Who doesn’t love a road trip? Forget the airways this summer and find a road trip in the USA!
With its amazing landscapes, endless attractions, and friendly local stops along the way, the USA is the perfect destination for a summer road trip. Whether you’re looking for an adventure in the great outdoors or a more laid-back getaway, there are countless routes to explore. From the Pacific Coast Highway to the east coast scenic Keys highway, here are the top 5 scenic routes for a memorable summer road trip in the good ole USA.
1) The Pacific Coast Highway
For the ultimate summer road trip, start California dreaming in San Francisco and travel along the stunning Pacific Coast Highway to end your drive in San Diego. (my favorite in Cali) This route will take you through some of the most breathtaking coastal landscapes the United States has to offer.
Some must-do stops on this road trip include visiting Big Sur, exploring Monterey Bay, and a photo stop of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Monterey Bay is another great place to spend some time, particularly if you’re interested in marine life. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best in the world. For a scenic drive, take 17-Mile Drive, which will take you through some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the region. You may want to divert to the Wine Country of Napa or Sonoma (just saying if you like a glass or 2 of vino). You’ll also want to make sure to stop in Santa Barbara for some of the best beaches in California and Santa Monica to take a stroll on the famous boardwalk.
Technically to drive the entire coastal Highway 1, it takes 10-12 hours without stops. However, a 5-day itinerary is ideal for the San Francisco to LA trip, with the first and last night spent in each city. Driving the entire Pacific Coast Highway could take anywhere from five to seven days, depending on how much time you want to spend exploring each destination. If you’re short on time, you could fly into San Francisco or San Diego and rent a car to do a portion of the drive.
2) Route 66
“Get your kicks on Route 66”! Cheers to one of the most famous and iconic American highways, Route 66. This historic highway was first established in 1926 and stretches over 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Route 66 crosses eight states and three time zones.
Cyrus Avery, an Oklahoma businessman later nicknamed “Father of Route 66,” was instrumental in founding the route to boost tourism on the roadway he dubbed the “Main Street of America.”
Driving on Route 66 is a great way to experience some of America’s unique culture, landmarks, and natural beauty. Highlights along this route include the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, the Original McDonald’s Museum in California & a quirky favorite is the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma. For outdoor lovers and hikers, veer off for a stop at the Grand Canyon or the Petrified Forest National Park.
The best time to drive Route 66 is during the summer travel season, as the weather is warm and sunny, and most attractions will be open. Be prepared, though, with great weather and summertime also include lots of other travelers and traffic. If you are ready for a long road trip, then driving the entire length of Route 66 can take between two weeks to a month.
A little history lesson on Route 66, or the “Mother Road,” as it was named by author John Steinbeck in his Pulitzer Prize-winning 1939 novel “The Grapes of Wrath,” about Dust Bowl migrants of the 1930s. Here’s more history on Route 66.
3) Million Dollar Highway
The Million Dollar Highway is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful and thrilling roller coaster roads you will ever drive on. Also, one of the shortest on the road trip list! This 25-mile stretch of spectacular roadway between Silverton, Durango, and Ouray is called “The Million Dollar Highway.” Why, you ask? Well, there are a few theories behind the name. One theory is that the road cost a million dollars per mile to build, and another theory is that the soil used to build the road contained high levels of gold, giving it the name “million-dollar dirt.” My favorite theory is that the views of the San Juan Mountains are worth a million dollars! What do you think?
The road was initially built in the late 1880s to connect the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton. The highway is now a part of the San Juan Skyway, which is a 233-mile loop that connects several of Colorado’s historic towns.
The highlights of this route are numerous. You’ll get to see stunning views of the San Juan Mountains, waterfalls, and wildflowers. You will also drive through the Red Mountain Pass, which has been described as one of the most scenic and beautiful drives in America. Definitely don’t miss the town of Silverton, which has maintained its original mining town charm and is full of history and character.
Driving this highway will take approximately two hours & the best time to drive this somewhat dangerous highway is during the summer months when the weather is clear and warm. The road is usually closed during the winter months due to snow and ice. The road features hairpin turns, narrow lanes, and steep drops with no guardrails, which is no surprise that it is named the most dangerous highway in the US to drive. Be sure to choose the best driver to be behind the wheel on this road trip!
4) The Florida Keys
Oh, my favorite of all road trips is the Florida Keys highway that spans 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West. This iconic stretch of road is known as the “Keys Highway” and offers some of the most picturesque and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. You won’t believe the color of the water until you see it with your own eyes! The Florida Keys is named for the chain of islands that make up the southernmost part of Florida.
Highlights of this route include the Alabama Jacks for conch fritters, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the Rain Barrel Village for a photo stop with Betsy the Lobster, Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen for a piece of key lime pie, Bahia Honda State Park, National Key Deer Refuge, Turtle Hospital, Seven Mile Bridge & Mile Marker 0, & the Hemingway Home and Museum Key West.
Driving this highway can be explored any time of year, but keep in mind holidays and the summer can be very crowded & bumper to bumper traffic. Not to mention the HEAT! The route typically takes about 2-3 hours from start to finish, depending on how many stops you make along the way. Definitely stop for a meal, cocktail, and a slice of key lime pie! Need more advice? I have a full blog on the Florida Keys and Key West.
5) Alaska’s Seward Highway
Arguably the most scenic drive in the world is Alaska’s Seward Highway. This breathtaking stretch of scenery begins in Anchorage and ends in the coastal town of Seward. Be ready for 125 miles through some of Alaska’s most spectacular landscapes, including towering mountain ranges, beautiful glaciers, and the Turnagain Arm.
The highway is named after William H. Seward, who was the US Secretary of State when Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867. The route was originally developed as a wagon trail in the early 1900s, but it was later improved and paved to create this scenic highway.
One of the main highlights of the route is the stunning Turnagain Arm, where visitors can see the second-largest tidal bore in North America. What’s a bore? A tidal bore happens along a coast where a river empties into an ocean or sea and causes a strong tide that pushes up the river against the current. Additional stops along the Seward Highway are Potter Marsh for bird watching, Indian Valley Mill for gold panning, Virgin Creek Falls, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Kenai Lake, and Beluga Point lookout for fantastic views of the Turnagain Arm. Yes, wildlife sightings like moose, bear, and Dall sheep are common along the route.
The best time to drive the Seward Highway is during the summer, from May to September, when the weather is mild and the daylight hours are long. Plan to spend at least a full day exploring the sights along the route, though you could easily spend several days or more if you want to stop for camping, fishing, or hiking.
Check out my full blogs on Southeast Alaska destinations at https://www.travelcharlee.com.
Need HELP? Book a tour, rent a car, or reserve a hotel stay for your road trip. Check out my favorites https://www.travelcharlee.com/my-travel-favorites/
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