Travel insights from Jenna Buege, associate editor of The Compass
6 Epic U.S. Road Trips
Ready for your next big adventure? There’s nothing better than taking to the open road. Explore the U.S. as you’ve never seen it before with one of these iconic road trips. From the east coast to the west coast and everything in between, there’s a “Great American Road Trip” for every type of traveler.
Route 66 — IL to CA
Perhaps the most well-known road trip of all time, Route 66 famously connects America’s Midwest to the Southwest. The iconic road totals 2,448 miles and it takes the average traveler two to three weeks to complete the route at a leisurely pace. Most people begin their journey in fabulous Chicago making pitstops in notable cities and towns such as Springfield, IL; Oklahoma City, MO; Amarilla, TX; Santa Fe, NM; Las Vegas, NV; and finally, Santa Monica, CA.
As one of the nation’s most historical roads, and the U.S.’ first transcontinental highway, there are many exciting attractions to be seen. A few notable stops include the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Santa Monica Pier, Lou Mitchell’s Diner, Meramec Caverns, the Painted Desert and more.
Must-see roadside attraction:
Featured in television, movies and a slew of social media accounts, Texas’ Cadillac Ranch is one of America’s most recognized wacky roadside attractions. The spectacle consists of 10 graffiti-covered Caddies with their noses half-buried in the ground. Each car points west, as a supposed homage to the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Blue Ridge Parkway — VA to NC
For a truly scenic adventure, travelers will love a road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stretching from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National park in Cherokee, NC, this incredible drive covers 469 miles of stunning terrain. On an average day, it takes 10 to 12 hours to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway in full. However, it is recommended that travelers spend three to seven days on the route to really take it all in.
When it comes to things to do, the choice is up to you. Looking to spend some extra time outdoors? The parkway offers plenty of opportunities for biking, camping, fishing and more. Of course, the region’s scenic hikes and waterfalls are a huge draw, Cascade Falls, Rough Ridge, Beacon Heights, Craggy Pinnacle and Flat Rock are all fan favorites. And don’t forget to check out Mount Mitchell, a 6,684 ft tall mountain peak that sits higher than any other mountain in the Appalachians.
Must-see roadside attraction:
Nestled within the foothills of Marion, North Carolina is Little Switzerland, a tiny community of fewer than 50 people living their best Swiss-inspired life. What started as a mountain resort in 1910 evolved into this unique town after residents in the surrounding area decided life was better in the “Swiss Alps”. Experience a slice of Europe for yourself with a stop at the Switzerland Cafe and General Store for tasty fare and delicious desserts.
Hana Highway — Hawaii
One of the top attractions in the Islands of Aloha, the famed Hana Highway is beloved for its dramatic landscapes, hairpin turns and one-lane bridges. The road to Hana is only 64.4 miles in length, however, the challenging drive and many scenic pitstops mean that most travelers can easily spend an entire day soaking it all in. Due to the sometimes-stressful driving conditions — seriously, some of these narrow bridges and steep drop-offs are no joke — the Hawaiian Tourism Authority recommends that visitors experience the road to Hana via a permitted tour led by local, professional guides.
While treacherous at times, there’s a reason the Hana Highway is renowned as one of the most beautiful drives on earth. During their journey, travelers will see many of Hawaii’s most famous sights including the Garden of Eden, the Hana Lava Tube, the Ke‘anae Peninsula, the black sand beaches at Waiʻānapanapa State Park and the Seven Sacred Pools at Haleakala National Park.
Must-see roadside attraction:
With all this exploration, travelers are sure to work up an appetite. Luckily, the entrance to Hana Town (mile markers 27 - 31) is chock full of food stands and snack stops that are worthy of a pitstop. Vegan ice cream, local seafood, island-style BBQ and mouthwatering Thai food, there’s something for everyone.
Alternatively, if you don’t make it all the way to Hana, be sure to grab what some claim to be the best Banana bread in the world at Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread near mile marker 17.
