One of the best ways to explore the USA is on a good old-fashioned road trip. Cruise along Route 66, road trip through the Florida Keys, explore the American Southwest, or even drive from coast to coast. In this guide, we share 18 of the best USA road tripsโฆ18 great ideas for your next big adventure.
About These USA Road Trips
These road trips range from just a several days to two weeks in length. Most them are written as 7 to 10-day itineraries.
This is not a list of scenic drives, which are drives that can be done in a few hours or a full day (for example, Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Beartooth Highway). However, these scenic drives are included in the itineraries below.
For each road trip, we list the approximate distance you will travel and the best time of year for each trip. Most of these can be done all year, but like any travel destination, there are ideal times for each of them.
Most of these road trips include at least one national park. We are on a quest to visit all 63 national parks, and they make perfect road trip destinations.
We have done all but a few of these USA road tripsโฆseveral are still on our bucket list. And on this list we have a few favorites, what we think are must-have experiences in the USA, and Iโll share those with you at the end of this guide (or you can skip ahead now).
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
#1 Route 66
Distance: 2,448 miles
Length of Time: 1 to 2 weeks to drive the entire distance, or you can drive a section of Route 66
When to Go: All year
Highlights: Chicago, ghost towns in New Mexico and Texas, quirky roadside shops and restaurants, Petrified Forest National Park, Santa Monica. If you drive the entire length of Route 66, you will drive through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
Route 66 is one of the most famous roads in the USA. This historic road is also called the Main Street of America and the Mother Road.
This road runs from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, totaling 2,448 miles. In the 1930โs, it was the route used by those migrating west to escape the Dust Bowl. And in the 1950โs, this route was used by vacationers on their way to Los Angeles.
In the 1960โs, as more direct highways were constructed, traffic along Route 66 declined, leading towards its demise. Portions of Route 66 were bypassed and neglected, although in recent years, there has been revitalization along this route.
As far as planning your road trip, you can drive the entire distance, which takes one to two weeks, depending on what you do along the way. Or, just road through a portion of Route 66.
We have driven Route 66 in Arizona. With quirky roadside stands and several great places to visit along the drive (Petrified Forest National Park, the Meteor Crater, and Flagstaff) this is one of the most iconic sections of the drive.
Holbrook, Arizona
Plan Your USA Road Trip
The Route 66 Road Trip website has lots of information about what to do and see along the way.
#2 California: The Pacific Coast Highway
Distance: 650 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: spring and summer
Highlights: San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Tim and I did this over 20 years ago, and it still remains one of my favorite USA road trips.
The Pacific Coast Highway, also called California State Route 1, runs north to south from Leggett to Dana Point. The classic Pacific Coast Highway road trip runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles, but you can also add on San Diego in the south or continue the drive north into northern California.
This road trip is done point-to-point and can be done in either direction.
The drive between San Francisco to Los Angeles, as the road winds along the rugged coastline in Big Sur, is one of the most beautiful drives in the USA. It takes 8 to 10 hours to drive this stretch of road, but most people break the drive up into several days, spending the night in either Santa Barbara, Solvang, Morro Bay, and/or Monterey.
There are also some great nearby destinations to add on to this road trip. Napa Valley, Pinnacles National Park, and San Diego all make great additions to a Pacific Coast Highway road trip.
Here is a sample 7-day Pacific Coast highway itinerary heading south to north.
Day 1: San Diego
Day 2: Los Angeles
Day 3: Santa Barbara, Solvang, and Morro Bay
Day 4: Big Sur State Park and Monterey
Day 5: San Francisco
Day 6: San Francisco
Day 7: Napa Valley day trip from San Francisco
With more time, you can continue the road trip by heading north to northern California, add on more time in each city, or add on Pinnacles or Yosemite National Parks.
