When planning a road trip across the USA, there are a few things that you should take into consideration. First, you will want to pack the right gear. The United States is vast, and you might end up driving through areas with little population. You may find that the roads have few gas stations or towns, so it will be a good idea to check your maps before you go. You will also want to fill up the gas tank before you head into unpopulated areas.
Route 66
A Route 66 road trip plan can help you navigate the roads and make the most of your time. You should consider the weather and the season to plan your route. During winter, the road can become snowy and storms can be severe. Make sure you take extra care to avoid being caught in one. It’s also helpful to make a daily schedule of where to eat, sleep, and rest at different points along the road.
You should make your Route 66 road trip plan in advance. The ideal time to travel this stretch is from late April to early October. During other times, it may be closed to traffic and may also experience harsh weather. In addition, you should plan your trip accordingly since Route 66 traverses several states and terrains.
A road trip plan for Route 66 should begin in Chicago and end in Santa Monica, California. Along the way, the road veers off into numerous directions. You should also be prepared to make a few wrong turns and abrupt ends to the pavement. This route is an excellent lesson in how to plan a road trip, as you’ll have to deal with multiple wrong turns and abrupt pavement ends.
The California section of Route 66 offers a diverse landscape, ranging from desert ghost towns to urban sprawl. Whether you’re traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco, you’ll find plenty of iconic roadside attractions. Check out Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, which has a glass forest, and Roy’s Motel and Cafe, where you can see restored neon signs. Also visit the Santa Monica Pier, where the Pacific Ocean meets the West Coast.
As you travel along the route, make sure you stop in Santa Monica, which is considered the modern end of the route. It has a commemorative sign and an arcade for tourists. The pier is also home to Will Rogers’ grave. A souvenir shop and a restaurant are nearby. You’ll find the iconic End of the Trail sign here, along with several other iconic landmarks.
Depending on how long you have, you can skip some sections of the route and focus on the most popular attractions. If you don’t have enough time to stop in every town, you can choose to focus on just a few locations and attractions, and save money on accommodation. Ideally, you should plan to spend 10 days on the route.
Pacific Coast Highway
A Pacific Coast Highway road trip plan will allow you to experience the best of the region’s natural beauty. This route, which starts in Port Townsend near Olympic National Park and runs for nearly 1,650 miles (2,500 km), passes through temperate rainforest and near-desert on the way to the California coastline. The majority of the route is protected public land, making it easily accessible and free of development. Moreover, you’ll find numerous national parks, which are a haven for rare plants and animals.
While on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, don’t forget to stop in at the city of San Francisco. It’s worth taking a few days to see the city, and it’s the ideal starting point for your PCH road trip. A great way to start your trip is by having breakfast at the Embarcadero, where the famous Pier 39 stands. While there, you can also stop by the Ferry Building Marketplace, which is a historic transit hub built in 1898. Here, you can enjoy artisan bakeries, cheese shops, and cafes.
During the summer, you can also encounter a thin layer of fog along the coast. But despite the occasional fog, you’ll find that every location along the way is popular with weekenders and tourists. While the coastal parts may be prone to fog, the inland sections are generally clear and beautiful. Big Sur, for example, is a popular weekend destination, and accommodations are limited. There are many natural attractions along the way, including the Ano Nuevo state park, which is home to elephant seals and sea birds. Another natural wonder, the Monterey Bay, is home to many otters and seabirds.
The Pacific Coast Highway is a great way to explore the scenic coastline and visit unique places. It follows US Highway 101 through Northern California and then transitions to Highway 1 near Leggett. There are several different itineraries available depending on your interests and driving style. If you want to see all of the coast and go hiking, a Pacific Coast Highway road trip plan will provide plenty of options for you.
Whether you’re planning a road trip for five days or an extended holiday, you’ll need to find the right time to travel the Pacific Coast Highway. The best time to visit the state is between late February and early April, when the rainy season ends. During this time, the golden hills turn bright green and the coast is covered in vibrant wildflowers. You’ll also get the chance to observe elephant seal pupping and whale migration, including gray whales.
Great River Road
The Great River Road is a historic route that follows the course of the Mississippi River. It spans 10 states and is signposted by a green pilot’s wheel. The route is a scenic drive that showcases the best of the Deep South and Midwest regions of the United States. The classic route starts in Minnesota and travels east to Mississippi. This includes stops in St Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. However, most road trippers head to Hannibal, Missouri, where you can visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
If you’re starting your trip in the southern part of the state, you’ll find a small village called Keokuk on the west side of the river. From there, you’ll need to take US 60 to reach the Illinois-Kentucky state line. After that, you’ll head east on LA 405 through the town of White Castle. Then, the road will take you to the intersection of LA 1 and LA 70 in Wallace.
While exploring the Great River Road, you’ll want to visit some of the unique sites along the way. For example, the Hampson Archeological Museum features artifacts from the Nodena site, which was a 15-acre enclosed agricultural village that thrived from A.D. 1400 to 1650. Another excellent stop along the road is the Sultana Disaster Museum, which details the 1865 Mississippi River disaster, the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history. In McGehee, you’ll also want to visit the World War II Japanese American Internment Museum.
While the Great River Road is beautiful any time of year, it is best to travel during fall. The colorful foliage along the road is breathtaking, from Minnesota to northern Mississippi. Moreover, there are several festivals and farmers’ markets along the route. This is why the Mississippi River Association has declared September as Great River Road Month.
While traveling along the Great River Road, be sure to visit one of the 18 interpretive centers along the way. You can take in the sweeping views of the river while watching informative films and displays about the area. Also, make sure to visit the Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is home to over 200 Indian mounds that date back thousands of years.
Atlantic Coast route
Whether you’re a beach bum or a history buff, a road trip along the Atlantic Coast route has something to offer everyone. The Statue of Liberty, an all-American icon, and the raucous beach town of Key West are two of the highlights of this route. In addition, you can visit the many low-lying islands, many of which are protected national seashore parks.
Before starting your trip, make sure to visit New York City. While you’re there, take the time to take in the Brooklyn Bridge and gaze at the city’s iconic skyscrapers. From the Empire State Building to the Chrysler Building, New York is a city filled with impressive skyscrapers.
Along the way, you can stop in the Outer Banks and Sanibel Island. Then, you can head south to Miami. This trip is about 1551 miles, or 2496 kilometers. It takes about 28 hours to drive the entire route, but you can cut your journey in half by making a few additional stops along the way. The road trip from New York City to Florida is the ultimate road trip in the United States, and you can enjoy it in a variety of ways.
If you have a car, you can drive along the Atlantic Coast route to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region. The route passes through historic sites, such as the Wright Brothers’ first flight. There are scenic ocean views along the way. For those who want to explore some of the area’s most exciting cities, there are several stops along this route to keep you busy.
Despite the extensive list of destinations, the Atlantic Coast Route also has a few lesser-known gems worth a visit. You can stop at roadside stands for snacks, watch shrimp boats unloading their catch, and chat with locals in small towns along the way.
Depending on the time of year, this trip can take five to six hours, and traffic is typically heavy during the summer months. A good idea is to travel during the week, when there are fewer tourists. For your convenience, consider stopping at Mystic, CT for lunch or a break. The town has a thriving downtown and is perfect for exploring the historic town. Also, be sure to visit the Belfry Inn & Bistro, located in a former church.