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The perfect itinerary for an epic USA roadtrip (48 states at once)

• Post author: Andrew D'Amours
• Post published: December 28, 2022
• Post category: Travel inspiration / Trip itineraries & destination discoveries
• Post comments: 26 Comments

Do you like roadtrips? They happen to be a very American tradition and we found the perfect itinerary to visit every state in the continental USA during 1 epic roadtrip. A great trip idea for those who have a lot of time but want to stay closer to home .

Personally, I love roadtrips and I hit the road as much as I can, despite also being an aviation geek: you can like both, right? What matters is traveling and seeing new places , no matter how.

So here are the maps and details of the 2 itineraries that allow you to see all the lower 48 states at once, depending on your travel preference.

Basics of the 2 epic USA roadtrip itineraries

The USA is a huge country, almost as big as Europe (it’s even larger than Canada when considering land area alone).

So the USA has a lot of variety in terms of landscapes, but even in terms of culture too (even if many who aren’t from the country don’t realize that).

If you aim to eventually visit every state, any 1 of these 2 itineraries is a great way to almost all of them at once. The only 2 states you’ll have left to visit after this roadtrip will be Hawaii and Alaska.

There’s a version for national parks and points of interest and a version for cities.

I’m on the quest to visit all 50 states myself (in addition to also visiting every country obviously), and I’m not doing too bad with 47 already.

But let’s just say it would’ve been much quicker to get to 48 at once with this roadtrip instead of having to do it over dozens of trips.

Here are the details.

48-state roadtrip – national parks/points of interest version

Here’s a map of the 1 st itinerary.

It was conceived by American Ph.D. student Randy Olson, on  his blog , and it was done scientifically to optimize the routing: each stop represents a national park or a point of interest.

So you’re not just seeing every state, you’re seeing cool parts of every state (which sadly wasn’t our case in North Dakota during our very random 1200-miles-nonstop-in-2-days Flytrippers roadtrip across the Midwest just for fun).

Good times. Roadtrips always make for great stories.

Anyway, the itinerary has also been optimized to be as efficient a route as possible to see all 48 states, so you can rest assured you won’t be wasting any time.

If you only stop to sleep, you can complete this roadtrip in only 9 days, but we recommend taking at least a couple of weeks to explore all these places obviously.

And gas is significantly cheaper in the US in case you were wondering. You can start anywhere, it’s a continuous loop, and it passes through many spots near the Canadian border.

You can even take a shortcut from Michigan to Vermont through Canada, as the stop in Cleveland is only to keep Americans without a passport from crossing into the Great White North.

Here is the complete list of all 50 landmarks (48 states + Washington, DC + a bonus stop in California):

1. Grand Canyon, AZ 2. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 3. Craters of the Moon, ID 4. Yellowstone National Park, WY 5. Pikes Peak, CO 6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM 7. The Alamo, TX 8. The Platt Historic District, OK 9. Toltec Mounds, AR 10. Elvis Presley’s Graceland, TN 11. Vicksburg National Military Park, MS 12. French Quarter, LA 13. USS Alabama, AL 14. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL 15. Okefenokee Swamp Park, GA 16. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC 17. Lost World Caverns, WV 18. Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, NC 19. Mount Vernon, VA 20. White House, Washington, D.C. 21. Colonial Annapolis Historic District, MD 22. New Castle Historic District, DE 23. Cape May Historic District, NJ 24. Liberty Bell, PA 25. Statue of Liberty, NY 26. The Mark Twain House & Museum, CT 27. The Breakers, RI 28. USS Constitution, MA 29. Acadia National Park, ME 30. Mount Washington Hotel, NH 31. Shelburne Farms, VT 32. Fox Theater, MI 33. Spring Grove Cemetery, OH 34. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY 35. West Baden Springs Hotel, IN 36. Abraham Lincoln’s Home, IL 37. Gateway Arch, MO 38. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, KS 39. Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, IA 40. Taliesin, WI 41. Fort Snelling, MN 42. Ashfall Fossil Bed, NE 43. Mount Rushmore, SD 44. Fort Union Trading Post, ND 45. Glacier National Park, MT 46. Hanford Site, WA 47. Columbia River Highway, OR 48. San Francisco Cable Cars, CA 49. San Andreas Fault, CA 50. Hoover Dam, NV

These are all very enticing attractions, for the most part. It seems I’ve only seen 14 of those, so maybe I should hit the road again after all.

How about you? Tempted?

48-state roadtrip – city version

Here’s a map of the 2 nd itinerary.

If you’re more of a city slicker, the map’s author has created a 2 nd version that routes you through amazing cities instead.

It is slightly shorter but quite as impressive: it makes you go through the “Best City to Visit” in each state, according to TripAdvisor .

But you won’t have all the lower 48 states, unlike the other itinerary. That’s because no city in Vermont, West Virginia, or North Dakota made the top 400 cities to visit ranking, unfortunately. So plan on making a few extra detours if you want to hit all states at once with this version of the itinerary.

