Classic American Road Trips
Pacific Coast Highway
Begin at the northwest point of the United States at Washington ’ sec Olympic National Park and remain within view of the ocean all the way south to sunny San Diego , this 1,650-mile , generally two-lane road trip takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert .
Highlights along the Pacific Coast Route : Olympic National Park ( WA ) , Three Capes Loop ( OR ) , Redwood National Park ( CA )
Related to Guidebook :Moon Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Historic Route 66
The romance of traveling on historic Route 66 from where it starts in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles continues to capture people around the world . If you ’ re await for great display of neon sign , rusty middle-of-nowhere truck stops , or kitschy Americana , do as the song says and “ make your kicks on Route 66 . ”
Highlights along Route 66 : Chicago ( IL ) , Meramec Caverns ( MO ) , ( NM ) , Paint Desert ( AZ ) , Santa Monica ( CA )
Your great American road trip awaits ! Get the fully updated 25th Anniversary Version ofRoad Trip USAfor the glovebox or as a talent for your favorite armchair explorer . Author Jamie Jensen ’ s full-color guide include over 125 driving maps and key mass along the eleven cross-country road trip routes feature on this site .
The Loneliest Road
Running coast-to-coast from San Francisco to Ocean City , Maryland , “ The Loneliest Road in America ” equal a 3,200-mile odyssey from sea to shining sea . US-50 walk through a dozen different states , four state capitals , and the nation ’ s capital , Washington , D.C .
Highlights along the Loneliest Road : South Lake Tahoe ( CA ) , Moab ( UT ) , The Million Dollar Highway ( CO ) , Washington D.C .
The Oregon Trail
Following in the footsteps of pilgrims and pioneers , US‑20 take in a little of everything during its two-lane trek from Oregon ’ s rugged coast to the magnificent sea and sand of Cape Cod .
Highlights along the Oregon Trail : Cannon Beach ( OR ) , Fort Boise ( ID ) , Yellowstone National Park ( WY ) , Mt Rushmore & Carhenge ( NE )
The Great Northern
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallel the western half of the route , US‑2 cost truly the most stunning and unforgettable , not to mention long , of all the great transcontinental road trip .
Highlights along the Great Northern : Tumwater Canyon ( WA ) , Glacier National Park ( MT ) , Lake Michigan ( MI ) , Acadia National Park ( ME )
The Appalachian Trail
This push route of the Appalachian Trail parallel the epic hike . From the height of New England to the heart of Dixie , it remove you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat , bugs , or blisters .
Highlights along the Appalachian Lead : Mt . Washington ( NH ) , The Poconos ( PA ) , Shenandoah National Park ( VA ) , Great Smoky Mountains National Park ( NC )
Related to Guidebook :Moon Drive & Hike Appalachian Trail
The Great River Road
Old Man River , Father of Waters , “ torso of a state , ” Big Muddy : By any name , the mighty Mississippi River dilute a mythic figure across the American landscape . Tag along from its headwaters in Minnesota to where it meets the sea in Louisiana via the GRR .
Highlights along the Great River Road : Main Street USA ( WI ) , St. Louis ( MO ) , Natchez Trace Parkway ( MS ) , New Orleans ( LA )
Related Guidebook :Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip
Atlantic Coast
Starting at the Statue of Liberty and finish with a campaign across the Overseas Highway to free-wheeling Key West , these virtually 2,000 miles of roadway run within earshot—if not sight—of the Atlantic Ocean .
Highlights along the Atlantic Coast : The Statue of Liberty ( NJ ) , Assateague Island National Seashore ( MD ) , Savannah ( GA ) , Cocoa Beach ( FL )
Related to Guidebook :Moon South Florida & the Keys Road Trip
Border to Border
Set out at Canada ’ s Jasper National Park , and wrap down in the Sonora Desert , this route cut across some of the wildest and almost tough state imaginable : mighty mountains , glaciated valleys , raging river , and two real different deserts .
Highlights along the Border to Border Route : Columbia Icefield ( AB ) , Bitterroot Mountains ( MT ) , ( NV ) , Joshua Forest Parkway ( AZ )
Related Guidebook :Moon Vancouver & Canadian Rockies Road Trip
The Road to Nowhere
Once the only entirely paved road from Canada to “ Old Mexico , ” US‑83 cuts across America ’ s heartland and remain a must-do long-distance byway—transnavigating this liberal , odd nation without once graze a schematic tourist destination .
Highlights along the Road to Nowhere : Sitting Bull Memorial ( SD ) , Nebraska Sand Hills ( NE ) , Monument Rocks ( KS ) , ( TX )
Southern Pacific
Following old US-80 and its contemporary equivalents takes you through more varied cultural and physical landscapes than you ’ ll observe along any early cross-country route . From deserts to bayou swamps and Tex-Mex to barbecue , this road bid a full-flavored taste of America .
Highlights along Southern Pacific : The Desert View Tower ( CA ) , Tombstone ( AZ ) , ( NM ) , Civil Rights Movement National Historic Trail ( AL )
