My United States Road Trip Wish List
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure.
Since coming back from Southeast Asia early and realizing long trips aren’t for me, I’ve had road trips on my brain a lot lately. I love road trips. Next to train travel, I’d say it’s my favorite way to travel. A lot of people see long drives to their destination as a bad thing, but if you plan it right, road trips can be more fun than the destination.
In the United States there are so many scenic drives and quirky roadside attractions. There is so much to see on the road and it shouldn’t be missed. Here are some of my road trips on my United States wish list.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Last year, we actually did a partial Blue Ridge Parkway trip from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Linville Falls, North Carolina. It was a fantastic trip even if part of it was so foggy we couldn’t see in front of us. I really want to do the whole drive though.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles that connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
It’s particularly gorgeous with the fall colors but just as wonderful in the spring and summer!
Check out our trip here, here and here.
East Coast in the Fall
Anyone who loves fall and all the gorgeous colors has probably fantasize about a east coast road trip during the fall. I know I have! So much so that I may try to make it happen this year. We’ll have to wait and see. I’ve heard that it’s best to start in the north and drive south as the foliage peaks. I’ll be needing to do more research on this though. I’d love any advice from anyone that knows!
Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway, or Route 1, is 129 miles of gorgeous scenery. It starts in Monterery, California and goes through Carmel and Point Lobos State Reserve before hitting Big Sur. Big Sur is a good enough reason for me to do this road trip. I’ve been dreaming of it since the first time I saw a picture.
Along with these places, it heads through a few state parks and a few other towns before ending in Morro Bay. The whole trip takes about 5 hours – of course, I’d want to stop in Big Sur for 2 weeks.
Route 66
Route 66 is hopefully happening this year. We were orginally thinking October, but I’m thinking summer would be better. Camping along the way to save money (and just because I generally like camping). Maybe renting a convertible just to get the full effect.
Route 66 runs from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. It’s also known as the Mother Road or Main Street of America and served as a major path for those migrating west.
There are loads of quirky roadside attractions and abandoned places. I’m obsessed with this road trip!
What would you add to this United States road trip wish list? Leave a comment down below.
I'm also a freelance writer and creator. You can see my published work here. I've been featured by Impact Travel Alliance as a creative who is transforming travel, and by Matador Network as a vegan travel blogger you should be following on Instagram.
When I'm not writing, I'm traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill my houseplants, worshiping my dog, or having an existential crisis.
You can also reach out to me on Instagram and TikTok.
Want to know more? Here's my full bio.
- 9 Weird Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland - April 13, 2024
- 14 Weird Things To Do In Indianapolis, Indiana - April 13, 2024
- Bird Tourism: Getting Started - February 29, 2024
I have always known I love long trips but in 2014 I learned that I am not cut out for long plane trips. My road trip list just gets longer and longer though! Your road trip list is similar to mine but I have never considered doing the Pacific Coast Highway; I’d like to do the entire 101.
I love road trips! I can’t wait to read about your Route 66 adventures. I have stood at both ends of the highway but have never traveled along the road – it seems like it would be a really cool experience!
i’m a sucker for road trips myself and have done a couple (1 week in ireland and 5 weeks in new zealand).
on my wish list are route 40 in argentina and south – north in norway 🙂
A US road trip has always been on my list and I have only done small ones. Living in New England, I am lucky enough to have great access to the foliage and can highly recommend it. Vermont, New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts are the best parts and October is typically the best time!
North Carolina is my top state to visit at the moment. I’ve heard amazing things about the Blue Ridge Parkway, love your pictures!
Any chance of taking Jack Kerouac’s “On The Road” road trips? 😉
They all sound like great choices! I have done Pacific Coast Highway and New England in Fall which were both incredible. We spent 19 days in New England with 3 nights in Boston then headed to Concord, Salem, Kennebunkport, Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, White Mountains, Stowe, Woodstock and Brattleboro in Vermont, Northampton, Berkshires, Litchfield County, Mystic, Stonington, Newport, Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard – it was pretty awesome! If you want any advice let me know 🙂
I’m in love with road trips, too! Route 66 would be so much fun…and I’m dying to visit Big Sur as well! Might have to fly across the coast and rent a car when I get there 🙂 And I’ve yet to do the Vermont/New Hampshire road trip in the Fall, but that’s on my list, too. I think I’ve loved road trips ever since I used to make the long trek from Canada down to Florida when I was a kid to go to Disney World! 🙂
Pingback: Road Trip Essentials
Pingback: The Best of Nashville
I was really happy to fit in both the PCH and East Coast during fall colours! We didn’t really get to go along Route 66 but the landscapes in the southwest were stunning. Still want to make it up to the pacific North West.
I adore road trips in the US! I did Blue Ridge Parkway in October and I must say, you absolutely have to do the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall! I colours are spectacular! I can’t wait to plan out some more ASAP!
Cheers,
Lexie