Here is the complete list of all cities:

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Wichita, Kansas
• Denver, Colorado
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• San Francisco, California
• Portland, Oregon
• Seattle, Washington
• Boise, Idaho
• Park City, Utah
• Jackson, Wyoming
• Billings, Montana
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Chicago, Illinois
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Columbus, Ohio
• Detroit, Michigan
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Manchester, New Hampshire
• Portland, Maine
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Providence, Rhode Island
• New Haven, Connecticut
• New York City, New York
• Ocean City, New Jersey
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Wilmington, Delaware
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Washington, D.C.
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Orlando, Florida
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Nashville, Tennessee
• Birmingham, Alabama
• Jackson, Mississippi
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Houston, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Branson, Missouri

I do a little better on this list, with 31 already visited. You can see I love cities. How about you?

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If you were looking for an excuse to go on a roadtrip, this is it. And since we always enjoy giving you more for your money, we think 48 states instead of only 1 or 2 is something you’ll enjoy!

What’s the coolest roadtrip you’ve ever been on? Tell us in the comments below.

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Featured image: The itinerary (image credit: Randy Olson)

Original publication date: May 29, 2018

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This post has 26 comments.

Very informative and well-articulated, It’s always refreshing to see such useful content. Thank you and keep up the excellent work!

Hello Andrew, the PHD student suggests in the 1st Itinnerary that the one stop to make in Washington State is the Hanford Nuclear Reservation?! Flat out, that is a terrible idea. It is in the middle of nowhere, I am just shocked it’s mentioned. Out of all the beautiful and amazing places to see in such a diverse state as Washington, a Nuclear Site was chosen? Surely this student could have done so much better. Thank you for allowing comments.

Having been all around the Olympic Peninsula, I agree that’s there are better stops. But my understanding is that he really optimized for the quickest way to do all 48 and had to choose a point of interest that wasn’t too far off that optimal path, hence that choice (I think).

thanks for sharing this information with us.

I have taken a road trip from California to the the most northeastern part of theUS. west Quaby light house. it was my 1st trip across the us. .I seen so many amazing places.

Quite the drive for sure! Must have been epic.

Why do Americans always think the Statue of Liberty is in NY? it is in NJ. I’ve done road trips now that have taken in 39 states. Here’s a quiz to see how well you know the USA: Which state has only one syllable? Only one city has been name-checked on the moon. In which state is it? Which is the most Northerly of the contiguous states? In which state were Tennessee Williams and Elvis Presley born? Which was the last of the contiguous states to be admitted into the USA? Which four states all share a border with each other? Which state has the lowest population? Twelve cities are name-checked in “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” but only three states. Which? Which state has the longest name? Which two states have the most borders with other states? In which state is the geographical centre of the USA – and which one if you exclude Hawaii and Alaska? Which of the states of the USA has respectively the most Northerly, Southerly, Easterly and Westerly points?

The official Statue of Liberty address is Liberty Island, New York, NY, 10004.

Wow, these comments are very rude for no reason. Thanks for the article, maybe when I graduate from college I’ll consider hitting part of one of these itineraries.

“it’s a huge country (even larger than Canada when considering land area alone).”

Canada – 3.855 million mi² USA – 3.532 million mi² Where does this math fail you?

Where did reading fail you :P? It explicitly says “ when considering LAND area alone ” The quote you copied literally has a link provided under “even larger than Canada” and if you read that, it explains how Canada is only larger than the US due to water area being counted 🙂

There is no stop in North Dakota on the city version. You should stop in Fargo after Billings and before Sioux Falls

I’m 46 years old .. I have been to all 50 states and I’m 17 away from all 50 twice .. I have driven to 47 .. flown to Alaska, Hawaii and Washington..

Wow! That’s impressive :O

This is awesome

This is inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

“this roadtrip in only 9 days“ is extremely false statement. It is only 9 days if you are driving non stop, no breaks to even get out of your car, get gas, or actually see these places. From start to finish drive time it is 225 hours, 16 minutes = 9 days. Wow. Take some time to enjoy the view.

Yes, that’s what we said too 😛

Thanks for the tip 😊

My husband wants to do this trip with our new camper once he retires (5-6 yrs?). I said it’s a Perfect 3 month trip … popping up to Kingston, Ontario, Canada to visit family and, again, up from Bangor, Maine to the Canadian east coast to visit more family, and then back on route thru the US! I love being more in the Wilderness so we’ll find spots (we have a generator and solar onboard and able to carry extra weight for extra water/fuel) more in the Great Wild Outdoors (whenever possible) and do 1-2 day stops to ‘see the sites’! A Dream for me… soon to become Reality! I need to Pinch myself for even Dreaming it but, By the Grace of God, we’ll be doing it!! 🙏🤗🙏

Do you know the total distance of this itinerary? At what moment of the year doing this trip would be the best? Thanks!

