Open Highway picture driving into the sunset.
01/16/2024

25 Best Road Trips in the USA (Itinerary Ideas + Tips + Product + Services!)

Nothing comes close to the whiff of air on your face as you travel on a new road with music blaring in your car and snacks keeping you company for your on-the-go adventure. Whether you want to go for spring travel or enjoy the scenery during winter, you can't go wrong with a road trip.

But then again, you surely don't want to spend thousands of dollars on everything from clothing and possible hotel stays to potentially needed camping supplies. Worry not; we've got you covered.

Below, we talk about the 25 best road trips in the US, along with some cash back offers that are hard to refuse.

Great River Road

If you're in the mood for a long road trip - think ten states - this road trip along the Mississippi River is just the one for you. Nature lovers will spot plenty of wildlife resorts on the road, including Theodore Roosevelt Refuge and Yazoo Refuge.

If you have time, don't forget to check out the quaint little river towns along the way, such as Rosedale and Greenville.

Big Sur

The Big Sur takes you through Carmel, Pebble Beach, Highway 1, and Monterey in a single day. If you choose to stop at the towns in the way, you'll spot the work of the amazing Frank Lloyd Wright in the local architecture.

Route 66

Route 66 is perfect for people who want the quintessential American experience. Going from Chicago to Santa Monica, the route passes through nine states.

Some major attractions are Twin Arrows, Cadillac Ranch, and Catoosa Whale.

Tour of Four Ivies

History buffs will love this road trip that starts in New Haven and goes all the way to Dartmouth in New Hampshire.

You'll get to see some prestigious universities along the way, including Yale and Harvard. Make sure you're dressed for the art galleries and campus tours by building your own wardrobe with Scoop - and that too with 3.10% cash back.

Wyoming Adventure

Wyoming isn't necessarily the first place that comes to mind when you think of adventure. But the Wyoming road trip to Yellowstone will enthrall you with scenic natural views and local breweries.

The most popular attraction in the area is the Yellowstone National Park. If you plan to stay for a camping trip, here's a 7.50% cash back offer for your purchases from Mountain House and up to 4.50% cash back from Outdoor Gear Exchange purchases.

Pacific Coast Highway

The iconic Pacific Coast Highway covers 655 miles of stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, stretching from San Francisco to San Diego. You can spot some major attractions like Bixby Creek Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge along the way.

Want to photograph the attractions on the Pacific Coast? Take advantage of these cash back offers from Best Buy to get your hands on a digital camera.

Park Loop Acadia National Park

The Park Look road trip begins at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and ends there too. If you love the east coast, you'll have a great time driving along the Acadia National Park with rocky shores, mountains, and forests to keep you company.

Don't forget to take plenty of pictures. Here are a ton of cash back offers for Canon cameras and binoculars.

Native Trails of Oklahoma

People who're interested in Native American history will enjoy this road trip immensely. Standing Bear Park and Museum, Spiro Mounds Archeological Center, and the Chickasaw Cultural Center are notable stops on the trail.

The Big Bend

Being true to its name, the Big Bend takes around six days to cover fully. You'll pass through Santa Elena Canyon, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Chisos Mountains.

The point of origin, the Big Bend National Park, itself is an amazing place to camp at night since it's a dark sky park. That means you'll get to enjoy a clear view of the starry sky at night. Get your camping supplies from Outdoor Element and 7.50% cash back here.

Washington-Oregon Coast

All you need are 15 hours and a love for the ocean to have a blast on this road trip. The road trip features dramatic coastline views of turbulent waters, green forests, and rocky beaches.

Big Island Loop Road

The Big Island Loop Road is a seven-hour road trip taking you through the beautiful beaches of Hawaii and breathtaking mountain views that will have you thinking about them for days afterward. It's possibly the best way to enjoy a diverse landscape in less than half a day.

Four Corners of the Southwest

If you're in the mood for an extended spring travel, the Four Corners of the Southwest is the best road trip. It follows Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.

