In fact Road Trip in the USA is absolutely a great idea to explore country’s most of the stunning landscapes and spot larger picture of the remote locations in order to take different yet challenging road trips in the country. It is a true road trip in the USA is not everybody’s cup of tea, it requires a lot of challenges and persistence.
We insist if you are an adventure backpacker looking to take the world’s best and epic road trip in the United States, along with the most affordable way to explore, then these 12 USA road trip ideas are for you. Each road trip passes through or offers us enough unique historic sites, cities, museums, natural wonders and unique and diverse natural landscapes.
Related Search: 10 Best Places to Visit in California, United States.
15 Popular Road Trip Ideas
1. Route 66 Adventure Road Trip
Start your USA Road Trip journey while taking Route 66 Adventure, don’t think it is the best idea but it is more adventure and a great nostalgic road trip to enjoy many attractions. Starting from Chicago to Los Angeles, route 66 offers a total 2,400 miles of journey that exhibits great historic Mother Road. This Mother Road covers several attractions such as vintage diners, architectural beauties, quaint towns and world famous and one of the 7 wonders of the world, Grand Canyon.
While during your car drive visitors are also more fortunate to catch up some of the surrounding towns like St. Louis, Oklahoma City and Amarillo, landmarks such as Grand Canyon Skywalk, Santa Monica Pier and Cadillac Ranch. Take some time to spend with vintage diners, classic Americans located along the road. Its direction goes like this: a road trip began in Chicago, Route 66, thereafter headed southwest through Illinois and Missouri.
There you need to take the westward direction through Oklahoma and Texas and you will reach New Mexico and Arizona, before reaching the final point in Los Angeles. Just take your car during the summer season (between May and October), besides its busiest season, it welcomes us through hot, humid and extreme temperatures.
2. New Jersey Road Trip
Another popular road trip idea is to explore the country’s past history and local cultures. The New Jersey Road trip starts from the Delaware River Scenic Byway of Trenton to Frenchtown from Nyack to New Jersey City. Offering a total 5,000 miles of road journey where it includes 130 miles of beaches, 12 national parks and other first national reserves. Since roads pass through many of America’s greatest historical and cultural landmarks backpackers take a stop at New Brunswick, a place to learn American Revolution and colonial history.
Despite that, the trip offers other historically rich landmarks like 1. Christ Church, 2. Bucceluch Manison- 1739 building, turned as a museum located at the top of the hill, 3. Zimmerli Art Museum and 4. Rutgers Geology Museum. Instead of just watching attractions like Hudson River view, High Point State Park and Wharton State Forest from your car, just step out and see the real beauty which known for close up views really worth exploring. Taking a scenic drive in New Jersey Road is the greatest idea but only it is blessed when you take during spring and autumn season, when weather is ideal to see surrounding natures and historical sites and even some beaches.
3. Pacific Coast Highway
Drive along with Pacific Coast Highway, a popular road trip idea in the US, starts from San Francisco to Los Angeles or beyond. Taking more leisure car drives along the stunning coastline of Pacific Coast Highway is truly a gem, primarily California State Route 1 and U.S. Route 101. Its breathtaking landmarks capture visitors’ eye especially stunning ocean views, beach towns and tourist spots like Big Sur, Hearst Castle and Monterey Bay Aquarium, each one located along the highway. Better to stop if you find nature rich destinations like Malibu, Pebble Beach and world famous “Hollywood”.
Often known as the world’s most iconic road trip, visitors need to travel 17 hours to complete 656 miles even amidst the country’s most densely rain forest and extreme deserts. Despite its scenic trails, a highway stretch of road that leads south as Dana Point and north as Mendocino County, witnessing most epic jaw dropping views and natural wonders located along the way. After going through detailed discussion about the Pacific Coast Highway, we recommended you to take a ride under this highway during late spring (April/May) to early fall (September/ October). Make sure that each stop you are going to take provides more misty mornings, fog, sunshine and clear skies to enjoy its surroundings in these seasons.
4. Great Northern Road Trip
Great Northern Road Trip stretching from the Pacific Northwest and Seattle to Glacier National Park. This road trip is not just like any other normal US road trip, it offers a great transcontinental road trip experience, witnessing a range of rugged beauty, bustling and tranquil city life and passes through wilderness areas of national parks. If you take any road trip in the US, the Great Northern Road Trip contains most cross country routes passing through extreme rugged landscapes and steepy mountain ranges.
