5 Perfect American Road Trips
Although summer is almost here, these classic American road trips can be taken in any season. I’ve listed some of my favorites below along with what to do and the most convenient places to stay.
Credit: Red Gypsea
San Francisco to Los Angeles via Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
There has never been a better time to do this road trip because Highway 1 recently re-opened after an 18 month closure!
How do I get there?
You can hop on Highway 1 in San Francisco and take it all the way to San Luis Obispo. From there you’ll take 101 (still along the coast) to Los Angeles. The entire drive will take about 10-12 hours without making stops - and believe me, you’ll want to stop.
Where do I stay?
Stay in either Big Sur or San Luis Obispo. There are so many wonderful things to see in Big Sur and San Luis Obispo is about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
What should I see?
Check out the quintessential Northern California beach town of Santa Cruz, blending both forest and coast, which makes it perfect for hiking.
Get your Vitamin D on in Monterey/Carmel-by-the-Sea for some of America’s best beaches and beach towns.
Spend some time in Big Sur - Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for bridges, waterfalls and redwoods, oh, my!
Stop in San Louis Obispo to visit famed Pismo Beach and grab yourself a tri-tip sandwich at Firestone Grill.
Make one last stop in Santa Barbara for insta-worthy architecture and welcome relaxation before hitting that infamous LA traffic
Credit: Red Gypsea
Southwest
“So this is where God put the West” - John Wayne, after seeing Monument Valley for the first time.
How do I get there?
Taking I-15 from Las Vegas, you’ll want to take the southern route through northern Arizona which will split off around Hurricane, Utah. From there, you’ll come up the eastern side of Utah on 191 to Arches National Park. The entire drive will take about 9 hours without making stops but you’ll want to!
Where do I stay?
I would recommend staying in either Springdale, Utah or Page, Arizona. Springdale is at the gateway to Zion National Park and there is so much to do and see in Page.
What should I see?
In Nevada…
Lake Mead National Recreation Area - America’s most diverse recreational area and just northwest of that, Valley of Fire State Park
Heading northeast into Utah…
Visit Zion National Park - one of America’s most famous national parks and just east of that, Grand Staircase-Escalante
Heading southeast into Arizona…
Spend some time in Page, Arizona traversing Antelope Canyon, soaking up the views at Horseshoe Bend and swimming in Lake Powell.
Heading northeast back into Utah…
Cruise through Monument Valley at the Arizona/Utah border, take a small detour to Canyonlands National Park before heading north to Arches National Park
Richmond, Virginia to Savannah, Georgia
How do I get there?
Take 95 from Richmond, Virginia to 40 to Wilmington, North Carolina. Highway 17 is the coastal highway that you can take from Wilmington, North Carolina to Savannah, Georgia. The drive will take about 9 hours without stops.
Where should I stay?
Both Wilmington, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina are major cities with rich histories.
What should I see?
In North Carolina…
Head to Wilmington for the sprawling Airlie Gardens, stop at Wrightsville Beach for one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast, and get yourself the best burgers and mac & cheese at Fork N’ Cork.
Heading south along the coast, stop at Myrtle Beach, especially North Myrtle Beach to avoid summer crowds.
In South Carolina…
In Charleston visit the Magnolia Plantation or Boone Hall Plantation, get your camera ready for Rainbow Row and take a stroll along the Waterfront Park. Head to the rooftop bar at The Vendue to end your night right.
Heading south along the coast, make sure to stop at Hilton Head if for no other reason than the beaches, kayaking, biking or shopping.
In Georgia…
Before heading to Savannah, check out Tybee Island for the cutest little beach town (and lighthouse!) off the coast.
Credit: Red Gypsea
Nashville to New Orleans via Great River Road
The Great River Road passes through 10 states along the Mississippi River.
How do I get there?
You’ll take I-40 three hours west and meet the Great River Road in Memphis, Tennessee. From there you will follow it down to New Orleans. Plan for a 10-hour drive without stops, but of course you’ll have to because BBQ.
Where should I stay?
Jackson, Mississippi is one of the only major cities between Nashville and New Orleans and it is about halfway between the two. You could also opt for a small-town experience in Vicksburg.
What should I see?
In Tennessee…
Head to Memphis to check out Graceland - the home of Elvis Presley, The National Civil Rights Museum and get some damn good BBQ at Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous.
In Mississippi…
Make a stop in Vicksburg for your inner history buff - the site of a 47-day Civil War siege and where Coca-Cola was first bottled and has been immortalized at the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum.
Check out Natchez for some true Deep South architecture and history - and all that that implies.
In Louisiana…
Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans exists 70 miles of what was once thriving plantations called Plantation Alley. Here you can take a tour of some of Louisiana’s most famous plantations and museums.
Photo Credit: National Park Service
Blue Ridge Parkway (Shenandoah to Smoky Mountains)
The Blue Ridge Parkway is America’s longest linear park, running 469 miles through 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina.
How do I get there?
The northern Shenandoah Valley begins in Alexandria, Virginia and runs to the southern end at Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline drive in Charlottesville. This marks the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway which you can take all the way to the base of Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive will take about 8 hours without stopping but you’ll definitely want to check out some of these cool little towns along the way.
Where do I stay?
While the parkway avoids towns for the most part, you can take short detours to stay in Roanoke, Virginia or Asheville, North Carolina.
What should I see?
Between Shenandoah National Park and Roanoke…
Humpback Rocks for a short but strenuous trail that leads to sweeping mountain vistas, James River Visitor’s Center which runs along the James River for 15 miles to Natural Bridge and Peaks of Otter for scenic trails.
Between Roanoke and North Carolina…
Stretch your legs on the miles of trails at Rocky Knob and visit Mabry Mill to take a trip back in time.
Between North Carolina and the Smokies…
Visit Moses H. Cone Memorial Park for a historic estate with panoramic views, Grandfather Mountain and Mile-High Swinging Bridge for the highest peak on the parkway, Linville Falls flowing from Grandfather Mountain and Craggy Gardens which has been likened to Shangri-La.
Follow the parkway another 100 miles south and you’ll come to junction 441 and the entrance to Smoky Mountains National Park at the North Carolina/Tennessee border.
Safe travels,
V.