Is there anything better than the feeling of jumping behind the wheel and hitting the open road? From traversing through the sweeping desert terrain of the Southwest to the idyllic villages of New England, the possibilities of where a road trip can take you are endless!

To help you plan your next camper van adventure, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best road trips in the USA to add to your bucket list!

Route 66 Road Trip

Cruising along the historic Mother Road is a must on any US road trip bucket list. Spanning from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, this iconic route traverses through some of the country’s most historic cities, quirky landmarks, and jaw-dropping landscapes. 

For the best overall weather conditions, aim to plan your Route 66 road trip for either the spring or fall. This way, you’ll find comfortable temperatures as you cross through the southwest and avoid any major snowstorms as you approach Chicago.

Recomended Route 66 Road Trip Stops:

• Los Angeles: Santa Monica Pier (official end of Route 66)
• San Bernardino: Wigwam Motel
• Kingman: Historic Route 66 Museum
• Flagstaff: Meteor Crater and Walnut Canyon National Monument
• Albuquerque: Old Town, Sandia Peak Tramway
• Amarillo: Cadillac Ranch, Big Texan Steak Ranch
• Oklahoma City: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• Springfield, MO: Route 66 Car Museum
• St. Louis: Gateway Arch
• Chicago: Buckingham Fountain (official starting point)

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

For ocean lovers, it’s hard to beat a trip down California’s pristine coastline. The Pacific Coast Highway spans from Orange County all the way up to northern California, hugging the state’s rugged coastline the entire way. While all of Highway 1 is met with magnificent sights and eclectic cities, Big Sur is widely considered to be the most scenic area along this route.

Take in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean as you weave along the winding cliffs and emerald forests of Big Sur, stopping along the way at key sites like McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach.

Recommended Stops:

Start or end in San Francisco or Los Angeles

• San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay
• Monterey: Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Big Sur: McWay Falls, Bixby Creek Bridge
• San Simeon: Hearst Castle
• Santa Barbara: Stearns Wharf, wine tasting
• Malibu: El Matador State Beach
• Los Angeles: Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory

Cross-Country Road Trip 

A cross-country journey is the epitome of any road trip bucket list! With an average of 2,500-3,000 miles to cover from coast to coast, the possibilities of what you can see and do on this adventure are seemingly endless. 

If you opt to take the southern route, get ready for a myriad of desert landscapes, vast prairies, hearty barbecues, and a hefty dose of southern hospitality! On the other hand, a northern tour across the country will lead to bustling cities, otherworldly badlands, and magnificent national parks. 

Whichever route you choose, having at least ten days to complete your cross-country trek is highly recommended. There will be plenty of long stretches of time on the road along with countless sights to enjoy, so the more time you have the better!

Recommended Stops

Southern Route Stops (Start or end in New York or Los Angeles):

• New York City: Times Square, Central Park
• Washington, D.C.: National Mall
• Nashville: Grand Ole Opry, Broadway
• New Orleans: French Quarter, Garden District
• Austin: Barton Springs, South Congress Avenue
• Santa Fe: Canyon Road, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
• Zion National Park: Angels Landing, Emerald Pools
• Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon: Kayaking at Lake Powell, tours of Antelope Canyon
• Bryce Canyon National Park: Navajo Loop Trail, Sunrise Point
• Grand Canyon: South Rim
• Los Angeles: Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier

Northern Route Stops (Start or end in New York or Seattle):

• New York City: Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge
• Chicago: Millennium Park, Navy Pier
• Badlands National Park: Loop Road
• Mount Rushmore: Presidential sculptures
• Yellowstone National Park: Old Faithful
• Portland, OR: Powell’s City of Books
• Seattle: Pike Place Market, Space Needle

Coined as “America’s Favorite Drive,” a road trip down the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway is met with countless photo-ops, majestic overlooks, and phenomenal hikes. The 469-mile highway connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.

In Shenandoah, hike to some of Virginia’s most captivating waterfalls followed by a detour along the iconic Skyline Drive- an incredibly scenic road which weaves through the entire park. Finally, cap off your adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains, the country’s most visited national park. Ascend up Clingmans Dome, walk along the Appalachian Trail, and keep your eyes peeled for black bears and other wildlife!

Recommended Stops

Start or end in New York.

• Shenandoah National Park: Skyline Drive, Dark Hollow Falls
• Roanoke, VA: Mill Mountain Star
• Asheville, NC: Biltmore Estate
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove

Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip

A trip through Utah’s five national parks will transport you to a world of otherworldly geological formations, vast desert landscapes, and some of the best hikes in the US! As you travel through the Utah Mighty 5, you’ll explore Capitol Reef’s unique Waterpocket Fold, climb to towering sandstone structures in Arches National Park, and admire the dramatic scenery of Canyonlands National Park. 

As you continue driving through southern Utah, get lost in a mystical world of crimson red hoodoos in Bryce Canyon before arriving in Zion National Park, known for its magnificent hikes and rugged cliffs. 

For optimal weather conditions, try to plan your Utah road trip for late spring or early fall. Temperatures will be ideal for desert hikes, campgrounds shouldn’t be too crowded, and you’ll have a high chance of spotting local wildlife.

