perfect road trip map usa

The perfect itinerary for an epic USA roadtrip (48 states at once)

Post author: Andrew D'Amours
Post published: December 28, 2022
Post category: Travel inspiration / Trip itineraries & destination discoveries
Post comments: 23 Comments

Do you like roadtrips? They happen to be a very American tradition and we found the perfect itinerary to visit every state in the continental USA during 1 epic roadtrip. A great trip idea for those who have a lot of time but want to stay closer to home .

Personally, I love roadtrips and I hit the road as much as I can, despite also being an aviation geek: you can like both, right? What matters is traveling and seeing new places , no matter how.

So here are the maps and details of the 2 itineraries that allow you to see all the lower 48 states at once, depending on your travel preference.

Basics of the 2 epic USA roadtrip itineraries

The USA is a huge country, almost as big as Europe (it’s even larger than Canada when considering land area alone).

So the USA has a lot of variety in terms of landscapes, but even in terms of culture too (even if many who aren’t from the country don’t realize that).

If you aim to eventually visit every state, any 1 of these 2 itineraries is a great way to almost all of them at once. The only 2 states you’ll have left to visit after this roadtrip will be Hawaii and Alaska.

There’s a version for national parks and points of interest and a version for cities.

I’m on the quest to visit all 50 states myself (in addition to also visiting every country obviously), and I’m not doing too bad with 47 already.

But let’s just say it would’ve been much quicker to get to 48 at once with this roadtrip instead of having to do it over dozens of trips.

Here are the details.

48-state roadtrip – national parks/points of interest version

Here’s a map of the 1st itinerary.

It was conceived by American Ph.D. student Randy Olson, on his blog , and it was done scientifically to optimize the routing: each stop represents a national park or a point of interest.

So you’re not just seeing every state, you’re seeing cool parts of every state (which sadly wasn’t our case in North Dakota during our very random 1200-miles-nonstop-in-2-days Flytrippers roadtrip across the Midwest just for fun).

Good times. Roadtrips always make for great stories.

Anyway, the itinerary has also been optimized to be as efficient a route as possible to see all 48 states, so you can rest assured you won’t be wasting any time.

If you only stop to sleep, you can complete this roadtrip in only 9 days, but we recommend taking at least a couple of weeks to explore all these places obviously.

And gas is significantly cheaper in the US in case you were wondering. You can start anywhere, it’s a continuous loop, and it passes through many spots near the Canadian border.

You can even take a shortcut from Michigan to Vermont through Canada, as the stop in Cleveland is only to keep Americans without a passport from crossing into the Great White North.

Here is the complete list of all 50 landmarks (48 states + Washington, DC + a bonus stop in California):

1. Grand Canyon, AZ 2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 3. Craters of the Moon, ID 4. Yellowstone National Park, WY 5. Pikes Peak, CO 6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM 7. The Alamo, TX 8. The Platt Historic District, OK 9. Toltec Mounds, AR 10. Elvis Presley’s Graceland, TN 11. Vicksburg National Military Park, MS 12. French Quarter, LA 13. USS Alabama, AL 14. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL 15. Okefenokee Swamp Park, GA 16. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC 17. Lost World Caverns, WV 18. Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, NC 19. Mount Vernon, VA 20. White House, Washington, D.C. 21. Colonial Annapolis Historic District, MD 22. New Castle Historic District, DE 23. Cape May Historic District, NJ 24. Liberty Bell, PA 25. Statue of Liberty, NY 26. The Mark Twain House & Museum, CT 27. The Breakers, RI 28. USS Constitution, MA 29. Acadia National Park, ME 30. Mount Washington Hotel, NH 31. Shelburne Farms, VT 32. Fox Theater, MI 33. Spring Grove Cemetery, OH 34. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY 35. West Baden Springs Hotel, IN 36. Abraham Lincoln’s Home, IL 37. Gateway Arch, MO 38. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, KS 39. Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, IA 40. Taliesin, WI 41. Fort Snelling, MN 42. Ashfall Fossil Bed, NE 43. Mount Rushmore, SD 44. Fort Union Trading Post, ND 45. Glacier National Park, MT 46. Hanford Site, WA 47. Columbia River Highway, OR 48. San Francisco Cable Cars, CA 49. San Andreas Fault, CA 50. Hoover Dam, NV

These are all very enticing attractions, for the most part. It seems I’ve only seen 14 of those, so maybe I should hit the road again after all.

How about you? Tempted?

48-state roadtrip – city version

Here’s a map of the 2nd itinerary.

If you’re more of a city slicker, the map’s author has created a 2nd version that routes you through amazing cities instead.

It is slightly shorter but quite as impressive: it makes you go through the “Best City to Visit” in each state, according to TripAdvisor .

But you won’t have all the lower 48 states, unlike the other itinerary. That’s because no city in Vermont, West Virginia, or North Dakota made the top 400 cities to visit ranking, unfortunately. So plan on making a few extra detours if you want to hit all states at once with this version of the itinerary.

Here is the complete list of all cities:

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Wichita, Kansas
Denver, Colorado
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Phoenix, Arizona
Las Vegas, Nevada
San Francisco, California
Portland, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
Boise, Idaho
Park City, Utah
Jackson, Wyoming
Billings, Montana
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Omaha, Nebraska
Des Moines, Iowa
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicago, Illinois
Indianapolis, Indiana
Louisville, Kentucky
Columbus, Ohio
Detroit, Michigan
Cleveland, Ohio
Manchester, New Hampshire
Portland, Maine
Boston, Massachusetts
Providence, Rhode Island
New Haven, Connecticut
New York City, New York
Ocean City, New Jersey
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wilmington, Delaware
Baltimore, Maryland
Washington, D.C.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Orlando, Florida
Atlanta, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
Birmingham, Alabama
Jackson, Mississippi
New Orleans, Louisiana
Houston, Texas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Branson, Missouri

I do a little better on this list, with 31 already visited. You can see I love cities. How about you?

Want to get more content to discover awesome destinations?

If you were looking for an excuse to go on a roadtrip, this is it. And since we always enjoy giving you more for your money, we think 48 states instead of only 1 or 2 is something you’ll enjoy!

What’s the coolest roadtrip you’ve ever been on? Tell us in the comments below.

See the deals we spot: Cheap flights

Explore awesome destinations : Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks : Travel tips

Discover free travel: Travel rewards

Featured image: The itinerary (image credit: Randy Olson)

Original publication date: May 29, 2018

Share this post to help us help more people travel more for less:

Andrew D'Amours

A Map That Shows Where You’d End Up If You Dig Straight Down

World Map Divided Into 4 Sections Of Equal Population

The Literal Meaning Of Every Country’s Name On One Cool Map

This post has 23 comments.

Hello Andrew, the PHD student suggests in the 1st Itinnerary that the one stop to make in Washington State is the Hanford Nuclear Reservation?! Flat out, that is a terrible idea. It is in the middle of nowhere, I am just shocked it’s mentioned. Out of all the beautiful and amazing places to see in such a diverse state as Washington, a Nuclear Site was chosen? Surely this student could have done so much better. Thank you for allowing comments.

Having been all around the Olympic Peninsula, I agree that’s there are better stops. But my understanding is that he really optimized for the quickest way to do all 48 and had to choose a point of interest that wasn’t too far off that optimal path, hence that choice (I think).

thanks for sharing this information with us.

I have taken a road trip from California to the the most northeastern part of theUS. west Quaby light house. it was my 1st trip across the us. .I seen so many amazing places.

Quite the drive for sure! Must have been epic.

Why do Americans always think the Statue of Liberty is in NY? it is in NJ. I’ve done road trips now that have taken in 39 states. Here’s a quiz to see how well you know the USA: Which state has only one syllable? Only one city has been name-checked on the moon. In which state is it? Which is the most Northerly of the contiguous states? In which state were Tennessee Williams and Elvis Presley born? Which was the last of the contiguous states to be admitted into the USA? Which four states all share a border with each other? Which state has the lowest population? Twelve cities are name-checked in “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” but only three states. Which? Which state has the longest name? Which two states have the most borders with other states? In which state is the geographical centre of the USA – and which one if you exclude Hawaii and Alaska? Which of the states of the USA has respectively the most Northerly, Southerly, Easterly and Westerly points?

The official Statue of Liberty address is Liberty Island, New York, NY, 10004.

Wow, these comments are very rude for no reason. Thanks for the article, maybe when I graduate from college I’ll consider hitting part of one of these itineraries.

“it’s a huge country (even larger than Canada when considering land area alone).”

Canada – 3.855 million mi² USA – 3.532 million mi² Where does this math fail you?

Where did reading fail you :P? It explicitly says “ when considering LAND area alone ” The quote you copied literally has a link provided under “even larger than Canada” and if you read that, it explains how Canada is only larger than the US due to water area being counted 🙂

There is no stop in North Dakota on the city version. You should stop in Fargo after Billings and before Sioux Falls

I’m 46 years old .. I have been to all 50 states and I’m 17 away from all 50 twice .. I have driven to 47 .. flown to Alaska, Hawaii and Washington..

Wow! That’s impressive :O

This is awesome

This is inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

“this roadtrip in only 9 days“ is extremely false statement. It is only 9 days if you are driving non stop, no breaks to even get out of your car, get gas, or actually see these places. From start to finish drive time it is 225 hours, 16 minutes = 9 days. Wow. Take some time to enjoy the view.

Yes, that’s what we said too 😛

Thanks for the tip 😊

Do you know the total distance of this itinerary? At what moment of the year doing this trip would be the best? Thanks!

Hi! It is 13,699 miles (22,046 km) for the landmarks itinerary and 12,290 miles (19,780 km) for the city version. You can even have the Google Maps links on the creator’s original post (I’ve reposted the link below). As for the timing, I guess it depends on your preferences, but I’d want to avoid that top half of the country (so half the itinerary) in the winter for sure! http://www.randalolson.com/2015/03/08/computing-the-optimal-road-trip-across-the-u-s/

Crappy itinerary! Does not even include Zion National Park… and so many stops in the North Eastern states?? Nobody cares about those places except maybe a couple of places.

As explained, the PhD student who built the itinerary wanted to have one stop per state, and there are many states in the North-East so that’s why there are many stops there. I agree that Zion is an iconic spot, but his goal was also to optimize a routing that was as short as possible so that’s why it’s billed as an itinerary to see all lower 48 states at once and not an itinerary to see *the best spots*. But those interested in doing this can definitely adapt it and add many interesting stops for sure 🙂

Curtis, you are crappy. Obviously this is meant as a guide that can be adapted to add spots. I think it’s awesome.

Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip, According to Science

It is possible to curate the perfect road trip across the U.S. that won't miss any of our nation's best landmarks? Believe it or not, it is. And this map will show you how.

How Science Created the Perfect American Road Trip Map

Young man outside car looking at road map for directions exploring national parks and nature ready for adventure

swissmediavision via Getty Images

A few years ago, Discovery News blogger Tracy Staedter sought to put an end to tedious roads trips after discovering a road map that claimed to route all of the nation's major landmarks. Staedter realized the map wasn't just inaccurate (more than a few states were missing), but it was also terribly inefficient.

"Wouldn't it be nice to have a map that hit landmarks in every state and not only that?" she mused. "Wouldn't it be great if the map represented the optimal, most efficient route across the country?"

So to create a timeless, perfect road map across the United States, Staedter contacted Randy Olson, a Michigan State University doctoral student. Olson used an algorithm to generate the map, factoring in logistics for traffic, turns, and alternate routes. Even though the route isn't technically "perfect," it's about as close as the curious adventurer can get to the most efficient roadmap across America.

RELATED: Road Trip Essentials to Have for a Smooth Journey

Science's Itinerary for the Perfect Road Trip Across the USA

Randy Olsen via Google Maps

All of the stops are in the continental United States, which is expected for traveling by car . The route can be started from any state and would total around 9.33 days worth of driving. But Olson also explains, in actuality, that the round trip should probably take around two- three months.

The data scientist handpicked all 50 stops ranging between national landmarks and historical sites, hoping to offer a "nice mix of history and natural wonder"- a seemingly perfect combination for the spirited traveler. And although you won't hit Alaska or Hawaii (for obvious reasons), you can't go without visiting our nation's capital or hitting at least two places in California.

So here is the perfect U.S. road trip itinerary according to science:

Grand Canyon, Arizona
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Craters of the Moon, Idaho
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Pikes Peak, Colorado
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
The Alamo, Texas
The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma
Toltec Mounds, Arkansas
Elvis Presley's Graceland, Tennessee
Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
USS Alabama, Alabama
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia
Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
Lost World Caverns, West Virginia
Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina
Mount Vernon, Virginia
White House, Washington, DC
Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland
New Castle Historic District, Delaware
Cape May Historic District, New Jersey
Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania
Statue of Liberty, New York
The Mark Twain House & Museum, Connecticut
The Breakers, Rhode Island
USS Constitution, Massachusetts
Acadia National Park, Maine
Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire
Shelburne Farms, Vermont
Fox Theater, Detroit, Michigan
Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana
Abraham Lincoln's Home, Illinois
Gateway Arch, Missouri
C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas
Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion, Iowa
Taliesin, Wisconsin
Fort Snelling, Minnesota
Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota
Glacier National Park, Montana
Hanford Site, Washington
Columbia River Highway, Oregon
San Francisco Cable Cars, California
San Andreas Fault, California
Hoover Dam, Nevada

Trip Planning

How to plan a backpacking trip across the united states.

Route 50: How to Road Trip the Loneliest Road in America

Exploration

Route 66: here are 20 roadside attractions for your next trip.

Powersports

How to get the most out of a southwest roadtrip.

Free guide: Learn how to travel full-time with your family!

The perfect road trip map to drive across the United States

Summer is the perfect time for a road trip, and spring is the perfect time to plan one! With the weather warming up, we tend to get itchy for travel. Today I’ll share our perfect road trip map to see any part (or all) of the United States. Let’s hit the road and take that great American road trip!

When we started our family gap year , two and a half years ago, we planned to travel from the Pacific Northwest, down the coast of California, through Texas to Florida, and then up the east coast.

We did just that, but then we continued to travel and have now circled the United States four times — and we’re preparing for our fifth cross-country road trip!

Each route has been a little different, which has helped us hit new regions, see diverse landscapes, and visit unique attractions.

The perfect United States road trip map

So where do you want to go? From coast to coast, there is SO much to see and do in the United States. It’s one of the biggest countries in the world, and your experience can be just about anything you’d like — from a tropical adventure in south Florida, to the snowy mountains of Colorado, to the misty Pacific Northwest.

You can try to visit all of the national parks and national monuments. You can head to New York and experience that big city life or escape to the quiet plains of the midwest.

There are two different kinds of road trips: those that are focused on the destination and those that are focused on the journey. Maybe you’re driving on a road well-known for its beauty, like the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, or maybe you’re driving just to get from city to city and visit the hot spots.

But ideally, you can combine both of those goals and see gorgeous landscapes on your way to fun activities!

Don’t miss: Our Family Gap Year Itinerary

The best route to visit all 50 states at once

Unless you’re a very extreme or long-term traveler, I’m guessing you don’t plan to hit every single state — but if you are, I can point you in the right direction!

Check out Randy Olson’s optimal US road trip maps , or visit TripSavvy’s list of must-see American attractions in an ordered loop you can begin at any point. These are two great resources if you are trying to go everywhere!

Our biggest tip for traveling the whole country: go south in the winter and north in the summer! Yes, being snowbirds is basically our life goal.

The best road trips by region in the United States

I’d love to share our favorite road trip routes in each region of the US. This will help you plan the perfect road trip in your own neck of the woods, or anywhere you plan to visit across the country!

For more details on fun things to do in each region of the US, check out my guest post on The Art of Travel: Visiting all 50 US States

Getting misty in the Pacific Northwest

We’ll always have a soft spot for the northwestern corner of the country, as that was our very first stop on our full-time family travels. We had never visited before, so the giant trees and almost-perpetual rainbows had us captivated.

Head to Seattle for a wide range of activities : go up to the top of the Space Needle, ride a wooden boat on Lake Washington, wander through Pike Place Market, and visit Amazon HQ .

If you’ve got plenty of time to spend in Washington, consider driving the Cascade Loop, visit Mount Rainer National Park or Olympic National Park, or look for orcas in the San Juan Islands.

Then go south to Portland and browse the shelves at Powell’s Books and eat a Voodoo Doughnut. Head just to the east to visit gorgeous Multnomah Falls, then drive to the west coast to visit Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock.

Your Pacific Northwest road trip map

Cruise down the coast of California

I couldn’t write a blog post on great road trips without including the Pacific Coast Highway ! We got to drive highway 1 down the coast of California near the end of 2018, and we’ll never forget it!

Start in San Francisco — visit the redwood trees, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, and be sure to take a ride on one of the San Francisco cable cars!

From there, follow highway 1 and drive through Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Big Sur. Stop in San Simeon and see the elephant seals.

Then cruise through the southern California beach towns of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Malibu, and end your journey at the Santa Monica Pier (or continue on to San Diego).

Your Pacific Coast Highway road trip map

Get your kicks on Route 66

Having lived in Arizona for many years, we’ve driven along Route 66 more than once. Yes, it extends all the way “from Chicago to LA”, but there are some great iconic landmarks you can still visit along the Mother Road in Arizona, so it’s our pick for the southwestern region of the US.

Top stops along the way include the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, “standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona”, the Meteor Crater, Twin Arrows, Seligman, and Kingman. Visit soon — some landmarks are sadly wasting away.

All 50 States Tip: Once you get to Kingman, it’s just about 90 minutes to get to Las Vegas, if you need to check Nevada off your 50 state bucket list!

Your Route 66 road trip map

Complete the Texas Triangle

Texas boasts a number of major cities, living up to the saying that everything is bigger in Texas! And you can visit each of these metro areas when you take a triangle-shaped road trip in the middle of the state.

Start in San Antonio: walk the Riverwalk and tour the Alamo. Drive up to Austin for some great live music and nightlife. At the peak of the triangle you’ll find Dallas: smell the flowers at the Dallas Arboretum, play around at the National Videogame Museum, and eat a steak…because you’re in Dallas and living that cowboy life.

Head southeast to Houston and visit the Houston Space Center, and then drive to the coast to ride the rides at the Pleasure Pier in Galveston.

All 50 States Tip: If you’re coming to Texas from Arizona, you might try to time your trip so you hit the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico on your way. It happens in October and is well-worth the stop!

Your Texas Triangle road trip map

Glide along the Gulf Coast

You’ll find small beach town charm and pristine white sugar sand along the Gulf Coast of the United States. It’s one of our favorite spots in the country!

Start in New Orleans, Louisiana and soak up all the French Quarter has to offer, including muffalettas, beignets, and really great jazz. Then drive east, across the bottom of Mississippi and Alabama. Leave I-10 to drive south to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and then stick to the roads closest to the beach as you drive along the Florida panhandle, stopping at any beach towns that take your fancy.

If you’ve got the time and the budget, continue heading into central Florida for some fun at the theme parks, and then drive south to our next road trip recommendation…

Your Gulf Coast road trip map

Road trip through the tropics

In Southern Florida, you can get a real taste of the tropics without having to leave the continental US! Miami is just a 3-hour drive from Orlando, and about another 3-hour drive will take you through the Keys all the way into Key West.

In Miami, visit the colorful Wynwood neighborhood, and make sure to grab some Taiyaki ice cream! Then head over to South Beach and check out the nightlife.

In Key West, walk down Duval Street and say hi to all the chickens that roam free. Make sure to have a slice of key lime pie and watch the sunset in Mallory Square.

Your southern Florida road trip map

Adventures in Appalachia

Discover the delights of the southeast in what you might call the “Appalachia” region. You can make a bit of a circle traveling through Savannah and Atlanta in Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina — or the other way around!

See the Spanish Moss in Savannah, taste every Coke product in the World of Coke tasting room in Atlanta, experience Music City in Nashville, stroll the botanical gardens at UNC Charlotte, and take a carriage ride through Charleston’s cobblestone streets.

This route will also take you through Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Asheville — other great cities to explore, so be sure to stop if you have time!

And if you have to make the pilgrimage to Graceland, just extend your route to include Memphis, thank you very much!

Your Appalachia road trip map

Explore US history in the mid-Atlantic

Heading north, the mid-Atlantic states are a great place to learn about our country’s history and visit some of the biggest, busiest cities in the world.

In Virginia, you can experience colonial life at Historic Jamestowne. In Washington DC, you could spend hours and hours exploring all the free museums and memorials (and don’t forget to visit the pandas at the National Zoo). Our big kids even had the chance to tour the White House!

All 50 States Tip: Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia is just one hour west of DC, and there you can hike part of the Appalachian Trail!

In Pennsylvania, you can visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Then drive up to New York City and experience the Big Apple! If you’re visiting after Broadway has reopened, definitely take in a show. Take the requisite visits to Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and stroll through Central Park.

Ride the Seaglass Carousel in Battery Park and tour the Statue of Liberty. Then, take the Q train to Coney Island and eat some hot dogs and deep-fried Oreos.

That’s right — historic sites AND deep-fried Oreos. You’re welcome.

All 50 States Tip: This is where you should check off Delaware and New Jersey, too. Visit Rehoboth Beach and Atlantic City and enjoy the beaches and boardwalks!

Your mid-Atlantic road trip map

Take a pilgrimage to New England

Get it…pilgrimage?

All 50 States Tip: As you head north, stop in at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut and stroll the cliff walk in Newport, Rhode Island.

Get your dose of history by walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, and have some fun on a Duck Tour. Then drive north for a trip through the most quaint, picture-perfect New England port towns. Walk around Portsmouth, New Hampshire, then make your way into Maine.

I was born and raised in Maine, so yes my New England road trip is a little Maine-heavy!

Visit Dock Square in Kennebunkport for some primo shopping and a summertime treat, like a fresh-squeezed lemonade or ice cream from Aunt Marie’s.

Then, head to Old Orchard Beach for a day of fun at the beachside amusement park, Palace Playland. Do NOT leave without getting an order of pier fries — and eat them like the locals, doused in vinegar and caked with salt.