Hi! It is 13,699 miles (22,046 km) for the landmarks itinerary and 12,290 miles (19,780 km) for the city version. You can even have the Google Maps links on the creator’s original post (I’ve reposted the link below). As for the timing, I guess it depends on your preferences, but I’d want to avoid that top half of the country (so half the itinerary) in the winter for sure! http://www.randalolson.com/2015/03/08/computing-the-optimal-road-trip-across-the-u-s/

Crappy itinerary! Does not even include Zion National Park… and so many stops in the North Eastern states?? Nobody cares about those places except maybe a couple of places.

As explained, the PhD student who built the itinerary wanted to have one stop per state, and there are many states in the North-East so that’s why there are many stops there. I agree that Zion is an iconic spot, but his goal was also to optimize a routing that was as short as possible so that’s why it’s billed as an itinerary to see all lower 48 states at once and not an itinerary to see *the best spots*. But those interested in doing this can definitely adapt it and add many interesting stops for sure 🙂

Curtis, you are crappy. Obviously this is meant as a guide that can be adapted to add spots. I think it’s awesome.

Agreed! 🙏🥰🙏

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No matter what you're driving or how fast you're going, or even where you're heading, there's nothing like a good all American road trip. Spending hours behind the wheel, with the wind in your hair as you watch the scenery change is the very essence of freedom and exploration. Nowhere is that freedom easier to find than hitting the road in the USA.

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Where to Visit in the USA

The USA is vast and diverse. You really need to know where you want to go to plan the perfect trip. Otherwise, a lot of your time will be spent traveling from one destination to another with very little time to actually explore the cities and natural areas. To read the most popular destinations to visit in the USA, read our post on USA Travel Bucket List .

Most people usually start planning a USA trip with their favorite cities on the East Coast or the West Coast. The USA is home to many vibrant cities including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Seattle. You can read more about the best cities in the country in our post 22 Best City Breaks in the USA . 

The USA also has stunning natural beauty. We recommend visiting at least one of the country’s most popular national parks to experience wildlife, hiking, and outdoor activities in the country. Some of the USA National Parks that are frequently visited by international visitors include Grand Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Zion National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . 

How to Travel around the USA

If you are planning a trip around the major cities in the country, then you can either fly or take a bus during your USA trip. Amtrak Trains are also a good option while visiting certain areas. However, if you are planning to visit national parks and outdoor areas, then consider a road trip across the USA. 

If flying domestically in the US, then consider budget airlines like Spirit or Frontier. The tickets are usually cheapest if you book in advance and fly on weekdays, especially Tuesdays or Wednesdays. 

The US also has great bus service in certain regions like the Northeast, Midwest, and California. Bus operators like Greyhound and Megabus operate buses between popular cities. The journeys are often overnight which means you can save on hotels if traveling via an overnight bus. 

Amtrak operates the trains in the USA. Traveling within the USA by train is neither cheap nor fast. However, it is definitely a scenic option especially along routes like the California Zephyr from San Francisco to Chicago. Amtrak has Rail Passes which you can use to get down and explore attractions for multiple days before reboarding the train.

However, one of our favorite ways to get around the country is via road trips. The USA is made for road tripping. Americans love taking road trips and you can rent cars, SUVs, and even RVs for your road trip. Read our post on Best Road Trips in the USA to learn about iconic road trips in the country.

1 Week in USA Itinerary Ideas

While a week is a very short time to explore the country, there are many small trips that you can take in a week. We have divided these trips mostly by region – you can definitely cover the highlights of a US region in 7 days. Here are a couple of different 1 week USA Itinerary Ideas – click the names of the destinations to read in-depth articles on the best things to do in the cities and national parks:

Itinerary 1: Las Vegas Los Angeles San Francisco

This itinerary may be just a week-long but it covers 4 major highlights of the country: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. You can complete this as a road trip or as a flying itinerary.

Las Vegas – 2 Days

Las Vegas or Sin City is famous for its casinos and gambling. Besides gambling, Las Vegas also has many free attractions including the Bellagio Fountains, the Mirage Volcano, Eiffel Tower, etc. With two days in the city, you have enough time to explore Vegas nightlife and see a show or two. You can also explore outdoor Las Vegas: there are many natural areas close to Las Vegas including Valley of Fire State Park, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Recreation Area, and Seven Magic Mountains. 

Grand Canyon – 1 Day

The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. This beautiful landscape is the result of years of erosion carried out by the Colorado River. You can easily see the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas. While you won’t have time to visit the Grand Canyon National Park, you can see the Grand Canyon Skywalk at the West Rim. Book day tours to the Grand Canyon here. 

Los Angeles – 2 Days

Next head to Los Angeles in California. Los Angeles is home to Hollywood, America’s film industry and there are a lot of things to do in the city for movie buffs. See the stars on the sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd, take a photo with the Hollywood sign, take a behind the scenes tour at Warner Bros Inc, and take thrilling movie-inspired rides at Universal Studios. Los Angeles also has many museums and is a great place for foodies. 

