6 month usa road trip

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

The Great American Road Trip. It’s the kind of multi-month 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.

When COVID-19 caused us to consider our backyard more and more, many Americans turned to domestic travel. We finally got to explore 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 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.

• Walk the Freedom Trail – This 2.5-mile (4 kilometer) route links many historic sites, including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the State House, and Bunker Hill. To get the most out of your experience, take a guided tour . You’ll be able to ask questions to an expert local guide for a 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, the Americans wore British forces down more than was expected. The monument stands 221 feet (67 meters) 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

• 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. The “Iconic Views of Central Park” tour is offered daily at 10am 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. A timed-entry ticket is $19.40 USD.
• 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 , my recommended hotels , as well as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the city .  

Days 9-11: Philadelphia, PA

• 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.
• Explore 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

• 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

Days 17-19: Asheville, NC

• 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

• 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. (To learn more about civil rights history in Atlanta, take this city walking tour with Unexpected Atlanta. )
• 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

• 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 or book a guided tour of the venue 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. Tickets are $29.95 USD.
• 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, H 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

• 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. Admission is $20 USD.
• 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. A joint ticket that also includes the Music Hall of Fame is $17 USD.
• 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. ( Backbeat Tours offers guided tours if you’d like to learn more about the street’s history.)
• 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 or there is a joint ticket that includes all three for $65 USD.
• 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

• 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. You can get your tickets here .
• 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 Tour Orleans to learn more about this beautiful area.
• 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 .  

Days 37-39: Houston, TX

Houston is home to the Space Center and NASA’s astronaut training complex, as well as countless breweries and museums and a killer 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. Get your timed-entry ticket here .
• 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! Tickets are $25 USD.
• 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

• 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 and paddle around.
• 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 lived here for so long, I have a lot of suggestions on how to spend your time.  

Days 45-47: Truth or Consequences, NM

Originally named Hot Springs, “T or C,” as it’s known, got its name from a radio contest in 1950. After winning, the town kept the name. Located 10 hours from Austin, T or C is known for its wellness tourism. The entire town was built over a hot mineral spring, so it’s the perfect place to relax at a spa.

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

• 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

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

• 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. Skip-the-line tickets are $32 USD.
• 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 (there’s even a Children’s Zoo). A skip-the-line ticket is $72 USD.
• 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 range from around $60-75 USD depending on length and tour company. A 4-hour tour with City Cruises California is $73 USD.

Days 55-58: Los Angeles, CA

• 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 an even more detailed list of 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. Las Vegas Walking Tours offers a 3-hour tour of Fremont Street if you’d like a bit of a deeper dive.
• 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. Red Rock Discovery Tours also offers guided hikes starting at $95 USD (includes round-trip transportation from Vegas).
• 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. Admission is $20 USD.
• 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

Days 65-67: San Francisco, CA

• 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. Tickets are $53.25 USD. There are also many joint ticket options, such as this one that includes a cruise around San Francisco Bay .
• 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

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

• 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

• 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. Admission is $16.50 USD.
• 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 $70 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), Wahkeena Falls Loop (moderate, 3 hours), and Starvation Ridge and Warren Lake (hard, 8 hours). Guided hikes with Wildwood Tours cost around $80 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

• 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. Show Me Seattle offers food tours of the market for a more guided experience.
• 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. Admission is $26.

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

• Tour the breweries – For such a small city, there are breweries and bars everywhere (Montana has the third-highest number of craft breweries per capita in the country). Don’t miss Bayern Brewery (the state’s first craft brewery), Draught Works Brewery (which has live music three nights a week), and Imagine Nation (which is also a community center). If you visit in April, you can attend the Missoula Craft Beer Week.
• 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

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

• Visit the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum – This 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. Admission is $19.95.
• 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

• 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

• 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. A skip-the-line ticket is $40 USD.

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

• 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 $18 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

• 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

• 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 one way.
• 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. Admission is $25.
• 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! Admission is free but donations are encouraged.
• 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 $25 USD.

Days 107-110: Finger Lakes, NY

• 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

• 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

Having some padding in your itinerary will let you explore, 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, the United States 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.

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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: 26 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 1 st 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 2 nd itinerary.

If you’re more of a city slicker, the map’s author has created a 2 nd 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?

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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.

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Explore awesome destinations : Travel inspiration

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

Original publication date: May 29, 2018

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Andrew D'Amours

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Travel between Canada and the USA for kids without a passport (land/air)

This post has 26 comments.

Very informative and well-articulated, It’s always refreshing to see such useful content. Thank you and keep up the excellent work!

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 😊

My husband wants to do this trip with our new camper once he retires (5-6 yrs?). I said it’s a Perfect 3 month trip … popping up to Kingston, Ontario, Canada to visit family and, again, up from Bangor, Maine to the Canadian east coast to visit more family, and then back on route thru the US! I love being more in the Wilderness so we’ll find spots (we have a generator and solar onboard and able to carry extra weight for extra water/fuel) more in the Great Wild Outdoors (whenever possible) and do 1-2 day stops to ‘see the sites’! A Dream for me… soon to become Reality! I need to Pinch myself for even Dreaming it but, By the Grace of God, we’ll be doing it!! 🙏🤗🙏

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.

Agreed! 🙏🥰🙏

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25 Best Road Trips in the USA (Itinerary Ideas + Tips!)

If there’s one travel bucket list experience that our home country of the United States is best for, it’s road trips.

From small towns to big cities, from mountain ranges to deserts, from forests to plains, and from sea to shining sea, there is no shortage of epic destinations for road trips in the USA.

We’ve taken USA road trips in about 30 of the 50 states ourselves (and hope to finish them all off one day!).

To help fill in the gaps, we asked fellow travel bloggers to share some of their favorites for this Great American road trips blog post.

They delivered an enormous variety of USA road trip itinerary ideas, from weekend trip options to weeks-long excursions!

Dreaming of taking a road trip in the United States and not sure where you want to go?

This list of exciting USA road trip itinerary ideas will help you decide where to hit the open road next! 

Table of Contents

Quick Tips for Your USA Road Trip

Cross-country usa road trip ideas, southern road trips in the usa, united states road trip ideas in the west, east coast road trips in the usa, central usa road trip routes, non-continental usa road trips.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Before we dive into exploring the best USA road trips, there are a few tips to be aware of–especially if you’re visiting as an international tourist and haven’t explored the United States before!

If you’re renting a car, shop around.

The best company to rent a car from for your United States road trip will likely vary dramatically depending on where and when you’re traveling.

Sometimes large international carriers offer the best prices, sometimes local outfits.

Sometimes one company has an excellent base price, but terrible rental requirements.

The best way to find your rental car is to search through  Discover Cars , which will sift through dozens of companies to find the best combination of low prices and reasonable rental terms for your USA road trip.

Browse rental cars for your American road trip today!

Read the rental requirements carefully.

Especially make sure you know how many miles you’ve been allotted (or ideally, if they’re unlimited), if you need to return the car empty or full of fuel, what to do if the car breaks down, and what damages you’re liable for in the event of an accident.

On the off chance that you’re planning on continuing your road trip into Canada or Mexico , be sure to check any requirements for crossing the border as well.

Book travel insurance.

We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen on the road, and an epic road trip is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

Check prices and inclusions with Safety Wing for road trips in the USA!

Don’t underestimate how sparsely populated parts of the USA are.

If this is your first time visiting the USA, you may be surprised to see just how long you can drive in the United States without coming across a town or even a gas station–especially out west.

Be sure to keep an eye on your directions, and fill up your gas tank before heading into any particularly unpopulated areas!

Make sure you pack the right gear.

From safety gear to snacks, a big USA road trip requires bringing the right tools along, whether you’re taking a short vacation, diving into van life , or somewhere in between.

We recommend taking a look at the suggestions in our road trip packing list before you go!

Consider bringing your sleeping arrangements along with you.

It’s not right for everyone, but there’s a reason that using an RV or campervan is such a classic American road trip experience!

And, you don’t need to dive into the RV lifestyle and buy one for your next trip in order to try it out: you can try out the experience by renting RVs and camper vans from Outdoorsy .

Browse RVs available to rent with Outdoorsy today!

If possible, stop in at least one national park!

Our home country is filled with an enormous number of interesting and beautiful places, but perhaps none shine quite as brightly as our national park system.

Want to climb sand dunes? We have that.

Marvel at glaciers? Check.

Hike across mountains? Take your pick.

Go scuba diving? Definitely.

Admire the power of incredible geysers? Got that, too.

Whatever kind of outdoor wonder you have in mind, you can find it at one of the most beautiful national parks in America !

From Stephanie of Oklahoma Wonders

Route 66 is the quintessential American road trip, inspiring songs, movies, and novels.

Starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, Route 66 passes through nine states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California.

Some of the best things to do on the route are enjoying the kitschy 1950s motels, gas stations, and restaurants that harken back to the days of the Great American Road Trip.

You’ll also find tons of quirky roadside attractions like the Catoosa Whale, Cadillac Ranch , and the Twin Arrows that are must-sees.

If you want to enjoy some nature along the way, you can visit the Grand Canyon or Petrified Forrest National Park.

The most typical way to explore Route 66 is to start in Chicago and drive all the way to Santa Monica, but there are many who drive smaller portions of it or go from west-to-east instead of east-to-west.

There’s no single “right” way to make the drive. Just make sure you enjoy yourself as you go!

Recommended Road Trip Length

Because the route is so long and there’s so much to see, it’s recommended you spend two weeks exploring it one way.

New York to Los Angeles

Driving across the United States from New York to Los Angeles is one of those classic American road trip routes that, quite honestly, is not suited to most USA vacations–you’ll be looking at a lot  of cornfields and open plains along the way and spend many days on the road.

… But that being said, the legend and myth of this USA road trip route endure because it does make for quite the adventure!

With nearly 3,000 miles of driving to do between NYC and LA, you have extreme flexibility to create your own USA road trip itinerary!

However, the most direct route (a mere 44 hours of drive time, not including stops and traffic!) will take you to Chicago, across the open fields of Iowa and Nebraska, through some stunning nature in Colorado and Utah, and right through Las Vegas before delivering you to the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

If you’re open to detours, plenty of national parks will be within your reach on this USA road trip, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Zion National Park, and even the Grand Canyon!

If you’d like to enjoy a coast-to-coast road trip in the USA, we recommend setting aside at least two weeks to ensure you have enough time to experience the route along the way (and avoid spending too many days at a time looking at nothing but highways)!

Blue Ridge Parkway

From Carl of NC Tripping

If you’re exploring the western parts of North Carolina or Virginia , the Blue Ridge Parkway is always lingering somewhere nearby.

It’s the most popular road trip between the two states and connects two of the United States’ most-visited national parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park.

At 469 miles in length, this road will take some time to explore !

Narrowing things down to a few places you must visit is tough, but here are some “musts.” 

Moving north to south, highlights on the Virginia side include Humpback Rocks (Milepost 5), Mabry Mill (MP 176), Peaks of Otter (MP 85), and the Blue Ridge Music Center (MP 213).

Across the border in North Carolina, you at least need to see Linville Falls (316), Craggy Gardens (MP 364), Graveyard Fields (418), and Oconoluftee (MP 469) at the end of the line.

Of course, there are more spots scattered throughout that are within a short drive of the Parkway , such as the ever-popular Asheville, NC , the Biltmore Estate , and more charming mountain towns than you can count.

That, along with its length, is why this is one USA road trip that will take some time, if ever, for you to complete. 

Please note that some areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway close during winter through parts of spring. The NPS is pretty good about keeping information up to date on their website .

While you can drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in less time, ideally, if you want to hike and explore along the route, a week is a great starting point for this USA road trip route.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail

From Katie-Beth of Her Life in Ruins

Who doesn’t love a nice glass of bourbon?

On the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, you tour 18 different distilleries, try multiple bourbons (and other treats) at each, and take in tons of bottled-up history throughout the gorgeous Bluegrass State. 

While there is no official route for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, stay in either Lexington or Louisville as a “home base” for the experience, as all of the distilleries are within a few hours’ drive of these cities (some are mere minutes!).

Each day, pick 4-5 distilleries to visit, starting when they open in the morning and touring until they close.

Try to do the distilleries that are closest together on the same days (less driving and easier to get from one place to another).

If you’re a serious drinker, there are some bus tours that will chauffeur you throughout the Trail!

You’re never given more than about 2 ounces of alcohol at each distillery, but you may want a designated driver just in case.

On the drive between distilleries, you’ll see the rolling hills of Kentucky, some of our famous horse farms, and, of course, rick houses holding millions of gallons of the delicious spirit. 

In order to visit all of the distilleries, I recommend spending 4-6 days on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Southeast Coastal Road Trip

The stretch of coastline running from St. Augustine, Florida to the Outer Banks of North Carolina is packed with beautiful sights, historic cities, and laid-back beach towns.

We consider this area one of our personal favorites for road trips in the USA, and we’ve taken dozens of road trips in the region!

Start in St. Augustine, founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers and one of the most historic cities in the USA.

Explore its beautiful Castillo de San Marcos, check out the Fountain of Youth, relax on the beach, and explore the Colonial Quarter.

From there, head north to Savannah , where you can enjoy its incredible architecture and town squares, and then move on to Charleston , where you’ll find compelling American history and the lovely Folley Beach.

As you move up the coast, consider detouring for brief stops in Beaufort, South Carolina and/or Hilton Head Island, before heading into North Carolina.

Historic Wilmington and New Bern are always worth a look as you pass by, and while you’ll need to head all the way up to Kitty Hawk and Nag’s Head to experience the classic Outer Banks destinations, the Crystal Coast ( Emerald Isle , Morehead City, Beaufort , Atlantic Beach , etc.) has been my family’s haunt for generations and is also well worth experiencing.

And, the Crystal Coast also happens to be closer geographically to the rest of the stops on this United States road trip itinerary!

Want to continue north to the Outer Banks?

Ocracoke Island, Nags Head, Duck, Kitty Hawk (famously home to the Wright Brothers’ first-ever flight!) and more are all ready to welcome you.

We recommend spending about 10 days enjoying this USA road trip route.

Orlando to New Orleans Road Trip

From Christine of Live Love Run Travel

Driving from Orlando to New Orleans  gives you plenty of options for stops along the way as well as enough to fill up an entire vacation at the starting point and ending point of the road trip.

From natural springs to beaches to caverns, there is plenty to see along this route to break up the trip.

Orlando is of course known for its iconic theme parks including Disney and Universal Studios.

However, Orlando and Florida also offer plenty of natural highlights including the natural springs.

On the way from Orlando to New Orleans , stop at Rainbow Springs, Silver Springs, or Ginnie Springs along I-75.

Once you get onto I-10, make sure to stop at Florida Caverns State Park for a unique Florida experience.

Plus, if you are taking this trip in the summer, you’ll appreciate the cooler air in the caverns!

Along I-10, there are also plenty of opportunities to stop for some time at the beach.

Consider Pensacola, Florida, or the Gulf Shores, Alabama, or any of Mississippi’s beaches to avoid a long drive off the main road.

From there you are in New Orleans where you can enjoy the bayou, lots of amazing food and live music, and plenty of history and beautiful architecture in the various districts within the city.

The length of this road trip depends on a few factors including how long you want to spend in Orlando and New Orleans.

The drive itself only takes about 9 hours, but if you want to spend time at the springs, beaches, and caverns, stretch it out to a 2 or 3 day drive, with a few days on either end to explore Orlando and New Orleans.

Washington State

From Katie of Two Wandering Soles

With rugged driftwood-strewn beaches, snowcapped peaks, small towns, and major cities, Washington State is a true gem.

Home to incredibly diverse landscapes and endless adventures to be had, this Pacific Northwest destination is one of the best places to take a road trip in the United States. 

Start by  exploring Seattle (if you have the time) because there is plenty to do in this PNW hub. But when you’re ready to get out of the city, head straight to the Olympic Peninsula .

With temperate rainforests, waterfalls, remote beaches, and a towering mountain range, Olympic National Park is arguably the most diverse swath of land in the state, if not one of the most unique places in the country, and is the perfect place to try out some hikes in Washington .

Another drive well worth your while is to head northeast toward the iconic Mount Baker.

If you have the time, continue north to Highway 20 which brings you into the breathtaking North Cascades National Park.

Make photo stops along the way (like at the spectacularly beautiful turquoise waters of Lake Diablo), set off on epic hikes, and refuel at the small towns along the way.

Eventually, you’ll reach Lake Chelan , which is a perfect spot to cool off on a hot summer day.

From Lake Chelan, you have a stunning drive on Highway 2 back to Seattle with many more opportunities for exploring small towns and hiking along the way, if time allows. 

If you want to cover this whole route, you should allow 1.5 – 2 weeks. If you have less time, shorten your USA road trip itinerary accordingly.

Southwest Colorado Road Trip

From Tanya of Rad Family Travel

Exploring Southwest Colorado on a memorable summer road trip through the mountains offers adventure in every direction.

Sand-sled through Great Sand Dunes National Park, drive breath-taking mountain passes, soak and swim in hot springs, and climb ladders to ancient Puebloan dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park.

From there, imagine taking a jeep ride to old mining towns, biking along scenic trails, and hiking among wildflowers.

Arrive in Telluride in style via a free gondola, go whitewater rafting or alpine sliding, sleep under the stars, and top it all off with local burgers and cold brews.

In other words: whatever kind of outdoor adventure you’re looking for, southwest Colorado has you covered.

A Southwest Colorado road trip highlights diverse outdoor fun in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Pagosa Springs, Durango, Mesa Verde National Park, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crested Butte, and Buena Vista.

Choose from tent camping, cabins, or hotels, or a mixture thereof, for lodging along the way.

Allow at least nine to ten days for this epic southwest Colorado Road Trip , starting from Colorado Springs.

If you prefer slower travel and lots of outdoor adventure, consider making it a fourteen-day loop by staying longer in Ouray, Crested Butte, and Buena Vista — and really delve into these sweet mountain towns . 

Utah’s Mighty Five

From Ali of Travel Made Simple

Utah is home to five amazing national parks, all close enough to each other to visit on one iconic national parks road trip .

These national parks are Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Since they’re all in the southern half of the state, you can drive in a loop to get to them all.

This also works well as part of a bigger  southwestern US road trip .

If you’re short on time or not in great shape, you can see a lot by driving or taking park shuttles, where available.

Hop out at designated parking lots, lookout points, or shuttle stops, take pictures, and go for a short walk.

For more activity, each park has hiking trails for beginners to expert-level hikers.

You can see the highlights of each park in about a day, but allow more time at any park where you want to experience more hiking.

Start and end in Las Vegas and drive counterclockwise.

Since driving from Las Vegas to Moab , where Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are located, is quite long, consider stopping in Page, AZ (home of the famous Horseshoe Bend ), or Monument Valley on the AZ/UT border. Or both!

From Moab, drive to Capitol Reef National Park, then Bryce Canyon National Park , and lastly Zion National Park before heading back to Vegas.

If you prefer, you can also do this route in reverse!

Give yourself at least a week to do this road trip, or longer if you’re stopping in Page and/or Monument Valley.

South Dakota

If you’re craving wide open spaces, plenty of buffalo and prairie dog sightings, gorgeous caves, and a quirky roadside stop or two, then South Dakota is the American road trip for you!

Driving from east to west (though you can easily reverse it), pay a quick visit to Sioux Falls and then The World’s Only Corn Palace (their words, not mine) before diving into Badlands National Park.

Drive the Badlands National Park scenic loop, do some hiking (the Notch Trail is not to be missed), and when you’re ready for a break, detour to Wall Drug for a heavy dose of kitsch.

Head north to visit the Wild West town of Deadwood, and if you’re up for it, detour into Wyoming for a quick visit to Devil’s Tower, the first US national monument!

Back in South Dakota, base yourself in or around Keystone to explore Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and–if you have time–Spearfish Canyon.

Going inside Wind Cave National Park requires a guided tour, so be sure to book in advance!

Determined road-trippers can do justice to this South Dakota road trip route in about 5 days, though 7 allows for a bit more hiking and a chance to add on places like Rapid City.

South Dakota is also perfectly located for combining with road trips in Wyoming and beyond, so you can easily use this route as a building block for a bigger US road trip itinerary!

Scenic I-90 from Portland to Yellowstone

From Catherine of Passports and Adventures

Visiting Yellowstone National Park from Portland, Oregon is easy and there is no better route to take than the scenic I-90.

This 812-mile trip starts from Portland and takes the I-84 along the very beautiful Columbia River Gorge.

As you get started, stop at Multnomah Falls to photograph the famous waterfall!

Continue to Richland where you could rest overnight before jumping onto the I-90, the longest interstate in the United States.

This interstate highway passes Spokane before trailing alongside the lake of Coeur d’Alene, a beautiful part of the country, and then snakes through the Nez Pearce-Clearwater National Forests.

Imagine a highway surrounded by forests on either side, and you have an idea of what this part of I-90 is like.

A great town to stop along the I-90 is Missoula, which sits along the Clark Fork River and has plenty on offer including a great park, Caras Park where families and visitors can unwind.

After Missoula, continue along the I-90 and join Highway 287 which will take you to West Yellowstone to start your visit to the first national park.

This route from Portland to Yellowstone is 812 miles via these interstates and highways and could be done in two days but is best enjoyed over a few days before your  Yellowstone vacation .

As you get close to the national park, you can also find some great camping near Yellowstone along this route.

Northern New Mexico

From Stella Jane of Around the World in 24 Hours

Northern New Mexico is one of the most beautiful places in the United States to have a road trip.

The weather is gorgeous and sunny at almost any time of year, and many of the state’s most interesting places are just an hour’s drive away from each other!

Start the road trip in the state’s largest city, Albuquerque. Almost all people arriving in New Mexico start here because this is where the major airport is located.

Tourism in Albuquerque has really taken off since the show  Breaking Bad  was filmed here, but those who are not  Breaking Bad  fans will still love seeing Albuquerque’s charming Old Town.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to plan your trip around the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , you won’t be sorry you did!

After a couple of days in Albuquerque, drive an hour up to Santa Fe and spend a couple of days here. This is New Mexico’s capital and its most beautiful city.

You can stop for a bath in the hot springs at Ten Thousand Waves and see the historic Spanish Colonial Palace of the Governors. 

Finally, check out some smaller towns like Los Alamos, where the atomic bomb was developed, Chimayo, which is a popular pilgrimage site, and Taos, where you can visit a Native American pueblo that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll be amazed at how much Northern New Mexico has to offer!

I recommend spending about a week on this USA road trip route.

Denver to Yellowstone Loop

Starting from Denver, you can easily craft a fantastic road trip plan.

USA national parks are in abundance in the west, but from Denver, you can hit three of the most legendary in short order: Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the ever-popular Yellowstone National Park.

For your first stop, base yourself in the beautiful mountain town of Estes Park , where you can access some of the best hikes in RMNP while also enjoying this idyllic mountain town.

From there, head up to Yellowstone to enjoy a few days of geysers, geothermal pools, wildlife spotting, and utterly unique views.

On your way back to Denver, head to Grand Teton National Park to visit highlights like Jenny Lake, enjoy some hiking, and soak in iconic views like those along Mormon Row.

Don’t miss the chance to spend a bit of time in Jackson Hole, one of the USA’s most iconic mountain towns, while you’re there!

We recommend setting aside at least a week for this all-American road trip–if you’d like to spend some time in Denver, a full two weeks is best.

San Francisco to Yosemite Loop

From Julie of More Than Main Street

Typically, you think of the Pacific Coast Highway when you think of the best California road trips, right? Well…consider something a little different!

This 10 day California road trip , forming a loop from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park and back, is one of the best road trips in the USA.

You’ll get the best of big-city excitement, some time by the ocean, beautiful scenic vistas, and outdoor fun galore!

After spending a few days in San Francisco , hit up Monterey, Carmel, and part of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Can’t-miss destinations include the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz, Big Sur, and the world-class Monterey Aquarium.

Next head east over to Yosemite National Park for some incredible hiking, followed by a little wine tasting in Sonoma or Napa Valley, a stop in Muir Woods to see the giant redwoods, then finally back to San Francisco.

This road trip is perfect for families, couples, or even solo travelers and is guaranteed to be one you won’t forget!

You’ll need at least 10 days to do justice to this epic California road trip.

The American Southwest from Las Vegas

Thanks to inexpensive flights, a convenient location in southern Nevada, and its widespread appeal, Las Vegas is a fantastic place to kick off a road trip through the southwest!

