Discover the delights of an American road trip with these epic, once-in-a-lifetime journeys.
Aching to explore America? Want nothing more than to take a road trip or two across this great country? Then check out our epic recommendations below.
Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the very best and most epic of American road trips has to be the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway. At almost 500 miles in length, the Parkway connects Oconaluftee near Cherokee, in North Carolina with Skyline Drive in Virginia, making it a great way to see the beauty that the South has to offer.
Some of the highlights along the Blue Ridge Parkway Route that you won’t want to miss include the breathtaking Linn Cove Viaduct which is a roadway that winds around the mountains and creates quite the vista in the spring and fall.
Travellers along the Blue Ridge Parkway may want to time their trip to summer or fall because this is when they will be able to check out authentic bluegrass music in the Blue Ridge Music Center which is part museum and part performance venue located in Galax Virginia.
Route 66
Looking for kicks? Then the next road trip you should take has to be along Route 66! Iconic across the globe for its rich history, Route 66 spans around 2000 miles from Los Angeles to Chicago.
On route, you’ll discover plenty of old-school diners that serve up dishes such as meatloaf, and mashed potatoes, good ol’ fashioned burgers and fries, and even biscuits and gravy as well as plenty of Americana for good measure.
Along the way, you must make sure you stop at the most iconic site which includes the 630-ft. Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri, as well as the dry and arid, yet wide and spectacular vista of the Grand Canyon. Just remember to make sure you watch the temperature if you decide to get out of your vehicle and explore because it can get mighty hot in and around the Canyon and you don’t want to find yourself stranded with no water in the midday sun!
Rocky Mountains
For nature lovers and thrill seekers, one of the most epic American journeys and the road trip of a lifetime has to be through the Rocky Mountains. By following this route you’ll go through four National Parks including Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Teton National Park, and The Rocky Mountain National Park. All of which are home to some of the most astounding flora and fauna, and natural wonders. Indeed, as you pass through be sure to make time to experience the hot geysers and the old and mighty redwoods in Yellowstone.
For thrill-seekers, it’s helpful to note that the drive through Glacier National Park is around 50 miles of steep, narrow and winding road. Then if you come through that with your nerves still intact, remember that at the end of your trip, you’ll be greeted by the infamous Hotel Overlook from Stephen King’s hit novel The Shining. You can even stay there if you dare, just don’t let them put you in room 237!
Route 1 in Maine
Maine is a historic and charming state and exploring it via a road trip along Route 1 is always a good idea. The only problem is that many other people will likely have the same idea as you, especially if you travel during the high of the summer.
The good news is that choosing spring or fall as your time to travel along Route 1 will give you access to better travel deals for restaurants and hotels. Oh, and the road will be less busy as well, which should make your drive all the more enjoyable. It’s not recommended to road trip in Maine during the winter season though, as they can get some pretty extreme weather including snow which can make the roads difficult to navigate with a traditional vehicle.
Highlights of your Route 1 Maine road trip should include stopping in plenty of the small towns and villages along the way for some home-cooked food, hospitality, antiques or seafood. Indeed, Maine is well known for its excellent seafood including cheap and readily available lobsters.
The beautiful rolling hills of the mostly agricultural Aroostook County are also a sight you will not want to miss, so be sure to plan your trip so you can make the most of it.
Highway 61 from Memphis to Mississippi
Last of all, if you are looking for an epic American road trip, then taking Highway 61 from Elvis’s birthplace Memphis to Mississippi is a must. Indeed, beginning with a visit to Graceland is a great way to get your trip started, and put you in the right mood for the adventure ahead.
There are plenty of sites to see along your route too including the Union Station Hotel. Nashville, TN, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Memphis, TN, and the Highway 61 Blues Museum. Leland, MS.
Oh, and I hope you like your food because the barbecue that you’ll get to taste along your route is so good that it’s almost indescribable. Indeed, you’ll get to sample each state’s unique way of smoking, and grilling meats, the unique sauces each state has, as well as a whole heap of sides including anything from onion strings to Texas toast, to fried pickles! Delicious!
