8 US road trip ideas

Want to experience a classic American road trip? Take your pick from 8 stunning US road trip ideas that will let you experience it with a car or campervan. The deserts of the Old West, the legendary California coastline or the red and gold leaves of the Appalachian Mountains – we can help you plan any American trip that strikes your fancy.

San Francisco to Utah

With a starting point in California's most laid-back city, be sure to explore the city before picking up the car. Pedal on the Golden Gate Bridge for sweeping views of the Bay Area, discover the history of the prison island of Alcatraz and enjoy the best coffee at a hip cafe in Hayes Valley – San Francisco is cool and will draw you back with its charm !

Leaving the city, you will head towards Lake Tahoe, with the mountains of sierra nevada as a background. Take a break to kayak, fish, bike or hike and enjoy the alpine views. 

next is Yosemite, home to towering waterfalls, giant sequoias overlooking the mighty peak of El Captain.

Continuing into America's hottest and driest park, death valley, you will probably depend on the A/C! Look for flower-filled alpine meadows and colorful, rocky landscapes – a photographers dream. 

From here your journey continues into the desert until you reach 'Sin City', also known as Las Vegas – the home of the hedonist! 

From Vegas, you can explore Utah's open spaces, from the bizarre hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park to iconic Monument Valley and Horseshoe Bend. While you're there, you can drive through Antelope Canyon, discover the Zion National Park and spend some time in Salt Lake City.

Chicago to New Orleans

This drive traverses the heartland of America from top to bottom and follows a music-themed route through 6 different states. Starting in Chicago, your route takes you to Lincoln's birthplace in St Louis. 

From here, you'll head south to Memphis; the birthplace of rock'n'roll, blues and jazz and home to Elvis' 'Graceland' mansion.

Feel the Southern charm seep in and watch the cuisine take on a distinctly Southern Creole flavor as you continue to Natchez, on the banks of the Mississippi River. 

From here, it's a 3-hour drive to finish your gigantic route in the spectacular southern city of New Orleans - a jazz fan and foodie paradise as Rowena quickly discovered!

San Francisco to Los Angeles

This trip covers the highlights of Pacific coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco. In my point of view, one of the best road trips we've ever done!

From the small beach towns of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea before heading to the rugged coastline of Big Sur and Garrapata State Park, where you can spot protected sea otters. 

Stop to enjoy the shores of Pfeiffer Beach before emerging from the redwoods of Moro Rock and cruising to Los Angeles to relax on the Santa Monica. 

It's so simple to fly from San Francisco to Los Angeles, but everyone knows that sometimes the easiest option isn't the best! This drive passes through some remote areas of the California coast that you would never be able to reach by public transportation and the ability to park and stay longer along the way gives you a sense of freedom that you might otherwise miss.

The views from the Pacific Coast Highway are endless… every corner you turn brings a different aspect. If you travel north to south you will be driving on the best side of the road for great views!

Spring and autumn are the best times; free from the crowds and prices of summer, but warm enough to still enjoy your coastal trip. Be sure to drive this route south from San Francisco to Los Angeles, as you will be driving in the right-hand lane and the views will be far superior in that direction.

Miami to Key West

This road over the ocean crosses 42 bridges on its journey from Miami to Key West , the final link in the Florida Keys chain. 

Breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean on both sides of the road are a unique experience that is unrivaled on other travel routes. 

Island hopping, be sure to tag their unusual names as you go: Ragged Key, Plantation Key, Fat Deer Key, Tea Table Key and Sugarloaf Key, before finally reaching Key West and taking you to the beach for a real Lime Cocktail.

The best part of this spectacular ride comes from the way the road hops from island to island with the option to stop at other keys, making this route much more adventurous than simply flying. Windows down, sunglasses – this one-of-a-kind ocean tour is a wonderful way to start exploring the Florida and the Keys.

This is a great tour during all year – although it is worth noting that June to November is the season for hurricanes, so keep an eye out for weather warnings, and if you're worried, try to hit the Keys in April or early May. 

