Summer in the United States often means one thing to avid travelers: road trips. The good news is that no matter where you begin in the country or how much time you have, there are great options for road trip destinations nearby. The bad news is that there may be too many options.
Spoiled for choice is better than staying at home, however, so here for your consideration is a list of some of the best summer road trips in the US.
Route 66
The old Route 66 may be the quintessential American road trip. Much of that old road is gone, but there are a few historic parts you can still drive. Some of the most popular stretches are in the southwest, so if you start in Amarillo and continue west through New Mexico, Arizona and into California you’ll have the song named for the highway stuck in your head and plenty of nostalgic Americana to take in along the way – including the Cadillac Ranch and the Wigwam Village.
Pacific Coast Highway
The scenic Pacific Coast Highway. Photo Credit: Rian Castillo via Flickr.
While most people think mainly of California State Route 1 when they think of the Pacific Coast Highway, the PCH actually runs all the way from southern California to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Pick it up at any point along the way for a few days of coastal driving, or plan a whole summer around driving from one end to the other. Major attractions along the way include Big Sur, Hearst Castle, the Golden Gate Bridge, Redwood National Park, the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area, Lewis & Clark Historical Park and Olympic National Park.
Florida Keys
You might think more about boats and water when you think about the Florida Keys, but why not make getting there part of the fun? You can drive down the eastern coast of Florida and then hit the nearly-130 mile Overseas Highway. As the name suggests, you’ll spend plenty of time driving over water – every time you go over one of the more than 40 bridges, including one that’s just shy of seven miles long. You’ve got Key West as an end point to look forward to, and plenty of fun stuff to see along the way – such as the Kennedy Space Center, Everglades National Park and Miami Beach.
Blue Ridge Parkway
View from Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo Credit: steviep187 via Flickr.
Summer road trips and national parks go hand in hand, which is one reason the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina is such a good option. This 469-mile stretch of road connects the Great Smoky Mountain National Park at one end with Shenandoah National Park at the other, and runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains (which are part of the famous Appalachian Mountains). This is a nature-lover’s road trip, so set aside ample time for exploring the national parks (and perhaps some hiking along the Appalachian Trail) in between scenic drives.
Columbia River Highway
Waterfall on the Columbia River Highway. Photo Credit: Ron Reiring.
At less than 75 miles, the Historic Columbia River Highway can certainly be driven in a day trip from Portland, Oregon. But there’s no reason to hurry, not with all the historic and scenic attractions to tempt you out of the car. Many of the waterfalls along the highway are visible from the road, while a vast network of hiking trails remains largely hidden until you’re on the ground. There are hikes for all levels, as well as vineyards and orchards to keep you sated along the way. Don’t miss a drive to the top of Crown Point to take in the commanding views of the Columbia River below – and just try to imagine Lewis and Clark navigating that river in canoes.
Door County
Wisconsin’s Door County is a narrow stretch of land that separates Green Bay from Lake Michigan. Which means that although you may be several hundred miles from the nearest ocean, you’re still treated to plenty of coastline on a Door County road trip. Over 300 miles of lake shore offer five state parks, five inland lakes, 11 lighthouses, 19 county parks, and 53 beaches. Foodies should arrive hungry and in time for a Door County Fish Boil. Summer visitors should always be prepared for a festival – the summer calendar is full of special events. And if you prefer your road trips on two wheels, you’ll find plenty of motorcycle kinship in Door County.
U.S. Route 1 in New England
There’s just something about coastal roads that make ideal road trips, especially during the hot summer months. When the East Coast heat is starting to get annoying, head for the coast and point the car toward Maine. Pick up the historic U.S. Route 1 in Boston and it’s not long before you’re buzzing by the tiny part of New Hampshire and into coastal Maine. Make a detour off the historic road to visit Acadia National Park, and don’t miss a stop at the country’s second-oldest lighthouse – Portland Head Light – built in the 1790s.
Four Corners
Incredible dwelling in the cliff. Photo Credit: sailn1 via Flickr.
“Four Corners” is the nickname given to area where four states come together in a perfect four-way point – Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. The most fascinating attractions in this part of the country are Native American, including several parks that have ancient ruins and petroglyphs. The stunningly well-preserved Cliff Palace at Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park dates from the 12th century. New Mexico’s Chaco Culture National Historical Park represents some of the most significant pre-Columbian ruins north of Mexico. And for sheer grand scenery, it’s hard to beat the aptly-named Monument Valley – especially on a clear night when you’ll see more stars than you thought could possibly exist.
Bucks County
History buffs will love a driving tour of Bucks County, where George Washington and his soldiers famously crossed the Delaware River in 1776. There are other charms to this part of the northeast, too, such as historic covered bridges, William Penn’s mansion, a theme park dedicated to Sesame Street, and the castle-like Mercer Museum. This Pennsylvania county sits in the southeast corner of the state, making it an easy road trip destination from Philadelphia and New York, and even worth considering form Boston or Washington D.C.
Best Summer Road Trips in the U.S. by Jessica Spiegel from Viator Travel Blog