With Las Vegas as a starting point, head off to Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada before making your way to the ultimate USA road trip destination: the Grand Canyon.

From there, loop up to Moab to explore Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, head west to visit Bryce Canyon National Park , and then move onto Zion before circling back to Vegas.

With extra time, you can add on more exciting stops in Arizona and Utah like Monument Valley, Page (home of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend ), Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, and more.

Ten days is a good starting place for this American road trip, but you can do an abridged version in one week, and the sky is the limit as far as how long you can take to explore every nook, cranny, and slot canyon in the region!

New York State Road Trip

From Melissa of Navigation Junkie

The route from Buffalo, NY to New York City is full of great attractions and small towns to explore, and the variety of stops along the way will be sure to entertain every member of the family!

To begin the journey, start at Niagara Falls in Buffalo, NY.

See the roaring power of the American and Canadian falls, and if you are up for it, take a ride on the Maid of the Mist to get up close and personal with the falls.

After visiting the falls continue on to Letchworth State Park, the Grand Canyon of the East, for a day of hiking and enjoying nature.

Continue on to   Rochester, NY , where you will find a variety of fun attractions, history, and nature experiences.

The next stop along the route is the Finger Lakes region, where you can enjoy the lakes, waterfalls, and some wine tasting.

From there, head to Saratoga Springs, known for horse racing and mineral baths.

After visiting Saratoga Springs, continue on to the Catskills Region, where you will find plenty of scenic views and hiking trails for hikers of all abilities.

Finish up your road trip in New York City, where you can visit the Statue of Liberty, The World Trade Center Memorial, Central Park, and Times Square, among many other iconic attractions!

We recommend taking a minimum of one week to fully experience all stops along this USA road trip route.

Miami to Key West Road Trip

From Hannah & Adam Lukaszewicz of Getting Stamped

If you’re looking for a tropical road trip, consider making the drive from Miami to Key West .

On this US road trip, you’ll travel through the islands that make up the Florida Keys on the “Overseas Highway.”

It’s said to be one of the best road trips in the country!

While the drive to Key West isn’t too far (165 miles), the stops and the scenic beauty along the way are what make it worthwhile. The road trip is full of fun and quirky things to do and see!

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Spiegel Grove Shipwreck are two great spots for exploring under the surface, where you’ll find coral reefs, sea life, and a sunken Navy ship.

For above the water, consider taking a cruise on The Africa Queen through the canals of Key Largo. 

There are great restaurants and bars along the way too.

Some popular stops include Plantation Key’s Mile Marker 88 Beach & Bar for all the tiki vibes, Islamorada Beer Company, and Robbie’s Restaurant, where you can feed tarpons from the dock. 

This road trip is best for a weekend (2-3 days).

New England

Made up of some of the USA’s smallest states, the northeast region of New England is one of the best places for a road trip in the USA.

Featuring historic cities (hello Boston !), adorable small towns, a rugged coastline, gorgeous harbors, and plenty of lighthouses, New England spots a charm and culture all its own.

Consider starting and ending your New England road trip in Boston, the region’s largest city and airport hub, where you can walk the Freedom Trail, stroll cobblestone lanes, and visit some of the most impressive universities and museums in the country.

From there, make your way to beautiful Acadia National Park in Maine, stopping at charming coastal villages like Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kennebunkport, Maine along the way–plus of course, a stop in the charming city of Portland.

On your way back south, drop by the White Mountain National Forest, and beautiful towns like Stowe, Vermont (legendary for its fall foliage) and Woodstock.

If you have time, head south of Massachusetts before heading back to Boston, visiting the Gilded Age mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, and the idyllic small town of Mystic, Connecticut.

To take a USA road trip through all six New England states, two weeks or more is best. 

However, with less time you can easily pick and choose a couple of states to visit and still have an amazing road trip experience!

Texas Hill Country

Tucked into the central part of the Lone Star State, west of both Austin and San Antonio, lies an oasis of beauty.

Visit the Texas Hill Country for sparkling rivers, charming small towns, incredible hiking, beautiful waterfalls, excellent Texas barbecue , magnificent wildflowers, and more wineries and distilleries than you can count.

Some of the best things to do in the Texas Hill Country include visiting the town of Fredericksburg, which is known for its German heritage, enjoying a wine tasting, exploring beautiful Wimberley, climbing Enchanted Rock, exploring dramatic limestone caves, sampling barbecue, and visiting some of the best swimming holes near Austin , including the legendary Hamilton Pool and Jacob’s Well.

Be sure to save time for a couple of state parks, as well!

In addition to Enchanted Rock, popular state parks in the Hill Country include Garner State Park, Guadalupe River State Park, and Colorado Bend State Park (home to 70-foot Gorman Falls).

The lakes are also unforgettable: don’t miss a chance to admire the beauty of Canyon Lake or Lake Travis during this incredible US road trip!

Even if you only have one day, it’s worth taking a quick Texas Hill Country road trip–but ideally, we recommend setting aside a week to explore.

While you can visit year-round, bluebonnet season (roughly late March-April) is undoubtedly the most scenic time to visit!

Northwest Arkansas

Packed with beautiful forests, idyllic hot springs, historic towns, and a lesser-known but beautiful national park, Northwest Arkansas is the perfect option for travelers looking for an interesting but off-the-beaten path US road trip destination.

Start your road trip at Hot Springs National Park, one of the only US national parks to be set in an urban (really, more like small-town) setting.

Nine historic bathhouses in the national park line Bathhouse Row, where visitors flocked to enjoy the local hot springs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

You can still soak in two of them today!

From there, head north all the way to Eureka Springs, which is known for its historic architecture, beautiful setting in the Ozark Mountains, and even more hot springs.

Along the way, consider detouring slightly to visit Hawksbill Crag (pictured below), one of the best viewpoints in Arkansas.

Whether you want to hike, soak, shop, or simply relax and enjoy the views, Northwest Arkansas is a delightful getaway.

This trip can be completed over a long weekend, but 5 days would be ideal.

From Carole of Travels With Carole

For one of the best road trips in Texas , begin in El Paso and head southeast. 

West Texas is filled with art, much of it BIG Texas art.

Before reaching the iconic West Texas art hub of Marfa , you’ll encounter some roadside art stops that include the “Giant” movie set installation featuring huge cutouts of stars Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, and Rock Hudson.

This is followed by stops at the Prada Marfa store that never opens, and at the railroad-side World’s Smallest Target Store that is complete with a shopping cart. 

The tiny town of Marfa itself is home to the Chinati Foundation’s series of huge indoor and outdoor installations located on a former military base, as well as a plethora of art galleries–one of which displays Andy Warhol’s “The Last Supper.” 

In addition to art, Marfa has a viewing center where locals and visitors alike congregate at night hoping to see the area’s legendary and unexplained bouncing light orbs.

And if that’s not enough, you can also dine at the Stripes convenience store where Anthony Bourdain ate a fried burrito while filming what turned out to be his last episode of “Parts Unknown.” 

This is just the tip of the iceberg of a fascinating visit to this area. 

Allow 3 nights to visit this area and another night or two for an excursion to Big Bend National Park.

Northern Michigan

When considering the best road trips in America, the Great Lakes are often overlooked in favor of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts–but for a magnificent summer road trip through one of the USA’s hidden gems, head to northern Michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior are located a mere five hours or so apart if you drive directly.

And, if you’ve never set eyes on the Great Lakes, this road trip will defy your expectations of what lakeshores look like!

Between them, be sure to take a step back in time at Mackinac Island, one of the best places to visit in Michigan.

Here’s the twist, though: no cars are allowed on the island, so you’ll need to leave yours on the mainland during your island escape!

Plan for about a week to make the most of this USA itinerary.

From Zach & Julie of Ruhls of the Road

Kauai is one of the most unique and beautiful destinations on earth.

However, when most people visit, they experience the inside of their resort and maybe a few beautiful places on day trips.

In truth, the best way to experience this incredible island is on a road trip to all of the best places on the island!

To start your Kauai road trip, go to the number one destination on the island: the Na Pali Coast.

The Na Pali Coast defies description, it is a place you have to see to believe.

The best way to see the area is on the Awa’awapuhi Trail, but make sure you hike the trail on a clear day for the best views!

From here, check out the Alakai Swamp, a boardwalk that also boasts incredible views.

As you leave the Na Pali Coast area, head down towards Waimea and see the Waimea Black Sand Beach.

Moving along the coast, stop at the Poipu area and see one of Kauai’s famous Hula shows.

Continue this coastal route and head into Wailua State Park. In this beautiful area, you’ll want to see Wailua Falls, Opaeka’a Falls, and hike the Kuilau Ridge.

The Kuilau Ridge Hike offers a 360-degree view of the Kauai landscape that will leave your jaw on the floor.

Finish your road trip by heading up to the Princeville area and checking out Queen’s Bath.

This is a beautiful tide pool that will make for the perfect ending to your Kauai road trip.

Make sure to check tides and go at low tide, as this area isn’t safe at high tide.

We recommend completing this Kauai road trip in 3 days.

Road to Hana, Maui

From Jess of I’m Jess Traveling

When you think of Hawaii you may not think of a road trip but prepare to have your mind altered.

When traveling on the island of Maui driving the Road to Hana is a must!

The scenic drive takes you from Kahului to the east side of the island to the town of Hana. 

The Road to Hana is 52 miles of one-lane bridges, hairpin turns, and curves.

This drive will take up an entire day so make sure you pack lots of snacks and fill up for gas beforehand.

The winding road takes you past jaw-dropping seascape views, roaring waterfalls, and exotic flora.

Some highlights of this drive include Ho’okipa, Twin Falls, the Painted Forest, Honomanu Bay, Wailua Falls, and the awe-inspiring Wai’anapanapa State Park.

Don’t forget to wear your bathing suit and pack a towel because pulling off the side of the road to take a dip in the ocean or swim under a waterfall is the name of the game.

Buckle up, enjoy the ride, and prepare for a trip of a lifetime.

You can drive the Road to Hana in a day, but if you’d like to savor the experience, consider camping or staying in Hana town for a few days to make sure you see all the best sights along this road trip in the USA.

Alaska Road Trip (Anchorage to Valdez)

From Wendy of Adventurous Retirement

Alaska is filled with excellent American road trip opportunities, especially in the summer.  

Start in Anchorage, when the museums are open.

Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about the indigenous people of the ‘last frontier’, and the Alaska Public Lands Information Center to learn about the history and culture of Alaska for free.

Take the Trolley tour for a fun overview of Anchorage, its history, and the earthquake of ‘64.

Ride the free shuttle to the Ulu factory, and check out the salmon runs at Ship Creek.

On day 2, head to Palmer and visit the Iditarod Museum before driving to Hatcher Pass.

Go to the high point for incredible views, hike the trails, and admire blue mountain lakes. 

Continue on this road to loop back to town.

From there, head to Matanuska Glacier, located one hour from Palmer. Spend day 4 hiking to and on the glacier. 

After that, drive toward Valdez Alaska on the Scenic Richardson Highway. It’s about 3 hours to Valdez.

Stop at Worthington Glacier Recreation Area to see the glacier or hike it. Stop at the various pullouts to view the waterfalls along Thompson Pass and the Highway.

If the salmon are spawning, visit Crooked Creek and see if you can spot a bear fishing for dinner.

While in and around Valdez, also consider taking an all-day wildlife glacier cruise, visiting the Valdez Museum and Annex, and visiting the Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum.

This is a 5-day, 6-night road trip that keeps visitors busy every day. 

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

6 thoughts on “25 Best Road Trips in the USA (Itinerary Ideas + Tips!)”

Love all these ideas and inspiration for my next trip!

Thanks Jess! So hard to choose.

So many fantastic ideas – I can vouch for the awesomeness of WA, my home state! I am itching to get driving!

We are too! Hopefully we’ll all be able to soon. :-) We’d love to get back out west this year!

Everybody skips over Arkansas and Missouri when they suggest road trips, big mistake. Some of the best driving roads and scenery are located in the Ozarks and Quachita National Forests. Start in Springfield, Mo to the north. Stops could include Branson, Mo, Buffalo National River, Little Rock, Ar, Hot Springs, Ar, Talimena Scenic Drive from Mena, Ar then back north through the river valley of Fort Smith, Ar,, up Hwy 23 (Pig Trail) to Historic Victorian Eureka Springs, Ar. Then back to Springfield, Mo. You could easily spend 10-14 days on this road trip and see very diverse entertainment, scenery, hiking and waterfalls, mineral and hot springs, mountain and valley vistas. Best time to travel would be spring and/or fall. Scenery rivals anywhere in the country.

It is a beautiful part of the country! We actually visited Eureka Springs the weekend we got engaged, stayed at the Crescent. :-) We had someone signed up to contribute the Ozarks to this post but we haven’t heard back from them yet–maybe we’ll add it ourselves during a post update!

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Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Embarking On A Six-Month-Long Road Trip

• Types of Travel

Fifteen years ago, my husband, Dave, and I were living in Estes Park, Colorado, a picturesque mountain town just minutes away from the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Despite all its beauty and access to the outdoors, living full-time in a tiny tourist town deep in the mountains has its drawbacks.

There was little work in Estes Park , so we were faced with lengthy commutes down the mountain. After our long days, we were too tired to enjoy our mountain community and we began to yearn for a fresh start.

With no kids, no pets, and a decent balance in our savings account, we decided to put the majority of our worldly possessions in storage, pack our trusted Toyota Echo with camping gear and what we hoped were all necessary essentials, and hit the road for a 6-month-long adventure with the goal of discovering our next hometown before the money ran out.

For 6 glorious months we explored back roads, got to know the locals, hiked miles of trails, tasted local cuisines, then got sick of our tent, and occasionally each other, began to miss cooking in our own kitchen, and slowly watched the money run out. At the end of the journey, we happily resettled in Missoula, Montana , the winner of our next hometown contest.

Despite all the challenges and even after all of these years, we often find ourselves reminiscing about our great adventure. As we approach the age of retirement, our fond recollections of the trip have begun to intertwine with dreams of doing it all over again and making it even better knowing now what we didn’t know then.

1. Budget For A Change Of Plans

Planning is a fun part of any trip and helps build the excitement. But when you’re making plans several months in advance, many of those plans are bound to change and cause unexpected expenses. I don’t fault us for doing things like putting a deposit down on campsites that we knew would be full when we got there.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the unexpected cold front arriving in Grand Canyon National Park the same time we did. Despite several miserable nights in the campground and waking up to frozen faces and frozen water bottles, we hesitated to abandon our tent and pay for a hotel room. On the fourth day we finally broke down, but I would have felt better about the situation if we had some money set aside for these types of changes to our plan.

2. Mother Nature Has Her Own Itinerary

When our plans did change, it was often due to the weather. We were all settled into camp in Shenandoah National Park . Most of that day was spent doing laundry, so we were ready to relax the rest of the evening and watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains while planning our hike for the next day. Out of nowhere, the most violent storm that I have ever experienced hit. 

We took a minute to consider our options and soon realized our tent was no place to wait it out. We had just enough time to throw our clean laundry in the car and race down the mountain to the nearest town, all the while crossing our fingers that lightning wouldn’t strike the car. We returned the next morning to find our tent flooded and our provisions soaked. Hiking plans had to be put on hold as we spent the day in a hotel room while our tent dried in the sun.

3. Having Alone Time Is Not A Sign That Our Marriage Is Falling Apart

One of the best parts of this trip was sharing it with Dave, but that didn’t mean that we had to spend every minute together. Between our tiny car and our tiny tent, we were at each other’s side constantly. No matter who you’re traveling with and how well you get along, that lack of alone time is bound to cause some friction. It’s natural that we wanted to experience everything together, but I think we also had the concern that spending time apart was a sign we were getting sick of each other.

I learned that it’s OK to set aside time to each do your own thing whether it be finding a quiet spot to read or touring a museum that doesn’t interest your traveling companion. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

4. Rest Days Are Essential

I’m the type of person that likes to fill each day with activities when on vacation. That’s fine for a shorter trip, but I began to realize this vacation was different. My body and mind grew tired from being constantly on the go. As the trip went on, we became proactive in scheduling days when we just sat beside the tent and read or watched movies all day in the comfort of a hotel room.

Looking back, I don’t feel like we missed anything or the trip didn’t live up to our expectations due to those rest days. They simply gave us time to regroup mentally and physically so we were able to jump back on the road with gusto.

5. The Importance Of Focusing On Self-care

Along the lines of setting aside rest days, we also needed to make an effort to take better care of ourselves. Many days were spent sitting in a car for hours and many nights were spent in a dusty tent. Neither one of us have ever been very good at cooking in camp, so we ate out a great deal, which meant heavy meals and often unfamiliar and unhealthy foods.

I would start to feel tired, like I was coming down with something. We should have been proactive in taking better care of ourselves. Set aside time for a walk. Drink plenty of water. Of course, it’s fun to try the local cuisine, but balance out the meals of fried catfish and bison chili with the occasional salad or a visit to the local farmer’s market for fresh fruits and vegetables.

6. No One Cared How We Looked

Before leaving on our trip, I read a book written by a woman who had traveled for a year with her husband in a motorhome, and she had mentioned they brought a few outfits that needed dry cleaning. I thought that was a little extreme, but then I brought a few “nicer” outfits just in case we ever wanted to have a night on the town.

Those clothes inevitably never left the suitcase. We rarely went anywhere that I felt required us to dress up and even if we did, so what if we went to a nice restaurant in jeans and T-shirts? No one cared. Pack enough clothes so you only have to do laundry once a week and make sure those clothes are comfortable and can be thrown in the wash with no fuss.

7. I’ll Want A Record Of Our Journey

In the beginning when everything was new, Dave and I both kept journals and faithfully recorded the happenings of the day. Then slowly we stopped setting aside time and would go for weeks without opening the journals. Then we stopped altogether. I regret that. Of course, we have our shared memories and photographs, but nothing that documented how we were feeling each day, the challenges we encountered, and the adventures we had.

Even if you’re not disciplined enough to do it every day, set aside time once a week to write in a journal, type up a log on your laptop, or even record a message on your phone. It will give you a treasured record of your journey that you can look back on for years to come.

8. Always Ask A Local

We spent months planning this trip looking at websites, ordering travel guides, and amassing glossy brochures. We assumed we knew everything we could about what to see and do at each of our destinations. We soon learned there is no substitute for the inside knowledge of a local resident.

The focus of our stop in Watkins Glen, New York, was to explore the incredible Watkins Glen State Park and its numerous cascading waterfalls. While we were in town talking to the bartender at Rooster Fish Brewing , we learned that the surrounding Finger Lakes Region is also famous for their wineries . We quickly added another day to our itinerary and spent it wine tasting. Take the time to politely chat up locals. You’ll find they’re excited to share the treasures of their hometown with respectful tourists.

9. Great Rewards Came From Going Outside Our Comfort Zones

We remember many of the mundane details of our trip, but the times we look back on with the greatest affection were when we put ourselves in an unfamiliar situation or faced a fear. We forgot all about our seasickness caused by huge ocean swells as humpback whales swam under our boat while on a cruise with Monterey Bay Whale Watch . We savored the most delicious food of our trip in Quebec City despite having to order from menus in our broken French. Zion National Park would not have been as memorable if we hadn’t overcome our fear of heights to hike the cliff-hugging Observation Point Trail.

Looking back, there are definitely things I would change if we were to take another trip, but I don’t regret a single moment.

For more on Road Trips , check out these articles:

• 7 Things To Know Before Your First Electric Car Road Trip Adventure
• 9 Essential Tips For Surviving A Road Trip With Your Spouse
• My 6 Favorite Stops From Southern Arizona To Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Susie Wall is a freelance journalist based in Missoula, Montana. Her parents fostered her love of travel and exploration during many family road trips and Sunday drives. Once she outgrew her propensity for car sickness, there was no looking back. Her boundless curiosity takes her down many open roads to discover what lies around the next corner. Susie’s writing has appeared in numerous publications such as Northwest Travel & Life , Family RVing , and Montana Outdoors . Though travel is her favorite topic, the subjects of her writing have ranged from small-scale farming to craft beer to scat identification.

5 Amazing US Road Trip Itineraries for Your Bucket List

The United States of America has got to be the best country in the world for road tripping. There are so many great US road trips you can take. We should know! We spent 18 months driving  around the US. We’re expert road trip planners now and can help you plan the perfect road trip covering the best American road trip routes.

We think everyone should give road tripping in the US a go so, for this post, we broke our travels down into smaller, more manageable that are easily replicated by travellers with less time to spend in the US. These are the five best road trip ideas that we’ve come up with for a US road trip. If you’re looking for US road trip itinerary inspiration, this is the place to start.

Here are five US road trip itineraries for you to add to your bucket list

5 Amazing US Road Trips Itineraries for Your Bucket List

Pacific North West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Starting in Seattle and ending in San Francisco

Highlights: Crater Lake National Park, Yosemite National Park and California Redwoods

The Pacific Northwest is a great patch of the US and if you’re planning a west coast road trip, this is the one to take. Spectacular National Parks, ancient forests plus a volcano with a lake inside it that you can drive around! Not to mention three top notch, hip cities to eat your way around. The Pacific Northwest is progressive, cultured and fun. You can read the highlights of our Pacific Northwest road trip in this post.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Drive Through Tree, Redwoods, California

Golden Gate Bridge from the Water, San Francisco, California

This Pacific Northwest road trip itinerary will take you two weeks.

• Start in Seattle, WA – The EMP, Space Needle and harbour cruise. More ideas on things to do in Seattle here.
• Portland, OR – Food trucks, craft breweries, Portland Children’s Museum and side trip to Multnomah Falls
• Grants Pass or Medford – Crater Lake National Park. More scenic Oregon photography locations here.
• Crescent City, CA – California Redwoods along Newton B Drury Parkway and the Avenue of the Giants
• Napa Valley – Winery tours
• Yosemite National Park – Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Falls
• End in San Francisco – California Academy of Sciences, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. More ideas for things to do in San Francisco here.

Utah & Arizona’s National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Starting in Salt Lake City and ending in Las Vegas

Highlights: Arches National Park, Monument Valley Navajo Park, Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon National Park

Utah and Arizona hit the jackpot when it comes to National Parks and natural wonders. I’ve outlined an extensive road trip itinerary for exploring Utah previously. There are so many natural wonders to see in this part of the USA. If you love alien landscape, rich red rock and hiking then this is the road trip for you.

Arches National Park, Utah

Monument Valley

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

This itinerary can be done in one week or expanded up to two weeks if you want to spend more time exploring each park or in Las Vegas at the end of the trip. You can start this itinerary in Salt Lake City and end in Las Vegas or do a round trip from Las Vegas.

• Start in Salt Lake City, UT – Utah Natural History Museum and Antelope Island State Park
• Moab – Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park
• Page, AZ – Via Monument Valley Najavo Park, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon tour
• Grand Canyon – Grand Canyon National Park
• Bryce Canyon, UT – Bryce Canyon National Park at sunset and sunrise
• Zion – Zion National Park
• Las Vegas, NV – Cirque du Soliel show and buffet at Caeser’s Palace. More ideas for things to do in Las Vegas here.

Epic Cross Country Road Trip Across America Itinerary

Starting in Los Angeles and ending in New York City

Highlights: Grand Canyon, driving parts of old Route 66, Southern food and amazing East Coast cities

Everyone should experience an epic cross country US road trip at least once in their lives.  It almost doesn’t matter what route you take! When you take a road trip across America, you get the experience of driving across an entire continent, witnessing the cultural difference between the states and the ever-changing landscape of the US is a once in a lifetime experience. Start on one coast, end at the other. This is one of the best cross country road trip routes IMO.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Cadillac Graveyard, Amarillo, Texas

Southern Food, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Nashville, Tennessee

An epic cross-country road trip can take as much time as you’ve got. The road trip itinerary below will take you at least three weeks. If you’ve got more time, take detours and add in more cities along the way.

