Arguably the most iconic of all American road trips, Route #66 is one of the original highways in the US Numbered Highway System. Dubbed the ‘Mother Road’, the stretch crosses eight states, starting in downtown Chicago and ending at the Santa Monica pier. If you’re after neon signs and American sentimentality, you better get your kicks on Route #66.
Highlights: Gemini Giant in Illinois, Meramec Caverns in Missouri, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, ghost towns in New Mexico, Painted Desert in Arizona, Santa Monica Pier in California
Distance: 2,400 miles / 3,940 km
Duration: 2 weeks
The famed Appalachian Hiking Trail is much easier to make a road trip out of. Passing through 14 states, the bucket-list item for hiking enthusiasts typically takes around six months to complete on foot, but you can cover it at a comfortable pace in your car within two weeks. The driving route parallels the hiking trail and follows the Blue Ridge Parkway across North Carolina so you can enjoy all the scenic views and autumn colours without sweat or blisters.
Highlights: Mt Washington in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina
Distance: 2,100 miles / 3,380 km
Duration: 2 weeks
For a drive with unmissable views, the Pacific Coast Highway treats you to the luscious forests of western Washington and the stunning beaches of California all in one trip. The PCH runs from Seattle to San Diego and is best completed in this order (north to south) to give you the greatest view while driving along the coast.
Highlights: Rocky Mountains in Washington, Dune Country in Oregon, San Francisco, Hollywood, San Diego Zoo, and the Bixby Bridge in California
Distance: 650 miles / 1,046 km
Duration: 10 days
The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America, stretching from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Tagging alongside the river across all ten states, the Great River Road is one of the longest scenic byways in America. The iconic green paddle wheel sign marks the way across diverse cultures, landscapes, and epic attractions.
Highlights: Main Street USA in Wisconsin, St Louis in Missouri, Memphis in Tennessee, Natchez Trace Parkway, New Orleans in Mississippi
Distance: 2,340 miles / 3,330 km
Duration: 10 days
If you’re after a more tropical getaway, the Overseas Highway promises Florida sunshine, reefy waters, and stretches of sandy beaches. This journey takes you across 42 bridges from Miami to Key West, hopping from island to island in a unique drive over the ocean. Although you can do this drive in half a day, with so many stops along the way, we recommend stretching it out to at least a week to really see everything the Florida Keys have to offer. Just be mindful of hurricane season from June to November. December to February is the high season but late February to April will still give you warm weather with lower rates and fewer crowds.
Highlights: Swim with the dolphins at Islamorada, Indian Key Historic State Park, Cocoa Beach, Seven Mile Bridge
Distance: 113 miles / 182 km
Duration: 7 days
From the bright lights of the Vegas strip to the dusty roads of the American desert, this road trip gives you the best of America’s natural beauty and vibrant city life. Spanning from Las Vegas to Utah to Arizona and back again, you’ll get to drive through the open desert, hike through national parks and play your way through casinos. Though we recommend not undertaking this journey in summer unless you want to suffer severe sunburn!
Highlights: Las Vegas in Nevada, Grand Canyon in Arizona, Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border
Distance: 900 miles / 1,450 km
Duration: 7 days
For a true taste of America, the Southern Pacific route - following the old US-80 - takes you across California, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and all the states in between. This road trip is a must for foodies who will delight in the cuisines across the Southern states including Tex-Mex, Cajun, Creole, and barbecue.
Highlights: San Diego in California, Roswell in New Mexico, Dallas in Texas, Bonnie & Clyde’s Death Site in Louisiana, and Jackson in Mississippi
Distance: 3,000 miles / 4,828 km
Duration: 4 weeks