Portland is a much-loved Maine “big city” so take a stroll through the Old Port and check out the unique shops and bars. Then, if you’ve got the time, drive to Acadia National Park and catch the earliest sunrise in the United States.

All 50 States Tip: If you’re headed to the midwest from New England, drive through Vermont and tour the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, then stop at Niagara Falls in New York!

Your New England road trip map

Meander through the Midwest

Things get a little tricky in the Midwest and central US just because there are so many options for where to go and in what order. So I’ll detail the two routes I would take, but you can mix-and-match the cities in this section and the next, and curate your own perfect road trip map through the middle of the country!

If you’re coming from the Northeast, stop in Cleveland, Ohio to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then head to Detroit, Michigan to visit the Motown Museum and take the Coney Dog Challenge .

If you’d like, stop to explore Cincinnati on your way to Louisville, Kentucky. In Louisville, see how they make baseball bats at the Louisville Slugger Factory and learn all about horse racing at Churchill Downs (or hey, time your road trip to attend the Kentucky Derby!).

Check out the Indy 500 track in Indianapolis, or try your hand at some duckpin bowling. Then drive west to Chicago. See The Bean, eat a Chicago dog and some deep-dish pizza, and admire the artwork at the Art Institute of Chicago. If you must have the full Ferris Beuller experience, go to the top of Willis Tower and put your forehead against the glass.

Head north and cross into Wisconsin. Visit the Milwaukee Public Market and get your fill of local cheese! From there, go to Minneapolis and get lost in the Mall of America or go downtown and toss your hat in the air a la Mary Tyler Moore.

All 50 States Tip: You can drive about 3.5 hours from Minneapolis to Fargo, North Dakota, where you can join the Best for Last Club (IF North Dakota is your 50th and final state visited)!

As your last midwestern stop, head south to Iowa and explore Des Moines. Walk through the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and visit the famous bridges of Madison County.

All 50 States Tip: You can fit Nebraska in here by heading to Omaha — enjoy a leisurely walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and then have a nice sit-down dinner in Omaha’s Old Market. Or, if you prefer, you can visit the other side of Nebraska on our next route.

Your Midwest road trip map

Go through the Gateway to the West

Start your exploration of the central US in St. Louis and go up in the Gateway Arch. Then, on your way to Oklahoma City, stop in Bentonville, Arkansas to tour the Walmart Museum and the Crystal Lakes Museum (both free and worth the visit!).

In Oklahoma City, visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial (the site of the 1995 bombing) and the Land Run Monument. Then head north to Kansas and stop in Hutchinson to go 650 feet underground into the Strataca Salt Mine.

From there, drive west to Denver. There’s lots to do here! Stand a mile high on the Capitol steps, relax in one of the many parks, climb Pikes Peak, and take in the majestic view of the Rocky Mountains.

After you’ve gotten your fill of Denver, it’s time to visit the Dakotas. On the way, you can take a quick detour into Nebraska to stop by Chimney Rock, of Oregon Trail fame.

In the southwest corner of South Dakota you’ll definitely want to stop and see Mount Rushmore. Then drive north to Medora, North Dakota and visit the prairie dogs at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From here, you’re in a great place to take our final road trip route!

Your Gateway to the West road trip map

Tour the western national parks

Last summer, we took an epic road trip across the US and the final third was comprised mostly of national parks on the western side of the country. We had a blast and saw some incredibly diverse, beautiful terrain.

Start in Glacier National Park and spend a day driving the Going-To-The-Sun Road. Then head to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and be sure to see Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.

After Yellowstone, stop in at Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone. We missed this one but hear it’s a must-see.

From there, go south to Zion National Park in Utah and drive through the breathtaking red rocks. Then drive into Arizona and visit the Grand Canyon. You’ll see so many wonders on this trip that you’ll never forget it!

Your western national parks road trip map

Our top road trip tips

As expert US travelers (we’ve been to 49 of the 50 states — just gotta make it to Alaska!), here are some of our top tips to consider while you plan your road trip:

1. Make a plan but stay flexible

It’s good to know where you plan to be and when, how long it will take to get there, where you plan to stay, and what you want to do while you’re there. Especially in this post-Covid world, a lot of activities require planning ahead.

That being said, leave room for flexibility wherever possible. If we know we’ll be spending the night somewhere on the way to a destination, we won’t book a hotel until we’re almost ready to stop. Sometimes we are able to drive further than planned, and sometimes things come up and we get delayed — like the time it took 7 hours to drive 20 miles in New Mexico!

2. Prep your car

Fill your tires, check the oil, top up the fluids. Give yourself every reason to believe your car will get you from point A to B to C…and home again!

Also, consider getting your car detailed or deep-cleaned ahead of time, and be prepared with paper towels and wet wipes to keep things clean.

3. Stay comfy and entertained in the car

You’ll be seeing some incredible things…but also spending a lot of time just driving down the highway. A pillow and a blanket per person goes a long way, as does trivia games, books, podcasts, and (when all else fails) well-charged devices!

4. Pack light

You need some clothes and your phone. Not much else! Your phone (assuming it’s smart) is your map, your entertainment, and your way out in an emergency. Like I mentioned, toss in a blanket and pillow, maybe some non-screen books and games, and you’re good to go! Oh and snacks. Because is it really a road trip if you don’t have snacks? (No.)

Visit our sister site for some truly incredible road trip car hacks !

5. Combine touristy attractions with local hidden gems

A Google search can easily tell you the must-do activities in every city you visit, but also visit Atlas Obscura for some more, well, obscure things to see and do!

I sure hope this has given you some great information on where to road trip in each region of the US. Combine two or three routes (or all of them!) to create your own perfect road trip map to really see and experience this beautiful country, by car!

Thinking of heading out on a full-time family travel journey? Learn absolutely everything you need to know in our Family Gap Year Academy !

Pin it if you love it!

Family Travel Expert

Megan Tenney traveled full-time for four years with her husband and four children. She's visited 49 of the United States, backpacked across Europe, and spent some time in Canada, Mexico, Asia, and the Caribbean. Megan is the owner and author of Family Gap Year Guide , where she shares stories and tips from her family travel adventures and teaches other families how they can take life on the road!

This Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip

Road trip are a great American tradition

Tech Editor

The great American road trip is high on the bucket list of nearly every traveler, whether they’re from the United States or not. There’s a certain romanticism surrounding the idea of cruising down long straight highways experiencing the differences of each state and stopping off at some of the world’s most appealing attractions along the way.

But road trips can also be notoriously tricky to plan, and if you’re visiting the U.S. it’s hard to imagine cramming everything you want to see into your vacation time. Randy Olson, a prominent data scientist enlisted by Chevrolet to tackle this problem, has come up with the most efficient route to go through all 48 contiguous states, including some of the best vacation spots in the country.

The data-driven map he created as a result can be found below, or at this link . National landmarks, theme parks, museums, and state parks are all included on the journey. It’s highly unlikely many people would be able to undertake the entire road trip – it would take 214.56 hours on the road, around nine days – but the map shows the possibilities of traveling by car around the U.S.

“This map is designed so road trippers can start anywhere and drive as much or as little as they like,” Olson said. “Across the U.S., people can create their perfect route, whether staying close to home or embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime 48-state journey.”

The American road trip is still alive and well as a vacation option in the U.S., and especially with families. A study conducted by Chevrolet in 2017 showed that 93% of American parents enjoy road trips with their family, and 53% “love” them. The same research found that American parents who take road trips think the perfect length of a family road trip is approximately six hours.

Technology is making the road trip a more comfortable experience. The days of sweltering in a boiling hot car with nothing to do but look out the window are over. Now most modern cars have wi-fi, entertainment systems, and more, the idea of driving halfway across the country with friends or family doesn’t sound grueling at all. If the driverless car revolution continues at the same pace, it may become even more relaxing over time, as passengers sit back and let the car do the work.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Guides & Tips

Travel with culture trip: who are our local insiders.

Everything You Need to Know About Booking a Private Culture Trip

Top TRIPS by Culture Trip for Ticking Off Your Bucket List

The Best Couples Retreats in the USA

How to Book a Private Tour with Culture Trip

Top Trips for Embracing Your Own Backyard

See & Do

5 ski resort scenes you can't miss this year.

How to Make the Most of Your Holiday Time if You're in the US

Travel in America: Top 5 Trip Ideas

Gift the Joy of Travel this Christmas with Culture Trip Gift Cards

The Benefits of Booking a Private Tour with Culture Trip

The Best Solo Travel Tours in the US

Culture trip spring sale, save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips limited spots..

Post ID: 2091083
Sponsored? No
View Payload

How to Take the Best Road Trip Across the U.S. and Have Perfect 70-Degree Weather All the Time

Climate scientist Brian Brettschneider shared an all-new map for 2023.

preview for 11 of the Most Beautiful Places in the US

Brian originally created a perfect weather road trip map back in 2015. That map was based on the 1981-2010 temperature information released by the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). "That map was a hypothetical trip through the U.S. with the route tracking where the normal daily high temperature was approximately 70°F (21°C). I have been contacted numerous times over the years since from people who want to bike or drive the trip. It has resonated with people in a way I never imagined," Brian says on his blog .

Now, he has released a new map with the 1991-2020 averages from the NCEI. His original map had just one route, but his updated version includes three options: A coastal route, an interior U.S. route, and a third option that includes the U.S. and Canada, with a stop in Alaska.

Brian's blog gives step-by-step directions for the year-long trip. The coastal and interior routes are both over 7,000 miles. The coastal version begins in Tampa, Florida, and travels all the way to San Diego, California. The interior map takes road trippers from Corpus Christi, Texas, to San Diego.

Brian's U.S. and Canada version comes in at almost 14,000 miles and includes a stop in Fairbanks, Alaska, still keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at every stop along the way.

Now, the only thing left to do is gas up the car and hit the road! You'll want to roll down the windows and blast your favorite road trip playlist .

Katie Bowlby is Digital Director at Country Living, where she covers gift guides, product reviews, crafts, and TV shows like Yellowstone. She’s currently stitching up a cross-stitch pattern for the magazine’s next issue

.css-1shyvki:before{background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:contain;background-size:contain;content:'';height:0.819rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:-0.9375rem;width:3.125rem;}.loaded .css-1shyvki:before{background-image:url('/_assets/design-tokens/countryliving/static/images/arrow.svg');}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1shyvki:before{display:none;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1shyvki:before{display:inline-block;}} Travel .css-unxkmx:before{background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:contain;background-size:contain;content:'';height:0.819rem;margin:0.7rem auto 0.9375rem;width:3.125rem;}.loaded .css-unxkmx:before{background-image:url('/_assets/design-tokens/countryliving/static/images/arrow.svg');}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-unxkmx:before{display:block;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-unxkmx:before{display:none;}}

The Country's Ten Best Spots for Birdwatching

Plan a Trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan

solar eclipse visible across swath of us

Scenic Spots to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse

The 15 Best Beaches Near Orlando

A Weekend in Connecticut's Litchfield County

sunset looking out to ocean over upper pool at fairmont kia lani in maui

I Stayed at Maui's Fairmont Kea Lani

crowd of people at the cinderella castle in walt disney

20+ Magically Free Things at Disney World

You Can Stay Inside a Stack of Pancakes for Free

cherry blossoms in university of washington

30 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the U.S.

The 30 Most Charming Small Towns in Connecticut

rear view of a man looking at amsterdam canal on a sunny day, netherlands

8 Unique Vacation Destinations to Visit in 2024

This Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. Road Trip

By caitlin schneider | apr 10, 2023, 12:50 pm edt.

The concept of a road trip is as American as apple pie, and yet, devising the “best” U.S. driving route is a bit of a head scratcher. Much depends on time parameters, personal preference, and frankly, how long you want to spend behind the wheel.

In 2015, Tracy Staedter at Discovery News decided to take on that challenge, enlisting Randy Olson —the data scientist behind the famed (and super helpful) Where’s Waldo algorithm —to devise what you might call the platonic ideal of the United States road trip. The parameters were: It had to hit all of the 48 continental states; every stop had to be a National Natural Landmark, a National Historic Site, a National Park, or a National Monument; and of course, had to be confined to car travel and within U.S. borders.

With a stop in Washington, D.C. and two in California, the result is 50 points of all American awesomeness. Here are the destinations:

Grand Canyon, Arizona
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Craters of the Moon, Idaho
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Pikes Peak, Colorado
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
The Alamo, Texas
The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma
Toltec Mounds, Arkansas
Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Tennessee
Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
French Quarter, Louisiana
USS Alabama, Alabama
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia
Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
Lost World Caverns, West Virginia
Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina
Mount Vernon, Virginia
White House, Washington, D.C.
Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland
New Castle Historic District, Delaware
Cape May Historic District, New Jersey
Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania
Statue of Liberty, New York
The Mark Twain House & Museum, Connecticut
The Breakers, Rhode Island
USS Constitution , Massachusetts
Acadia National Park, Maine
Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire
Shelburne Farms, Vermont
Fox Theater, Michigan
Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana
Abraham Lincoln’s Home, Illinois
Gateway Arch, Missouri
C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas
Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, Iowa
Taliesin, Wisconcin
Fort Snelling, Minnesota
Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota
Glacier National Park, Montana
Hanford Site, Washington
Columbia River Highway, Oregon
San Francisco Cable Cars, California
San Andreas Fault, California
Hoover Dam, Nevada

That list starts with the Grand Canyon , but you could theoretically begin anywhere as long as you drive in sequence after that. Staedter guessed it would take a little over nine days of driving straight through, but more realistically is a two- or three-month trip.

Want to drive across the U.S. & see all major landmarks? #MSU 's @randal_olson made a map. http://t.co/KbFjQGXBXM pic.twitter.com/jDs1EsP1xS — MSU (@michiganstateu) March 9, 2015

For the details on how he came up with the route, check out Olson’s blog . After determining the stops, the main goal of the algorithm was to find the shortest distance between points.

Olson wrote to Staedter: “Instead of exhaustively looking at every possible solution, genetic algorithms start with a handful of random solutions and continually tinker with these solutions—always trying something slightly different from the current solution and keeping the best one—until they can’t find a better solution any more.”

And whether or not you understand the specifics of how it was created, the map is truly a marvel and the kind of itinerary you'll probably spend all winter dreaming about. See the map here , and for additional travel goals, check out Olson’s road trip maps for South America and Europe .

A version of this story ran in 2015; it has been updated for 2023.

Science Says This Is the Perfect U.S. Road Trip

Ashley Corbin-Teich/Getty Images

What if you took a list of 50 must-see American attractions and plotted a road trip to hit all of them? Your route would likely look like this, says Discovery News , which partnered with a doctoral candidate at Michigan State University and used an algorithm to come up with what they say is the perfect cross-country American road trip .

You may disagree. Though the idea of a best-of-the-best itinerary is fun (if gimmicky), the attractions on this route are subjective. Discovery News may rate the Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion in Des Moines as a must-see, yet you might give it a disinterested shrug. There are quite a few places on this list that some experts might consider second- or even third-tier sites (such as the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, Fox Theater, Hanford Site, and others).

The itinerary is contrived to fit Discovery News ' criteria of:

Remaining solely in the United States
Including designated national landmarks, historic sites, and national parks and monuments
Including only one attraction in each one of the lower 48 states (except for California, which got two).

The White House in Washington, D.C., rounded out the 50 picks. The issue is that some states are overflowing with road trip-worthy national landmarks and others are, well, not so much. This explains why a governor's mansion makes the cut while Zion National Park and Niagara Falls do not.

Methodology aside, this is a pretty comprehensive itinerary that does hit many iconic American landmarks. And if hitting all the states in the contiguous United States is one of your goals, this route accomplishes that. The researchers used an algorithm to come up with a loop that allows you to start this road trip in any state and follow it until you’re back at your starting point.

Grand Canyon, AZ

No question—of course , you need to see the Grand Canyon when you're driving through Arizona. Whether you go to the South Rim or North Rim (open May through October) depends on what time of year you're visiting. There are lookout points where you can get some nice photos if you don't have a lot of time, but a longer trip will allow you to dive deeper into this natural wonder.

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Utah is overflowing in natural beauty with five show-stopping national parks , but it's Bryce Canyon National Park that made the top of this list. Consisting of large gravity-defying rock formations known as hoodoos, geology-lovers should give themselves plenty of time to enjoy this park.

Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID

Want wilderness? The Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho is an official Wilderness Study Area. This ancient lava-shaped landscape's nature remains "substantially uninfluenced by humans," which is hard to come by these days. A looping road takes you through a big part of the park and there are lots of places where you'll be able to park and explore the caves and craters on foot.

Yellowstone National Park, WY

Another bucket list place for multitudes of Americans is Yellowstone National Park , known for its geysers, amazing vistas, hot mud, and the way the ecosystem has rebalanced with the reintroduction of wolves. There are also entrances to the park in Montana and Idaho.

Pikes Peak, CO

Attracting more than half a million visitors every year, Pikes Peak is one of the most popular mountains in Colorado due to its proximity to the town of Colorado Springs . In this part of the state, you'll also find the Garden of the Gods nearby, an area filled with dramatic rock formations that jut out of the ground.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

TripSavvy / Alisha McDarris

Caves, cacti, desert, and fossil reefs are all at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. Spelunkers can even arrange for permits to travel off-trail on self-guided or ranger-guided trips underground. Non-spelunkers can explore the caves on foot or sign up for a guided tour, which will allow you to walk through more physically challenging parts of the cave.

The Alamo: San Antonio, TX

The Alamo as a fort was significant in the creation of San Antonio and its designation as "Military City, U.S.A." Just in case you don't remember, this is the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo (before Texas officially became a state) between Mexican and Texan soldiers including the famous raccoon hat-wearing Davy Crockett.

Platt Historic District: Sulfur, OK

Thirty miles of trails in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in the Platt Historic District (formerly Platt National Park) are available for a variety of skill levels of hikers and have varying scenery among them, such as waterfalls, wildlife, Travertine Creek, ponds, and lakes.

Toltec Mounds: Scott, AR

Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park contains ancient mounds—what remains from a "ceremonial and governmental complex"—from A.D. 650 to 1050 when the area was inhabited by prehistoric Native Americans. It's a short drive away from the Arkansas capital of Little Rock.

Elvis Presley’s Graceland: Memphis, TN

Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion is like a time capsule and the home captures all the King's favorite 1977 kitsch. The best time to visit is in August during Elvis Week when mega-fans come together to celebrate his life and music.

Vicksburg National Military Park: Vicksburg, MS

A key city in the opinion of both sides fighting the Civil War, Vicksburg, Mississippi , was the site of a 47-day long battle. Here, you can see an ironclad ship used on the Mississippi River during the war, visit 1,400 monuments and memorials, and watch battle reenactments.

French Quarter: New Orleans, LA

There's always something to see, hear, do, and eat in the New Orleans' French Quarter . You'll find many revelers enjoying the neighborhood's open container laws on Bourbon Street at night, but there is also plenty of history to explore during the day in this charming district.

USS Alabama: Mobile, AL

At home in the Mobile Bay, the USS Alabama is a World War II battleship that saw action in the South Pacific. You can buy a ticket to walk around the ship and learn about the United States' military history from the inside.

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station: Cape Canaveral, FL

Kids and adults alike can imagine their space-explorer dreams at Cape Canaveral , a historic site and home to three rocket launch pads. Here, you can see where the U.S. space program began and tour the Kennedy Space Center and Visitor Complex .

Okefenokee Swamp Park: Waycross, GA

The Okefenokee Swamp Park is nature like you've likely never seen it before. The Natural Wildlife Refuge covers nearly half a million acres. Surrounded by the sounds of animals, it's a peaceful place to enjoy nature and learn about swamp ecosystems.

Fort Sumter National Monument: Charleston, SC

Located in the Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter is the site where the American Civil War began. You'll have to catch a ferry to get to this island, but when you get there you'll find a small museum that tells the story of the first battle.

Lost World Caverns: Lewisburg, WV

About five hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains , West Virginia's Lost World Caverns inspire awe. Here, you can travel on a simple self-guided cave tour on trails 120 feet down, or you can go all in, deeper, on a four-hour guided excursion, where few humans have traveled.

Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center: Kill Devil Hills, NC

The Wright Brothers weren't the only ones trying to fly, but their few moments sustained in the air in 1903 were historic. At the National Memorial Visitor Center , you can see the spot where the first successful flight first took off. It's located in North Carolina's Outer Banks, which also happens to be a great beach destination .

Mount Vernon: Mount Vernon, VA

Mount Vernon is the historic home of George Washington, who was not only the United States' first president but was also a hero of the Revolutionary War. Visiting the place he lived is one way to get a peek into the home life of the historical figure.

White House: Washington, D.C.

It's easy to see the White House from the street when you're exploring Washington D.C., but if you want to take a tour of the inside, you will have to submit your application directly to your congressional representative way ahead of your visit. The process is a little complicated, but at the end of the day, there's no charge for a tour. If you're not a U.S. citizen, applications must be submitted to your home country's embassy in Washington, D.C.

Colonial Annapolis Historic District: Annapolis, MD

Annapolis has more 18th century structures standing than any other city in the United States. Sometimes called the "Athens of America," the downtown area draws more than two million visitors per year. It's also home to the U.S. Naval Academy , which is open for tours.

New Castle Historic District: New Castle, Delaware

If you can't get enough of colonial buildings, set your GPS for New Castle, Delaware. Founded in the 17th century, this charming colonial city beset with cobblestone streets has many historic homes you can visit, such as the Dutch House and the Amstel House. You can learn more in the museums and at and the Old New Castle Courthouse, which was the location of the colonial and state government until 1777.

Cape May Historic District: Cape May, NJ

Down the shore, you can check out the famous Cape May lighthouse at New Jersey's southernmost point. There are also many historic homes and businesses in this area, some that date back to the mid-1800s. Not far from Cape May, you can also visit the beaches and boardwalk in Wildwood , one of the beach towns in New Jersey.

