Continuing our series on travel by car, here are some of the best road trips perfect for traveling off the beaten path and traveling safe during the pandemic. These car trips are all quintessential, epic experiences. So, if you haven’t yet done any of these, now is the perfect time to plan your trip!
Route 66
Historic Route 66 is probably the most iconic American road trip. Originally connecting Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA, this highway was quite popular last century, until the 1980’s when it fell into disrepair and parts were closed.
Now managed by the National Park Service, it has become trendy once again to travel parts of the roadway. Some stretches have been replaced by bigger and ‘better’ freeways. But there is still plenty of the old road left and some refurbished or rebuilt motels to resemble the 1900’s experience.
Route 66 travels through three National Parks (Gateway National Park in St Louis, Mojave National Desert in California, and Petrified National Forest in Arizona). But it also crosses a bunch of other cool sites (like Cadillac Ranch in Texas). And, it is quite near to many other National Parks (like the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and the Hoover Dam). And don’t forget to stop when driving through super-quirky Albuquerque.
Because the entire stretch is 2400 miles across 8 states, taking several weeks to complete, many people choose to do shorter stretches at a time to suit their locale. For example, try driving from New Mexico to California, or from St Louis to Chicago. Whatever part of this quintessential road trip you choose to do, make sure to patronize some of the smaller Mom-and-Pop shops and motels along the way.
Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
One of the things which amazes visitors from the east coast to the west coast is, despite the fact that California is the most populous state, that there are vast tracts of pristine and protected land throughout the west. In fact, a lot of this land is right along the Pacific Ocean (unthinkable to New Jersey beachgoers!) The PCH runs the entire length of the pacific coast, with amazing views of the rugged coastline and charming resort towns. This is why the PCH is easily one of the best road trips to take.
This epic trip runs from Seattle Washington down to San Diego and covers over 1200 miles. This will take you a couple of days, even with minimal stops. And there are so many cool things to see and do, it is worth setting aside some time for stops. An alternative is to break the trip into 2 sections; Seattle to San Francisco as one leg, and San Francisco to San Diego the second leg.
North PCH
Travel south from Seattle to the coast. If you have time to spend a few days at the Olympic National Park, it is well worth the time. The park is the one of the few Rainforest Ecosystem within the continental US, and the only one proximate to glaciers. Next you’ll want to stop at the gorgeous Cannon Beach with its Haystack monolith rock. Stop for some shopping and eats at the historic town of Florence. Check out the lighthouse at Point Arena, and spend some time wine tasting in Mendocino. Spend a romantic evening in Stinson Beach or Bodega Bay before heading into San Francisco.
South PCH
South of San Francisco you’ll want to spend some time in Monterey wandering down Cannery Row. Then check out the quaint village of Carmel by-the-Sea. As you travel south from Carmel, the road winds along the famous California cliffs with breathtaking vistas and protected forests. For some of the most gorgeous views, try stops such as Point Lobos, McWay Falls, Garrapata State Park, on the oh-so-famous Bixby Bridge. Please be careful driving through the Bixby area and watch for pedestrians.
Hearst Castle is still closed due to the pandemic. However, San Luis Obispo (SLO) is a fun little university town. Here, you can check out the local craft beers or do some wine tasting if you prefer. Before you enter LA, stop in to do some shopping in Ventura, at the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach.
National Parks Loop Drive
If you are a fan of the National Parks, then this is your trip. If you’d like to see some of the most stunning scenery and rock formations, then this is probably one of the best road trips for you. This is one of the most requested tours for European and Australian visitors to the US. It has some of the most amazing scenery on the planet.
The idea for this loop is to start and end in Las Vegas. The loop winds through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Monument Valley, over to the Grand Canyon, to Hoover Dam and finally back to Vegas.
This may sound like a smaller trip than the previous two by mileage. However, there is just so much to see in these parks. Plus, you’ll want to stop and take hiking trails to some iconic vistas. You should allot a minimum of ten days for the loop, and two weeks is even better.
In Bryce, you absolutely must do Wall Street trail. The must – do trail for Zion is The Narrows. Check the time of year to see if the water is flowing. This will help you with your packing! Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Page are worthwhile side trips. They are both located between Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, and well worth the time if only for the most amazing photos.
Consider visiting the north rim of the Grand Canyon – both north and south rims are absolutely stunning, but North Rim has much fewer crowds. Just beware that the North Rim closes completely between mid-September and mid-April.
The Road to Hana, Hawaii
This is easily the shortest of all of our road trips on this list, but if you take into consideration the time getting to the starting point, well, it may just be the longest. The Road to Hana is more than just a beautiful drive. There are dozens of amazing stops along the way. From waterfalls, hiking parks, beaches, lava tubes, ancient sites and ruins, to cultural landmarks, this 64 mile drive will have you in awe.
Make sure to plan which stops you want to visit and bring appropriate clothes and shoes for rainy weather. The best plan is to stay overnight in Hana. Then the next day, return along the backside of Haleakala.
Oversea Highway, Florida Keys
Ah, The Beach Boys. For this most iconic of road trips, start in Miami and head over the bridge to the keys. Key Largo is the northernmost key, and this is a diver’s paradise. Shipwrecks abound in these waters, as do reefs, both natural and man-made. And there is even an underwater hotel. Jules’ Undersea Lodge is a converted research facility where you must dive 8 meters to your room after checking in, and you can watch manatee swim by your bedroom windows.
Islamorada is home to the famous Kokomo of song. But it is also a foodie destination. Be sure to stop here for lunch and some rum cocktails. A dolphin Research Center is on Grassy Key, and a turtle vet and sanctuary are in Marathon. If you want to get up close and personal with some sea life you are able to do so for an entrance fee at either of these sanctuaries.
Of course your last stop is Key West, the southernmost key and home to Ernest Hemingway and his cats. Plan to spend several days or even a week in the keys to really enjoy the slower life of the Islanders.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is considered the most beautiful roadway on the East Coast of the US. Connecting Shenandoah National Park in the north with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the south, the Blue Ridge Parkway is certainly on the list of one of the quintessential American road trips, and fall is one of the best times to discover it.
The Parkway travels along between Virgina and North Carolina along the ridge of the Great Smoky Mountains in the Appalachian Mountain chain. There are historic mills to explore, gorgeous mountain ridges and several waterfalls to see, giving you an opportunity to get out and stretch your legs. If you can plan to overnight in Asheville, it is a lovely stay. Check out the historic Biltmore and dine in one of its many restaurants.
Seattle, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska
This road trip is by far the longest, but the journey along the Alaskan Highway is nothing short of legendary. Towering mountains and amazing scenery, quaint villages, and lots of wildlife are found in spades. First, head out of Seattle to the Canadian border. Vancouver is a beautiful city and onetime host to the Winter Olympics. Enjoy fresh seafood and definitely do not miss a stroll around Stanley Park.
Between Vancouver and the next major stop, Prince George, check out some of the quaint villages along the way. Othello Tunnels is an interesting place to stretch your legs while checking out the train tunnels carved into granite walls. Prince George is a lovely place to rest and recharge with some awesome restaurants. Stop in Prince Rupert and catch the ferry to Ketchikan, back in Alaska, to continue on the last leg of your epic trip. You’ll enjoy a lovely view of the mountains and the sea from the ferry.
So, there are my picks for the best road trips you can take this fall. What are your favorite ones?
