INSPIRATION | 30 Bucket List Road Trips to Take Across America
- ptotravelpro
- May 3
- 20 min read
30 OF THE MOST EPIC ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
While I love exploring destinations all around the world, I'm a big believer that some of the best the world has to offer is right here at home in the United States. Quite literally from sea to shining sea, there is a lifetime worth of exploring to be had in just this country. I’m also a firm believer that some of the best parts of the US are in its smaller corners, and the best way to explore all of these nooks and crannies is on an All-American road trip!
Hopping in the car allows you to go beyond the big cities and see the country's incredible small towns and natural sites. In many cases, the journey is a destination in itself as you drive along scenic, and at times adrenaline-pumping, roads and byways. A road trip also delivers a dose of nostalgia, whether for the Golden Age when Route 66 opened and the WPA promoted the National Park System, for midcentury-era family trips on the new Interstate Highway System, or simply for my own nineties childhood packed into a car with snacks, mix-tape CDs, and an eye for interesting license plates.
Perhaps you're eager to pack your bags, but where do you begin? All the wonderful destinations that make America the beautiful can also make her the overwhelming. This list compiles the best road trips in the USA for you to choose from. I've included ideas from all across the country, and most can be done with a week's worth of PTO. Drive one or drive them all; just get inspired to hit the road!
OVERVIEW MAP
Route 66 Road Trip
Costal New England & the Maine Lobster Trail
New England Fall Foliage Road Trip
Founding Fathers' Footsteps
Blue Ridge Parkway: Great Smoky to Shenandoah
Outer Banks Road Trip
Lowcountry Coast Road Trip
Miami to the Keys Road Trip
Kentucky Bluegrass Road Trip
BBQ & Blues Road Trip
Great River Road Trip along the Mighty Mississippi
Show-Me State Highlights
Black Hills & the Badlands: A Dakotas Road Trip
Texas Hill Country Road Trip
Big Bend & West Texas Towns
El Paso Parks Loop
New Mexico & Navajo Nation
Edge of the Rockies Road Trip
San Juan Skyway
Four Corners & Trail of the Ancients Itinerary
Moab & Southeast Utah's Canyon Country Itinerary
Vegas & Southwest Utah's Color Country Itinerary
Arizona Icons Itinerary
Ranch and Rockies Adventure
Sierra Nevada Circuit
Pacific Northwest Peaks
Pacific Northwest Coast
Oregon & NorCal Loop
Central CA Coast (Hwy 1) Road Trip
Road to Hana
1. ROUTE 66 ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 2+ WEEKS
Let's get the classic American road trip out of the way at No. 1 on this list. Route 66 is a cross‑country odyssey through America’s nostalgic heart. The historic highway is a blend of neon motels, roadside oddities, and mid‑century travel culture. It carries you from downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier, passing through cavern country, rolling hills, desert vistas, and small-town America along the way.
KEY STOPS:
Chicago, IL
(Route 66 tart sign, historic diners, Willis Tower, and more)
(Gateway Arch, Chain of Rocks Bridge, City Museum, Forest Park, Crown Candy Kitchen, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Hi-Pointe Drive-in)
Meramec Caverns or Fantastic Caverns, MO
Cave tours, Jesse James history, riverboats)
Optional: Branson & Table Rock Lake, MO
Quirky downtown, live music theaters, Silver Dollar City, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, lake & outdoor activities)
Tulsa, OK
(Blue Whale of Catoosa, Auto Museum, Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios, Golden Driller, quirky stops)
Oklahoma City, OK
(Pops 66 Soda Ranch, National Cowboy Museum, First Americans Museum, quirky stops)
Route 66 Museum, OK
Amarillo, TX
(Cadillac Ranch & Palo Duro Canyon)
Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM
(Neon Corridor, KiMo Theater, Petroglyph NM, Aerial Tram)
Petrified Forest NP, AZ
Crystal Forest, Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, Painted Desert)
Optional: Grand Canyon, AZ
(Scenic overlooks, below the rim hikes or donkey rides, historic lodges)
Optional: Las Vegas, NV
(Hoover Dam; Vegas strip; Neon Museum; circus, magic, and comedy shows)
Optional: Palm Springs, CA
(Joshua Tree NP, Retro Motels, Air Museum, Aerial Tram, Cabazon Dinosaurs, Palm Springs Surf Club)
Santa Monica, CA
(Boardwalk with roller coasters, carnival games, and end of the route sign; Venice Beach; Hollywood Sign & Studios; Getty Villa; Malibu)
And a bunch of quirky stops along the way including drive-ins, motor courts, "world's largest" items, photo stops, diners, museums, and more!