Liberty Bell: Philadelphia, PA

When you're in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell is a must-see. At the Liberty Bell Visitor center, you can see the bell in person and learn all about its long journey from practical noise-maker to a symbol of freedom. Many historians believe this was one of the bells rung when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence at Independence Hall .

Statue of Liberty: New York, NY

When visiting New York City, you can take a ferry from Battery Park out to Liberty Island to see the iconic Statue of Liberty . However, tickets need to be purchased in advance if you want to climb to the top and the National Park Service only allows 240 visitors per day to do so. If you don't have a ticket, you can still walk along the grounds and tour the National Museum of Immigration.

Mark Twain House & Museum: Hartford, CT

In Hartford, Connecticut, you can visit the home of one of America's most famous authors. You won't see rivers and riverboats at Mark Twain's house in Connecticut, but you will see the place where he wrote his most famous novels from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Prince and the Pauper."

The Breakers Mansion: Newport, RI

In Rhode Island, you can see the Newport mansion of the Vanderbilts, one of America's richest families. Referred to as their "summer cottage," The Breakers is a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo and open for tours. Visiting is a fun way to take a fun peek into the lush lives of the wealthy at the turn of the century.

USS Constitution: Boston, MA

In Boston, you can climb aboard and tour the USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard. And if this visit inspires you to seek out more of Boston's military history, you're just a short walk of the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum.

Acadia National Park, ME

Maine's pristine Acadia National Park is one of the east coast's hidden gems. The best time to visit is in the fall when the leaves change color and light up the whole landscape in shades of red and gold.

Omni Mount Washington Hotel: Bretton Woods, NH

New Hampshire's Mount Washington was first explored by colonists in 1642, but three centuries later in 1900, construction began on the Omni Mount Washington. The century-old resort in a popular ski area is now a luxury hotel that has attracted elite guests from presidents like JFK and authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Shelburne Farms: Shelburne, VT

At Shelburne Farms in Vermont, you can learn about sustainable agriculture and indulge at their farm-to-table restaurant. The farm holds programs about historic preservation, natural resources, and farming practices. It's located just seven miles south of the Vermont capital of Burlington.

Fox Theater: Detroit, MI

The Fox Theater isn't your run-of-the-mill cinema chain. When it opened in 1928 it had the second-largest seating capacity in the world with more than 5,000 seats. It's one of the largest surviving movie palaces of its era and has since been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Spring Grove Cemetery: Cincinnati, OH

Not just historic and beautiful, Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery is enormous, spanning over 700 acres. You could spend a whole day enjoying the peaceful grounds and exploring the lakes, islands, footbridges, and protected wooded areas. Historic figures laid to rest here include Civil War-era Major General Joseph Hooker and Salmon P. Chase , the founder of Cincinnati Law School.

Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

Not far from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is the world's longest cave system with more than 400 miles of underground caverns. Much of the cave was first mapped out in the late 19th century by Stephen Bishop, a slave who was the first person to cross what was known as the "Bottomless Pit" and discover the sections beyond it.

West Baden Springs Hotel: West Baden Springs, IN

The most historic and luxurious hotel in Indiana, the West Baden Springs Hotel hosts special events, entertainment, and historic tours, for those staying or not. It's worth visiting just to take a gander at the humungous atrium that spans 200-feet across and has a fireplace so big that it can burn 14-foot logs.

Abraham Lincoln’s Home: Springfield, IL

In Springfield Illinois, you can tour the home of President Abraham Lincoln. The museum is filled with personal artifacts of the Lincoln family and the tour explores his rise as a lawyer and politician leading up to his presidential campaign.

Gateway Arch: St. Louis, MO

You don't just have to look at the arch, you can go to the top of it! In St. Louis, the Gateway Arch's tram will take you to the top for some incredible 360-degree views of the Twin Cities. The arch was completed in 1965 and is one of the city's most popular attractions.

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum: Leavenworth, KS

In Leavenworth, Kansas, you can take a spin through the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum . Here you'll find restored carousels that date back to the mid-1800s like the Liberty Carousel and a Primitive Carousel and can learn about the history of C.W. Parker's carousel factory, which produced about 1,000 carousels during its time.

Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion: Des Moines, IA

In Des Moines, you can tour the governor's mansion at Terrace Hill . The governor's mansion hosts special events such as the "Tea & Talk" series and the annual garden party and the piano competition. While you're in Des Moines, the State Capitol is also a beautiful building worth seeing.

Taliesin: Green Spring, WI

In Wisconsin, you can visit one of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wight's creations at Taliesin Wisconsin. You'll be able to walk around Wright's home, which is also a designated National Historic Landmark, and studio, where he lived during the beginning of his career.

Fort Snelling: Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN

Originally built as a frontier post in the 19th century, Fort Snelling is located near the Mississippi River. The fort tells the tense history of the region's new arrivals and the Native Americans who already lived here and in visiting you can learn the story of the Dakota War of 1862 and how the fort was used as an internment camp. On the river outside of the fort, you'll find a memorial for those that did not survive.

Ashfall Fossil Beds: Royal, NE

A must-visit for dinosaur lovers of all ages, more than 200 fossils have been recovered from the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Royal, Nebraska. Here, you'll find remnants of North America's prehistoric rhinoceroses and horses that roamed the land millions of years ago.

Mount Rushmore: Keystone, SD

TripSavvy / Lauren Breedlove

It was a massive project, that extended over decades, to carve the presidents' heads into a granite bluff at Mount Rushmore . Just down the road is Crazy Horse Memorial , which is even bigger—although still under construction

Fort Union Trading Post: Williston, ND

Located right on the North Dakota-Montana border, Fort Union was one of the region's most important fur trading posts between the years of 1829 and 1867. It was here that Northern Plains Indian Tribes peacefully traded furs for goods until the smallpox epidemic decimated the area.

Glacier National Park, MT

One of Montana's many natural gems, Glacier National Park is full of turquoise lakes, snowy meadows, precipitous mountains, and 25 active glaciers. The park is a part of the Rocky Mountains and shares a border with Canada's neighboring province of Alberta .

Hanford Site: Benton County, WA

If you've got a taste for dark tourism and are curious about what it would be like to walk around a decommissioned nuclear testing location, Washington's Hanford Site is open for visitors. It was here where the U.S. government conducted its plutonium research as a part of the infamous Manhattan Project, which would lead to the development of nuclear weapons.

Columbia River Highway, OR

Not just a scenic road, this highway is historic and has been well cared for over the years. Driving along this stretch of road, you'll be able to see the Pacific Northwest's temperate rainforests, which offer great opportunities for hiking and biking. There are also dozens of waterfalls to see when you get to the Columbia River Gorge, including the popular Multnomah Falls .

San Francisco Cable Cars: San Francisco, CA

When you're in San Francisco, you have to ride one of the city's iconic streetcars in the place they were invented. Of course, after you've had your fun riding up the city's steep hills, there is plenty more to enjoy in the city from the food scene to the Golden Gate Bridge views.

San Andreas Fault, CA

You've probably heard plenty about the San Andreas Fault , an area of high tectonic activity where the Pacific plate meets the Atlantic plate, but did you know there are spots where you can see it for yourself? Many sections of the fault are easy to visit throughout California and you can find fault sites near Palm Springs , Frazier Park, Pinnacles National Park , and even San Francisco .

Hoover Dam: Boulder City, NV

TripSavvy / Deanna Mazzola

On the border of Nevada and Arizona, you can see one of the country's greatest feats of engineering. The Hoover Dam draws approximately seven million visitors a year and while you're there, you can walk across it, crossing state lines and even a time zone border, and take a tour of the plant to learn more about how it works.

The Best Small Town in Every State

The Best Road Trips to Take in 2019

The Best Staycation in Every State

The Best Family Road Trips for Every Age

The Best Beach in Every State

Your Guide to the U.S. Route 12 Road Trip

Your Guide to the Southern Road Trip

Great Summer Family Trips in the USA

20 Best Things to Do in Vermont

The Spookiest Road Trips in the United States

The 12 Best State Parks in Kentucky

Top 12 Places to Visit in the US

The Ultimate East Coast Beach Road Trip

Top Destinations in the Eastern United States

20 Best Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

20 Best Things to Do in Rhode Island

Outdoor Fact

This Ultimate Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip

You may disagree. Though the idea of a best-of-the-best itinerary is fun (if gimmicky), the attractions on this route are subjective. Discovery News may rate the Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion in Des Moines as a must-see, yet you might give it a disinterested shrug. There are quite a few places on this list that some experts might consider second- or even third-tier sites (such as the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, Fox Theatre, Hanford Site, and others).

The itinerary is contrived to fit Discovery News’ criteria of (a) remaining solely in the United States; (b) including designated national landmarks, historic sites, and national parks and monuments; and (c) including only one attraction in each one of the lower 48 states (except for California, which got two). The White House in Washington, D.C., rounded out the 50 picks . The problem, of course, is that some states are filthy rich when it comes to road trip – worthy national landmarks and other are, well, not so much. This explains why a governor’s mansion makes the cut while Zion National Park and Niagara Falls do not.

Which American landmarks would be stops on your family’s perfect road trip? You can create your own customized map using a number of online tools, including Rand McNally’s TripMaker , MapQuest’s Route Planner , and Google Maps .

Let’s take a look at the 50 must-see American attractions below:

1. Grand Canyon, AZ

No question—of course , you need to see the Grand Canyon. Whether you go to the South Rim or North Rim (open May through October) depends on what time of year you’re driving through.

2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Going for the Astronomy Festival, Geology Festival, or just beautiful scenery or a hike? Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah has it for you.

3. Craters of the Moon, ID

Want wilderness? The Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho is an official Wilderness Study Area—it’s got amazing dark sky and some nature that remains “substantially uninfluenced by humans.” These days, that’s got to be hard to come by.

4. Yellowstone National Park, WY

Another “bucket list” place for multitudes of Americans is Yellowstone, known for its geysers, amazing vistas, hot mud, and the way the ecosystem has rebalanced with the reintroduction of wolves.

5. Pikes Peak, CO

Visit the second-most popular mountain on the planet, Pikes Peak. A shuttle will even take the work out of getting to the summit. And there are donuts when you get there.

Read more: Best RV Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Reviews

6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

Caves, cacti, desert, and fossil reefs are all at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Spelunkers can even arrange for permits to travel off-trail on self-guided or ranger-guided trips underground.

7. The Alamo: San Antonio, TX

The Alamo as a fort was significant in the creation of San Antonio and its designation as “Military City, U.S.A.” Visitors to the fort and shrine are sure to remember it.

8. Platt Historic District: Sulfur, OK

Twenty miles of trails in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in the Platt Historic District (formerly Platt National Park) are available for a variety of skill levels of hikers and have varying scenery among them, such as waterfalls, wildlife, Travertine Creek, ponds, and lakes.

9. Toltec Mounds: Scott, AR

Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park contains ancient mounds—what remain from a “ceremonial and governmental complex”—from A.D. 650 to 1050, when the area was inhabited by American Indians.

10. Elvis Presley’s Graceland: Memphis, TN

In this day of McMansions, the size of Elvis Presley’s Graceland Mansion might surprise you. The time capsule–ness of the home captures all the King’s favorite 1977 kitsch. If you can’t there for his birthday during Elvis week in August, the candlelight vigil is broadcast.

Last Updated on February 8, 2019

Carlos Perry

Carlos Perry’s passion for outdoor activities can be traced back to 5 years ago when he spent a significant time to conquer beautiful pristine lands and experience different cultures with his best friends. Currently working as a blogger, he takes pride in providing comprehensive contents about camping knowledge, survival skills based on his own experience. A lot of his work was published on well-known travel magazines like: Travel+Leisure, Thrillist

The Great American Road Trip: A 4-Month Itinerary Around the USA

A car driving an open road in Death Valley, USA

The Great American Road Trip — it’s the kind of multimonth adventure most dream about but few actually do.

While many of us have bucket-list goals of exploring this vast and diverse landscape, more often than not, we end up heading abroad instead. International travel just seems more alluring, exotic, and exciting.

But this country has more than enough eclectic cities, small towns, regional culinary traditions, historic sites, fascinating museums, and natural wonders to keep any intrepid traveler busy.

I’ve done five big US road trips (two that completely crisscrossed the country and three in various regions) that cumulatively add up to a year on the road (and that doesn’t count all the “regular” trips, vacations, and weekend getaways). I’ve seen a lot of the United States.

As COVID-19 has caused us to consider our backyard more and more , many Americans are turning to domestic travel. We’re finally exploring all the wonders our own country has to offer.

So, because of that, I’ve created an epic four-month itinerary for traveling around the States. I think it balances time in cities with that spent relaxing in nature.

It may seem like a lot but four months just scratches the surface. And, since I don’t expect most of you to have four months, you can easily break this trip into smaller portions. It’s much better to concentrate your focus rather than try to see a lot in a short amount of time.

One note before we begin: There are so many routes you could take that it’s impossible to have one “best” route. The US is just too big. The route below is just one of my favorites. Use it as a starting point for creating your own itinerary that mixes realistic drive times, national parks, and fabulous cities.

Table of Contents

Month 1: East Coast, Southern US

Month 2: south, southwestern us, west coast, month 3: pacific northwest, western us, month 4: midwest, northeast us, days 1-3: boston, ma.

The skyline of Boston lit up at night by the water

Walk the Freedom Trail – This 2.5-mile (4km) route links many historic sites, including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the State House, and Bunker Hill. To get the most of your experience, take a guided tour with Get Your Guide . You’ll be able to ask questions to an expert local guide have a much more in-depth experience.
Relax in Boston Common – This is one of America’s oldest parks and was once used as communal pasture land by Puritan settlers. Today, it’s a great place to relax, people-watch, and picnic.
See the Bunker Hill Monument – The Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) was one of the first major battles of the Revolutionary War. While the British won it, the Americans wore British forces down more than was expected. The monument stands 221 feet tall; you can climb to the top to enjoy the best view of Boston.
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts – This museum has over 450,000 pieces of fine art, covering everything from the pre-Columbian era to Italian Impressionists. It’s one of the biggest collections in the country. It’s free after 4pm on Wednesdays.

For more things to do, check out my free guide to Boston . And, for places to stay, here are my hostel recommendations.

Days 4-8: New York City, NY

The iconic New York skyline during a bright summer day

Take a walking tour – To get a feel for the city, take a walking tour. There are myriad free and paid tours on a variety of subjects. Nothing is too obscure. Here’s a list of suggested walking tour companies in NYC .
Wander Central Park – This massive, 51-block-long, 843-acre park is the best free attraction in town. There are plenty of places to bike, walk, jog, read, picnic, and people-watch. During the summer, there are free concerts and theater productions too. Free tours are run by the parks service on Saturdays at 11am from the spring to the fall.
See the Statue of Liberty – You can pay to visit Ellis Island if you want to see the statue up close . However, you can also take a free ferry to Staten Island instead if you just want to see it while passing by.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum – At the base of the Freedom Tower is a park commemorating the victims of 9/11. Inside the museum, there are over 14,000 artifacts from that day, as well as 3,500 recordings from survivors, first responders, and family members of those killed. It’s a sobering, eye-opening exhibit.
Walk the High Line – The High Line is an elevated urban walking park on the west side of NYC. Made from a converted train track, it runs for 22 blocks and is lined with overlooks, gardens, public art, food stalls, and greenery.
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge – For a view of the Manhattan skyline, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a long walk (around 40 minutes if you stop for photos), but the view is worth it — especially at night. It’s free too!
Explore the Met – The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the foremost fine art collections in the world. You can easily spend an entire day here if you wanted to see it all.

If you want more ideas for things to see and do in NYC, here’s a detailed suggested itinerary that can come.

For accommodation suggestions, here is my comprehensive list of hostels in NYC , as well as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the city .

Days 9-11: Philadelphia, PA

Downdown Philly during the day as people go about their day

See the Liberty Bell – This bell, which dates to 1752, is an iconic symbol of American freedom. It’s said to have been rung when the Declaration of Independence was read in July 1776. Today, the bell is located in Independence National Historical Park, which you can visit for free.
Wander around Independence Hall – Learn about the founding of the United States at Independence Hall, and wander around the area’s historic colonial buildings.
Exlpore Franklin Court – This is where Benjamin Franklin lived while serving in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. While his house was torn down after his death in 1790, a hollow structure stands where it was located, and there’s a museum nearby with information about his life and works.
Climb the Rocky stairs – The stairs from Rocky , the classic boxing film, are located at the Museum of Art. You can’t visit Philadelphia without running up them and doing your best Stallone impression.
Visit the Magic Gardens – This quirky art gallery is one of the most unique attractions in town: a collection of indoor and outdoor art and mosaics made from broken tiles, glass, and all kinds of odds and ends. Indoors, there’s a more conventional art gallery and space for events and concerts.

Days 12-14: Washington, DC

The White House surrounded by an empty green lawn

Visit the Holocaust Museum – The Holocaust Museum is informative and heart-wrenching. Its permanent exhibit takes up three entire levels and tells the story of the Holocaust through films, photos, artifacts, and first-person stories. Admission is free.
Tour the Smithsonian – The Smithsonian Institution is a group of world-class museums and research centers. All of them are free to enter. Some of the best museums are: the Air and Space Museum, the African American Museum, the Smithsonian Castle, and the American Art Museum.
See the Lincoln Memorial – This iconic 19-foot statue is located on the National Mall and pays tribute to America’s 16th president. Built in 1914, it’s surrounded by 36 columns, each of which represents a state in the union at the time of his death in 1865.

For tons more ideas on what to see, here’s my free detailed guide to DC!

Days 15-16: Shenandoah National Park, VA

The rolling hills and mountains of Shenandoah National Park at dusk in Virginia

Days 17-19: Asheville, NC

The famous Biltmore Mansion and its spacious gardens

The Biltmore Estate – This is America’s largest house. It’s a whopping 178,926-square-foot mansion surrounded by 8,000 acres of land. The massive estate has over 250 rooms (including 33 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms). I love it!
Enjoying craft beer – Asheville has over 25 breweries (and there are another 50+ outside town too). Take a brewery tour, or just hop around and sample some local offerings. My two favorites are Bhramari and Wicked Weed.
Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains – Parts of the Appalachian Trail can be found here, and there are lots of day or multiday hikes. You can also climb Mount Mitchell, the highest summit east of the Mississippi River.

Days 20-22: Atlanta, GA

The skyline of Atlanta, GA lit up at night over the highway

See the Center for Civil and Human Rights – Opened in 2014, this museum highlights the struggles and accomplishments of the civil rights movement as well as human rights around the globe.
Wander the Atlanta Botanical Garden – Escape the urban hustle and bustle with a getaway to this 30-acre oasis in the heart of the city. In addition to its orchids and tropical plants, there’s a 600-foot canopy walk that lets you enjoy the gardens from 40 feet in the air.
Take a street art tour – Atlanta is one of the best destinations for street art. There are tons of murals along the Krog Street Tunnel and the Belt Line. Take a guided tour or use the website streetartmap.org for self-guided suggestions.

Days 23-27: Nashville, TN

The Nashville stadium and skyline during a soft, pastel sunlight

Attend the Grand Ole Opry – Opened in 1925, this is one of the most famous country music venues in the world. Today, the Opry hosts regular live performances, TV broadcasts, and radio shows. You can buy tickets here .
See the Parthenon – This full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, was built in 1897. It was created to celebrate Nashville’s 100th anniversary and chosen because Nashville is called “the Athens of the South” (due to its historic focus on higher education).
Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – This museum has one of the largest music collections in the entire world. There are over 200,000 recordings here, including 98% of music released before World War II.
Visit Franklin – Located just 25 minutes outside of Nashville, most people assume Franklin is just another suburb. However, it has a lot going for it: it’s bursting with small-town charm, has stellar food and drink (it’s where I discovered my favorite Bourbon, HC Clark), is full of history (there was a major Civil War battle here), and has one of the best-preserved historic main streets in the country. I’d spend two nights here.

Days 28-30: Memphis, TN

One of the many parks in downtown Memphis, TN, USA

Visit the National Civil Rights Museum – This museum traces the history of civil rights from the 17th century to today. It’s housed in the former motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It’s powerful and poignant. Don’t miss it.
See the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum – This museum highlights the musical pioneers of blues, rock, and soul music from the 1930s to the 1970s. There are costumes and recordings, interactive media, and exhibitions on famous musicians from Memphis.
Stroll down Beale Street – Known as “America’s most iconic street,” Beale Street features many bars where you’ll find Memphis’s best live music. There are also numerous street buskers. If you’re going out at night, start here.
Day-trip to Graceland – The home of Elvis Presley, Graceland is located a few miles south of town. Even if you’re not a huge Elvis fan, it’s worth a visit to see just how impactful his life and music have been. You’ll see loads of lookalikes and die-hard fans making the pilgrimage to see the King.

Days 31-32: Natchez, MS

Visit antebellum homes – Built in the early to mid-19th century, these historic homes are Natchez’s main draw. Longwood, Rosalie Mansion, and Stanton Hall were my favorites. Admission is $20-25 USD at each.
Attend the Natchez Pilgrimage – During the Natchez Pilgrimage in the spring, all of the private historical homes open up to the public. The costumed guides explain the history of the home, their owners, and the region. It’s the city’s biggest annual event, and there are some 20 homes on display.
See the Emerald Mount – Constructed sometime between the 13th and 17th centuries, this was an elevated place of worship for the Plaquemine Native Americans. All kinds of animal bones have been found nearby, leading researchers to believe it was the site of religious or sacred activity.

Days 33-36: New Orleans, LA

Locals playing music downtown in New Orleans, USA

Visit the National World War II Museum – This is the largest World War II museum in America. It’s also one of the best museums in the world. You can listen to firsthand accounts of the war, which make it all feel that much more intimate and impactful.
Listen to music on Frenchmen Street – Live music is available every night of the week, and there are innumerable venues to listen to blues and jazz. My personal favorite is the Spotted Cat.
Wander the French Quarter and Garden District – These are two of NOLA’s most iconic and historic districts, full of old French-influenced buildings and grand mansions. You can either do a self-guided tour or go with Take Walks , which runs the best walking tours in town!
Take a ghost or voodoo tour – “The Big Easy” has a creepy past. The best way to learn about it is to take a voodoo or ghost tour . You’ll get to see cemeteries, explore haunted buildings, and hear all sorts of unsettling anecdotes and ghostly tales.

