Is there something higher than the sensation of leaping behind the wheel and hitting the open highway? From traversing via the sweeping desert terrain of the Southwest to the idyllic villages of New England, the chances of the place a highway journey can take you’re infinite!
That will help you plan your next camper van adventure, we’ve compiled an inventory of the ten finest highway journeys within the USA so as to add to your bucket listing!
Route 66 Street Journey
Cruising alongside the historic Mom Street is a should on any US highway journey bucket listing. Spanning from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, this iconic route traverses via among the nation’s most historic cities, quirky landmarks, and jaw-dropping landscapes.
For one of the best total climate circumstances, goal to plan your Route 66 road trip for both the spring or fall. This manner, you’ll discover comfy temperatures as you cross via the southwest and keep away from any main snowstorms as you method Chicago.
Recomended Route 66 Street Journey Stops:
- Los Angeles: Santa Monica Pier (official finish of Route 66)
- San Bernardino: Wigwam Motel
- Kingman: Historic Route 66 Museum
- Flagstaff: Meteor Crater and Walnut Canyon Nationwide Monument
- Albuquerque: Previous City, Sandia Peak Tramway
- Amarillo: Cadillac Ranch, Massive Texan Steak Ranch
- Oklahoma Metropolis: Nationwide Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
- Springfield, MO: Route 66 Automotive Museum
- St. Louis: Gateway Arch
- Chicago: Buckingham Fountain (official start line)
Pacific Coast Freeway Street Journey
For ocean lovers, it’s onerous to beat a trip down California’s pristine coastline. The Pacific Coast Freeway spans from Orange County all the best way as much as northern California, hugging the state’s rugged shoreline your entire approach. Whereas all of Freeway 1 is met with magnificent sights and eclectic cities, Big Sur is broadly thought-about to be probably the most scenic space alongside this route.
Absorb spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean as you weave alongside the winding cliffs and emerald forests of Massive Sur, stopping alongside the best way at key websites like McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Seaside.
Beneficial Stops:
Begin or finish in San Francisco or Los Angeles
- San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay
- Monterey: Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Massive Sur: McWay Falls, Bixby Creek Bridge
- San Simeon: Hearst Fortress
- Santa Barbara: Stearns Wharf, wine tasting
- Malibu: El Matador State Seaside
- Los Angeles: Venice Seaside, Griffith Observatory
Cross-Nation Street Journey
A cross-country journey is the epitome of any highway journey bucket listing! With a median of two,500-3,000 miles to cowl from coast to coast, the chances of what you may see and do on this journey are seemingly infinite.
If you happen to opt to take the southern route, prepare for a myriad of desert landscapes, huge prairies, hearty barbecues, and a healthy dose of southern hospitality! However, a northern tour across the country will result in bustling cities, otherworldly badlands, and luxurious nationwide parks.
Whichever route you select, having no less than ten days to finish your cross-country trek is very advisable. There can be loads of lengthy stretches of time on the highway together with numerous sights to get pleasure from, so the extra time you will have the higher!
Beneficial Stops
Southern Route Stops (Begin or finish in New York or Los Angeles):
- New York Metropolis: Occasions Sq., Central Park
- Washington, D.C.: Nationwide Mall
- Nashville: Grand Ole Opry, Broadway
- New Orleans: French Quarter, Backyard District
- Austin: Barton Springs, South Congress Avenue
- Santa Fe: Canyon Street, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Zion Nationwide Park: Angels Touchdown, Emerald Swimming pools
- Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon: Kayaking at Lake Powell, excursions of Antelope Canyon
- Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park: Navajo Loop Path, Dawn Level
- Grand Canyon: South Rim
- Los Angeles: Hollywood Stroll of Fame, Santa Monica Pier
Northern Route Stops (Begin or finish in New York or Seattle):
- New York Metropolis: Empire State Constructing, Brooklyn Bridge
- Chicago: Millennium Park, Navy Pier
- Badlands Nationwide Park: Loop Street
- Mount Rushmore: Presidential sculptures
- Yellowstone Nationwide Park: Previous Trustworthy
- Portland, OR: Powell’s Metropolis of Books
- Seattle: Pike Place Market, Area Needle
Coined as “America’s Favourite Drive,” a highway journey down the breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway is met with numerous photo-ops, majestic overlooks, and phenomenal hikes. The 469-mile freeway connects Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.