• Start in Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Walk of Fame and Disneyland. More ideas for what to do with 3 days in Los Angeles in this post.
• Las Vegas, NV – Casinos, buffets at Caesar’s Palace & Cosmopolitan and Cirque du Soliel shows.  More ideas for things to do in Las Vegas here.
• Grand Canyon, AZ – Grand Canyon National Park
• Santa Fe, NM – Artists shops and New Mexican cuisine
• Amarillo, TX – Cadillac graveyard and Big Texan Steakhouse
• Memphis, TN – Graceland and the Memphis Zoo
• Nashville – Country Music Hall of Fame, Southern food and Adventure Science Center. More ideas for things to do in Nashville here.
• Nashville to Washington DC – The White House, Capitol Building, Smithsonian and Lincoln Memorial
• End in New York City, NY – Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, Central Park and cruise along the Hudson

New England Road Trip Itinerary

Starting in Montreal and ending in New York City

Highlights: Boston, lobster & lighthouses on the Maine coastline, covered bridges in Vermont, Cape Cod’s beaches and New York City!

A New England road trip is a great way to experience the history of this part of the US. History comes to life in cities like Salem, Boston and Plymouth. It’s worth taking a guided tour of each city to really get to know the history. Plus there is some stunning coastline, beautiful beaches and plenty of seafood to enjoy.

Covered Bridge Near Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont

Lobster Dinner, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

This itinerary will take you two weeks. Allow three weeks if you want to include time in New York City and Montreal. You could also make this a round trip from New York City.

• Start in Montreal, Canada – Festivals, the Vieux Port and Montreal bagels
• Stowe, VT – Ben & Jerry’s Factory tour and covered bridges
• Portland, ME – Lighthouses and lobster at Cape Elizabeth
• Boston, MA – Trolley tour through Boston, Boston Science Musuem and day trip to Salem
• Cape Cod – Via Plymouth Rock, beaches and more lobster
• Newport, RI – Newport coastal cliff walk
• Mystic, CT – Old port of Mystic
• New York City, NY – Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, Central Park and cruise along the Hudson

Here’s an alternative, shorter New England road trip itinerary if you’ve only got a few days to spare.

East Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Starting in New York City and ending in Miami

Highlights: Everything in New York City, Washington DC’s museums, historic Southern towns and Miami’s South Beach

The East Coast of the US is another historically significant hot spot for tourists to explore. If you love your US history, or if you simply enjoy great cities & museums, this is the US road trip itinerary for you.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

Historic Homes in Charleston, South Carolina

Philadelphia Skyline at Sunset, Pennsylvania

This East Coast road trip itinerary will take you two weeks but could be expanded to three weeks if you included more time in New York City or even  a Caribbean cruise from Florida at the end.

• Philadelphia, PA – Liberty Bell and Please Touch Museum
• Lancaster & Hershey – Hershey factory tour and Amish country
• Washington DC – The White House, Capitol Building, Smithsonian and Lincoln Memorial
• Williamsburg, VA – Colonial Williamsbury town
• Charleston, SC – Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
• Savannah, GA –  Houses in the Savannah Historic District
• Cape Canaveral, FL – Kennedy Space Center
• Miami – South Beach and Cuban food

Read our full East Coast road trip itinerary here.

Read an extended Florida road trip itinerary here.

Want to know what to pack for Florida? Let me tell you!

So, which US road trip itinerary are you planning?

Got questions about planning a US road trip? Whether you want to take an East Coast road trip or a West Coast road trip or a road trip across America. Let me know. I’m happy to help! After driving 10,000+ miles around the US over the past year I think I’m qualified to help. I’m also working on a post with tips on how to plan a road trip so keep an eye out for that in the next week or so.

Top 10 Road Trip Essentials

Before you set off on your road trip, make sure you’ve got all the essential items at the ready.

• GPS covering American & Canadian roads
• AAA breakdown kit
• Car charger with multiple USB ports
• Cooler & large Ziploc bags  for filling with ice from hotel ice machines
• Audible membership for listening to audiobooks
• Tide Pods – put a handful in a Ziploc bag for doing laundry on the road
• Baby wipes for wiping up after snacks or messes
• First aid kit
• Radar detector
• Send to a Friend

Cool, wonderful tips and defenitley on my bucketlist. I am a big fan of roadtrips and the US is just perfect for it…I have been wanting to do it for ages and now I am getting closer: Will save this article as we are now on Hawaii for a few months but we are thinking about a roadtrip through the US afterwards… 😀 Happy travels!!

This is great! We are leaving on our three month U.S. road trip on the 29th. We have a lot of these routes in our plans. So glad to find your blog and learn from your experiences!

Love seeing Memphis on the cross-country itinerary! A FANTASTIC city that I think gets overlooked by many as a travel destination.

What a beast! My husband and I did Chicago to New Orleans and back, hitting 10 states on the way. I’d love to do one out west, though I get antsy in the car too long!

Great trips and gorgeous photos. I’ve done the West Coast trip a couple of times, but I’ve got my eye on the cross country grand slam. .

great article!! I will be saving this one. I am planning to do a cross country trip from California to NYC soon!! thanks for sharing.xxx

We just completed our very own New England road trip in early September!

I love that you’ve included so many of the best things about the USA (the National Parks) in many of these itineraries

What amazing road trips! I Have done a small piece of each one, but want to use them in their entirety…starting with the pacific! Fantastic inspiration!

What a good list! Been dreaming about this since last year and we are finally doing it next year!!! So excited! Definitely bookmarking this

Great list! I hope I can cross all of those off my list! 🙂

Great job highlighting unique spots of the US! I was really inspired to start planning another US road trip after reading this. 🙂 My husband and I actually went on a road trip across the US for our honeymoon, and that’s what got us started on our blog! There is so much beauty within this country! Thanks for reminding us of all there is to explore right here.

We are currently on our #epicUSroadtrip and can’t wait to get to Utah in October! Great post!

I love travelling the USA . You have designed great tours. But why leave out the Great Lakes, Niagara Falls, or New Orleans?

How I love road trips. Planning to visit west and hope we can visit every places mentioned on your list which are definitely on my bucket list. This seems fun and every scenes looks memorable.

Thanks for the write-up. In my opinion, if one is willing to sacrifice the city ‘walk-arounds’ for driving state and county roads, I think many of these trips could be done in a much shorter time span than the one estimated/provided, with just as satisfying a trip experienced.

Hi we from South Africa and it is so awesome to have some guidance were to start. Your post is so informative and I will definitely use some of the hotels and the spreadsheet. Thanks and happy travels.

Hi there, Just wandering if you can help me please? We’re trying to plan an RV road trip from Seattle to La, via Yellowstone, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon & Las Vagas for 15 nights. Do you have any suggestions please? We realise we’re trying to fit in a lot but think it’s feasible? TIA

Hi we are looking to do a trip in September for 4 weeks with our six month old baby. Thought I would see whether you have any ideas for a road trip itinerary! We are from Australia. The only places you can fly directly to from here are LA and dallas Fort Worth! Are there any road trips you’d recommend with either of them as the starting point? It would be great to do one of the flights (either there or home) direct but we would be open to doing the other flight as a longer flight. Any ideas?

If not, we were thinking a flight to Houston maybe and then a road trip from there. Any pointers would be really appreciated! We’ve both done New York, and while I loved it, neither of us are attached to the idea of going back on this trip. We are easy! We just want to see some different states and some picturesque towns or national parks. Obviously with a little one we don’t want to take on too many hours driving for his sake! Nicola and Dallas 🙂

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CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP 101: THE BEST ITINERARIES AND HOW TO PLAN FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

Post Summary: How to plan a cross country road trip, including the best routes, tips, and resources to use so that it’s smooth sailing once you hit the open road.

A cross country road trip through America is the kind of experience every adventurer needs to try once in their life.

With extraordinary national parks, breathtaking beaches, locally inspired cuisine, and quirky roadside attractions, there’s enough to keep you exploring for a lifetime. But how do you begin to plan a road trip?

The recipe for a great American road trip includes having the most current resources and tips at your disposal so you can get the most out of your time on the road.

That and a great playlist.

We embarked on our own three-month cross country trip in our renovated camper and learned a lot about how to plan a road trip across America.

We’re sharing everything we know, including the best cross country road trip routes and our own road-tested tips to help you plan an extraordinary adventure.

*We loved our USA road trip so much that we knew we had to include it in our post on the essential bucket list for families . Check it out for more inspiring travel ideas in the United States.

*This Cross Country Road Trip post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you. We only suggest what we think is truly awesome.

CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP GUIDE

This is an in-depth article that will cover everything you need for planning a cross country road trip. You can use the table of contents above to skip around to a section you want to read.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How many days you’ll need
• What kind of car you need
• Things you need for a cross country road trip
• Cross country road trip cost analysis
• Cross country road trip tips
• The best cross country road trip routes

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED FOR A CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP?

So how long does it take to do a cross country road trip? The drive from Los Angeles to New York City is 2776 miles and takes roughly 41 hours without stopping. At 8 hours a day, that would take you five days to complete.

But what about stops and, you know…enjoying the ride?

Without knowing your route, it’s hard to suggest a time frame. At a minimum, you’ll need a week for a one-way cross country road trip. Two weeks is better, though. Two weeks allows you to drive for shorter distances and to take more time to enjoy the places you stop at. Three weeks is perfection!

America is the 3rd largest country in the world, so there’s a lot of ground to cover when driving cross country. It’s estimated that it takes about three months to see every state in the lower 48.

THE BEST ROAD TRIP ROUTES IN THE US

When planning a road trip, the question “What is the best cross country road trip?” is bound to come up. The sheer size of the US makes answering it a complicated task. Below, I will cover the most iconic road trip routes and a few other suggestions to spark your own creativity. 

Some things to consider for yourself are how much time you have, what season you’ll be traveling in, and what kind of stops you’re interested in making. Do you want to focus on nature activities, touring big cities, tasting America’s best food, or quirky roadside attractions? 

Let the following routes be an inspiration, but don’t forget it’s also possible to plan your trip as you go. 

When we built our cross country road trip itinerary, we knew we needed to get from North Idaho to Maryland. It was winter, so we chose to avoid the Rocky Mountains and any hazardous winter driving conditions. We opened up a map (really, it’s more like we opened up an internet browser and looked at Google Maps) and figured we should head South and plan as we go. 

We knew we would visit Utah’s National Parks, but other than that, we left it open to allow for spontaneity and random side trips.

On our way traveling through Arkansas, I looked at the map and noticed we would be close to Hot Springs National Park. We had time, so we decided to make a small detour to see America’s first unofficial National Park. Those are the kind of things you want to leave time and space for. 

Let’s explore the most popular cross country road trip routes.

*Also, the maps pictured below for each road trip aren’t for driving purposes. They are there to help get you a visual of where the road trip happens.

Famous For:  Kitschy roadside attractions, old-fashioned motels, and its throwback Americana feel

Route 66 is the most famous American road trip that is more about the journey than the sights. You’ll travel through small towns where the most you’ll see is an old-fashioned main street and an old diner. It’s worth it to tap into an old-time Americana complete with neon lights and Art Deco motels. It’s also a great opportunity to see underrated cities like Albuquerque and Oklahoma City.

Begins and Ends:  Downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, CA

Time Needed:  At 2448 Miles, Two Weeks (one way)

Highlights :  Cadillac Ranch  in Amarillo, TX, eating a hamburger and an ice cream float in an old-fashioned diner, getting a photo op in front of a Route 66 sign, Tower Station and U Drop Inn Cafe in Texas, Gateway Arch in Missouri.

BEFORE YOU GO: The road can be hard to navigate using GPS. The book Route 66:EZ66 Guide For Travelers is from a passionate lover of Route 66. It’s a thorough guide with descriptive maps. It’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to drive the entire route.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

Famous For:  Gorgeous, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

The PCH, or Highway 1, is one of the most iconic drives in America. We’ve done sections of the drive, and it never disappoints. From the fecund forests of Washington to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the sunny ocean vibes of Southern California, there’s something for everyone on this beautiful coastal drive.

Begins and Ends:  Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA

Time Needed:  1650 Miles, It can be done in one week, but 2 weeks is better (one way).

Highlights :  Olympic National Park , Big Sur, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Redwood National Park, Mendocino, Hearst Castle, Los Angeles, San Diego Zoo, Laguna Beach, Tacos in San Diego

Tip : Drive North to South so you can be closer to the water for the drive.

Recommended Guide: Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip: California, Oregon & Washington (Travel Guide)

THE LONELIEST ROAD

Famous For:  Large stretches of driving where you’ll see little to no signs of civilization.

Route 50, also known as “The Loneliest Road” and “the backbone of America,” is a true cross country road trip. Taking you from coast to coast, you’ll pass through 11 states on this grand road trip across America. From metropolitan cities like Washington D.C to deserted ghost towns to the azure waters of Lake Tahoe, this route takes you on a diverse cross-section of the US that’s guaranteed to give you a little bit of everything.

Begins and Ends:  Sacramento, CA to Ocean City, MD

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.

THE GREAT NORTHERN ROAD

Famous For:  The longest transcontinental highway in the US

Highway 2, or The Great Northern Road, takes you coast to coast through 10 states and Canada. From the lush forests of the Idaho Panhandle to the windswept plains of North Dakota to the sophisticated allure of Montreal, this route takes you through some of America’s most beautiful spots. This is the best cross country route for exploring the vast terrain of the northern US.

Begins and Ends:  Seattle, WA to Acadia National Park in Maine

Time Needed:  3600 miles, Two weeks is enough, but three weeks is best (one way).

Highlights:  Glacier National Park , Montreal, Duluth MN, Burlington VT, Seattle WA, Sandpoint ID, Acadia National Park

Book Recommendation : Moon Guide: Road Trip USA: The Great Northern, Highway 2 

THE OREGON TRAIL

Famous For:  An arduous, historical one-way trail people used in the 1800s to find better opportunities out West.

Go back in time and explore the trek that hundreds of thousands of pioneers made on their way West. While not an official road, the journey can be loosely followed along with interesting stops to learn more about the history and the pilgrims who took this path. History buffs will love learning about Lewis and Clark, city lovers will enjoy exploring Boise and Boston, and nature seekers will love seeing Yellowstone , America’s 1st National Park.

Begins and Ends:  Cannon Beach, Oregon to Provincetown, MA

Time Needed:  3300 Miles, Two weeks is enough, but three weeks is best (one way).

Highlights:   Yellowstone National Park ,  Boise , Grand Teton National Park, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Boston

Book Recommendation : Moon Guide:  Oregon Trail Road Trip

THE ATLANTIC COAST

Famous For:  Driving through America’s most iconic and historic cities.

Explore America’s oldest cities and charming beachside communities by taking a drive down The Atlantic Coast. This route takes you on I-95, where you can go from historical sites like the Statue of Liberty, wild horses on Assateague Island, to the artsy beach town of Saint Augustine, Florida. This is a great cross country trip for someone who doesn’t want large chunks of time in the car with nothing to see. There is so much to do and something for everyone.

Begins and Ends:  Maine to Florida

Time Needed: 1900 miles, 10 days is good, but two weeks is best (one way).

Highlights : Mystic CN, Boston MA, Savannah GA, NYC, detours to the beaches of North and South Carolina, St. Augustine, The Florida Keys

TIP: I-95 is great to hop on to when you want to get somewhere faster, but the true beauty of this road trip is mainly on the smaller roads that run along the coast. Deviate from the 95 to explore the coastal islands that run down the entire east coast.

THE MIGHTY FIVE

Famous For:  Out of this world red rock desert landscapes and bucket-list hikes.

A Utah National Parks road trip  to explore all 5 of Utah’s National Parks (dubbed the Mighty 5) is perfect for adventurers and explorers. With mindboggling hikes, slot canyons to wade through, white water rafting, and an ocean of red desert to traverse, Southern Utah will leave an imprint on your soul.

Begins and Ends:  Moab, Utah to Springdale, Utah

Time Needed:  375 Miles, Can be done at warp speed in 7 days, but 10 days are best (one way).

Highlights:  Angels Landing Hike and The Narrows in Zion, Delicate Arch in Arches , Fruit Picking in Capitol Reef, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon

READ NEXT:  For all the details on making this trip check out our comprehensive guide to planning a  Mighty 5 Roadtrip .

THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Famous For:  Stunning Fall foliage display.

The  Blue Ridge Parkway  takes you through the beating heart of Appalachia, where you’ll pass waterfalls, lookouts, charming tunnels, small towns, and meandering rivers. If you’re driving it in Fall (the most popular time) you’ll see Fall foliage that rivals the best of New England. With a maximum speed of 45 MPH and no big trucks allowed, it’s the kind of road where you’ll want to take your time to enjoy the views while Bluegrass music plays on repeat.

Begins and Ends:  Great Smoky Mountain National Park in NC to Shenandoah National Park in VA.

Time Needed:  469 Miles, 3 days is enough, 7 Days is ideal (one way)

Highlights:  Great Smoky Mountain National Park,  Asheville, NC, Mile High Swinging Bridge, Blue Ridge Music Center, Mabry Mill, Shenandoah National Park , Roanoke, VA

TIP:  If you want an even longer journey, you could include additional  East Coast National Parks  in your itinerary for even more sublime nature.

READ NEXT:  Time spent in the funky mountain town of Asheville, NC, is a must when driving the parkway. Learn more about Asheville with our guide to how to spend  36 Hours in Asheville .

These are tried and true cross-country road ideas, but don’t forget you can always make up your own road trip route . You could go on a donut road trip and check out the best donuts in every state (psst-the  best donuts are in Boise ), or you could see as many  west coast national parks  as you can. 

Maybe you’ll be road-tripping in Spring and want to see the most exquisite wildflower blooms in the country, or it’s summer, and you’ll hit up America’s best waterparks. The sky is the limit!

Now, let’s discuss how to plan a cross-country road trip. Based on our experiences, we’ve created a cross-country travel guide that includes everything we did and learned along the way.

BEST CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP CAR

If you won’t be using your own car, you’ll need to find the best cross country road trip car for your needs. If you’ll be traveling in winter or in places with rugged terrain like Southern Utah, it’s recommended to have a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can handle the rougher conditions.

The first choice is to use a car rental service. You can look on rentalcars.com to see what the going rates are for rental cars. It’s a search engine that specializes in rental car prices across the web. You can often get a discounted rate if you’ll be using the car for a longer period.

Also, don’t forget if you are only going one way with the car, most places will charge a one-way delivery fee.

Another option is to rent a camper or RV for your big adventure. You can rent from a peer-to-peer service like RV Share and Outdoorsy , or you can opt for a company like Cruise America .

If you like the idea of an RV but want something smaller, you could also opt for a converted van that typically has a bed, a fridge, and other amenities. It’s a great option for solo or couples travel. The biggest renter of campervans is Escape Campervans . Since they have multiple offices, it’s a great choice for someone who wants a one-way rental. You can also check the sites I mentioned above, RV Share and Outdoorsy, for campervan rentals.

An RV or campervan rental can range from $100-$500 a day. It’s a more expensive option, but the potential for savings is better because you can cook your own meals and potentially camp for free. But don’t forget about gas prices! This brings me to our next section..coming up with a cross country road trip budget.

TIP: A n alternative option to a rental car is to try your luck at a one-way car or RV transfer service like immova and transfercar . The basic idea is that a company or person needs a car or RV moved and you pay as low as $1 a day to have a practically free vehicle. A great option if you are flexible and their travel dates work for you. You can also look at when big RV companies like El Monte RV need their RVs moved and offer them at exceptionally low rates.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DRIVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

There’s no straight answer to what a cross-country road trip costs. We averaged about $150 a day on a three-week road trip in our RV. Could we have done it for less? ABSOLUTELY. We didn’t go crazy, but we also didn’t scrimp. If you’re willing to cut corners and camp in free places, you can potentially do a road trip for $50-75 a day.

Let’s explore how to plan a road trip on a budget. I’ll discuss the five main expenses and offer tips on how to save money.

• GAS : Depending on what kind of vehicle you are driving, this will probably be one of your biggest expenses. You can use a fuel calculator to estimate what it will cost for your trip and your car type. If you are driving an RV, you can use this fuel calculator to get a rough idea of what it would cost. As for saving money, you can use the GasBuddy App to see the cheapest gas stations on your route. We also use our AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Credit Card, which gives us 3% cash back on gas and 6% cash back on groceries . We spent $1300 on gas, which means we earned roughly $40 back. That’s a free tank of gas! That and the $150 sign-up bonus make it a great money-saving choice.
• LODGING: Here is where you have a lot of options for saving money. Camping is the cheapest way to travel cross country whether you choose to pitch a tent, sleep in your car, or are in an RV or campervan. You can stay in conventional campsites that range from $25 to $60 a night, or you can try to find free campsites. Free campsites are generally found on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or parking lots (Walmart parking lots are popular) that allow you to sleep overnight – but please don’t pitch a tent in a parking lot! Only vehicles are allowed. The best way to find camping spots is to search on the Dyrt App . It’s a camp reviewing site that is a GREAT resource for finding campsites and free sites. It’s worth upgrading to the pro version to have access to it offline. If camping isn’t your thing, you can look for cheap room rentals with an app like HotelTonight. HotelTonight is perfect for road trips since it searches for last-minute discounts on hotels. It’s also a tiered service so the more you use it, the more exclusive discounts you can access. If you sign up for an account and put in my discount code CGRANCE in your Account Settings, you can get $25 off a booking. You can also use the sites like Booking to see what’s available around you. Airbnb or VRBO could also have cheap options, but you’ll have to plan ahead since it’s not always possible to book it the same day. In general, lodging in a budget hotel will cost you $50-$125 a night.
• FOOD: We spent roughly $25 a day for a family of three. Granted, we ate all of our meals in our camper and rarely got takeout. That’s where having a fully functioning kitchen on wheels can go a long way to saving you money. If you aren’t traveling in an RV, you’ll want to save money by making your own meals as much as possible. Pack a cooler and eat turkey sandwiches every day if you need to. My favorite way to get fancy on the cheap is to make a charcuterie spread of summer sausage, salami, crackers, cheese, olives, almonds, and dried fruit. I even bring a wood cutting board and stemless wineglasses with silicone sleeves because it’s how I roll. Also, most gas stations will have microwaves. We would often buy frozen burritos from Amy’s beforehand at a grocery store and heat them at a gas station for lunch.
• ENTERTAINMENT: Our entertainment costs came out to about $3 a day. We spent very little since we had a primarily nature-based itinerary. Hiking is free! Plus, we opted to buy the National Parks pass that gets you into every National Park and additional federal land sites. You should definitely buy the pass if you are going to any National Parks. You can buy and learn more about the pass here. If you are visiting a big city, you can check if it offers a City Pass . A city pass will typically give you discounts to restaurants, museums, and popular attractions.
• MISCELLANEOUS – There are always little costs that come up while you travel, whether that’s souvenirs, oil for your car, or payment for a toll. You should leave room in your cross country road trip budget for random things that always pop up. I would budget $5-$10 a day for miscellaneous items.

We recorded everything we paid for. You, of course, don’t need to do that, but if making spreadsheets is fun for you (woohoo!), then I would recommend using Excel or Numbers and using one of their pre-formatted templates for logging your costs.

TIPS FOR A CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP

Before you head out on your big adventure, here’s some cross country road trip advice to spare you any headaches.

• Before you leave, make sure to get an oil change and a full check-up on your car, including having your tires checked. It’s also worth investing in a roadside assistance plan, especially if you have an older vehicle. We used AAA and had to use it three times on the road. AAA is great for regular cars, and Good Sam Roadside is good for RVs. You can check prices for  AAA here  and  Good Sam Roadside here . 
• Make sure to download your maps beforehand! You don’t want to be stuck in Utah because you have no service and no idea which road to take. Google Maps has the ability to download maps. Use it!
• We prefer to drive for a maximum of five hours. Anything more than that makes the road trip unenjoyable. Find the sweet spot for you. It’s okay to do a few long 8-hour days, but remember to balance them with days off of driving.
• If you’re looking for a cross country road trip planner, you can use the app or website Roadtrippers to help you find interesting sights along the way. We’ve never used the app but have heard good things about it.
• Lastly, use travel bloggers like myself, Pinterest, and Instagram for fun tips on places you will be visiting. Pinterest has a wealth of great travel information, and you’ll be able to find fun off-the-beaten-path recommendations. You can check out our Pinterest page and our Instagram page . While you’re there, give us a follow, will you?

CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP PACKING LIST

We have an extensive post detailing what every person needs to have on their road trip packing list . Be sure to check it out for a detailed list of what to bring. Here’s a simple rundown of a few cross country road trip essentials.