San Francisco – 2 Days

After seeing Los Angeles, visit the northern California city of San Francisco . See America’s icon – the Golden Gate Bridge . Spend time at Fisherman’s Wharf, see the twisting Lombard Street, and visit the notorious island of Alcatraz. Take a day trip to Napa Valley to tour wineries and go wine tasting or visit Muir Woods National Monument to see the coastal redwoods. 

Itinerary 2: Chicago NYC Philadelphia

In this Midwest & East Coast itinerary, you will be visiting some of our favorite cities in the USA. You will be seeing beautiful architecture, visit impressive museums, spend time in grand urban parks, and eat delicious food. You will also be squeezing in a day trip to Niagara Falls, one of the best attractions in the USA. 

Chicago – 2 Days

Chicago is the jewel of the Midwest. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is home to famous architects and impressive architecture. To see the most beautiful buildings in the city, take the Chicago River Architectural Cruise. Spend some time at Millenium Park and enjoy its attractions including the Cloud Gate sculpture and the Crown Fountain. Go shopping at Magnificent Mile and eat Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.  

Niagara Falls – 1 Day

From Chicago, fly to Niagara Falls, located on the border of the US and Canada. Niagara Falls are actually a group of 3 falls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The stunning falls are a year-round travel destination and they look beautiful even when frozen in winter. In summer, take the Maid of the Mist boat tour to see the falls from up close. The falls also look beautiful when they are illuminated at night. 

New York City – 2 Days

After seeing Niagara Falls, visit New York City – one of the best cities in the world. New York is the capital of fashion, finance, culture, art, and food. Spend a couple of days exploring the city. Visit the touristy Times Square and eat at the cafes in Greenwich Village. See the city from above at the Empire State Building and take a stroll in Central Park. See the city’s famous museums including the Met, American Museum of History, and MoMa. On your second day, see the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island.

Philadelphia – 2 Days

Last, visit the historic city of Philadelphia. Begin your visit at the Independence National Historic Park. This is where the country came into being and where the most important monuments to liberty and democracy are located. See the iconic Liberty Bell and tour Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Independence Hall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the must-visit attractions in the US. Other things to do in Philadelphia include the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the ‘Rocky’ movie steps, the Love sculpture, City Hall, and the Reading Terminal Market which is famous for its many eateries.

Itinerary 3: Southwest road trip

This road trip will take you through the best attractions of the American Southwest. Expect to see stunning natural landscapes of gorges, canyons, and deserts on this amazing trip. Camp to lower your budget and to stay closer to nature. At every turn, you will be treated to photogenic vistas and unique indigenous cultures. Read our post on Vegas Zion Bryce Grand Canyon road trip to plan a trip along these attractions.

Las Vegas is the ultimate starting point for an American Southwest road trip. Fly into Sin City and explore the attractions of the Las Vegas strip. Enjoy the unique attractions of Vegas like the roller coaster at New York New York, musical fountains of Bellagio, the volcano at Mirage, nightlife, gambling, and more at night. By day, explore the desert of Nevada. Hike at Red Rock Canyon State Park and drive the scenic route around Lake Mead. Tour the Hoover Dam and check out the museums in Las Vegas. 

Zion National Park – 1 Day

Then drive to Zion National Park in southwest Utah. Zion is located just 2 hours away from Las Vegas and can be easily seen during one day. The best way to see Zion is to take the park shuttle, which goes along the Zion Scenic Drive. You will be able to see breathtaking views of Zion’s deep red canyon walls and the Virgin River that flows through the canyon. Zion has many hiking trails but to hike the most popular trails of Angel’s Landing and the Narrows you will need more than a day. 

Bryce Canyon National Park – 1 Day

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the country. Bryce is famous for its deep red – crimson hoodoo rock formations. These spire-shaped narrow rock formations are formed due to weathering action by wind, snow, and water. You can easily see the hoodoos in the area known as the Bryce Amphitheatre. Take a walk along the Rim Trail to see the hoodoos from above or descend down into the depression along the Navajo Loop Trail to see the most famous hoodoos.

Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend – 1 Day

After seeing Bryce Canyon National Park, head over to Page, Arizona to see the famous Antelope Canyons . The two slot canyons of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons are famous the world over for their striking beauty and vivid colors. You can see them both on guided tours. The tour through Lower Antelope Canyon is more strenuous than the one through Upper and requires some climbing. Pick the Upper Canyon if you have small kids or are not physically fit. After seeing Antelope Canyon, see another Page attraction – Horseshoe Bend. From the observation area, you can see a panoramic view of the Horseshoe shaped bend in the Colorado River. 

