Lonely PlanetSep 7, 2026
10 of the Best Road Trips in the USA
Road-tripping across the US is one of the most iconically American things you can do. Here are 10 of the best ways to do it.
18 things in this story
- Blue Ridge ParkwayTrailfor Appalachian hiking
- Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSightparkway begins adjacent to this park
- Pisgah National ForestSightparkway traces the mountains through this forest
- Elsewhere
- Route 66TrailChicago, United Statesdelivers vintage Americana
- Pacific Coast HighwayTrailSan Diego, United Statesdelivers one of the US’s most iconic road trips
- Coastal New EnglandTrailNew York City, United Statesfor Atlantic shores
- Badlands–Black Hills loopTrailBadlands National Park, United Stateshead to South Dakota
- Richardson HighwayTrailFairbanks, United Statesdelivers glaciers
- Shenandoah National ParkSightWaynesboro, United Statesparkway ends at the southern entrance
- Journey Route 66PlaceChicago, United Statesbook to begin planning this trip
- Natchez Trace ParkwayTrailPasquo, United Statesoriginally carved by buffalo
- Crazy Horse MemorialSightBadlands National Park, United Stateshome to this memorial
- Wind Cave National ParkSightBadlands National Park, United Stateshome to this national park
- Redwood National & State ParksSightSan Diego, United Stateswinds up the coast through these parks
- Mt RushmoreSightBadlands National Park, United States
- Hwy 1TrailSan Diego, United States
- Hwy 101TrailSan Diego, United States
- I-5TrailSan Diego, United States