For more things to see and do in NOLA, check out this detailed itinerary I created .

Days 37-39: Houston, TX

A large green park near downtown Houston, Texas, USA

Houston is home to the Space Center and NASA’s astronaut training complex, as well as countless breweries and museums and a killer ethnic food scene (definitely go out for Viet BBQ).

These are some things you can do while you’re in town:

Visit Space Center Houston – This is Houston’s top attraction, bringing in over a million visitors each year. There are over 400 items in the collection, including moon rocks and three spacecraft that were used during missions.
Explore the Museum of Natural Science – Opened in 1909, this museum has four floors of exhibitions (as well as a planetarium and an IMAX theatre). There are displays on wildlife, ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, minerals, and much more!
Wander Buffalo Bayou Park – This 124-acre park has all kinds of walking trails and is a nice spot for a picnic, to relax with a book, or to people-watch. There are also lots of concerts and events here too, so check the local tourism office to see what’s coming up.

Days 40-44: Austin, TX

People kayaking and paddling in Austin, Texas, USA

Relax at Barton Springs – Barton Springs is a pool/creek that locals flock to in warm weather. It’s fed by a natural cold-water spring in Zilker Park and has manicured lawns that are great for lounging on and relaxing when it’s too hot to do much else. You can also rent kayaks here .
Go two-stepping – Two-stepping is a popular country dance — and country dancing is one of Austin’s favorite pastimes. To see it in action (and try it yourself), head to the White Horse, where there are free lessons so you can then dance your way around town.
Enjoy world-class barbecue — Some of the best BBQ joints in the US are here in Austin. If you’re looking to treat your taste buds (and don’t mind waiting, usually a couple of hours), head to Franklin’s or La Barbecue. For something faster, check out Micklethwait Craft Meats.

For way more activities, check out my free guide to Austin ! Since I call this city home, I have a lot of suggestions on how to spend your time here.

Days 45-47: Truth or Consequences, NM

A road sign on an old road near Truth of Consequences, NM, USA

Try to explore some of the nearby ghost towns. Winston and Chloride, located north of T and C, are two mining towns that were abandoned in the early 1900s; some of the original buildings still remain.

Days 48-49: Phoenix, AZ

The view overlooking Phoenix from a rocky mountain above the city

See the Desert Botanical Garden – This 140-acre garden is home to over 50,000 plants, including over 14,000 cacti. It’s super interesting!
Visit the Heard Museum – This museum focuses on Native American art. There are permanent and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as cultural artifacts that highlight the history and traditions of the region’s native cultures.
Hike Camelback Mountain – With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this 2-3-hour hike is a fun way to see Arizona’s stunning and arid landscapes. There are two trails, both of which are challenging but rewarding.

Days 50-51: Joshua Tree National Park, CA

The rugged terrain brimming with Joshua trees in Joshua Tree National Park

A seven-day vehicle pass is $30 USD. It allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns.

Days 52-54: San Diego, CA

The skyline of San Diego as seen from above overlooking the coast

See the USS Midway Museum – This aircraft carrier was commissioned after World War II and was the largest ship in the world until 1955. It saw action in numerous conflicts, including Vietnam. After it was decommissioned, it became a museum open to the public.
Visit wildlife at the San Diego Zoo – Located in Balboa Park, this zoo is home to over 3,500 animals and 700,000 plant species. It’s a massive 1,800-acre park, and you could easily spend an entire day here. It’s a fun place to visit with kids.
Go whale watching – California gray whales migrate from Alaska to Mexico between December and April. They are spectacular to see up close, as they grow up to 49 feet long and live for over 70 years. Tours cost $35 USD.

Days 55-58: Los Angeles, CA

The view of LA at sunset from the Hollywood sign

Wander Hollywood Boulevard – Play tourist and visit the Walk of Fame (where stars have their names engraved in the sidewalk) and Grauman’s (now TCL) Chinese Theatre (featuring celebrities’ handprints and footprints).
Relax on the beach – At iconic Venice Beach, you’ll find all kinds of street performers, surfers, roller-skaters, and locals and tourists alike soaking up the sun. Some other beaches worth checking out are Carbon Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, Huntington City Beach, and El Matador.
Visit to the Hollywood sign – Don’t just settle for a photo of the sign — go see it up close. The three trails that you can take (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Bring water and sunscreen, as the hike will take a few hours. If you don’t want to go solo, guided hikes to the Hollywood sign cost $25 USD.
Go hiking – LA is an active city, and locals love escaping the hustle and bustle as often as they can. Some trails worth checking out are the Charlie Turner Trail (90 minutes), Runyon Canyon (45 minutes), Portuguese Bend Reserve (3 hours), and Echo Mountain (3–3.5 hours).

For a even more detailed list on what else you can see and do while in LA, check out my Los Angeles travel guide . For accommodation suggestions, here are my favorite hostels in Los Angeles .

Days 59-61: Las Vegas, NV

Explore Fremont Street – Old Vegas is full of sketchy bars, vintage casinos, and a Bourbon Street vibe. It makes for an interesting contrast to the sleek and polished Strip. There are lots of cover bands, buskers, and celeb lookalikes pandering for paid photos, as well as people-watching, cheap slots, and cheap drinks. There’s also an hourly light show on the ceiling above the street.
Hike Red Rock – Just 30 minutes outside town, Red Rock Canyon offers plenty of hiking and biking trails. Just make sure to arrive early in the morning before it gets too hot.
Visit the Neon Museum – This is essentially an eclectic graveyard for the huge lights and signs that once beckoned to tourists from casinos like the Silver Slipper, Stardust, and El Cortez. It spans three acres and gives you a glimpse into the city’s shining and sinful past.
See the Grand Canyon – Rent a car and drive the four hours to the South or North Rim of the Grand Canyon . It’s one of the most epic, iconic sights in the country and absolutely worth the drive. If you can, hike down to the bottom and stay the night. It’s an amazing experience! And if you want to dive deeper into this beautiful area, check out HoneyTrek’s Grand Circle Road Trip .

For more activities (and there’s plenty to choose from that don’t involve gambling), here is my comprehensive guide to Las Vegas .

Days 62-64: Yosemite National Park, CA

Half Dome as seen from a winding road in Yosemite National Park

Days 65-67: San Francisco, CA

Colorful rowhouses in San Francisco, California, USA

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge – When it opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge. Spend some time walking across to enjoy the view of the bay and the ships coming and going.
Tour Alcatraz – One of the most infamous prisons in the country, Alcatraz housed some of the nation’s worst criminals (renowned gangster Al “Scarface” Capone spent four years here). Today, it’s a national landmark where you can take tours, step foot in the cells, and learn about its grim history.
Relax at Golden Gate Park – This gigantic park features a Japanese garden, museums, an arboretum, a carousel, and many hiking and walking trails. It’s a whopping 20% bigger than New York City’s Central Park, so you easily could spend an entire day here relaxing, walking, and lounging.

Again, for even ways to spend your time in SF, here’s my guide to the city . And, for suggested places to stay, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco .

Days 68-69: Redwood National Park, CA

A massive Redwood tree in Redwood National Park, California

Given the drive time from SF, spend two nights here to make sure you get some good hiking in.

Days 70-73: The Oregon Coast

A lone lighthouse on the coast of Oregon, USA

Binge on oysters – I’ve grown to love oysters in recent years and some of the best in the country can be found in Oregon. Some of my favorite places I stopped at were from Shucker’s Oyster Bar (Lincoln City), Oregon Oyster Farm and Mo’s Seafood & Chowder (both in Newport), and Clausen Oysters (North Bend).
See Thor’s Well – This coastal sinkhole near Cape Perpetua is known as the Drainpipe of the Pacific. While it can be dangerous to get too close (it’s very easy to get swept away into the water or rocks), you’ll nevertheless see tons of tourists posing for pictures near the well. It’s worth a stop to snap some quick pics.
Relax at Cannon Beach – This iconic beach is long and sandy and is best known for its photogenic Haystack Rock, a giant rock jutting out of the ocean just offshore. There are plenty of tide pools and places to picnic here, and the town itself (also called Cannon Beach) is full of all kinds of cafés and artisanal shops.

Here’s a list of my favorite things to see and do along the Oregon coast to help you make the most of your drive.

Days 74-76: Portland

The view overlooking the city of Portland, Oregon

See Pittock Mansion – Built in 1914, this 46-room French Renaissance-style mansion was originally owned by a wealthy couple from England. Today, it’s part of the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, you’ll find beautiful artwork and furniture collected by the original owners.
Devour some donuts – Portland is known for its donuts. Voodoo Doughnuts put Portland on the map with its weird and wonderful combinations, such as Cap’n Crunch and maple bacon. Some argue that Voodoo is for tourists and that actually Blue Star makes better donuts. Try both and see for yourself! You can also take a donut food tour with Underground Donut Tours for $30 USD.
Hike the Columbia River Gorge – Located east of town, here you’ll find waterfalls (including Oregon’s tallest, Multnomah Falls), scenic vistas, and hiking trails. Some suggested hikes are Dry Creek Falls (easy, 2 hours), Wahkenna Falls Loop (moderate, 3 hours), and Starvation Ridge and Warren Lake (hard, 8 hours). Guided hikes with Wildwood Tours cost $79 USD (transportation included).

For more suggestions on how to spend your time in Portland, here’s a list of the best things to see and do in the city!

Days 77-79: Seattle, WA

The view of Seattle and the Space Needle with a looming mountain in the distance

Explore the Seattle Center – Seattle Center is home to the Space Needle as well as a complex of entertainment venues: the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the Experience Music Project), the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the Pacific Science Center, and the outdoor Mural Amphitheater, as well as the International Fountain and the Armory food court. Don’t miss the views from the top of the Space Needle!
Wander Pike Place Market – Pike Place Market is one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US. It’s a nine-acre, four-floor sprawl of shops, stalls, galleries, and cafés (including the original Starbucks location) selling everything from crafts to flowers to fresh produce. Wander, eat, shop, and enjoy the ambiance.
See the Boeing Museum of Flight – This museum highlights planes and spacecraft through the ages, offering insight into how flight has evolved over the decades. You’ll also get a chance to see the original Boeing “factory.” The original Air Force One is here too.

For more things to see and do, here’s my in-depth guide to Seattle . And here are some budget-friendly accommodation suggestions for your visit.

Days 80-82: Missoula, MT

The view overlooking Missoula, Montana during the summer

Take a brewery tour – For such a small city, there are breweries and bars everywhere (Montana has the second-highest number of breweries in the country). Montana Brewery Tours includes stops at three breweries. You can also do a self-guided tour or pub crawl.
Hike the M – Mount Sentinel is a small mountain nearby that offers some stunning views. The trail is just 1.2 miles, so it’s not particularly challenging, though you can extend the route for an all-day hike by continuing along the Crazy Canyon Trail at the summit.
Ski Snowball Mountain – In the winter you’ll find upwards of a thousand acres of skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, the area is open for zip-lining, hiking, and mountain biking. It’s just twenty minutes from downtown,

NOTE: While not here, if you have time, you can drive north to spend a few days in Glacier National Park.

Days 83-86: Yellowstone National Park, WY

The stunning fields and forests of Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone is home to the largest volcanic system in North America, which is why geysers like Old Faithful (and the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat) can be found here. Wolves, bears, lynx, cougars, and bison all call the park home as well. Spend some time here hiking, camping, and basking in the park’s magnificent landscapes.

Days 87-90: Denver, CO

The downtown Denver skyline on a bright summer day

Visit the Air & Space Museum – The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum is housed on an old air base and has a collection of over 50 aircraft on display. Some of the highlights include a supersonic Rockwell Lancer and the massive B-52 Stratofortress.
Hike Mount Evans – This 14,265-foot peak can actually be summited in under 30 minutes (though there are longer trails too). You’ll see sweeping panoramic views of the region without having to hike for hours. Be sure to visit Like Echo and Mount Goliath on the way here.
Catch a show at Red Rocks – The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a 9,000-seat outdoor venue that regularly hosts concerts and other events. It’s one of the most beautiful concert venues in the US. Try to catch a show here if you can.

Days 91-93: Kansas City, MO

The skyline of Kansas City lit up at night

Indulge in BBQ – KC is one of America’s best hubs for delicious barbecue. You can find pretty much any kind of meat barbecued here, from brisket to turkey to fish. Kansas City’s barbecue dates back to the 1920s, and the city takes this tradition seriously. Harp Barbecue and Fiorella’s Jack Stack are two of the best in town.
Wander the Jazz District – The historic 18th and Vine area is known as the Jazz District, owing to the popularity of jazz music from the 1920s to the ’40s and performances here by the likes of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louie Armstrong. Wander the district and bar-hop to catch some stellar live music.
See the World War I Museum – The award-winning National World War I Museum and Memorial of the United States sheds light on the history and horrors of the Great War.

Days 94-97: Chicago, IL

A long-exposure shot of the famous silver bean in Chicago surrounded by people

Relax in Grant & Millennium Parks – Located downtown, these two parks provide a relaxing place to hang out, have a picnic, or go for a run. You’ll find people playing chess, and during the summer, there are a lot of free concerts. The famous “Chicago Bean” sculpture is located in Millennium Park.
Try the pizza – Deep-dish pizza and stuffed-crust pizza were developed in Chicago, and no trip is complete without trying at least one. Deep-dish pizza was invented by Pizzeria Uno, which is now a national restaurant chain. But for something more local, Chicagoans swear by Lou Malnati’s.
Visit the Art Institute of Chicago – Founded in 1879, this is one of the oldest art museums in the country. It has everything from photography to architecture to textiles, and its permanent collection includes works by Eva Hesse, David Hockney, and Ellsworth Kelly.

If you want additional things to see and do (as well as some money-saving tips), consult my comprehensive guide to Chicago!

And here is my list of the best hostels in Chicago for budget-friendly accommodation .

Days 98-100: Detroit, MI

The downtown skyline of Detroit, Michigan during the summer

Explore the Detroit Institute of Art – This 130-year-old museum is located in the heart of Midtown and has something to offer every visitor. There are more than 65,000 works of art here, ranging from classic to more modern and contemporary pieces, spread out over 100 different galleries. It’s one of the best art museums in the country. Admission is $14 USD.
Walk the Dequindre Cut – The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a two-mile urban recreational path that offers a pedestrian link between the East Riverfront, the Eastern Market, and several residential neighborhoods in between. Along the path, you’ll find all kinds of street art, as well as buskers in the summer. It’s a nice place to walk or jog and take in the city.
Shop at the Eastern Market – The Eastern Market is a huge marketplace with local foods, art, jewelry, artisan crafts, and more. It covers 43 acres and is the largest historic public market district in the United States, dating back over 150 years. It is particularly busy on Saturdays, when farmers bring in their fresh produce.

Days 101-103: Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland skyline as seen from the outskirts of the city near the train tracks

See the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – This is one of the largest collections of musical memorabilia in the entire world. John Lennon’s guitar, Elvis Presley’s military uniform, and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust outfits are just some of the items in the massive collection.
Tour the Museum of Natural History – Founded in 1920, this massive museum is home to over four million specimens. There are exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, primates, animals, and more. It’s super educational, and there are lots of interactive exhibits too.
Hike the Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Located on the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, this is the only national park in Ohio. Encompassing 32,000 acres, the park has all kinds of hiking and biking trails (camping is no longer permitted).

Days 104-106: Pittsburgh, PA

A baseball game in a huge stadium in Pittsburgh, PA

Ride the Duquesne Incline – This 140-year-old funicular used to transport workers up Pittsburgh’s steep hills before cars became commonplace. Hop on, ride to the top, and enjoy the view! Tickets are $2.50 USD.
Visit the Warhol Museum – Dedicated to Andy Warhol, Pittsburgh’s best-known artist, this is the largest museum in the country dedicated to a single person. While much of his art is unusual, it’s still worth a visit, as Warhol has had a profound and lasting impact on modern art.
See Randyland – Created by a local artist, here you’ll find a section of the north end completely painted in all kinds of bright colors and murals. Buildings, fences, driveways — it’s a massive, bright, and fun spot to visit and unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere!
Tour Carrie Furnace – Built in 1884, these former blast furnaces were part of the Homestead Steel Works and produced over 1,000 tons of iron per day. It’s one of the only pre–World War II blast furnaces in existence. Tours are $21 USD.

Days 107-110: Finger Lakes, NY

The picturesque Finger Lakes region of New York, USA

Visit the wineries – There are tons of wineries all around the Finger Lakes, most of which offer tours and tastings (some also have live music and serve food). To guide your way, follow the Seneca Wine Trail or the Keuka Wine Trail, which link some of the best wineries in the region.
See Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen State Park gorge trail is home to 19 picturesque waterfalls spread out over a two-hour hike. It’s not particularly strenuous, and there are lots of spots to relax and snap photos.
Visit Ithaca – This photogenic small town has over 150 waterfalls within 10 miles of the town. There’s also a charming downtown, the beautiful Cornell campus (one of the prettiest in the country), and Cayuga Lake.

Days 111-113: Albany, NY

The view of Albany, NY as seen from the water

Hike in John Boyd Thacher State Park – Located 30 minutes outside of town, this state park has over 25 miles of trails, as well as panoramic views from the Helderberg Escarpment. It’s a beautiful place for a day hike.
Visit New York State Museum – This museum has a wide range of interesting exhibitions, including on local birds and wildlife, colonial history, and the ice age, among other topics. Admission is free (though a $5 USD donation is suggested).
Tour the Capitol – The NY State Capitol building offers free daily tours. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the state, the city, and the building (including some ghost stories about the capitol’s haunting). Tours last one hour.

Days 114-120: Buffer Days

Nomadic Matt posing for a photo in Acadia National Park, Maine

Having some padding in your itinerary will let you explore them, have serendipitous travel experiences, and dig a little deeper into the regions and cultures you’ll be passing through.

While this is a solid itinerary, please mix it up. Skip some cities and spend more time in nature — or vice versa!

At the end of the day, America is an amazing and diverse country. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it. Delicious food, adventure activities, hiking, museums, history — we’ve got it all. You just need to hit the road and see it for yourself.

Need a rental car for your epic adventure? use the widget below to find the best deals!

Book Your Trip to the United States: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money — and I think they will help you too!

Want more information on the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on the USA for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

An old wooden building beside a river in the American South

Get my best stuff sent straight to you!

Pin it on pinterest.

Get Our Daily Email
Ways To Support Us
About InspireMore
Advertise With Us
Website Terms
Privacy Policy
Advertising Terms
Causes That Matter

Wake up with a Smile

Map of the most perfect us road trip, according to science..

Boredom Therapy

Don’t even think about shortcutting or not following the map. Olson used a genetic algorithm that found the best routes with little backtracking. The result is a map using “true distance,”which is the “shortest route by road between every landmark.”You should probably take Olson’s word over anyone else’s, considering he’s a fourth-year graduate research assistant at Michigan State University. Here’s the list of destinations in it’s entirety.

1. Grand Canyon, AZ

2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

3. Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID

4. Yellowstone National Park, WY

5. Pikes Peak, CO

6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

7. The Alamo, TX

8. The Platt Historic District, OK

9. Toltec Mounds, AR

10. Elvis Presley’s Graceland, TN

11. Vicksburg National Military Park, MS

12. French Quarter, New Orleans, LA

13. USS Alabama, AL

14. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL

15. Okefenokee Swamp Park, GA

16. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC

17. Lost World Caverns, WV

18. Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, NC

19. Mount Vernon, VA

20. White House, Washington, DC

21. Colonial Annapolis Historic District, MD

22. New Castle Historic District, Delaware

23. Cape May Historic District, NJ

24. Liberty Bell, PA

25. Statue of Liberty, NY

26. The Mark Twain House & Museum, CT

27. The Breakers, RI

28. USS Constitution, MA

29. Acadia National Park, ME

30. Mount Washington Hotel, NH

31. Shelburne Farms, VT

32. Fox Theater, Detroit, MI

33. Spring Grove Cemetery, OH

34. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

35. West Baden Springs Hotel, IN

36. Abraham Lincoln’s Home, IL

37. Gateway Arch, MO

38. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, KS

39. Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, IA

40. Taliesin, WI

41. Fort Snelling, MN

42. Ashfall Fossil Bed, NE

43. Mount Rushmore, SD

44. Fort Union Trading Post, ND

45. Glacier National Park, MT

46. Hanford Site, WA

47. Columbia River Highway, OR

48. San Francisco Cable Cars, CA

49. San Andreas Fault, CA

50. Hoover Dam, NV

Let’s get on the open road! Share to start an adventure.

Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.

The Best Roadside Attraction in Every State

Every state’s best attraction for the perfect road trip map.

If one thing is certain, it's that the pandemic brought back the Great American Road Trip, especially as international travel continued to be difficult for a variety of reasons. But the question remains: Where would the ultimate road trip take you?

Because a cross-country road trip is one of the top American pastimes, there are dozens of different routes to get you from ocean to ocean. To make planning easier for you, Far & Wide rounded up the best landmarks in all 50 states to help you create the perfect road trip map. In this comprehensive list, you'll find the top attractions as well as the best times to visit each and where to stay nearby.

The only thing you'll have to do is get in the car and start driving. So, start exploring the country on four wheels with this guide to the best attractions in all 50 states.

Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.

Alabama: USS Alabama

USS Alabama at night on the perfect road trip map

Location: Mobile, Alabama

Best time to visit: Year-round

Where to stay: The Admiral, a Wyndham Hotel

What to do at USS Alabama: The USS Alabama battleship entered service in 1943 when she sailed across the North Atlantic to Europe to play her role in World War II. From Europe, the ship traveled down to the South Pacific. Today, she is docked in Mobile and is a member of the National Historic Landmarks in the U.S.