2. COASTAL NEW ENGLAND & THE MAINE LOBSTER TRAIL
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Follow this coastal route along New England’s Atlantic edge, where historic harbors, lighthouses, and rocky coves are dotted with seafood shacks serving lobster pulled straight from the traps. Hop along from Boston through salt-air villages and working waterfronts to the wild granite landscapes of Down East Maine.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Boston, MA
Optional: Newport, RI (Vanderbilt Mansions, Cliff Walk, The Wharf, The Sailing Museum & Int'l HOF, The Int'l Tennis HOF)
Boston, MA (Freedom Tail, Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, the New England Aquarium)
Salem, MA (Maritime Collections at the Peabody Essex Museum, Witch Trial Attractions)
Kennebunkport, ME (Walker's Point Overlook, Ocean Avenue Drive, Seashore Trolley Museum, Lobster Rolls at the Clam Shack)
Portland, ME (Old Port District, Brewery Circuit, Sailing Trips, Lighthouses)
Acadia NP & Bar Harbor, ME (Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Whale Watching)
3. NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Wind through forests ablaze with color and postcard‑perfect towns on this quintessential New England route. Stop in the Halloween hotspot of Salem before heading into the White Mountains, where the twisting Kancamagus Highway showcases peak color and sweeping vistas. Add on an optional extension to Acadia or Woodstock, VT for a grand finale.
KEY STOPS:
Boston, MA
(Freedom Tail, Faneuil Hall, Boston Common, Harvard Campus, Beacon Hill, Fine Arts Museum)
Salem, MA
(Witch Trial Attractions, Halloweentown Movie Sights, House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum)
Kancamagus Highway | Conway, NH to Lincoln, NH
(Sabbaday Falls, Rocky Gorge, Albany Covered Bridge, leaf peeping & overlooks)
Bretton Woods, NH
(Mount Washington Cog Railway, Franconia Notch State Park)
Option A: Acadia NP & Bar Harbor, ME
(Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, leaf peeping)
Option B: Woodstock, VT (Twin Farms Hotel)
(Billings Farm, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion, Quechee Gorge, charming towns, covered bridges)
Depart via Boston, MA
4. FOUNDING FATHERS' FOOTSTEPS ITINERARY
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK (OR MORE WITH BOSTON EXTENSION)
Trace the birth of the United States through the cities & battlefields where the Revolution unfolded. Move from the spark of rebellion in New England to colonial epicenter of Philadelphia before seeing the monuments and museums of DC and the living history of colonial Virginia. This revolutionary road trip is alive with history.
KEY STOPS:
Optional: Boston, MA
(Freedom Trail, Tea Party Ships, Harvard Campus, Lexington & Concord)
Optional: New York, NY
(Federal Hall, Fraunces Tavern, Statue of Liberty)
Optional: Crossing the Delaware
Philadelphia, PA
(Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Revolution & Constitution Museums, Valley Forge)
Washington, DC & Mt. Vernon, VA
(National Mall, National Archives, Smithsonian, Washington's Estate)
Charlottesville, VA
(Monticello, University of Virginia)
Colonial Triangle, VA
(Williamsburg Governor's Palace, Capitol, and colonial artisans; Colonial NHP including Yorktown and Jamestown)
5. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: GREAT SMOKY TO SHENANDOAH
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Follow the ridgeline of the aptly named Blue Ridge Mountains through misty valleys, folk‑art towns, and endless scenic overlooks. Explore the book-end national parks, Great Smoky and Shenandoah. In between, make stops at historic towns, impressive estates, and even more natural sites, from waterfalls to caverns.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Knoxville, TN
Great Smoky Mountains NP
(Clingman's Dome Observation Tower, Cade's Cove, Roaring Fork, hikes, and more)
(Biltmore Estate, Breweries, Mount Mitchell, Linville Falls)
Blue Ridge Parkway
(hikes, roadside stops, and overlooks)
Charlottesville, VA
(Monticello, University of Virginia)
Shenandoah NP
(Skyline Drive, Dark Hollow Falls, Mary's Rock, and more)
Optional: Inn at Little Washington
(Michelin-starred dining, Wine Trail, Luray Caverns)
Depart via Washington, DC
6. OUTER BANKS ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
This road trip moves from Virginia's Colonial Triangle through the wild beaches, historic villages, and coastal dunes of North Carolina. Trace the ribbon of barrier islands to see Corolla’s wild horses to Kitty Hawk’s memorial to the Wright Brothers' first flight and Cape Hatteras' famous lighthouse. Conclude with an optional extension along the eastern Chesapeake Bay.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Norfolk, VA