Monument Valley – 1 Day

From Page, drive further east towards Monument Valley. This landscape of red sand desert and weathered rock formations located along the Arizona Utah border is one of the highlights of this road trip. Drive along the 17 mile Valley Drive to see the towering sandstone buttes and take iconic photographs. 

Grand Canyon National Park – 1 Day

Finally, make your way to the Grand Canyon National Park. Drive to the South Rim and Grand Canyon Village to see the best views of the Grand Canyon. If it is too crowded, take the park shuttle. Visit the Visitor Center for exhibits, souvenirs, and movies about the Grand Canyon. Take the scenic Desert View Drive to the Desert View Watchtower for iconic views. Hike into the Grand Canyon to enjoy its beauty from different vantage points. 

Itinerary 4 – Pacific Coast Highway, California

This stunning road trip will take you along the highlights of California. See the vibrant cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco and drive through the stunning natural area of Big Sur. This drive is said to be the best road trip in the world. Finish your trip with a visit to the famous Yosemite National Park. Check our post on Pacific Coast Road Trip Itinerary to plan this trip.

Los Angeles – 2 Day

Start your visit by flying into Los Angeles . Movie buffs can take a stroll along Hollywood Walk of Fame or take a movie studio tour or tour celebrity homes in Beverly Hills. Culture enthusiasts can visit LA’s top museums including the Broad, La Brea Tar Pits, LACMA, Petersen Automotive Museum, and the Getty Center. If you have kids, spend a day in Anaheim at the Disney parks. 

Big Sur – 2 Day

Take the Pacific Coast Highway up north to Big Sur . Along the way, you will pass California’s iconic coastal cities of Malibu and Santa Barbara and drive alongside small beachside communities of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. In Big Sur, visit the highlights of McWay Falls, Bixby Creek Bridge, San Simeon Elephant Seal Rookery, Pfeiffer Beach, and Big Sur Village. Then drive north along Monterey and Half Moon Bay to San Francisco. 

San Francisco – 2 Day

Enjoy Northern California’s mild climates and foggy coastline in San Francisco , the city by the bay. See the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from Vista Point and ride a cable car to Chinatown. Eat some dim sums and egg tarts in Chinatown. Walk down twisting Lombard Street and buy chocolates in Ghirardelli Square. Admire the view from Twin Peaks and take a cruise to the former federal prison on Alcatraz Island. 

Yosemite – 1 Day

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, Yosemite has stunning mountain beauty. Visiting Yosemite is a must while visiting California. While one day is not enough to explore all of Yosemite’s attractions, you can see the highlights and tour the Yosemite Valley in that time frame. A ranger-led 2 hours tour of the Valley is your best option to see Yosemite in a day. On the tour, you can see Yosemite Falls and the granite rock formations of El Capitan and Half Dome. If you have time, hike in the Yosemite Valley and take photos of the national park. 

Itinerary 5: Best of Florida

If you want to spend your 1 week in the USA exploring Florida, then use this itinerary. Start your trip in Orlando and visit a theme park. Then visit Miami and relax at South Beach. See the architecture on Ocean Drive and visit Little Havana. Then make the trip down to Key West via Overseas Highway. Finally, visit Everglades National Park and take an airboat tour. See our post on Miami to Key West Drive: 25 Awesome Stops along the way to plan this trip.

Orlando – 2 Days

Orlando is one of the best places to start your USA trip. The city has over a dozen theme parks. Our favorite is ’The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ at Universal Studios. There are also 5 Disney Parks in Orlando including the popular Walt Disney World. There are also many other things to do in Orlando besides the theme parks. You can take a stroll through the beautiful Bok Tower Gardens and admire the wildlife at Central Florida Zoo. Explore the many different neighborhoods and sample a variety of cuisines. 

Miami – 2 Days

After exploring Orlando, head down to spend 2 days in Miami . Start your visit at the iconic attraction of Miami Beach. Get some Florida sun and swim in the water. Wander around the Arts Deco district and see the murals at Wynwood Mall. Shop and eat by the waterfront at Bayside Marketplace. For a unique attraction, stroll through the beautiful Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. End your visit in Little Havana where you can try Cuban cuisine and understand the Cuban culture. 

Key West – 2 Days

Then take Florida’s Overseas Highway to Key West. The drive is about 4 hours but there are many attractions along the way. Stop in communities like Islamorada and Key Largo. Eat fresh seafood and go snorkeling and scuba diving on the coral reefs. Then make way for Key West. Key West is the southernmost point in the Continental US. The city has a chilled Caribbean vibe. Tour Old Town Key West, visit Hemingway House Museum and take a picture at the southernmost point Buoy. Attend the sunset celebrations in Mallory Square and party on Duval Street. If you have more time, visit Dry Tortugas National Park . 

Everglades National Park – 1 Day

On your way back to Miami or Orlando, visit Everglades National Park. Homestead, which is located just an hour south of Miami, is the gateway to Everglades National Park. In Everglades, you will find a wetland of swamps, marshes, mangroves, and sawgrass prairies. The best way to experience Everglades National Park is on an airboat tour. During the tour, you can see manatees, alligators, deer, fox, bobcats, and birds like ospreys and cranes. 