Bixby Bridge at Big Sur: Phitha Tanpairoj/shutterstock.com
Cable cars in San Francisco
Plan Your USA Road Trip
SAN FRANCISCO: 25 Best Things to Do in San Francisco
SAN DIEGO: 10 Best Things to Do in San Diego
YOSEMITE: Yosemite for First Timers: Best Hikes, Best Views, & the Best Things to Do
#3 American Southwest
Distance: Varies, 1,000 – 1,500 miles
Time: 7 days to 2 weeks
When to Go: Best during the spring and fall months
Highlights: The Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks
American Southwest Route
Admire the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon, hike the thrilling trails in Zion National Park, and photograph the millions of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. The list keeps going, with the sweeping views of Monument Valley, dusty, off-road adventures in Grand Staircase-Escalante, and numerous slot canyons to scramble through. With more time, you can extend the road trip and head farther into Utah, exploring Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Parks.
Monument Valley
Zion National Park
Antelope Canyon
If you have the time, I recommend planning a two-week road trip through this region. On just one road trip, you can visit the Grand Canyon, Utahโs Mighty 5, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, and Las Vegas.
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas, Drive to the Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon National Park
Day 3: Grand Canyon National Park
Day 4: Page, Arizona: Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend
Day 5: Monument Valley
Day 6: The Needles, Canyonlands National Park
Day 7: Arches National Park
Day 8: Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky
Day 9: Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wild Horse Canyon
Day 10: Capitol Reef National Park
Day 11: Capitol Reef or Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Day 12: Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 13: Zion National Park
Day 14: Drive to Las Vegas and fly home
With less time, we have a great 10-day road trip that includes several highlights and wonderful off-the-beaten-path destinations in the American Southwest, and a 7-day road trip that includes Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. We are frequent visitors to the American Southwest and have a lot of different road trip itineraries on this website.
American Southwest Road Trip Itineraries
#4 Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks
Distance: 900 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Early July through mid-October, when all of the roads in the national parks are open
Highlights: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks
Day 1: Arrive in Jackson, Wyoming
Day 2: Grand Teton
Day 3: Grand Teton & Yellowstone
Day 4: Yellowstone
Day 5: Yellowstone
Day 6: Yellowstone
Day 7: Drive to Glacier
Day 8: Glacier
Day 9: Glacier
Day 10: Fly Home
This is one of the best USA road trips if you want to visit three popular national parks. We like this road trip so much that we have done it twice.
This USA road trip is done point-to-point. It can be done in either direction, but most people start in Grand Teton and then head north to Glacier National Park.
In Grand Teton National Park, visit Jenny Lake, hike to Inspiration Point or head farther into the Teton Range, go wildlife spotting at Oxbow Bend, photograph the mighty Teton Range, and spend some time in Jackson.
Then head to Yellowstone, where the wildlife sightings are some of the best in the national parks and you can visit bubbling mud pots and technicolor hot springs.
Finally, the trip ends with its grand finale in Glacier National Park. Drive the beautiful Going-to-the-Sun Road, take your pick between short and long hikes, and marvel at this gorgeous national park.
Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone
Glacier National Park
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#5 Washington State Road Trip
Distance: 1,225 miles
Time: 7 to 14 days
When to Go: July through September
Highlights: Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks, Leavenworth, Lake Chelan
Day 1: Arrive in Washington, drive to Port Angeles
Day 2: Olympic National Park
Day 3: Olympic National Park
Day 4: Mount Rainier National Park
Day 5: Mount Rainier National Park
Day 6: Leavenworth
Day 7: Lake Chelan
Day 8: North Cascades National Park
Day 9: North Cascades National Park or Mount Baker
Day 10: Fly Home
Washington state makes an excellent road trip destination, especially for outdoor lovers, hikers, and families. Three national parks are located in Washington.
Mount Rainier National Park
Olympic National Park
North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in the United States. In just one national park, you can climb peaks as high as 8,000 feet, walk through old growth temperate rainforests, and stroll along beaches littered with driftwood.
For hikers, Mount Rainier is one of the best US national parks to visit. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails loop around Mount Rainier, a glacier-capped active volcano. For an epic experience, you can also climb to the summit of Mount Rainier on a multi-day hiking trip.
North Cascades National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, and we also think that it is one of the most underrated. Itโs also another great spot to go hiking.
On a road trip through Washington state, you can also add on the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, go wine tasting at Lake Chelan, visit Mount Baker, go on a day hike in the Enchantments, and visit Seattle.