In Shenandoah, hike to a few of Virginia’s most fascinating waterfalls adopted by a detour alongside the long-lasting Skyline Drive- an extremely scenic highway which weaves via your entire park. Lastly, cap off your journey within the Great Smoky Mountains, the nation’s most visited nationwide park. Ascend up Clingmans Dome, stroll alongside the Appalachian Path, and preserve your eyes peeled for black bears and different wildlife!
Beneficial Stops
Begin or finish in New York.
- Shenandoah Nationwide Park: Skyline Drive, Darkish Hole Falls
- Roanoke, VA: Mill Mountain Star
- Asheville, NC: Biltmore Property
- Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park: Clingmans Dome, Cades Cove
Utah Mighty 5 Street Journey
A visit via Utah’s 5 nationwide parks will transport you to a world of otherworldly geological formations, huge desert landscapes, and among the finest hikes within the US! As you travel through the Utah Mighty 5, you’ll discover Capitol Reef’s distinctive Waterpocket Fold, climb to towering sandstone buildings in Arches Nationwide Park, and admire the dramatic surroundings of Canyonlands Nationwide Park.
As you proceed driving through southern Utah, get misplaced in a mystical world of crimson pink hoodoos in Bryce Canyon earlier than arriving in Zion Nationwide Park, recognized for its magnificent hikes and rugged cliffs.
For optimum climate circumstances, attempt to plan your Utah highway journey for late spring or early fall. Temperatures can be ultimate for desert hikes, campgrounds shouldn’t be too crowded, and also you’ll have a excessive likelihood of recognizing native wildlife.
Beneficial Stops
Begin or finish in Salt Lake Metropolis or Las Vegas
- Arches Nationwide Park: Delicate Arch
- Canyonlands Nationwide Park: Island within the Sky
- Capitol Reef Nationwide Park: Waterpocket Fold
- Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park: Navajo Loop Path
- Zion Nationwide Park: Angels Touchdown
The Grand Circle Street Journey
Encompassing 5 states and no less than eight nationwide parks, the Grand Circle is the ultimate southwest road trip! Along with visiting all the Utah Mighty 5, this formidable route travels to the long-lasting Grand Canyon, the sweeping mesas of Monument Valley, the traditional dwellings of Mesa Verde Nationwide Park, and the imposing slot canyons of Lake Powell.
This circular-shaped route can start from quite a lot of cities, although Las Vegas and Salt Lake City are the 2 most typical beginning factors. With so many parks, cities, and monuments to find on this itinerary, it’s advisable to allot about two weeks to finish this epic sojourn!
Beneficial Stops:
Begin or finish in Las Vegas or Salt Lake Metropolis
- Grand Canyon: South Rim
- Monument Valley: Tribal Park Loop
- Mesa Verde Nationwide Park: Cliff Palace
- Lake Powell: Antelope Canyon
- Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park: Sundown Level
- Zion Nationwide Park: The Narrows
New England Fall Street Journey
From mid-September via October, New England’s idyllic villages and lush forests are draped in vibrant hues of pink and orange. To totally expertise the good fall colours of the area, go to the charming mountain towns along Vermont’s Route 100 or hike via New Hampshire’s breathtaking White Mountains.
You probably have time to go additional north, enterprise as much as Acadia National Park. Set alongside Maine’s dramatic shoreline, New England’s treasured nationwide park can be blanketed in a kaleidoscope of fall colours. Take within the view from one of many East Coast’s tallest mountains, embark on a beautiful autumn hike, or embrace all the autumn feels within the charming city of Bar Harbor.
Beneficial Stops
Begin or finish in New York.
