Road trips offer a unique way to see the world, providing travelers with a fresh perspective and the opportunity to explore distant locations. Recent studies show that over 75% of American adults planned to embark on a road trip this past summer.
Every state in the U.S. offers a distinct travel experience, making it challenging to narrow down your options. Whether you're dreaming up new scenic routes or curious about road trips that visit national parks, we'll delve into 18 of the best road trips across the country. Plus, discover how AAA Travel can simplify your summer road trip planning.
1. Southern New England
- Length: 229.4 miles
- Time: 5+ hours
- Great for: Couples, history buffs and families
Starting and ending in Boston, this Southern New England road trip has quite a bit of history and scenery on one route. One of the best road trips in the U.S., you’ll see sites from the American Revolution along Boston’s Freedom Trail. You can also explore quaint shops housed in Colonial-era buildings on the streets of Mystic, Connecticut and lavish mansions from the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island.
This trip also offers prime leaf-peeping opportunities in late October and early November. For a more complete New England experience, you can explore Martha’s Vineyard nearby by taking the Cape Cod Road Trip.
2. Northern Arizona Canyons
- Length: 274.3 miles
- Time: 6+ hours
- Great for: Solo and adventure travelers
Southwest desert scenery is on full display on this Northern Arizona Canyons Road Trip. From the red rock formations of Sedona to the majesty of the rims of the Grand Canyon, this loop journey from Flagstaff hits all the highlights. It includes stops at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, the ancient pueblos of Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument lava fields.
3. Natchez Trace Parkway
- Length: 494.6 miles
- Time: 10+ hours
- Great for: Music lovers and history buffs
The Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the best places to go on a road trip to see the American South in all its glory. Stretching from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, by way of Tupelo—the birthplace of Elvis Presley—this scenic rural route offers easy access to archaeological sites, prehistoric ceremonial mounds, Civil War battlefields, and the original Native American trail.
4. Hershey, Pa., Dutch Country
- Length: 197.0 miles
- Time: 5+ hours
- Great for: Families and history buffs
Expect to see horse-drawn carriages and historic covered bridges on a drive through Dutch Country in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Named after the German (Deutsch) immigrants who settled there in the 18th century, Pennsylvania Dutch Country offers the unique chance to see people of the Amish, Mennonite and Brethren faiths practicing their simple, modest lifestyle.
Located within a day trip from Philadelphia, this region is a popular destination for visitors seeking a glimpse into a slower-paced way of life. The road trip also includes a stop in Gettysburg. Explore the Best Historical Places to Visit on a Pennsylvania Road Trip for more nearby things to do.
5. Southern Arizona
- Length: 547.1 miles
- Time: 10+ hours
- Great for: Couples and adventure travelers
From the towering cacti of the Sonoran Desert to the Wild West saloons of Tombstone, photo-worthy sights are aplenty on a drive through southern Arizona. You’ll pass through the vibrant cities of Tucson and Scottsdale on this trip, with art galleries, authentic Mexican restaurants and splurge-worthy resorts along the way.
If you're looking for more to do near Scottsdale, explore the Best Places to Hike and Eat in Scottsdale, Arizona, on a Weekend Getaway.
6. Southern California
- Length: 307.4 miles
- Time: 6+ hours
- Great for: Couples and solo travelers
It’s sunny skies ahead on this Southern California Road Trip, which includes a seven-hour journey from Los Angeles to Temecula wine country that features palm tree-dotted beaches, coastal cliffs, rugged desert canyons and a stop in San Diego. Travel editors recommend you plan this trip for spring or fall, as temperatures at some points along the drive can top 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
For more escapes from L.A., consider the Los Angeles to Death Valley Road Trip or the California Desert Road Trip.
7. Northern CA & Southern OR Coast
- Length: 380.1 miles
- Time: 8+ hours
- Great for: Families, couples and campers
Definitely not short on scenery, you can easily split the Northern California and Southern Oregon Coast Road Trip over a few days, so you have plenty of time for exploration. You’ll start in California’s Central Valley, then wind up the Pacific Coast Highway to see towering redwoods, quaint beach towns, shifting sand dunes and breathtaking ocean views on Oregon’s U.S. Highway 101.
For a visual overview of your route, consult a map of northern California. Electric vehicle drivers can find charging stations conveniently located along the way.