Winter is peak season, so if you want to stay anywhere along the route, be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

The Circuit of Las Vegas

The red rock of the American West is the backdrop that will guide you through this Las Vegas loop, to Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks – as Chris found out on his trip. 

Starting in the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip, cross the open desert of Arizona and Utah to the classic American Wild West. Hike and bike in the national parks and enjoy driving, Thelma and Louise style, through the unique scenery, learning about local Navajo culture as you go.

Seeing the breathtaking views of the American desert will be all you need to convince you to take a trip through this natural phenomenon. 

The long, straight, empty roads are so classically American that you'll really get under the skin of this amazing country. 

Americans have a real love affair with their national parks, and after driving through some of the country's most spectacular, it's hard to ask why.

Summer is best avoided if you don't want to be seared to a crisp! Spring and autumn are the best times for warmth, although the occasional snowfall that winter brings makes red rock even more beautiful (if that's even possible!)

Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park, not a US National Park, so be respectful of local customs and traditions. Photography is permitted, but when taking photos of Navajo locals, ask permission first as a contribution is expected.

See the sunrise through Masa Arch in Canyonlands NP, watch a breathtaking sunset over Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, hike to Angels Landing in Zion National Park and, to top it off, take a limo ride down the Las Vegas Strip!

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through Virginia's Appalachian Mountains, to the park National Smoky Mountains, in North Carolina. 

During the fall, golden-hued trees hug the edges of the road, which twists and turns through incredible Appalachian scenery. 

Along the way there are trails, waterfalls and panoramic views that are easily accessible by road.

While there are points of interest along the route, the highlight of your journey is the journey itself. This road was built solely for the pleasure of driving through the Virginia countryside, so make the most of the stunning scenery passing your windows. Many people miss this area of the US as it is a bit out of the way from the big cities, but it is a well worth driving area that will yield some great photos! 

Autumn is the best – red and gold leaves make September and October the perfect time to take this tour. The speed limit on the Blue Ridge Parkway is mostly 45 mph (less in some sections). The road must be driven at a leisurely pace, so take your time and enjoy the journey.

Road Trip: New York, Boston and New England

Start your American adventure off with a bang by exploring the 'Big Apple'. You won't be driving here, so hop on in to explore Central Park, Greenwich Village, Times Square and the Empire State Building, fueled by a classic breakfast and a street food hot dog or pretzel!

Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean like a fisherman's hook, your voyage takes you to Cape Cod – New England's summer playground. With miles of pristine beaches, colorful lighthouses and quaint fishing villages, you'll soon be moving at a slower pace.

Take a short ferry ride to Martha's Vineyard, rent a bike to discover Nantucket Island or drive the Mid-Cape Highway to Provincetown for a day of whale watching.

Head to another of the East Coast's best cities. Steeped in history, Boston's position as a key city was cemented when the Pilgrim Fathers arrived on the Mayflower. Walk the town's 'freedom trail' and soak up the views before ending the day with the local favorite fish – Clam Chowder!

Route 66

From Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 is the longest of our classic road trips. Navigate the long straight roads through America's barn past the old-fashioned motels and truck stops that make this road so famous. The road's long history is documented by the major sights along the way: museums, restaurants, and towns that thrived in the 1930s and have now become an important part of American history. If you want to venture off-road, you'll be right up close and personal with the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Santa Fe.

The legendary journey along Route 66 is the stuff of American legend, the most famous of all travel routes. The places you'll pass are cities you'd be unlikely to visit otherwise, and the link this journey has as the path to opportunity and prosperity in the West is so classically American that this trip is a must if you want to get under the skin of the real thing. american spirit. On Route 66, it's all about the journey. 

While the trip can probably be completed in five days, it's best to spread out the drive and enjoy the experience by going slower and taking advantage of side trips like the Grand Canyon. 2 weeks is a more comfortable time to complete this iconic journey.

Leaving Chicago (one of my favorite cities in the USA), you'll pass through the open plains of the Midwest, mountainous New Mexico and the arid desert of the west before finally reaching the beautiful Pacific coast. Throw away the map, turn off the GPS, follow the signs and enjoy your time along Route 66.

8 US road trip ideas

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Route 66 – USA

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