Epic US Road Trips
The best road trips across America. Distances, durations, highlights, and when to go.
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
- - Big Sur cliffs
- - Redwood forests
- - Monterey Bay
- - Oregon coast
Route 66
- - Iconic roadside Americana
- - Cadillac Ranch
- - Painted Desert
- - Santa Monica Pier
Blue Ridge Parkway
- - Fall foliage
- - Appalachian mountain views
- - Craft breweries
- - Asheville
Utah Mighty 5
- - Zion
- - Bryce Canyon
- - Capitol Reef
- - Arches
- - Canyonlands
Going-to-the-Sun Road & Montana
- - Glacier National Park
- - Continental Divide
- - Big Sky scenery
- - Flathead Lake
New England Fall Foliage
- - Peak fall colors
- - Covered bridges
- - White Mountains
- - Coastal Maine
Overseas Highway (Florida Keys)
- - Seven Mile Bridge
- - Key West sunset
- - Snorkeling at John Pennekamp
- - Duval Street
Road to Hana (Maui)
- - 620 curves
- - 59 bridges
- - Bamboo forest
- - Waterfalls
Great River Road
- - Mississippi River from source to gulf
- - New Orleans
- - Memphis BBQ
- - Small river towns
Alaska Highway
- - Last frontier wilderness
- - Northern Lights potential
- - Denali views
- - Midnight sun
Road Trip Tips
- - Rent through Autoslash or the Chase/Amex travel portals for best rates + insurance coverage.
- - Use a card with no foreign transaction fees if crossing into Canada (e.g., PCH to Alaska Highway).
- - Gas category cards (Chase Freedom Flex 5% rotating, Citi Custom Cash 5%) save on fuel costs.
American Road Trips: The Ultimate Freedom Travel Experience
The road trip is quintessentially American, and the United States offers some of the world's most spectacular driving routes. From the Pacific Coast Highway's clifftop ocean views to Route 66's nostalgic Americana, from the Blue Ridge Parkway's mountain scenery to the desert beauty of Utah's Mighty Five parks, American road trips combine freedom, adventure, and discovery in ways that no other travel style can match.
Iconic US Road Trip Routes
The Pacific Coast Highway (California's Highway 1) winds along dramatic cliffs from San Francisco to Los Angeles, passing Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Barbara. Route 66 stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, offering classic diners, neon signs, and small-town charm. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects Virginia's Shenandoah to North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains. Utah's Scenic Route 12 links five national parks. The Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys drives across the ocean to Key West.
International Road Trip Adventures
Iceland's Ring Road circles the entire island in a week, passing waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes. New Zealand's South Island offers dramatic scenery from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Italy's Amalfi Coast provides Mediterranean beauty with cliffside villages. Scotland's North Coast 500 delivers rugged Highland landscapes. The Great Ocean Road in Australia rivals California's coast. Flights from JFK, LAX, and ORD to these destinations make international road trips accessible.
Road Trip Savings with Credit Cards
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers primary car rental insurance, saving $25-$40/day on rental car coverage. It earns 3x on travel, including car rentals and gas station purchases. The Capital One Venture X also provides rental car insurance and flexible travel credits. The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 4% on gas (eligible for Costco members), while the Citi Custom Cash earns 5% on your top spending category, which can include gas stations.
Road Trip Planning Tips
Book rental cars well in advance, especially for popular routes during peak season. Use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest fuel along your route. Download offline maps before departing, as cell service can be spotty in rural areas. Plan for 4-6 hours of driving per day maximum to leave time for stops and exploration. Consider one-way rentals to avoid backtracking, though drop-off fees may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Road Trips
1What is the best road trip route in the United States?
The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) from San Francisco to Los Angeles is often rated the top US road trip for its dramatic coastal scenery. Route 66 offers classic Americana. Utah's park-to-park route (Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion) provides incredible desert landscapes. The best route depends on your interests.
2Which credit card is best for road trips?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides primary car rental insurance (saving $25-$40/day), 3x on travel, and trip delay protection. For gas savings, the Costco Anywhere Visa earns 4% on gas, and the Citi Custom Cash earns 5% in your top category. Having both a travel card and a gas rewards card optimizes road trip spending.
3How much does a road trip across America cost?
A coast-to-coast road trip (2-3 weeks) typically costs $3,000-$6,000 for two people, including rental car, gas, hotels, and food. Budget travelers can reduce costs with camping ($20-$40/night) and grocery meals. Using credit card points for the rental car and some hotels can cut costs by 30-40%.
4Should I rent a car or use my own vehicle for a road trip?
For trips over 1,000 miles, renting can be more cost-effective when factoring in wear on your vehicle, and rental insurance (through the Chase Sapphire Reserve) protects against damage. For shorter trips, your own car avoids rental fees. One-way rentals allow more efficient routing but may include drop-off fees of $100-$500.
5What are the best apps for road trip planning?
Roadtrippers for route planning and finding attractions. GasBuddy for fuel prices. iOverlander for camping and overnight spots. Google Maps (offline mode) for navigation. AllTrails for hiking stops. Yelp and Google Maps for restaurant discovery. HotelTonight for last-minute accommodation deals.
6Is road trip insurance worth it?
If your credit card includes primary car rental insurance (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X), you're well covered for rental car damage. Still verify coverage terms and consider supplemental liability insurance. For your own vehicle, your existing auto insurance typically covers road trips. Travel insurance is worthwhile for non-refundable reservations.