Best Road Trips in the USA to Take on Your Next Holiday!
Brimming with sparkling cityscapes (who doesn't want to visit The Big Apple?), beautiful National Parks (like the sensational Grand Canyon), the world’s first Disneyland, and sooo much more - the USA is definitely a bucket-list holiday destination that’s perfect for a road trip adventure.
Here are some tips on driving in the USA and suggestions for some of the most scenic drives the country has to offer!
Driving in the USA
Before you jump into planning your ultimate USA road trip itinerary, here are some tips to take note of. Do also make sure to have all the necessary documents that’ll allow you to drive in America!
International Driving Permit
To be able to rent and drive a car in the USA, you need to:
- Have a driving license
- Have an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Make sure to obtain your driving permit before your arrival in the USA. Some states don’t require an IDP but we recommend just getting one in case!
Other supporting documents that you may need include your passport so make sure to have it with you always! You may be asked to provide your passport information and to present your passport when getting your rental car. We also recommend getting the full insurance package for your rental car just in case.
Other information you may be asked to provide when pre-booking your car rental is your flight number and to indicate your pick up & drop off location.
Book your Car Rental on Klook
Can’t do a road trip without a car, so get your car rental settled with Klook! Klook’s car rental service is serviced by top-rated suppliers and familiar names for your peace of mind such as Hertz, Europcar and Avis. We also recommend adding on minimum basic protection insurance when you are booking a car rental.
NOTE: If you are travelling with children, please note that according to the law, children 8 years old and under must be equipped with a child seat when travelling in a vehicle. Do indicate the quantity and the age of your child(ren) when booking your car on Klook.
Basic Traffic Rules in the USA
In the USA, the driver’s seat is on the right and vehicles drive on the right side of the road. Do familiarise yourself with the traffic regulations, the various traffic signs and what they mean, and more with this guide for foreign drivers in America.
1. Route 66
How many days? Can take up to two weeks if you want to do the entire route, but can be done in min. a week or so depending on where you want to stop
Image credit: @manon_et_fred on Instagram
Known as the “Mother Road”, Route 66 is a quintessential (and perhaps the most famous, too!) USA road trip that is one of the U.S. Highway System’s original routes. Weaving through eight states and over 3,940 kilometres, Route 66 starts in downtown Chicago and ends at the Santa Monica pier in California. Enjoy this scenic historic route, where you can find American kitsch and retro in abundance.
Highlights
Maremac Caves
Image credit: Maremac Caves
Go on a tour to see Missouri’s largest cave (the entire cave complex stretched upwards past the height of a 7-story building!) via a guided tour - you’ll get to see how the ancient Wine Table (World’s rarest cave structure) was formed, and more!
Wigwam Motel
Image credit: Wigwam Motel
Image credit: Wigwam Motel
The Wigwam Motels, also known as the ‘Wigwam Villages’ is a motel chain in the United States built during the 1930s and 1940s. On your Route 66 road trip, you can stay in a tipi tent (aka wigwam) - there are only about three of these historic motels left in the United States, and 2 out of 3 are located on Route 66 in Arizona and California.
Santa Monica Pier
As soon as you know it, you’ll reach the end of Route 66 - the Santa Monica Pier! Don’t forget to snap a photo with the iconic ‘end of the trail’ signboard before enjoying a full day out at the pier! There’s plenty to see and do here, from munching on corndogs to endless Ferris wheel rides at Pacific Park.
Another must-do is riding on the wooden horses and sleighs of the Santa Monica Pier Carousel, which was actually built in 1939! This National Historic Landmark is one of the few structures remaining from Santa Monica’s original pier.
2. Highway 1 to Big Sur
How many days? One or two days depending on how many stops you make
Image credit: @le_petit_francais on Instagram
If you love a road trip that brims with sparkling ocean views at every turn, Highway 1 in California is the drive for you! The iconic 114-kilometre coast-hugging Highway 1 runs from Dana Point to Leggett and the most scenic bit has definitely got to be the stretch from Santa Barbara to Monterey which passes the unspoiled coastline of Big Sur.
Highlights
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Image credit: California Tourism
The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is home to some of the most beautiful sights on this drive, from historic redwood trees that are dated to be over 2,500 years old to the famous McWay Falls. We recommend hiking the Waterfall Overlook Trail so that you can get a bird’s eye view of the falls, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot some seals lazing on the rocks below!
Bixby Bridge
Image credit: Visit California Tourism
Touted as Big Sur’s version of the Golden Gate Bridge - the Bixby Bridge is a must-do, and of course - a photo of it is proof that you’ve embarked on a Highway 1 adventure. The bridge is certainly a man-made marvel - rising to almost 80 metres from a steep canyon.
While visiting at any time of day will guarantee amazing views, perhaps the magic comes in at golden hour when the sunset bathes the magnificent bridge in an enchanting glow.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
An eclectic mix of colourful beachfront shops, charming cobblestone alleyways and quaint little historic and cultural sites, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a fantastic place to stop for a night or two.
Explore the town’s offerings - there’s plenty to see and do! We suggest a long stroll by the famous Carmel Beach, visiting ‘Carmel Mission’ a working church that was built in 1770, and of course, go wine tasting (there are about 20 wine-tasting rooms here!).