8. Vegas to National Parks to Vegas
- Length: 857.4 miles
- Time: 16 hours
- Great for: Solo and adventure travelers and campers
A multiday road trip from Las Vegas is a great way to explore the Southwest and check off a few bucket list items. The Vegas to National Parks Road Trip covers 860 miles in Nevada, Arizona and Utah and includes stops at man-made landmarks like the Hoover Dam and Route 66 and at natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and the hoodoos (rock formations) of Bryce Canyon. For more inspiration, see Ditch the Glitz for Adventure in Vegas.
9. Smoky Mountains
- Length: 497.8 miles
- Time: 10+ hours
- Great for: Families, couples and campers
See the signature haze of the Great Smoky Mountains on this 500-mile loop that provides plenty of ooh- and aah-worthy views of America’s most-visited national park. One of the best road trips in the USA, AAA’s route begins and ends in Knoxville, Tennessee, and includes stops in fun mountain towns like Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina.
10. Grand Pacific Northwest
- Length: 551.1 miles
- Time: 10+ hours
- Great for: Families and campers
Soak up views of iconic Northwest landmarks on this Grand Pacific Northwest drive, which covers 550 miles in Oregon and Washington. From the waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway to the summer wildflowers of Mount Rainier National Park, this road trip is sure to please nature lovers. There are countless other fantastic road trips in the Pacific Northwest, allowing you to explore more of the “upper left” region.
11. Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina
- Length: 303.8 miles
- Time: 8+ hours
- Great for: Families, couples and campers
America’s longest linear park is also one of its most scenic, which makes the Blue Ridge Parkway a clear winner in AAA’s list of the most popular road trips in the U.S. The portion of the parkway that runs through North Carolina follows curvy mountain roads from Cherokee to the North Carolina-Virginia state line, with plenty of spectacular views and hiking opportunities along the way. You could easily stretch this drive into a multiday trip.
12. Route 66 - Eastern New Mexico
- Length: 118.7 miles
- Time: 2+ hours
- Great for: Americana fans, families and couples
This Route 66 road trip is a staple of “Americana” culture and the subject of a particularly catchy tune from the 1940s. This massive highway stretches across two-thirds of the United States, so it’s not uncommon for folks to explore Route 66 bit by bit. The Eastern New Mexico stretch of Route 66 will take you from Albuquerque, New Mexico, the primary setting of AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” to Adrian, Texas — the “Midpoint of Route 66.”
13. Black Hills
- Length: 209 miles
- Time: 5 hours
- Great for: History buffs, families and campers
Mount Rushmore, a scenic memorial that features four of the United States’ most famous presidents, is the center point of this Black Hills road trip. However, there are plenty more historic landmarks along the way, including the legendary gold rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota, and the Jewel Cave National Monument.
14. Utah's National Parks
- Length: 1,049.3 miles
- Time: 19+ hours
- Great for: Outdoor adventurers and naturalists
Utah is adored for its delicious food scene and gorgeous natural landscapes. This scenic road trip of Utah's National Parks will let you get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful sights in Utah.
Throughout the 1,050-mile voyage, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Utah’s world-famous natural scenery. You’ll also be able to sample local delicacies from venues like the Sunset Grill in Moab, Utah.
15. Cape Cod
- Length: 173.7 miles
- Time: 6+ hours
- Great for: Fishing fans, beachgoers, and whale watchers
This 174-mile road trip through Cape Cod highlights Boston’s natural beauty and historic significance. During this drive, you’ll encounter a touching monument to John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. You may also get a chance to admire humpback whales if you visit during whale-watching season, which normally runs from mid-April to October.
16. Big Sky Country
- Length: 425.4 miles
- Time: 8+ hours
- Great for: Campers, astronomy fans, and naturalists
The term “Big Sky Country” refers to the parts of the U.S. that still largely consist of untouched natural land. This This 425-mile scenic road trip will take you through portions of Montana and Wyoming. Highlights include visits to the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
17. South Florida
- Length: 421.1 miles
- Time: 10+ hours
- Great for: Wildlife watchers, beachgoers, couples and families
Folks have called Florida the Sunshine State since before the 1970s — and for good reason. This popular U.S. vacation destination is brimming with sandy beaches and tropical weather. AAA’s 421-mile route through South Florida hits major destinations like Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. Along the way, you might even see herds of deer or congregations of alligators.
18. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno
- Length: 486.3 miles
- Time: 9+ hours
- Great for: Museum fans, kayakers and hikers
California and Nevada feature a bevy of breathtaking sights and sounds. AAA’s 486-mile route from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno provides plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in natural experiences near Lake Tahoe — and enjoy some of Reno’s most impressive resorts, like the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.
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