• Emergency Roadside Kit – Having a   roadside emergency kit  with a surplus of safety devices is essential for a road trip. At the very least, make sure you have a   high-quality set of jumper cables . If you are driving in a remote area where other cars might not be able to help you out, you might want to consider a  mobile battery jumper  that allows you to jumpstart your car on your own.
• First Aid Kit – A first aid kit is something you should always have in your car. Don’t forget it for your big road trip.
• Cooler – A high-quality cooler that will keep your food cold for days is a great investment. We are die-hard fans of Yeti and love the Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler  for road trips. It can fit behind the passenger’s seat and is long enough to fit a bottle of wine. More economical choices are the Arctic Zone Cooler and the   Igloo Quart MaxCold Cooler .
• Phone Chargers and Power Bank – In addition to our phone charger that goes into the cigarette lighter, we bring a  splitter  so multiple people can plug in their device and a  solar charger power bank,  so we’re never left without something to charge our devices. It’s handy when traveling with many people so everyone can have a way to charge a device.
• Car Organizers – Having an organization system is great if you’ll be on the road for a while or are making a family cross country road trip. We like this  backseat organizer  with SO MANY pockets for your gadgets, notebooks, and snacks. It’s a fantastic option if you’re traveling with young kids. We particularly like that it has a tablet holder.
• I also think this  car seat gap organizer  is brilliant. It sits in the gap between the console and the passenger or driver’s seat. It’s that little bit of space where you always drop your phone, and you’re like  “$%^&*!”  because it’s so difficult to fit your hand in there. Well, this organizer stops anything from falling in that gap while also providing extra storage. Like I said…brilliant.
• Conversation Starters – When you hit the road, pull up our post of 160 road trip questions and road trip trivia questions. These are perfect for long stretches of time when you can either get to know your travel companion even better or test out your trivia skills on each other. Also, read through our post on the best things to do on a road trip for more fun games and ideas.
• Entertainment – Your podcasts, e-books, road trip playlists, and Netflix shows should all be already downloaded (don’t rely on your cell service). If you’re not already signed up, you can even do a trial run of Audible or Amazon Music to get free fun content for the road.
• Cozy Everything – Being cozy on a road trip is paramount! Bring some cozy slip-on shoes, a sherpa blanket from Pendleton, and breathable clothing.

READ NEXT: If you are traveling in an RV, check out our post on the Camper Must Haves you’ll need to bring on the road.

We hope we’ve prepared you for an extraordinary road trip across the country.

Happy travels, and here’s to an amazing cross country road trip!

LOOKING FOR MORE CROSS COUNTRY ROAD TRIP POSTS?

17+ Boredom Busting Things To Do On A Road Trip How To Road Trip With A Toddler Like A Boss How We Did A $650 Farmhouse Camper Renovation 160 Questions To Cure Road Trip Boredom 41 Fun and Challenging Road Trip Trivia Questions The Definitive List Of Road Trip Worthy Snacks For Your Next Ride Road Trip Essentials You Need To Pack

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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Hi. Reading your time to allow for each trip has me confused. Are talking one way, or round trip? I can’t imagine doing a cross country trip in two, or even three weeks and have it not be an awful lot of all day driving round trip.

Hi Barbara, thanks for bringing this to my attention. You are right, two weeks round trip would be A LOT of driving. We mean one way, but I’ll edit the article so it’s more clear. Thank you!

Heya! Are your “needed X days” recommendations for *round trip* or *one way*? It seems like they are round trip but I just wanted to be sure. This article is fantastic, btw. -JDS

Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Sorry for not responding sooner. We were traveling in Thailand, and I just saw this today. Yes, all the recommended drive times are for one way. Round trip, you would need to double it or cut out a lot of day trips and exploration to reduce your time.

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USA Road Trips

No matter what you're driving or how fast you're going, or even where you're heading, there's nothing like a good all American road trip. Spending hours behind the wheel, with the wind in your hair as you watch the scenery change is the very essence of freedom and exploration. Nowhere is that freedom easier to find than hitting the road in the USA.

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Planning the Perfect Road Trip

At some point, we've all dreamed of just hitting the road, kicking back with some good tunes and driving wherever the road takes us. It's inspired many Hollywood filmmakers and head-banging hits and has been ingrained in us that nothing beats a good old car or motorcycle journey. From Route 66 to the Great River Road, a ride through the Land of the Free offers exactly that, freedom. As a country filled with many cultures, golden beaches, impressive canyons, sheer mountains, bustling cities, and never-ending roads, it's not hard to see why the United States offers some of the greatest driving trips in the world.  There's so much to consider when planning the perfect road trip, so we've made it easier for you with itinerary ideas, tips on traveling with your family or four-legged friends, deciding on what time of year is right for you, and ultimately giving you everything you need to know to plan that all American dream.

Road Trip Inspiration

• America's Top 15 Road Trip Sites
• West Coast Road Trip Ideas
• Best Road Trip Playlists for Summer
• Travel Accessories to Keep You Safe on the Road

What does a road trip look like?

Choose your vehicle (or take your own!)

Follow an itinerary

Enjoy your all American dream!

Perks of a road trip.

How to Plan the Ultimate Road Trip

Choose your route

It's legendary, and what the rest of the world thinks of when you mention you're going a road trip in the United States. This Mother Road is blanketed across eight states and stretches through farmland, deserts, mountains, sleepy towns and metropolitan cities. Must-see stops:  Meramec Caverns, Santa Fe, Mojave National Preserve

Pacific Coast Highway

Aside from having a great ocean view the whole time, the Pacific Coast Highway is a bucket list road trip. It's arguably one of the most famous routes in the world, and rightfully so with its dramatic cliffs, sensational scenery, and picture-perfect urban spaces. Must-see stops:  Big Sur, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Olympic National Park

Great River Road

Discover the very best of America's most hard-to-spell river, the Mississippi. As the longest scenic byway, the Great River Road passes through a total of ten states and is home to many riverside attractions and soul-stirring cities that are fun for the whole family. Must-see stops: New Orleans, Fort Snelling, Nelson Dewey State Park

Blue Ridge Parkway

If endless vistas of emerald-green trees and dramatic mountain landscapes are your thing, then a road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway is for you. Admire the culture and crafts of the Appalachians, and with a slower speed limit, you can really appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer. Must-see stops:  Linn Cove Viaduct, Linville Falls, Asheville, Sliding Rock 

Border to Border

From the icy landscapes of Jasper National Park to the cactus-filled plains of the Sonora Desert, the Border to Border road trip features the contrasting wonders of the United States. Flowing through the heart of Las Vegas, this drive truly offers the best of both worlds. Must-see stops:  Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon, Sun Valley, Phoenix

What is Your Ultimate Road Trip?

Who do you want to travel with.

There's something really romantic and exciting about heading on a road to nowhere with your partner. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, on a honeymoon adventure, or just needing to feel that wind in your hair, a road trip paints the perfect setting to create lasting memories with the one you love.

Hitting the road can really bring a family together. Spending quality time exploring a country and experiencing new cultures from the states that you know and love can be a wonderful memory to hold. It's also a great way to show your little ones the endless wonders of the world.

I think everyone at some point in their life has dreamt of going on a road trip with their friends. It's a great time to celebrate a birthday, say goodbye after college, or reminisce on good times shared together. Whether you want to hike national parks or hop from city to city on a casino hunt, there's so much to do on a road trip.

Exploring a new pet-friendly national park every day can be a total fantasy for man's best friend, think about the different types of sticks you could throw! Hitting the road with your favourite four-legged friend by your side can be a great experience that both you and your best friend will treasure forever.

When do you want to go?

Last Minute Must Haves

There are long days of driving ahead of you, and sometimes it can be on uneven roads or in the middle of nowhere. Having reliable insurance for your vehicle is a must and is something that is good to have for your own peace of mind.

Entertainment

Kids, and even dogs, can get bored on long journeys so make sure you bring some entertainment for the road. Whether it's a Kindle, some books or toys, something to entertain them will be a lifesaver!

First Aid Kit

It's a good idea to carry a medical kit with you on any journey, but on a road trip you're covering vast distances and you are not always nearby a hospital or doctors. Store one in the trunk of your car for easy access.

Backup Supplies

It's a good idea to stock up on extra gas when making long journeys, and maybe even a satellite phone or emergency supplies if you plan on going for a long time or venturing out into secluded national parks.

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USA West Coast Road Trip: 6 Places To Visit In The West Coast Of The United States Of America

Posted on Last updated: August 28, 2023

Let me set the scene: I’ve just returned from a 6-month stint in California and all I get from friends is the sarcastic quip, ‘Mate, did you go to California?’ YES MATE I DID.

Why were all my friends being annoying? Because I couldn’t stop talking about it; California truly is amazing. You can ski, surf, hike, swim and do it all in the same week.

Last year was a blast so I decided to return this year to see what I missed out on. So, here’s your ultimate road trip guide to the West Coast.

California’s pretty big so where do you start? There’s a bunch of different routes you could take to cover all the best places to visit on the West Coast, but here’s my top 3.

If you want to go an awesome USA West Coast road trip, this is the guide for you! We have outlined the top three road trip routes, as well as detailed West Coast itinerary.

So that for every stop you know all the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat and more! So read on, and start planning your American road trip dream!

• 1 How to road trip around the US
• 2.1.1 Where to stay in San Francisco
• 2.2.1 Where to stay in Santa Barbara
• 2.3.1 Where to stay in Los Angeles
• 2.4.1 Where to stay in San Diego
• 2.5.1 Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park
• 2.6.1 Where to stay in Yosemite National Park
• 3 What to pack for a West Coast America road trip

Possible USA West Coast road trip itineraries

How to road trip around the US

The easiest way to road trip around the US is obviously to rent a car and drive around. Roads in the US are wide and easy to drive on.

Most cars come with modern GPS devices, but even if it doesn’t have one Google Maps is very trustworthy. You just type where you want to go and it will usually get you to the right place.

However if you don’t know how or want to drive, you can also road trip to the best towns on the West Coast of the US by bus. The US has a fairly reliable bus system, you just won’t have as much flexibility on your departure times.

Click here to rent a car for your USA West Coast road trip!

Time to go on a California road trip!

USA West Coast road trip itinerary

San francisco  .

Top 3 things to do/see:

• Bike across The Golden Gate Bridge
• Get a boat taxi across the Bay
• Hang out in Mission Dolores Park

San Fran was weird. Boy it was so weird. The city has a kind of unique, relaxed energy that makes it addictive to stay in. Every corner has something  and someone  different.

| READ MORE:  SAN FRANCISCO 2 DAY ITINERARY |

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at sunset – Photo by Kaitlyn Thurlow on Scopio

Daytime San Fran is very different to night-time San Francisco and they both have a lot to offer. Ya girl can’t ride a bike so had to drive this bit but it is well worth renting a bike and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge.

It’s definitely one for the bucket list and does not disappoint. Lots of places offer bike tours and it’s a great way to see the tourist attractions and get a base for your first day.

Whilst travel writers always promote walking as a sure fire way to get to know a city, why not try a boat taxi as an alternative?

When I first read boat taxi I thought major ship, fifty seats but it’s actually a small, yellow boat like the size of a big dinghy.

Epic views over the San Francisco skyline – Photo by Rainer Puster on Scopio

Waves can be a little choppy but you’ll get to see the whole bay and stop off at popular places like Pier 39 to see the infamous sea lions who reside there.

It’s a hop-on/hop- off type thing with a flat rate of 10 USD per person. If you ask nicely enough, you might even get to drive the boat.

If you’re after a more ‘authentic vibe’ walk up some hills and check out Mission Dolores Park. San Francisco is known for its liberal, hippie counterculture of the 60s.

In the park you’ll find people playing the bongos, walking on tight ropes and smoking weed.

Top tip: Return your rental car to the same place that you picked it up so you don’t get hit with extra fees.

San Francisco, photo by Just Jenny Lamb

Where to stay in San Francisco

We have listed below some cool places to stay in San Francisco for every budget.

Luxury: Fairmont Miramar – If you’re looking to treat yourself, this is a great place to do so. Located right on the beach, with a pool and epic sea-view, it’s a great place to chill after a long day exploring San Francisco.

Click here to book your stay at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Mid-range & Budget: HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel – This lovely hostel is a great choice for both mid-range and budget travellers. They have both dorms and private rooms for both levels of privacy and budget.

Click here to book your stay at HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel!

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco – Photo by David Chaidez on Scopio

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is the next major city on the coast but if you want you could stop by Monterey on the way down; it’s famous for its aquarium and the bay’s rock formations.

As for Santa Barbara, it hasn’t got much that the rest of California can’t offer you but if you’re after the image of a ‘typical’ Californian lifestyle you’ll find the embodiment of that in Santa Barbara.

Many people visit Santa Barbara on a day trip from Los Angeles , but I think it’s worth stopping a bit longer. The city is known for its party school along with its serene beaches and great seafood.

Top tip: On your way down to the next location, take the slightly longer route down Pacific Coast Highway so you get views of the ocean all the way down.

| READ MORE: BEST THINGS TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA IN 2 DAYS |

Santa Barbara, photo by Just Jenny Lamb

Where to stay in Santa Barbara

There are lots of cool hotels, apartments and Airbnbs in Santa Barbara . I have listed some options below for every budget.

Luxury: Harbor View Inn – Located right on the beach and with a beautiful pool, this hotel is the perfect place for those who want to relax even more, after a long day at the beach (it can be very tiring)!

Click here to book your stay at Harbor View Inn!

Mid-range: The Wayfarer – This hotel is a short walk away from the beach and also has a pool. It’s great choice for those still looking for something nice but without spending as much.

Click here to book your stay at The Wayfarer!

Budget: Casa del Mar Inn – This lovely hotel is close to the beach and all the main attractions of Santa Barbara.

Click here to book your stay at Casa del Mar Inn!

Beach views with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background – Photo by Andrew Chen on Scopio

Los Angeles

• Hike to the BACK of the Hollywood sign
• Explore Korea Town and go to a speakeasy
• Hit up Venice Beach on a weekday

Los Angeles is a monster of a city. The traffic is no myth but suck it up. Unfortunately, there is no easier way than to drive in L.A. because of its vast expanse.

| READ MORE: THE ULTIMATE LOS ANGELES TRAVEL GUIDE |

View over Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory – Photo by Khurum Khan on Scopio

There is SO much to do in L.A. but the peak for me was a literal peak. The Hollywood sign is a must see but why not see it whilst getting a great view of the whole city?

Careful with this one though, we spent ages driving around the Hollywood hills looking for the trails. Plan which route you want to take. For the most rewarding hike take the Brush Canyon Trail.

If you don’t fancy a 6.4 mile hike you can always drive up part way, find somewhere to park and walk the remainder up Mount Lee.

The view over Los Angeles from behind the Hollywood sign, photo by Just Jenny Lamb

L.A. and the surrounding areas of Malibu and Long Beach are known for their beaches. Kick back and relax on Venice or Manhattan Beach. Perfect time? 10am on a Tuesday.

L.A. has a lot of neighbourhoods but if you’re after ‘edgy’ fun then go to Korea Town. You’ll indulge in some of the best Korean food you’ve ever tasted as well as treating your ear buds to dulcet tones in a karaoke bar.

BUT, if you’re looking for something more off the grid try Break Room 86.

I won’t ruin it for you but it’s a speakeasy with hidden doorways in the most unexpected places; retro decor in the cool way, not the try-hard way.

Top tip: If you’re single, get on a dating app and ask for recommendations for local hot spots but just be careful they don’t follow you to the location…

If you’re not single, anytime you get in an Uber ask for recommendations, they ALWAYS know.

Sunset at the famous Santa Monica Pier – Photo by Stefan Obermeier on Scopio

Where to stay in Los Angeles

I’ve listed below some cool places to stay in Santa Monica, one of the coolest areas of LA, for every budget.

Luxury:  Shutters On The Beach   – If you’re looking to treat yourself, this is the perfect place to do so. Located right on the beach, this hotel has a beautiful pool, spacious rooms and epic beach views.

Click here to book your stay at Shutters On The Beach!

Mid-range:  Arizona Apartment  – This modern apartment is close to both the beach and main attractions of Santa Monica, perfect for two travellers who want a bit of privacy and freedom.

Click here to book your stay at Arizona Apartment!

Budget:  HI Los Angeles, Santa Monica Hostel   – If you want to save a bit, this hostel is a great option. It’s really close to the beach and in the heart of Santa Monica, with spacious dorms and lots of social common areas.

Click here to book your stay at HI Los Angeles, Santa Monica Hostel!

View over Los Angeles from the Hollywood sign – Photo by Sarah Czajkowski on Scopio

• Snorkel and swim with the seals in La Jolla
• Balboa Park/ San Diego Zoo
• Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego is known for its miles and miles of white sand beaches, so make the most of it. La Jolla Cove is a small, picturesque beach enclosed by the cliffs.

La Jolla has a rich marine life making it a popular destination for snorkelers. It gets quite busy but make sure you stay for sunset.

A San Diego whale watching tour is another popular activity. The beauty of the West Coast is that migrating whales can be seen at any time of the year here.

Sunset on the beach in San Diego – Photo by Nick Rizzo on Scopio

Ok, so you’re reading the word park up there in my top 3 and you’re wondering why would I go all the way to California to sit in a park? Balboa is no ordinary park.

There’s museums, performances, shopping, art and the world famous San Diego Zoo. The zoo is home to over 3,700 different animals.

After a day of exploring everything the park has to offer, take a night-time stroll through the Gaslamp Quarter.

Tucked into 16.5 blocks, the quarter is packed with restaurants and bars where you can have fun as you immerse yourself in Victorian architecture.

Top tip: As with any major city there can be problems with homelessness. Be careful with Airbnb as I ended up staying in a homeless heavy district.

San Diego, photo by Just Jenny Lamb

Where to stay in San Diego

Given you’re already driving a lot in this road trip, you probably don’t want to waste too much time driving within cities. These accommodation options for every budget are all in great locations in San Diego.

Luxury: Wyndham Garden San Diego – This beautiful property is located in the heart of San Diego, close to the Old Town. It has spacious rooms and a big pool where you can chill.

Click here to book your stay at Wyndham Garden San Diego!

Mid-range: Old Town Inn – This cute hotel also has a pool for you to relax at the end of the day, big rooms and a cosy atmosphere at a more affordable rate.

Click here to book your stay at Old Town Inn!

Budget: Old Town Western Inn – Similar name, different place. This lovely hotel is right in the heart of the Old Town of San Diego, perfect as base for your San Diego adventures!

Click here to book your stay at Old Town Western Inn!

Driving into the famous University Heights neighbourhood in San Diego – Photo by McClean Photography on Scopio

Joshua Tree

• Explore the national park
• Smith’s Ranch – drive-in movie theatre (open Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun)
• Pappy and Harriet’s restaurant and bar

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Los Angeles , and it’s easy to see why.

If there’s one thing you know about Joshua Tree it’s either that they are famous for their weird looking trees or that it’s the place people go to ‘get away’ and ‘be at one’ in the desert.

Whichever one you’re after make sure you check out the National Park. You can drive to the different viewing spots because the heat is simply unbearable in the summer.

Beautiful desert views in Joshua Tree National Park – Photo by Alexander Mirtschink on Scopio

Joshua Tree is in the middle of nowhere so what is there possibly to do in the evening? Go to a drive-in movie theatre.

There aren’t many left in the US which is why Smith’s Ranch in the neighbouring town of Twenty-Nine Palms is perfect. Just remember to take 5 USD cash as they don’t accept card.

After the movie, if you’re in the mood for a drink then head over to Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. Expect BBQ food, live music and drinks in mason jars.

Top tip: When you enter the national park, make sure you buy an annual park pass as it works out cheaper for you if you want to visit other national parks in the country.

Joshua Tree, photo by Just Jenny Lamb

Where to stay in Joshua Tree National Park

You will need somewhere well located to relax after all the driving in this West Coast road trip itinerary. I’ve listed some options for every budget below.

Luxury: The Art House – This apartment has an outdoor jacuzzi, do you need anything else? Jokes aside it also has big common areas, perfect for a family or group of friends.

Click here to book your stay at The Art House!

Mid-range: Joshua Tree Bungalow – This cute bungalow has a big garden and is located right in the heart of Joshua Tree.

Click here to book your stay at Joshua Tree Bungalow!

Budget: View at the Top – This lovely and spacious apartment is located on top of a slight hill, with incredible views over Joshua Tree.

Click here to book your stay at View at the Top!

Desert views in Joshua Tree National Park – Photo by Sarah Czajkowski on Scopio

Sequoia & Yosemite

• General Sherman (the world’s biggest tree)
• Hike to Glacier Point
• Try anything LOCAL e.g. drink in a honky tonk, stay on a citrus farm, visit the local fair

I’ve combined these into two because you could theoretically drive through one and stay in the other. Sequoia comes first and if you’re interested in big trees then WOW, you’re in heaven.

| READ MORE: THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK |

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park – Photo by Joseph Miguel on Scopio

Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Park are right next to one another so you can smash them out in a day.

Though, the most impressive landscape I’ve ever seen has to be in the next national park along the route, Yosemite.

For those who don’t know, Yosemite is home to the tallest waterfall in America and around 300-500 black bears.

3.5 million people visit every year to witness its magnificent landscape. Still don’t know what I’m talking about? You know that massive rock on the default background of a Mac? Yeah, that big boy.

There are numerous hikes you can do but always check with the park rangers to find one suitable for your ability. Glacier Point is by far the best viewing point but Nevada Falls is also impressive.

Beautiful reflections in Yosemite National Park – Photo by Joseph Miguel on Scopio

Glacier Point is also accessible by car so if you feel you can’t do a 4.8 mile hike with an elevation of 3,200 feet then consider driving. However, you’ll miss out on plenty of stop-offs for pictures on the hike.

Lastly, experience something LOCAL.

Stepping into central California is how you might imagine stepping into the South of North America is like. Thick, lazy accents and ‘cowboy feels’, pick-up trucks everywhere and American flags.

Top tip: If you want to witness the impressive waterfalls in the parks go in the spring as there is no water in the valley during the summer and many paths are closed in the winter.

Yosemite, photo by Just Jenny Lamb

Where to stay in Yosemite National Park

Your United States West Coast road trip is coming to an end, you’ll want to stay somewhere special for the occasion! Here are some options in Yosemite for every budget.

Budget & Mid-range: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort – This is  THE place to stay in the Yosemite area (even if it’s technically outside the national park). It has beautiful cabin-style rooms and a tasty vegan-friendly cafe.

Click here to book your stay at Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort!

Luxury: Yosemite Valley Lodge –  Sitting directly in front of Yosemite falls itself, this is the perfect place to stay if you want to splurge a bit and treat yourself. You won’t find a more prime location.

Click here to book your stay at Yosemite Valley Lodge!

The iconic trees, waterfalls and cliffs of Yosemite National Park – Photo by olivier langevin on Scopio

What to pack for a West Coast America road trip

There aren’t many things you will need besides your usual travel essentials and outfits. However I’ve listed below a couple items you should definitely remember to pack.

Water bottle – You can drink the tap water anywhere in the US. Save money and the environment by refilling your own water bottle. I like these steel insulated ones because they remain cold for hours.

Power bank – I always recommend travelling with one, but especially so if you’re going on a road trip, you don’t want to run out of battery while driving! No music and no GPS is a bad combination

Motion sickness tablets – There’s a lot of driving in this road trip itinerary, if you’re prone to getting motion sickness you’ll want these tablets

Camera – Don’t forget a camera to capture all the awesome America road trip memories you’ll create on this trip!

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at sunset – Photo by Ben Kao on Scopio

Final thoughts on our United States West Coast road trip itinerary

So, there you have it: my ultimate guide to a USA West Coast road trip.

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to extend your trip then you can see even more in the neighbouring states by going through Death Valley to Las Vegas  (after all, if you’re doing this road trip with friends, a girls trip to Vegas is a must on any travel bucket list!), to the Hoover Dam and finishing in the Grand Canyon .

As always let me know where your travels take you!

Looking for more US travel tips? Check out these guides:

• Discover Florida – the best winter sun in the USA?
• The perfect Miami 2-day itinerary

Enjoyed reading our USA West Coast road trip planner? Pin it!

About the author

Just Jenny Lamb Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Jenny is a 21-year-old writer from London who recently decided to escape real life and travel the world for the next year. Fed up with ghost writing about mundane topics for other people she created her blog, JustJennyLamb in the hope of creating a ‘non-pretentious’ and relatable travel blog. Expect a brutally honest version of events, a lot of sarcasm and some witty prose. If you’re looking for a light bed-time read, you’re in luck.