Cape Hatteras, NC
(Lighthouse, Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, beaches)
Roanoke Colony, NC
(Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo Waterfront)
Kitty Hawk, NC
(Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jockey's Ridge sand dunes)
Corolla, NC
(Wild horses, lighthouse, historic village)
Colonial Triangle, VA
(Williamsburg Governor's Palace, Capitol, and colonial artisans; Colonial NHP including Yorktown and Jamestown)
Option A: Depart via Norfolk, VA
Option B: Continue on trip extension
Chincoteague & Assateague, VA
(Wild horses including the pony swim, lighthouse, beaches and dunes)
Eastern Shore of Maryland (Inn at Perry Cabin)
(Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Oxford Ferry, sailing, crab shacks)
Depart via Washington, DC
7. LOW COUNTRY COAST ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Follow the marsh‑fringed coastline from Florida to South Carolina, where live oaks, Spanish moss, and tidal creeks shape the landscape. The coastal region is as rich in history, from Spanish and British colonial to Gullah‑Geechee culture, as it is in flavor. Slow down and savor some of the country's best cuisine and the Southern way of life.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Jacksonville, FL
St. Augustine, FL
(Castillo San Marcos, Colonial Quarter, Pirate Museum, Maritime Museum, Lighthouse)
Sea Island & Cumberland Island, GA
(Beach resort, wild horses, ruined buildings)
Savannah, GA
(Cathedral, Forsyth Park, riverboat, ghost stories)
Charleston, SC
(Rainbow Row, King & Queen Street, USS Yorktown, Fort Sumter, historic homes)
8. MIAMI TO THE KEYS ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
The scenic Overseas Highway offers an island-hopping adventure - no plane required! Journey from the lively beaches of Miami through the islands of the Florida Keys. Along the way stop at three national parks, where you can zip among alligators in an air boat, snorkel along shipwrecks and coral reefs, and explore a historic fort.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Miami, FL, stay in Coral Gables, FL
Everglades NP
(Airboat tour, kayaking, nature walks)
Biscayne NP
(Reef and wreck snorkeling & diving, stand-up paddle-boarding in mangroves, lighthouse)
Key Largo, FL
(John Pennekamp Coral Reef SP, beach resorts)
Optional: Islamorada, FL
(Diving Museum, sport fishing, sandbar, lighthouse)
Optional: Marathon, FL
(Seven Mile Bridge, Turtle Hospital, Bahia Honda SP, Sombrero Beach)
Optional: Big Pine & Lower Keys, FL
(Deer Refuge, No Name Pub, Little Palm Island Resort)
Key West, FL
(Dry Tortugas NP, Hemingway House, Duval Street, southernmost point, key lime pie)
Optional: Any of the middle keys stops you skipped on the drive from Key Largo to Key West
Miami, FL
(Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, South Beach, Little Havana, Venetian Pool, Key Biscayne, art districts & museums)
9. KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS: BOURBON & THOROUGHBREDS ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: LONG WEEKEND OR MORE
Experience the best Kentucky has to offer from its bourbon to its horses. Drive past rolling bluegrass pastures framed with a seemingly endless network of elegant fences; sample America's finest spirits at the historic distilleries of the Bourbon Trail; root on thoroughbred horses at legendary racetracks; and tour the pristine farms where champions are born and raised.
KEY STOPS:
Louisville, KY Area
(Churchill Downs & the Kentucky Derby Museum, Angel's Envy & Old Forester Distilleries, Louisville Slugger Museum)
Frankfort, KY Area
(State Capital; Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Castle & Key and more distilleries)
Lexington, KY Area
(Keeneland Racetrack, Kentucky Horse Park, Thoroughbred Farm Tours)
Bardstown, KY Area
(Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, Preservation Distillery, and more; My Old Kentucky Home)
Option A: Depart via Louisville, KY
Option B: Continue on trip extension
Bowling Green, KY Area
(Mammoth Cave NP, National Corvette Museum)
Nashville, TN
(Broadway honky tonks, Jack Daniels Distillery, Grand Olde Opry, The Hermitage, The Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame)
10. BBQ & BLUES ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK (MORE IF ADDING CAROLINAS / KC)
Take a soulful, flavor‑packed journey through the heart of the America. You follow the threads of blues, jazz, country, and rock ’n’ roll from Nashville honky‑tonks to Memphis' Beale Street and St. Louis' blues joints. Along the way, fill up on the distinct regional BBQ styles from tangy pulled pork to fall-off-the-bone ribs.
