5 Best Road Trips in the USA You Need to Drive
The best road trips in the USA aren't just drives — they're journeys through landscapes so varied and dramatic that no two hours of highway ever look the same. From rugged desert canyons to misty Pacific coastlines, America was made for the open road. Whether you're a seasoned road tripper or planning your very first long drive, these five iconic routes belong on every travel bucket list.
1. Route 66 — The Classic American Road Trip
No list of the best road trips in the USA is complete without Route 66. Stretching 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, the "Mother Road" passes through eight states and decades of American history. Stop at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX, where ten Cadillacs are buried nose-first in the earth, or grab a slice of pie at a roadside diner in Flagstaff, AZ. The best time to drive Route 66 is spring or autumn — summer heat in the Mojave Desert can be brutal. Give yourself at least two weeks to do it justice.
2. Pacific Coast Highway — California's Coastal Masterpiece
Highway 1 along California's Pacific Coast is one of the most scenic drives on the planet. Running from Leggett in the north to Dana Point in the south, the highlights include the Bixby Creek Bridge near Big Sur, the elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas, and the stunning sunsets from Malibu's beach towns. The best time to visit is May through October for clear skies and dry roads — winter storms can close sections of the highway near Big Sur. Plan to stay at least one night in Carmel-by-the-Sea; it's one of those hidden gems that stops you in your tracks.
3. Going-to-the-Sun Road — Montana's Alpine Wonder
Cutting through Glacier National Park in Montana, Going-to-the-Sun Road is only 50 miles long — but every one of those miles is jaw-dropping. The road crests at Logan Pass (6,646 ft), where mountain goats wander roadside and wildflower meadows stretch to the horizon. What to do in Glacier: hike the Highline Trail from Logan Pass, swim in the impossibly blue St. Mary Lake, and spot grizzly bears from the park's many pullouts. The road is typically open from mid-June through mid-October due to snowpack — plan accordingly and arrive early to beat the crowds.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway — America's Favourite Scenic Drive
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds 469 miles through the Appalachian highlands of Virginia and North Carolina, earning its reputation as America's most-visited national parkway. The must-see stops include Mabry Mill (the most photographed spot on the parkway), the overlooks at Craggy Gardens, and the charming town of Asheville, NC — known for its craft beer scene and the grand Biltmore Estate. The best time to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway is mid-October, when the fall foliage turns the mountains into a blaze of red, orange, and gold. Allow three to five days to savour the drive without rushing.
5. Utah's Mighty 5 Loop — The Southwest's Greatest Road Trip
Utah is home to five extraordinary national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands — and a single loop road trip connects them all. The so-called "Mighty 5" road trip covers roughly 800 miles and rewards you with red-rock arches, slot canyons, and night skies so dark you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. Don't miss Angel's Landing in Zion, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon at sunrise, or Delicate Arch at sunset in Arches. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best times to visit Utah — summer temperatures in the canyons regularly top 100°F (38°C).
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