12 Road Trip Routes to Explore All Over the U.S.
From rugged coastlines to stunning mountains, the U.S. is a remarkable place to explore. Because traveling internationally or by plane has become more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are ctake road trips within the U.S. instead. We can help you prep for your next road trip by booking DMV appointments, reminding you to renew your license or register your vehicle. We can even help you reduce your car insurance cost. Read on to learn about 12 road trips all over the U.S. to inspire your wanderlust.
Road Trip Routes in New England
Cape Cod
Driving the length of Cape Cod, Massachusetts is a beloved road trip route for many tourists, for good reason. Most people start their trip in Boston before exploring the Cape. You can stop in historic beach towns like Sandwich, Hyannis and Provincetown (the furthest point on the Cape), to take in beautiful beach views.
Route 100, Vermont
Route 100 is the perfect road trip route to take in Vermont’s remarkable fall foliage. The highway is over 200 miles and meanders through mountains and charming New England villages. For panoramic views of the state, take the lift to the top of the ski mountain Mt. Snow, which is open throughout the year for visitors. You can also stay closer to the ground and visit one of the many waterfalls along the route to take photos and swim.
Road Trip Routes in the Mid-Atlantic
Hudson Valley
New York’s Hudson Valley is lovely in any season, and is known for its beautiful scenery, orchards and vineyards. It’s very accessible from New York City; the first destinations in the Valley are only about an hour from Manhattan. In addition to the natural beauty and farm towns, the Hudson Valley is home to a great deal of history, including West Point and FDR's estate Hyde Park.
Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley in Virginia is packed with incredible views, restaurants and historic sites. Stop at state parks, farm-to-table restaurants and craft breweries along the way. The two main roads to travel the Shenandoah Valley region are the Blue Ridge Parkway, which connect the Great Smoky Mountains and the Shenandoah National Park, and Skyline Drive, which is a 105-mile road through Shenandoah National Park with 75 different stopping points.
Road Trip Routes in the South
Gatlinburg TN to Asheville NC (Great Smoky Mountains)
Gatlinburg and Asheville are two of the South’s most popular outdoor destinations. Both are lively mountain towns, and between them is the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fastest route between the two towns is to take Interstate 40, which takes just under 2 hours, but the much more scenic route is to go through the park and visit waterfalls and overlooks.
Myrtle Beach SC to Savannah GA (Southeast Coast)
If you’re more interested in a beach trip, drive from Myrtle Beach to Savannah to explore some of the South’s sunny coastline. Both Savannah and Myrtle Beach are popular with families. Myrtle Beach has a long stretch of wide beach, a Ferris wheel and an aquarium, while just twenty minutes from downtown historic Savannah is Tybee Island, a barrier island with beaches and a historic lighthouse.
Road Trip Routes in the Southwest
Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon are two of the country’s most iconic destinations. Start your trip with the Las Vegas strip. Vegas offers much more than just gambling, including ten Michelin-starred restaurants. Round out your trip with the remarkable natural beauty of the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon stay on the rim and never venture down into the canyon itself, but if you have the time, it's worthwhile to take advantage of hiking trails and river rafting.
Southwest Route 66 Road Trip
Historic Route 66 winds through quirky attractions and otherworldly desert landscapes. In total, it’s nearly 2,500 miles long. In New Mexico, Route 66 follows a portion of the known oldest road in America, the 420-year-old Royal Road. It also passes by Petroglyph Natural Monument, where images carved by the Pueblo people and Spanish colonizers date back up to 3,000 years.
Road Trip Routes on the West Coast
Olympic Peninsula (Seattle and Olympic National Park)
Enjoy the majesty of the Pacific Northwest with a trip to Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula. Stop at charming towns like Port Angeles and of course, make time to hike and explore in the Olympic National Park. The park is home to Hoh rainforest, one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S., which is blanketed from the forest floor to the treetops in moss and ferns.
Highway 1
California’s State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, runs along nearly the entire coast of California. It begins near San Diego, and ends north of San Francisco. Along the way, you’ll pass through Los Angeles, Big Sur and much more. There are dozens of places to stop along the 650-mile route, including historic sites like the Hearst Castle (the mansion owned by billionaire newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst), and world-class surfing destinations like Pismo Beach (also the only beach in California where vehicles can be driven on the sand).
Road Trip Routes in the Midwest
Midwest Route 66 (St Louis to Chicago)
Route 66 continues from the Southwest into the Midwest, connecting St. Louis and Chicago, where Route 66 begins. Driving this portion of the route will take you through small-town Illinois, and past plenty of roadside attractions like an Arcade Museum. The route is about 300 miles.
Great River Road Wisconsin (Mississippi River)
Wisconsin’s Great River Road winds along the Mississippi River for 250 miles, and is the only national scenic byway in the state. You can stop in any of the 33 towns along the way, and of course enjoy views of the country’s most famous river and thousands of acres of protected public lands. Throughout the year, the river communities along the byway host festivals, fairs and events.
Explore Safely with a Road Trip
Road trips have lower COVID-19 risk than flying or traveling internationally, and they’re a wonderful way to see more of the diversity of the U.S.’ different cultures and landscapes. If you’re heading out on a road trip soon, we can help you with DMV and auto business with Skip Plus.