If we see a detailed route map of this road, we just start from Pacific Port city of Seattle, then it passes over the volcanic Cascade Range, later it goes onto downtown of Columbia Plateaus, it is a naturally arid region, where public works like Grand Coulee Dame exist. Afterwards, from Washington, US-2 crosses the Idaho Panhandle and finally enters into the forest, river and wildlife region of Montana.
Perhaps taking a stop for relaxation and leisure is a great idea even during this road trip too. Because the places you were crossing here are the most iconic attractions of the United States. Travelers spot cities like 1. Seattle- known for more scenic beauty and known for modern and bustling city experience, 2. Glacier National Park- Filled with more scenic beauties and multiple recreational activities. 3. Ottawa- Canada’s national capital known for tranquil city experience and laid back atmospheres and 4. Devils Lake- North Dakota’s historic capital city where Fort Totten and 19th century military forts are available.
5. Southwest Desert Adventure
Often considered as the most favourite road trip is Southwest Desert, not just because of its huge, moreover it is covering majority desert areas of the country. Southwest is a place home too many diverse landscapes and the country’s best national parks might cover you in a very short period of your driving. If you like to explore best national parks in the USA along with road trips then this could be a great idea to start with, national parks like Zion National Park, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Arches National Park.
Along with your park itinerary trips, do not forget to explore the most interesting rock formations of Sedona, a popular desert town well known for its scenic settings and vast dry areas. In the same way, Deathvalley is something you shouldn’t miss out on to add to your road trip itineraries, since it has the lowest, driest and hottest region.
Starting from Las Vegas and Phoenix, after passing above popular landmarks and travel destinations, Southwest Desert Road would reach Antelope Canyon. As we know, this is a slot canyon (it has 2 sections Upper and Lower) attracting backpackers from its breathtaking geological formations and sunlight effects. You need to stop your Southwest Desert trip in another epic natural wonder, the Grand Canyon (especially it’s North Rim).
Take via route 64, easy to stop at all its viewpoints on the way to the Grand Canyon Village and South Rim visitors centre. Even though there are places that are year round destinations, we insist you to skip the summer season (busiest season and it is too hot to explore). Try to visit during April and October (winter season) when the temperature is cold and the skies are clear. Keep in mind that, be ready for the extreme temperatures and crowds during peak seasons.
6. Florida Keys through Everglades National Park
The title of the road trip is quite a puzzling game, but it sounds great. Before going to detailed information about its road trip, let’s see what Florida Key and Everglades are. Florida Key is a striking island in the southernmost part of Florida, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Whereas, Everglades is a United States largest wilderness and wetland area witnessing vast sawgrass marshes, mangroves forests and tropical hardwood hammocks. Total 120 miles of road travel contains enough adventurous activities along with scenic driving trails. Starts from Florida Keys stretches over 200 miles from southern end of Florida and passes through US-2.
If you see the road map, it involves the famous Overseas Highway to Key West, passing through some of the iconic landmarks like Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Park. Usually this road trip involves a 3 days itinerary, most of it passing via Overseas Highway, leading to stunning ocean vistas. If you tire, stop your car at Key Largo, Coral Reef State Park and surrounding wildlife region, offering a more calm and relaxing experience to boost your further travel journey.
The best time to take Florida Keys and Everglades road trips could be the dry season. The season starts from December to April, offers low humidity, clear skies, and national parks are filled by the lush green and enough snow. If you do not like to explore with a huge crowd then change your road trip to the winter season.
7. SF Peninsula Road Trip
San Francisco is a city well known for its cutting edge tech hub Silicon Valley including some of the best natural beauties. San Francisco Peninsula located just miles south of the city, sharing borders with the Pacific Ocean and SF Bay. Just take a start 450 miles of SF Peninsula road trip from the coastal region of San Francisco through Pacific Coast Highway (highway number 1), a region well known for beaches and breathtaking hiking trails.
We would say that, while traveling through this region, the San Francisco Peninsula never disappoints for those who really like to see stunning mountain ranges and other small charming towns. Additionally, this route offers the country’s best local farms, approximately 50 farms and each one has a feature of family running, organic and regenerative one.
In the same way, we suggest you to take a stop if you find Michelin star restaurants, since these types of restaurants are located at major points of the SF Peninsula road. Restaurants cater its guests from mouthwatering lunch to morning local inspired dishes. Southern Pacific is often known for coffee shops, breweries and the country’s few Taco Bella with the bar. SF Peninsula road trip might take 12 hours (depending on your driving), routes goes like and includes vital points such as California, highway 395, northern coastline such as Sausalito, Point Reyes, and Mendocino.