Itinerary 6 – Chicago Mt. Rushmore Road Trip

While most of the trips above could be done without driving, a road trip is the only way to experience these Midwestern attractions. This trip is definitely one of the hidden gems in the US and not many visitors come here on a first visit. However, to experience the heart of the country – the Midwest bread bowl – go on this road trip in the Black Hills of South Dakota . We assure you, you will have the time of your life! 

Start on this road trip in Chicago . Experience iconic attractions of the Windy City including the Bean at Millennium Park, the Museum Campus, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Navy Pier. See Chicago from top of the Willis Tower and experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture in Oak Park. Eat Chicago style hotdog and deep-dish pizza before hitting the open roads to South Dakota. 

Sioux Falls – 1 Day

First, stop at Sioux Falls. Visit the Falls Park where you can see the Big Sioux River cascade over limestone bluffs. The park also has a historic mill and an observation tower. See the murals in downtown Sioux Falls before visiting the Corn Palace in Mitchell . This stunning palace is made of corn murals and is created anew every year. Inside the corn palace, you can see photos of previous corn palaces and tributes to corn farmers. This unique roadside attraction is definitely worth a visit while in South Dakota. 

Badlands National Park – 2 Days

Next, visit the bizarre and dramatic landscape of Badlands National Park . Formed as a result of erosion, the national park is filled with unique rock formations consisting of buttes, spires, and canyons. To explore Badlands, drive along the scenic Badlands Loop Road and go hiking in the park. Badlands also has a lot of wildlife. On a visit to the park, you can view bison, coyotes, mountain goats, prairie dogs, deer, and more. You can also see fossils of animals that lived in the area long ago including mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and more. 

Custer State Park – 1 Day

Custer State Park is the largest state park in the country and one of our favorites. You can do hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing in the park . Custer has 4 mountain lakes which are perfect for lakeside strolls and activities on the water. Custer State Park is also famous for its scenic drives. The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is located in the park and includes 3 smaller drives. On the Custer Wildlife Loop Road, you will find lots of bison, burros, and deer. Needles Highway has the stunning needle formations on both sides while Iron Mountain Road has three tunnels and an iconic view of Mt. Rushmore. 

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial – 1 Day

For the last part of your trip, visit Mt. Rushmore National Memorial . Here you can see the faces of 4 US presidents – Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln – carved in stone. The monument is lit at night and looks impressive. Hike the Presidential Trail to go closer to the sculptures and spot wildlife including mountain goat and deer. Visit the on-site museum to learn more about the sculptures and their sculptor Gutzon Borglum.  Do not forget to see nearby Crazy Horse Memorial to know more about the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse while visiting the Black Hills. Read our post on Ultimate South Dakota road trip to plan this route.

We hope you liked our epic USA Itinerary Planner. Let us know if you have any questions.

Free guide: Learn how to travel full-time with your family!

The perfect road trip map to drive across the United States

Summer is the perfect time for a road trip, and spring is the perfect time to plan one! With the weather warming up, we tend to get itchy for travel. Today I’ll share our perfect road trip map to see any part (or all) of the United States. Let’s hit the road and take that great American road trip!

When we started our family gap year , two and a half years ago, we planned to travel from the Pacific Northwest, down the coast of California, through Texas to Florida, and then up the east coast.

We did just that, but then we continued to travel and have now circled the United States four times — and we’re preparing for our fifth cross-country road trip!

Each route has been a little different, which has helped us hit new regions, see diverse landscapes, and visit unique attractions.

The perfect United States road trip map

So where do you want to go? From coast to coast, there is SO much to see and do in the United States. It’s one of the biggest countries in the world, and your experience can be just about anything you’d like — from a tropical adventure in south Florida, to the snowy mountains of Colorado, to the misty Pacific Northwest.

You can try to visit all of the national parks and national monuments. You can head to New York and experience that big city life or escape to the quiet plains of the midwest.

There are two different kinds of road trips: those that are focused on the destination and those that are focused on the journey. Maybe you’re driving on a road well-known for its beauty, like the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, or maybe you’re driving just to get from city to city and visit the hot spots.

But ideally, you can combine both of those goals and see gorgeous landscapes on your way to fun activities!

Don’t miss: Our Family Gap Year Itinerary

The best route to visit all 50 states at once

Unless you’re a very extreme or long-term traveler, I’m guessing you don’t plan to hit every single state — but if you are, I can point you in the right direction!

Check out Randy Olson’s  optimal US road trip maps , or visit TripSavvy’s list of  must-see American attractions  in an ordered loop you can begin at any point. These are two great resources if you are trying to go everywhere!

Our biggest tip for traveling the whole country: go south in the winter and north in the summer! Yes, being snowbirds is basically our life goal.

