American Road Trips
Embracing the open road, with miles of tarmac extending before you and limitless possibilities just beyond the horizon, is a freeing experience in and of itself. A road trip is one of the most American experiences that embodies adventure. The nation is adorned with legendary roads that invite sightseers to set off on once-in-a-lifetime adventures of discovery and exploration, such as the legendary Route 66 and the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway. Come with us as we unravel the complex web of America’s most famous road trips, including their background, the best parts, and the breathtaking scenery you’ll encounter.
1. Route 66: The Original Highway
Those who have traveled along Route66, sometimes called the “Mother Road,” have a soft spot in their hearts for the historic highway. Across eight states and more than 2,400 miles of rural America, this famous route travels from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. Established in 1926, Route 66 was an important thoroughfare for early 20th-century Western adventurers, travelers, and migrants.
Route 66 may not be the major highway it once was, but it has left an indelible stamp on American history through the quaint roadside eateries, strange and interesting sights, and historic sites that dot the highway. Some of the route’s most famous landmarks are the Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas; the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona; and the quirky hamlet of Seligman, Arizona, which is renowned as the origin of the historic Route 66 resurgence.
2. Driving the Pacific Coast Highway: A Beautiful Coastline Journey
Known as California State Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) stretches from Dana Point in Southern California to Leggett in Northern California, providing visitors with a spectacular tour of the state’s rocky coastline. Throughout its more than 650 kilometers of winding path, motorists are treated to breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean as they pass charming seaside communities, unspoiled beaches, and towering cliffs.
Along the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles, you’ll pass some of the most famous landmarks along the Pacific Coast Highway, such Big Sur’s towering cliffs, San Simeon’s historic Hearst Castle, and the picturesque coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Windswept beaches, craggy headlands, and charming coastal communities characterize the Oregon Coast, which extends northward and offers vacationers raw beauty.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway
Connecting North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway snakes its way through the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains. A front-row seat to some of the East Coast’s most beautiful scenery, the Parkway is known for its sweeping vistas, undulating meadows, and thick forests blazing with fall hues.
Among the many attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway are the historic Mabry Mill in Virginia, the gorgeous town of Asheville in North Carolina, which is renowned for its thriving arts scene and breathtaking mountain views, and the magnificent overlooks of North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain. There are plenty of places to picnic, go hiking, and see animals throughout the Parkway, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
4. New England’s Historic Route
With more than 2,300 miles of breathtaking scenery and historic allure, Historic Route 1, sometimes called the Atlantic Highway, follows the New England coast from Fort Kent, Maine, to Key West, Florida. The whole route provides a window into America’s nautical past, but the part that meanders through the seaside towns of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine is the most fascinating.
Along this picturesque route, visitors may discover lovely coastal villages like Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with its colonial buildings and cobblestone walkways, and Kennebunkport, Maine, with its antique stores and historic residences. As one travels south along the road, they will pass through the charming seaside towns of Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts. Here, one may enjoy fresh seafood, take a leisurely stroll along the beach, and see the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean.
5. Lodging Along the Mighty Mississippi
From its source in Minnesota to its delta in Louisiana, the Great River Road follows the powerful Mississippi River for more than 2,000 miles, giving visitors a taste of the American Midwest. The picturesque vistas, quaint river villages, and ancient plantations that the route winds through all serve to highlight the river’s cultural, historical, and economic significance to the United States.
One of the most famous stops along the Great River Road is the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here, tourists can enjoy Creole food, live jazz, and buildings that date back hundreds of years. Natchez, Mississippi, and Hannibal, Missouri, two picturesque river towns farther north, are worth a visit. Hannibal was Mark Twain’s hometown and the setting for his famous work “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
6. Exploring the Florida Keys
From Miami on the mainland to Key West at the southernmost point, the picturesque Overseas Highway (also called U.S. Route 1) travels the whole length of the Florida Keys. The Overseas Highway is a magnificent route that winds its way for more than a hundred miles across a network of causeways and bridges, taking drivers past tropical scenery, sandy beaches, and turquoise oceans.
One of the world’s longest bridges, the Seven Mile Bridge, provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Florida Keys and is a must-see attraction along the Overseas Highway. Also, Islamorada’s Theater of the Sea offers dolphin swims, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a great place to see colorful reefs, and waterfront restaurants with views of the Gulf of Mexico provide delicious seafood.
7. Navigating the Endless Nevada Desert
United States Route 50, sometimes called “The Loneliest Road in America,” gives drivers a taste of the American West’s isolation and breathtaking scenery as it winds its way across Nevada. This legendary route, which spans more than 400 miles over the isolated mountain ranges and deserts of central Nevada, is a monument to the daring of the first explorers and settlers who dared to cross its difficult landscape.
Historic Eureka and Austin, two mining communities along the Loneliest Road, are worth a visit due to their vivid histories and well-maintained Victorian architecture. Those venturing eastward can visit Great Basin National Park, which boasts the magnificent Lehman Caves, as well as historic bristlecone pine woods and lofty mountain peaks.
Iconic road journeys in the United States allow visitors to see some of the most stunning natural scenery and historic sites, from the sandy dunes of Nevada to the rocky coast of California. Adventure, discovery, and lifelong experiences await you along these renowned roads, whether you’re riding shotgun in a vintage convertible down Route 66, taking in breathtaking vistas along the Pacific Coast Highway, or gawking at the Grand Canyon.
About TurnRooms
We here at TurnRooms know how exciting it is to hit the road for a cross-country trip and how enticing the open road can be. In order to make road trips more enjoyable and memorable for our customers, we work hard to give them perfect suggestions, professional guidance, and unique experiences.
Whether you’re embarking on a journey by yourself, with your family, or in search of a romantic retreat, TurnRooms is at your service. We aim to fulfill all of your road trip fantasies with our travel advice and committed customer service. Get ready for an exciting journey with TurnRooms! So, load up your luggage and get ready to go!
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