America is a vast country of open roads and super-highways. It’s a country practically built for four-wheel travel, from the pioneer horse-drawn wagons of the 18th century to today’s modern high-tech roadsters. There is no better way to see multiple American cities and all the diverse countryside in between than a good ole fashioned USA road trip!
The average distance if you were driving coast to coast in America is 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometres). If you averaged 500 miles per day, it would take you about a week to get from New York to California approximately. However, that time frame doesn’t allow for more than staring out the window and sleeps in roadside motels or campgrounds. If you want to really enjoy yourself in a more leisurely way, allow for spontaneity, and the occasional detour, you’re going to want to concentrate your road trip to a specific region.
We’re going to suggest some famous routes to focus on and help you find your vacation’s paved path.
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Simply put, if you don’t have a license to drive a vehicle, then don’t expect a rental agency to loan you a car. All drivers require a valid license issued by a US state, Canadian province, or foreign country that participated in the 1949 Geneva convention on Road Traffic. You also need to be 25 years of age or pay an additional surcharge if you are younger but still qualify.
Each rental car company will have its own set of rules and stipulations, which are presented on their websites, but the basic requirements are that you have a valid license and credit card. You will also need to be aware of insurance requirements. If you do not already have coverage through travel insurance or perhaps your credit card, you may need to opt-in for the rental company’s insurance options, which will be additional costs. Rentals often provide liability coverage as required by applicable law, but that usually doesn’t cover auto damage and stuff like backing into a lamp post.
One more additional cost to keep in mind. Many road trips do not end where they started. Meaning you might need to drop off your rental vehicle in a different location than where you obtained it. One-way rentals are an additional charge that can really bulk up the overall price tag. Try to shop around for the best rates for this convenience, and also consider what type and size of vehicle to use (for example, need more space for camp gear?), as it will affect your rates.
One of the most famous drives in America is coastal stretch of highway commonly known as PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). While it runs the entire US West Coast, it is mostly associated with its stunning California section.
A drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco, or vice versa, will deliver eye-popping scenery from shimmering beaches of Malibu and Santa Barbara, through the moody and powerful Big Sur coastline, right into the Bay Area and its unique Spanish colonial vibe highlighted by the incomparable Golden Gate bridge. The ideal time to make this drive is in early spring or late fall, as heavy traffic can be a factor in the summer, while view-obscuring fog can also creep around the northern California stretch.
Route 66 is an iconic stretch of highway that lines from Chicago to Southern California. It symbolizes American freedom and how mobility plays into the country’s history of new horizons and resettlement.
Some of the iconic attractions on Route 66 include the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, which provides aerial views to both sides of the Mississippi, and Cadillac Ranch, a sort of Stonehenge of old cars planted in the ground near Amarillo, Texas. There’s also the Wild West town of Oatman, Arizona and famed Santa Monica Pier as the perfect ending point.
The Florida Keys are probably best known for boating, beaches, and banana daiquiris, but there’s an incredible stretch of asphalt that runs from Key Largo to Key West called the Overseas Highway. It goes over an astonishing 42 bridges, as you leapfrog from island to island.
Since the highway is only 113 miles long (181 kilometres), it will allow you plenty of time to soak in the environment and explore the many marine preserves. Be sure to visit Key Largo, with its Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary covering 2,900 nautical miles. After seeing the jewel of the Overseas Highway – the Seven Mile Bridge just north of Marathon Island – make easy-going Key West, with its swashbuckling history or pirates, your final port.
If you’ve ever seen a cowboy and western movie you probably have an idea of what to expect on the Southwest National Parks Loop. Incredible rock formations, canyons, deserts, and the occasional rattle snake – it can all be found in the 10 or so national parks situated within the Southwest states of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada.
Your lucky loop will began and end at Las Vegas. From there, you can start at Valley of Fire state park a few hours away, then swing up to Utah to visit Zion National Park, which is an amazing hiking spot full of rust-red mountains. Utah features other parks like Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley, and Arches, but do not miss Monument Valley at the Utah border with Arizona. Its towering sandstone buttes are a truly unforgettable sight.