The best road trips by region in the United States

I’d love to share our favorite road trip routes in each region of the US. This will help you plan the perfect road trip in your own neck of the woods, or anywhere you plan to visit across the country!

For more details on fun things to do in each region of the US, check out my guest post on The Art of Travel: Visiting all 50 US States

Getting misty in the Pacific Northwest

We’ll always have a soft spot for the northwestern corner of the country, as that was our very first stop on our full-time family travels. We had never visited before, so the giant trees and almost-perpetual rainbows had us captivated.

Head to Seattle for a wide range of activities : go up to the top of the Space Needle, ride a wooden boat on Lake Washington, wander through Pike Place Market, and visit Amazon HQ .

If you’ve got plenty of time to spend in Washington, consider driving the Cascade Loop, visit Mount Rainer National Park or Olympic National Park, or look for orcas in the San Juan Islands.

Then go south to Portland and browse the shelves at Powell’s Books and eat a Voodoo Doughnut. Head just to the east to visit gorgeous Multnomah Falls, then drive to the west coast to visit Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock.

Your Pacific Northwest road trip map

Cruise down the coast of California

I couldn’t write a blog post on great road trips without including the Pacific Coast Highway ! We got to drive highway 1 down the coast of California near the end of 2018, and we’ll never forget it!

Start in San Francisco — visit the redwood trees, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, and be sure to take a ride on one of the San Francisco cable cars!

From there, follow highway 1 and drive through Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Big Sur. Stop in San Simeon and see the elephant seals.

Then cruise through the southern California beach towns of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Malibu, and end your journey at the Santa Monica Pier (or continue on to San Diego).

Your Pacific Coast Highway road trip map

Get your kicks on Route 66

Having lived in Arizona for many years, we’ve driven along Route 66 more than once. Yes, it extends all the way “from Chicago to LA”, but there are some great iconic landmarks you can still visit along the Mother Road in Arizona, so it’s our pick for the southwestern region of the US.

Top stops along the way include the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, “standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona”, the Meteor Crater, Twin Arrows, Seligman, and Kingman. Visit soon — some landmarks are sadly wasting away.

All 50 States Tip: Once you get to Kingman, it’s just about 90 minutes to get to Las Vegas, if you need to check Nevada off your 50 state bucket list!

Your Route 66 road trip map

Complete the Texas Triangle

Texas boasts a number of major cities, living up to the saying that everything is bigger in Texas! And you can visit each of these metro areas when you take a triangle-shaped road trip in the middle of the state.

Start in San Antonio: walk the Riverwalk and tour the Alamo. Drive up to Austin for some great live music and nightlife. At the peak of the triangle you’ll find Dallas: smell the flowers at the Dallas Arboretum, play around at the National Videogame Museum, and eat a steak…because you’re in Dallas and living that cowboy life.

Head southeast to Houston and visit the Houston Space Center, and then drive to the coast to ride the rides at the Pleasure Pier in Galveston.

All 50 States Tip: If you’re coming to Texas from Arizona, you might try to time your trip so you hit the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico on your way. It happens in October and is well-worth the stop!

Your Texas Triangle road trip map

Glide along the Gulf Coast

You’ll find small beach town charm and pristine white sugar sand along the Gulf Coast of the United States. It’s one of our favorite spots in the country!

Start in New Orleans, Louisiana and soak up all the French Quarter has to offer, including muffalettas, beignets, and really great jazz. Then drive east, across the bottom of Mississippi and Alabama. Leave I-10 to drive south to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and then stick to the roads closest to the beach as you drive along the Florida panhandle, stopping at any beach towns that take your fancy.

If you’ve got the time and the budget, continue heading into central Florida for some fun at the theme parks, and then drive south to our next road trip recommendation…

Your Gulf Coast road trip map

Road trip through the tropics

In Southern Florida, you can get a real taste of the tropics without having to leave the continental US! Miami is just a 3-hour drive from Orlando, and about another 3-hour drive will take you through the Keys all the way into Key West.

In Miami, visit the colorful Wynwood neighborhood, and make sure to grab some Taiyaki ice cream! Then head over to South Beach and check out the nightlife.

In Key West, walk down Duval Street and say hi to all the chickens that roam free. Make sure to have a slice of key lime pie and watch the sunset in Mallory Square.

Your southern Florida road trip map

Saunter through the south

Discover the delights of the southeast! You can make a bit of a circle traveling through Savannah and Atlanta in Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina — or the other way around!

See the Spanish Moss in Savannah, taste every Coke product in the World of Coke tasting room in Atlanta, experience Music City in Nashville, stroll the botanical gardens at UNC Charlotte, and take a carriage ride through Charleston’s cobblestone streets.

This route will also take you through Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Asheville — other great cities to explore, so be sure to stop if you have time!

And if you have to make the pilgrimage to Graceland, just extend your route to include Memphis, thank you very much!