More than 15 million visitors have crossed her deck since the ship opened as a tourist attraction. In fact, it happens to be one of the most iconic symbols of the state of Alabama and is open for tours, exhibitions and events.

Alaska: Denali National Park

Location: Anchorage, Alaska

Best time to visit: Summer

Where to stay: The Hotel Captain Cook

What to do in Denali National Park: Denali National Park spreads over a vast 16 million acres of wilderness. It is one of the largest national parks in the U.S., which means you will likely never run out of things to do there. Start by getting the lay of the land with a bus tour, or visit the Denali National Park Sled Dog Kennel to learn more about sled dog racing and Alaska’s Iditarod.

Denali has ample opportunity for rafting exhibitions, hiking, helicopter tours, ATV excursions, ziplining and even cabin dinner theater.

Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park

Woman looking out over Grand Canyon National Park

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Best time to visit: April to June

Where to stay: Yavapai Lodge

What to do in Grand Canyon National Park: Visiting the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list item for thousands of people — and an absolute must on a road trip. It is one of the most popular landmarks in the world, let alone Arizona.

Whether you're embarking on a scenic drive or hitting the dirt on the many miles of hiking trails — some of which even take you to the bottom of the canyon — you will be awestruck by the sheer size, span and natural beauty of one of the largest canyons in the world.

Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park

Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas

Best time to visit: August to October

Where to stay: The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

What to do in Hot Springs National Park: Nearly 200 years old, Hot Springs National Park is, technically, the first federal reserve in the nation, predating Yellowstone National Park. This natural gem, found in the lush forests of Arkansas, is likely one of the main reasons to drive through Arkansas in the first place. The town of Hot Springs itself was built right into the park.

Plunge into the warm, bubbling pools along Bathhouse Row, including Buckstaff Baths, which has been open since 1912, or marvel at the architecture at Ozark Bathhouse. You can also scale the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which offers panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains.

California: Yosemite National Park

People hanging out at Yosemite National Park

Location: Mariposa County, California

Best time to visit: May and September

Where to stay: Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

What to do in Yosemite National Park: California has many bucket-list attractions, but none quite like Yosemite National Park. It has served as a point of inspiration for outdoor lovers, expert climbers and artists for more than 100 years. If you can only go to one location within the park, make it Yosemite Valley, known for Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.

Of course, you can always drive Glacier and Tioga roads in season. And don’t forget your hiking boots, so you can hit some of the best trails in the world.

Colorado: Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Cars stopped at Peak to Peak Scenic Byway

Location: Estes Park, Colorado

Best time to visit: Summer and Fall

Where to stay: StoneBrook Resort

What to do on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway: Colorado is webbed with Scenic and Historic Byways — 26 of them, to be exact. But none may be as important as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway in Estes Park. One of the most spectacular drives in the state, this is an ideal route to take when driving across the country.

It was established in 1918, making it one of the first Scenic Byways in Colorado. It starts as Highway 7 in Estes Park and travels down Highway 72 to Allenspark and into Nederland. It also travels through Blackhawk and Clear Creek Canyon for a 55-mile journey and has one of the best views of Colorado’s Front Range.

Connecticut: Mystic Seaport Museum

Ships shooting water at Mystic Seaport Museum

Location: Mystic, Connecticut

Where to stay: The Whaler’s Inn

What to do at the Mystic Seaport Museum: Mystic is about as charming as a New England coastal community gets. Located on the banks of the Mystic River, the town was historically known for its shipbuilding industry. Today, it is one of the most visited places in Connecticut, as people come from all over New England and the tri-state area to visit the historic seaport.

While in town, be sure to stop at the Mystic Seaport Museum or the Mystic Aquarium. The historic downtown, with its bustling Main Street, shops and restaurants, is also worth a visit.

Delaware: Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library

Location: Winterthur, Delaware

Where to stay: Fairville Inn Bed & Breakfast

What to do at the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library: Located in Winterthur, this estate and museum have one of the best collections of Americana in the country. Road trips are all about discovering those slices of American history, and this is definitely the place on the East Coast to do so.

The home was originally the residence of Henry Francis du Pont, who was an antiques collector. It has a collection of rotating and permanent exhibits as well as a research building, galleries and The Cottage, which became du Pont's home after the museum opened.

Florida: Walt Disney World

Location: Orlando, Florida

Where to stay: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World

What to do at Walt Disney World: Florida has enough to keep you occupied on a road trip all on its own, but if you only have a few days in Florida, you must visit its most famous landmark — Walt Disney World. It also happens to be the most famous theme park in the world.

Explore the many different parks within Walt Disney World, like the Magic Kingdom and Epcot or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney World commits to the theme beyond its attractions, with character-inspired dining, hotels, transportation and more. Everyone knows Disney World, and if you have not been, a road trip through Florida is the perfect time to change that.

Georgia: Georgia Aquarium

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Where to stay: The Candler Hotel Atlanta, Curio Collection by Hilton

What to do at the Georgia Aquarium: Georgia has a lot to offer travelers, from the nature of the Appalachian Trail to the thriving energy of Atlanta. But for the best attraction in Georgia, it would have to be the Georgia Aquarium .

This scientific institution is one of the largest in the world, with more than 11 million gallons of water. Catch a glimpse of beluga whales, whale sharks, alligators and more. There is even a 4D theater as well as a calendar of events, from Yoga by the Water to Sips Under the Sea.

Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park

Location: Big Island, Hawaii

Best time to visit: Spring

Where to stay: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

What to do at Volcanoes National Park: It may be tough to take your road trip all the way to Hawaii, but if you happen to find yourself in Hawaii, then you must rent a car and drive the Big Island to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park sits on the southeast side of the island and covers 21 square miles.

Start with the 11-mile Crater Rim Road, which goes around Kilauea Caldera and hits the major sites, like Devastation Trail and the Thurston Lava Tube. You can also visit the still active Halema'uma'u crater, which is supposedly inhabited by the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele.

Idaho: Craters of the Moon National Monument

People running at Craters of the Moon National Monument

Location: Arco, Idaho

Where to stay: The Silver Creek Hotel

What to do at the Craters of the Moon National Monument: A cross-country road trip will take you through a lot of unbelievable, other-worldly landscapes. But none is more "other-worldly" than the Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. It's like being on another planet, right here on Earth.

The monument was formed from lava flows that created islands of sagebrush and singer cones. The result? Something that looks like you're actually on the moon. Drive the 7-mile Loop Road to see caves or hike the trails. If you have time, walk the Devil's Orchard Trail. For those with even more time, the Broken Top Loop trail is particularly special, as is the 8-mile Wilderness Trail.

Illinois: The Art Institute of Chicago

Person looking at an art installation at The Art Institute of Chicago

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Best time to visit: Spring to Fall

Where to stay: The Langham, Chicago

What to do at the Art Institute of Chicago: Ferris Bueller took us all on a journey to the Art Institute of Chicago on his infamous Day Off, but you may be curious to see the world-famous paintings in the flesh. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the most famous museums in the world and is certainly one of the best landmarks in the state of Illinois.

It was founded in 1879 and, today, has almost 300,000 works of art in its permanent collection.

Indiana: Indiana Dunes National Park

Trail view at Indiana Dunes National Park

Location: Chesterton, Indiana

Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Valparaiso

What to do at Indiana Dunes National Park: With 15 miles of Lake Michigan shorefront, Indiana Dunes National Park creates a unique landscape that you’d never envision being in the heart of the Midwest. The park's 15,000 acres have 50 miles of trails over undulating sand dunes and through wetlands and meadows.

No matter the time of year, the national park has something active to do, from swimming in the lake to cross-country skiing. In the fall, hit the Calumet and Porter Brickyard bike trails, or spend the night at the Dunewood Campground.

Iowa: Effigy Mounds National Monument

Scenic mountain view at Effigy Mounds National Monument

Location: Harpers Ferry, Iowa

Where to stay: River District Hotel

What to do at Effigy Mounds National Monument: Effigy Mounds National Monument is a collection of more than 200 preserved mounds of earth that were constructed by Native Americans. They take the shape of many different animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles.

Today, the mounds are part of the National Park Service, and tourists can enjoy the many hiking trails nearby as well as the formal museum exhibit that displays the many Native American artifacts that were found at the site.

Kansas: Sedgwick County Zoo

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Best time to visit: Spring and Summer

Where to stay: Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita

What to do at Sedgwick County Zoo: Home to more than 3,000 animals, the Sedgwick County Zoo is one of the best attractions in Kansas. The animals are grouped geographically in exhibits that range from Africa and Asia to the Tropics, Downing Gorilla Forest, South America/Australia and the Slawson Family Tiger Trek, among others.

Visitors can participate in some of the zoo's special Wild Encounters, too. Go behind the scenes at the Cessna Penguin Cove to learn about Humboldt penguins, or head to the horse exhibit to learn about the horses and donkeys. In the spring and summer months, guests can experience the Elephant Encounter as well, which involves meeting an elephant and learning about how the zookeepers care for them.

Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park

People in a cave at Mammoth Cave National Park

Location: Brownsville, Kentucky

Best time to visit: November to February

Where to stay: Serenity Hill Bed and Breakfast

What to do at Mammoth Cave National Park: Did you know that Kentucky is home to one of the longest natural cave systems in the world? Mammoth Cave National Park is home to a cave system that spans 412 miles and is home to more than 100 animal species — and millennia of human history, to boot. Visitors of the park can take a cave tour to get up close and personal with the monumental stalactites and stalagmites.

Pro tip: The extended tour is more than two hours and covers about 2 miles of walking. You can also explore above ground on the Cedar Sink Trail, which is a 1-mile loop, 300 feet above the bottom of the cave. Fishing, paddling and camping are also popular within the park.

Louisiana: Jackson Square

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Best time to visit: February to May

Where to stay: Bourbon Orleans Hotel

What to do at Jackson Square: Driving through the Big Easy means that you'll have many notable sites and experiences on the checklist. But it all should begin at Jackson Square, the gateway to the French Quarter of this centuries-old southern city. The square is anchored by the St. Louis Cathedral.

The energy in the square is palpable year-round, from brass bands and street artists to quirky tourists and locals. On either end of the square are the Pontalba Buildings, which were built in the mid-19th century. Stop by the Cabildo as well, which was once the seat of local government and is today part of the state museum of Louisiana.

Maine: Acadia National Park

Person walking through Acadia National Park

Location: Bar Harbor, Maine

Best time to visit: Fall

Where to stay: Glen Cove Inn & Suites

What to do at Acadia National Park: Acadia National Park holds the title as the first national park on the East Coast. So, when you're covering the New England portion of your road trip, a stop here is a must. The 46,000-acre park features the tallest mountain on the East Coast as well as lakes, ponds, beaches, forests and miles of coastline.

Start with Park Loop Road, which is the main scenic drive through the park, and is peppered with pull-offs, and then scale Cadillac Mountain, which sits at 1,530 feet. Other scenic highlights include the Bass Harbor Head and the Wild Gardens of Acadia.

Maryland: Baltimore Museum of Art

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Where to stay: Sagamore Pendry Baltimore

What to do at Baltimore Museum of Art: What started as a museum with a single painting has flourished into one of the great collections of art in the world, home to 95,000 works that run the gamut from the art of ancient Egypt to the masterpieces of today.

Opened in 1914, the museum has the largest holding of Henri Matisse's work as well as paintings and jewelry from Africa, more than 1,000 objects from Asia, 28 mosaic pavements from Antioch, a collection of Medieval and Renaissance paintings and so much more.

Massachusetts: Fenway Park

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Where to stay: The Verb Hotel

What to do at Fenway Park: If there is one thing Bay Staters can agree on, it's the Red Sox. So when you're passing through Massachusetts, and Boston in particular, it's only proper to pay homage at the state's house of worship — Fenway Park.

Home to the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park opened in 1912 and welcomes nearly 40,000 fans each year. Obviously, if it's baseball season, catching a game at the park is a must. But if you're visiting in the off-season, you can still visit for a stadium tour.

Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Location: Empire, Michigan

Where to stay: Empire Lakeshore Inn

What to do at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Lake Michigan is simply beautiful, no matter which angle you look at it from. But if you happen to be visiting from Michigan proper, you'll want to make a stop at Sleeping Bear Dunes, a National Lakeshore that features miles of sand beach, towering cliffs, forests, lakes and wildlife.

Some of the best things to do include fishing in one of the many lakes, visiting the nearby Manitou Islands, hiking more than 100 miles of trails or driving the scenic shore route that rewards with some of the park's most impressive views.

Minnesota: North Shore Scenic Drive

Location: Duluth, Minnesota

Where to stay: Fitger’s Inn

What to do on the North Shore Scenic Drive: Lake Superior's North Shore is among one of the most beautiful coastal scenes in the nation. Located along the stretch of northern Minnesota, the North Shore features eight state parks, and the scenic route has been dubbed an All-American Road. All along the route are stunning views of Lake Superior as well as a handful of small towns that serve up a slice of local Minnesota living.

Of course, you can hop out of your car to experience the Superior Hiking Trail, which is peppered with waterfalls, including the largest waterfalls in the state, which can be found at Grand Portage and Tettegouche state parks.

Mississippi: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Lifeguard stand at Gulf Islands National Seashore

Location: Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Best time to visit: June

Where to stay: Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort

What to do at Gulf Islands National Seashore: Exploring the Mississippi coast of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the best ways to soak up this beautiful maritime area that spans 160 miles between Mississippi and Florida. Within the park are barrier islands, historic forts, bayous and sea forests.

Soak up the warm, tropical weather on a bike ride through the Gulf Islands, or grab your binoculars to catch a glimpse of the nearly 300 species of birds that call the area home. If you want to save on accommodations, why not spend a night camping on the beach?

Missouri: The Gateway Arch

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Where to stay: Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch

What to do at The Gateway Arch: Passing through Missouris means you will certainly be stopping in St. Louis, especially if you like food and live music. But a visit to The Gateway to the West is not complete without a stop at the gate itself.

The Gateway Arch is the icon of St. Louis, and it's the world's tallest arch. While visiting, you must take a ride to the top of the arch to drink in the bird's eye views over the city. A museum lives underneath the arch, which takes you through two centuries of history.

Montana: Glacier National Park

Mountains at sunset at Glacier National Park

Location: Whitefish, Montana

Where to stay: Garden Wall Inn

What to do at Glacier National Park: For more than 1,500 square miles, northwestern Montana's wilderness is home to Glacier National Park. Ringed around the Rocky Mountains, touching Canada, and pocketed with glacier peaks and valleys, this is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.

While visiting, explore the more than 700 miles of hiking trails, bike paths and campgrounds. If visiting in the warm months, a drive along the Going to the Sun Road is an absolute must. This scenic drive takes you through the highlights of the park as well as to many of its trailheads. Get there early — it's one of the most popular parks in the country.

Nebraska: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Goats at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Best time to visit: Spring, Summer, Fall

Where to stay: Omaha Marriott Downtown Capitol District

What to do at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: One of the best zoos in the country, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a perfect way to spend a day when cruising through the state of Nebraska. It has more than 130 acres and is home to more than 900 species of animals.

Start at the Desert Dome, which will likely be the first landmark you see as you enter the zoo. It has the world's largest indoor desert and has plants and wildlife from Africa, Australia and the U.S. You can go the opposite direction and visit Glacier Bay Landing for Alaskan-themed wilderness, or visit the sea lions in their 275,000-gallon pool. Other exhibits include the Lied Jungle, Kingdoms of the Night and Scott Aquarium.

Nevada: Bellagio Fountains

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Best time to visit: Spring and Fall

Where to stay: Bellagio Las Vegas

What to do at the Bellagio Fountains: If you're passing through Nevada, you'll likely be hitting Las Vegas — especially if you want to catch one of the best landmarks in the state: the Fountains at Bellagio. The Bellagio Las Vegas is one of the most highly regarded casinos/resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, and its nightly fountain show brings tourists from all over the world.

Each performance is set to music and is different every time, so even if you've seen the fountains before, you will be in for something new.

New Hampshire: Mount Washington

Location: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Best time to visit: Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall

Where to stay: Omni Mount Washington Resort

What to do at Mount Washington: Standing at more than 6,000 feet, Mount Washington is the tallest peak east of the Mississippi and one of the icons of the state of New Hampshire. Located in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, the summit is also a state park, and on a clear day, you can see New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York.

Be sure to visit the Mount Washington Museum as well as cruise the Mount Washington Auto Road for the ultimate in scenic views.

New Jersey: Cape May Lighthouse

Location: Cape May, New Jersey

Where to stay: ICONA Cape May

What to do at the Cape May Lighthouse: The Jersey Shore is so much more than fist pumps and hair gel. Sure, there is some of that. But 141-miles of coastline that runs from Perth Amboy to Cape May has so much more to offer. Speaking of Cape May, the eponymous lighthouse that sits at the tip of the state is one of the state's top icons. It was built in 1859 and continues to operate today.

While you're in Cape May, be sure to explore the historic district, which is the country's best-preserved 19th-century seashore community. Of course, if it's summer, you'll want to spend some time at the beach as well. The beaches in New Jersey are some of the best on the East Coast — no matter what anyone else says!

New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

People in a cave at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Location: Carlsbad, New Mexico

Best time to visit: Winter, Spring, Fall

Where to stay: Fiddler’s Inn

What to do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Tucked in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park opened in the 1930s. This mysterious network of more than 100 underground caves is ridged with stalactites, while the Big Room underground chamber is 4,000-feet long, 625-feet wide and 255-feet high at its highest point. It is the largest chamber in North America.

Tack on a King's Palace Tour for an additional 1.5-hour, ranger-led exploration of the four other underground chambers as well as cave formations and the deepest point of the cave, which sits more than 800 feet below the surface.

New York: Central Park

Location: New York, New York

Where to stay: Hotel Beacon

What to do at Central Park: It's every New Yorker's personal backyard — and what a backyard it is! Smack in the center of Manhattan, Central Park is the most important park in the city, spanning 843 acres. The park was created in 1858 and is completely man-made, meaning entirely landscaped.

Today, it is the beloved recreation epicenter of New York City, from its many fields and meadows to the reservoir, zoo, restaurants, running and biking paths, and year-round events.

North Carolina: The Biltmore Estate

Location: Asheville, North Carolina

Where to stay: Princess Anne Hotel

What to do at The Biltmore Estate: North Carolina's funky mountain town of Asheville is home to the famous Biltmore Estate. It was built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895 and is one of the best examples of Gilded Age mansions. The opulent and extravagant mansion is open year-round for tours, whether you're strolling the gardens in the summer or marveling at the stunning Christmas decorations. The grounds are woven with nature trails, as well as horseback riding paths.

Of course, the town of Asheville itself is also certainly worth an exploration for its bohemian, artsy vibes, great restaurants and galleries.

North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Location: Medora, North Dakota

Where to stay: AmericInn by Wyndham Medora

What to do at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: North Dakota is known for its vast expanses of prairie land as far as the eye can see. But that doesn't mean you need to completely bypass the state. One of the country's most intriguing national parks calls this state home. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in western North Dakota, features Badlands-style topography and is a home for wildlife like bison and elk.

Visit the Painted Canyon as well as the Maltese Cross Cabin, which was a former home for Theodore Roosevelt. If you want to stay in the car, the Scenic Loop Drive allows you to drink in all the beauty as you cruise along to your next destination.

Ohio: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Where to stay: The Blackwell Inn

What to do at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Columbus is known for quite a few famous landmarks, but none is as beloved as the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. With more than 400 plant species across several different global climates (think the Himalayas, the tropics, desert and Pacific Islands), you're taking a trip around the world with a visit to this beautiful conservatory.

You'll also find rotating exhibitions within the conservatory, like Chihuly glass artwork, Harvest Blooms, a Gingerbread Display and more.

Oklahoma: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Visitor at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Where to stay: The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City

What to do at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: If you love American history and tales of the Wild West, then you must make a stop at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The museum has more than 28,000 artifacts that date back to the days of the Old West.

It also has one of the world's biggest collections of rodeo photographs, saddlery and rodeo trophies. The museum has rotating exhibits as well, like the history behind Native American tattooing, traditional cowboy arts, paintings and much more.

Oregon: Crater Lake National Park

Location: Prospect, Oregon

Best time to visit: July, August, September

Where to stay: The Cabins at Mazama Village

What to do at Crater Lake National Park: Oregon is one of the most dramatically beautiful states in the country. You have the rugged sea on one side and lush mountains and forests on the other. In between is beautiful pinot noir wine country as well. But the southern edge of Oregon is also home to Crater Lake National Park, centered around a massive lake that formed in the middle of a dormant volcano.

The best way to see the crater is to take the scenic loop around the entire edge, which opens up to dramatic vistas all the way across to the other side. This is one of the deepest lakes in the world as well, with a maximum depth of nearly 2,000 feet.

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Museum of Art

Person looking at art inside Philadelphia Museum of Art

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Where to stay: Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square

What to do at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: Opened in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the top art museums in the country and one of the main reasons to visit Philadelphia.

If you're on a road trip, you'll likely be on a time schedule, so you can make the most of your time at the museum with a visit to the New European Galleries for the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, followed by the galleries of arms and armor or the American art collection. You can also see architecture from around the world, like a Japanese teahouse or a Gilded Age drawing room.

Rhode Island: Historic Federal Hill

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Best time to visit: June to November

Where to stay: Hotel Providence

What to do at Historic Federal Hill: Federal Hill is one of the more historic neighborhoods in the city of Providence. It was known for its high concentration of Italian immigrants and is still a great place to explore the Italian markets and bakeries.

Stop by DePasquale Square to hear live music, or visit the many parks along Atwells Avenue. Historic Federal Hill is a fantastic spot for shopping, dining and browsing the art galleries as well as one of the best spots to get in touch with Providence's history.

South Carolina: Joe Riley Waterfront Park

Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Where to stay: Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel

What to do at the Joe Riley Waterfront Park: Charleston is packed with Southern charm and history. It is known for its restaurant scene, architecture and waterfront location. So, when you're passing through South Carolina, it is absolutely a must to stop at the Joe Riley Waterfront Park.