Jenny Lamb, author of Just Jenny Lamb

A Local's Guide To Los Angeles - Best Things To Do, Where To Eat & More

Friday 9th of November 2018

[…] Have you been to Los Angeles before? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments below! I hope you find this local’s guide to LA useful in planning your trip, so that when you visit you can blend in and not stand out as a tourist right away! If you’re planning a wider California road trip, check out this guide to the best places to visit on the USA West Coast. […]

My Best USA Road Trip Tips

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Are you wondering where to start with planning an epic USA road trip? Well, we recently went on the best USA road trip for two months in September and October. The plan was to take our time driving across the country from Virginia to the western US and Oregon, then to Arizona.

My husband, Terry recently retired and since I work for myself as a travel blogger, my schedule is flexible. This was the first time we were able to travel for this long in one stretch and we were so excited to hit the road. We planned to spend time with our adult daughter in Texas and son in Oregon and we hoped to visit some other friends and family along the way too. Ultimately we circled back to Arizona (where we lived for 20 years) to figure out where we were going to settle from there.

The location of our specific stops somewhat dictated our route, so if you’re planning a USA road trip with no expectations of people or places to visit, then the sky’s the limit for where you can go. I’m working on writing much more content about the nuts and bolts of planning the best US road trip from start to finish, so if you’re interested in seeing more, be sure to sign up for my newsletter below.

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Table of Contents for this Post

Important FAQs for Your USA Road Trip Plan

How long should you drive each day on a road trip.

I know that you want to see as much as possible on your epic USA road trip, but believe me when I say that planning long days in the car is not the way to go. The point of the road trip is to see and experience America, not just clock the most miles.

My recommendation is if there is more than one driver, plan to be on the road between 8 and 10 hours at the most . If there’s only one driver, then plan on more like an average of 6 or 7 hours per day to prevent driving when you’re too tired.

If you’re planning your route with an app like Google Maps you can expect to be on the road at least an hour more than the mapped route says because of various stops to fuel up, eat, or take a restroom break. Hopefully, you’re including at least one stop at a place of interest and not just driving all day, so calculate that in as well.

How long should you stay at each destination on a road trip?

I understand that some days on a US road trip will be purely driving days. However, if you’re stopping to experience a city, a national park, a major museum, or a cultural point of interest, I personally recommend staying two nights in that destination at the very minimum. There are very few national parks or decent-sized cities that can truly be enjoyed and experienced in less than one day.

Staying at least two nights (and preferably more) gives you a chance to enjoy your experience without the pressure of having to drive a long way to another destination for lodging at the end of the day. [Of course, there are some parks or natural sites that don’t have lodging in the immediate area. In those cases, book places to stay as close as possible within your budget, so you can spend the most time at the site.]

If you stay at least two nights you’ll likely notice that the crowds thin out after dinner and in the mornings. You can enjoy a sunset or sunrise, experience the local cuisine, relax on a park bench, or take in a view. You can browse in a quaint local shop to support small businesses and chat with the locals.

Two-Month USA Road Trip Planning

The map below shows our entire USA road trip route. The planning and dates were fluid in some cases. We actually had to change plans at the last minute on the middle section of the route because of some changes with the folks we were trying to see. On a USA road trip this long, it’s always good to stay flexible, just in case.

You can find the details about the ultimate USA Road Trip full itinerary here. The first section of our USA road trip route in Southeast United States road trip is at this post . I’m working on posts in three general sections: Southeast, Southwest through Wyoming, and then the West.

Consider Travel Insurance

Another safeguard to consider is to buy travel insurance just in case there’s an emergency where you have to cancel all or part of your trip on short notice. You never know when you might have a health issue or car accident that interrupts your adventure. Or there may be family members who need your help when unexpected issues arise. My sister had a European trip planned and had to cancel the entire thing because of an unexpected serious illness with her husband.

There are many kinds of travel insurance. I recommend shopping for exactly what you need at “ Insure My Trip” .

Be Flexible on Your Road Trip

We tried to leave a lot of flexibility so we could be spontaneous and make a few detours if we wanted. We’ve always dreamed about having the luxury of staying a little longer in one place if we really loved it. With the reality of vacations rarely being much longer than 2 weeks for our entire working lives, we never had a chance to do that before.

Even though two months seemed like a long time, we knew that with driving and sleeping time, it would go faster than we thought. One thing I’ve learned over all my years of USA road trips is that there is never enough time to see everything you want when you’re traveling.

Also, a little background…we lived in Arizona and California for nearly 40 years total and have done quite a few adventures in the Western states. The national parks and some of the stops that we’ve chosen are either ones that we haven’t been to or would like to visit again. Now that my husband is retired we expect to have plenty of time to get to other places that aren’t on these USA road trip maps later, so we were trying to stick somewhat close to the route you see on the maps.

Where to go on Your USA Road Trip?

Deciding on your stops will take some time for a USA road trip. Some people choose their beginning and end points and then calculate travel time to determine where their stops could/should be. Other people choose a region of the United States and then research cool places to go in that region. There are many ways to decide where to go on your great American road trip. I’ll be writing a separate post exclusively about that, so stay tuned.

For our road trip, we knew that we wanted to stop and see folks in at least 6 towns along the way, so we penciled those in first, then figured out what cool stuff was in somewhat close proximity to the route between our six “planned” stops. It’s on my Bucket List to visit every national park in the USA, so there were several that we added to our trip. As of today, I’ve visited more than 40 national parks out of 63, plus dozens of other NPS national monuments, and historic sites. You’ll see the list of our stops on the maps in this post. I’ll write in a lot more detail in the future about these.

Support Local Businesses on your road trip

One of the best parts of an American road trip is finding ways to avoid filling the pockets of big generic corporations and instead support local small businesses. A few things that we try to do are:

• Booking.com allows you to narrow your search to places like Bed & Breakfasts, inns, farm stays, guest houses and more unique options
• Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) has vacation rentals listed by their owners. Each one is unique.
• Historic Hotels of America is an amazing list of hotels with historical significance and beautiful architecture around the country. Sometimes you can even get a tour.
• We love to grab breakfast or at least pick up a coffee before we start our drive each day. I always prefer to buy local and many small biz coffee places even have drive-throughs now, if you need to get on the road quickly.
• It’s nice to have some unique options and ambiance to experience on your USA road trip. We try to avoid chain restaurants as much as possible because we can get fast food and chain restaurants at home. Do a quick search online to see what the can’t miss restaurants and cafes are. TripAdvisor is usually a good place to look for the top places in town. You can search by the type of cuisine too. Another layer of every road trip experience is getting a taste of the regional cuisine and if the weather’s nice for outdoor dining, be sure to do that too.
• Take some time to wander the local shops and pick up something special for yourself or folks at home. It will bring back fond memories after your road trip.

Look for Awesome Farmers’ Markets and Artisan Markets

Another way to support the local economy is to shop at a local artisan or farmers’ market. I love a place where I can find a wide variety of food offerings, fresh produce, baked goods, other treats, and even unique artisans to support. Sometimes these places have live music that you can enjoy. We like to pick up fresh snacks for the trip at these places too.

Remember that many of the markets are only open one or two days a week, so you may need to search at several stops along the way to find one that coincides with your travel schedule. When you do it will be worth a visit. Of course, you’ll want to do searches for each area that you’ll be driving through but here’s a list of some of the best farmers’ markets in America in case you’ll be in any of these cities.

When I went on a week-long North Carolina road trip with my sisters we stopped at Optimist Hall in Charlotte (pictured above). This is an excellent example of an adaptive reuse project that turned a dilapidated old mill building into a community gathering place, food hall, and office space. They host free music and vendors serve everything from Asian street food to yummy Southern fried chicken sandwiches, plus a variety of other bars, eateries, and shops.

Find the Best Place for a Late Lunch or Early Dinner

One of the ways that we save money on our USA road trips is that we often eat just breakfast, then a late lunch or early dinner. This way we avoid the lunch and dinner crowds and stick to 2 meals a day, which is usually plenty. If we’re burning a bunch of energy we’ll grab a snack a few hours before or after our later meal.

Our afternoon meal usually lands between around 3 pm and 6 pm or so, depending on what’s happening the rest of the day. We look for fresh farm-to-table food or local/regional specialties. The goal is for reasonable prices with great quality. We’ll try to stick to a somewhat modest budget (but I still avoid fast-food chains). We splurge once in a while on a more pricey place if the food and/or location/ambiance is amazing. I LOVE alfresco (outdoor) dining , so if the weather is nice, I look for outdoor patios or places with a view. TripAdvisor is also a good source to find top restaurants at your destination.

Buy a Drink at a Local Watering Hole

If you haven’t traveled much in the USA, you may be astounded by all the craft breweries, wineries, cideries, meaderies, distilleries, etc. that you’ll find in out-of-the-way places. This seems to be one of the top local businesses that can thrive in both small towns and big cities.

As for wine regions in 2024, the United States has 273 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in 34 of the 50 states. These regions include the most well-known areas in California, like Napa and Sonoma, plus other regions in Oregon, Washington, Virginia, and New York. Vintners are learning more and more about the science of growing grapes and making wine which is creating new wine regions even in places like Arizona, Idaho, and Wisconsin. Did you know that the Southwest Wine Center at Arizona’s Yavapai College provides a hands-on educational program covering from vineyard to bottle? You can even make a reservation to try out their award-winning wines at their tasting room in Clarkdale, AZ.

Since breweries are not tied as much to their growing location, you’ll find more than 9000 craft breweries in the United States with a wide range of brewing styles, flavors, and bitterness ratings. Here’s a fun unscientific list of a reader’s choice of the top 20 best beer cities in America to consider for your next USA road trip.

Do you love to try local wineries, craft breweries, fun cocktails, and even a wonderful infused lemonade on your road trips? It’s just another way to support the local economy and get a refreshing “taste” of the area.

Be on the Lookout for Historical Sites

Do you love history? We do! If you’re looking for lesser-known historical sites on your USA road trip, this post about “ Where to find Info About U.S. Historical Travel ” is a gold mine of information with dozens of great sources. I’m sure there are destinations you’ve never even heard of before that you can visit along the way.

Hot Springs National Park was one of our stops that incorporated a historical site as well as a national park.

Appreciate Art and Creativity

I love art and creativity. If you enjoy street art, architecture, art museums, artisans, art studios, or other creative destinations, be sure to add those to your road trip itinerary. You can often find info about creative spaces by searching for a city or state name and the word “art”.

I stumbled upon a wonderful street art walking tour in the small town of Abilene, Kansas on one of my road trips. You can find out more about it here.

Booking your trip? Here are some of the resources I use myself:

-Book great deals on flights with Cheap-o-Air -Discover cool lodging with Booking.com -Reserve your vacation home rental with VRBO -Book your car rental with RentalCars.com -Buy your travel insurance with InsureMyTrip -Book unique travel tours with Get Your Guide and  Viator -Find delicious culinary experiences with EatWith -Find even more of my favorite travel resources here .

When you use these links I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps me pay the bills and allows me to continue to create and share free tips and advice to help you travel better. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Spend Time Exploring Nature

Who doesn’t love nature? I hope you’ll explore the amazing diversity of natural beauty across America, even if you’ve lived your life in the city and don’t quite get the attraction. Did you know that experiencing nature makes you stronger, smarter, healthier, happier, and more productive? Here’s a piece from the National Park Service with just some of the benefits of exploring the nature around you.

We visited seven different national parks on this two-month road trip and I would have loved to stop at more. If you’re thinking of visiting more than one national park you can find out about all the options for saving money on park entrance fees here .

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of spending a bare minimum of two nights in or very close to each national park and preferably more. For most of the bigger parks, like Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Olympic, etc. I would recommend at least a week. Did you know that you’ll see many more animals around dusk and dawn than you will in the middle of the day? The day tour crowds are also gone in the mornings and evenings, which makes everything more enjoyable.

Now that you have tips for planning your USA road trip check out the list of places we visited on our two-month road trip across America .

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Home » Blog » EPIC USA Road Trip Bucket List and Packing Guide

EPIC USA Road Trip Bucket List and Packing Guide

Road trips are just honestly one of my favorite ways to travel. I mean, being on the open road, traveling to and through all sorts of new places, exploring nature… What’s not to love about them? America’s passion for road trips has existed for centuries now. And this romance doesn’t seem to be in trouble anytime soon. 53% of American families have embarked on their interpretation of The Great American Road Trip in recent years! Road trips can be budget-friendly , long or short, full of adventure, and safe or low-key for the first-time road tripper.

A road trip is the perfect way to explore all of the beauty the United States has to offer. From mountain ranges and breathtaking sunsets to crystal-clear lakes and sandy beaches, there’s so much to see that no amount of road trips might ever be enough! Because I love road trips so much, today’s post is all about America’s favorite way to travel. I’m sharing my ultimate US road trip bucket list! Some of the road trips below are still on my bucket list to check off! While others I’ve done in the past and have full itineraries linked for you guys! Enjoy!

Disclaimer : This blog post is in collaboration with  Backcountry.com and features some affiliate links. This means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). Use code RENEE15 to get 15% off your first Backcountry order (some exclusions apply). You can also learn more about my affiliate policy  here . Thank you for the support!

USA Road Trip Bucket List

1. Oregon 7 Day Road Trip

It’s no secret that Oregon is one of my favorite places in the entire United States! I just fall in love over and over again with everything that it has to offer. After all, it has some of the country’s most beautiful hot springs, waterfalls, coastlines, mountains, and lakes. This week-long Oregon road trip is perfect for the summer and early fall, though you can also do it during spring or winter. Just know you might risk a few trails and roads being closed due to the weather!

The trip starts and ends in Portland, a vibrant city with a scenic river and epic foodie scene. So feel free to add another day here to explore downtown! On the second day, you’ll travel from Hood River to Bend, stopping at Trillium Lake and Smith Rock State Park. Then day three is for the journey to the famous Crater Lake, where you will be spending the entire fourth day of the trip. On day five you’ll head to Cape Kiwanda, and then on to Cannon Beach for day six. Finally, you’ll journey back to Portland!  Click here for our Oregon 7 day road trip itinerary .

2. Utah National Parks Road Trip

On this trip, you’ll have the pleasure of exploring Utah’s Mighty Five. Utah’s ‘Mighty 5’ is made up of five absolutely incredible national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Each park has so much natural beauty to enjoy and tons of things to do. You can do this trip in either 7 or 10 days depending on how much time you want to spend in each park. 

For the route, things to do, where to stay, and my tips for really getting the most out of this trip, I definitely recommend you take a look at my Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary . I share tons of info on the different seasons, the vehicle you’ll need, and more. This is definitely one of my favorite road trips in the USA so definitely add it to your bucket list! 

3. Kenai Peninsula Road Trip

If you’ve been dying to get to know Alaska, this road trip should be at the very top of your bucket list! This week-long road trip gives you the chance to marvel at the settings of Southcentral Alaska. Because you’ll be traveling very much north, this trip is best taken while you won’t spend the whole time freezing. So aim for mid-March to September as potential travel dates! 

You’ll arrive in Anchorage and travel to Girdwood during the first day, enjoying a scenic drive to introduce yourself to this region. For the second day, you’ll head to Seward and spend two nights there. Be sure to visit the Alaska SeaLife Center ! On the fourth day, you’ll drive from Seward to Homer, the capital of halibut fishing . Spend a second night there exploring the nearby areas and the majestic Kenai Fjords National Park .  On day six, drive to Cooper Landing, where you’ll be surrounded by mountains and deep forests. Finally, go back to Anchorage on day seven! 

4. The Grand Circle Arid Deserts Road Trip

This is one of the most well-known National parks road trips in the United States. So you better give it a try! You’ll visit six National Parks and travel across 2 states, Utah and Arizona. You can easily do this road trip in two weeks. But I recommend giving yourself a little wiggle room to explore the deserts and everything these areas have to offer! You can start at the Hualapai Indian Reservation if you want to explore that area, or even from Las Vegas if you feel like partying to kick off your trip! That part is up to you. 

On this road trip, you’ll see Zion National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Parks, and Grand Canyon National Park. In each one of them, you can experience scenic drives, hiking trails, and ranger-guided tours. You’ll actually find the guides to some of these parks in the National park’s section of the blog ! Take at least two days per park while doing this grand circle across the open road.

5. Winter California Road Trip

I know that not all of you restrict your traveling to summer, plus not everyone can travel during that time of the year. So I created the perfect California road trip for winter ! This road trip is all about visiting two of my favorite California parks: Redwoods National Park and Yosemite National Park . Ideally, you’ll spend at least five days exploring these two parks and enjoy more than one scenic drive!

At Redwoods National Park , be sure not to miss the following hikes and drives:

• Fern Canyon Trail
• Prairie Creek Trail – Foothill Trail Loop
• Tall Trees Grove Trail
• Boy Scout Trail
• Gould Grove Nature Loop Trail
• Bald Hills Road
• Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
• Howland Hill Road
• Avenue of the Giants

And if you visit Yosemite , these are your must-do:

• Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
• Bridalveil Fall Trail
• Mirror Lake
• Artist Point
• Inspiration Point
• The Mist Trail
• Four-mile Trail
• Tunnel View
• Valley View
• Cathedral Beach
• Firefall at Horsetail Falls
• Yosemite Falls

6. US Route 93 Road Trip

This border-to-border road trip is the perfect way to explore the Westcentral of the United States! You’ll get to visit two nearby countries as well, Mexico and Canada. The historic Route 93 is almost 2,245 miles and I suggest taking 10 days to make the most out of it. Though feel free to add more days if you can. It’s always good to let yourself wander! As for the season, this trip is best made during spring and fall if you want to avoid scorching heat or freezing cold. But you can go whenever you want if you don’t mind extreme weather! 

The trip starts at Jasper National Park, located within Alberta, Canada. And it ends in Nogales Square, Mexico. So get ready for an International adventure! On this 10 day trip, you’ll explore Alberta, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Sin City, Arizona, and Nogales. There are several National parks along the road, so make sure to visit them all! 

7. Great North Road Trip

Get ready to venture into US Highway 2 for this cross-country road trip that goes across 3,318 miles. So you should give yourself at least ten days to really enjoy the north and all its wonders. Since you’ll be up North, I suggest not doing this itinerary during winter to avoid very low temperatures and lots of snow on the open roads. 

You’ll start at Seattle, Washington, and finish up in Acadia National Park, Maine. During your 10 days on the road, you’ll visit these highlights and more: Glacier National Park, Devils Lake, the Roadside Giants, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and The Big Nickel. 

8. Route 66 Road Trip

Talk about a classic, right Route 66 should be on all US road trip bucket lists out there! The famous Route 66 extends across 2,400 miles and crosses 8 different states, finishing up in California. Some would even say it’s the ultimate American road trip! So, please, give it at least two weeks to really soak in everything from this experience. 

The trip starts in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica, California. So if you’re flying and renting a car for your drive, I suggest flying to O’ Hare or Midway in Illinois to avoid a rocky start. In the span of 14 days, you’ll visit: Chicago, Springfield, Sullivan, Carthage, Tulsa, Clinton, Amarillo, Tumuncari, Albuquerque, Gallup, Flagstaff, Seligman, Needless, and San Bernardino. 

9. Skyline Drive Road Trip

If you prefer a quieter trip, then Skyline Drive is for you! This trip is all about connecting with nature and enjoying the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains across Shenandoah National Park . You’ll take the National Scenic Byway, which spans 105 quiet miles within the park. It’s the perfect easy weekend getaway! Take two days to enjoy this scenic drive and feel as relaxed as possible. 

You’ll drive from Front Royal to Waynesboro, stopping along the way to take pictures, hike around nature, go on a picnic, and more. I suggest you camp in the park for the ultimate recharging-around-nature experience. There are three campgrounds on-site, so you have plenty of options! Though make sure to visit between March and October to see this place fully come to life.  

10. California 10 Day Road Trip

If you want a gorgeous West Coast road trip filled with sandy beaches and rocky mountains, this 10 day California road trip is for you! You’ll drive across 1,247 miles and see a variety of scenic sites. You can shorten this trip, but I recommend taking 10 days to explore each destination at its maximum. And because of Sunny California’s weather, you can take this trip during any time of the year! 

You’ll start at Alabama Hills, then you’ll move onto Mammoth Lakes and Glacier Point. The next day you’ll reach Yosemite National Park , where you’ll spend two nights. Once you’re done exploring everything this beautiful park has to offer, you’ll begin the drive to San Francisco . Spend a night in this bustling city and take the Pacific Highway to Big Sur. Explore this quiet spot and its nearby areas before heading out for Santa Barbara the next morning. You’ll spend a night in this famous beach town and then drive to Los Angeles. Two nights don’t do this city justice but it’ll do for this trip.

The next stop is Sequoia National Forest, where you’ll spend your final night on the road before reaching your final destination: Death Valley National Park . Once you’re here, stay at least for a night! Bonus day or so you can add San Diego or Orange County to your trip! And keep in mind that Tijuanna is just south of San Diego if you want to take things International!

11. Yellowstone To Grand Teton

Two of this country’s best National Parks are super close together. They’re even joined at the south border of Yellowstone and the northern border of Grand Teton . But they both offer unique natural settings. Yellowstone is for wildlife and breath-taking geothermal sites. Grand Teton is for epic mountain views. So why not make a road trip out of them? It’s a quick 5-day road trip you’ll never forget! Ready to cross this one off your bucket lists? 

Your Yellowstone to Grand Teton itinerary begins at Bozeman, Montana. From there you’ll finish 5 days later in Grand Teton National Park ! Some of the best spots you’ll visit along the way are Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lower Geyser Basin, Old Faithful Geyser, Jackson Lake, Colter Bay Village, Oxbow Bend, Jenny Lake, and Teton Park Road. 

12. Bold Coast Scenic Road Trip

This weekend-long or speedy day trip extends across 125 miles alongside Maine’s scenic byways. Welcome to the Bold Coast! You’ll visit Downeast Maine and Coastal Washington County on this relaxing trip up North. It’s a must for those looking to add day trips to their US road trip bucket lists. I recommend taking this road trip during spring, summer, or fall. It can become too snowy during winter! 

The trip starts at Millbridge, a quiet coastal fishing community. Then you’ll drive to Lubec, which is actually the easternmost town in the entire United States ! The final part of the journey takes you from Cobscook Bay to Eastport. Enjoy this brief but wonderful open road trip to nature! 

13. Kentucky Bourbon Trail Road Trip

This 3-day trip will take you across a bourbon-filled path within Kentucky! This is the trip to take if you enjoy a good drive and a drink afterward. We all know Kentucky is the place where bourbon is historically produced. And with reason! This Bourbon Trail will show you some of the best distilleries in the country. 

You’ll start off in Louisville spending a fun night in this city. I recommend the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience to kick off your adventure. And be sure to visit the Louisville Slugger Museum! The next stop is The Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark worthy of all bucket lists out there. Drive to Lexington and spend the night there. For your final night, drive to Bardstown and pour yourself a drink to celebrate! 

14. New England Fall Road Trip

The Northeast US is one of the top places to visit during the fall. And this New England fall road trip itinerary suits all kinds of road trippers! So I’ve made 3, 5, and 7-day itineraries for you to choose from. For now, I’ll share a bit more about the quick 3-day road trip. 

Just so you’re prepared, the Northeast is quite busy during fall. Alright, let’s start. The trip begins in Boston, but you could drive from New York City if you want to spend a few days in the Big Apple beforehand. From there, drive to Dixville Notch and explore the area and all its fall-themed wonder. On day two you’ll head to Stowe, Vermont, where you’ll spend the night. Day three is a busy one as you’ll head to Smuggler’s Notch and then to Pomfret, Vermont. Finally, you’ll head back to New Hampshire where you can spend your final night in Lincoln. 

15. Hana Highway Road Trip

Time to head to Hawaii! The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the most famous scenic drive in this entire US territory. This path is located on the northeast coastline of Maui and is beautiful all year round. So feel free to cross this one off your US road trip bucket list during any season!

You’ll take the Hana Highway the whole drive, so you can relax and enjoy the ride. I recommend following a two-day itinerary to really soak in the beauty of Hawaii’s Hana Highway. Start in Hana Town and drive all the way to Halfway To Hana. Here, you can spend the night near the Upper Waikani Falls at Wailua. The next day, continue all the way to Kahului and spend the night there if you can! 