This lesser-known cousin of California’s Pacific Coast Highway offers equally jaw-dropping views with a moodier, mossy Pacific Northwest twist. The 101 hugs craggy cliffs and secluded beaches as you weave through foggy fishing towns, pine forests, and rocky coastal bluffs. Cannon Beach’s iconic Haystack Rock, sea lion caves, and windswept dunes make every turn feel like a screensaver. Compared to its southern sibling, this stretch is quieter, cooler, and often more dramatic. It’s perfect for travelers who like their beach towns served with mist and mystery. Go from May to September for your best shot at sunshine.
For those wanting to get a scenic taste of the American South, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a nearly 500-mile (800-kilometre) route that connects Great Smoky Mountain National Park in North Carolina with the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
This road trip encourages you to take your time and soak in the atmosphere. In fact, the Parkway’s speed limit is typically 45 miles per hour (72 km/hr.). This area is known as the Appalachian Mountains and your drive will hug its ridgeways while plunging you into gorgeous river valleys dotted by active farms and rolling pastures. Most of the Parkway closes in the winter, so best to plan your road trip for the spring or summer months.
This stark and cinematic route slices through the remote heart of Nevada, earning its title as “The Loneliest Road in America.” But don’t let that fool you — it’s packed with quiet beauty, wild open desert, and quirky roadside stops. From the historic town of Ely to the eerie isolation of Great Basin National Park, you’ll see star-studded skies and ghost towns frozen in time. There’s something peaceful about driving for miles without seeing another soul. Just be sure to fill up when you can — fuel stops are few and far between. Best enjoyed in spring or early fall when the temperatures are friendly but the views stay wild.
There’s no better way to get to the heart of Americana than a rambling ride up and down the Mississippi River. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the iconic river for 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometres), going through 10 states and hundreds of river towns.
Live your own Mark Twain adventure and start as far north as Minnesota, working your way down all the way to Louisiana. Most travellers take 4 to 10 days to make the whole journey. Cities you shouldn’t miss along the way include, music mecca Memphis, historic St. Louis, and the always-lively New Orleans.
This short but scenic drive delivers big charm in small sips. Just outside of Austin, you’ll find rolling hills, bluebonnet fields, and more than 50 wineries tucked between Fredericksburg, Driftwood, and Johnson City. Whether you’re chasing award-winning Tempranillo or just great BBQ and porch views, this loop is an easygoing indulgence. Stop for wine tastings, German-style beer halls, or lazy river dips depending on the season. It’s a local favorite for weekenders, but still under the radar for most out-of-state travelers. Visit in April for wildflowers or autumn for tasting season at its best.
This isn’t a road trip — it’s an expedition. Stretching from Dawson Creek in British Columbia to Fairbanks, Alaska, this 1,390-mile adventure takes you through glacier-carved valleys, remote roadhouses, and moose crossings galore. It’s ideal for the wild-at-heart and those who don’t mind spotty signal in exchange for Northern Lights. Expect rugged roads, awe-inspiring landscapes, and a constant sense of “How is this real?” Highlights include Liard River Hot Springs, Kluane National Park, and the Yukon’s epic emptiness. Summer is your sweet spot — roads are clear, and the daylight almost never ends.
Overshadowed by the Pacific Coast, Highway 395 might be California’s most underrated drive. Running north-south along the Eastern Sierra, it passes alpine lakes, strange volcanic formations, and forgotten frontier towns. You’ll cruise past the ghost town of Bodie, the alien-like Mono Lake, and the cinematic Alabama Hills — all with snow-capped peaks looming beside you. Outdoor lovers can detour to Yosemite’s east entrance or soak in wild hot springs outside Mammoth. It’s a photographer’s dream and a geologist’s playground all in one. Go in fall for golden aspens or spring for snowmelt drama.
If you're travelling to the United States just to go road tripping, you need to know about eSIMs before you go! Whether it’s for navigation, booking lodging as you go, or posting the amazing scenic images you’re taking in, you’ll need to keep your phone functional, just like home!
Your best plan of attack would be to load up with an eSIM card (it only takes three minutes!) before you even fire up the rental car. That way you can access reliable mobile data without the hassle of picking up physical SIM cards at roadside convenience stores, or deal with your providers’ sneaky roaming charges. Relying on motel Wi-Fi is a risk, plus it won’t help when you’re driving on a mountain with no signal, and you need to pin down the distance to your next gas station.
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