3. Beartooth Highway
How many days? 1 day road trip
Image credit: @kmagaraci on Instagram
Another one of the most scenic drives in the United States, the Beartooth Highway measures about 110 kilometres and runs from Red Lodge in Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Road trippers can expect dramatic mountain scenery that stretches as far as the eyes can see. The scenic drive ends at the even more picturesque Yellowstone National Park, where you can spend the day hiking and enjoying the magnificent views.
Highlights
Yellowstone National Park
Honestly, how gorgeous is Yellowstone National Park? Nature lover or not - you will definitely be wow-ed by the spectacular landscapes here. Yellowstone National Park is home to sublime canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests and of course, hot springs and geysers (including the world-famous cone geyser ‘Old Faithful’). This national park is also home to hundreds of wildlife species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and more!
Best things to see at Yellowstone:
- Old Faithful
- Fairy Falls
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Lamar Valley
- Geyser Hill
4. Overseas Highway
How many days? 1-day road trip (can be extended depending on how many nights you want to stay in Key West)
The 182-kilometre Overseas Highway in Florida is a part of the U.S. Route 1 and runs through the entire length of Florida Keys to Key West over 42 bridges. The ‘floating highway’ crosses over the endlessly mesmerising blues of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are no designated stopping areas on the highway itself but you definitely can stop for a break before or after heading onto the highway.
Highlights
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Image credit: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Established in 1960 to combat spearfishing and unregulated marine animal poaching, The John Pemmekamp Coral Reef State Park is the world’s first underwater park! Explore via a glass-bottom boat, or if you want to get even closer - go snorkelling or scuba diving to see up to 550 varieties of corals and species of fish in the preserve!
5. Skyline Drive
How many days? 1-day road trip
Image credit: National Park Service website
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the Skyline Drive is a 169-kilometre National Parkway that runs the entire length of the National Park Service's Shenandoah National Park, generally along the ridge of the mountains.
The best time to visit has definitely got to be in Autumn, where you will be rewarded with fall colours all around. If you have more time, you can also stop to camp for a night or two at Shenandoah National Park, which has campgrounds and if camping isn’t your thing - there’s a resort here too.
Highlights
The Blue Ridge Mountains
The famous Appalachian Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a must-do hike if you are here. There are plenty of trails to choose from.
For a moderate-difficulty hike with expansive views, go for the hike over The Pinnacle to Marys Rock or if you prefer to attempt a difficult-level but extremely rewarding hike, try the Old Hag Trail. For those looking for an easy hike, the Hawksbill Summit Trail is a great option that will still provide you amazing views atop Hawksbill!
If you plan to stay and make camp for the night, you’re in for a treat - the National Park is also a great spot for stargazing.
6. Road Trip to the Grand Canyon
How many days? 5 to 7-day road trip depending on what route you chose and where you want to stop
The Grand Canyon is definitely one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the United States. To be honest, it’s not hard to see why - with majestic views of rugged cliffs, snaking rivers and sensational rock formations, a hike through Grand Canyon National Park will have your jaw dropping at every turn and corner!
There are multiple road trips you can take to come to Grand Canyon National Park. Some recommended ones include:
- Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (Las Vegas is a popular point of origin for a Grand Canyon road trip. You can reach all four rims and stop by places like Hoover Dam, and Sedona on the eastern edge)
- California to the Grand Canyon (Will go past Phoenix where you can climb Camelback Mountain, and go through the towns of Sedona and Flagstaff to South Rim)
- Route 66 (Start in Grants to New Mexico to Flagstaff and to the Grand Canyon. Stop by the Grand Canyon Railway for an unforgettable train ride!)
7. Oregon Coast Highway (Pacific Coast Scenic Byway)
How many days? 5 to 7-day road trip depending on what route you chose and where you want to stop
Image credit: Travel Oregon
The Olympic Coast Highway (also known as the Olympic Peninsula) is a segment of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. It is famed for its gorgeous coastal scenery and plenty of pitstops on the way where you can take your time to discover secret tide pools and sea caves, hike to lighthouses, and stroll down deserted beaches!
Highlights
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a small coastal city in northwest Oregon that’s known for its long, sandy shore and iconic Haystack Rock. If you’re lucky, you’ll actually be able to see some tufted puffins, who occasionally like to perch on the rocks.
Head northwards and you will reach Ecola State Park, which offers sweeping views of the ocean, coves and a lighthouse. If you prefer something more chill over a hike - go south to Arcadia Beach, which has tide pools and a picnic area. There are also plenty of shops, restaurants and hotels downtown, making Cannon Beach a perfect place for a 1 or 2-night stay!
Olympic National Park
A visit to the Olympic National Park promises breathtaking views, from hiking by wildflower meadows and through lush green forests, to taking a break and enjoying the sound of crystal clear streams.
Must-dos in Olympic National Park
- Hoh Rainforest
- Hurricane Ridge
- Lake Crescent
- Kalaloch and Ruby Beach
More Road Trip Adventures!
✈️ Travel Essentials for Your Next Holiday ✈️
Here's our checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip!
- Accommodation (Hotels, Villas, Resorts, and more)
- Transport Passes (Train passes like the JR Pass for Japan or Swiss Travel Pass for Switzerland, and more)
- Private Airport Transfers (Fuss-free travel between the airport to where you need to go)
👉🏼 Exhilarating adventures lined up on your next trip itinerary?
Protect yourself and your loved ones while you experience the world with Klook’s travel insurance! Learn more about why you should book travel insurance and how to level up your travels today.
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