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If you are like me, you’ve been sitting around reminiscing about all those magical trips you had planned this past year that did not come to pass. Many of us have had to alter our plans this past year with international travel being banned and are ready to get out and try something new.
The silver lining about all this for me was I was able to focus on exploring parts of this beautiful country that I had never thought of seeing before. The following US road trips take you to all parts of the country.
Road Trips are a fun and inexpensive way to see the U.S. and get up close and personal with nature. From tropical coasts to deserts and rainforest, this guide offers a little something for everyone. I’ve put together some of the top US road trips for you to try out this summer. Happy Travels!
Top Road Trips to Take This Summer
Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway is a 1,660-mile-long stretch of highway that runs through Washington, Oregon, and California.
The route takes you through rainforests and along the West Coast, with beautiful views of the ocean along the way, making it one of the most popular US road trips to take.
I recommend starting your trip in Seattle, Washington, and taking the U.S. Highway 101 to California’s Highway 1. From there, you can drive down to San Diego, California.
Some of the must-see stops along the way are Washington’s Olympic National Park, Big Sur, San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Redwood National Park.
The Great Smoky Mountains
The Smoky Mountains are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges and make for a picturesque drive.
With over 800 miles of trails and 1,600 varieties of plants, it is no wonder millions of people flock to the Smokies each year to enjoy the breathtaking views of the area.
We started in Georgia and drove up through North Carolina into Tennessee. The Smokies, however, can easily be reached from any of the surrounding states.
The most well-liked road in the Smokies is the 11-mile Caves Cove loop. Other must-see roads are the Newfound Gap Road and Rich Mountain Road.
Olympic Peninsula, Washington
This 440-mile trip takes you through the Olympic National Park and Hoh Rainforests.
The loop starts in Seattle and goes around the peninsula. Enjoy the beautiful coastline and rainforests on your drive.
Explore the Quinault Valley as well as the numerous beaches along the way. Make sure to stop and take a hike on Hurricane Ridge and explore the Hoh Rainforests.
If you are traveling during the summer months, I recommend stopping in Sequim to see their beautiful lavender fields.
Road to Hana, Hawaii
This 64-mile road is both beautiful and quite daunting. Much of the route hugs the narrow cliff edge and includes over 600 hairpin turns and 60 bridges.
But don’t worry, multiple tour groups will take you around if you do not feel comfortable driving.
The route takes you through rain forests, past picturesque waterfalls, and beautiful beaches, with the entire trip taking about 12 hours, including stops.
Some top attractions that you should definitely make time for are Ho’okipa Beach Park, Twin Falls, Huelo Lookout, Keanae Peninsula, Hanawi Falls, and the Hana Lava Tube.
Main Lobster Trail
For a scenic East Coast getaway, I recommend traveling through Maine’s Lobster Trail. Explore the coastline with its picture lighthouses and cozy homes, making sure to eat some delicious seafood along the way.
Some must-try restaurants along the way are the Clam Shack in Kennebunk, Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, and Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown. Other must-see stops are Cape Elizabeth, Fort Williams Park, Bar Harbor, and the Acadia National Park.
Utah's Big Five
Utah is home to five of America’s National parks, known as “The Big Five”. These include Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Arches, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks.
These parks offer an assortment of desert hiking trails that will keep you busy for days. The best way to reach these national parks is from either Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.
Black Hills of South Dakota
For a more adventurous trip, try the Black Hills in South Dakota. This route takes you through the American Midwest and is great if you are looking to explore the outdoors.
Some of the places you should explore are Sioux Falls, the Badlands National Park, and Custer State Park. Make sure to make enough time to visit the Black Hills, which is home to Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park.
Glacier National Park
The Glacier National Park is home to 26 glaciers and acres upon acres of mountains, lakes, and valleys. There are numerous hiking trails and also places for fishing, cross-country skiing, boating, and kayaking.
For a week-long trip, start at Grand Teton National Park, and end in the Glacier National Park. Make sure to make a stop at Yellowstone on the way!
Route 66
Route 66 is one of the most famous highways in the United States. This route crosses through 8 states and spans 2,400 miles.
Even though the original route is no longer around, you can still see the famous stops along the way through a combination of different highways.
From Chicago through the Midwest, the route takes you down the California coast to Santa Monica. Some stops along the way include Cadillac Ranch, the Gateway Arch, the Grand Canyon, and Santa Monica Pier.
Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
Known as the “Road to Paradise”, this highway stretches from Miami, 150-miles through to the Florida Keys. The route spans 42 bridges over the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and takes just under four hours to complete.
The Keys are divided into five regions: Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, and Key West. Two of the most popular stops on the route are the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and National Marine Sanctuary in Key Largo.
Other great sights include the Dolphin Research Center, Pigeon Key, Sombrero Beach, and National Key Deer Refuge, before ending in Key West. If you are looking for a relaxing, tropical experience, the Overseas Highway is the route for you!
Conclusion
The United States is full of unique destinations. From national parks to tropical islands, there is so much to see. A fun and easy way to explore them is by taking a road trip. Know of some other scenic road trips to take this year? I’d love to hear about them!
Enjoyed this post? Here are some other North American destinations!
Nantucket
- Travel Guide: Plan the Perfect Trip to Nantucket
- 4 Day Itinerary: What to Do in Nantucket
- The Top 15 Things to Do in Nantucket
- Foodie’s Guide to Nantucket: The Best Places to Eat
Charleston
- The Complete Charleston, SC Travel Guide,
- Weekend Getaway: 3 Days in Charleston, SC
- Zero George Review – Charleston, SC Hotels
- Top 20 Things to Do in Charleston, SC
Other North American Posts
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