The country has over four million miles of navigable roadways, offering lifetimes’ worth of road trips to explore for travelers. Beyond the sheer numbers, road trips are truly worth taking, offering a sense of freedom from daily-life hussles and brand-new experiences at every mile. Popular road trip destinations and routes across the country allow travelers to experience landscapes, take spontaneous detours (using a map), reflect on the move, all while creating lasting memories with loved ones. 

Pacific Coast Highway, California

Travelers seeking stunning coastal views throughout their trip can choose to explore the Pacific Coast Highway. The winding road offers panoramic views of the ocean, making it one of the most scenic road trips in the country. One of the more popular stops along the route is Big Sur, a rugged, mountainous part of the Central Coast of California. Here, travelers can hike along the coast or just drive by to take in the beautiful vistas. Another popular vacation spot along the route is Santa Barbara, a site renowned for its beaches and Mediterranean-style architecture.

This destination offers multiple outdoor recreation opportunities, including surfing, whale watching, and hiking in state parks.

Great River Road, Mississippi River

The Mississippi is the second-longest river in the country. The Great River Road follows this iconic water body for over 3,000 miles, making it one of the most serene road trip destinations in the country. This scenic route stretches from Minnesota to Louisiana.

Some of the region’s best attractions include a host of charming river towns and historic sites such as Mill City Museum, Gateway Arch National Park, Vicksburg National Military Park, and Louisiana’s Great River Road Interpretive Center and Museum. 

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

This is a 469-mile corridor connecting Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many describe the Blue Ridge Parkway as a slow heartbeat along the great Appalachian spine. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway is run by the National Park Service and bans commercial traffic, limits speed, and offers scenic views and experiences roughly every mile of the journey. The parkway is at its most colorful in October, but even May or June are ideal months for a visit, as travelers can witness peaceful wildflowers along the way.

Some highlights of this destination include over 500 miles of interconnected hiking trails, craft-heavy towns, such as Asheville, and communities in southwest Virginia.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

This drive is a quieter alternative to the Blue Ridge Parkway and runs through Shenandoah National Park. This serene route is ideal for unhurried driving and deer spotting in the world-renowned national park. Travelers often choose this route because it offers a great mountain riding experience without requiring major logistics. The route begins in Front Royal and ends at Rockfish Gap. Travelers can see beautiful deer, black bears, and wild turkeys along this route. Also, it offers dozens of short hikes and access to the Appalachian Trail. Another major draw for tourists on this route is the colorful flora and fauna found here, especially in the fall. Spring and fall are the best times of year to explore this drive.

Arches National Park, Utah

A road trip to Colorado is often filled with visits to one iconic national park after another. Arches National Park in Utah is an ideal alternative to drive into to get a good view of beautiful sunsets.

Travelers need to auto drive a fair distance to reach some of the park’s renowned arches, such as Delicate Arch and Devils Garden. However, parking for these popular locations is limited specially during holidays and weekends. Within 4.5 hours, travelers can drive through all paved park roads, spend around ten minutes at each viewpoint, and explore Wolfe Ranch and The Windows Section.