So, if you have a plan to take a road trip under this mesmerising region, be ready to enjoy the region’s unique outdoor adventures at Half Moon Bay, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, and cultural activities and events at Filoli Estate. Do not forget to spot historic landmarks like Portola Heritage Site and Golden Gate Recreation Sites throughout your journey. Spring season (between April to June) is the most ideal time to road trip under SF Peninsula or adventure seekers also would take even during fall season (September to November).
8. Florida Road Trip
Florida Road Trip captivating the minds of millions of road trippers from its mesmerising stunning beaches, freshwater springs, sunshines and vibrant cultural centers over a centuries. Throughout your Florida journey this try to exhibits more nature centered combines stunning drivers, scenic paths and beachsides. This road trip starts from Pensacola and goes through the southernmost tip of the Key West, covering the country’s major theme park of Orlando, Blue Springs State Park and portions of Everglades.
If we ask with us what you can expect during your journey, perhaps we can explain its beaches, wildlife and beautiful parks. It is important to see the region’s unique flora and fauna where more than 500 species of birds, alligators, crocodiles, foxes, panthers, manatees and beavers exist. If you have a plan already to take camping here you can choose RV rentals.
Despite other road trips in the US, we can’t expect any great stopping points like what Florida is offering. Stopping points start from 1. Amelia Island- it is a traditional charm island with long stretching coastlines and white silica sand available to soak. 2. Ocala National Park– must be one stopping point containing silver glen springs offers more natural heated lagoons where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
In the same way if you take the right direction you can reach another beautiful park, 3. Blue Spring State Park- This Park is filled by the Manatees. More rare animals spread across the park with more than hundreds of numbers, but make sure that visitors only watch and enjoy these kinds of Mammals, but they are prohibited to take swimming, and other activities.
The interesting part of your journey is that this road also leads to a popular landmark, Florida Keys, after your 113 miles of drive. However if you trip down to the Florida Keys, you will cross 4. Seven Mile Bridge. It is a 7 mile highway crossing bridge that allows us to enjoy more scenic views of the ocean.
Later on you will go to spot many beautiful attractions, if you have time then visit Everglades’s national park, Chokoloskee, Sanibel Island, Manasota Key and St. Andrew State Park. Same like other USA road trips, March to April (spring) is the most ideal season to visit, if you are not comfortable then switch to the September to October season, both seasons include mild weather and fewer tourists.
9. Oregon Trail
Another popular road trial often known for its long 3,300 miles of journey provides the most awesome destination through journey. Going through the Pacific Ring and running from Northern California to Southern British Columbia, where a vast mountain range crosses the board. Driving on the Oregon Trail makes you take US-20 through the rugged coast to the glorious sea and sand of Cape Cod. But moreover this trail is so different from others, just because it passes through some of the world’s most iconic landmarks like Niagara Falls and Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park.
Additionally you can be fortunate to see other parts of Boston and Chicago. Starting in the west it goes in order to touch the land of Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming along US-20 and parallel highway, US-26, where we can witness Mt. Rushmore and Carhenge.
US-20 crosses the Mississippi River at Dubuque then takes east through newly resurgent Great Lakes. The onward route passes the north edge of the Finger Lakes before touching Hudson River bay and western Massachusetts. Join the Mohawk trail where we can look at beautiful historic things of Lexington and Concord, and there onwards we can join US-6 highway.
I urge every backpacker to enjoy the landing places here in Oregon Trail that offer something great. Starting from Mount Rushmore- known for impressive monuments, Yellowstone National Park- geysers, canyons and waterfalls and wildlife. Along with trails this help us to take a stop even in the Niagara Falls and Dyersville- a prominent movie site, includes 30,000 miniature tractors. Never forget to explore the breathtaking busting charm of the Boston city, well known for baseball and national pastime. Visit when the route is clear without snow and dust, therefore we suggest taking this trail between late springs to early fall or May or early September.
10. The Great River Road
Taking the 36 hours of straight driving from the north to south along the byway could be the greatest idea under a USA road trip. The Great River Road is a more scenic driving trail that follows the course of the Mississippi river for 3,000 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. This Great River road or River road or GRR stretches a long journey even though it covers the country’s 10 states and hundreds of river towns. This GRR is lined along meadows, cypress, swamps, forests, national parks, and wildlife and limestone cliffs.
