This post covers the best US road trip routes and itineraries everything you want to know about what to see along the way.

In fact, right now my huband and son are driving cross country and I thought, what is more American that a good cross country road trip. Here are some of my very favorite US road trip routes and I hope they become yours too.

So, in honor of my husband and son now driving cross country to move my son back home, I thought I would tell you some of my very favorite road trip in the United States! One of the best ways to explore the region is through weekend trips from Washington DC. Whether you want to enjoy the scenic beauty of Shenandoah National Park or soak in the history of Colonial Williamsburg, there are countless options within just a few hours’ drive. Each destination offers a unique experience that makes for an unforgettable getaway.

 

Epic US Road Trips – Printable Guide

Road Trip	Duration	Best Time	Route
Pacific Coast Highway (CA)	3–7 days	Apr–Oct	San Francisco  Big Sur Los Angeles
Route 66	10–14 days	May–Sept	Chicago Santa Monica
Blue Ridge Parkway	3–5 days	Apr–May, Sept–Oct	Virginia  North Carolina
Going-to-the-Sun Road	1–3 days	June–Sept	West Glacier  St. Mary
Great River Road	5–10+ days	Apr–June, Sept–Oct	Minnesota  Louisiana
Scenic Byway 12 (UT)	1–3 days	Apr–May, Sept–Oct	Bryce Canyon Capitol Reef
Overseas Highway (FL)	2–4 days	Dec–Apr	Miami  Key West
Columbia River Gorge	1–2 days	Apr–Oct	Portland  Hood River The Dalles
Natchez Trace Parkway	2–4 days	Mar–May, Oct–Nov	Nashville Natchez
New England Fall Foliage Loop	3–6 days	Late Sept–Mid Oct	VT & NH loop
Million Dollar Highway (CO)	1 day	June–Oct	Silverton ? Ouray

Tip: Print this page or save as a PDF to quickly compare road trips by season and trip length.

 

 

1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)- The Best Scenic Coastal Road Trip in the US

Route: San Francisco to Los Angeles (approximately 650 miles) Best Time: April through October

This is a truly beautiful road trip, and you don ‘t have to do the entire thing. In fact, if you take the road from South Capistrano in Los Angeles to Big Sur, you will see a good part of it, and only take a day to do it.

Spectacular Highway 1 hugs California’s dramatic coastline, and there are some breathtaking ocean views at every turn. This iconic route passes through charming coastal towns, redwood forests, and rugged cliffs while connecting two of California’s biggest cities

Must-See Stops:

• Monterey Bay and Carmel-by-the-Sea’s fairy-tale architecture
• Big Sur’s towering redwoods and McWay Falls
• Hearst Castle in San Simeon
• Morro Bay’s distinctive volcanic rock
• Santa Barbara’s Spanish colonial charm

I would recommend 2-3 days to really enjoy this road trip. You don’t want to feel rushed or like you can’t stop and do things along the way.

Suggested duration: 3–7 days
Route: San Francisco ? Big Sur ? Santa Barbara ? Los Angeles ? San Diego
Best for: Scenic coastal views, classic California stops

Itinerary highlights:
Day 1–2: San Francisco to Big Sur (Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach)
Day 3–4: Big Sur to Santa Barbara (Hearst Castle, coastal viewpoints)
Day 5–7: Santa Barbara to San Diego (Malibu, Laguna Beach, La Jolla)

2. Route 66 -The Best Cross-Country Road Trip in America

Route: Illinois to California (approximately 2,400 miles) Best Time: May through September

America’s most famous highway was what really created the classic American road trip experience.  One of the earliest ways to get out to see the west, it is still a great way to do it. Route 66 crosses eight states while showcasing the country’s heartland, from prairie towns to desert landscapes, preserving a slice of mid-20th century Americana.

Historic Highlights:

• Chicago’s starting point at Grant Park
• Missouri’s Meramec Caverns
• Oklahoma’s historic Route 66 museums
• Texas’s Cadillac Ranch art installation
• Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park
• California’s Mojave Desert and Santa Monica Pier finish

This legendary route requires 5-12 days to experience properly, allowing time to explore small towns, vintage motels, and classic diners that preserve the highway’s golden age character. If you want to see the West you should plan this particular road trip and plan on lots and lots of breaks.

Suggested duration: 10–14 days
Route: Chicago ? St. Louis ? Oklahoma City ? Santa Fe ? Flagstaff ? Santa Monica
Best for: Classic Americana, roadside attractions

Itinerary highlights:
Days 1–3: Chicago to Missouri (Gateway Arch, vintage diners)
Days 4–7: Oklahoma & Texas Panhandle (Cadillac Ranch, Route 66 museums)
Days 8–14: Southwest deserts to California coast

3. Blue Ridge Parkway-  Best National Park Road Trip

Route: Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains (469 miles) Best Time: April through May, September through October

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of my favorite road trips in the fall. Everywhere you look you are surrounded by autumn oranges and reds. It’s beautiful all times, but it is special in October.

This scenic highway winds through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting two national parks with stop overs to just look at gorgeousness. The parkway winds through small towns and lots and lots of great places to get out and hike.

