The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
It’s easy to thank Jack Kerouac for our long-held fascination of American road trips. His 1957 novel, ‘On the Road’ epitomised life in post-war America with a tale based on the travels of road trips across the US with his friends.
More than six decades on, an American road trip is still high on many travellers’s bucket lists, whether traversing the iconic Route 66 or getting lost among the redwood pines on California’s Pacific Coast Highway.
To fuel your wanderlust, we’ve rounded up the best road trips in America below, best read while listening to Bruce Springsteen or with Thelma and Louise on in the background.
Route 66
From: Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California
America’s most iconic road trip, while Route 66 can be done in two weeks, visitors should allow a month to truly enjoy the attractions and pit stops along the way. Starting in Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan, the route takes you through eight states including Kansas, Missouri, Texas and Arizona, before ending on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California. Kitsch diner meals are a must, as is a stop at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas to admire its beautiful views and a small detour will take you to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.
Beartooth Highway
From: Tower Junction, Wyoming to Red Lodge, Montana
A 68-mile stretch of US Highway 212, Beartooth Highway starts at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone Park and weaves its way in and out of Montana and Wyoming before ending in Red Lodge Montana. The highway climbs high into the mountains, offering stunning views along the way, before reaching an altitude of 10,977 feet at Beartooth Pass. This high altitude means the weather here can often be unpredictable.
Kancamagus Scenic Byway
From: Lincoln, New Hampshire to Conway, New Hampshire
One of the loveliest autumn foliage drives in the US, the Kancamagus Scenic Byway is best visited during October to see the famous New Hampshire trees turn from green to dusty golds and reds. The drive is short, just 34.5 miles, but the deep forest smells of pine trees and spectacular views throughout the White Mountain National Forest makes it the perfect day trip.
Pacific Coast Highway
From: San Juan Capistrano, California to Leggett, California
The ultimate Californian road trip, the Pacific Coast Highway begins just south of Laguna Beach and hugs the coastline, passing through Los Angeles, Monterey and San Francisco. For fans of the Reese Witherspoon series, Big Little Lies, the road passes over Bixby Creek Bridge and there are plenty of beaches to stop off at along the way.
San Juan Skyway
From: a loop starting and ending in Cortez, Colorado
This scenic stretch through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains is easily doable in a day and should take around seven hours from start to finish. Highlights include passing through Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass between Durango and Silverton and the canyon-clinging road between Silverton and Ouray, nicknamed “The Million Dollar Highway’, showcases impressive mountain views and drop-off waterfalls.
Route 6
From: Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts
For those with an abundance of time – you’ll need three weeks minimum – this road trip takes you from coast to coast. Starting at Bishop in California near the Pacific Ocean, the route takes you horizontally across the US, through the forgotten towns of America and ends at the stunning Cape Cod, looking out to the Atlantic Ocean.
High Road to Taos
From: Sante Fe, New Mexico to Taos, New Mexico
Winding through mountains, forests, small farms, high desert and Pueblo Indian villages, this road trip is short but scenic. Allow three hours to complete the entire thing, the road will take you through Talpa and Ranchos de Taos with the view of the Jemez Mountains on the horizon.
Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Rockfish, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway, which can only be traversed while listening to ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’ by Fleet Foxes, runs from Virginia all the way to Cherokee, North Carolina and offers stunning views of the Appalachians and Great Smoky Mountains.
Hatcher Pass Scenic Drive
From: a loop, starting and ending in Anchorage, Alaska
Between the Alaskan towns of Willow and Palmer in the Talkeetna Mountains the Hatcher Pass is a stunning scenic drive. Accessible from Anchorage (where it’s a three-hour round trip), in the summer this alpine landscape is dotted with wildflowers and freshwater rivers.
Hana Highway
From: Kahului to Hana on the island of Maui, Hawaii
Hugging the cliffs of the dense forest, the road to Hana in Hawaii boasts an astounding 600 twists and turns and 50 one-lane bridges – so it’s not one for the impatient. The short dive should take a minimum of two hours, and the views alternate between mountain streams and soaring sea cliffs.
The Loneliest Road in America (Route 50)
From: Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California
‘The Loneliest Road in America’ has been a moniker that has stuck with US Route 50 ever since it was labelled so by Life magazine in 1986. The article said this particular stretch of road had ‘no attractions or points of interest’ and warned drivers to only seek out the route if they had ‘survival skills’. The 170-mile road cuts through the centre of Nevada, with seemingly endless stretches of desert and ever-distant mountains. While we recommend taking a buddy, the peace and quiet is part of the allure.
Overseas Highway
From: Homestead, Florida to Key West, Florida
As its name suggests, the Overseas Highway takes visitors across part of the Atlantic Ocean and into the Gulf of Mexico. Connecting mainland US to the Florida Keys, you’ll travel across the picturesque Seven Mile Bridge.
Great River Road
From: Lake Itasca, Minnesota to Venice, Louisiana
Winding its way vertically up the centre of the United States, the Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi River from its source all the way down to where it meets the Gulf of Mexico. The 3,000-mile drive should take travellers around two weeks to complete, as you pass along the borders of states including Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Arkansas.
Texas Hill Country
From: a loop starting and ending in San Antonio, Texas
While the state of Texas is intimidatingly large, a niche way to see The Lone Star State is to visit its famed hill country. Starting in San Antonio, loop through Bandera, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock, Johnson City, and New Braunfels before returning back to San Antonio.
North Cascades Highway (Route 20)
From: while you can start anywhere on the loop, we recommend starting from Everett, just north of Seattle
A seasonal highway which closes during the depths of winter, Washington State’s North Cascades Highway first opened over four decades ago and has been enchanting visitors with its miles of lush evergreen forests ever since.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
From: Apgar, Montana to St Mary, Montana
With its charming name, it’s only fitting this road has a backdrop to match. The seasonal Going-to-the-Sun Road trails through the scenic Rocky Mountains of northern Montana, passing by large glacial lakes and rich cedar forests.
Finger Lakes
From: Ithaca, New York to Hammondsport, New York
Rolling hills, deep blue lakes and vineyards as far as the eyes can see make this the perfect drive for anyone visiting (or living on) America’s eastern coast.
Route 12
From: Panguitch, Utah to Torrey, Utah
It’s recommended that visitors take at least four days to complete this 122-mile journey through one of Utah’s most scenic byways, and more if you want to complete any of the number of walks in the area. The road here takes you through a number of parks, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef with Utah’s hallmark red sandstone on full display.
Deep South
From: Charleston, South Carolina to Memphis, Tennessee (via Atlanta, Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee)
While there’s no designated road trip route for the deep south, we recommend starting in Charleston, South Carolina – British Airways now flies there directly from London Heathrow – and weaving your way through Georgia and Tennessee before ending in Memphis. The ideal trip for country music fans and architecture enthusiasts.
Valley of Fire, Nevada
From: a round trip from Las Vegas, through the Valley of Fire State Park
With 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone, it’s pretty clear where the Valley of Fire got its name. The vibrancy of the stone against the clear blue skies makes the aesthetically pleasing drive one you won’t soon forget.