Plan Your USA Road Trip
Washington Road Trip Itinerary: 7 to 14 Days in the National Parks
#6 Las Vegas to San Diego
Distance: 640 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: fall, winter and spring
Highlights: San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park (the cover photo for this article)
This USA road trip is great in the wintertime. Joshua Tree and Death Valley tend to be some of the hottest spots in the USA, so itโs best to visit this area when the weather is cool.
Since this road trip is done point-to-point, it can be done in either direction. Here is a sample 10-day itinerary, starting in Las Vegas and ending in Las Vegas. For more information, plus an alternative route that includes the Mojave National Preserve, read our Las Vegas to San Diego Itinerary.
Day 1: Las Vegas
Day 2: Valley of Fire day trip from Las Vegas
Day 3: Red Rock Canyon or more time in Las Vegas
Day 4: Death Valley National Park
Day 5: Death Valley National Park
Day 6: Drive to Joshua Tree National Park
Day 7: Joshua Tree National Park
Day 8: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Day 9: San Diego
Day 10: Fly home
For a shorter version of this itinerary, skip Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the day trips from Las Vegas.
Death Valley National Park
Las Vegas
Valley of Fire
Joshua Tree National Park
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#7 Florida Keys Road Trip
Distance: 200 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: All year but this road trip is best from November through March, when the weather is cooler, rainfall is low, and there is no threat from tropical storms or hurricanes.
Highlights: Miami, Key West, Florida Keys, Everglades, Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Parks
White sandy beaches, warm sunny skies, palm trees, key lime pie, warm sunny skiesโฆsounds nice, right?
Driving from Miami to Key West is one of the best USA road trips.
The Florida Overseas Highway connects mainland Florida with Key West. As you road trip through the Florida Keys, you can visit state parks, beautiful beaches, animal conservation centers, breweries, and boutique shops. Dine al fresco, on the beach, in the shade of palm trees.
Spend some time in Miami and Key West and you can also add on three national parks: Biscayne, Everglades, and Dry Tortugas.
Seven Mile Bridge
Key West
Dry Tortugas National Park
Day 1: Arrive in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Day 2: Everglades National Park
Day 3: Biscayne National Park
Day 4: Florida Keys road trip to Key West
Day 5: Key West
Day 6: Key West
Day 7: Dry Tortugas National Park
Day 8: Key West
Day 9: Florida Keys road trip to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Day 10: Fly home
If you have less time, this itinerary can easily be shortened to one week. Travel point-to-point through the Florida Keys. In our Florida Keys Itinerary, we give suggestions on how to do this.
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#8 Northern California & Oregon
Distance: 650 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Summer and early fall
Highlights: Redwood State and National Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Crater Lake National Park
On this loop, visit three national parks: Crater Lake, Redwood, and Lassen Volcanic National Parks. This road trip is still on our to-do list. When we were planning one of our big summer trips, we had to choose between the Washington road trip (listed above) and this one. Washington won but we are planning to do this in September 2025.
Since this USA road trip is done as a loop, there are several different spots to start this trip. Medford, Oregon is the most convenient location that I have found, since it has one of the largest airports in the area.
Below is a 10-day road trip itinerary starting and ending in Medford.
Day 1: Arrive in Medford, drive to Crater Lake National Park
Day 2: Crater Lake National Park
Day 3: Crater Lake National Park, drive to Lava Beds National Monument
Day 4: Lava Beds National Monument, drive to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Day 5: Lassen Volcanic National Park
Day 6: Drive to Redwood National Park visiting Whiskeytown on the drive
Day 7: Redwood National & State Parks
Day 8: Redwood National & State Parks
Day 9: Redwood National & State Parks
Day 10: Drive to Medford and fly home
Crater Lake National Park: Nature’s Charm/shutterstock.com
#9 Washington DC to Asheville, North Carolina
Distance: 700 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: May through October
Highlights: Washington DC, Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, New River Gorge National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville, Gatlinburg
If you are looking for a USA road trip to do in the fall, this is one of the best on this list. In October, all three national parks are ablaze in fall colors, making this one of the most beautiful times to visit this part of the USA.
Spend a day or two in Washington DC, visiting the Smithsonian Museums, national monuments, and iconic landmarks. Then, leave the city behind, as you road trip through Shenandoah National Park, driving the beautiful Skyline Drive.