KEY STOPS:
Optional: Charleston, SC
(Rodney Scott's, Lewis, Home Team, and more BBQ; The Commodore; Rainbow Row; Fort Sumter)
Optional: Winston-Salem & Lexington, NC
(Lexington BBQ, Little Richard's, Stamey's, Smiley's, Smoke Pit)
Optional: Asheville, NC
(Biltmore Estate, Breweries, Mount Mitchell, Linville Falls)
Nashville, TN
(Peg Leg Porker, Martin's, Edley's, and more BBQ; Broadway honky tonks, Grand Olde Opry, The Blue Bird Cafe, The Ryman Auditorium, The Listening Room, Country Music Hall of Fame)
Memphis, TN
(Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous, Central, Payne's, and more BBQ; Beale Street, Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Graceland)
(Pappy's Smokehouse, Bogart's, Salt + Smoke, Sugarfire, and more BBQ; National Blues Museum, Soulard, Gateway Arch, Forest Park, Anheuser-Busch Brewery)
Optional: Kansas City, MO
(Jack Stack, Arthur Bryant's, Q39, and more BBQ; American Jazz Museum, The Blue Room, Green Lady Lounge)
11. GREAT RIVER ROAD TRIP ALONG THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI
TRIP TIME: 2 WEEKS
A north‑to‑south odyssey down America’s most storied river, this route traces the Mississippi from its quiet headwaters in Minnesota to the jazz‑soaked streets of New Orleans. Explore bluff‑top overlooks, Indigenous sacred sites, 19th‑century river towns, Civil War landscapes, and the deep cultural currents of the South.
KEY STOPS:
Itasca SP, MN
(Mississippi Headwaters)
Minneapolis-St. Paul & Red Wing, MN
(Minnehaha Falls, Sculpture Garden, Mall of America, Shoe Museum, Nat'l Eagle Center)
Dubuque, IA Area
(National Mississippi River Museum, Effigy Mounds NM, Field of Dreams, Galena)
Hannibal, MO
(Mark Twain Boyhood Home, historic downtown, riverboats)
(Gateway Arch, MO History Museum, Forest Park, Union Station, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Camp Dubois, MO Botanical Garden)
Memphis, TN
(Graceland, Beale Street, Civil Rights Museum, Sun Studio)
Greenville, MS
(Delta Blues Museum, Winterville Mounds)
Vicksburg, MS
(Vicksburg NMP, USS Cairo Gunboat, Old Court House)
Natchez, MS
(Natchez Trace, Longwood Mansion, Stanton Hall)
Baton Rouge, LA
(State Capitol, Old Governor's Mansion, USS Kidd)
New Orleans, LA
(French Quarter, Jackson Square & Cathedral, Bourbon Street, Garden District, National WWII Museum, Steamboat Natchez, Jazz Museum & jazz halls)
12. SHOW-ME STATE HIGHLIGHTS ITINERARY
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Let the Show-Me State show you some if its hidden gems! This trip connects the historic Gateway City of St. Louis to the classic Americana and showtime energy of Branson. Along the way you'll explore underground caverns, scramble across ancient granite boulders, wander mill towns, and partake in outdoor activities at one of America's premier wilderness resorts.
KEY STOPS:
(Gateway Arch, Forest Park, Union Station, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Cardinals game, MO Botanical Garden, City Museum)
Meramec and Onondaga Caverns, MO
(Cave tours, Jesse James history, riverboats)
Elephant Rocks and Johnson Shut-Ins, MO
(Granite boulders, natural waterpark, scenic overlook)
Alley Spring Mill, MO
(Iconic mill, riverways for floating or paddling)
Branson, Table Rock Lake, & Big Cedar Lodge, MO
(Quirky downtown, live music theaters, Silver Dollar City, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, lake & outdoor activities)
Option A: Depart via Springfield, MO
Option B: Continue on trip extension
Hot Springs NP, AR
(Bathhouse Row, Mountain Tower)
Depart via Little Rock, AR
13. BLACK HILLS & THE BADLANDS: A ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE DAKOTAS
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Explore what might be America's most surprising region. While many come to see Mt. Rushmore, the extensive cave systems, abundant wildlife, and lunar landscapes are more unexpected gems here. As you venture across the Plains, you'll also get a taste of the Old West in the Dakotas' frontier towns, indigenous sites, and rugged landscapes.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Rapid City, SD
Badlands NP, SD
(Scenic drive, prairie dog towns, Wall Drug)
Keystone Area, SD
(Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer SP, Sylvan Lake, Needles Highway, Jewel Cave NM, Wind Cave NP)
Deadwood, SD
(Historic Main Street, Mount Moriah Cemetery, Spearfish Canyon)
Devil's Tower NM, WY
(Tower Trail Loop, night sky viewing)
Teddy Roosevelt NP, ND
(Scenic drives, bison, prairie dogs)
Depart via Bismarck, ND
14. TEXAS HILL COUNTRY: WINE & WILDFLOWERS ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Wander west from Austin into the rolling limestone landscape of the Texas Hill Country. Stop along your journey to Texas' wine country at crystal clear swimming holes, historic dance halls, a presidential estate, and natural scenery. In the spring, gaze upon the blankets of bluebonnets, and in the fall, dive into the celebration of German-American heritage.