Get on an RV and enjoy the views of Moenkopi dinosaur tracks, the Four Corners Monument, and the Grand Canyon on your way. Speaking of RVs, here are some cash back deals for Trailer Parts Outlet.

Hana Highway

The Hana Highway begins in Kahului, Hawaii on the island of Maui, and ends at Hana. Spanning 52 miles, the 2.5-hour road trip is lined with high waterfalls, eye-catching jungles, 50 bridges, 600 curves, and beautiful oceanic views.

Two Roads to Taos

The road trip takes you from Santa Fe to Taos. Lined with Rio Grande views, small villages, and Indian pueblos, the road trip is a sight to behold.

Northern National Parks

Covering 70 miles, this road trip allows you to explore Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton National Park. Besides the stunning scenery, the parks have a ton of other activities and wildlife for you to enjoy.

Take advantage of these cash back deals from Last Minute Travel if you love planning spontaneous road trips.

Route 61

Also known as the Musical Road Trip or the Blues Highway, Route 61 takes you on a musical journey. You get to visit Graceland, Elvis Presley's house, famous recording studios, and so much more. Plus, the road trip ends in New Orleans, where jazz music follows you down the street.

New Orleans has a lot more to it than music. Here's a 3% cash back offer on Hotels.com in case you plan to spend the night and explore the city a bit more.

NYC to Finger Lakes

Although it's a short road trip of just 4.5 hours, the route is absolutely stunning, with wineries along the way. Make sure to stop at local food places to get a taste of the regional cuisine and culture.

Route 1

Route 1 extends from Miami to Key West and takes about 3.5 hours to cover. With 42 bridges and plenty of sandy islands, the road trip is bound to take all your work stress away.

Cascades of Oregon

The epic road trip from Portland to Ashland is filled with waterfalls, hiking trails, artsy towns, breweries, and crater lakes. The Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway covers a significant portion of the route, and it's the kind of drive that makes you want to take a picture every few seconds.

Make sure you have a car charger at hand. Here's a 3.10% cash back deal for Walmart to get all your road trip supplies. In a hurry? Enjoy this free 2-day shipping deal for orders above $35.

Grand Canyon To Las Vegas

While Vegas may be known for its nightlife and casinos, it also has its fair share of scenery. The 4.50-hour road trip starts from the Grand Canyon National Park and ends in Las Vegas, Nevada. Want to stay the night? You can save up to 1.50% in cash back with PayPal at Hot Rate Hotels. Thank us later.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountain in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Spanning 469 miles, the road trip is ideal for people who don't mind being on the go for extended periods.

Although the Parkway makes for perfect spring travel, you'll catch even more beautiful views during fall when the colors along the side of the road range from orange to red.

All-American Acadia Byway

Although it covers only 40 miles, the All-American Acadia Byway offers a majestic experience of Maine. You'll see plenty of quaint cottages, delicious food spots, and 22 lakes on the route.

Outer Banks Scenic Byway

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway begins at Carova in North Carolina and ends at Ocracoke. The 138-mile route takes five hours to cover and spans 138 miles of paved road and 21 coastal villages.

Make sure to stop at the lighthouses and museums on the Byway to take pictures and enjoy local food. Since exploring the villages will require a lot of walking, make sure you've got the right footwear. Enjoy this 3% cash back deal on Teva Footwear's spring designs.

US-1 stretches

The US-1 goes from Fort Kent to Key West in Florida. Since the road passes through Miami, Space Coast, and Daytona Speedway, you're sure to enjoy different views, cultures, and cuisines on your journey.

Alaska Highway

Let's end this list with a long road trip spanning 2,500 miles and taking you from Dawson Creek, Canada, to Anchorage, Alaska. Sure enough, you can only cover the US part of the road trip along the Alaskan Highway. Just a heads up; some parts of the road are unpaved, so it's best to go on this road trip during pleasant weather.

Don't let the long distance discourage you from taking this roadtrip. Here are up to 3% cash back deals on Choice Hotels in case you want to rest a night before continuing the journey.

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