Iconic American road trips for summer 2024

Few experiences capture the essence of summer quite like a road trip. Since the era of the Ford Model T, Americans have embraced the freedom of the open road that spans from coast to coast — it's a beloved national tradition. With scenic mountain routes and stunning coastal highways, the U.S. offers a wealth of incredible road trip opportunities.

Here are 10 of the top road trips in the U.S. that are ideal for summer. And here's a little insider tip: many of these routes boast breathtaking views all year round.

If you begin your journey in the South

Overseas Highway: Florida

• Optimal time to visit: Anytime of the year

This aptly named highway spans the stunning turquoise waters that connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, featuring 42 bridges, including Florida's longest, the Seven Mile Bridge. The 100-mile drive is adorned with palm trees, local flora and fauna, vintage motels, and quirky shell shops.

The trip takes approximately six hours round-trip from Florida City. However, you can easily lengthen your journey by starting in Miami and traveling 33 miles south to Homestead, where you can explore Everglades National Park, visit Knaus Berry Farm (open annually from November to mid-April) for their famous cinnamon rolls, and stop by the Robert Is Here Fruit Stand for tropical goodies and smoothies. From there, continue your scenic drive through the coral cay archipelago to Key West.

Blue Ridge Parkway: Virginia to North Carolina

• Ideal time to visit: Fall

Stretching 469 miles from Virginia's Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Parkway showcases some of the planet's oldest mountain ranges.

The region is vibrant and green from spring through summer and equally stunning in the fall (particularly from late October to mid-November), when the scenery transforms into brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange.

While traveling, consider stopping in Asheville, North Carolina, a charming mountain town celebrated for its exceptional food and craft beer scene in the Southeast.

If you begin your journey in the Midwest

Route 66: Illinois to California

Optimal time to visit: Spring to fall

Established in 1926, Route 66 is one of America’s most iconic highways. With its vast open landscapes, it features numerous well-preserved historical sites and unique retro landmarks, like the World's Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois. During the 1940s and '50s, this 2,500-mile route, stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, was hailed as the ultimate American road trip.

In Amarillo, Texas, travelers can discover the Cadillac Ranch art installation, where rows of graffiti-covered Cadillacs are embedded nose-down in the ground. Just a quick 12-minute drive away, indulge in some amazing brisket at Tyler's Barbeque.

The sections of Interstate 40 in New Mexico and Arizona (which partially replaced Route 66) are especially scenic and boast several noteworthy landmarks, including Arizona's Jack Rabbit Trading Post, a beloved stop for travelers for over fifty years. The 400-mile segment of Route 66 in New Mexico is also rich with historic Native American sites, such as the Pueblo of Laguna, the largest of the Keresan pueblos.

The ideal time to explore Route 66 is from spring to fall. Keep in mind that while many road trips have clear start and end points, Route 66 is not marked as a single route on modern maps, so consider using a resource like Historic 66 for detailed turn-by-turn directions.

Great River Road National Scenic Byway: Minnesota to Louisiana

• Optimal time to visit: Fall or spring for the best weather conditions

Just as the Pacific Coast Highway is iconic to the Pacific Ocean, the Great River Road is synonymous with the Mississippi River. Beginning at Itasca State Park in Minnesota and concluding near New Orleans, this scenic route covers over 2,000 miles, stretching nearly across the entire width of the U.S.

Similar to Route 66, it isn't a single road but rather a network of roads that trace the eastern and western banks of the Mississippi River through states like Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Every state along the Great River Road features its own interpretive center to inform travelers about the history of the route: In Mississippi, visit Vicksburg National Military Park; in Missouri, explore the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum; and in Iowa, discover Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is home to over 200 prehistoric mounds created by pre-Columbian Mound Builder cultures.

If you begin your journey out West

Pacific Coast Highway: California to Washington

Optimal time to visit: Late spring when wildflowers are blooming

Although the Pacific Coast Highway is famed as a quintessential California road trip, we believe it's truly worth the journey to cover the full 1,650 miles from San Diego to Olympic National Park in Washington.

Breathtaking vistas from high above the shimmering blue-green Pacific Ocean make the PCH one of the most stunning road trips in the country, with numerous parks to explore along the route. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve offers opportunities to see sea otters, seals, and whales, while Garrapata State Park is famous for its coastal redwood groves. Just south of Garrapata lies the most photographed spot on the PCH: Bixby Creek Bridge, known as one of the tallest single-span concrete arch bridges in the world.