The Extraterrestrial Highway — Nevada
The truth is out there and there’s no better place to channel your inner Mulder and Scully than Nevada’s Extraterrestrial Highway. Named for its close proximity to the mysterious Nevada Test Training Range, including the enigmatic Area 51, the Extraterrestrial Highway is a 98.44-mile-long stretch of road that’s famous for otherworldly activity.
While we can’t guarantee that travelers will encounter a flying saucer IRL (although UFO sightings are high in the area), there are plenty of opportunities for high strangeness when you visit the charming towns that dot Route 375. Adventurers can sample alien jerky at E.T. Fresh Jerky in Hiko, NV, ponder the existence of little green men at Alamo’s Alien Research Center, snap a picture at the Little A’Le’Inn (as featured in The X-Files) and observe the incredibly clear night sky for a chance to see something truly out of this world.
Must-see roadside attraction:
Paranormal enthusiasts won’t want to miss Tonopah’s Clown Motel, a lodging option that boasts one of the world’s largest collections of clown figurines and memorabilia. Oh, and it’s notoriously haunted. Good luck falling asleep!
Great River Road — MN to MS
Recognized as a National Scenic Byway, the Great River Road takes travelers on a winding adventure alongside the mighty Mississippi River. This classic U.S. road trip spans 2,069 miles and can take anywhere from one to two weeks to complete. The sights along the Great River Road are vast as it connects scenic midwestern states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri to vibrant southern states Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and finally, Louisiana.
Those kicking off their journey in the north might consider departing from Itasca State Park, Minnesota’s oldest state park located along the headwaters of the Mississippi. Alternatively, nearby Minnehaha Park is another great starting point. A bit to the east, Wisconsin’s driftless region is certainly worth a stop with no shortage of beautiful scenery and hikes in towns like Trempealeau and La Crosse. Other Midwest must-see attractions include The Field of Dreams Movie Site in Iowa and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Upon crossing over into southern territory, travelers are sure to find plenty to do in historic Memphis, TN, including Graceland, Elvis Presley’s iconic mansion. Arkansas offers more opportunities for fun with Mississippi River State Park and historic Vicksburg National Military Park. And finally, the Great River Road spits road trippers out in fabulous New Orleans, home to world-famous restaurants, charming architecture and spooky lore.
Must-see roadside attraction(s):
Fans of oversized things won’t want to miss notable pitstops along the Great River Road including the World’s Largest Six Pack in La Crosse, WI, the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle in Collinsville, IL, and the World’s Largest Chess Piece at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis, MO.
The Pacific Coast Highway — CA to WA
With incredible scenery, epic pitstops and plenty of wide-open road, the Pacific Coast Highway is what comes to mind when one envisions “The Great American Road Trip”. Also known as Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway stretches 656 miles from Olympia, Washington to San Diego, CA and takes about three to two days to drive when accounting for pitstops. While there’s no “right way” to drive Route 101, it is widely recommended that travelers begin in Oregon and drive southward as the north to south route provides an unobstructed view of the breathtaking coastline just outside your window.
Beginning in Washington, travelers won’t want to miss Olympic National Park, home to the Hoh Rainforest, one of the only tropical rainforests in the U.S. Nearby is Astoria, the oldest American city west of the Rockies and Fort Clatsop National Memorial, a reconstruction of an encampment visited by Lewis and Clark circa 1806. Vast landscapes are aplenty along Route 101 with massive sand dunes in Dune Country, OR, incredible redwood trees at Redwood National Park in CA and serene ocean views at McWay Falls in Big Sur. Vinos will enjoy a pitstop in San Luis Obispo, a bustling college town with Spanish-inspired architecture and a slew of vineyards before they take in the magic of Hollywood in iconic Los Angeles. Finally, the journey ends in San Diego, California’s first city.
Must-see roadside attraction(s):
Route 101 is home to several iconic trees that are worth a detour. First are the “drive-thru” trees near the Avenue of Giants in Oregon including Chandelier Big Tree Drive-Thru, Tour-Thru Tree and Shrine Drive-Thru Tree. Also nearby is the Immortal Tree, a 1,000-year-old redwood that has survived fires, floods and several rounds of lightning.
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