Next, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to Natural Bridge. Take a detour west, spending a few days in one of the USAโs newest national parks, New River Gorge. After New River Gorge, resume the drive south, visiting Asheville, North Carolina, before ending the trip with a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Shenandoah National Park in October
New River Gorge National Park
The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Day 1: Washington DC
Day 2: Washington DC
Day 3: Shenandoah National Park
Day 4: Blue Ridge Parkway, Natural Bridge, New River Gorge National Park
Day 5: New River Gorge National Park
Day 6: New River Gorge National Park
Day 7: Drive to Asheville, North Carolina
Day 8: Asheville
Day 9: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Day 10: Gatlinburg and fly home
To turn this into a 7-day itinerary, eliminate New River Gorge National Park and do this as a road trip from Washington DC to Asheville, North Carolina.
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#10 Arizona Road Trip
Distance: 1,080 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Fall, winter and spring
Highlights: Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
On this Arizona road trip itinerary, you will visit three national parks, drive past the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley, walk through magical Antelope Canyon, and hike the desert hills of Sedona. Arizona is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the United States and this road trip is the perfect way to see them.
Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix, Saguaro National Park
Day 2: Saguaro National Park
Day 3: Petrified Forest National Park
Day 4: Monument Valley
Day 5: Antelope Canyon
Day 6: Grand Canyon
Day 7: Grand Canyon
Day 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona
Day 9: Sedona
Day 10: Fly Home
Arizona is a large state with a lot to do. This road trip focuses on the national parks, Sedona, and Monument Valley, but if you have more time, you can also add on Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, and Scottsdale.
Grand Canyon National Park
Sedona, Arizona
Saguaro National Park
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#11 Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Distance: 100 to 300 miles
Time: 1 to 7 days
When to Go: All year
Highlights: Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Louisville, Bardstown, Lexington
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail (KBT) is a collection of bourbon distilleries located in and around Louisville. If you want to tour all of the distilleries, it takes well over one busy week. For those who just want a taste of the KBT, this area also makes a great weekend getaway.
There is a lot more to do in this part of Kentucky than just tour bourbon distilleries. Enjoy the nightlife in Louisville, watch a horse race at Churchill Downs, drive through scenic bluegrass Kentucky, visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, or spend the night in a historic tavern.
Maker’s Mark
Horse Racing at Churchill Downs
Kentucky Bourbon Trail in a Weekend
Friday: Arrive in Louisville, evening distillery tour and dinner
Saturday: Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Bardstown Bourbon, sleep in Bardstown
Sunday: Lux Row, Makerโs Mark, fly home
Kentucky Bourbon Trail in One Week
Day 1: Louisville distilleries
Day 2: Louisville: museums, distillery tours and Churchill Downs
Day 3: Distilleries near Owensboro
Day 4: Bardstown distilleries
Day 5: Makerโs Mark, Jim Beam, and the Kentucky Cooperage
Day 6: Wilderness Trail, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve
Day 7: Distilleries between Lexington and Louisville
One week is a long time to spend on the bourbon trail and it will get repetitive. I only recommend doing this if you are a BIG fan of bourbon. It took us several different trips to Kentucky to visit all of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries.
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#12 Alaska Road Trip
Distance: 700 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: May through September
Highlights: Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Kenai Fjords and Wrangell โ St. Elias National Parks
There are many different ways to put together an Alaskan road trip, and in our Alaska Itinerary, we share three detailed itineraries.
Our favorite is a 10-day trip that includes Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Kenai Fjords, and Wrangell โ St. Elias. Itโs our favorite for two reasons.
For one thing, Wrangell โ St. Elias is one of the most underrated US national parks. This place blew us away, with its multiple ranges of mountain peaks, glacier hiking, and flightseeing.
The second reason is that Denali Park Road, in Denali National Park, is closed at about the halfway point, while a bridge is constructed around a landslide. Until this road fully reopens (2023 or later), I think it is best to save Denali and visit the other Alaskan national parks instead.
In our 10 Day Alaska Itinerary, we provide three different road trip routes through Alaska, but below is the 10-day itinerary with Wrangell โ St. Elias and Kenai Fjords National Parks.
Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage
Day 2: Drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Day 3: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Day 4: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Day 5: Drive to Valdez
Day 6: Valdez
Day 7: Cruise to the Kenai Peninsula
Day 8: Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 9: Kenai Fjords National Park
Day 10: Fly home
With more time, you can add on Denali or add on a day trip to Lake Clark or Katmai National Parks.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#13 New England Road Trip: Acadia to Boston
Distance: 700 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Late spring through fall; October is the best time for fall colors
Highlights: Acadia National Park, Kancamagus Highway, Franconia Notch State Park, Stowe, Lake Champlain, the Berkshires, Boston
This is a road trip that is very high on our to-do list. We have been to Acadia National Park and Boston, the starting and ending points of this itinerary, and loved both experiences. Our visit to Acadia coincided with peak fall colors and itโs breathtaking.
We live in the mid-Atlantic region of the US so we get to see some beautiful fall colors in our backyard, but there is something extra special about New England in October. Not only do the fall colors seem more vibrant, but the small towns and state parks make this region one of the most beautiful destinations in the USA for a fall road trip.
In the summer of 2023, Kara and a friend took a 12 day road trip through New England, visiting Providence, Cape Cod, Isle au Haut in Acadia National Park, Franconia Notch State Park, and the Kancamagus Highway. You can see the full itinerary in our 12 Day New England Itinerary.
Day 1: Acadia National Park
Day 2: Acadia National Park
Day 3: Portland, Maine
Day 4: Drive to Conway, then drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway, visit Franconia Notch State Park, and sleep in or near Franconia
Day 5: Stowe, Burlington, and Lake Champlain
Day 6: Drive to Lenox, Massachusetts in the Berkshires
Day 7: Drive to Boston
Day 8: Boston
Day 9: Boston
Day 10: Fly home
Acadia National Park in October
Boston
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#14 Utahโs Mighty 5
Distance: 900 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: Spring and fall
Highlights: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
If you like rugged, desert landscapes, it is hard to beat the beauty of Utah. If you are a hiker, there are enough trails in these parks to keep you busy for weeks. And if you like a good road trip, Utah is the perfect place to explore from behind the wheel of a car.
Without a doubt, this is one of the best USA road trips. We canโt get enough of this part of the USAโฆUtah keeps calling us back.
Hike the bucket list worthy trails at Zion, explore the fantasyland of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, photograph the arches and unique rock formations at Arches National Park, explore the waterpocket fold in Capitol Reef, marvel at the landscapes at Canyonlands Island in the Sky, and hike through the unique landscape in The Needles at Canyonlands.
This is just a short list of things to do on a Mighty 5 road trip. You can spend weeks here and never run out of new things to do.
Arches National Park
The Needles, Canyonlands National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Below is a 7-day road trip itinerary through Utahโs Mighty 5. In this guide, also have alternate 7-day itinerary, plus a 10-day itinerary that gives you more time in the national parks and gets you off-the-beaten-path to several of Utahโs underrated state parks.
Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City, drive to Moab
Day 2: Arches National Park
Day 3: Canyonlands National Park
Day 4: Drive to Capitol Reef, visit Capitol Reef, sleep in Torrey or near Bryce Canyon
Day 5: Bryce Canyon, drive to Zion, sleep in Springdale
Day 6: Zion National Park
Day 7: Drive to Las Vegas, fly home
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#15 Colorado Road Trip
Distance: 1,050 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: Summer and early fall
Highlights: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks, Aspen and Snowmass, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and numerous scenic drives.
With four national parks, numerous national forests and state parks, plus historic towns scattered throughout the Rocky Mountains, Colorado makes an awesome road trip destination.
Our 10-day road trip itinerary includes all four national parks, which are linked together with some of Coloradoโs best scenic drives (the San Juan Skyway, the Million Dollar Highway, Top of the Rockies, Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park).
Sky Pond, Rocky Mountain National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Day 1: Arrive in Colorado, drive to Colorado Springs
Day 2: Garden of the Gods & Pikes Peak
Day 3: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Day 4: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Day 5: Mesa Verde National Park
Day 6: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Day 7: Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 8: Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 9: Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 10: Fly Home
This itinerary is done as a loop, starting and ending in either Denver or Colorado Springs. Itโs a great road trip for families, hikers, and those who love the great outdoors and scenic drives.
