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THE MILESOPEDIA COLLECTION

Epic US Road Trips

The best road trips across America. Distances, durations, highlights, and when to go.
Find your next experience

LET THE CALENDAR INSPIRE YOU

When will you go?

A month. A season. Somewhere new.

10 experiences

The experiences

  • CA, OR, WA

Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)

Best months
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Distance
1,650 miles
Duration
7-10 days
  • Big Sur cliffs
  • Redwood forests
  • Monterey Bay
  • IL, MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA

Route 66

Best months
Apr · May · Sep · Oct
Distance
2,400 miles
Duration
10-14 days
  • Iconic roadside Americana
  • Cadillac Ranch
  • Painted Desert
  • VA, NC

Blue Ridge Parkway

Best months
May · Jun · Sep · Oct
Distance
469 miles
Duration
3-5 days
  • Fall foliage
  • Appalachian mountain views
  • Craft breweries
  • UT

Utah Mighty 5

Best months
Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct
Distance
900 miles
Duration
7-10 days
  • Zion
  • Bryce Canyon
  • Capitol Reef
  • MT

Going-to-the-Sun Road & Montana

Best months
Jul · Aug · Sep
Distance
400 miles
Duration
3-5 days
  • Glacier National Park
  • Continental Divide
  • Big Sky scenery
  • VT, NH, ME, MA, CT

New England Fall Foliage

Best months
Sep · Oct
Distance
800 miles
Duration
5-7 days
  • Peak fall colors
  • Covered bridges
  • White Mountains
  • FL

Overseas Highway (Florida Keys)

Best months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Nov · Dec
Distance
113 miles
Duration
2-3 days
  • Seven Mile Bridge
  • Key West sunset
  • Snorkeling at John Pennekamp
  • HI

Road to Hana (Maui)

Best months
Apr · May · Jun · Sep · Oct
Distance
64 miles
Duration
1-2 days
  • 620 curves
  • 59 bridges
  • Bamboo forest
  • MN, WI, IA, IL, MO, KY, TN, MS, LA

Great River Road

Best months
Apr · May · Sep · Oct
Distance
3,000 miles
Duration
10-14 days
  • Mississippi River from source to gulf
  • New Orleans
  • Memphis BBQ
  • AK, YT, BC

Alaska Highway

Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Distance
1,390 miles
Duration
5-7 days
  • Last frontier wilderness
  • Northern Lights potential
  • Denali views

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.

A CLOSER LOOK

A little planning. A better experience.

The context and practical tips to plan your next trip.

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.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions About Road Trips

A few answers before you book.

What 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.

Which 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.

How 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%.

Should 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.

What 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.

Is 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.

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