This 8-acre park is one of the most beloved landmarks in the state. It features a 1,250 pier that extends into Charleston Harbor. The park is marked by its two fountains, but it is also known for its epic views. It is also perfectly located so that you can walk to other noteworthy attractions in Charleston.

South Dakota: Badlands National Park

Location: Wall, South Dakota

Where to stay: The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection

What to do at Badlands National Park: If you're heading west from Minnesota or east from Montana, you have a lot of grasslands to cover. South Dakota is a very large state, with not a ton of attractions. But that doesn't mean it's any less worthy of a visit, especially if you have Badlands National Park on your bucket list.

The dramatic landscape of Badlands National Park is made this way thanks to its layered rock formations and deep canyons. It's home to bison, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs, and is one of the most visually impressive sights in the country. Drive the Badlands Loop Road, which opens up to several lookout points and is the best way to see the park in its entirety.

Tennessee: Graceland

Location: Memphis, Tennessee

Where to stay: ARRIVE Memphis

What to do at Graceland: Located just outside of Memphis is the former residence of the one and only Elvis Presley. The home sits on nearly 14 acres and was the home of Elvis, his wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie. Today, it is the No. 1 destination for Elvis fans who come to pay tribute to the life and legend of the world-famous singer and actor.

While visiting the estate, you can tour the property and see the rooms of the home, which have been left as they were when Elvis lived there, including the iconic Jungle Room. See memorabilia, leave Elvis a "love letter" on the awl in front of Graceland or snap a picture in front of the musical gates at the property entrance.

Texas: The Alamo

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Best time to visit: March to April

Where to stay: Thompson San Antonio-Riverwalk

What to do at The Alamo: When driving through Texas, you'll have plenty to see and do, but one thing is for certain — you must remember the Alamo. The Alamo Mission is an 18th-century mission and fortress that was constructed in what is now San Antonio. It was also the site of the Battle for Texas in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.

Today, you can step back in time on a guided battlefield tour as well as visit the gardens, a gift shop and a very comprehensive collection of artifacts that were donated by, believe it or not, musician Phil Collins.

Utah: Zion National Park

Location: Springdale, Utah

Where to stay: Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort

What to do at Zion National Park: Utah is known for its abundance of national parks — there are five of them, to be exact. But if you only have time for one, it must be Zion National Park, which is considered to be one of the most scenic and dramatic.

If you are on a time restriction, the main attractions are Zion Canyon Scenic Drive as well as Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. You'll be able to see the famous Zion Canyon or access the Canyon Overlook Trail.

Vermont: Church Street Marketplace

Snow falling at Church Street Marketplace

Location: Burlington, Vermont

Best time to visit: May to September

Where to stay: Hotel Vermont

What to do at the Church Street Marketplace: Burlington is the gateway to New England's Great Outdoors, and it's a city that is steeped with history and charm. Soak up the vibes at the Church Street Marketplace, one of the most beloved institutions in town. The uncovered pedestrian shopping and dining mall spans four blocks.

More than 130 shops are available for patrons, and the marketplace often puts on events and festivals throughout the year. It is also situated near the beautiful Burlington waterfront, so you'll get many different scenes in one location.

Virginia: Shenandoah National Park

Person standing on cliff at Shenandoah National Park

Location: Waynesboro, Virginia

Best time to visit: June to October

Where to stay: Residence Inn Waynesboro

What to do at Shenandoah National Park: A drive through Virginia is incomplete without a stop at Shenandoah National Park. The stunning national park runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains and has a lengthy network of trails for hiking and biking. You can even find a slice of the Appalachian Trail running through the park.

For road trippers, though, the choice is clear — a drive along Skyline Drive is a must. This scenic route runs the entire length of the park and has parking spots at many of the popular trailheads. But even if you don't get out of your car, Skyline Drive is the best way to soak up all the beauty of the park and the rolling blue hills of Virginia.

Washington: Hurricane Ridge

Location: Port Angeles, Washington

Best time to visit: May to October

Where to stay: Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor

What to do at Hurricane Ridge: Washington State is peppered with landmarks, from Mount Rainier to Mount St. Helens. But if you have time for only one landmark in Washington, let it be Hurricane Ridge within Olympic National Park.

The ridge has peaks that reach an elevation of 5,242 feet and is a year-round destination, whether for hiking in summer or skiing in winter. A scenic road is open during the summer months and has gorgeous views of the ridge.

West Virginia: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Person sitting on a hill at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Location: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Where to stay: Clarion Inn Harpers Ferry - Charles Town

What to do in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: Harpers Ferry is the point where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet in West Virginia. It holds an important place in American history, which is why it's the most notable landmark in the state.

In the 19th century, Harpers Ferry was the scene of a failed abolitionist uprising started by John Brown. Today, John Brown's fort is the most visited historic site in the state. In addition to historic sites, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has hiking trails and a Civil War Living History Museum.

Wisconsin: State Capitol Building

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Best time to visit: May to November

Where to stay: Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club

What to do at the Wisconsin State Capitol building: Visiting Wisconsin? You'll have to put Madison on your list to visit the Wisconsin State Capitol building. It happens to be the tallest building in the city and sits majestically overlooking Capitol Square.

Its dome reaches more than 200 feet and is topped by a bronze statue called, "Wisconsin." The Roman Renaissance-style building has Italian marble, murals and paintings, making it one of the most beautiful structures in the country. The building has free 45-minute guided tours daily.

Wyoming: Grand Teton National Park

Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Best time to visit: September

Where to stay: Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole

What to do at Grand Teton National Park: Nothing takes your breath away quite like your first glimpse of the Tetons, the famous mountain range in Wyoming. The range is most known for Grand Teton, which towers at 13,775 feet.

Grand Teton National Park is the top landmark in the state, anchored by the ski town of Jackson Hole. The park is known for its scenic drives, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountaineering and camping. In the town of Jackson Hole, you'll find some of the country's best hotels, restaurants, galleries and shopping, all at the base of one of the most majestic mountain ranges in the world.

Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!

Pacific Coast

Border to Border

The Road to Nowhere

The Great River Road

Appalachian Trail

Atlantic Coast

The Great Northern

The Oregon Trail

The Loneliest Road

Southern Pacific

Classic American Road Trips

Pacific Coast Highway

Starting at the northwest tip of the United States at Washington’s Olympic National Park and remaining within sight of the ocean all the way south to sunny San Diego, this 1,650-mile, mostly two-lane road trip takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert.

Highlights along the Pacific Coast Route: Olympic National Park (WA), Three Capes Loop (OR), Redwood National Park (CA)

mountain landscape with overlaid text reading Route 66 Road Trip

Historic Route 66

The romance of traveling along historic Route 66 from where it starts in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles continues to captivate people around the world. If you’re looking for great displays of neon signs, rusty middle-of-nowhere truck stops, or kitschy Americana, do as the song says and “get your kicks on Route 66.”

Highlights along Route 66: Chicago (IL), Meramec Caverns (MO), Tucumcari (NM), Painted Desert (AZ), Santa Monica (CA)

Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Indigo (Canada)
Powell's Books
Apple Books

big sky and water adjacent to a road with overlaid text reading the loneliest road trip

Running coast-to-coast from San Francisco to Ocean City, Maryland, “The Loneliest Road in America” is a 3,200-mile odyssey from sea to shining sea. US-50 passes through a dozen different states, four state capitals, and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

Highlights along the Loneliest Road: South Lake Tahoe (CA), Moab (UT), The Million Dollar Highway (CO), Washington D.C.

suspension bridge backed by forest with overlaid text reading The Oregon Trail Road Trip

Following in the footsteps of pilgrims and pioneers, US‑20 takes in a little of everything during its two-lane trek from Oregon’s rugged coast to the glorious sea and sand of Cape Cod.

Highlights along the Oregon Trail: Cannon Beach (OR), Fort Boise (ID), Yellowstone National Park (WY), Mt Rushmore & Carhenge (NE)

trees with vivid fall color with overlaid text reading The Great Northern US-2 Road Trip

Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US‑2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.

Highlights along the Great Northern: Tumwater Canyon (WA), Glacier National Park (MT), Lake Michigan (MI), Acadia National Park (ME)

The Appalachian Trail

This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.

Highlights along the Appalachian Trail: Mt. Washington (NH), The Poconos (PA), Shenandoah National Park (VA), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC)

lakes and green landscape with overlaid text reading the Great River Road Trip

Old Man River, Father of Waters, “body of a nation,” Big Muddy: By any name, the mighty Mississippi River cuts a mythic figure across the American landscape. Tag along from its headwaters in Minnesota to where it meets the sea in Louisiana via the GRR.

Highlights along the Great River Road: Main Street USA (WI), St. Louis (MO), Natchez Trace Parkway (MS), New Orleans (LA)

dense city on a peninsula with overlaid text reading the Atlantic Coast Road Trip

Starting at the Statue of Liberty and ending with a drive across the Overseas Highway to free-wheeling Key West, these almost 2,000 miles of roadway run within earshot—if not sight—of the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlights along the Atlantic Coast: The Statue of Liberty (NJ), Assateague Island National Seashore (MD), Savannah (GA), Cocoa Beach (FL)

old Spanish-style church with overlaid text reading the Border to Border Road Trip

Starting at Canada’s Jasper National Park, and winding down in the Sonora Desert, this route traverses some of the wildest and most rugged lands imaginable: mighty mountains, glaciated valleys, raging rivers, and two very different deserts.

Highlights along the Border to Border Route: Columbia Icefield (AB), Bitterroot Mountains (MT), The Extraterrestrial Highway (NV), Joshua Forest Parkway (AZ)

dunes with overlaid text reading tThe Road to Nowhere US-83 Road Trip

Once the only entirely paved route from Canada to “Old Mexico,” US‑83 cuts across America’s heartland and remains a must-do long-distance byway—transnavigating this broad, odd nation without once grazing a conventional tourist destination.

Highlights along the Road to Nowhere: Sitting Bull Memorial (SD), Nebraska Sand Hills (NE), Monument Rocks (KS), Paint Rock Pictographs (TX)

trees draped with moss with overlaid text reading the Southern Pacific US-80 Road Trip

Following old US-80 and its contemporary equivalents takes you through more varied cultural and physical landscapes than you’ll find along any other cross-country route. From deserts to bayou swamps and Tex-Mex to barbecue, this route offers a full-flavored taste of America.

Highlights along Southern Pacific: The Desert View Tower (CA), Tombstone (AZ), Roswell (NM), Civil Rights Movement National Historic Trail (AL)

US map showing the 11 cross-country road trips on roadtripusa.com

Let us plan your trip for you

Roadtrippers Autopilot™ creates your itinerary based on what we’ve learned from over 38 million trips. You’re never more than a few clicks away from your next great adventure.

Auto Travel

Let Autopilot take the wheel planning your next road trip, scenic drive, RV journey and everything in between. Then enjoy the ride while uncovering hidden gems along the way.

Get real-time traffic updates and access to wildfire smoke maps to stay informed and connected throughout your journey.

Collaborate

Share your itinerary with your copilots so they can help with the finishing touches.

Let Roadtrippers be your guide, navigating the twists and turns as you roam the open roads with confidence and ease.

Exclusive Access To Autopilot

Let us do the planning for you! Enter in a few key details and we’ll craft a custom tailored trip just for you.

Choose the right plan for you—and try it free for 7 days

Premium planning.

RV-Friendly Tools

Overnight RV Parking

Start free for 7 days

Then $35.99 (that's only $2.99/month), then $49.99 (that's only $4.17/month), then $59.99 (that's only $4.99/month).

† RV-Friendly routing features (including routing warnings for vehicle hazards and propane restrictions) are available in the U.S. only.

Free 7-day trial

Test drive the best features of Roadtrippers Premium for free! Eligible users will get exclusive access to all the tools needed to plan the perfect road trip.

Create a Roadtrippers account to start your 7-day free trial.

Already have a Roadtrippers account?

We need your email address

Before we can sign you up for Roadtrippers, we need your email address. Click the button below to go to your profile.

Plan your next adventure with a Roadtrippers Premium account

Due after 7-day free trial

Thank you for signing up for a Roadtrippers Subscription

Get started planning your next trip now!

Good news...you already have Roadtrippers!

Thanks for being one of our most dedicated users.

Trip guides
Trip Planner
Sign up Log in Sign out
Log in Sign out
ROADTRIPPERS MEMBERSHIP
RV RESOURCES

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option or create a new account with Roadpass.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

We've teamed up with the National Park Foundation - join the movement to protect our national parks, donate at checkout!

The Perfect Road Trip to See Every U.S. National Park

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

US Road Trip Map

Expore road trip map of the United States. Road trips in the United States offer an unparalleled way to explore the vast and varied landscapes of the country. From the iconic Route 66 that stretches across several states to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in California, each journey promises unique experiences and breathtaking views. Whether it's the mountainous terrains of the Rockies, the flat expanses of the Great Plains, or the historic sights along the East Coast, road trips allow travelers to discover the diverse beauty and culture of the US at their own pace. These adventures are perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the natural wonders, cities, and small towns that make the United States a treasure trove of travel experiences.

Are you looking for a Customized Map? Please get Custom Mapping Quote here .

About US Road Trip Map

United states maps in our store - order high resolution vector and raster files, road trips in the united states, iconic routes, pacific coast highway (pch), blue ridge parkway, what to expect, planning your trip, accommodations, safety and preparedness, making the most of your trip, capture memories, connect with nature.

Detailed US Map
US State Map
Blank Map of US
US States and Capitals Map
Mapa de Estados Unidos
Carte des États-Unis
Mapa dos Estados Unidos
USA Time Zone Map
US National Parks Map
US Regions Map
US Rivers Map
USA World Map
USA on World Map
US Cities Map
US State Abbreviation Map
US Road Map
US Travel Map
US Rail Map
US Territory Map
US Zip Code Map
US Physical Map
US County Map
Blank US County Map
US Population Map
Richest Cities in US
US International Airports Map
US Flag Map
US Map Upside Down
US Temperature Map
US Latitude and Longitude Map
East Coast Map
West Coast Map
Western US Map
US Interstate Map
USA Seismic Zones Map
US Canada Map
US Mexico Map
Southern US Map
US Elevation Map
US Map Black and White
US Midwest Map
US Northeast Map
13 Colonies Map
Washington DC Map
Best Places to Visit in Summer in USA
US on North America Map
Southeast US Map
US Mountain Ranges Map
Southwest US Map
Northwestern US Map
US Map without Names
US Canada Border Map
US Area Code Map
American Civil War Map
US Volcano Map
New England Map
US Satellite Map
US Desert Map
US Map 1860
US Map 1800
US Map 1850
US Lakes Map
Where is Niagara Falls
Where is Grand Canyon
Where Mount Rushmore
Where is Statue of Liberty
Where is White House
Where is Hoover Dam
Where is Golden Gate Bridge
Where is Hollywood Sign
Where is Empire State Building
Where is Monument Valley
Where is Lincoln Memorial
Where is Gateway Arch
Where is Great Smoky Mountains
Where is Sears Tower
Where is Independence Hall
Where is One World Trade Center
US Climate Map
Where is Rocky Mountains
Where is Old Faithful Geyser
US Map in Gujarati

US States Maps

Alabama Map
Arizona Map
Arkansas Map
California Map
Colorado Map
Connecticut Map
Delaware Map
Florida Map
Georgia State Map
Illinois Map
Indiana Map
Kentucky Map
Louisiana Map
Maryland Map
Massachusetts Map
Michigan Map
Minnesota Map
Mississippi Map
Missouri Map
Montana Map
Nebraska Map
New Hampshire Map
New Jersey Map
New Mexico Map
New York State Map
North Carolina Map
North Dakota Map
Oklahoma Map
Pennsylvania Map
Rhode Island Map
South Carolina Map
South Dakota Map
Tennessee Map
Vermont Map
Virginia Map
Washington State Map
West Virginia Map
Wisconsin Map
Wyoming Map

Other US States County Maps

Alabama County Map
Alaska Borough Map
Arizona County Map
Arkansas County Map
California County Map
Colorado County Map
Connecticut County Map
Delaware County Map
Florida County Map
Georgia County Map
Hawaii County Map
Idaho County Map
Illinois County Map
Indiana County Map
Iowa County Map
Kansas County Map
Kentucky County Map
Louisiana Parish Map
Maine County Map
Maryland County Map
Massachusetts County Map
Michigan County Map
Minnesota County Map
Mississippi County Map
Missouri County Map
Montana County Map
Nebraska County Map
Nevada County Map
New Hampshire County Map
New Jersey County Map
New Mexico County Map
New York County Map
North Carolina County Map
North Dakota County Map
Ohio County Map
Oklahoma County Map
Oregon County Map
Pennsylvania County Map
Rhode Island County Map
South Carolina County Map
South Dakota County Map
Tennessee County Map
Texas County Map
Utah County Map
Vermont County Map
Virginia County Map
Washington County Map
West Virginia County Map
Wisconsin County Map
Wyoming County Map

US States Outline Maps

Alabama Outline Map
Alaska Outline Map
Arizona Outline Map
Arkansas Outline Map
California Outline Map
Colorado Outline Map
Connecticut Outline Map
Delaware Outline Map
Florida Outline Map
Georgia State Outline Map
Hawaii Outline Map
Idaho Outline Map
Illinois Outline Map
Indiana Outline Map
Iowa Outline Map
Kansas Outline Map
Kentucky Outline Map
Louisiana Outline Map
Maine Outline Map
Maryland Outline Map
Massachusetts Outline Map
Michigan Outline Map
Minnesota Outline Map
Mississippi Outline Map
Missouri Outline Map
Montana Outline Map
Nebraska Outline Map
Nevada Outline Map
New Hampshire Outline Map
New Jersey Outline Map
New Mexico Outline Map
New York State Outline Map
North Carolina Outline Map
North Dakota Outline Map
Ohio Outline Map
Oklahoma Outline Map
Oregon Outline Map
Pennsylvania Outline Map
Rhode Island Outline Map
South Carolina Outline Map
South Dakota Outline Map
Tennessee Outline Map
Texas Outline Map
Utah Outline Map
Vermont Outline Map
Virginia Outline Map
Washington State Outline Map
West Virginia Outline Map
Wisconsin Outline Map
Wyoming Outline Map

Cities Map of All US States

Alabama Cities Map
Alaska Cities Map
Arizona Cities Map
Arkansas Cities Map
California Cities Map
Colorado Cities Map
Connecticut Cities Map
Delaware Cities Map
Florida Cities Map
Georgia Cities Map
Hawaii Cities Map
Idaho Cities Map
Illinois Cities Map
Indiana Cities Map
Iowa Cities Map
Kansas Cities Map
Kentucky Cities Map
Louisiana Cities Map
Maine Cities Map
Maryland Cities Map
Massachusetts Cities Map
Michigan Cities Map
Minnesota Cities Map
Mississippi Cities Map
Missouri Cities Map
Montana Cities Map
Nebraska Cities Map
Nevada Cities Map
New Hampshire Cities Map
New Jersey Cities Map
New Mexico Cities Map
New York Cities Map
North Carolina Cities Map
North Dakota Cities Map
Ohio Cities Map
Oklahoma Cities Map
Oregon Cities Map
Pennsylvania Cities Map
Rhode Island Cities Map
South Carolina Cities Map
South Dakota Cities Map
Tennessee Cities Map
Texas Cities Map
Utah Cities Map
Vermont Cities Map
Virginia Cities Map
Washington Cities Map
West Virginia Cities Map
Wisconsin Cities Map
Wyoming Cities Map

Road Maps of All US States

Alabama Road Map
Alaska Road Map
Arizona Road Map
Arkansas Road Map
California Road Map
Colorado Road Map
Connecticut Road Map
Delaware Road Map
Florida Road Map
Georgia State Road Map
Hawaii Road Map
Idaho Road Map
Illinois Road Map
Indiana Road Map
Iowa Road Map
Kansas Road Map
Kentucky Road Map
Louisiana Road Map
Maine Road Map
Maryland Road Map
Massachusetts Road Map
Michigan Road Map
Minnesota Road Map
Mississippi Road Map
Missouri Road Map
Montana Road Map
Nebraska Road Map
Nevada Road Map
New Hampshire Road Map
New Jersey Road Map
New Mexico Road Map
New York State Road Map
North Carolina Road Map
North Dakota Road Map
Ohio Road Map
Oklahoma Road Map
Oregon Road Map
Pennsylvania Road Map
Rhode Island Road Map
South Carolina Road Map
South Dakota Road Map
Tennessee Road Map
Texas Road Map
Utah Road Map
Vermont Road Map
Virginia Road Map
Washington State Road Map
West Virginia Road Map
Wisconsin Road Map
Wyoming Road Map

US States Location Maps

Where is Alabama
Where is Alaska
Where is Arizona
Where is Arkansas
Where is California
Where is Colorado
Where is Connecticut
Where is Delaware
Where is Florida
Where is Georgia
Where is Hawaii
Where is Idaho
Where is Illinois
Where is Indiana
Where is Iowa
Where is Kansas
Where is Kentucky
Where is Louisiana
Where is Maine
Where is Maryland
Where is Massachusetts
Where is Michigan
Where is Minnesota
Where is Mississippi
Where is Missouri
Where is Montana
Where is Nebraska
Where is Nevada
Where is New Hampshire
Where is New Jersey
Where is New Mexico
Where is New York
Where is North Carolina
Where is North Dakota
Where is Ohio
Where is Oklahoma
Where is Oregon
Where is Pennsylvania
Where is Rhode Island
Where is South Carolina
Where is South Dakota
Where is Tennessee
Where is Texas
Where is Utah
Where is Vermont
Where is Virginia
Where is Washington
Where is West Virginia
Where is Wisconsin
Where is Wyoming

Location of US Cities

Pittsburgh on US Map
Where is Washington, D.C.
Where is Vancouver, Washington
Where is Baltimore
Where is St. Louis
Where is Detroit
Where is Portland
Where is Birmingham, Alabama
Where is Green Bay
Where is Manchester, New Hampshire
Where is Pittsburgh
Where is Miami
Where is Atlanta
Where is Edinburg, Texas
Where is Indianapolis
Where is Charlotte
Where is Memphis
Where is St. Petersburg, Florida
Where is San Diego
Where is Los Angeles
Where is Sacramento
Where is Denver
Where is Nashville
Where is Odessa
Where is Cambridge, Massachusetts
Where is Ontario, California
Where is Salt Lake City
Where is San Jose
Where is Oakland
Where is Austin
Where is Tampa
Where is Tulsa
Where is Athens
Where is Cleveland
Where is Newark
Where is Jacksonville
Where is Dallas
Where is Orlando
Where is Omaha
Where is Albuquerque
Where is Honolulu
Where is Louisville
Where is Charleston
Where is New York City
Where is Norfolk, Virginia
Where is Houston
Where is Oklahoma City
Where is Phoenix
Where is Frisco
Where is Chattanooga
Where is Savannah
Where is Syracuse
Where is Kent
San Diego on California Map

This is the ultimate American road trip, according to scientific research

Apr 19, 2018 • 2 min read

A data scientist has put together a series of the ultimate road trips of the United States so that travellers can see as many sights as possible while clocking up the least amount of mileage.