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#16 Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore
Distance: 1,400 miles
Time: 10 days
When to Go: May through October
Highlights: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks, Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, Beartooth Highway, Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, Custer State Park
With 10 days, you can visit Yellowstone, Devils Tower, and Mount Rushmore, but thatโs not all. You also have enough time to visit the highlights of Grand Teton, day trip out to Badlands National Park, spend some time at Wind Cave National Park, and cruise the scenic drives and spot wildlife at Custer State Park.
Thatโs four national parks in one road trip, not to mention two national monuments, one incredible state park, and several very scenic drives.
Day 1: Arrive in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park
Day 2: Grand Teton National Park
Day 3: Yellowstone National Park
Day 4: Yellowstone National Park
Day 5: Yellowstone National Park
Day 6: Bighorn Mountains & Devils Tower
Day 7: Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Lead & Mount Rushmore
Day 8: Custer State Park
Day 9: Badlands National Park
Day 10: Wind Cave National Park & Fly Home
Itโs possible to do this in 7-days, although you will have to give up a few destinations.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Beartooth Highway
Mount Rushmore National Monument
Badlands National Park
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#17 California National Parks
Distance: 700 miles
Time: 7 to 10 days
When to Go: May through October; some roads in Yosemite are only open from mid to late-May through mid-October
Highlights: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks
This itinerary starts in San Francisco, travels through three national parks, ending in Los Angeles.
This road trip skips Death Valley National Park. Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are best in the summer and fall, when the roads are open. This happens to be the worst time to visit Death Valley, since it is so hot. You can add on Death Valley, just be prepared for scorching temperatures if you plan to do this from May through October.
We did this road trip in 2017. At that time, there was a road closure on the Pacific Coast Highway, so we drove through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, rather than taking the coastal route. This also makes a very nice USA road trip, particularly for those who are trying to visit all of the US National Parks.
Day 1: San Francisco
Day 2: San Francisco
Day 3: Drive to Yosemite
Day 4: Yosemite National Park
Day 5: Yosemite National Park
Day 6: Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
Day 7: Drive to LA or San Diego
You can turn this into a longer national park road trip by adding on Channel Islands National Park when you are in LA. And if you can brave the heat, spend a day in Death Valley. That totals five national parks in one road trip.
Yosemite National Park
Sequoia National Park
Plan Your USA Road Trip
#18 The All-American Cross Country Road Trip
Distance: 3,000 miles
Time: 10+ days
When to Go: best in the spring, summer, and fall
Highlights: The USA
Driving cross country is the ultimate USA road trip. Crossing the country by car, visiting small towns, big cities, national parks, and numerous landmarks along the way is definitely a bucket list kind of trip. In fact, itโs still on our travel wish list.
There are many different ways to drive across the US. It takes about 5 days to do this drive, averaging 8 hours a day, without making any stops. Once you start adding on time for sightseeing and detours, the distance and amount of time spent gets much longer.
Ideally, plan on doing this over a minimum of 10 days, although more time is better. Some people set aside a full month, or the entire summer, to road trip across the United States.
Here are a few cross-country road trip ideas:
Connect two big cities, New York and LA, visiting the Las Vegas, Moab, Denver, Nashville, and Washington DC on the drive (3,200 miles).
On a northern route, start in Boston, visit Niagara Falls, drive through Chicago, South Dakota, visit Yellowstone, and end in Seattle (3,300 miles).
If you are looking to do this in the winter, you can drive across the southern US, starting in San Diego, going through Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, visiting New Orleans and the Florida panhandle, ending your trip in Savannah, Orlando, or going all of the way to Miami (2,700 miles).
Which One(s) Should You Do?
If you need help trying to decide which road trip to do, here are a few suggestions.
Our favorites are the American Southwest, Utahโs Mighty 5, and Alaska.