Interested in exploring more of Hawaii? I have guides to Kauai , Oahu , and the Big Island .

16. Rocky Mountain Road Trip

Ready to drive across 4,600+ miles through the mountains? Then add the Rocky Mountains to your US road trip bucket list! You’ll venture into Colorado, through Wyoming, Montana, and all the way up to Canada. This trip is best done in summer or spring to avoid extremely cold temperatures. But you do you if you can stand the cold! 

This is a two-week road trip from Boulder, Colorado, to Jasper National Park, Canada. You can make this a round trip as well if you don’t mind spending a month on the open road! Some of the highlights are the Wind River Range, Grand Teton National Park , Missoula, Glacier National Park, and Lake Louise. I recommend camping if the weather is nice since it’ll give you the opportunity to further explore nature. So here are my car camping essentials to give you the courage to camp while on the road! 

17. Atlantic Coast Road Trip

I couldn’t leave the Eastern Seaboard out of this bucket list! From New England to Florida, the ultimate Atlantic Coast road trip takes approximately 1,600 miles and at least 8 days to complete. Bear in mind that this coast is quite busy all year long, so avoid embarking on this journey during peak seasons. 

You’ll start off in Boston! Spend a day and night here, then head out to New York City the next morning. I know you could spend weeks exploring the Big Apple, but one or two days is the most you can spend here without turning this road trip into a 10+ days adventure.

The third stop is Atlantic City! Spend a night filled with fun and ocean beaches here before heading out for Hatteras Island, North Carolina. There, take the chance to relax and connect with nature. Drive to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, then onto Savannah, Georgia. For your seventh day, you should be in vibrant Miami! After a night in the city, head south for the famous Florida Keys. And that’s the end of your trip!

18. US 80 Road Trip

This is the one and only Southern road trip! It should be on everyone’s bucket lists. It’s a cross-country adventure across the Southern Pacific. Give this itinerary two weeks to enjoy the ride without rushing or feeling like you missed out on many highlights. It extends along 3,000 miles and 8 different states, so get ready for some serious cultural and scenic variety! 

The trip starts in Los Angeles California and ends in Savannah, Georgia. This leaves plenty of beautiful places to visit in the middle of this journey. Some of the top spots are: Carlsbad Cavern, Mount Roswell, Fort Worth, the Civil Rights Movement National Historic Trail, New Orleans, Nashville, Dallas, and Tybee Island. 

19. Florida Keys Road Trip

Everyone loves clear waters and sandy beaches. That’s why a road trip across the Florida Keys is the best way to relax and go on an adventure at the same time! It’s a short but scenic drive across 112 miles down south on the US-1 N. You can experience the magic of driving right above the ocean and swimming in tropical waters once you’ve reached your destination. Some recommend doing it strictly during winter to avoid crowds and extreme heat. But I’d say go whenever you want, it’s gorgeous all year long! 

You’ll start the journey in Miami and go back there after visiting the Keys. The must-see spots include: Key Largo, Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park, Key West, and Dry Tortugas National Park. You could spend as little as one day exploring the Florida Keys. Though I suggest giving this trip at least two to three days to be able to see all the spots! 

20. Bluebonnet Trail Road Trip

This road trip is perfect for all the road trip newbies out there! It has a much slower pace than most famous US road trips. So here we go! You’ll stay in Texas the entire time, and this trip can easily be done in just one night or over a long weekend if you prefer it. Needless to say, this road trip is perfect for spring! If you want to get the most out of those bluebonnet flowers, then schedule your trip no earlier than March and no later than September. 

You’ll start at Burnet and end in Marble Falls. After departing from “ Official Bluebonnet Co-Capital of Texas .”, you’ll stop at the other Bluebonnet Co-Capital: Lanno. The third destination is Willow City, where you can choose to spend the night if you’re sleepy. Then, you’ll travel to Fredericksburg, where the countryside and flowers will be absolutely beautiful. After exploring nature, head to Johnson City for a more urban setting. Your final stop is Marble Falls! You can stay here for a night amidst nature or return to Burnet. 

21. Every US National Park Road Trip

Alright, we’re going out with a bang! This US road trip bucket list wouldn’t be complete without this epic cross-country road trip to every single national park . This is for expert wanderers only, or those willing to be on the road for 7 months straight. It’s a little crazy, I know. But it’s a life-changing journey! 

You’ll drive across  25,000 miles, take over two dozen flights, and visit 39 states + 2 US territories. And you’ll get to see every US National park in one go! Head over to our guide on how we pulled this off to see the exact steps you should take to complete this amazing road trip. 

Usa Road Trip Packing Guide

There are some must-have items to consider when packing for your USA road trip! I will list each one below, including relevant links to purchase. I also have numerous other blog posts about gear required for car camping, hiking, and backpacking, in case you plan to do any of those things while road tripping:

• Top Tips for Sleeping In Your Car on Road Trips
• Car Camping Basics: How To Plan Your First Car Camping Trip
• Car Camping Essentials List: Ultimate Printable Checklist!
• How To Prepare for Hiking and Backpacking Trips
• What To Wear Hiking As A Woman
• The Best Hiking Shoes for Women and Men in 2021
• Must-Know Backpacking Tips For Women
• 9 Backpacking Mistakes to Avoid: Must Know Beginner Backpacking Tips

Backcountry.com is my go-to retailer for all things outdoors, including road trip adventures. You can use code RENEE15 to get 15% off your first order! (some exclusions apply).

Road Trip Essentials

Before we cover less urgent items, below are road trip ESSENTIALS that you should have on every single trip:

• You car insurance policy
• License and registration information
• Your vehicle’s manual
• A spare tire + required tools to change a flat tire
• Roadside emergency kit
• First aid kit
• Emergency roadside assistance (e.g. AAA)
• Passport (if going to Canada or Mexico) + case
• Park passes, hiking permits, etc.
• Personal sanitizing kit : face masks, hand sanitizer, gloves
• Vaccination record card + waterproof pouch
• Medications

If you’re traveling in winter you should also consider packing a snow shovel and ice scraper .

More Things To Pack for a Road Trip

• Reusable bottle and water jug
• Reuseable shopping bag / tote
• Flash light or headlamp
• Travel toilet kit
• Camera + charger
• Car charger + USB cable
• Portable phone charger
• Toiletries + dopp kit

Practical Road Trip Clothing Items

• Insulated jacket
• Wind breaker
• Rain jacket
• Moisture whicking t-shirt
• Moisture whicking long-sleeve
• Fleece or sweater
• Stretchy leggings
• Hiking pants
• Hiking shorts
• Quick-drying socks
• Hiking shoes
• Casual sandals

Comfort Road Trip Items

• Travel pillow
• Window shades
• Window bug nets
• Mini car vacuum
• Car trash can
• Travel pour over coffee
• Water filter

The last thing for your list is some road trip playlists, podcasts, and/or audiobooks! I have a road trip Spotify playlist if you want to check it out – Road Trip Vibes

What is your favorite itinerary from this US Road Trip bucket list? 

Those are the US road trip itineraries on my bucket list! These road trips are my favorite and the ones that allow you to see as much of America’s beauty as possible. If you’re planning to get to the open road, I recommend you pick your next destination out of this list! And head over to the Road Trip section of my blog if you want to read the rest of my tips and tricks for traveling on the road. That’s all for now, travelers. Good luck with those road trip itineraries! 

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12 comments

This post touches my heart, keep on inserting such posts. I also like Spotify Playlists.

I’m absolutely blown away by the quality of this content! Thank you for sharing your insights in such a clear and engaging manner. Much appreciated! Regards: Cheap Bracknell Taxi Service

Thanks for the insightful article! It provided valuable information. keep sharing good knowledge ..

Thank you for sharing this comprehensive guide. I appreciate the depth of research and clarity in your writing. It’s a pleasure to learn from your expertise!

Thank you for sharing such effective and useful information, and I will request that you keep updating us.

your article is amaizing, nice work.

Wonderful this proves the ideal destination for me.

I am found of traveller through out my childhood. I found your article worth reading in this concern. Keep sharing such stuff.

It’s informational and so many tips about road trips, thanks.

Wonderful post that proves ideal for mine…specially music playlist part.

I’m driving to Alden, New York, to visit a friend in a week. Instead of the highway I’m planning on driving on rt. 20 from either Boston or where it starts in New York. I’m in Maine. I was hoping you included that rd. I’ve traveled many of the roads you listed. As a 73-yr-old woman I still enjoy road trips (on my own). Thanks for the great info.

So much info, so many trips. I’d better get started on these road trips. Thanks Renee

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USA road trip itinerary: 6 weeks, 12 states and 11 national parks

The USA was built for road tripping. With over 4 million miles of roads stretching from sea to shining sea, a drive through the country gives you a look at mountains, deserts, forests, prairies, and the diversity of food, people and cultures that make up this massive landscape. This summer, five friends and I plan to spend six weeks driving along several of the US’s iconic highways and camping in 11 of its glorious national parks, starting in Nashville, TN and finishing in Seattle, WA. The itinerary so far:

Nashville, TN

Hot Springs National Park, AR

Amarillo, TX and Route 66

Albuquerque & Santa Fe, NM

Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Yellowstone National Park, WY

Bonneville Salt Flats, UT

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Zion National Park, UT

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

Las Vegas, NV

Death Valley National Park, CA

Sequoia National Park, CA

Drive up Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Yosemite National Park, CA

Crater Lake National Park, OR

Portland, OR

Olympic National Park, WA

Seattle, WA

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Ultimate USA Itinerary Planner & Travel Guide

Planning a trip to the United States of America and looking for USA itinerary Ideas? Whether you are planning a 2-week long US trip or a 3-week long trip, we have got you covered. Use our USA Itinerary planner to see the country from coast to coast. See epic attractions along the East Coast including Niagara Falls and New York City then head to the West Coast to enjoy beach life in California. Read now for great itinerary ideas to explore America. You might also like our post on Best Places to Visit in the USA .

Welcome to our ultimate USA trip planner! 

We created this USA Itinerary Planner to help you plan the ultimate American trip. It contains all essential information including which places to visit, how to travel around the USA, sample itineraries, where to stay, what to eat, budgets and costs, etc.

Here you will find recommendations for a variety of USA trips whether you plan to fly, take a bus, or road trip around the country. Whether you are a first-time visitor or planning a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th trip to the country we have ideas for most well-known destinations to the hidden gems in the country.

Dotted Globe contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full  Disclosure  here. Thank you!

“This is America … a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” — George H.W. Bush

Here is our guide to planning the perfect USA Itinerary around your favorite attractions. 

Where to Visit in the USA

The USA is vast and diverse. You really need to know where you want to go to plan the perfect trip. Otherwise, a lot of your time will be spent traveling from one destination to another with very little time to actually explore the cities and natural areas. To read the most popular destinations to visit in the USA, read our post on USA Travel Bucket List .

Most people usually start planning a USA trip with their favorite cities on the East Coast or the West Coast. The USA is home to many vibrant cities including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. You can read more about the best cities in the country in our post 22 Best City Breaks in the USA . 

The USA also has stunning natural beauty. We recommend visiting at least one of the country’s most popular national parks to experience wildlife, hiking, and outdoor activities in the country. Some of the USA National Parks that are frequently visited by international visitors include Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Zion National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . 

How to Travel around the USA

If you are planning a trip around the major cities in the country, then you can either fly or take a bus during your USA trip. Amtrak Trains are also a good option while visiting certain areas. However, if you are planning to visit national parks and outdoor areas, then consider a road trip across the USA. 

If flying domestically in the US, then consider budget airlines like Spirit or Frontier. The tickets are usually cheapest if you book in advance and fly on weekdays, especially Tuesdays or Wednesdays. 

The US also has great bus service in certain regions like the Northeast, Midwest, and California. Bus operators like Greyhound and Megabus operate buses between popular cities. The journeys are often overnight which means you can save on hotels if traveling via an overnight bus. 

Amtrak operates the trains in the USA. Traveling within the USA by train is neither cheap nor fast. However, it is definitely a scenic option especially along routes like the California Zephyr from San Francisco to Chicago. Amtrak has Rail Passes which you can use to get down and explore attractions for multiple days before reboarding the train.

However, one of our favorite ways to get around the country is via road trips. The USA is made for road tripping. Americans love taking road trips and you can rent cars, SUVs, and even RVs for your road trip. Read our post on Best Road Trips in the USA to learn about iconic road trips in the country.

1 Week in USA Itinerary Ideas

While a week is a very short time to explore the country, there are many small trips that you can take in a week. We have divided these trips mostly by region – you can definitely cover the highlights of a US region in 7 days. Here are a couple of different 1 week USA Itinerary Ideas – click the names of the destinations to read in-depth articles on the best things to do in the cities and national parks:

Itinerary 1: Las Vegas Los Angeles San Francisco

This itinerary may be just a week-long but it covers 4 major highlights of the country: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. You can complete this as a road trip or as a flying itinerary.

Las Vegas – 2 Days

Las Vegas or Sin City is famous for its casinos and gambling. Besides gambling, Las Vegas also has many free attractions including the Bellagio Fountains, the Mirage Volcano, Eiffel Tower, etc. With two days in the city, you have enough time to explore Vegas nightlife and see a show or two. You can also explore outdoor Las Vegas: there are many natural areas close to Las Vegas including Valley of Fire State Park, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Recreation Area, and Seven Magic Mountains. 

Grand Canyon – 1 Day

The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. This beautiful landscape is the result of years of erosion carried out by the Colorado River. You can easily see the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas. While you won’t have time to visit the Grand Canyon National Park, you can see the Grand Canyon Skywalk at the West Rim. Book day tours to the Grand Canyon here. 

Los Angeles – 2 Days

Next head to Los Angeles in California. Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, America’s film industry and there are a lot of things to do in the city for movie buffs. See the stars on the sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd, take a photo with the Hollywood sign, take a behind the scenes tour at Warner Bros Inc, and take thrilling movie-inspired rides at Universal Studios. Los Angeles also has many museums and is a great place for foodies. 

San Francisco – 2 Days

After seeing Los Angeles, visit the northern California city of San Francisco . See America’s icon – the Golden Gate Bridge . Spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf, see the twisting Lombard Street, and visit the notorious island of Alcatraz. Take a day trip to Napa Valley to tour wineries and go wine tasting or visit Muir Woods National Monument to see the coastal redwoods. 

Itinerary 2: Chicago NYC Philadelphia

In this Midwest & East Coast itinerary, you will be visiting some of our favorite cities in the USA. You will be seeing beautiful architecture, visit impressive museums, spend time in grand urban parks, and eat delicious food. You will also be squeezing in a day trip to Niagara Falls, one of the best attractions in the USA. 

Chicago – 2 Days

Chicago is the jewel of the Midwest. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is home to famous architects and impressive architecture. To see the most beautiful buildings in the city, take the Chicago River Architectural Cruise. Spend some time at Millenium Park and enjoy its attractions including the Cloud Gate sculpture and the Crown Fountain. Go shopping at Magnificent Mile and eat Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.  

Niagara Falls – 1 Day

From Chicago, fly to Niagara Falls, located on the border of the US and Canada. Niagara Falls are actually a group of 3 falls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The stunning falls are a year-round travel destination and they look beautiful even when frozen in winter. In summer, take the Maid of the Mist boat tour to see the falls from up close. The falls also look beautiful when they are illuminated at night. 

New York City – 2 Days

After seeing Niagara Falls, visit New York City – one of the best cities in the world. New York is the capital of fashion, finance, culture, art, and food. Spend a couple of days exploring the city. Visit the touristy Times Square and eat at the cafes in Greenwich Village. See the city from above at the Empire State Building and take a stroll in Central Park. See the city’s famous museums including the Met, American Museum of History, and MoMa. On your second day, see the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island.

Philadelphia – 2 Days

Last, visit the historic city of Philadelphia. Begin your visit at the Independence National Historic Park. This is where the country came into being and where the most important monuments to liberty and democracy are located. See the iconic Liberty Bell and tour Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the must-visit attractions in the US. Other things to do in Philadelphia include the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the ‘Rocky’ movie steps, the Love sculpture, City Hall, and the Reading Terminal Market which is famous for its many eateries.

Itinerary 3: Southwest road trip

This road trip will take you through the best attractions of the American Southwest. Expect to see stunning natural landscapes of gorges, canyons, and deserts on this amazing trip. Camp to lower your budget and to stay closer to nature. At every turn, you will be treated to photogenic vistas and unique indigenous cultures. Read our post on Vegas Zion Bryce Grand Canyon road trip to plan a trip along these attractions.

Las Vegas is the ultimate starting point for an American Southwest road trip. Fly into Sin City and explore the attractions of the Las Vegas strip. Enjoy the unique attractions of Vegas like the roller coaster at New York New York, musical fountains of Bellagio, the volcano at Mirage, nightlife, gambling, and more at night. By day, explore the desert of Nevada. Hike at Red Rock Canyon State Park and drive the scenic route around Lake Mead. Tour the Hoover Dam and check out the museums in Las Vegas. 

Zion National Park – 1 Day

Then drive to Zion National Park in southwest Utah. Zion is located just 2 hours away from Las Vegas and can be easily seen during one day. The best way to see Zion is to take the park shuttle, which goes along the Zion Scenic Drive. You will be able to see breathtaking views of Zion’s deep red canyon walls and the Virgin River that flows through the canyon. Zion has many hiking trails but to hike the most popular trails of Angel’s Landing and the Narrows you will need more than a day. 

Bryce Canyon National Park – 1 Day

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the country. Bryce is famous for its deep red – crimson hoodoo rock formations. These spire-shaped narrow rock formations are formed due to weathering action by wind, snow, and water. You can easily see the hoodoos in the area known as the Bryce Amphitheatre. Take a walk along the Rim Trail to see the hoodoos from above or descend down into the depression along the Navajo Loop Trail to see the most famous hoodoos.

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend – 1 Day

After seeing Bryce Canyon National Park, head over to Page, Arizona to see the famous Antelope Canyons . The two slot canyons of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons are famous the world over for their striking beauty and vivid colors. You can see them both on guided tours. The tour through Lower Antelope Canyon is more strenuous than the one through Upper and requires some climbing. Pick the Upper Canyon if you have small kids or are not physically fit. After seeing Antelope Canyon, see another Page attraction – Horseshoe Bend. From the observation area, you can see a panoramic view of the Horseshoe shaped bend in the Colorado River. 

Monument Valley – 1 Day

From Page, drive further east towards Monument Valley. This landscape of red sand desert and weathered rock formations located along the Arizona Utah border is one of the highlights of this road trip. Drive along the 17 mile Valley Drive to see the towering sandstone buttes and take iconic photographs. 

Grand Canyon National Park – 1 Day

Finally, make your way to the Grand Canyon National Park. Drive to the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village to see the best views of the Grand Canyon. If it is too crowded, take the park shuttle. Visit the Visitor Center for exhibits, souvenirs, and movies about the Grand Canyon. Take the scenic Desert View Drive to the Desert View Watchtower for iconic views. Hike into the Grand Canyon to enjoy its beauty from different vantage points. 

Itinerary 4 – Pacific Coast Highway, California

This stunning road trip will take you along the highlights of California. See the vibrant cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco and drive through the stunning natural area of Big Sur. This drive is said to be the best road trip in the world. Finish your trip with a visit to the famous Yosemite National Park. Check our post on Pacific Coast Road Trip Itinerary to plan this trip.

Los Angeles – 2 Day

Start your visit by flying into Los Angeles . Movie buffs can take a stroll along Hollywood Walk of Fame or take a movie studio tour or tour celebrity homes in Beverly Hills. Culture enthusiasts can visit LA’s top museums including the Broad, La Brea Tar Pits, LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum, and the Getty Center. If you have kids, spend a day in Anaheim at the Disney parks. 

Big Sur – 2 Day

Take the Pacific Coast Highway up north to Big Sur . Along the way, you will pass California’s iconic coastal cities of Malibu and Santa Barbara and drive alongside small beachside communities of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. In Big Sur, visit the highlights of McWay Falls, Bixby Creek Bridge, San Simeon Elephant Seal Rookery, Pfeiffer Beach, and Big Sur Village. Then drive north along Monterey and Half Moon Bay to San Francisco. 

San Francisco – 2 Day

Enjoy Northern California’s mild climates and foggy coastline in San Francisco , the city by the bay. See the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from Vista Point and ride a cable car to Chinatown. Eat some dim sums and egg tarts in Chinatown. Walk down twisting Lombard Street and buy chocolates in Ghirardelli Square. Admire the view from Twin Peaks and take a cruise to the former federal prison on Alcatraz Island. 

Yosemite – 1 Day

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, Yosemite has stunning mountain beauty. Visiting Yosemite is a must while visiting California. While one day is not enough to explore all of Yosemite’s attractions, you can see the highlights and tour the Yosemite Valley in that time frame. A ranger-led 2 hours tour of the Valley is your best option to see Yosemite in a day. On the tour, you can see Yosemite Falls and the granite rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome. If you have time, hike in the Yosemite Valley and take photos of the national park. 

Itinerary 5: Best of Florida

If you want to spend your 1 week in the USA exploring Florida, then use this itinerary. Start your trip in Orlando and visit a theme park. Then visit Miami and relax at South Beach. See the architecture on Ocean Drive and visit Little Havana. Then make the trip down to Key West via Overseas Highway. Finally, visit Everglades National Park and take an airboat tour. See our post on Miami to Key West Drive: 25 Awesome Stops along the way to plan this trip.

Orlando – 2 Days

Orlando is one of the best places to start your USA trip. The city has over a dozen theme parks. Our favorite is ’The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ at Universal Studios. There are also 5 Disney Parks in Orlando including the popular Walt Disney World. There are also many other things to do in Orlando besides the theme parks. You can take a stroll through the beautiful Bok Tower Gardens and admire the wildlife at Central Florida Zoo. Explore the many different neighborhoods and sample a variety of cuisines. 

Miami – 2 Days

After exploring Orlando, head down to spend 2 days in Miami . Start your visit at the iconic attraction of Miami Beach. Get some Florida sun and swim in the water. Wander around the Arts Deco district and see the murals at Wynwood Mall. Shop and eat by the waterfront at Bayside Marketplace. For a unique attraction, stroll through the beautiful Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. End your visit in Little Havana where you can try Cuban cuisine and understand the Cuban culture. 

Key West – 2 Days

Then take Florida’s Overseas Highway to Key West. The drive is about 4 hours but there are many attractions along the way. Stop in communities like Islamorada and Key Largo. Eat fresh seafood and go snorkeling and scuba diving on the coral reefs. Then make way for Key West. Key West is the southernmost point in the Continental US. The city has a chilled Caribbean vibe. Tour Old Town Key West, visit Hemingway House Museum and take a picture at the southernmost point Buoy. Attend the sunset celebrations in Mallory Square and party on Duval Street. If you have more time, visit Dry Tortugas National Park . 

Everglades National Park – 1 Day

On your way back to Miami or Orlando, visit Everglades National Park. Homestead, which is located just an hour south of Miami, is the gateway to Everglades National Park. In Everglades, you will find a wetland of swamps, marshes, mangroves, and sawgrass prairies. The best way to experience Everglades National Park is on an airboat tour. During the tour, you can see manatees, alligators, deer, fox, bobcats, and birds like ospreys and cranes. 

Itinerary 6 – Chicago Mt. Rushmore Road Trip

While most of the trips above could be done without driving, a road trip is the only way to experience these Midwestern attractions. This trip is definitely one of the hidden gems in the US and not many visitors come here on a first visit. However, to experience the heart of the country – the Midwest bread bowl – go on this road trip in the Black Hills of South Dakota . We assure you, you will have the time of your life! 

Start on this road trip in Chicago . Experience iconic attractions of the Windy City including the Bean at Millennium Park, the Museum Campus, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Navy Pier. See Chicago from top of the Willis Tower and experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture in Oak Park. Eat Chicago style hotdog and deep-dish pizza before hitting the open roads to South Dakota. 

Sioux Falls – 1 Day

First, stop at Sioux Falls. Visit the Falls Park where you can see the Big Sioux River cascade over limestone bluffs. The park also has a historic mill and an observation tower. See the murals in downtown Sioux Falls before visiting the Corn Palace in Mitchell . This stunning palace is made of corn murals and is created anew every year. Inside the corn palace, you can see photos of previous corn palaces and tributes to corn farmers. This unique roadside attraction is definitely worth a visit while in South Dakota. 