Travel News - Friends in convertible with surfboard arriving beach

Randy Olson created six separate routes for car manufacturer Chevrolet designed to maximise sight-seeing while cutting down on gas bills. One of his maps takes road trippers through all 48 of the contiguous states, with a specific monument, landmark, or theme park in each.

This perfect road trip can begin in any state, whether east or west coast, or somewhere in between. Were somebody to complete it in its entirety, it would take 214.56 driving hours (around nine days) and would clock up 13,389 miles on the odometer. Randy Olson told Lonely Planet: “Every major journey begins with a plan: where you’re going, where you’re stopping along the way, and how you’re getting there. “When planning a road trip and creating a map, I always start with deciding where to stop along the way. Then, the next step is to find the ‘true’ distance between all of the chosen destinations by car. Lastly, I input the routes into a genetic algorithm to reach a near-perfect solution for the best possible road trip .”

Mr Olson has also created five other mini road trips, designed around specific regions or states. There’s one for the Midwest that takes in stops in the region’s biggest attractions, including Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Museum, and perhaps fittingly the Indianapolis Speedway and Milwaukee’s Harley-Davidson Museum. He’s also mapped the perfect road trip for the Northeast with stop-offs at the famous mansions of Newport in Rhode Island, and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. There’s a West Coast trip that takes travellers along the coast – taking in the Big Sur highway – on a route stretching from Pike Place Market in Seattle to Balboa Park in San Diego.

Two separate road trips are also available for Texas and Florida to take in all that the Lone Star and Sunshine States have to offer.

Explore related stories

Sustainable Travel

Apr 29, 2024 • 11 min read

Step away from the gas pump and strap on your seat belt: these are the best US road trips for electric vehicles.

Apr 28, 2024 • 7 min read

Apr 24, 2024 • 11 min read

Apr 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 19, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 18, 2024 • 7 min read

Apr 17, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Apr 13, 2024 • 8 min read

23 Incredible Road Trips in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for sweeping views of the pacific ocean or a multiday adventure through national parks, these road trips provide plenty of opportunities to explore the united states..

Copy Link copied

Glacier National Park is one of many scenic places you can visit on an American road trip.

Photo by Zack Frank / Shutterstock

In a country as large as the United States, there’s no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car . Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip entails an epic, cross-country journey or a shorter jaunt through a few of its most iconic national parks , your options are as large and varied as the country itself.

Even if you don’t have the time to drive cross-country, there are plenty of road trip routes (ranging from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries , New England routes that shine especially well in the fall, scenic East Coast adventures, and a variety of Midwest journeys for folks farther from the coasts.

No matter your mode of transportation—be it van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—these are 21 of the best road trips in the nation to consider.

Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip

Plan your next Route 66 trip around thirst-quenching stops.

Photo by Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock

There are many ways to do a cross-country road trip in the USA, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.

1. Chicago to Los Angeles: A Whiskey Road Trip on Route 66

It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entirety of Route 66. There are endless ways to take this legendary trip (including an EV version —but to take your cross-country road trip to the next level, we recommend exploring another American pastime: whiskey.

Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop by some of the leading craft distilleries in the United States, like Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. In between tastings, make time for detours to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and quirky roadside curiosities, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Just remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip after all.

Plan your trip

The full itinerary: Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip

No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island, so you need to park before taking the ferry to this spot.

Photo from Shutterstock

2. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2

Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. This drive runs the entire top border of the U.S. and showcases otherworldly natural wonders like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Mackinac Island in Michigan. The route also passes through Canada, taking road-trippers through Ontario into Quebec—this route may focus on nature, but you won’t want to miss a stop in Montreal or Ottawa.

You’ll also get to explore Montana and Glacier National Park ( reservations may be required ) before passing the Columbia Plateau and ending in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time in the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) for a peek at one of the most scenic places on the West Coast.

3. Dana Point to San Francisco: Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway

The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are what road trip dreams are made of, and exactly what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655-mile stretch, we pulled together a list of the ones well worth pulling over to view. Don’t miss the perfect surfing waves in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon a the boardwalk in Santa Monica, or a night in Big Sur as you drive between Dana Point (just south of Los Angeles) and San Francisco.

The full itinerary: The Best Stops for a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
The AFAR Guide to San Francisco

Wooden pier with shops on top juts out into the ocean

The seaside town of Monterey was the setting for John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row .

Photo by Denise Lett/Shutterstock

4. Big Sur to Mono County: A Literary Road Trip Through Northern California

Yes, this itinerary requires you actually put down your book to drive, but seeing some of the pivotal places that shaped American authors will be so worth it. Follow in the footsteps of writers like Jack Kerouac, Maya Angelou, and Amy Tan on this road trip that takes you through literary landmarks in Northern California, such as Caffe Trieste, a meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, and other bohemian writers and thinkers. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to stay make these trips in one or two days.

The full itinerary: The California Road Trip All Book Lovers Should Take

Wide shot of a red canyon with a river running through it

Arizona may take its nickname from the Grand Canyon, but the state has far more natural wonders than just that one.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

5. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: An Iconic Arizona Road Trip

This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers along some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and biking—as well as tasty food along the way. Hike the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or take in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona on a hike to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.

The full itinerary: The Classic 5-Day Arizona Road Trip
Grand Canyon guide: The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
Where to eat in Phoenix: A Chef’s Guide to the Best Restaurants
Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Arizona ; The Best Airbnbs in Sedona

The Delicate Arch living up to its name in Utah’s Arches National Park

Photo by tusharkoley / Shutterstock

6. Zion to Grand Canyon: A National Parks Road Trip in the Southwest

If you’re looking to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwestern itinerary is for you. This journey through Utah and Arizona lets you hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel tiny under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon remain on the rim, but take at least four days to venture within the canyon and take advantage of the trails and river rafting.

The full itinerary: The Ideal Road Trip Through U.S. National Parks
Utah’s 8 Best National Parks and Monuments
10 Best National Parks and Monuments in Arizona
The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon

Couple sitting in front of a curving road

Stop and admire the winding roads of the San Juan Skyway.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

7. San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip: An Adventure Through Southwestern Colorado

This Colorado trip takes you along the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you will see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns, and craggy peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy refreshments after a long day of driving, this route features many opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado , such as Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.

The full itinerary: The Ultimate Southwestern Colorado Road Trip
Five Classic Colorado Road Trips To Take This Year

In small-town Buena Vista, the riverfront Surf Hotel offers front-row seats to Colorado-style adventure seekers.

Courtesy of the Surf Hotel

8. Denver to Montrose: A 420-Mile Road Trip Through Colorado

Want to explore even more of the Centennial State? Head out on this weeklong road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit numerous small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor , and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the nation.

The full itinerary: Art Stars, High-Altitude Wines, and a Remote National Park: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Colorado
The AFAR Guide to Denver

Woman walking by a mural of a river and bridge

Portland may be Oregon’s largest city, but with a population of some 652,000 (or 2.5 million in the larger metropolitan area), it isn’t intimidatingly large.

Photo courtesy of Travel Portland

9. Portland to Astoria: An Oregon Coast Road Trip for Outdoor Lovers

If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the coast of Oregon is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will meander along Oregon’s dramatic, rocky coastline, discovering some quintessentially Pacific Northwest vistas along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are ample opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like the historic old town in Florence.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, such as Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.

The full itinerary: An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
The AFAR Guide to Portland

The State Capitol Building in Nashville marks the end of this road (trip).

Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock

10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Starting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include stops at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ; Union Square in New York City, which was the site of the first suffrage march; and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

The full itinerary: Celebrate Women’s Suffrage on an Epic, Self-Guided Road Trip
Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Nashville
The AFAR Guide to Nashville
The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.

A long shot of a mountain-backed city, framed by flowers and trees

Asheville is one must-stop on a North Carolina road trip.

Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

11. Charlottesville to Asheville: A Scenic Road Trip Through Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down into the Blue Ridge Mountains, then into the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, which is perfect for admiring the dramatic outlooks and green plateaus. This eclectic itinerary features stops at an art museum, a dairy farm, and plenty of hiking trails.

The full itinerary: The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
Where to stay: 12 Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins You Can Rent on Airbnb and Vrbo
8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

Dowa:kwe dance group from Zuni Pueblo in 2019

Courtesy of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

12. Albuquerque to Las Cruces: Discover New Mexico on This Three-Day Road Trip

This route steers you away from New Mexican tourist hot spots like Taos and Santa Fe and instead takes you on a three-day adventure with places that teach you about Pueblo history. You’ll stop at Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that features Indigenous cuisine ; pick up peppers at Three Brothers in Hatch; and slide down the dunes in White Sands National Park.

The full itinerary: This New Mexico Road Trip Is the Perfect Introduction to the Land of Enchantment

Green tree near brown house during daytime

Historic Fort Martin Scott is one of the places travelers can visit to learn about Fredericksburg’s history.

Photo by Mark König/Unsplash

13. A Five-Day Scenic Road Trip Through Texas Hill Country

This Texas road trip starts and ends in San Antonio with stops in small towns like Bandera, Boerne, and consider a stop in Fredericksburg, which is one of AFAR’s best places to go in 2024 ). Over five days, you’ll find opportunities to stroll in a Japanese tea garden in San Antonio, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers by inner tube, and eat as many tacos as you want. Seriously: You could eat tacos for every meal on this road trip and not get tired of them.

The full itinerary: Tree Houses, Tubing, and Tacos: The Ultimate Texas Hill Country Road Trip

Mount McKinley looms large on a drive through Denali National Park.

Photo by warnsweet / Shutterstock

14. A Weeklong Road Trip Through Alaska’s Most Majestic Sights

This weeklong drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four scenic byways; explore Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, the largest U.S. national park; catch sight of Denali, the tallest peak in North America; and enjoy the surprisingly stellar food scene of McCarthy, a one-road town with only a couple dozen residents.

The full itinerary: Glaciers, Mountain Peaks, and Organic Farms: The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip
Which Alaska National Parks Should You Visit?

More than geothermal pools, Kirkham Hot Springs features a piping-hot waterfall.

Courtesy of Idaho Tourism

15. Boise to Sun Valley: Explore Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Even a short road trip can be packed with adventure, good food, and scenery, which is exactly what this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway offers. Although the drive only takes six hours, we recommend taking a few days to explore all the stops and detours along the way. One can’t-miss spot is the Kirkham Hot Springs , where you can stand under a waterfall that will splash you with 135-degree mineral water year-round.

The full itinerary: The Little-Known Idaho Road Trip You Need to Drive
Things to do: The Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Idaho

Grand Portage State Park is the only state park jointly managed by a state and a Native American band.

Photo by Shutterstock/QZ

16. Duluth to Grand Portage State Park: A Scenic Minnesota Sampler

Although there are many appealing road trips throughout the Midwest, this 143-mile, three-hour circuit, which starts and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, is worth keeping in mind. Meandering north on MN-61 with this itinerary, you will enjoy prime views of Lake Superior and towns like Grand Marais, as well as Grand Portage State Park, home to waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe community who occupy the land today. Once back in Duluth, enjoy a beer at Canal Park Brewing Company before checking into the waterfront Canal Park Lodge nearby.

The AFAR Guide to Minnesota

Overhead view of curvy Kancamagus Highway through fall forest

Wind your way through colorful foliage in New Hampshire.

Photo by Shutterstock

17. Kancamagus Highway: A Quintessential New England Drive

Yes, you can take a road trip in New England at any time of the year , but this region shows off its best colors in the fall, when locals and tourists alike head out into the country to view the changing colors of the trees. Join other admirers of fall foliage on this popular, 34.5-mile road trip along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, colloquially known as the “Kanc,” for picturesque ponds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.

Plan Your Fall Getaway With This Peak Foliage Prediction Map

Ogunquit is home to the small, postcard-perfect harbor of Perkins Cove.

Photo courtesy of QualityHD / Shutterstock

18. Maine’s “Lobster Trail”: Travel Route 1 Along the Coast

Traveling Route 1, affectionately known as “the lobster trail,” along Maine’s jagged coastline is an exercise in indulgence. Sample lobster dishes in all forms—buttered, steamed, on a roll, or even in a decadent mac-and-cheese.

The trip starts in the quaint small town of Ogunquit , with its rare (for the area) 3.5 miles of white-sand beach. Make your first lobster of the journey count, steamed with a side of drawn butter at Barnacle Billy’s in picturesque Perkins Cove harbor. Stop at Big Daddy’s for a cone on your way to the shipbuilding center—and summer home of George H. W. Bush—Kennebunkport. Stay at the recently redesigned 150-year-old classic White Barn Inn , and consider a sailing trip for an afternoon. With lobsters cooked in ocean water, the legendary lobster roll at the Clam Shack is a must.

8 Scenic East Coast Road Trips to Take This Year

Interior of Leah & Louise restaurant in Charlotte

Throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont region, innovative restaurants, shops, and restaurants like Leah & Louise in Charlotte, above, are creating a buzz.

Photo by Peter Taylor Photography

19. Raleigh to Charlotte: A 4-Day Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

North Carolina’s Piedmont region extends from the coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes farmland and rolling wooded hills, especially on the 1-40 stretch near Hillsborough. Starting in Raleigh, drive the short distances to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte to see how these cities are innovating through art, food, and a celebration of the past. Take your time—four days should do—to experience downtown arts districts, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and civil rights museums that speak truths. Plan your trip

A Road Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing

Scenic South Walton is part of the Emerald Coast of Florida.

20. Scenic Highway 30A: A Sunday Drive Through South Walton, Florida

Florida is full of places to cruise with the top down, but it’s hard to beat a Sunday (or any day) drive along Scenic Highway 30A through northwest Florida, home to a postcard-perfect stretch of seaside towns known as South Walton.

The roughly 28-mile route through South Walton County kisses the coast for nearly all its length, taking you through gorgeous residential Gulf-front communities like Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach . Roll down the windows and let the emerald-hued views in.

Pull over to explore, too—maybe to admire the New Urbanism architecture in Alys Beach or to swim in the clear waters at Grayton Beach State Park . (The beach here has been lauded among the best in the world.)

The full itinerary: The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing

Two stand-up paddleboarders on the water at sunset

Stand-up paddleboarding is just one way to enjoy a Florida Keys sunset.

Shutterstock

21. The Florida Keys: An Island-Hopping Getaway

For a sunny road trip itinerary in Florida, skip Miami and head farther south. Beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is often overlooked for more well-known routes up north, but it is well worth going out of your way to experience.

As the name suggests, this route is very scenic, so plan to spend at least a few days exploring it and numerous stops along the way. Some highlights include driving across the impressive Overseas Highway, stopping to admire art in the town of Islamorada, and enjoying the historic sites, food, and (of course) beaches in the city of Key West.

The full itinerary: How to Road Trip in the Lesser-Known Florida Keys

A brick building with an oversized guitar hanging off the side and a sign that says "Sun Studio"

Sun Studio in Memphis was the site of the famous Million Dollar recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Photo by f11photo on Shutterstock

22. Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee: A Music-Driven Adventure

If you have about a week to spare and a deep appreciation for music, take a road trip from one side of Tennessee to the other, starting in Memphis and ending in Bristol. The eastbound trip spans genres, including rock ( Graceland ), blues ( Beale Street) and, of course, country (did you really go to Tennessee if you didn’t go to Dollywood ?). Nashville serves as the halfway point on your journey—so consider penciling in an extra 48 hours to fully explore the state capital’s greatest hits.

The full itinerary: 5 Great American Road Trips For Music Fans

The stunning coastline near Cueva del Indio has been the backdrop of star-studded films.

Photo by Alexsf.gr/Shutterstock

23. Arecibo to Condado, Puerto Rico: A Lesser-Known Side of a Well-Loved Island

In the minds of many, trips to Puerto Rico bring images of stunning beaches , delicious foods , and maybe a bioluminescent bay or two . But there’s plenty of history to be found here, too, as Puerto Rico was home to an Indigenous population known as the Taino, a heritage many Puerto Ricans embrace. That history can be explored via a road trip. Starting in the northern town of Arecibo, travel south to Ponce, then back north to Condado—along the way you’ll encounter petroglyphs, Indigenous sites, and breathtaking natural spots.

The full itinerary: A Puerto Rico Road Trip That Puts Indigenous Culture First

Additional road trip planning resources Picking the route for your road trip is only one part of your planning. From what snacks to pack to which podcasts to listen to, these additional resources will help you prepare for your next adventure:

Best road trip snacks
Road trip planning apps
Podcasts and audiobooks to download
What to pack for a road trip

This article originally appeared online in August 2020. It was most recently updated on April 4, 2024, to include current information. Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, Ray Rogers, Terry Ward, and Sheryl Nance-Nash.

A view of stone walls and lakes over Sky Road in Galway County

Master the Art of the Open Road: How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip Itinerary

Learn to design a road trip itinerary with our comprehensive guide
Understand why road trips are so popular in the U.S
Discover the secret behind Route 66's appeal
Be inspired by Aaron Lauritsen's insights on the joy of road trips
Gain pro insider tips from experienced travel journalist, Flora Goodwin

The Lure of the Open Road: A National Phenomenon

There's something quintessentially American about a road trip. According to a survey by AAA, nearly 100 million Americans, or 4 in 10 U.S. adults, planned to take a family vacation in 2019, with 53% of them planning a road trip. That's over half of vacationing families electing the open road over other vacation alternatives.

Why this love affair with the open road?

The answer may lie in the quote by Aaron Lauritsen : "The freedom of the open road is seductive, serendipitous, and absolutely liberating." Americans crave the freedom and spontaneity a road trip offers – the chance to control their own journey, explore unseen territories, and immerse themselves in diverse cultures and landscapes . Not to mention the allure of the most popular road trip in the United States, Route 66, stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, covering a total of 2,448 miles of pure Americana.

Creating Your Road Trip Itinerary: A Step-By-Step Guide

As Flora Goodwin , seasoned travel journalist, often says, "A well-planned itinerary is the secret to a successful road trip." So let's dive into her insider tips on creating a road trip itinerary that guarantees a memorable experience.

Creating a road trip itinerary is more than just a list of places to visit - it's a roadmap to adventure. Follow this comprehensive guide shared by the experienced travel journalist, Flora Goodwin, to craft a perfect itinerary.

1. Dream, Then Scheme

First and foremost, let your imagination run wild. Create a list of all the places you've dreamed of exploring. Maybe it's the vast Grand Canyon, the lush Shenandoah Valley, or the bustling streets of New Orleans. Once you've penned down your wish list, it's time to turn these dreams into reality. Start scheming your route considering the distances, travel times, and how many days you would like to spend at each location . Take advantage of digital mapping tools like Google Maps or RoadTrippers to help you visualize and plan your route.

2. Find Your Lodging

Next, consider your lodging. From motels to campsites, there's a myriad of options. Consider the proximity to attractions, availability of parking, and amenities.

3. Plan Your Activities

Research attractions and activities at each stop. Mix it up with outdoor adventures , historical sites, food experiences, and local events to keep it exciting.

2. Secure Your Accommodation

Next, research and secure your lodging ahead of time. The options are endless - from quaint bed and breakfasts and roadside motels to luxury resorts and rustic campsites. When choosing your accommodation, consider factors such as proximity to attractions, parking availability, cost, and amenities. Remember, after a long day on the road, a comfortable place to rest can make all the difference.

3. Dive into Activities and Attractions

Now, for the fun part. Start researching attractions and activities at each stop. Look beyond just the major tourist spots - discover local favorites, hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-path excursions. Balance your itinerary with a blend of outdoor adventures, historical sites , culinary experiences, and cultural events to keep your trip diverse and exciting. Use travel guides, online reviews, and social media to find unique experiences that will enrich your journey.

4. Budgeting Your Journey

One aspect often overlooked in the excitement of planning is the budget . Estimate your costs for fuel, accommodation, meals, activities, and any unexpected expenses. Keep in mind, the best part of road trips is the unexpected surprises, but those surprises can sometimes come with a price tag.

5. Be Flexible

While planning is crucial, equally important is maintaining flexibility . The beauty of road trips lies in the spontaneity and freedom they offer. Leave room for unplanned detours, exciting discoveries, and to linger a bit longer in places that capture your heart. The open road is unpredictable, and the flexibility in your plans can lead to the most memorable moments of your adventure.

6. Prepare Your Vehicle

Lastly, make sure your vehicle is road-ready. Check your tires, oil, brakes, and make sure your roadside assistance membership is up-to-date. Nothing dampens the spirit of adventure like car trouble in the middle of nowhere. Remember, the perfect road trip itinerary balances careful planning with spontaneous adventure. So start planning, but also be prepared to throw the itinerary out the window if the open road calls you elsewhere.

What is the best way to plan a road trip itinerary?

Start with a dream list of places you want to visit, then use mapping tools to create a feasible route. Consider lodging options and research attractions and activities at each stop. Finally, always be flexible with your plans.

How long should a road trip last?

The duration of a road trip depends on various factors like the distance covered, the number of stops, and your pace. It can range from a weekend getaway to a cross-country journey spanning weeks or even months.