Best Road Trips for Families
- Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks
- American Southwest
- Utahโs Mighty 5
- Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore
Best Road Trips for Hikers
- Washington road trip
- Colorado road trip
- American Southwest
- Utahโs Mighty 5
- Alaska road trip
- California national park road trip (Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia)
- Northern California and Oregon loop
Best Road Trips for Non-Hikers
- Florida Keys road trip
- New England road trip
- Utahโs Mighty 5
- Kentucky Bourbon Trail
- Pacific Coast Highway in California
- Route 66
Best for Fall Colors
- New England road trip
- Washington DC to Asheville
Best in the Winter
- Florida Keys
- Arizona road trip
- Las Vegas to San Diego
You can also visit Utahโs Mighty 5 or do an American Southwest road trip, but it can be cold and there is a chance of snow.
There are many more ways to plan a USA road trip than what we list above. In the comment section below, share your favorite road tripsโฆwe are always looking for new ideas and our readers would like to see them too. Thanks!
And if you have any questions about these USA road trip itineraries, you can also let us know in the comment section below.
You Might Also Like
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2025 (+ Printable Checklist)
The US national parks are one of this countryโs best ideasโฆland set aside for the preservation of the natural world and the enjoyment of the people. Every few years, another park gets added and the US national parks list grows a little longer. Over the past 150 years, 63 national parks have been created in […]
20 Epic Day Hikes in the National Parks (USA)
With 63 national parks and thousands of miles of hiking trails, your options are endless for exploring the American national parks. We narrowed down the list for you to 20 of the best day hikes in the national parks, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful country. Hike to the tallest peaks, through massive canyons, […]
NYC Bucket List: 50 Epic Things to Do in New York City
New York City is one of the largest, most influential cities in the world. With its rich history, famous landmarks, museums and theaters, and its ever changing skyline, the to-do list for visitors is enormous. 50 things to do in New York City sounds like a lot, and it is, but there are many more […]
Travel Photography Gear Guide: What’s In Our Camera Bag
Do you want to know how we capture the images that you see on our website? Here is our photography gear guide, with links and explanations of our photography gear and accessories. At the end of this post, we offer tips and tricks on how to take better photographs while traveling. Photography Gear Guide The […]
Savannah Bucket List: 30 Best Things to Do in Savannah
Savannah, Georgiaโฆthis is where elegant mansions sit across from shady squares, art galleries and boutique shops dot the city streets, and restaurants and rooftop bars make great hang out spots for both locals and visitors. In this post, we cover 30 of the best things to do in Savannah. We are frequent visitors to Savannah, […]
New Orleans Bucket List: Best Things to Do in New Orleans
Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, Creole cuisine, jazz, beignets, art galleries, and live musicโฆ what brings you to New Orleans? On a map, it might look small, but there are plenty of things to do in New Orleans to keep you busy. Whether you are here to stroll through the French Quarter, go shopping, dine on […]
United States Travel Guide: Places to Visit in the USA
Plan your visit to the United States. Learn about the best things to do, how to plan your time, road trip ideas, and sample itineraries.
Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?
In this post, find out what we carry with us on day hikes. Whether you are a new hiker, shopping for a friend or family member, or just curious about what hiking gear you should bring on a day hike, we have a lot of great information to share with you. We have hiked thousands […]
The Ultimate Guide to the 63 US National Parks
Stretching from the South Pacific, across the United States to the Caribbean, are 63 national parks. These national treasures preserve iconic landscapes, majestic mountains, primordial forests, arid deserts, misty coastlines, immense canyons, wildlife, and historic landmarks. The opportunities for adventure are endless. Hiking, rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, sand boarding, horseback riding, mountaineering, canyoneering, and […]
15 Great Places to Work Remotely in the USA
The COVID-19 pandemic brought huge changes to how we live and work. With lockdowns and social distancing, employees of many businesses began to work remotely. Home offices, kitchens, and spare bedrooms became the new office space for many people. What we thought would be a temporary adjustment has now become a more permanent aspect of […]
12 Best Things to Do in Nashville, Tennessee
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “Nashville?” For me, the answer is country music. Country music was not born here (it was actually born in Bristol, Tennessee) but Nashville is responsible for growing the country music industry over the past 100 years. People travel here to see the Country Music […]
US National Park Itineraries & Road Trip Ideas
National Park Itineraries Need help planning the perfect national park itinerary? Get ideas for your next road trip, including single and multi-day itineraries for the US national parks. Road Trip Itineraries One Day National Park Itineraries If you only have one day, what should you do? Here are detailed one day itineraries for the national […]
Comments 39