Wind in your hair, panoramic views from left to right, and a long road stretched out ahead dotted with quirky sights and incredible vistas between you and your final destination.
These are the makings of an unforgettable road trip, and the United States offers a bounty to sate whatever exciting adventure you’re currently craving.
Road trips are easily my favorite way to travel. I often prefer the extra hours of driving over a jet, and I’ve packed some pretty epic experiences into the last couple decades including a three-day journey on one of the most famous stretches of road, Route 66.
While this iconic byway is one of the most famous in the USA and absolutely worth the hype, so many underrated road trips don’t get the love they deserve. Here are some of my favorites that I recommend to anyone and everyone eager to hit the pavement and see the country.
In this article
Pacific Coast Highway
Also known as the PCH or Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway stretches from Dana Point in Southern California all the way to Leggett in the northern part of the state. In a cute convertible, my husband and I made our way on it from San Diego, all the way up to just north of San Francisco to see the redwoods.
What makes this road trip a standout is that it hugs the Pacific Ocean the entire way. The coastal views never stop, and it meanders through some of California’s most famous cities and sites. This is a route where you’ll want to take your time, and a whole lot of pics.
Highlights for me include stopping to go boogie boarding in Long Beach, walking the Santa Monica Pier, ice cream in Malibu, swinging through iconic Santa Barbara, checking out the rock beaches in Morro Bay, and stepping into the natural cathedral of northern Cali’s redwoods.
Yellowstone & Grand Teton Loop
In lieu of languidly lapping up sunshine at a five-star resort, my husband and I opted for a two-week camping and glamping road trip through Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho for our honeymoon.
One of my favorite sections of this trip was driving the Grand Teton Loop, a ridiculously scenic 42-mile trip through the two spectacular national parks the trip’s named after.
I will never forget approaching the Grand Teton mountain range and just being in awe of its beauty; we even got up inside of them while passing through via the Delta Hike, which is a glacier lake nestled within the range’s peaks.
Of course, Yellowstone is just as spectacular as you’ve heard (maybe even more so) with must-hit spots along the way including Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Lake, and Mammoth Hot Springs. Spending a half-day soaking tired muscles in hot springs is way more romantic than a tropical infinity-edge pool, if you ask me.
Miami to Key West
Fueled purely by spontaneity, my husband and I ventured down the Miami to Key West trail and to this day it’s easily one of the most unique road trips I’ve taken. One, because the goosebump-inducing ocean views literally never stop. Two, because it showcases one of the most incredible human engineering feats in the country (maybe the world?) with the Overseas Highway.
The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile stretch that hops across 42 bridges and connects a string of tropical islands within the Florida Keys that seemingly float in the middle of the ocean.
Also cool about this trip: you can stop in whatever Key you want. Key Largo is the closest to Miami (about 1 hour and 45 minutes) and Key West is the furthest and takes about four hours from the mainland. We had a blast in Miami, but this drive was really the star of the trip.
Phoenix to Moab, Utah
You know how some destinations just have your heart? The Phoenix to Moab drive is that for me, to the point that I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve done the trek.
This journey, which is predominantly taken on I-17, US 89, and US 160 East, takes you through one of the most photographed and popular cinema-scenes in the world: Monument Valley. As popular as it is, so many have only seen it on a screen. I assure you the real-life version will stop you in your tracks thanks to the towering sandstone formations speckled throughout the vast desertscape.
Along with Monument Valley (which is near Kayenta at the border), some other popular sites along the way include Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon (Exit 298) and Flagstaff (Exit 195) in Arizona off the I-17. Once you pass the Utah border, some fun detours include Mexican Hat (a funky rock formation), Goosenecks State Park, and Valley of the Gods. Of course, the trip culminates in Moab (between mile markers 115 and 121 off US-191), which is a base to see Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
The Shortcut
The Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys crosses 42 bridges over open ocean. Nothing else in the U.S. comes close.
The PCH never leaves the coastline. Budget extra time for stops in some of California's must-see cities.
Monument Valley's sandstone formations are everywhere in cinema. Seeing them in person hits differently.
The Grand Teton Loop is 42 miles. Leave time for the Delta Hike, which ends at a glacier lake inside the peaks.
