There is nothing better than a good ole road trip. Nothing beats the excitement of preparing the car for a long-haul trip whether you are traveling with family, friends, or by yourself.
It’s what makes traveling across America by car so thrilling! You can make your own adventures at your own pace and it will cost you nothing compared to the typical vacation you may take otherwise.
A road trip is one of the best ways to travel and if you are searching for an adventure into what America has to offer, look no further than the meandering roads of the United States.
If you prefer a road trip with a scenic view, the United States of America is bountiful with breathtaking roads and highways that will make your jaw drop in awe.
Whether you prefer the idea of a coastal path, rocky mountains, or traveling high speed through the barren desert, this list contains the road trip for every nature lover, no matter what preference. Hot or cold.
This list has something for you and we can guarantee by following one of these pre-determined paths, you will uncover some of the most beautiful sights that you have ever seen in your lifetime.
Now, this travel blog won’t just give you some ideas on where to travel across America but will provide the history, facts, and best places to stop along the way to make sure that you don’t miss a beat on the road trip of your lifetime across America!
Route 66
Route 66 is a famous landmark and tourist attraction for those visiting the United States and was one of the first highways ever built in America. You may have heard of it from old American movies or just from pop culture within the last 30 years or so.
However, it was originally constructed in 1926 and covered 2,400 miles across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
The famous Route 66 offers nature lovers the opportunity to experience some of the most scenic landscapes America has to offer as well as some must-see tourist attractions along the way.
If you are a fan of American nature in the western parts of the USA, Route 66 is a must-take route for any keen vagabond that wants to be fully immersed in the beauty of America’s scenic and picturesque landscapes.
From deserts, forests, mountains, and rivers, it is obvious to see why Route 66 is so well known and renowned as one of the best road trip routes for those visiting America and are keen to see the nature this beautiful country has to offer.
It has a mix of everything you would want to see when you get that longing call to be within nature and with amazing landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest Natural Park, and the Great Plains along the way, Route 66 is a must for those who want to experience Western America to the fullest.
We recommend driving East to West starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica. Although you won’t be able to experience the old Route 66 as this has been paved over with new modern highways, it is always best to experience the route how it was intended by driving East to West.
We suggest that you stop off in Oklahoma, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, Arizona, and Albuquerque along the way.
Please also bear in mind that Route 66 will take around 3 to 4 weeks to complete from Chicago to Santa Monica if you are driving at a leisurely pace with regular stops along the way.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 470-mile-long highway that meanders through the Appalachian mountains in Virginia and North Carolina. Now you may be wondering what a national parkway actually is. Well, it is a unique piece of highway road that runs through a protected national park area.
This route will allow you to drive through uninterrupted and protected national parks that have some of the best views in America. It’s clear to see why it is one of the most popular road trips in America.
Some of the attractions that you must visit along the Blue Ridge Parkway are the Linville Gorge and Falls which are located in North Carolina and offer an amazing view of the gorge.
Another must-see landmark along the road trip is the Grandfather Mountain peak which is a famous mountain range in North Carolina that offer incredible hikes and scenic viewing areas.
Humpback Rocks is another must-see area you must stop off at along the way. It’s a historic site known for its incredible views and hiking trails. The Natural Bridge in Virginia is also a must-visit natural wonder which cannot be missed.
One of the most beautiful parts of the parkway is Mount Pisgah which is also one of the busiest areas along the parkway but is definitely worth the stop off for some great scenic views at a high elevation.
We recommend traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway from any time in May to September. The Parkway has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour and it is definitely worth taking your time along this highway and making the most of the natural wonders along the route.
Although you can complete the entire parkway in around 12 hours, it is worth stopping off and camping or staying in one of the many small towns along the Parkway so you can make the most of the hikes and activities that the Blue Ridge Parkway has to offer.
Read more about the Blue Ridge Parkway in our itinerary for 3 days in Asheville.
U.S. Route 101 – The Pacific Coast Highway
Highway 101 is one of the most popular road trips for people who want to experience the nature and views that the Pacific Coast has to offer. Covering the western part of the United States, Route 101 stretches across Los Angeles, California all the way to Olympia, Washington.
If you are looking to visit some of America’s most famous cities whilst experiencing the beauty of the Pacific Coast, Route 101 is the best option for you. Passing through many different cities, you can experience the culture of San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.
Not to mention you will also be able to stop off at some of America’s most famous natural wonders including the scenic areas of the Pacific Coast, and breathtaking redwood forests. You can also visit national parks such as Redwood National Park in Los Angeles, Olympic National Park in Washington, and Mount Rainer National Park in Washington.
This route is ideal for those who want to experience a bit of everything when visiting America. The trip is around 1,540 miles long and you can expect your road trip to last anywhere between 27 to 30 hours in one go. However, accounting for stops offs for food, hikes, and day trips it is worth taking at least a week or two to travel this coastline.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you are in search of some of the most spectacular views, and scenic drives and want to be fully immersed in the natural wonders that America has to offer, the routes we have suggested throughout this post are some of the best we have experienced ourselves.
They have everything from long scenic drives with amazing views to convenient stop-offs at small, rural towns and villages that you need to experience once in your lifetime. Not to mention, these road trips also have a batch of some of America’s must-see attractions and landmarks for nature lovers you need to visit at least once in your lifetime.
If you would like to learn more about nature and traveling, please consider visiting our Instagram and TikTok pages for videos on the best destinations to visit and must-see tourist attractions.
Happy road-tripping!
This post was written by HandL Blogs, a leading lifestyle blogging website that covers a selection of travel, fitness, finance, business, gaming, tech, cooking, and lifestyle niches.