Listed as the best scenic drive in America, Great River Road is not just the longest route even though it helps us to cover industries of Mississippi, widest suburban sprawl, route has smokestacks, major cities and ugliest clutters. Backpackers will spot neon sign boards throughout their journey of Pilot’s Wheel Road Sign, which help denote roads that are part of the designated route where natural, cultural, historical, scenic and recreational.
An interesting part of this road is byways. Listed in National Scenic Byway making it country’s most beautiful byways recognised as the Great River Road’s cultural, historic, nature and recreational beauties. Since it has a long yet charming road trip, trippers are more blessed to enjoy some of the country’s iconic landmarks.
Each one passes along the Great River Road and it is easy to spot. 1. St.Louis– home to Gateway Arch National Park and St. Louis Cardinals. 2. Lake Ithasca State Park- Filled by the pine forest where hiking, bike rides and boat rides are more ideal activities. 3. Marquette- it is a land of Effigy Mounds National Monument where we can see 200 distinct burial mounds, 4. New Orleans– known for French Quarters, Cajun/Creole food and historic sites.
Besides its breathtaking landmarks, Great River road, visitors will find designated interpretive centers, tiny riverside villages, metropolises and regions with rich historical centers. If you are willing to enjoy this USA road trip, we recommend you take it during the fall season, starting from September to October, when the region is perfect for car driving, friendly weather, clear skies and a place blessed by the scenic surroundings.
11. The Appalachian Trail
USA road trip with the best hiking trail, Appalachian Trail starts from the North Woods of Maine all the way to Georgia. From misty mountain ranges, lush greenery surroundings to cascading waterfalls, The Appalachian Trail exhibits more charming wildlife, regions rich in ecology and unique biodiversity visitors are going to find through their journey. One of the most renowned USA road trips to those who like birdwatching, enjoy hiking and dwell in the tranquility of nature.
This driving trail is more enthusiastic and follows 2 scenic lane roads from New England to the heart of Dixie witnessing more vibrant towns and historic sites. Surely you will see some wealthiest and least popular destinations including some former mill towns and northern Maine. Afterwards this route travels through the New Hampshire Presidential Range and through Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Then it goes through Industrial Lehigh Valley, a region of coal and steel mining areas and Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Follow the routes until you reach Georgia, through Appalachian Trail visitors going to catch Shenandoah National Park, then following the Blue Ridge Parkway across the mountain of western North Carolina. During these routes surely you’re gonna catch some of the brilliant destinations such as North Carolina, Mount Airy, Thomas Jerrerson’s home and Monticello.
Like other driving trails in the US, the Appalachian Trail leads us at the end of some of the country’s best national parks, Blue Ridge Parkway-know for most scenic drives, Normal Rockwell Museum and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Despite its charmness, this route is an ideal thing to enjoy in each season, but hiking is exclusively reserved during late spring and early fall. When the trail is clear and each step of the trails offers awesome natural views. If you love the summer season to travel then visit Berkshire, a renowned summer destination.
12. Alaska Road Trip
Alaska Road Trip starts from Dawson Creek and passes via British Columbia and ends in Delta Junction of Alaska, following Alaska Highway. Such an adventure journey passing through most mesmerising landscapes of Alaska and many icefields, glaciers and camping with the exploration of its natural beauty. Alaska road trips usually include 40 to 70 hours of driving time, moreover, Alaska highways total 1,390 miles long including regular fuel stops and travel infrastructures. Additionally visitors surely going to like its lodging options, panoramic views of the highway. Road trippers passing country’s best yet incredible national parks like Banff National Park and Icefields like Icefields Parkway.
After Dawson Creek and British Columbia, stop your vehicle at Watson Lake and Whitehorse in Yukon. Both are ideal spots to find museums, cultural centres, wildlife hubs and hiking trails, and if you have the time, attend any recreational activity here.
After 6 hours of journey from Yukon, your car/vehicle would come to another popular landmark, Tok, Alaska. Beside these major attractions, Alaska USA road trips also offer us to enjoy other underrated or least visited destinations including 1. Denali National Park– home to North America’s tallest peak, majestic glaciers, pristine lakes and wildlife such as bears, moose and eagles. Late May to Mid-September (summer) is the perfect season to take an Alaska road trip when long daylight, mild weather and clear and open roads exist.
