American Coastal Cruising: Road Trips Along The Atlantic And Pacific Coasts – 23 Incredible Road Trips in the U.S. Whether you’re looking for sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean or a multi-day adventure through national parks, these road trips provide plenty of opportunities to explore the United States.
In a country as large as the United States, there is no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car. Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip calls for an epic, cross-country trip or a shorter jaunt through some of the nation’s most iconic parks, your options are as vast and varied as the country itself.
American Coastal Cruising: Road Trips Along The Atlantic And Pacific Coasts
Even if you don’t have time to drive cross-country, there are many road trip routes (from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries, New England routes that shine especially in autumn, beautiful East Coast Adventures, and various trips Midwest for people farther from the coast.
Mile Drive Guide
No matter your mode of transportation—whether it’s a van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—here are 21 of the best road trips in the country to consider.
There are many ways to take a cross-country road trip in the US, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.
It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entire length of Route 66. There are endless ways to take this legendary road trip (including an EV version—but to take your cross-country road trip to the next level , we recommend exploring another hobby America: whiskey.
Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop at some of the top craft distilleries in the United States, such as Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. Between tastings, take time to detour to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and unique roadside curiosities, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip.
America’s Greatest Road Trips Of All Time
No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island, so you need to park before taking the ferry to this place.
Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along the U.S. 2 is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the diversity and vastness of North America. This drive crosses the entire U.S. upper border. and showcase otherworldly natural wonders such as Acadia National Park in Maine, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin and Mackinac Island in Michigan. This route also goes through Canada, taking road trippers through Ontario to 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 through the Columbia Plateau and ending up in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time on the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) to take in one of the most beautiful spots on the West Coast.
The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are a road trip dream, and what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655 miles, we put together a list of the ones worth checking out. Don’t miss perfect surf in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon on 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 Ultimate East Coast Canada Road Trip Itinerary — Maya Maceka
Yes, this itinerary requires you to put your book down for the drive, but seeing some of the key places that shaped American authors will be well 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, meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts and other writers and bohemian thinker. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to fit this trip into a day or two.
Arizona may take its nickname from the Grand Canyon, but the state has more natural wonders than just that.
This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers to some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including the most famous, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hikes, and bike rides—and delicious food along the way. Climb the 2,704-foot Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or enjoy the beautiful red rocks of Sedona while hiking to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.
If you want to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwest itinerary is for you. This trip through Utah and Arizona allows you to hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel small under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore the Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon stay on the rim, but take at least four days to explore the canyon and take advantage of the trails and rafting.
Pennsylvania Route 6 Road Trip
This Colorado trip takes you along 232 miles of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you’ll see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns and rocky peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy a drink after a day of driving, the route features plenty of opportunities to stop at some of Colorado’s best breweries, like Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.
Want to explore more of the Centennial State? Go on this week-long road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit many small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor, and explore the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park , one of the least visited national parks in the country.
Portland may be the largest city in Oregon, but with a population of about 652,000 (or 2.5 million in the greater metropolitan area), it’s not very big.
If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the Oregon coast is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will cruise along the dramatic, rocky Oregon coast, encountering some true Pacific Northwest scenery along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like Florence’s historic old town.
The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Of course, this isn’t an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, like Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or a cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.
Beginning in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the path of the nation’s women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include a stop at the Susan B. Anthony House & Museum; 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 Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the gently rolling grasslands of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down to the Blue Ridge Mountains, then to the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, perfect for admiring the dramatic scenery and highlands green. This eclectic itinerary features stops at art museums, dairy farms and numerous hiking trails.
This trail takes you away from New Mexico tourist hotspots 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 the Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center featuring Indigenous cuisine; pick up pepper at Three Brothers in Hatch; and sliding down the sand dunes at Pasir Putih National Park.
The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Guide With Map
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 the best places to visit in 2024). For five days, you’ll have the chance to wander San Antonio’s Japanese tea gardens, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers via 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 bored of them.
This week-long drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four beautiful roads; exploring Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, U.S. national park. the largest; see Denali, the highest peak in North America; and enjoy the amazing food scene in McCarthy, a one-way town of only a few dozen residents.
Even a short road trip can be filled with adventure, delicious food and scenery, as offered by this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.
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