.

Explore the trendy neighborhoods of South Beach and Wynwood , visit iconic landmarks like the Art Deco Historic District , or take a scenic drive along Ocean Drive .

Additionally, Miami is a melting pot of different cultures, which is reflected in its diverse culinary scene. From savoring delicious Cuban cuisine in Little Havana to indulging in fresh seafood in the trendy restaurants of Miami Beach, food enthusiasts will be in heaven.

Miami is also renowned for its beautiful beaches . If you’re a beach lover, you’ll be delighted by the pristine sands and crystal-clear waters that line the coastline. Whether you want to relax under the sun, go for a swim, or try various water sports, Miami’s beaches have it all.

Overall, visiting Miami on your road trip to Key West allows you to experience the best of urban excitement, stunning beaches, and cultural richness. And it’s a chance to experience something quite different that the laid-back island vibes of the Florida Keys.

If driving from Fort Lauderdale to Key West with kids, be sure to check out, 21 Best Things to Do in Miami with Kids .

Recommended Hotel in Miami:

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

4. Biscayne National Park

Located just south of Miami, Biscayne National Park offers a unique opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts. Take a boat tour to explore the diverse marine life, go snorkeling or scuba diving, or enjoy kayaking through the park’s beautiful waters.

Biscayne National Park is also a great place to have a picnic, relax, fish, or go camping.

Recommended Hotel Near Biscayne National Park:

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Miami Homestead

5. Key Largo

Every time I hear the word Key Largo, my mind goes straight to the song “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys . What about you?

Key Largo is the “first” key of the Florida Keys.

It is often referred to as the “Diving Capital of the World” due to its proximity to the vibrant coral reefs of the Florida Keys. This area offers exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities.

And Key Largo is home to the first underwater park in the United States, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park . The park is renowned for its beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life. This makes for the perfect spot for snorkeling or diving in the Keys.

Also, located in the waters of Key Largo is the famous underwater statue, Christ of the Abyss . This iconic site offers a unique diving and snorkeling experience.

But diving and snorkeling is not the only thing you can do in Key Largo. Key Largo is also a great spot to go swimming with dolphins at Dolphins Plus Bayside.

And if you’re afraid of underwater life like, me then a glass-bottom boat tour in Key Largo would make for a great activity! You can experience marine life and admire the coral reefs without getting wet!

Recommended Hotel in Key Largo:

Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection By Hilton

6. Islamorada

Located in the middle of the Florida Keys, Islamorada is known for its stunning beaches, water sports activities, and world-class fishing.

Stop by Robbie’s Marina to hand-feed tarpon or enjoy a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants. At Robbie’s Marina, you can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, and boats to explore the surrounding waters and enjoy recreational activities on the ocean.

My favorite thing in Islamorada is the Islamorada Sandbar . It’s located less than a mile from the shore and you can only get there by boat or jet ski. The Islamorada Sandbar is a shallow area with crystal-clear, turquoise waters. It’s the perfect spot to hang out, swim, float on rafts, kayak, play water games, or just soak up the sun.

Also, located in Islamorada is the Theater of the Sea . This would make a memorable experience for animal lovers.

With a General Admission Ticket at Theatre of the Sea, you can watch the dolphin, sea lion, and parrot shows. Included is also a ride on a bottomless boat and a fish and reptile tour with tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, alligators, and crocodiles.

For an additional amount at Theatre of the Sea, you can choose to swim with dolphins, sea lions, or sharks!

Recommended Hotel in Islamorada:

Cheeca Lodge & Spa

7. Marathon

Continuing on your way to Key West, you will reach the town of Marathon .

In Marathon, you can relax on the beautiful shores of Sombrero Beach , interact with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center , or learn about sea turtle conservation at the Turtle Hospital .

Additionally, the scenic Seven Mile Bridge provides stunning views and a chance to appreciate the natural beauty of the Florida Keys. Marathon is an excellent addition to your journey to Key West!

Recommended Hotel in Marathon:

Courtyard by Marriott Faro Blanco Resort

8. Bahia Honda State Park

As you approach the Lower Keys, make sure to stop at Bahia Honda State Park . Bahia Honda State Park is located at Mile Marker 37. It’s a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and nature trails, this park is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, picnicking, and even camping. Hike along nature trails or simply relax and soak up the sun on its sandy shores.

The park’s highlight is the Old Bahia Honda Bridge , an iconic landmark that once served as part of the Overseas Highway. Today, it stands as a remnant of the historic railroad-turned-highway, providing a picturesque backdrop for taking pictures or just admiring the surrounding beauty.

8. Big Pine Key

Nature lovers will appreciate a stop at Big Pine Key, home to the National Key Deer Refuge .

Start off by going to the Visitors Center to learn about the fascinating ecosystem and wildlife that is located here in the Florida Keys. There are exhibits and displays to help you understand the unique environment here and the efforts to protect it.