KEY STOPS:
Austin, TX
(State Capitol, UT Campus, Barton Springs, Greenbelt, downtown shopping, music, & dining)
Dripping Springs Area, TX
(Hamilton Pool, Pedernales Falls SP, Deep Eddy Distillery, Salt Lick BBQ, Blue Hole, Blanco SP)
Fredericksburg Area, TX
(LBJ Ranch, Luckenbach, wineries, historic main street, Nat'l Museum of the Pacific War, Willow City Loop)
Enchanted Rock SP
(Summit trail of pink granite dome, Int'l Dark Sky Park)
Llano, TX
(Cooper's BBQ, Llano River)
Lake LBJ or Travis
(Marble Falls, Inks Lake SP, Horseshoe Bay, The Oasis, boat rentals)
Depart via Austin, TX
15. BIG BEND & WEST TEXAS TOWNS ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Venture into the vastness of West Texas. This remote corner of the Chihuahuan Desert is full of surprises. Hop along the frontier towns as you explore art installations, river canyons, hot springs, and desert mountains. The breadth of the landscape is matched only by the darkness of the night sky and some of the best stargazing in the country.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Midland-Odessa, TX
Balmorhea SP
(largest spring-fed swimming pool in the world)
Fort Davis, TX
(Fort Davis NHP, McDonald Observatory, scenic drives)
Marathon, TX
(Gage Hotel, Marathon Basin, scenic drives)
Big Bend NP, TX
(Santa Elena Canyon, Balanced Rock, Hot Springs Historic District, Lajitas Resort, scenic drives & hikes)
Alpine & Marfa, TX
(Museum of the Big Bend, Chinati Foundation, Marfa Lights, Hotel Paisano)
Valentine, TX
(Prada Marfa, Valentine Ghost Town)
Depart via El Paso, TX
16. EL PASO PARKS LOOP ITINERARY
TRIP TIME: LONG WEEKEND
Embark on this compact yet incredibly diverse National Parks loop using El Paso as your gateway. Explore the rugged peaks and Permian fossils of the Guadalupe Mountains before venturing into the vast underground world of Carlsbad Caverns and then concluding at the alien landscape of White Sands' glittering dunes, where you can sled across the sands.
KEY STOPS:
El Paso, TX
(Mission Trail, Plaza Theater, Downtown Arts District, Aerial Tramway)
Guadalupe Mountains NP, TX
(Highest point in TX, fossil reef geology, historic buildings, hikes)
Carlsbad Caverns NP, NM
(Cave tours including largest single chamber in N. America, bat flight program)
White Sands NP, NM
(Dunes Drive, sledding the dunes, Sunset Stroll Ranger Program)
Depart via El Paso, TX
17. NEW MEXICO & NAVAJO NATION ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Trace the cultural and archeological history of the Southwest along this route. Discover well-preserved petroglyphs and native cliff dwellings among the natural wonders of the region's red rock landscape. Hike among deep canyons, impressive rock arches, and the petrified remains of a prehistoric forest as you explore the heart of the Navajo lands.
KEY STOPS:
Albuquerque, NM
(Petroglyph NM, Aerial Tramway, Old Town, hot air balloons)
Bandelier NM, NM
(Alcove House kiva, cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, canyon waterfalls)
Chaco Culture NHP, NM
(Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, Casa Rincondada, Fajada Butte, night sky)
Window Rock, AZ
(Window Rock Park, Veterans Memorial, Navajo Nation Museum)
Canyon de Chelly NM, AZ
(Rim drives, Navajo-guided canyon tours of ruins, farms, and nature)
Petrified Forest NP, AZ
(Crystal Forest, Newspaper Rock, Blue Mesa, Painted Desert)
Depart via Albuquerque, NM
18. EDGE OF THE ROCKIES: SANTA FE TO COLORADO SPRINGS ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Drive along the edge of the Rockies on this short, but dramatic route. Begin your trip in Santa Fe’s eclectic mix of art and adobe before climbing into the high desert to see the dune‑and‑peak spectacle of Great Sand Dunes National Park. Conclude in Colorado Springs, where Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak deliver iconic mountain scenery.
