The United States is fourth in the world in terms of land area and third in terms of tourist popularity. It offers everything to fulfill the most discerning explorers’ requirements, from beautiful national parks to bustling cities renowned for their cultural history and distinct local character. Furthermore, the United States is consistently ranked in the top 20 countries in the world for having the best roads. As a result, if you’re planning a road trip, domestic routes throughout the United States are unquestionably among the best choices.
However, the diversity of scenery, climate, and cultural traditions make choosing a route challenging. In order to take the most out of your trip, plan it beforehand and think of the way you’d like to spend your journey. Would you like to relax on the Pacific coast, gamble in Las Vegas, or explore Yellowstone National Park? Perhaps you’d want to immerse yourself in the cowboy traditions of the Wild West, or you’d like to visit New York’s many museums and exhibit halls.
The routes listed below cover different cultural, architectural, and geographical strata of the United States. Let us see which one catches your attention the best!
1. Exploring the Pacific Coast Highway
You may take two variations of this car journey, depending on your schedule and objectives.
Take a 650-mile trip down the California coast, ending at Big Sur or Carmel, and experience numerous beaches and breathtaking scenery along the route. Visit the renowned Santa Barbara beaches, such as Muscle Beach, and try your hand at surfing on the waves at Pismo Beach. Enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of the Channel Islands, taking pictures of the towering cliffs and seal colonies. Feel the healing effect of large sequoia trees at Big Sur.
If you’re still ardent to go further, take another 1,700 miles along California, through Oregon, and to Washington. Explore the hipster philosophy and ethnic variety at Carmel, Monterrey, Pescadero, visit the monolith Hearst Castle, and enjoy the drive along the Bixby Creek Bridge. The latter runs across the mountains and faces the Pacific Ocean.
2. Drive Down the Mississippi
This legendary river is worth exploring in its full length. This trip will take you through 10 U.S. states and is about 2,000 miles long. It includes several roads and lets you change the scenery from granite quarries and the cold beauty of Minnesota parks to the old architecture and swamps of Louisiana.
Whatever road you will take, you’ll see the gorgeous forest and rock landscapes combined with the calmness of the Great River. There are multiple spots for fishing on the way as well if you’re in for this sport. You’ll see numerous plantations and will be able to taste the corn, baked potatoes, and meat at local fests.
Your route should definitely include the classic American city of Memphis, the city of jazz New Orleans and St. Louis. Take a peek at Hannibal, a tiny town where Mark Twain grew up and which he portrayed in his novel about Tom Sawyer’s travels.
3. Up the Blue Ridge Parkway
This 460-mile route, which goes across two states, Virginia and North Carolina, will showcase the splendor of the northern United States. It comes along the rocks, with the constant view on the ridge that is a part of the Appalachian mountains. Prepare to make numerous photo stops along the way because the beauty of nature is combined here with exquisite handmade decorations. The latter were designed by landscape artist Stanley Abbott, who is considered a father of a parkway for his design ideas.
The trail starts in Shenandoah National Park, a wildlife refuge. There are waterfalls, wildflower valleys, and woods teeming with bears and deer. On another end of the route, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park completes the experience of this panoramic trip. Because of its well-preserved ancient period legacy, the park will be of interest not only to nature lovers but also to archaeologists and historians. There are many camping and hiking possibilities along the road, as well as mountain climbing routes.
4. Arizona Highlights
The primary attraction of this route is the Grand Canyon with its bizarre ornaments of the rock soil layers and breathtaking curves of the rocks. Even so, you won’t be staring at your gadgets for the whole 240-mile journey. The route offers multiple biking opportunities, picturesque hiking sites, and mountain climbing routes. Those who like history and geology will undoubtedly make many discoveries.
Depending on your starting point, you can begin or end your road trip at Phoenix. There you can take a photo or even climb Camelback Mountain, explore the famous red rocks at Papago Park, and see the Desert Botanic Garden’s blooming diversity. Take a cultural tour of the Phoenix museums (such as the Heard Museum or the Musical Instrument Museum) and art objects including Roosevelt Row.
5. Journey from Denver Across Colorado
If you’re ready to spend a week or so on a road trip, take the 420-miles drive along the key attractions of the Centennial State. This journey includes multiple nature resorts and parks, as well as works of art, culture, and architecture. During the trip, you can visit the Navajo Reservoir, the largest in the state, and try to catch salmon in its waters. The Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is a must-see since it has the fewest tourists of any national park in the United States, allowing you to experience the natural environment practically as it is. If you like hiking, you’ll appreciate the impressive panoramic views and climbing routes of this park.
Your trip will take you through two major cities, Denver and Montrose, and numerous small towns like Town of Crawford with their own flavor and architecture. Denver is well-known for its variety of entertainments and amusement parks, as well as many museums (including Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Forney Museum of Transportation, and others) and art items.
Don’t forget to stop by the Colorado Creative Corridor, which is a combination of rural life depiction and a variety of art items.