Natural Wonders:

• Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive overlooks
• Virginia’s Natural Bridge geological formation
• North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain
• Great Smoky Mountains’ diverse wildlife
• Seasonal wildflowers and fall foliage

The Blue Ridge Parkway works perfectly as a long weekend trip or you can spend a whole week enjoying the national parks and the spectacular views.

Suggested duration: 3–5 days
Route: Shenandoah National Park (VA) ? Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC)
Best for: Mountain scenery, fall foliage

Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: Shenandoah overlooks & short hikes
Day 2–3: Asheville, waterfalls, scenic pull-offs
Day 4–5: Smoky Mountains drives and nature stops

4. Going-to-the-Sun Road -The Best Dramatic Drive in Glacier National Park

Route: Glacier National Park’s mountain crossing (50 miles) Best Time: Only open June through September

This engineering marvel cuts through the heart of Glacier National Park, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. The narrow mountain road  leads you to alpine lakes, glacial valleys, and mountains on each side.

If you just want to look out the window and not have to drive it, there are shuttles you can take up and back, just make sure you have a window seat!

Alpine Highlights:

• Lake McDonald’s crystal-clear waters
• Logan Pass visitor center and hiking trails
• Hidden Lake overlook
• St. Mary Lake’s mountain reflections
• Wildlife viewing opportunities including mountain goats and bears

The road typically closes from October through May due to snow, making summer visits essential. Plan for slow driving and frequent stops to appreciate the incredible mountain vistas.

Suggested duration: 1–3 days
Route: West Glacier ? Logan Pass ? St. Mary
Best for: Jaw-dropping alpine scenery

Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road with scenic stops
Day 2–3: Short hikes, wildlife viewing, boat tours

5. Great River Road -The Best American Road Trip Along the Mississippi

Route: Following the Mississippi River (3,000 miles) Best Time: April through June, September through October

Great River Road won’t get you anywhere fast, and that is why it is such a special road trip. It follows the flow of the Mississippi River from its source in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. If you wan’t to see the heartland of the United States , there isn’t a better choice of road trip.

Cultural Treasures:

• Minneapolis’s Mississippi riverfront
• Iowa’s charming river towns
• St. Louis’s Gateway Arch
• Memphis’s musical heritage
• Natchez’s antebellum mansions
• New Orleans’s vibrant culture and cuisine

The Great River Road can be driven in sections or as an epic cross-country adventure. I personally don’t recommend that you do it all at once, as half of the fun is the journey, not getting to the next place at a certain time.

Suggested duration: 5–10 days (choose a section)
Route: Minnesota ? Wisconsin ? Iowa ? Missouri ? Louisiana
Best for: History, food, river towns

Itinerary highlights:
Upper section: Bluffs, state parks, small towns
Lower section: Blues history, Southern food, river culture

6. Scenic Byway 12 – The Big 5 Road Trip

Route: Through southern Utah’s national parks (120 miles) Best Time: April through May, September through October

Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 connects several of the biggest national parks in the US, and it has some spectacular desert landscapes. You will drive by red rock canyons, natural arches, and geological formations found nowhere else on Earth. Just don’t do it right after a long day of hiking, or you won’t even enjoy it.  (Mistakes I have made with my kids!) I recommend doing this trip after a good nights sleep on your way to Capital Reef or Escalante.

Desert Wonders:

• Bryce Canyon’s limestone hoodoos
• Dixie National Forest’s mountain views
• Capitol Reef’s pioneer history
• Escalante’s slot canyons
• Natural bridges and arches
• Zion National Park

The byway works well as part of a larger southwestern national parks tour. Summer temperatures can be extreme, making spring and fall optimal for hiking and outdoor activities.

Suggested duration: 7–10 days
Route: Salt Lake City ? Zion ? Bryce Canyon ? Capitol Reef ? Arches ? Canyonlands
Best for: National parks and dramatic landscapes

Itinerary highlights:
Days 1–3: Zion & Bryce Canyon
Days 4–6: Capitol Reef & Arches
Days 7–10: Canyonlands and Moab area adventures

7. Overseas Highway- The Best Tropical Road Trip

Route: Miami to Key West (166 miles) Best Time: December through April

The Overseas Highway island-hops across the Florida Keys, connecting tropical islands with a series of bridges that seem to float above turquoise waters. This unique route combines coastal driving with Caribbean-style island culture.

Tropical Highlights:

• Key Largo’s coral reefs and diving
• Islamorada’s sport fishing
• Seven Mile Bridge’s engineering marvel
• Key West’s sunset celebrations and Hemingway House
• Bahia Honda State Park’s pristine beaches

This is a great way to see Southern Florida and enjoy beautiful weather, especially if you visit in the winter.

Plan at least two days to experience the Keys’ laid-back atmosphere properly. The route works perfectly for combining beach relaxation with cultural exploration and water activities.