KEY STOPS:
Santa Fe, NM
(Santa Fe Plaza, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Meow Wolf, Canyon Road art district, Railyard, Bandelier NM)
Great Sand Dunes NP, CO
(Scenic drive, dune sledding, Medano Creek)
Colorado Springs, CO
(Garden of the Gods, Pike's Peak Cog Railway, the Broadmoor, Red Rock Canyon, USAF Academy)
19. SAN JUAN SKYWAY: DURANGO, TELLURIDE, & THE BLACK CANYON
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
The San Juan Skyway is of America’s most spectacular mountain drives, winding through mining towns, alpine passes, and deep river canyons. Drive the Million Dollar Highway between Durango, Ouray, and Silverton, detour into Telluride’s box‑canyon beauty, and finish at the sheer volcanic walls of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
KEY STOPS:
Durango, CO
(Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Animas River, historic downtown)
Million Dollar Highway
(Red Mountain Pass, Idarado Mine, Bear Creek Falls, historic Silverton)
Ouray, CO
(Hot springs, Box Canyon Falls, Tomboy Ghost Town)
(Bridal Veil Falls, Tesla history, Alta Ghost Town, historic downtown, gondola)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
(Rim Drive, Painted Wall Overlook, Gunnison Point)
Option A: Depart via Montrose, CO
Option B: Loop back to Durango
Cortez Area, CO (to do this, reorder stops, flip Telluride and Black Canyon)
(Mesa Verde NP, Hovenweep NM, Canyons of the Ancients NM)
Depart via Durango, CO
20-23. THE GREAT CIRCLE ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 MONTH
There's a route known as the Great Circle that connects the most iconic national parks and historic sites of the Southwest. It's objectively one of the most epic road trips in the US, and you’ll see it tossed haphazardly onto lists much like this one. I, however, don’t generally recommend it. The problem is not that the trip isn’t incredible, it is that it would take weeks to do the trip justice, and most people try to cram it into a shorter timeline. Instead, I recommend breaking it down into multiple more digestible pieces, listed here.
SEGMENT ITINERARIES:
Vegas & SW Utah's Color Country
Moab & SE Utah's Canyon Country
Four Corners & Trail of the Ancients
Arizona Icons: Sedona, the Grand Canyon, the Wave, & more
20. VEGAS & SOUTHWEST UTAH'S COLOR COUNTRY ITINERARY
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Leave the feathered showgirls and glowing neon lights of Las Vegas behind and venture into the kaleidoscope of Utah’s color country. Discover fire red canyons, striped sandstone cliffs, and coral pink sand dunes. Explore the popular National Parks of Zion and Bryce Canyon but also some of the quieter (yet still spectacular) corners of the southwest along this route.
KEY STOPS:
(Valley of Fire SP, Hoover Dam; Vegas strip; Neon Museum; circus, magic, and comedy shows)
Bryce Canyon Area, UT
(Bryce Canyon NP, Kodachrome Basin SP, Cedar Breaks NM)
Optional: Grand Staircase Escalante NM, UT
(Lower Calf Creek Falls, Petrified Forest SP, slot canyons, scenic drives)
Optional: Kanab Area, UT
(Coral Pink Sand Dunes NM, Amangiri)
St. George Area, UT
(Zion NP, Snow Canyon SP)
Depart via Las Vegas, NV
21. MOAB & SOUTHEAST UTAH'S CANYON COUNTRY ITINERARY
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Feel as though you’ve crash landed on another planet as you explore the otherworldly southeast corner of Utah known as its Canyon Country. Chasms are carved into the bedrock, ranging from vast layered terraces to narrow sculpted slots. Meanwhile, soaring arches and alien hoodoos rise from the red rock landscape, creating some of the region's best scenery.