After exploring the Visitors Center, take a scenic drive through the refuge and keep an eye out for the adorable Key deer . The Key deer is an endangered species that is only found in the Florida Keys.

9. Key West

Of course, the ultimate destination of the drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is Key West itself!

Key West offers a variety of attractions and activities to enjoy. Here are some of the best things to do in Key West .

Explore Mallory Square

Visit Mallory Square to experience the lively atmosphere, stunning sunsets, street performers, and local vendors. It’s a great place to start your Key West adventure.

Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Explore the former residence of the renowned writer, Ernest Hemingway . Take a guided tour to learn about his life, see his personal belongings, and encounter the famous six-toed cats that still reside there.

Stroll along Duval Street

Duval Street is the heart of Key West’s entertainment district. It offers a lively atmosphere with vibrant bars, restaurants, shops, and art galleries. It’s a great place for nightlife and people-watching.

Take a Conch Tour Train

Hop on the Conch Tour Train to get a comprehensive overview of Key West’s history and landmarks. The narrated tour provides interesting insights into the city’s past and takes you to popular attractions.

Visit the Southernmost Point Buoy

Don’t miss the opportunity to take a photo at the Southernmost Point Buoy , which marks the southernmost tip of the continental United States. It’s an iconic Key West landmark.

Explore the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of butterflies in this tropical paradise. Walk through the butterfly-filled gardens and observe various bird species and beautiful flora.

Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving

Key West boasts breathtaking underwater ecosystems. Join a snorkeling or scuba diving excursion to explore the vibrant coral reefs, encounter marine life, and discover sunken shipwrecks.

Visit Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park

Spend a day at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park which combines history and natural beauty. Explore the fort, relax on the beach, go swimming, have a picnic, or enjoy hiking and biking trails.

Take a Sunset Cruise

Key West sunsets are legendary, and there are several sunset cruises available. Sail along the coastline, enjoy live music, sip on tropical drinks, and witness the stunning sunset views.

Enjoy Water Sports

Key West offers a wide range of water activities . Try jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, parasailing, or fishing to make the most of the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island.

Eat Delicious Key West Food

When in Key West, make sure to try Key Lime Pie, Conch Fritters, and Conch Chowder.

Recommended Hotel in Key West:

Opal Key Resort & Marina

Summary: Where to Stop on a Fort Lauderdale to Key West Road Trip

Here is our summary of the best places to stop on a Fort Lauderdale to Key West road trip:

• Hollywood Beach
• Everglades National Park
• Miami (South Beach, Wynwood Walls, Little Havana)
• Biscayne National Park
• Key Largo (John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park)
• Islamorada (Robbie’s Marina, Islamorada Sandbar, Theatre of the Sea)
• Marathon (Sombrero Beach, Dolphin Research Center, Turtle Hospital)
• Bahia Honda State Park
• Big Pine Key (National Key Deer Refuge)

Remember these are just a few highlights of the places to stop and things to do on your Fort Lauderdale to Key West road trip. Take the time to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, indulge in local cuisine, and make spontaneous stops along the way to create an unforgettable journey.

Best Time to Go on a Road Trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West

First, let me go ahead and say there is no bad time to go on a road trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West.

The Florida Keys have a tropical climate , so the weather is generally warm and sunny throughout the year. The peak tourist season runs from December to April when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is minimal. However, this is also when the area is most crowded, and accommodations may be more expensive.

If you prefer fewer crowds , you might consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) or fall (September to November), when the weather is still enjoyable, and there are fewer tourists.

Also, you might want to consider the activities you want to enjoy on your trip. If you’re interested in water sports and outdoor activities, the warmer months of spring and summer might be ideal.

However, if you plan to spend more time exploring the historic sites and cultural attractions in Key West, the cooler months of fall and winter can provide a more comfortable experience.

FAQs- Drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West

This depends. If you plan on having a quick weekend getaway in Key West, then it might make more sense to fly directly to Key West. If you have a longer period of time, take the drive and experience one of the best road trips in America.

Yes, the drive to Key West is quite easy. Once you arrive on the Overseas Highway, it’s a direct shot all the way to Key West!

I think 3-4 days in Key West is plenty enough time to see and do everything most people want to do.

Once you reach Key West, you really don’t need a car again for the rest of your stay. Key West is a very walkable city and most of the places you will be going can be reached by foot.

The Wrap-Up: Drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West

Embarking on the epic drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West is an adventure that belongs on every traveler’s bucket list.

From the stunning coastal views along the Overseas Highway to the vibrant charm of Key West, this journey promises unforgettable experiences at every turn.

Whether you choose to explore the vibrant culture of Miami, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys, or savor the laid-back atmosphere of Key West, each stop along the route offers its own unique charm.

So, buckle up, soak in the breathtaking scenery, and let this guide be your companion on the road to an unforgettable Fort Lauderdale to Key West adventure. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime on this incredible road trip of a lifetime !

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