Badlands National Park – 2 Days

Next, visit the bizarre and dramatic landscape of Badlands National Park . Formed as a result of erosion, the national park is filled with unique rock formations consisting of buttes, spires, and canyons. To explore Badlands, drive along the scenic Badlands Loop Road and go hiking in the park. Badlands also has a lot of wildlife. On a visit to the park, you can view bison, coyotes, mountain goats, prairie dogs, deer, and more. You can also see fossils of animals that lived in the area long ago including mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and more. 

Custer State Park – 1 Day

Custer State Park is the largest state park in the country and one of our favorites. You can do hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing in the park . Custer has 4 mountain lakes which are perfect for lakeside strolls and activities on the water. Custer State Park is also famous for its scenic drives. The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is located in the park and includes 3 smaller drives. On the Custer Wildlife Loop Road, you will find lots of bison, burros, and deer. Needles Highway has the stunning needle formations on both sides while Iron Mountain Road has three tunnels and an iconic view of Mt. Rushmore. 

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial – 1 Day

For the last part of your trip, visit Mt. Rushmore National Memorial . Here you can see the faces of 4 US presidents – Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln – carved in stone. The monument is lit at night and looks impressive. Hike the Presidential Trail to go closer to the sculptures and spot wildlife including mountain goat and deer. Visit the on-site museum to learn more about the sculptures and their sculptor Gutzon Borglum.  Do not forget to see nearby Crazy Horse Memorial to know more about the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse while visiting the Black Hills. Read our post on Ultimate South Dakota road trip to plan this route.

We hope you liked our epic USA Itinerary Planner. Let us know if you have any questions.

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The following itineraries span the entire length of this incredibly diverse country, from the historic cities of the east, to the deserts of the Southwest and the jaw-dropping Rocky Mountains. Given the vast distances involved, you may not be able to cover everything, but even picking a few highlights will give you a deeper insight into America’s natural and historic wonders.

Recommended USA itineraries

If you are planning your travel to the USA yourself, use these itineraries created by our travel writers as a starting point for inspiration.

USA Itinerary 1 - The National Parks Loop

Only when you traverse the American West will you begin to grasp just how big – and rich in natural beauty – this nation is. Come in summer to enjoy the sunshine and take three to four weeks to complete this trip, making a loop from San Francisco by car.

• Yosemite National Park, CA - Just a 3hr 30min drive from San Francisco, you won’t forget your first tantalizing glimpse of the rocky domes, peaks and waterfalls of Yosemite Valley.
• Death Valley, CA - Leave the snowy Sierras for the lowest, hottest and driest area in North America, with vast dunes and flaming red rocks.
• Zion National Park, UT - Cross over into Utah to explore this spectacular park, with a fifteen-mile canyon hemmed in by reddish walls of sandstone.
• Grand Canyon, AZ - Dip south into Arizona to take in the less crowded northern rim of the Grand Canyon, America’s most awe-inspiring natural wonder.
• Monument Valley, AZ/UT - The iconic Western landscape, with giant fingers of rock soaring up from the dusty desert floor like ancient cathedrals on the Arizona–Utah state line.
• Arches/Canyonlands national parks, UT - Back in Utah, make time for the delicate sandstone arches and myriads canyons, mesas and buttes of these two neighbouring parks.
• Grand Teton National Park, WY - It’s a winding 500 miles north to Jackson and Grand Teton in Wyoming from Arches; from the desert to high alpine Rockies, with the jaw-dropping, jagged Teton ridge at the forefront.
• Yellowstone National Park, WY - Grand Teton merges into Yellowstone, the granddaddy of the national parks, crammed with wildlife, bubbling geysers, lakes and wild, untrammelled scenery.
• Craters of the Moon, ID - Break the long journey back to the West Coast with a stop at Idaho’s Craters of the Moon, a stark landscape of lava fields and sagebrush steppe grasslands.

USA Itinerary 2 - The Deep South and Florida

Hot, sultry, rich in history, culture and some of the greatest music made in America, the Deep South is perhaps the most beguiling part of the USA. Take two or three weeks to see the highlights, travelling by car or by bus, and end up on the beaches of south Florida.

• New Orleans, LA - It’s impossible not to fall in love with this gorgeous city, with its romantic French Quarter, indulgent food, jazz heritage and famously ebullient citizens.
• Mississippi Delta - Soak up the blues heritage in Clarksdale, Mississippi, a five-hour drive north of New Orleans, before leaving the state via Tupelo, the home of Elvis.
• Montgomery, AL - Continue east to the fascinating capital of Alabama, laced with monuments to Martin Luther King, Civil Rights and Hank Williams.
• Atlanta, GA - Make the short journey northeast to the buzzing capital of the South, birthplace of Martin Luther King and home to US icons CNN and Coca-Cola.
• Charleston, SC - Over in South Carolina, this is perhaps the finest old town in all America, enriched by the culture of the nearby Sea Islands.
• Savannah, GA - Cut back into Georgia to absorb the charms of Charleston’s raffish but equally ravishing cousin, a city of moss-tangled squares and historic homes.
• St Augustine, FL - Drop south into Florida to see the oldest town in America, founded by the Spanish in 1565.
• Miami, FL - The Florida coast is studded with great beaches and attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center, but it’s hard to top Miami and fabulous, Art Deco South Beach.
• Key West, FL - End up travelling spectacular US-1 across the Keys to America’s party-hard Caribbean outpost.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

USA Itinerary 3 - Classic coast-to-coast

This three-week tour gives a taster of the USA’s iconic landscapes and cities from the East to West coasts, travelling from New York to Los Angeles along sections of historic Rte-66.

• New York, NY - America’s biggest city is home to Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Madison Square Garden, the Empire State, Harlem, Brooklyn Bridge and Jay-Z.
• Chicago, IL - America’s third city boasts some serious skyscrapers, top museums, live blues, the Cubs and the Bears, and those deep-dish pizzas.
• Springfield, IL - Immerse yourself in all things Abraham Lincoln at the Illinois state capital, now a virtual shrine to the great American president.
• St Louis, MO - Head south to this old city on the Mississippi, and take the train to the top of the Gateway Arch, a momentous feat of engineering.
• Route 66 - Travelling southwest from St Louis to Oklahoma City be sure to take the Americana-rich remaining stretches of the most iconic US highway.
• Santa Fe, NM - As you continue west on I-40 across New Mexico, detour to the state capital, a glorious ensemble of Spanish adobe and baroque.
• Grand Canyon - I-40 cuts across Arizona via Flagstaff, gateway to one of the grandest, most mind-blowing natural wonders in the world.
• Las Vegas, NV - Around four hours’ drive west of the Grand Canyon lies America’s playground, a confection of mega-casinos and pool parties in the middle of the desert.
• Los Angeles, CA - You’ve made it: watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica Pier or wacky Venice Beach before soaking up the sights in Hollywood.

USA Itinerary 4 - The Northeast

The northeast and especially New England is rich in history, stunning scenery and invariably empty roads the further north you get. This two- to three-week tour is best experienced by car, but buses are a possible alternative.

• Washington DC - The nation’s capital is crammed with world-class museums and monuments, from the Capitol to the White House.
• Philadelphia, PA - The city of Benjamin Franklin is home to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the cheesesteak and Rocky.
• New York, NY - The largest city in the USA drips with global icons, from the Empire State and Brooklyn Bridge to the Statue of Liberty and Broadway theatres.
• Hartford, CT - Visit the Connecticut capital to pay homage to Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe and the astonishing art at Wadsworth Atheneum.
• Nantucket, MA - Take the ferry to the “Little Gray Lady”, a once great whaling community still redolent of the era of Moby-Dick.
• Provincetown and Cape Cod, MA - Take a day or two to explore the historic towns, tranquil beaches and fish shacks of this hook-shaped peninsula.
• Boston, MA - New England’s lively capital drips with colonial history, but also boasts enticing restaurants, top art museums, charming accommodation options and some of the USA’s best sports teams.
• White Mountains, NH - Across into New Hampshire the mountains become bigger and wilder, perfect for hiking and biking, and culminating in mighty Mount Washington.
• Acadia National Park, ME - Maine’s coastline of wooded bays and small villages snakes northeast to this pristine section of rolling, mist-shrouded hills, fir forests and lobster pounds.

Sunrise on Half Dome in the Forest, Yosemite National Park, California - Stephen Moehle

USA Itinerary 5 - The West Coast

The north–south journey along the Pacific starts in the rainy, forested northwest and ends at the southern deserts of California (with extensions to Tijuana and Vancouver at either end). You could travel by trains and buses as well as by car.

• Seattle, WA - The home of grunge, Microsoft and Starbucks is now a booming city, with Pike Place Market, the stunning Chihuly Garden, huge salmon and gourmet coffee.
• The Cascades, WA & OR - Travel inland through the Cascade Mountains, where the giant, snow-capped volcanic cones of Mount Rainier, Mount St Helens and Mount Hood loom over the horizon.
• Portland, OR - Rent a bike and cycle Oregon’s hippest city, soaking up the art, organic food, microbrews and kooky shows.
• Crater Lake, OR - Achingly beautiful national park, a vast, waterlogged crater surrounded by a spectacular snowy rim.
• Redwood National Park, CA - Travel south along the Californian coastline, taking in these giant natural beauties.
• San Francisco, CA - One of America’s most appealing cities: historic, progressive, beautifully sited and home to the Golden Gate and Alcatraz.
• Big Sur and Hwy-1, CA - The coastal road between San Francisco and Los Angeles is a scenic, surprisingly wild route of misty cliffs and untouched beaches.
• Los Angeles, CA - Take your pick of iconic ’hoods: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice Beach – or just hit Disneyland and Magic Mountain.
• San Diego, CA - Visit the zoo, SeaWorld or simply hang out at the beach at California’s laidback southern capital, the gateway to Baja.

USA Itinerary 6 - The Great Northern Crossing

Cross the country on the lesser travelled – but blissfully untouched – northern route, taking at least two weeks to drive between Chicago and Seattle.

• Madison, WI - The capital of Wisconsin also happens to be the most attractive college town in the USA, just 2hr 30min drive northwest of Chicago.
• Badlands National Park, SD - It’s a long day of driving across the Great Plains to the Badlands, a truly desolate, magical place, especially at sunrise.
• Black Hills, SD - Forested mountain plateau rising above the plains, home to Mount Rushmore and the equally monumental Crazy Horse Mountain.
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND - Drive into North Dakota to explore the wild, untouched and multicoloured badlands created by the Little Missouri.
• Little Bighorn, MT - Cross into Montana to visit one of America’s most poignant battlefields, where Custer’s 7th Cavalry were trounced by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.
• Butte, MT - This shabby old mining town in central Montana is a treasure trove of once grand architecture, old diners and even Cornish pasties.
• Glacier National Park, MT - Northern Montana is dominated by this sensational preserve of glaciers, snowy peaks, alpine lakes and historic lodges.
• Idaho Panhandle - I-90 cuts across this narrow section of Idaho, laced with inviting hiking and biking trails and home to the genuine Western town of Wallace.
• Cascade Loop, WA - End up in Washington, touring the peaks and valleys of the mighty Cascade Mountains before arriving at Seattle and the Pacific Ocean.

With 52 states to explore, you can easily visit the USA for a two-week holiday or spend a few months travelling the country at length. Whatever your timescale or budget, here are some sample itineraries to whet your appetite for travel. Find one you like? Speak to a local USA expert to book your trip today.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 28.04.2021

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Nikki On Her Way

Travel more, travel better.

Our Once In A Lifetime 6 Month Trip Itinerary

28.07.22 | Nikki Gibson | 5 Comments

In August of 2021, my husband and I left for 6 months of travel through Europe and Asia. We made it to 18 countries on our itinerary, and lived out our dream of traveling the world together! It was amazing, and sometimes it truly feels like a dream to me.

I’m going to detail our eventual 6 month travel itinerary, how long we stayed in each place, how we decided where to visit, and the method that we used to plan our trip. 

When we left, we did not have a solidified itinerary for the countries we would visit. Armed with a list of potential destinations, we flew to Turkey as our first stop, and made it up from there! 

If you ever decide to do something similar to us (which you totally should 😉 ), you can use this information to help create your own itinerary! 

When we left, many borders were closed or very difficult to get through *ahem thanks virus ahem*, so we stuck mostly to Europe and ended up in Asia at the end of our trip.

But, that being said, we were able to stretch the $30k we had saved in 1.5 years over about 6 months for two people!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.

When my husband and I left for our 6 month trip to 18 countries , we knew that airfare would be one of the single largest individual costs of our trip. So, after a little bit of research, we found a way to get affordable flights all over the world : travel credit cards.

The first note here that I need to make is that almost no flight is truly free, you do have to pay the taxes and fees. But, what if I told you I just bought a $6 flight from North Carolina, USA to Athens, Greece this week. Or that I’ve spent only $11 for me and Colton to fly from NC to Turkey?

Would you believe those numbers?

I never in a million years thought I could fly abroad for less than a few hundred dollars, and that’s if I somehow found an amazing deal!

It wasn’t until I came across travel credit cards and the world of points and miles that I understood how these serial travelers I was seeing everywhere were affording their flights.

The trick was, they were barely paying for them.

So, after tons of research, applying for credit cards, hitting bonuses, and of course getting everything in order to leave home for 6 months to travel, I bought our one way flights out of the country for $11.

How did we do it?

The world of points and miles, of course!

Let me tell you how we did it and give you the information you need to start earning free flights with your credit card! 

Let me preface this with one statement: the world of points and miles is BIG and there is a lot that you honestly don’t need to know to just get started.

So, I’m going to give you the most necessary information to get you started and cut out all the fluff. Let’s go!

I promise you this is not a scam, because maybe that’s the first place your mind is headed when I say “free” flights. 

In fact, paying with points and miles to purchase flights at insanely low prices is entirely legal, I promise!

Want my help choosing a travel credit card? Fill out my Free Credit Card Consultation Form & I’ll email you personalized recommendations!

Interested in checking out my travel credit card recommendations? Find them here!

What Are Points and Miles

Table of Contents

Points and miles are the reward currency of airlines and hotels: aka loyalty points. 

I’m not talking about the points you earn by flying with an airline repeatedly, that you only rack up over several years. 

I’m talking about points and miles you earn just from having the credit card you already use!

Each bank or airline that offers credit cards with points and miles use them as an alternative currency for purchasing flights. 

Many of the banks that offer travel credit cards have both airline and non-airline branded credit cards: a.k.a the airline the bank has partnered with offers airline miles as the sign up bonus, not credit card points. Those miles can only be used with that airline. 

If you apply for a bank branded card with no airline association, you’ll earn points with that bank that can then be transferred to their airline or hotel partners. 

How To Get Points And Miles With Travel Credit Cards?

The fastest way, and most likely reason why you’re wanting a travel credit card, is to earn points with a sign up bonus.

Most banks offer a sign up bonus of varying amounts after a certain amount of qualifying purchases on the card in the first few months. 

It might sound something like this: “earn 60k bonus points when you spend $3,000 dollars on purchases in the first 4 months.” Yadah yadah. 

But, you will also earn points while using your card on your everyday purchases! Some cards offer bonus categories, like 3x on grocery purchases, or 2x at restaurants, etc. So, when you spend money on your card, you’ll earn points in return that can be redeemed for various things, like flights or hotel stays. 

Generally, if you’re wanting to redeem miles for flights or hotels, you’re going to need a good chunk of miles to do so. 

You can purchase some domestic flights with as little as 8,500k points one way, but if you’re flying international, it will likely cost you 15k one way, at the very least. 

Of course, the cost of award flights in points can greatly vary and is not always directly tied to the cash ticket price.

Other ways to earn points with travel credit cards include anniversary bonuses, giveaways, and transfer bonuses. These come and go and aren’t something I would rely on.

For the purposes of this post, which is all about a beginner’s guide to free flights with points and miles, sign up bonuses are your very best friend. 

READ ALSO: How to Save Money for Travel – Budget & Save for Your Next Trip 8 Simple Tips to Help You Save Money While Traveling 5 Tips To Find Cheap International Flights

How Much Are Points and Miles Worth?

Not all points are created equal.

Some points are more valuable than others simply because you can transfer and redeem them in more ways. 

Points and miles also get their value depending on the deal you get when redeeming them. 

Let me give you an example scenario to explain…

For example, let’s say you have 75k Capital One miles and you want to fly from Atlanta, Georgia to Athens, Greece for an amazing holiday eating delicious Mediterranean food and swimming in crystal clear waters for 8 days. 

These are the flights you’re looking at. They’ll take you to Greece during the best time to visit, late summer when it isn’t too crowded and not too hot.

You have a few options for how you can book these flights with points

Option 1: Redeem Points with a Travel Portal

Option 1 is to redeem your points through Capital One Travel and their online portal. When you do this, you’re going to get a fixed redemption rate of 1¢ per mile .

So your 75k miles would be worth $750 for travel. You could use those 75k miles to buy a flight worth up to $750 through the Capital One Travel portal. That’s over half of what this ticket is worth. So you would still have to pay about $390+ on top of your 75k miles for this ticket. 

We can definitely do better than that!

Option 2: Transfer to a Partner

Option 2 would be to transfer your Capital One miles to one of their airline transfer partners, then book the flight on their website using your points. 

If you did this, those 75k miles could become 75k FlyingBlue points (Air France & KLM’s loyalty program and one of Capital One’s transfer partners). 

The same exact flight booked on Air France with cash would cost you $1,142.

But, you can transfer your points from Capital One and over to FlyingBlue, so now you have up to 75k FlyingBlue miles! Let’s use them!

If you use FlyingBlue to book the exact same flight, you would only need 30,000 miles and $208 in taxes & fees. Way better than using all 75k and only covering half of the cost!

And, instead of paying $1,142 out of pocket for a round trip ticket to Europe, you’re only paying $208 plus 30,000 points .

*you want to transfer only the amount of points you need. In this scenario, thats only 30k of the 75k.

In this scenario, you would be redeeming your Capital One points, through FlyingBlue, for 3.1cents per mile. Now that’s more like it!

This is why points can be so valuable and why transfer partners can be the best way to go when redeeming points.

I know that was a lot, so let me summarize if for you:

• Out of pocket price for ticket Atlanta to Athens: $1142 on Air France/KLM
• Price of same ticket booked through Capital One Travel: 75k miles + $392
• Price of same ticket booked through FlyingBlue after transferring Capital One miles: 30,000 miles + $208 in taxes and fees.

You would come out of this deal with around 45k Capital One miles left in the bank. That’s enough to buy you another roundtrip flight to Europe.

Now THAT’S how we use points and miles to our advantage 🙂 

RESOURCE: Free List of Transfer Partners & Airline Alliances + How to Use Them

*be sure to only transfer the points you need and no more so you can keep the extra points with your bank and transfer them elsewhere in the future*

How Do You Redeem Points And Miles For Flights?

The way that we typically redeem our points and miles is by using them to purchase flights. We do this by transferring our credit card points to transfer partners. 

The scenario above is a great example of how we would use our points and miles to get amazing deals on flights.

Here is that chart again that I made to show you where you can transfer points based on what program you’ve accumulated points with. 

The process of transferring points can be a bit complicated, but I’m going to help you out here. 

Here is the basic rundown of how to redeem your points for flights:

• Accumulate points on your credit card
• Research credit card airlines transfer partners
• Search Google Flights or Skyscanner to find flight routes
• Search for award flights on airline transfer partners
• Find desired flights and see how many points/money required to book them
• Create a frequent flier account with airline if you don’t already have one
• Transfer points on your bank’s website to transfer partner of choice
• Book those flights!!

To use the example from above, I would find the flights I want and make sure I have enough points to pay for them. Then, I would log into Capital One and go to the Capital One Travel portal to transfer my points to FlyingBlue. Once my points were transferred, I would buy my flights!

The real trick is finding award flight availability and the deals that are out there waiting to be had! It takes a little bit of time and practice but you’ll get the gist!

READ ALSO: How to Save Money for Travel – Budget & Save for Your Next Trip Our Once In A Lifetime 6 Month Trip Itinerary What 6 Months of Travel to 18 Countries Cost Us

What Travel Credit Cards Are Best?

For me to answer this question, you’ll need to ask yourself a question first: what are your goals?

Are you looking to cover some international long haul flights? Maybe you’re an avid domestic traveler and would like to cover a few legs of travel for your upcoming trips. Would you like to stay in nice hotels for just the cost of fees?

It’s good to look at the options and decide what you think will work best for your goals!

If you want to cover some flights, I would find a card that has great travel benefits and flexible rewards. If you’re more interested in hotel stays, get a hotel branded card!

You can find my favorite travel credit cards and all the information about them on my Travel Credit Cards Recommendations page.

“Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.”

The 18 Countries We Visited In 6 Months of Travel

Turkey – 2 Weeks İstanbul – İzmir – Selçuk – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Antalya – Cappadocia

Bosnia & Herzegovina – 2 Days Sarajevo

Croatia – 2 Weeks Dubrovnik – Trogir – Šibenik – Zagreb

Spain – 15 Days Mallorca – Soller \ Barcelona – Zaragoza – Bilbao – San Sebastian – Madrid

Italy – 3 Weeks Naples – Rome – Florence – Montaione – Cinque Terre – Ortisei – Fie allo Sciliar – Venice \ Lake Como – Milan

Vatican City – 1 Day

Slovenia – 4 Days Ljubljana – Lake Bled

Hungary – 3 Days Budapest

Czech Republic – 1 Week Prague – Karlštejn – Cesky Krumlov – Jiřetín pod Jedlovou

Austria – 10 Days Vienna – Salzburg

Germany – 11 Days Berchtesgaden \ Cologne – Baden Baden

Ireland – 9 Days Dublin – Donegal – Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Dingle – Cashel

France – 6 Days Paris – Blois – Amboise – Le Havre – Étretat 

Scotland – 11 Days Edinburgh – Inverness – Isle of Skye – Fort William – Glencoe – Glasgow

The Netherlands – 3 Days Amsterdam – Breda 

Belgium – 1 Day Bruges

Switzerland – 8 Days Chur – Lucerne – Bern – Engelberg

Thailand – 1 Month Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Koh Phi Phi – Krabi – Khao Sok – Koh Samui – Koh Tao 

This list is in chronological order of where we visited on our 6 month travel itinerary , with a few exceptions. We went to Italy, Spain, and Germany twice, but I’ve listed each of those countries based on the first time we visited. I’ve separated the visits to those countries with a \ between locations. 

READ ALSO: Why We Decided to Quit Our Jobs and Travel What 6 Months of Travel to 18 Countries Cost Us Travel Camera Gear – What’s In My Camera Bag | Travel Blogger Edition

How We Planned Our 6 Month Travel Itinerary

People always balk when I tell them we only planned the first 2 weeks of our 6 month world trip. And honestly, I can admit it does sound kind of chaotic.

Before we ever left for our trip, we had actually done a ton of planning for our 6 month travel itinerary. Just, not necessarily for our destinations or the daily activities we would do.

Rather, our pre-trip planning was mostly financial in nature (like setting up our Charles Schwab debit card that reimburses us for ATM fees anywhere in the world and racking up credit card points to use for free flights).

The rest of our trip was spent planning as we went. 

The planning process on the road looked a little something like this:

We would sit down after a day of exploring and talk about where we wanted to go 5 days from then, do some research about where to stay, what to do, and how to get there. 

Then, we would book our flights, trains, cars, hotels, etc. once we knew where we wanted to go.

It really was that simple! Sometimes you need to plan further ahead than that and book tickets for major tourist attractions or popular activities. But, usually you don’t need to plan very far out! 

As someone who has dealt with anxiety her whole life, I understand the need to over-plan or be hyper prepared. 

But, I will share with you that I felt less anxiety while we traveled than ever before, even when I didn’t know where we would be sleeping the following night. I found some sort of freedom in the flexibility we created.

How We Decided Where To Visit on Our 6 Month Travel Itinerary

Most of what drove our decisions of where we would go next was money and convenience. 

When we were ready to move on to the next destination, we would look at the map, notice nearby cities or countries, and then look up train or flight prices to get there. Likely, we would choose the cheapest option or the closest one, and go from there!

Easily the most important factor that determined our 6 month travel itinerary was cost. The cost of transportation, the cost of food, the cost of accommodation, all of it. 