KEY STOPS:
Moab Area, UT
(Arches NP, Canyonlands NP - Island in the Sky District, Dead Horse Point SP, Potash Road)
Goblin Valley SP, UT
(Valley of the Goblins, Little Wild Horse Canyon)
Capitol Reef NP, UT
(Hickman Bridge, Historic Fruita District, Cathedral Valley, scenic drives)
Depart via Moab, UT
22. FOUR CORNERS & THE TRAIL OF THE ANCIENTS' ITINERARY
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Take a journey back in time along the Trail of the Ancients in the Four Corners region. In addition to the spectacular desert scenery you expect in the southwest (in fact, some of its most photographed spots), here you’ll discover the rich archeological heritage of the Ancestral Puebloans who built elaborate dwellings and kivas into the cliffs of the region.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Durango, CO
Farmington, NM & Four Corners Area
(Aztec Ruins NM, Four Corners Monument)
Monument Valley Tribal Park, AZ
(Scenic drive, the View Hotel, John Ford Point, Forrest Gump Point, Hunt's Mesa overnight)
Blanding Area, UT
(Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks SP, Bears Ears NM, Natural Bridges NM, Mexican Hat, Navajo Tapestry)
Canyonlands NP (Needles District), UT
(Slickrock Trail, Chesler Park, Druid Arch, The Maze, Newspaper Rock)
Cortez Area, CO
(Mesa Verde NP, Hovenweep NM, Canyons of the Ancients NM)
Depart via Durango, CO
23. ARIZONA ICONS ITINERARY: SEDONA, THE GRAND CANYON, THE WAVE, & MORE
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Drive between the highlights of Arizona. See the state’s spectacular canyons - from the overwhelming vastness of the Grand Canyon to the panoramic vista of Horseshoe Bend to the ethereal curves of Antelope Canyon. If you can, score a bucket list permit to walk across the sculpted sandstone landscape of the Wave. To cap off your trip, unwind with top notch spa treatments in Sedona.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Flagstaff or Phoenix, AZ
Grand Canyon NP, AZ
(Scenic overlooks, below the rim hikes or donkey rides, historic lodges)
Page Area, AZ
(Vermilion Cliffs, The Wave, Buckskin Gulch, Marble Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge NM)
Sedona, AZ
(Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Devil's Bridge, jeep tours, wellness treatments)
Depart via Flagstaff or Phoenix, AZ
24. RANCH AND ROCKIES ADVENTURE: TETON, YELLOWSTONE, & GLACIER
TRIP TIME: 1-2 WEEKS
Get a real taste of the American West on this route through the Rockies. Explore some of the Crown Jewels of the National Parks System from the geothermal features of Yellowstone to the rugged mountain playgrounds of Teton and Glacier. Along the way, stop and stay at a dude ranch, where you can play cowboy among the spectacular scenery.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Jackson, WY
Optional: Wyoming Dude Ranch (pick one ranch location)
(Horseback riding, fly fishing, target sports, 4x4s, hiking)
(Mormon Row Barns, Oxbow Bend, Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls, many hiking options)
(Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lamar & Hayden Valleys)
Optional: Beartooth Highway
(Scenic drive)
Optional: Montana Dude Ranch (pick one ranch location)
(Horseback riding, fly fishing, target sports, 4x4s, hiking)
Glacier NP, MT
(Going-to-the-Sun Road, Grinnell Glacier, Many Glacier Valley, Hidden Lake)
Depart via Kalispell or Missoula, MT
25. SIERRA NEVADA CIRCUIT: SEQUOIA, YOSEMITE, TAHOE, AND MORE
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK (OR MORE)
Explore the alpine peaks and lakes of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Check off three National Parks on your route, wandering among towering sequoias and glacier-carved granite cliffs along the way. Stop at the surreal looking tufa towers of Mono Lake before retreating to crystal clear Lake Tahoe for a few days of rest, relaxation, and recreation.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Fresno, CA
Sequoia & King's Canyon NP, CA
(General Sherman Tree, Grant Grove, Drive-through Tree, Moro Rock, King's Canyon Drive, Crescent Meadow, Mt. Whitney)
Yosemite NP, CA
(El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall, Tunnel View, Glacier Point)
Mono Lake SNR, CA
(Tufa formations, Panum Crater, boardwalk)
Lake Tahoe, CA & NV
(Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor, Heavenly Gondola)
Depart via Reno, NV
26. PACIFIC NORTHWEST PEAKS LOOP: NORTH CASCADES & MOUNT RAINIER
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Head into Washington’s high country where the mountains dominate the landscape. Explore the vast maze of peaks and deep valleys of North Cascades before heading to the isolated peak of Mt. Rainier. Along the way, admire the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest as the drive takes you through deep emerald forests and past thundering waterfalls.