Recommended Stops

Start or end in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas

• Arches National Park: Delicate Arch
• Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky
• Capitol Reef National Park: Waterpocket Fold
• Bryce Canyon National Park: Navajo Loop Trail
• Zion National Park: Angels Landing

The Grand Circle Road Trip

Encompassing five states and at least eight national parks, the Grand Circle is the ultimate southwest road trip! In addition to visiting all of the Utah Mighty Five, this ambitious route travels to the iconic Grand Canyon, the sweeping mesas of Monument Valley, the ancient dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park, and the imposing slot canyons of Lake Powell. 

This circular-shaped route can begin from a variety of cities, though Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are the two most common starting points. With so many parks, cities, and monuments to discover on this itinerary, it’s recommended to allot about two weeks to complete this epic sojourn!

Recommended Stops:

Start or end in Las Vegas or Salt Lake City

• Grand Canyon: South Rim
• Monument Valley: Tribal Park Loop
• Mesa Verde National Park: Cliff Palace
• Lake Powell: Antelope Canyon
• Bryce Canyon National Park: Sunset Point
• Zion National Park: The Narrows

New England Fall Road Trip

From mid-September through October, New England’s idyllic villages and lush forests are draped in vibrant hues of red and orange. To fully experience the brilliant fall colors of the region, visit the charming mountain towns along Vermont’s Route 100 or hike through New Hampshire’s breathtaking White Mountains.

If you have time to head further north, venture up to Acadia National Park. Set along Maine’s dramatic coastline, New England’s treasured national park will be blanketed in a kaleidoscope of fall colors. Take in the view from one of the East Coast’s tallest mountains, embark on a gorgeous autumn hike, or embrace all the fall feels in the charming town of Bar Harbor.

Recommended Stops

Start or end in New York.

• Vermont: Route 100, Stowe
• New Hampshire: Kancamagus Highway, White Mountains
• Maine: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor
• Massachusetts: Berkshires, Salem

Pacific Northwest Road Trip

A Pacific Northwest road trip should be on any outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list. Immerse yourself in the lush forests of the Columbia River Gorge, trek to some of the country’s most impressive waterfalls, and climb up Washington’s tallest mountain (and an active volcano) in Mount Rainier National Park!

Even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie, a Pacific Northwest tour has plenty to offer outside of strenuous hikes. Soak in a rejuvenating hot spring, visit at least a few breweries, and enjoy a calming beach day along Oregon’s dramatic coastline.It’s best to plan your Pacific Northwest adventure from late Spring through October to avoid significant rainfall or freezing temperatures.

Recommended Stops

Start or end in Seattle or Portland

• Portland: Multnomah Falls, Powell’s City of Books
• Columbia River Gorge: Vista House, Hood River
• Mount Rainier National Park: Paradise Area
• Olympic National Park: Hoh Rain Forest
• Seattle: Space Needle, Pike Place Market

Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park Road Trip

Explore three of the country’s most impressive national parks on this unforgettable road trip. Beginning in Grand Teton National Park, you’ll find crystal blue alpine lakes, rugged mountain ranges, and countless opportunities to spot moose, coyotes, and even elusive grizzly bears! 

As you drive up to Yellowstone, immerse yourself in a world of spouting geysers, brilliantly colored hot springs, and massive herds of roaming bison. Finally, marvel at the beauty of the Rocky Mountains in Glacier National Park where you’ll discover a myriad of spectacular meadows, melting glaciers, and magnificent lakes.

Depending on which order you choose to visit these parks, your journey will likely begin in Jackson Hole, Salt Lake City, or Bozeman, Montana. With so much to explore in each park, and considering how massive Yellowstone itself is, we recommend setting aside at least ten days for this bucket list adventure.

Recommended Stops

Start or end in Salt Lake City or Denver.

• Jackson Hole: Town square, Aerial Tram
• Grand Teton National Park: Jenny Lake, Snake River, Mormon Row
• Yellowstone National Park: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring
• Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald
• Bozeman: Downtown Bozeman, Museum of the Rockies

Florida Keys Road Trip

Craving unlimited sunshine, swaying palm trees, and maybe even a few dolphin sightings? Spanning from Miami to Key West, the Overseas Highway is one of the best road trips in the USA! As you leave Miami’s flashy beach-party scene, you’ll soon find yourself in the laid-back, charmingly quirky world of the Florida Keys. The coastal villages of the Keys are all strung together by Route 1, a 113-mile scenic highway. 

Stop and explore the many beaches, mangroves, and towns along the way before finally arriving in Key West, the southernmost point in the Keys. Take a dip at Smathers Beach, go snorkeling in Dry Tortugas National Park, and enjoy a hands-on history lesson with a visit to Hemingway’s former residence. 

Recommended Stops

Start and end in Orlando.

• Orlando: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Lake Eola Park
• Miami: South Beach, Little Havana
• Key Largo: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• Marathon: Seven Mile Bridge, Sombrero Beach
• Key West: Ernest Hemingway Home, Mallory Square, Dry Tortugas National Park

Discover the 10 Best Road Trips in the USA

Ready to embark on one of the best road trips in the USA? Whether you’re venturing from coast to coast, chasing waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest, or getting your kicks on Route 66, a US road trip is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure! Once you’ve chosen your next bucket-list worthy journey, book your camper van, load up your favorite road trip playlist, and get ready to hit the road!