12 Iconic American Road Trips to Take This Summer
Something about a summer road trip feels right: windows down, music up, snacks within arm’s reach. Whether you’re chasing ocean breezes or chasing your kids through a national park, the open road promises freedom and adventure. You don’t need a passport. You don’t need fancy reservations. Just grab a map, pack the trunk, and head toward wherever your curiosity points.
America was built for road trips. Its long highways, quirky towns, and wide-open skies practically beg you to explore. Summer offers the perfect excuse. The days are long, the ice cream trucks are rolling, and that “we’ll figure it out when we get there” spirit starts to feel like a plan. Here are twelve road trips worth the gas money and playlist prep.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
California’s Pacific Coast Highway is a showstopper. Start in San Diego and cruise up to San Francisco. You’ll hug cliffs, cross iconic bridges, and roll through towns that look straight out of a movie. Monterey, Big Sur, and Santa Barbara each deserve a long pause. Tacos in LA taste better with the ocean breeze, and sea lions may outnumber people at your final stop.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains with views that belong on postcards. Drive past forests, waterfalls, and ridgelines that glow in the late afternoon sun. Roll down your windows, breathe in the cool air, and make time for pie at those old-school roadside stands.
Route 66, Chicago to Santa Monica
Route 66 runs from Chicago to Santa Monica and delivers a full-time nostalgia trip. You’ll cruise through diners with neon signs, roadside attractions, and towns that seem stuck in a different decade. Start at the famous sign in downtown Chicago and head west through eight states filled with stories and characters.
Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
Florida’s Overseas Highway takes you across 42 bridges and miles of turquoise water from Miami to Key West. Stop to snorkel, grab a slice of key lime pie, or watch the sky turn pink over the ocean. The drive feels like a vacation before you even arrive.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
Montana’s Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts through Glacier National Park with views that stop the conversation. Drive 50 miles past glacial lakes, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks. Logan Pass marks the high point, both literally and emotionally. Snow sticks around into summer, but so do the best photo ops.
Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana, tracing a path through ten states. Explore river towns, stop for live music, and sample food that changes as you head south. Steamboats, civil rights history, and southern charm come standard.
The Loneliest Road, Nevada
Nevada’s Loneliest Road, or US Route 50, offers silence, wide skies, and desert views for days. You’ll drive for miles without passing another car. There are no crowds, no noise, just you, the road, and a sunset worth pulling over for.
Texas Hill Country Loop
Texas Hill Country delivers a relaxed, food-filled loop west of Austin. Visit Fredericksburg for German beer, drop into Luckenbach for live tunes, and pick up peaches from a roadside stand. Fields of wildflowers in early summer make it feel like the state’s best-kept secret.
Beartooth Highway, Montana to Wyoming
The Beartooth Highway connects Montana and Wyoming with hairpin turns and mountain views that are worth the effort. Starting in Red Lodge and ending near Yellowstone, this road climbs to nearly 11,000 feet. Summer snow isn’t rare, and the views don’t need filters.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
Washington’s Olympic Peninsula Loop mixes rainforests, beaches, and mountains into one epic circuit. Start anywhere along the loop and find something worth stopping for. Coffee in Port Angeles, national park hikes, and La Push Pacific surf fit into a single trip.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Mississippi to Tennessee
The Natchez Trace Parkway stretches 444 miles from Mississippi to Tennessee, offering a serene journey without billboards or stress. History lives at every turn, from Civil War sites to Native American mounds. You’ll find plenty of quiet places to stop, snack, or sit and think.
The Adirondack Trail, New York
New York’s Adirondack Trail invites you north into lake country and mountain air. Visit Lake George, wander through Lake Placid, and explore towns where time slows down. Cabins, campfires, and s’mores are part of the experience. So are cool nights and warm, easy mornings.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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