Suggested duration: 2–4 days
Route: Miami ? Key Largo ? Marathon ? Key West
Best for: Easy, laid-back coastal road trip

Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: Miami to Key Largo (snorkeling, beaches)
Day 2: Marathon & Seven Mile Bridge
Day 3–4: Key West sightseeing and sunset celebrations

8. Columbia River Gorge-  Best Waterfall Road Trip

Route: Portland to The Dalles (85 miles) Best Time: April through October

The Columbia River Gorge cuts through the Cascade Mountains, and has some of the most dramatic waterfalls in the West.  If you want to see the best of the Pacific Northwest in just a long weekend this is the way to do it.

Cascade Features:

• Multnomah Falls’ two-tier cascade
• Crown Point’s panoramic viewpoints
• Hood River’s windsurfing culture
• Historic Highway’s stone bridges
• Mount Hood’s snow-capped peak views

The gorge provides excellent hiking, windsurfing, and photography opportunities. Spring brings wildflowers and full waterfalls, while fall provides clear mountain views and comfortable temperatures.

Suggested duration: 1–2 days
Route: Portland ? Multnomah Falls ? Hood River ? The Dalles
Best for: Waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and short hikes

Itinerary highlights:
Day 1: Portland to Hood River (Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Historic Columbia River Highway, Hood River waterfront)
Day 2: Hood River to The Dalles (Rowena Crest viewpoint, scenic overlooks, optional short hikes, return toward Portland)

9. Natchez Trace Parkway – Southern History Road Trip

Route: Nashville to Natchez (444 miles) Best Time: March through May, October through November

This historic route follows an ancient Native American trail that later became a frontier highway, and today your family can enjoy it or argue their way through it as well. The parkway preserves Southern history and natural beauty while providing a peaceful driving experience through forests and farmland.

Historical Journey:

• Nashville’s music scene
• Tennessee’s Civil War battlefields
• Alabama’s Indian mounds
• Mississippi’s antebellum estates
• Natchez’s mansion tours

The Natchez Trace provides a more relaxed road trip experience, perfect for history enthusiasts and those seeking scenic drives without mountain challenges.

Suggested duration: 2–4 days
Route: Nashville ? Tupelo ? Natchez
Best time to go: March–May, Oct–Nov
Itinerary highlights:

• Day 1: Nashville start & music scene

• Day 2: Historic sites & Civil War landmarks

• Day 3–4: Natchez mansions & river views

10. New England Fall Foliage Loop – Fall Color Road Trip

Route: Burlington to North Conway via scenic backroads (300 miles) Best Time: Late September through mid-October

Ok, now that we are talking my neck of the woods, I have a lot more to say!  This is nearly the perfect road trip in the fall. Really, the colors, the charming towns, and mountains, really this is the real New England fall deal.

The route captures everything that makes fall in New England legendary.

Autumn Highlights:

• Vermont’s Green Mountains and maple syrup farms
• Stowe’s picturesque village and mountain resort
• White Mountain National Forest’s blazing foliage
• Historic covered bridges and general stores
• New Hampshire’s Mount Washington views
• Quaint villages with white-steepled churches

This route works perfectly as a long weekend trip during peak foliage season. Small towns provide cozy bed-and-breakfasts, local craft breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants that epitomize New England charm. The winding mountain roads and frequent scenic overlooks make this drive as beautiful as any destination.

Suggested duration: 3–6 days
Route: Burlington ? Stowe ? White Mountains ? North Conway
Best time to go: Late Sept–mid Oct
Itinerary highlights:

• Days 1–2: Vermont foliage & covered bridges

• Days 3–4: Mountain drives in New Hampshire

• Day 5: Quaint towns & scenic overlooks

11. Million Dollar Highway- Colorado Rockies Road Trip

Route: Silverton to Ouray via US Highway 550 (25 miles) Best Time: June through October

Named for its million-dollar views (and expensive construction costs), this spectacular mountain highway cuts through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains with some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in America. The route includes hairpin turns, sheer cliff drops, and views that will leave you breathless. If you don’t love driving on narrow spots,  this is likely not for you!

Mountain Drama:

• Silverton’s historic mining town atmosphere
• Red Mountain Pass at 11,018 feet elevation
• Ouray’s “Switzerland of America” hot springs
• Uncompahgre Gorge’s vertical canyon walls
• Historic mining ruins and ghost towns
• 14,000-foot peak panoramas

This challenging drive requires careful attention and isn’t for those afraid of heights. The narrow, guardrail-free sections demand respect, but the payoff includes some of Colorado’s most spectacular mountain vistas. Plan a full day to properly experience the route with stops in historic mining towns.

Suggested duration: 1 full day
Route: Silverton ? Ouray (US-550, 25 mi)
Best time to go: June–October
Itinerary highlights:

• Drive twists and turns through the San Juan Mountains

• Scenic stops at Red Mountain Pass & Ouray hot springs

Planning Your Epic Road Trip

Planning a road trip with stops along the way can be fun or frustrating, it depends on the advice you get. If you want to know how to plan a road trip with stops along the way, check out this post of mine.

If you want to know what you need to pack for your road trip check out this post.

If you want the perfect audiobook for your road trip check this out

And if you are road tripping with kids, check out these ideas.

As you can probably see, my family has road tripped a lot. It’s a less expensive way to travel and a great way to see a lot of things in one trip!

I hope you take the opportunity to try one of these out, and see America one road trip at a time.