What should I not forget when planning a road trip itinerary?

Don't forget to account for travel times, rest days, and contingency plans for unexpected events. Also, ensure you have roadside assistance and car maintenance checked off your list.

What tools can I use to plan a road trip itinerary?

Digital mapping tools like Google Maps or RoadTrippers are very useful in planning your route. For lodging, websites like Booking.com, Airbnb, and Campendium can provide numerous options. Websites like TripAdvisor can help you discover attractions and activities.

How can I make my road trip more fun?

Diversify your activities. Include outdoor adventures, historical sites, local food experiences, and cultural events. Also, consider creating a road trip playlist, bringing along board games, or planning a picnic at a scenic spot to add more fun.

What should I pack for a road trip?

Pack essentials like clothes, toiletries, a first aid kit, road maps, and a spare tire. Also pack snacks, water, a cooler, pillows, and blankets for comfort. Don't forget your camera to capture the memories!

How can I save money on a road trip?

Plan and follow a budget, consider cheaper lodging options like campsites or motels, pack your own food to minimize eating out, and find free or cheap attractions to visit.

How do I prepare my car for a road trip?

Check your tires, oil, and brakes. Make sure your insurance and roadside assistance are up-to-date. Also, pack a spare tire, jumper cables, and an emergency kit just in case.

Road trips encapsulate the American spirit of freedom and exploration . As you plan your road trip itinerary, let the road guide you, but remember to have a well-thought-out plan. With our guide, you're well on your way to experiencing the joy of a life-altering road trip.

AAA, Travel survey
Lauritsen, A. (2019).

Master the Art of the Open Road: How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip Itinerary

Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip

We're GIVING AWAY a 2021 Ford Mustang and you could be the lucky winner to hit the road for your next summer road trip. Enter here to win.

If exploring the breathtaking beauty of our National Park System in one road trip is something on your bucket list, this may be the perfect map for you. Back in 2016, for the 100 th anniversary of the National Park Service, blogger Randy Olson devised an optimal route to see the most epic national parks across the nation.

The U.S. National Park System technically consists of 59 parks, but 12 of them are in Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. territories. This road trip is focused solely on those you can reach by car in one trip within the Continental 48.

Even with the reduction of the parks outside the Lower 48, Olson included 47 others along his route that stop in 23 different states. If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains , Joshua Tree, or any of the other great National Parks, this may be the best way to see them in one shot.

Those determined to finish the trip full of scenic drives can do so in approximately two months! The route covers 14,498 miles. Olson starts his trip at the Grand Canyon, but he designed the route as a loop, so you could begin anywhere on the map and travel in whichever direction you'd like.

Here's the full list of national parks in order and a visual of the route:

Randy Olson/Google Maps

The Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Everglades National Park, Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Acadia National Park, Maine
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Arches National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Zion National Park, Utah
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Glacier National Park, Montana
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park, Washington
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Redwood National and State Parks, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Yosemite National Park, California
Kings Canyon National Park, California
Sequoia National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park, California
Channel Islands National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Death Valley National Park, California

This post was originally published on June 16, 2017. It was updated on March 9, 2022.

Visiting National Parks Might Cost You Twice as Much in 2018

Where Was 'Thelma and Louise' Filmed? All of the Epic Landscapes From the Classic Film

The 10 Best Places to Camp in Texas

Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page.

How to Find an Electric Car Charger

Looking to plan a big trip with your EV? You're going to want to map out chargers first. Here's what you need to know.

If you drive a gas-powered car, chances are you don’t plan your trips around finding a gas station. It’s not just that gas stations are everywhere. You also don’t have to worry whether the pumps will work or how fast you’ll be able to fill your car.

Making efficient use of EV chargers on the road requires more thought. They aren’t as ubiquitous as gas stations and they are also less reliable. That means navigating to what turns out to be a broken charger isn’t just frustrating—if you’re low on range, it’s potentially disastrous. And chargers aren’t one-size-fits-all; some aren’t compatible with all vehicles, or you may need an adapter to hook up your car, a mobile app to start the charging, or both. Plus, of course, chargers come in different speeds. On a last note, chargers can be hard to find, in addition to being painful to miss. They don’t tend to come with 30-foot signs displaying their location and price, and are often located in the back of shopping centers and hotel parking lots.

Complicating all of this, a huge amount of public and private money is being invested in EV charging solutions, resulting in a lot of experimentation as local and state governments, car makers, charging companies, and even payment platforms try to figure out what works and what doesn’t. For consumers, that translates into a potentially confusing array of options when it comes to something as basic as locating chargers.

Should you use an app or your in-car navigation system? Why bother with CarPlay? The answer depends on the nature of your trip, what kind of car you drive, and whether getting charged is your only goal or just one.

Finding a Working Charger: PlugShare and Other Mobile Apps

Plugshare is as developed as it is because it supported drivers in the earliest days of EVs, when finding a charger on the road was much more harrowing than it is today. Most EVs didn’t have navigation systems, let alone systems that could direct you to a specific charger. Fast chargers were exceedingly rare and most cars couldn’t use them, and slow chargers, too, were few and far between. So the early adopters were resourceful and created tools to help other drivers find places to plug in. In the early days, Plugshare users even listed their own home chargers so that other EV owners could use them. PlugShare can also be worth a look if you’re curious about upcoming chargers. Intrepid investigators in the Tesla Motors Club forum have gone so far as to search public records for construction permits for upcoming Supercharger locations, reporting them on Plugshare when found.

PlugShare is far from the only charger database out there. Its closest competitor is ChargeHub , an app that provides virtually identical functionality. Though ChargeHub has far fewer users writing reviews of chargers, the user interface is a bit more modern and it features fewer ads, so choosing between the two apps is a matter of preference more than anything else.

Both PlugShare and ChargeHub aggregate chargers from all networks, which is an advantage if you want the most comprehensive view of what’s available in a given area. But if you are highly dependent on public chargers–either because you don’t have at-home charging or spend a lot of time on the road–then chances are you are subscribed to a charging network for discounted use. In that case, it can make sense to use the app provided by your EV-preferred charging provider, such as Electrify America , EVgo , or Chargepoint . As might be expected, these apps often are the best source of real-time status information for chargers in their network and can be very helpful for purposes of assessing availability and avoiding congestion at a station, and will generally need to be used to initiate the charge anyway.

Planning a Trip: A Better Route Planner

The app you use to find a working charger near you is not necessarily the app you want to use to plan a trip. PlugShare has a trip planning functionality, but it’s not as smart as some of the other options, requiring you to input your starting range and manually select from the available options at each charging stop along the way. It also doesn’t factor in live traffic along the way or guide you there in real time. That makes navigating a multi-stop road trip with PlugShare tedious, akin to printing directions in the MapQuest days.

For long trips, A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is the best mobile app solution. You simply add your vehicle and starting range, set your destination, and it will take you to all of your charging stops along the way optimizing for the shortest total time or number of charging stops if you prefer. You are able to filter to use only particular charging networks or avoid any, as well as factor in charger availability(with a premium subscription). Once on your way, the app shows a predicted state of charge of your battery. If you find this to be inaccurate, potentially due to weather, you can change it in the app and it will adjust your route as necessary. Unlike in-car systems however, the responsibility of keeping that state of charge up to date in the app lies with you, and failure to do so can result in not being able to reach the next charger at all. Despite that caveat, ABRP is a very complete EV road trip tool.

Whether you’re in an older car without an in-car navigation system, one whose systems you are less familiar with, or simply want to be sure you know the location and status of all the charging options around you, these apps can serve an important purpose in your charging experience.

Planning a Trip with Integrated Data: In-Car Navigation in a Tesla

Every Tesla owner knows the advantages of integrated data. An app may give you optionality but you are still left to calculate, for yourself, whether you can make it to a particular charger. Tesla takes care of that problem by providing you with a car that monitors its own battery depletion and directs you to an optimally located Supercharger.

Most EVs sold today have some form of in-car navigation system, and many of these, too, are able to direct you to nearby EV chargers, or help you plan charge stops along a route. But with these systems, the devil is in the details. Tesla’s Trip Planner remains the strongest and most seamless of these systems because it has spent years investing in a vertically integrated charging network that optimizes trip planning and automates the payment process. By default, the Trip Planner map shows nearby Supercharger stations, allowing you to simply set them as your destination. As with ABRP, if you set a destination that is beyond the range of your vehicle, Trip Planner will optimize the route, directing you to Supercharger stations along the way, telling you how long you need to charge to reach the next stop in the most time efficient (if slightly range-conservative) way. Thanks to its vertically integrated network, Tesla also avoids routing you to broken or busy stations that may result in an unnecessary wait to charge.

The downside of this system is that Trip Planner will incorporate only Tesla’s Superchargers into your route. Tesla’s navigation map also shows its own level 2 chargers, and third-party chargers if you’ve charged at those particular locations before (making Plugshare your best option for locating all of the available options). For now, the limitation isn’t unduly problematic for most Tesla owners, for two reasons. First, third-party fast charging networks in the U.S. currently require a CCS-to-NACS adapter, which most Tesla owners simply do not have. Second, Tesla has the largest and most reliable fast charger network by far. But as other networks close the gap (and adopt NACS), Tesla will likely open up Trip Planner, as more optionality is always better for drivers planning a route. In fact, Tesla has already started doing this in other countries.

Planning a Trip with Integrated Data: In-Car Navigation in a Non-Tesla

At first blush, other OE systems, like Ford’s Fordpass navigation and charging system, appear to offer functionality similar enough to Tesla’s, but in practice, their lack of real-time data from third-party networks has resulted in a poor charging experience for their users. In Marques Brownlee’s road trip test a couple years ago, Ford’s navigation system directed a Mustang Mach-E to broken chargers twice in one day. That forced the car to backtrack to whatever charger it could find within the remaining range of the vehicle–including to a slow level 2 charger–adding up to hours-long delays.

In the face of these challenges, car makers have started looking to the tech world for route planning solutions. For instance, last year, Rivian purchased the parent company of A Better Route Planner and has since integrated the best of ABRP’s functionality into its navigation system. Much like Tesla's system, it plans your charging stops along the way, and allows you to filter locations based on charging speed and charging provider. Unlike the general ABRP mobile app, Rivian’s system pulls information about the state of your battery charge directly from your vehicle. It also allows you to set the amount of charge you would like to have by the time you arrive at your destination and tracks real-time availability data from many third-party charging providers (though not all providers share this information).

Some manufacturers, like Polestar , rely on Google Maps, which has added EV routing integration into the automotive version of its Maps app. This partnership enables the car’s infotainment system to provide functionality similar to Rivian’s ABRP software, combined with Google’s live traffic routing. Polestar also boasts that ABRP is available on its vehicles, giving owners multiple options for seamless routing.

Mobile Apps as In-Car Navigation

Looking to the near future, what is likely to become popular are phone-based solutions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which use your phone to create an in-car navigation experience. In other words, they allow your phone to pull information from the vehicle and display mobile apps on the infotainment screen. This enables applications running on your phone to understand the range and state of charge of your vehicle, and offer similar functionality to ones running on the car’s infotainment system. If your EV allows CarPlay/Android Auto apps to read this data, you can use EV routing software available on the app store, notably Apple Maps, Google Maps, or ABRP. All of these apps have proven to be very robust and full-featured, and will likely continue to improve as more charging providers share their data with the tech giants. The caveat is that compatibility is up to the car makers, at least for the foreseeable future (though ABRP does have an OBD-based workaround) .

Ford and Porsche have leaned into this functionality, but Hyundai and Kia currently do not support this integration, instead releasing their own route planner last summer. GM also announced last year that they would be phasing out CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of developing their own system with Google. Tesla does not support CarPlay or Android Auto at all.

Charging While Shopping: Retail and Hospitality Chains

It’s fun to dream about a future where driving an EV requires as little planning as an ICE vehicle. It will take some time before chargers are on every street corner, but retailers are taking steps toward that reality.

The big shift we should expect is a movement toward charging-while-[fill in the blank]. Increasingly, retailers are understanding that offering EV charging is an easy way to bring people to their businesses. Having a captive audience for 20 minutes to an hour is an enticing proposition, and as shown by a recent Consumer Reports study , many companies are offering charging to stimulate brick-and-mortar sales.

The earliest and most complete mover in this arena is Ikea. It should come as no surprise that the flat-pack furniture retailer hailing from the country with one of the highest rates of EV adoption in the world has long offered charging at its locations. Currently nearly all of its U.S. facilities have at least a handful of chargers in their vast parking lots.

Big box retailers are also starting to invest in charging, though that doesn’t mean you can reliably expect to see chargers at a given location just yet. Costco, Target, and Walmart all have EV charging at fewer than 10 percent of their locations , and many of Electrify America’s fast charge stations are located in Walmart lots.

The major national grocery chains have gone further. Amazon/Whole Foods, Big Y, Meijer, Giant, Food Lion, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, and Raley’s all boast chargers at between 11 and 30 percent of their locations. Meijer, in particular, hosts many Tesla Superchargers in the midwest, while Raley’s maintains a number of EVgo fast charge locations.

Sheetz and Wawa lead the convenience store pack, largely through their work with Tesla hosting superchargers up and down the East Coast. The competing chains also both work with EVgo to provide CCS and CHAdeMo charging as well.

Hotel chains are perhaps the businesses with the most to gain, or lose, from the decision on whether to offer charging. Having access to a level 2 charger overnight can mean saving over an hour of charging on your journey, and many EV owners will choose hotels that make that possible. So it’s unsurprising that hotels have been moving quickly to add this amenity, often as a free perk for guests. Hilton announced last year that it plans to work with Tesla to install 20,000 chargers across 2,000 hotels in North America, adding to the nearly 1,500 hotels that already have them. Marriott has more than 6,000 chargers worldwide through a partnership with EVconnect. Radisson and Best Western have also announced that they are working with Tesla to increase their EV footprint.

The bottom line: As with gas stations, with a little trial and error, you will quickly find the handful of chargers where you’ll do the vast majority of your charging. For the rest, your car and your circumstances will largely dictate which app, navigation system, or in-between option provides you the best real-time data on working chargers at minimally congested sites.

An aerospace engineer with a life-long passion for anything with wheels or wings, Will has spent his career building everything from bicycles to bathrooms.

He once ran an after-hours communal car workshop in an abandoned South Bronx laundromat, restoring his first and last car, a Datsun 240z, and had a Suzuki SV650 blown up by ConEd.

Watts later followed his name and joined Tesla’s charging team, and now writes about EVs and infrastructure.

.css-ryud0:before{margin-right:0.3125rem;width:1.125rem;height:1.125rem;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.125rem;background-size:1.125rem;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:bottom;background-position:bottom;}.loaded .css-ryud0:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/roadandtrack/static/images/slash.3b27b9a.svg);} Electric Vehicles

Best Electric Cars for the Money in 2024

Invoice Pricing for the Top Electric Cars

one year tesla gigafactory berlin brandenburg

Tesla Raises Prices For Once

Cheapest Electric SUVs Below $45,000 for 2024

16 Best Electric SUVs for 2024

Best Electric Cars for 2024 & 2025

Cheapest Electric Cars You Can Buy in 2024

Superpower EVs Are Nothing New

Solid-State Batteries Offer Big Promise. But When?

These EVs Have Even More Range than Advertised

Big-Battery EV SUVs Can't Beat Physics

IMAGES

This Map Shows the Quickest (and Ultimate) Road Trip Across America
29 Best Things To Do In The USA
A Map of the Optimal United States Road Trip That Hits Landmarks in All
29 Best Things To Do In The USA
This Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip
This road trip map will take you to landmarks in all 48 contiguous

VIDEO

"The Road Ahead of U.S." Virtual Map

COMMENTS

The perfect itinerary for an epic USA roadtrip (48 states at once)
Here is the complete list of all 50 landmarks (48 states + Washington, DC + a bonus stop in California): 1. Grand Canyon, AZ. 2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT. 3. Craters of the Moon, ID. 4. Yellowstone National Park, WY.
Map Shows the Most Efficient Cross-Country U.S. Road Trip
Here are the 50 landmark stops she picked along her road trip route: Grand Canyon, Arizona. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Craters of the Moon, Idaho. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Pikes ...
Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip, According to Science
So to create a timeless, perfect road map across the United States, Staedter contacted Randy Olson, a Michigan State University doctoral student. Olson used an algorithm to generate the map, factoring in logistics for traffic, turns, and alternate routes. Even though the route isn't technically "perfect," it's about as close as the curious ...
Your perfect road trip map of the United States
The perfect road trip map to drive across the United States By Megan Tenney Published February 28, 2021 March 5, 2024 Updated March 5, 2024 Summer is the perfect time for a road trip, and spring is the perfect time to plan one!
This Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination.
Climate Scientist Brian Brettschneider Updates His Ideal U.S. Road Trip Map
Alaska-based climate scientist Brian Brettschneider has done the hard work for you. His cross-country map traverses the continental United States with one important bonus: the weather is always an ideal 70 degrees. Brian originally created a perfect weather road trip map back in 2015. That map was based on the 1981-2010 temperature information ...
This Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. Road Trip
See the map here, and for additional travel goals, check out Olson's road trip maps for South America and Europe. A version of this story ran in 2015; it has been updated for 2023. Related Tags
Science Says This Is the Perfect U.S. Road Trip
Ashfall Fossil Beds. A must-visit for dinosaur lovers of all ages, more than 200 fossils have been recovered from the Ashfall Fossil Beds in Royal, Nebraska. Here, you'll find remnants of North America's prehistoric rhinoceroses and horses that roamed the land millions of years ago. 43 of 50.
This Is The Most Perfect US Road Trip According to Scientists
4. Yellowstone National Park, WY. Kelly Cheng Travel Photography / Getty Images. Another "bucket list" place for multitudes of Americans is Yellowstone, known for its geysers, amazing vistas, hot mud, and the way the ecosystem has rebalanced with the reintroduction of wolves. 5.
USA Road Trip: A Suggested Cross-Country Itinerary for 2024
The Great American Road Trip: A 4-Month Itinerary Around the USA. Posted: 7/31/22 | July 31st, 2022. The Great American Road Trip — it's the kind of multimonth adventure most dream about but few actually do. While many of us have bucket-list goals of exploring this vast and diverse landscape, more often than not, we end up heading abroad ...
Map Of The Most Perfect US Road Trip, According To Science
Attempting to do the trip in one go would take about 9.33 days, although it would actually take 2—3 months to finish in reality. Here it is, in all it's open road glory. Boredom Therapy. Don't even think about shortcutting or not following the map. Olson used a genetic algorithm that found the best routes with little backtracking.
This Is the Perfect US Road Trip According to Scientists
Take a look for yourself below. If you actually plan to execute the trip, you should budget 13,699 miles of driving — or about 224 hours. Attempting to do the trip in one go would take about 9.33 days, although Olson believes it would actually take 2-3 months to finish it in reality.
Every State's Best Attraction for the Perfect Road Trip Map
To make planning easier for you, Far & Wide rounded up the best landmarks in all 50 states to help you create the perfect road trip map. In this comprehensive list, you'll find the top attractions as well as the best times to visit each and where to stay nearby. The only thing you'll have to do is get in the car and start driving. So, start ...
8 PHENOMENAL Cross Country Road Trip Routes + How To Plan Your USA Road
Time Needed: 3000 Miles, Can be done in two weeks, but three weeks is ideal (one way). Highlights: Great Basin National Park, Colorado National Monument, Washington D.C, Lake Tahoe, Moab, Arches National Park. TIP: Make sure your car is in GREAT condition for this road trip.
11 Epic Cross-Country American Road Trips
Buy Now. Your great American road trip awaits! Get the fully updated 25th Anniversary Edition of Road Trip USA for the glovebox or as a gift for your favorite armchair adventurer. Author Jamie Jensen's full-color guide includes over 125 driving maps and key sights along the eleven cross-country road trip routes featured on this site.
Road Trip Planner
Let us plan your trip for you. ... Get real-time traffic updates and access to wildfire smoke maps to stay informed and connected throughout your journey. ... Eligible users will get exclusive access to all the tools needed to plan the perfect road trip. Create a Roadtrippers account to start your 7-day free trial.
The Perfect Road Trip to See Every U.S. National Park
Randal Olson, a data scientist (and avid road tripper) based out of Portland, Oregon, computed the optimal national park road trip in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial. It's a loop around the country, making it easy for you to pick up anywhere and head in whichever direction you'd like. Oljato-Monument Valley, United States.
The American Road Trip Planner
USA Trip Ideas. We're discovering the USA from the freedom of the open road, and you're in the driver's seat. There's no better way to experience extraordinary vistas, charming small towns, and hidden gems. Explore these curated trips across the USA, then customize your own trip using the USA Trip Planner.
US Road Trip Map, Perfect USA Road Trip Planner, United States Road
US Road Trip Map. Expore road trip map of the United States. Road trips in the United States offer an unparalleled way to explore the vast and varied landscapes of the country. From the iconic Route 66 that stretches across several states to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in California, each journey promises unique experiences and ...
Science says this is the ultimate American road trip
Ken Foxe. Apr 19, 2018 • 2 min read. A data scientist has put together a series of the ultimate road trips of the United States so that travellers can see as many sights as possible while clocking up the least amount of mileage. Get in a good road trip. Randy Olson created six separate routes for car manufacturer Chevrolet designed to ...
23 Best Road Trips in the U.S. to Take in 2024
Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock. 10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women's Suffrage Movement. Starting in New York's Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women's suffrage movement.
Master the Art of the Open Road: How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip ...
The Lure of the Open Road: A National Phenomenon. There's something quintessentially American about a road trip. According to a survey by AAA, nearly 100 million Americans, or 4 in 10 U.S. adults ...
Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip
This road trip is focused solely on those you can reach by car in one trip within the Continental 48. Even with the reduction of the parks outside the Lower 48, Olson included 47 others along his ...
How To Find EV Charging Stations
That makes navigating a multi-stop road trip with PlugShare tedious, akin to printing directions in the MapQuest days. For long trips, A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is the best mobile app solution.