Embark on the Ultimate American Adventure: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA You Must Take
There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road, with your windows down, tunes blaring, and the world unfolding before you. For road trip enthusiasts, the USA is a treasure trove of scenic routes and breathtaking landscapes, waiting to be explored. From winding coastal highways to rugged mountain passes, from vast deserts to rolling farmlands, this country has it all. So, pack your bags, buckle up, and get ready to discover the best of America, one mile at a time.
To make your journey planning easier, here are 50 of the best road trips in the USA that you must take. We’ve categorized them based on their length, location, theme, and attractions, so you can choose the ones that suit your preferences and time constraints.
Short Trips (Less Than 300 Miles)
1. Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina – 469 miles of scenic beauty and cultural heritage in the Appalachian Mountains.
2. Pacific Coast Highway, California – 123 miles of stunning coastline, ocean vistas, and charming towns.
3. Acadia All-American Road, Maine – 40 miles of rugged coastline, granite mountains, and verdant forests in Acadia National Park.
4. Historic Columbia River Highway, Oregon – 70 miles of waterfalls, canyons, and historic sites along the Columbia River Gorge.
5. River Road, Texas – 120 miles of Spanish moss-draped oak trees, historic plantations, and scenic river views in Louisiana and Texas.
Medium Trips (Between 300 and 1000 Miles)
6. U.S. Route 1, Florida – 545 miles of beaches, wildlife, and cultural landmarks from the Georgia border to Key West.
7. Lake Michigan Circle Tour, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana – 1200 miles of beaches, lighthouses, and small towns around the Great Lake.
8. Grand Circle Tour, Utah and Arizona – 1100 miles of national parks, monuments, and geological wonders, including the Grand Canyon and Zion.
9. Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee – 444 miles of scenic beauty, Native American history, and southern hospitality.
10. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia – 17.6 miles of engineering marvel, connecting the Delmarva Peninsula to Virginia Beach.
Long Trips (Over 1000 Miles)
11. Route 66, Illinois to California – 2448 miles of iconic Americana, from the Chicago skyline to the Santa Monica Pier.
12. Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana – 2500 miles of Mississippi River views, quaint river towns, and historic landmarks.
13. Alaska Highway, British Columbia to Alaska – 1387 miles of rugged wilderness, glacier-fed lakes, and abundant wildlife in Canada and the USA.
14. Trans-Canada Highway, British Columbia to Newfoundland – 4750 miles of Canadian culture, natural wonders, and cosmopolitan cities, from coast to coast.
15. Pan-American Highway, Alaska to Argentina – 19,000 miles of epic adventure, traversing continents and countries, from tundra to tropics.
By Location
16. Overseas Highway, Florida Keys – 113 miles of island hopping, azure waters, and coral reefs, from Key Largo to Key West.
17. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming – 68 miles of alpine scenery, mountain passes, and wildflower meadows, near Yellowstone Park.
18. Million Dollar Highway, Colorado – 25 miles of hairpin turns, dizzying heights, and ghost towns, in the San Juan Mountains.
19. Skyline Drive, Virginia – 105 miles of Appalachian peaks, forests, and wildlife, in Shenandoah National Park.
20. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana – 50 miles of glacier-carved valleys, waterfalls, and alpine peaks, in Glacier National Park.
By Theme
21. Southern BBQ Trail, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky – 2000 miles of lip-smacking BBQ joints, from pulled pork to brisket.
22. Craft Brewery Tour, Oregon – 130 miles of craft breweries, tasting rooms, and pubs, from Portland to Bend.
23. Civil War Trail, Virginia – 290 miles of historic battlefield sites, museums, and monuments, from Manassas to Appomattox.
24. Famous Movie Tour, California – 758 miles of movie locations, studios, and iconic landmarks, from Hollywood to San Francisco.
25. Route 20 Art Trail, Massachusetts – 153 miles of art galleries, studios, museums, and antique shops, from Boston to the Berkshires.
By Attractions
26. Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, Nevada and Arizona – 300 miles of neon lights, casinos, and natural wonder, through the Mojave Desert.
27. New England States Tour, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine – 500 miles of fall foliage, lighthouses, and seafood, along the Atlantic coast.
28. Great Lakes Seaway Trail, New York and Pennsylvania – 518 miles of lighthouses, vineyards, and historic sites, along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario.
29. Great Smoky Mountains Tour, North Carolina and Tennessee – 450 miles of mountain views, waterfalls, and cultural heritage, in the Appalachians.
30. Northern Rockies Tour, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and North Dakota – 2000 miles of national parks, wilderness areas, and cowboy towns, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Conclusion
No matter which road trip you choose, you’re in for an adventure of a lifetime. The USA has a rich diversity of landscapes, cultures, and experiences, waiting to be explored on wheels. By taking a road trip, you’ll not only see the country in a more intimate and immersive way but also create memories that will last a lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next road trip today. Happy travels!
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