We made a spreadsheet pretty early on into our planning where we collected all of our research about what it would cost to visit x country. I ended up putting some pretty estimated costs because it can be pretty hard to tell how much it costs to travel a country based on other people’s stories. Everyone travels differently, so you have to take it all with a grain of salt.

It’s better to overestimate how much it’ll cost to travel long term than to underestimate how much you’ll need.

I put in the estimated daily cost, multiplied by 2, and then multiplied again by the number of days we might want to travel there in order to give us a general idea of how much we might need for 6 months of travel.

This process helped immensely in visualizing the money aspect of our trip. I was able to see how quickly the cost could add up and how being frugal in certain places would save us money and help us to travel for even longer.

READ ALSO: What 6 Months of Travel to 18 Countries Cost Us 14 Simple Tips To Make Your Next International Flight A Breeze

Transportation

We traveled by train to a lot of places, just hopping to the next country over. For example, Slovenia and Hungary share a border, so we took a train from Ljubljana to Budapest.

Traveling by train in Europe is one of the best ways to get around, and is often very cost-effective, too. 

My favorite ways to search for available train routes and tickets are Omio and Google Maps .

Sometimes, flights can be very inexpensive, but you just need to look at the itinerary. Most of the time, those €15 flights are a horrible itinerary. Other times, flying was a great option for us, so it just depends.

There were some times that flying was our only option, like when we traveled to Ireland or Scotland. 

In other instances, where we traveled to next was determined by our family coming to visit us. We met up with my dad and stepmom in Spain, Colton’s parents in Austria, and my mom, stepdad, and siblings in Switzerland. We planned around those meetups and tried to make it a logical progression of our trip.

Make A Logical Travel Itinerary

You can decide where to go next based on a number of factors, but I believe the easiest way is to approach it logically. Not only will this be the easiest way to plan, it will also probably save you money.

Instead of flying around Europe in a path that resembles a 2 year old’s scribble drawing, travel in one direction and do short hops from one place to another. You’ll spend less time on trains or planes, and more time exploring. 

You’ll likely save money by doing this as well, as longer flights tend to cost more, as well as train tickets. 

If you’re traveling to multiple continents and doing a full round-the-world trip, the best idea is to decide a travel direction. Like, East to West, or vice versa. 

Traveling that way isn’t always possible and sometimes an awesome flight deal can be too good to pass up on, so don’t beat yourself up about it. 

It’s just going to make your travel planning that much easier, and will likely be the most cost-effective method of traveling. 

Bucket List Points of Interest

Before you ever leave on your trip, have an idea of your must do activities and must see locations to help guide you. 

We had a master list of places we were open to visiting, plus some must-do activities, like a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, the thermal baths in Budapest, or the Bernina Express in Switzerland.

Having an idea of what you want to experience on your travels will help guide your decisions about where to travel to!

If you’re looking for some incredible experiences to add to your bucket list, check out these blog posts and our YouTube Channel .

READ ALSO: A Magical 10 Day Trip to Turkey How to Get Around The Five Villages of Cinque Terre One Of The Best Things To Do In Switzerland: Bernina Express Train

If you’re planning to travel long term, you’re likely to run into a few different seasons and climates. 

We traveled with these carry-on suitcases , so we initially packed for one season and type of weather: warm. Because of that, we stayed in the Mediterranean climate as long as we could before Fall arrived. 

When we met with Colton’s parents in Austria, they brought us a suitcase with our cold weather clothes, and that’s when we made the switch to colder weather.

If we wanted to, we could have designed our trip around chasing the warmer weather, but we knew we wanted to experience Fall and Christmas in Europe. 

Not everyone will have people that will come visit and bring them a new wardrobe, but you can purchase clothes along the way and leave other items behind. That’s what we did during the transition season of Fall. 

You could also pay to have a family member ship you some clothing items in order to make the change between seasons, but I really think you can find good, cheap clothes in most places abroad, so make the switch that way!

Building an itinerary with the climate and your wardrobe just makes sense, and jumping back and forth between warm and cold just won’t work!

Once we decided we were going to Thailand in January, we sent clothes home with my family at Christmas time, and bought a bunch of clothes in Bangkok!

READ ALSO: What & How To Pack For Long Term Travel Packing For One Week In Europe, Summer & Winter 10 Tips to Pack Efficiently in Your Carry-On 10 Essential Items To Pack For A Trip to Europe

How To Get Around While Traveling Full Time

Transportation to, within, and from each country you visit will be different everywhere.

You may fly to one country, then take a train to another. For us, we made those decisions based on price. You may value comfort or convenience more, so you should make your decisions with that in mind.

In Europe, train travel is not only cheap, it’s also easy and efficient. That makes traveling by train one of the very best ways to get around in Europe. We also traveled by ferry, scooter, taxi, and by foot. Planes, trains, and automobiles!  

While in Asia, we found that flying is affordable and convenient, and often much more efficient and comfortable than other modes of transportation like buses or trains. That being said, we also traveled by tuktuk, scooter, ferry, van, and taxi.

Apps like Rome2Rio or Omio are super helpful when trying to determine the best way to travel to your next destination. They’ll show you what routes are available, likely cost, and transportation providers to book with.

In Ireland, we decided to rent a campervan , while in Scotland we rented a regular car for our one week Scottish road trip . While in Slovenia, we traveled to Lake Bled on a bus. In Thailand, we took a ferry to Koh Tao . It all just depends on your needs and your budget!

You’ll need to look at how you want to travel and what type of travel is available to you, then make your decision from there.

Plan Ahead Or Make It Up As You Go?

Your greatest asset when traveling for a longer period of time is flexibility. 

Now, some people need to have a plan in order to feel secure, and that is totally fine! But, I want to give you some reasons why I think you should not plan your long term trip out entirely before you leave home.

We chose not to set our itinerary before we left for our trip for this reason alone: we wanted the flexibility to change plans if we wanted or needed to. 

Imagine you booked a hotel for 5 nights, and about $600 in Barcelona, 6 months from now. You’re currently in Positano, Italy and flights are looking to be $300 one way. For some reason the price of flights has gone way up!

But, you have an ‘appointment’ in Barcelona with that hotel you booked months ago! You have no choice but to spend the $300 a person for your flights, or cancel your booking and not get your $600 back. 

If you left your itinerary open, you would be able to take a train to Florence for so much less and get to explore Italy more, then travel on to Barcelona later when it’s cheaper.

This may seem like a trivial example, but that’s just one of the reasons flexibility is important when traveling. 

I promise you’ll be able to find a place to stay even if you book at the last minute. There were plenty of days where we didn’t book a hotel for that night until the day of. And it was fun to be so spontaneous!

READ ALSO: How to Save Money for Travel – Budget & Save for Your Next Trip Travel Camera Gear – What’s In My Camera Bag | Travel Blogger Edition

Resources To Use For Long Term Travel Planning

Google Drive is my best friend and second brain when it comes to travel planning. I create tons of spreadsheets, dump my chaotic thoughts into Keep, track bookings with Google Calendar, and share all of it with Colton so we can be on the same page. 

For flights , I always use Google Flights or Skyscanner to find the best deals. They make it easy to search, and you can even track flight prices on your phone using their apps to keep an eye on the routes you’re interested in.

To book hotels all over the world, use Booking.com . There is no better website that does it all. In Asia, you can also check Agoda , but Booking.com is how we booked all of our accommodations in Thailand. It’s so easy to book a hotel right in the app the day of and have all the information you need right there. For unique accommodations, use Airbnb .

For travel planning , Wanderlog is my favorite website to keep my thoughts organized. You can plan a very in depth trip, or use it to brainstorm ideas and keep them organized. It’s free to use, and there is also an app you can download to your phone. 

For transportation planning , use Omio , Rome2Ri o, or Google Maps . You can find available itineraries, transportation options, and prices. Plus, Omio and Rome2Rio will show you what types of transportation are available to you from point A to point B, how much it would likely cost, and what provider to book with.

Of course, blogs, YouTube, and TikTok are also fantastic resources for planning and learning about travel!

If you’re planning a 6 month travel itinerary, or longer maybe, drop any thoughts or questions you have in the comments!

About Nikki Gibson

Nikki is a traveler, photographer, wife, and blogger. After she and her husband left their jobs and took a 6 month sabbatical trip to Europe and Asia, Nikki is writing about their travel experiences and sharing travel guides, tips, and tidbits.

Reader Interactions

February 12, 2024 at 4:44 am

Hi Nikki, My husband and I are planning to travel to Europe for 6-9 months in around 2 years. We are already planning and talking about what we want to see and do and which countries. We are torn between actually renting a base flat somewhere (Netherlands or Italy) and then do trips for a day to 3 days to different places. Or another plan is to have a base for 2 months in three different countries and do our day trips as planned. What are your thoughts on this sort of planning? We will be (60 and 61 at the time we plan to leave) This way we can also immerse ourselves in a few countries for longer periods. I would love your thoughts on these ideas.

February 13, 2024 at 8:01 pm

Hi! Sounds like an amazing trip you’re planning! I like the idea of having bases as you go that you can travel out from. I think it makes this style of travel much more sustainable. I would think that having ‘regional’ bases would be a good way to do it! That way you aren’t spending a bunch of time backtracking if you are getting further and further away from your one base. Rather, you can go in sections. Sounds amazing! You are also welcome to email me if you’d like to chat about it more at [email protected]

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6 months on the road – Our Travel Expenses

Categories Belize , Central America , Guatemala , Mexico , Travel Reflections , Travel Tips , USA

Last Updated on January 16, 2023

October 30th marked our 6-month travel anniversary, and while we’re sharing our Travel Tops and Flops and reflection on ‘ 200 Days on the Road ’ on our 200-days travel anniversary on 15 November, the six-month marker seemed the right time to take a look at our expenses so far – including how much we have spent, where the money went, and what our average per day spend has been in each country. Luckily, Dani keeps a very exact expenses sheet calculating our outgoings to the last centavo , with up-to-date exchange rates telling us each day just how much every hotel room, bus ride, and ice cream cone costs in British Pounds (the currency we earn), US Dollars and the local currency. Read on for our detailed 6 months travel budget:

Table of Contents

Expenses in the U.S.

When we left London for Las Vegas on 30 April, we had no idea how expensive the U.S. would be. Even with the strong British Pound lining our pockets, the U.S. was much pricier than we thought.

By far our most expensive country so far, we spent a mind-boggling $8,333.00 /£5,530.60 in those 70 days. Major expenses within this figure include both our flights from London to Las Vegas and L.A. to Mexico, plus an Enterprise rental car which we had for two months. Excluding these numbers, our actual daily spend was $4,628/£3,071.60 , or roughly $ 1,356/£900 per person per month.

Transportation: Our trusty Chevy Aveo rental ran us $1700 / £1,128 (including optional $560 insurance), which averaged out to $28.33 / £18.80 per day . At first glance (and second, and third) it might seem a luxury, but without the car, we could never have explored the South West, or drive the classic Pacific Coast Highwa y from L.A. to San Francisco as well as from San Diego to Tucson , making this a totally necessary expense. We drove 5200 miles, and of course the cost of gas and parking fees also added up to be quite expensive.

Average accommodation per night based on two sharing: $45/£29.

Tip: Accommodation costs might be higher in the US than in Latin America, but there are also incredible deals to be found online which are much harder to come by in the less deal-savvy neighbors to the south. Websites such as booking.com or lastminute.com allowed us to score excellent rates on hotels than just showing up ever did. On a few rare occasions we were able to negotiate a better rate on site.

Regardless of the relatively high costs of exploring the southwestern United States, we managed to do both Los Angeles and San Francisco on a shoestring and kept our spending lower by including house-sits and visiting friends.

Average per day per person: $ 45/£30 (including car).

Our spending dropped significantly once we crossed the border into Mexico – in total we spent $3622.26/£2367.78 in 88 days.

Accommodation: In Mexico, we stayed in mix of hostels and budget hotels. The cheapest accommodation cost $12/£8 for both of us at one of our favorite places– La Candelaria in Valladolid . The most expensive room at Posada Ziga in Mazunte was $35 /£23.

Food: Our meals in Mexico cost around $12/£8 for dinner for two, and breakfast for about $10.50/£6.90 for two people. As anyone who reads us often will know, however, inexpensive (and delicious!) street food was our main meal of choice and we rarely ate in restaurants.

Culture: Mexico is teeming with cultural options and we visited everything from museums to galleries to both Maya and Aztec ruins. The ruins all have a set price of 51 Pesos, or $3.95/£2.55 per person, with one exception: Chichen Itza , which costs around $14/£9 per person.

Average total cost in Mexico per person per day: $20.58/£13.45

We already knew through the grapevine that Belize was going to be more expensive than the rest of Central America (Lonely Planet suggests US$40 – $60 per day), but we were still surprised that costs were as high as they are for such a sparsely populated and economically struggling country like Belize (read our tips for Belize on a shoestring here ). We could’ve lowered our six months travel budget considerably had we skipped Belize.

Accommodation: We stayed in fairly basic accommodation in Belize, no bells or whistles, but always private rooms.

The average cost was US$22.50/£14.20 for a double en-suite room.

Food: Meals in a restaurant both on the Cayes and in San Ignacio cost around $20/£12.60 for two, including a beer or two here and there. Belize is not that big on street food, so sitting down and ordering is a must for your main meals of the day.

Adventure : We took advantage many of the adventurous activities available to visitors in Belize. Snorkeling with Harry and Steve (recommended, just ask around) on Caye Caulker cost US$40/£25.25 each for a full day, or US$20/£12.63. The ATM cave tour was $65 each (discounted). All of our fun over 11 days totals $348/£200 .

Average Cost Per Person Per Day: $54/£34.10

Crossing the border into Guatemala after our expensive stay in Belize felt good, and our expenses have been much less here.

Transportation : Take a chicken bus, and this will be your cheapest expense in Guatemala. Long-distance bus travel by chicken bus costs around $4.00/£2.55 per person – the more comfortable 1 st and 2 nd class coaches are considerably more expensive – the overnight bus we took from Flores to Antigua was $29.50/£19.50 per person.

Food : You can eat like a king in Guatemala and easily stay on budget. A decent meal for two in a restaurant costs around $10/£6.60 , though in Antigua, depending on the restaurant, this average can more than double. If you eat street food, you can eat for much less money, but to be honest, we didn’t love the street food in Guatemala .

Tikal : The highest expense in Guatemala was our trip to Tikal, which was around $66/£42.00 for both of us. This does not include accommodation in Flores, but does include the shuttle service to Tikal, the guide and entry fees.

Total six months travel budget

In total, we spent around US$14,720/£9,646 for the two of us in 6 months, which includes all flights and public transportation, and more than two months in the U.S. We hope our next budget post in 6 months will be much less, with no major flights, hopefully a few more house-sits, and lower expenses in South America than we had for the first 70 days in the United States.

Total cost per person for 6 months: US$7,360/£4,823.00

We showed you ours… now you show us yours! We would love to hear about your budgets and expenses in the comments below to see how our spending compares with that of backpackers and digital nomads. What does your six months travel budget look like?

If you have tips on great deals, cheap but quality accommodation in the US, Mexico, Central America or South America, or other ways to save money, please do share as well!

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Saturday 16th of May 2015

Hi we plan to visit friends in Atlanta, GA, USA for a week and plan to travel by bus to Mexico on to Central America ending in Ecuador, Columbia and Venezuela. Could you please recommend entry route or city in USA into Mexico. Cheers. James

Hi James, I'd recommend traveling from San Antonio, TX to Laredo and cross into Mexico there. I am not sure about safety in that part of Mexico though - heard Monterrey (the closest big city in Mexico on that route) was getting a bit rough. You might want to cross over in El Paso instead. That way you could incorporate the gorgeous Copper Canyon train ride in Chihuahua in your trip.

Tuesday 28th of October 2014

Hi, me and my friend wanted to go traveling around America for 3 months visiting la,newyork,Texas,San Francisco,Nashville and Las Vegas but neither of us would feel confident enough to drive so would be using transport and flights . Would be better of booking through travel agents or paying as we go and what would you recommend would be the average cost per person xxxxx

Wednesday 30th of July 2014

I just came across your blog and I have to say its just genius! My friend and I are planning on road tripping through the USA from Miami to California (stopping by Las Vegas) and perhaps flying to NYC at the end. The idea is to rent a small car and camp where we can/sleep in the car if need be! We are planning on leaving in January and staying for 90 days (Jan to end of March). So far we think that £8000 between us will be enough as its basically off season, but Im starting to doubt. Do you think £4000 for 90 days each will be enough?

Thursday 31st of July 2014

Hi Yasmine, thanks for your comment - so awesome to hear that you're road tripping through the US next year!! I definitely think that you'll have enough money - at the current exchange rate that's nearly $7k and we didn't spend that much per person! I think if you calculate 2,000 per month, you'll be traveling comfortably. We found lots of decent places on sites like Booking.com in the $50- $70 range (sometimes only a day in advance), between two people. The car rental shouldn't cost you much either - there are always good deals to be found; and gas is sooo cheap compared to the UK! So let's say you Please feel free to get in touch if I can help out with anything more specific. Enjoy your road trip - it'll be epic!!

Monday 23rd of June 2014

Hi! I am trying to find some information on travelling between countries in Central America. My friend and I are starting in Belize and hoping to hit Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in 14 days. Not sure if this is too ambitious?? We don't want to rush through but at the same time want to see as much as possible. I saw your note about the public busses between Belize and Guatemala, are there similar types of transportation between the others I mentioned? Sorry if you posted this somewhere else on the site, haven't seen it all yet! Thanks in advance!! :)

Wednesday 2nd of July 2014

Hi Laura, your plans do sound quite ambitious! Maybe you should just focus on Guatemala and Honduras instead? There are so many places in Guatemala alone that I wouldn't skip: Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Chichi, Tikal, Lanquin and Rio Dulce - from there you could hop right over to Copan (Honduras). There are chicken buses over the borders in each country (usually they go to the border and then you take another bus on the other side) but I remember that there was also a cheap tourist shuttle from Antigua to Copan for only $10. Enjoy Central America!

Janice Stringer

Wednesday 5th of March 2014

Australia ate our family finances alive and was a complete culture shock after spending time living cheaply in Asia!

The World on my Necklace

A Travel Blog by Katie Chavez

Our 6 Month Travel Itinerary: Oceania and Asia

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

I originally published this 6 month travel itinerary in November 2019 at the beginning of what was going to be a 6-month trip. Unfortunately the last part – Nepal – was derailed by the pandemic (we finally visited in early 2023) but the rest of the trip was incredible and I wanted to republish this post to inspire anyone else that is interested in doing a similar itinerary. Enjoy!

I can’t believe I am already over a week into my big international trip! I have been thinking about it a lot the last few months, and realized that I hadn’t really told you guys what our plans were, other than a casual mention here and there.

Although I am pretty much always traveling – I am in year five of living nomadically – we tend to travel most of the year within the US.

Toby works about eight to nine months of the year building festivals and events around the country, and since July last year until April this year, I was going through the process of getting my green card, which meant that we weren’t able to do our winter international trip last year.

That’s why we are traveling for six months this winter, rather than our regular two-three months.

Now that Toby’s jobs are all over for the year and I have my green card, we are finally ready to do an epic international trip again, and we have been looking forward to this one for a long time!

So without further ado, here is our 6-month travel itinerary:

6 Month Travel Itinerary

End of october: hawaii.

I left the US to start the trip on the 29th October, and spent two nights in Waikiki to break up the otherwise long flight to Sydney.

I only had one day there so spent it relaxing at the beach, enjoying fish and chips and a lava flow cocktail overlooking Waikiki Beach, and eating Leonard’s famous malasadas – it was great to be back, if only for a short while.

November – December: Australia and New Zealand

On the 1st November I landed in Sydney where I spent six nights visiting friends, returning to my favorite haunts from when I lived there, and beach-hopping and hiking. I love visiting Sydney in spring because the jacaranda trees are blooming all over the city and it is so pretty.

From Sydney, I flew home to New Zealand – my first time back in 16 months – which is where I am now.

Toby was meant to be joining me here but we found out his visa was going to take months longer than we originally thought, so we changed our plans around, and I will be spending four weeks here before joining Toby in Asia, visiting friends and family in Auckland , Tauranga, Hamilton, Matakana , and Rotorua. 

Me and my bestie Kurt are also planning to do a little road trip through Taranaki, spending two days hiking the Pouakai Circuit in Egmont National Park, then visiting a friend in Tokoroa, and visiting the stunning Blue Spring in Putaruru.

December – January: Thailand and Laos

We were originally meant to be spending this time traveling around the South Island of New Zealand, but I am excited to return to Thailand to visit one of my last countries in Southeast Asia – Laos.

We start our time in Bangkok at the beginning of December for a week, where I have to get more work done on my teeth. Hopefully, we will also have time to explore more of Bangkok – there are so many things to do in Bangkok !

From there we want to visit Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Chang, meant to be home to the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, then after a possible return to Bangkok to have stitches cut out, we will fly up to Luang Prabang in Laos, working our way south to Cambodia.

I can’t wait!

January – February: India

India has been on my travel radar for a very long time, and we are finally going there for a month from mid-January!

The plan is to be super tourists and visit Rajasthan , Delhi, Varanasi, and Agra for our first visit, but as we have a whole month I am hoping we can get a bit off the beaten path in this region.

In Rajasthan, we want to take trains between Jaipur, Udaipur, Bundi, Jaisalmer, Jodphur , Pushkar, the Great Thar Desert, and Ranthambore National Park. If you have any other places we have to visit in Rajasthan – please let me know!

My Dad is going to join us for the whole month, and my brother-in-law is planning to meet up with us at some point too. 

February – March: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is another country that I have been wanting to visit for a long time and we are finally making it there! I want to travel all over the country, visiting historic sites, beautiful beaches, tea plantations, and mountain villages.

I am yet to start my real travel planning for Sri Lanka but know a few key places I want to visit including Kandy, Ella, Galle, and Sigiriya.

March: India

As you can get two one-month visas for India pretty easily these days, we thought we would return to celebrate Holi after our time in Sri Lanka for around ten days to two weeks.

I have heard that the Holi celebrations around Goa are pretty great so we will probably explore some of the more chilled beaches there, then head east to Hampi, an ancient village and UNESCO World Heritage site that is full of temples.

March – April: Nepal

Our month to six weeks in Nepal will be all about hiking – well mostly. I want to do at least two weeks of the Annapurna Circuit, if not the full three weeks, which will take us between mountain villages and stunning scenery in the Himalayas. 

I am also interested in doing the Poon Hill hike while we are there, but that will depend on how we are feeling after the Circuit!

Along with hiking the Circuit, I am also looking forward to experiencing chaotic Kathmandu and chilled Pokhara.

May: Hong Kong and Macau

We should be finishing up in Nepal around the end of April or beginning of May and looking to fly back to the US. From what I have seen, a lot of the flights from Kathmandu into the US are through Hong Kong , so depending on the state of affairs there in May, I want to add a one-week stopover there.

While in Hong Kong, I would also like to spend a day or more in Macau but we will see.

So that’s it, our travel plans for the next six months! To say I am excited is an understatement – it already feels good to be back out on the road.

If you are planning your own extended trip, make sure you get travel and health insurance. Safety Wing is my go-to and they are cheap and easy to claim with – it also auto-renews every month unless you turn it off so you don’t have to think about it.

Check out my Travel Wishlists from the past few years for further inspiration:

• My Travel Wishlist For 2024
• My Travel Wishlist For 2023
• My Travel Wishlist For 2022
• My Travel Wishlist For 2021
• My Travel Wishlist For 2020
• My Travel Bucket List for 2019
• My Travel Bucket List for 2018
• My Travel Goals for 2017
• My 2015 Travel Plans Revealed
• Update and my Travel Plans for 2014
• Summer in Alaska Itinerary

6 Comments on Our 6 Month Travel Itinerary: Oceania and Asia

This trip sounds amazing! I’d love to spend six months in this part of the world. Can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures!

Thanks – I am so excited!

Wow, I really envy you your Nepal plans, it looks so beautiful there! I hope you would have an amazing time there (and everywhere else). 🙂

Thanks Lucie – so excited about Nepal!

Happy and safe travels! Glad to see you’re back on the road this winter. I’ve been a lot more circumscribed this year due to moving costs and changing availability of work and things, so I’ll live a little vicariously through you!

Hey Lisa – great to hear from you! Are you still in the UK? Yes I’m excited to be doing a big International trip again 🙂

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