Best U.S. road trips for your weekend getaway

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

One of the most enchanting things about, and truly unique to, America is the fact that it can be so beautifully explored with road trips. In a nation the size of the United States, there are countless places to see and side trips to take.

No matter if your concept of the ideal American road trip comprises a lengthy, cross-country trip or a shorter excursion around a couple of the nation’s most famous national parks, the alternatives for road trips are as numerous and varied as the nation itself.

Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington

It would be unfortunate to miss out on the Great Northern U.S. Route’s immense richness and expansiveness. The Columbia Plateau in the Pacific Northwest and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin are just two of the unearthly natural wonders that may be seen throughout this drive that spans the whole top border of the United States. Furthermore, you can visit Glacier National Park (reservations required).There is a Canadian portion of the journey, via Ontario into Quebec. 

Chicago to Los Angeles 

Nothing is more distinctly American than a 2,000-mile drive the length of Route 66. 

Stop at some of the greatest craft distilleries in the country, including Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa, between Chicago and Los Angeles. And to really up the ante on your cross-country road trip, do check out the whiskey culture.

Blue Ridge Parkway

A nice 45 mph speed restriction and a strict no-commercial-vehicle policy is what Blue Ridge Parkway is known for. The 469-mile road links the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks by snaking across the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. Visit around fall for the best viewing of the leaves, when they burst into a dazzling display of scarlet, auburn, and golden hues. Visit Mount Pisgah in North Carolina, which is renowned for its vast system of hiking trails and the storied Pisgah Inn, which dates back to 1919.

Dana Point to San Francisco

Highway 1’s seemingly infinite views of the Pacific Ocean are the stuff that road trip fantasies are built of, which is precisely why this California road trip is so well-liked. However, because there were so many rest sites along the 655-mile route, we compiled a list of the ones that were most worth stopping at. As you travel from Dana Point, which is located just south of Los Angeles, to San Francisco, don’t forget to stop at Pismo Beach for the ideal surfing waves, enjoy the seasonal food in Malibu, or spend the night in Big Sur.

Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

Travellers can experience some of Arizona’s most recognisable landmarks, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon, on this 240-mile road trip. It is a great itinerary for beauty, hiking, and biking—as well as delicious food along the way—making it a terrific itinerary for both first-time tourists and seasoned travellers. Explore the Grand Canyon State by climbing the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or hiking to Cathedral Rock in Sedona to admire the stunning red rocks.

Overseas Highway

Visitors can swim with dolphins at the Theatre of the Sea in Islamorada, which includes six of the Florida Keys, and can also visit Indian Key Historic State Park to see remains from the 1800s. Head to the Overseas Highway for a getaway to the tropics. The 113-mile, sunny trip, which follows US-1, connects the Florida Keys. The continuous road, which was first built in 1928 and restored in the 1980s, links Key Largo with laid-back Key West. One of the longest bridges in the world, Seven Mile Bridge, may be crossed while admiring imposing lighthouses, vibrant coral reef parks, and stretches of white-sand beaches.

Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park

Trek through Angel’s Landing in Zion, next to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon on this trip through Utah and Arizona. The majority of tourists that visit the Grand Canyon stay on the rim, but better stay at least four days to explore the canyon, take advantage of the trails, and go river rafting.

San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip

You will see a lot of alpine forests, mining villages, and rugged peaks on this Colorado excursion through the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway. And this route offers numerous opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado, including Ska Brewing Co. in Durango, for anyone wishing to unwind with drinks after a long day of driving.

Going-to-the-Sun Road 

Since its completion in 1932, this enchanting route has been fulfilling its original objective of promoting tourism and encouraging people to visit America’s national parks. The 50-mile highway cuts through Glacier National Park in Montana before ascending to Logan Pass and crossing the Continental Divide. Avoid this road in the winter when snow banks can reach a depth of 80 feet and be careful of blind corners and sharp drops off. Take a pause at Logan Pass in summertime. Soaring to an elevation of 6,646 ft, it has expansive overlooks, grazing mountain goats and blankets of rainbow-hued wildflower meadows.

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