- Vermont: Route 100, Stowe
- New Hampshire: Kancamagus Freeway, White Mountains
- Maine: Acadia Nationwide Park, Bar Harbor
- Massachusetts: Berkshires, Salem
Pacific Northwest Street Journey
A Pacific Northwest road trip needs to be on any outside fanatic’s bucket listing. Immerse your self within the lush forests of the Columbia River Gorge, trek to among the nation’s most spectacular waterfalls, and climb up Washington’s tallest mountain (and an energetic volcano) in Mount Rainier National Park!
Even in case you’re not an adrenaline junkie, a Pacific Northwest tour has lots to supply outdoors of strenuous hikes. Soak in a rejuvenating hot spring, go to no less than a number of breweries, and luxuriate in a relaxing seashore day alongside Oregon’s dramatic shoreline.It’s finest to plan your Pacific Northwest journey from late Spring via October to keep away from important rainfall or freezing temperatures.
Beneficial Stops
Begin or finish in Seattle or Portland
- Portland: Multnomah Falls, Powell’s Metropolis of Books
- Columbia River Gorge: Vista Home, Hood River
- Mount Rainier Nationwide Park: Paradise Space
- Olympic Nationwide Park: Hoh Rain Forest
- Seattle: Area Needle, Pike Place Market
Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier Nationwide Park Street Journey
Discover three of the nation’s most spectacular nationwide parks on this unforgettable highway journey. Starting in Grand Teton National Park, you’ll discover crystal blue alpine lakes, rugged mountain ranges, and numerous alternatives to identify moose, coyotes, and even elusive grizzly bears!
As you drive as much as Yellowstone, immerse your self in a world of spouting geysers, brilliantly coloured scorching springs, and large herds of roaming bison. Lastly, marvel at the fantastic thing about the Rocky Mountains in Glacier National Park the place you’ll uncover a myriad of spectacular meadows, melting glaciers, and luxurious lakes.
Relying on which order you select to go to these parks, your journey will possible start in Jackson Gap, Salt Lake Metropolis, or Bozeman, Montana. With a lot to discover in every park, and contemplating how large Yellowstone itself is, we suggest setting apart no less than ten days for this bucket listing journey.
Beneficial Stops
Begin or finish in Salt Lake Metropolis or Denver.
- Jackson Gap: City sq., Aerial Tram
- Grand Teton Nationwide Park: Jenny Lake, Snake River, Mormon Row
- Yellowstone Nationwide Park: Previous Trustworthy, Grand Prismatic Spring
- Glacier Nationwide Park: Going-to-the-Solar Street, Lake McDonald
- Bozeman: Downtown Bozeman, Museum of the Rockies
Florida Keys Street Journey
Craving limitless sunshine, swaying palm timber, and perhaps even a number of dolphin sightings? Spanning from Miami to Key West, the Overseas Highway is without doubt one of the finest highway journeys within the USA! As you allow Miami’s flashy beach-party scene, you’ll quickly end up within the laid-back, charmingly quirky world of the Florida Keys. The coastal villages of the Keys are all strung collectively by Route 1, a 113-mile scenic freeway.
Cease and discover the various seashores, mangroves, and cities alongside the best way earlier than lastly arriving in Key West, the southernmost level within the Keys. Take a dip at Smathers Seaside, go snorkeling in Dry Tortugas National Park, and luxuriate in a hands-on historical past lesson with a go to to Hemingway’s former residence.
Beneficial Stops
Begin and finish in Orlando.
- Orlando: Walt Disney World, Common Orlando Resort, Lake Eola Park
- Miami: South Seaside, Little Havana
- Key Largo: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Marathon: Seven Mile Bridge, Sombrero Seaside
- Key West: Ernest Hemingway House, Mallory Sq., Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park
Uncover the ten Finest Street Journeys within the USA
Able to embark on among the finest highway journeys within the USA? Whether or not you’re venturing from coast to coast, chasing waterfalls within the Pacific Northwest, or getting your kicks on Route 66, a US highway journey is assured to be an unforgettable journey! When you’ve chosen your subsequent bucket-list worthy journey, book your camper van, load up your favourite highway journey playlist, and prepare to hit the highway!