KEY STOPS:
Seattle, WA
(Snoqualmie Falls, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden)
North Cascades NP, WA
(Scenic drive, Diablo Lake, Washington Pass, Gorge Creek)
Leavenworth, WA
(Bavarian Village & beer gardens, Icicle Gorge, Riverfront, Nutcracker Museum, Reindeer Farm)
Mt. Rainier NP, WA
(Scenic drives, wildflower meadows, Grove of the Patriarchs, Reflection Lakes)
Optional: Mount St. Helens, WA
(Johnston Ridge Observatory, Hummocks Trail)
Depart via Seattle, WA
27. PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST DRIVE: SEATTLE TO PORTLAND VIA OLYMPIC
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Follow the coast along the northwestern edge of the US, journeying from Puget Sound to the Columbia River Gorge. After departing the fish markets and coffee culture of Seattle, head into the primordial landscapes of Olympic. Then continue along the PCH stopping to explore tidepools and misty beaches before wrapping up with the waterfalls and quirks of Portland.
KEY STOPS:
Seattle, WA
(Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden)
Olympic NP, WA
(Rialto Beach, Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Valley)
PCH & Oregon Coast, OR
(Lewis and Clark NHP, Cannon Beach, Tillamook Creamery, Devil's Punch Bowl, Thor's Well, Oregon Dunes)
Portland, OR
(Silver Falls SP, Columbia Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Horsetail Falls)
28. OREGON & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOOP DRIVE
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Take a loop through some of the less visited corners of the West Coast. Venture down the middle stretch of the PCH stopping to gaze up at groves of redwood trees and walk along beaches of sea glass. Then make an optional stop in Napa before looping back up through the mountains, stopping at Lassen and Lava Beds before finishing at Crater Lake.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via Medford, OR
Optional: Crater Lake NP, OR (if not doing later during full loop)
Redwoods NP & SP, CA
(Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Tall Trees Grove, Klamath Overlook, Fern Canyon, Scenic Parkway)
PCH & California Coast
(Eureka, Mendocino, Point Area Lighthouse, Point Cabrillo, sea glass beach)
Optional: Napa & Sonoma, CA
(Wine tastings & tours, wine train, hot air balloon)
Option A: Depart via San Francisco, CA
Option B: Continue on trip extension
Lassen Volcanic NP, CA
(Bumpass Hell, Lassen Peak, Sulphur Works, King's Creek Falls)
Lava Beds NM, CA
(Mushpot Cave, Skull Cave, Sentinel Cave, Symbol Bridge Cave, Captain Jack's Stronghold, Schonchin Butte Fire Lookout)
Crater Lake NP, OR
(Rim Drive, Wizard Island, Watchman Peak, Phantom Ship, Vidae Falls)
Depart via Medford, OR
29. CENTRAL CALIFORNIA COAST (HIGHWAY 1) ROAD TRIP
TRIP TIME: 1 WEEK
Embark on one of the country’s most classic drives, winding along the central California coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles. On your journey, hear the bagpiper at Pebble Beach, see coastal beauty of Big Sur, explore the caves of Pinnacles, taste the wines of Paso, tour the opulent Hearst Castle, hear the mission bells of Santa Barbara, and sail among the dolphins of the Channel Islands.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive via San Francisco, CA
Carmel, Pebble Beach, & Monterey, CA
(Carmel Mission, Monterey Bay Aquarium, 17-mile drive, bagpiper at Spanish Bay, Cannery Row)
Big Sur, CA
(Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach, Pfeiffer Big Sur SP)
Pinnacles NP, CA
(Beach Gulch Reservoir, Balconies Cave, High Peaks Trail, California Condors)
Paso Robles Area, CA
(Wine tastings & tours, Hearst Castle, Field of Light)
Santa Barbara, CA
(Santa Barbara Mission, Presidio, Courthouse, Maritime Museum, Wharf)
Channel Islands NP, CA
(Scenic boat tour, dolphin & whale watching, sea kayaking, island fox spotting, hiking)
Depart via Los Angeles, CA
30. ROAD TO HANA DRIVE
TRIP TIME: 1-2 DAYS
Twist and turn your way along Maui’s northeast coast to the town of Hana. Some of the island’s highlights are tucked away on the route. Stop at black sand beaches, bamboo forests, rainbow eucalyptus groves, lava tubes, and roadside food stands. The narrow, winding road enforces slow travel, and the drive is as memorable as the stops along the way.
KEY STOPS:
Arrive on island of Maui
Near Haleakala NP, HI
(Pools of 'Ohe'o, Pipiwai Trail, Bamboo Forest, Waimoku Falls, Wailua Falls, Lindbergh's Grave)
Near Hana, HI
(Town of Hana, Wai'anapanapa Park black sand beach and lava tubes, Hamoa Beach)
Near Halfway to Hana
(Ke'anae Arboretum, Garden of Eden, Rainbow Eucalyptus Forest, Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread)
Near Pa'ia, HI
(Mama's Fish House, Ho'okipa Beach wind surfers)
And countless other waterfalls, beaches, and natural viewpoints
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