The highest concentration of attractions can be found along the coastal region of Big Sur, California. Savor a glass of wine or lunch at Nepenthe, where stunning views of over 60 miles of coastline await. You can also enjoy soft serve ice cream or coffee at Coast Big Sur before stopping at the McWay Falls overlook or catching the sunset through Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach.

Just beyond the southern tip of Big Sur lies Hearst Castle, the 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival mansion of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. This iconic site is among the most visited attractions on California's central coast.

Historic Columbia River Highway: Oregon

• Ideal time to visit: Spring through fall, with autumn providing the most vibrant colors

Oregon's Historic Columbia River Highway, established in 1913, holds the distinction of being the first planned scenic highway in the United States. This 75-mile stretch begins in Troutdale, a suburb east of Portland, and concludes in The Dalles, making it perfect for a day of exploration.

Key highlights along this breathtaking route include a variety of waterfalls, such as Shepperd's Dell Falls and the towering 620-foot Multnomah Falls, along with picturesque viewpoints like Chanticleer Point lookout and Crown Point, one of the most photographed locations along the Columbia River.

If you have the time, visit several historical sites marking the expedition of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, including Rooster Rock State Park, the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, and the Rock Fort Campsite in The Dalles.

US Route 89: Traversing Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana

• Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year

Although U.S. Route 89 is no longer classified as an official national park road, it remains an excellent choice for those seeking a less-traveled path. Begin your adventure in Arizona and continue through Utah and Wyoming until you reach Montana.

As you navigate U.S. Route 89, you'll encounter over 150 towns, cities, and reservations, alongside seven national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Glacier, and Yellowstone, as well as three distinct geographic regions: Basin and Range National Monument, the Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains.

While traversing the entire route is an option, those seeking a quicker journey might consider a shorter segment that connects Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Glacier National Park.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: Glacier National Park, Montana

• Best time to visit: From early June to October, after the snow has melted and the road is accessible

Spanning 50 miles, Going-to-the-Sun Road is the sole route through Glacier National Park. It's known for being one of the narrowest and most winding roads on this list, offering breathtaking views of the nation's most stunning landscapes.

Travelers may catch sight of mountain goats at the Jackson Glacier Overlook and the highest point of the route, Logan Pass, which stands at 6,646 feet. This road, busiest from late June to late August, also features several picturesque lakes, including Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake, along with beautiful waterfalls like McDonald Falls and Bird Woman Falls.

If you start in Maine

US Route 1: Maine to Florida

• Best time to visit: Late September or early October (especially if starting in New England)

Starting near the Canadian border at Fort Kent, Maine, the historic U.S. Route 1 stretches nearly 2,500 miles down the Atlantic coast, leading through numerous East Coast landmarks, including New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., before culminating in Key West, Florida.

Along the way, you'll encounter charming Colonial towns like Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which boasts 370 years of history and a delightful array of restaurants, inns, and shops. Salem, Massachusetts, known for its notorious witch trials, and Newport, Rhode Island, famed for its opulent Gilded Age mansions such as The Breakers, the extravagant summer residence of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, are also highlights of this route.

Further south, highlights along U.S. Route 1 include Mount Vernon in northern Virginia, the historic estate of George Washington, and the expansive 45,000-acre Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina.

Acadia All-American Road: Maine

• Best time to visit: Late fall for fewer crowds and stunning foliage

While it's possible to drive the Acadia All-American Road in just half a day, the 40-mile route through Acadia National Park is filled with attractions. This scenic byway begins at U.S. Route 3 just south of Trenton and leads across the bridge to Mount Desert Island, which spans 108 square miles.

Key attractions along the Acadia All-American Road include the historic Bass Harbor Head Light Station from the mid-1800s and Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in the park. Cadillac Mountain features a network of carriage roads and stone bridges, most of which are off-limits to vehicles.

To enjoy these areas, consider bringing your bikes or renting them in Bar Harbor, the charming seaside community. For dining, the fresh seafood at the Thirsty Whale Tavern is a must-try.

Final thoughts

Regardless of the routes you decide to take, keep in mind that the journey is not just about the major attractions; the hidden gems you discover along the way contribute significantly to the road trip experience.