Monument Valley, perfect USA road trip destination

USA Road Trips

No matter what you're driving or how fast you're going, or even where you're heading, there's nothing like a good all American road trip. Spending hours behind the wheel, with the wind in your hair as you watch the scenery change is the very essence of freedom and exploration. Nowhere is that freedom easier to find than hitting the road in the USA.

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Planning the Perfect Road Trip

At some point, we've all dreamed of just hitting the road, kicking back with some good tunes and driving wherever the road takes us. It's inspired many Hollywood filmmakers and head-banging hits and has been ingrained in us that nothing beats a good old car or motorcycle journey.

From Route 66 to the Great River Road, a ride through the Land of the Free offers exactly that, freedom. As a country filled with many cultures, golden beaches, impressive canyons, sheer mountains, bustling cities, and never-ending roads, it's not hard to see why the United States offers some of the greatest driving trips in the world. 

There's so much to consider when planning the perfect road trip, so we've made it easier for you with itinerary ideas, tips on traveling with your family or four-legged friends, deciding on what time of year is right for you, and ultimately giving you everything you need to know to plan that all American dream.

Road Trip Inspiration

What does a road trip look like?

  • motorcycle road trip

    Choose your vehicle (or take your own!)

  • map of a USA road trip

    Follow an itinerary

  • friends on a USA road trip

    Enjoy your all American dream!

Perks of a Road Trip

friends on a USA road trip

Pros

Travel off the beaten path
You can travel wherever you want to, no limits! Stop for photo breaks, camp overnight at the side of a lake, or eat at a diner in the middle of nowhere.

Experience complete freedom and flexibility
Explore the world at your own pace, however fast or slow you like. Take time to appreciate that real feeling of what it's like to be free and nowhere to be.

You can save money
Traveling off-peak, camping outdoors (or in an RV), cooking your own food, and hiking incredible landscapes can really save you some dollars. You get to decide your own budget.

Create memories to last a lifetime
Whether you're doing it with family, friends, or your dog. At the end of the day, we road trip for that invigorating sense of adventure!
motorhome/van on a road trip in the USA

Cons

There are long days of driving
Some would say this could even be a pro? Road trips involve long days of driving on never-ending roads, the good news is you get to decide when and where you take breaks.

Bad weather and traffic can slow you down
It's good to be prepared for bad weather and traffic in busy cities, as these can easily extend your trip by a day or two. It's a good idea to come up with a Plan B for these unexpected circumstances.

You have more control
Since you have so much flexibility, it also comes with a lot more responsibility. You have to keep an eye on the gas and take caution when driving, it's also a good idea to know how to take care of your vehicle.

Planning your parking
It's a good idea to plan in advance where you're going to park. In some places, you'll need a permit to park on the side of a road overnight, if that's what you plan to do.

How to Plan the Ultimate Road Trip

  • california summer road trip

    California

    Must-see stops: San Diego, Sequoia National Park, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, Los Angeles, Death Valley
  • texas summer road trip

    Texas

    Must-see stops: Big Bend National Park, Austin, Cascade Caverns, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Fort Worth
  • colorado summer road trip

    Colorado

    Must-see stops: Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado Springs
  • oregon summer road trip

    Oregon

    Must-see stops: Cannon Beach, Crater Lake National Park, Mount Hood, Painted Hills, Multnomah Falls, Astoria

Choose your route

  • route 66

    Route 66

    It's legendary, and what the rest of the world thinks of when you mention you're going a road trip in the United States. This Mother Road is blanketed across eight states and stretches through farmland, deserts, mountains, sleepy towns and metropolitan cities.

    Must-see stops: Meramec Caverns, Santa Fe, Mojave National Preserve

  • pacific coast highway

    Pacific Coast Highway

    Aside from having a great ocean view the whole time, the Pacific Coast Highway is a bucket list road trip. It's arguably one of the most famous routes in the world, and rightfully so with its dramatic cliffs, sensational scenery, and picture-perfect urban spaces.

    Must-see stops: Big Sur, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Olympic National Park

  • great river road

    Great River Road

    Discover the very best of America's most hard-to-spell river, the Mississippi. As the longest scenic byway, the Great River Road passes through a total of ten states and is home to many riverside attractions and soul-stirring cities that are fun for the whole family.

    Must-see stops: New Orleans, Fort Snelling, Nelson Dewey State Park

  • blue ridge parkway

    Blue Ridge Parkway

    If endless vistas of emerald-green trees and dramatic mountain landscapes are your thing, then a road trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway is for you. Admire the culture and crafts of the Appalachians, and with a slower speed limit, you can really appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer.

    Must-see stops: Linn Cove Viaduct, Linville Falls, Asheville, Sliding Rock 

  • border to border

    Border to Border

    From the icy landscapes of Jasper National Park to the cactus-filled plains of the Sonora Desert, the Border to Border road trip features the contrasting wonders of the United States. Flowing through the heart of Las Vegas, this drive truly offers the best of both worlds.

    Must-see stops: Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon, Sun Valley, Phoenix

Best Road Trip Routes in the USA

What is Your Ultimate Road Trip?

Who do you want to travel with?

  • couples/partners together on a road trip

    Couples

    There's something really romantic and exciting about heading on a road to nowhere with your partner. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, on a honeymoon adventure, or just needing to feel that wind in your hair, a road trip paints the perfect setting to create lasting memories with the one you love.

  • mother and son together on a road trip

    Families

    Hitting the road can really bring a family together. Spending quality time exploring a country and experiencing new cultures from the states that you know and love can be a wonderful memory to hold. It's also a great way to show your little ones the endless wonders of the world.

  • friends celebrating their road trip together

    Friends

    I think everyone at some point in their life has dreamt of going on a road trip with their friends. It's a great time to celebrate a birthday, say goodbye after college, or reminisce on good times shared together. Whether you want to hike national parks or hop from city to city on a casino hunt, there's so much to do on a road trip.

  • dog on a road trip

    Pets

    Exploring a new pet-friendly national park every day can be a total fantasy for man's best friend, think about the different types of sticks you could throw! Hitting the road with your favourite four-legged friend by your side can be a great experience that both you and your best friend will treasure forever.

When do you want to go?

  • summer in the united states

    Summer

  • autumn in the united states

    Autumn

  • winter in the united states

    Winter

  • spring in the united states

    Spring

San Francisco bridge with the words let's hit the road

Last Minute Must Haves

  • car on a road trip

    Insurance

    There are long days of driving ahead of you, and sometimes it can be on uneven roads or in the middle of nowhere. Having reliable insurance for your vehicle is a must and is something that is good to have for your own peace of mind.

  • book for entertainment on a road trip

    Entertainment

    Kids, and even dogs, can get bored on long journeys so make sure you bring some entertainment for the road. Whether it's a Kindle, some books or toys, something to entertain them will be a lifesaver!

  • mother and son

    First Aid Kit

    It's a good idea to carry a medical kit with you on any journey, but on a road trip you're covering vast distances and you are not always nearby a hospital or doctors. Store one in the trunk of your car for easy access.

  • low fuel/gas gage

    Backup Supplies

    It's a good idea to stock up on extra gas when making long journeys, and maybe even a satellite phone or emergency supplies if you plan on going for a long time or venturing out into secluded national parks.

Contact our Travel Experts

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Our team of experienced tour specialists have travelled to hundreds of countries around the globe and have decades of first-hand travel experience to share. Contact us now to have all of your tour-related questions answered!

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