Your southern states road trip map

Explore US history in the mid-Atlantic

Heading north, the mid-Atlantic states are a great place to learn about our country’s history and visit some of the biggest, busiest cities in the world.

In Virginia, you can experience colonial life at Historic Jamestowne. In Washington DC, you could spend hours and hours exploring all the free museums and memorials (and don’t forget to visit the pandas at the National Zoo). Our big kids even had the chance to tour the White House!

All 50 States Tip: Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia is just one hour west of DC, and there you can hike part of the Appalachian Trail!

In Pennsylvania, you can visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Then drive up to New York City and experience the Big Apple! If you’re visiting after Broadway has reopened, definitely take in a show. Take the requisite visits to Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and stroll through Central Park.

Ride the Seaglass Carousel in Battery Park and tour the Statue of Liberty. Then, take the Q train to Coney Island and eat some hot dogs and deep-fried Oreos.

That’s right — historic sites AND deep-fried Oreos. You’re welcome.

All 50 States Tip: This is where you should check off Delaware and New Jersey, too. Visit Rehoboth Beach and Atlantic City and enjoy the beaches and boardwalks!

Your mid-Atlantic road trip map

Take a pilgrimage to New England

Get it…pilgrimage?

All 50 States Tip: As you head north, stop in at the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut and stroll the cliff walk in Newport, Rhode Island.

Get your dose of history by walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, and have some fun on a Duck Tour. Then drive north for a trip through the most quaint, picture-perfect New England port towns. Walk around Portsmouth, New Hampshire, then make your way into Maine.

I was born and raised in Maine, so yes my New England road trip is a little Maine-heavy!

Visit Dock Square in Kennebunkport for some primo shopping and a summertime treat, like a fresh-squeezed lemonade or ice cream from Aunt Marie’s.

Then, head to Old Orchard Beach for a day of fun at the beachside amusement park, Palace Playland. Do NOT leave without getting an order of pier fries — and eat them like the locals, doused in vinegar and caked with salt.

Portland is a much-loved Maine “big city” so take a stroll through the Old Port and check out the unique shops and bars. Then, if you’ve got the time, drive to Acadia National Park and catch the earliest sunrise in the United States.

All 50 States Tip: If you’re headed to the midwest from New England, drive through Vermont and tour the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, then stop at Niagara Falls in New York!

Your New England road trip map

Meander through the Midwest

Things get a little tricky in the Midwest and central US just because there are so many options for where to go and in what order. So I’ll detail the two routes I would take, but you can mix-and-match the cities in this section and the next, and curate your own perfect road trip map through the middle of the country!

If you’re coming from the Northeast, stop in Cleveland, Ohio to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then head to Detroit, Michigan to visit the Motown Museum and take the Coney Dog Challenge .

If you’d like, stop to explore Cincinnati on your way to Louisville, Kentucky. In Louisville, see how they make baseball bats at the Louisville Slugger Factory and learn all about horse racing at Churchill Downs (or hey, time your road trip to attend the Kentucky Derby!).

Check out the Indy 500 track in Indianapolis, or try your hand at some duckpin bowling. Then drive west to Chicago. See The Bean, eat a Chicago dog and some deep-dish pizza, and admire the artwork at the Art Institute of Chicago. If you must have the full Ferris Beuller experience, go to the top of Willis Tower and put your forehead against the glass.

Head north and cross into Wisconsin. Visit the Milwaukee Public Market and get your fill of local cheese! From there, go to Minneapolis and get lost in the Mall of America or go downtown and toss your hat in the air a la Mary Tyler Moore.

All 50 States Tip: You can drive about 3.5 hours from Minneapolis to Fargo, North Dakota, where you can join the Best for Last Club (IF North Dakota is your 50th and final state visited)!

As your last midwestern stop, head south to Iowa and explore Des Moines. Walk through the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park and visit the famous bridges of Madison County.

All 50 States Tip: You can fit Nebraska in here by heading to Omaha — enjoy a leisurely walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and then have a nice sit-down dinner in Omaha’s Old Market. Or, if you prefer, you can visit the other side of Nebraska on our next route.

Your Midwest road trip map

Go through the Gateway to the West

Start your exploration of the central US in St. Louis and go up in the Gateway Arch. Then, on your way to Oklahoma City, stop in Bentonville, Arkansas to tour the Walmart Museum and the Crystal Lakes Museum (both free and worth the visit!).

In Oklahoma City, visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial (the site of the 1995 bombing) and the Land Run Monument. Then head north to Kansas and stop in Hutchinson to go 650 feet underground into the Strataca Salt Mine.

From there, drive west to Denver. There’s lots to do here! Stand a mile high on the Capitol steps, relax in one of the many parks, climb Pikes Peak, and take in the majestic view of the Rocky Mountains.

After you’ve gotten your fill of Denver, it’s time to visit the Dakotas. On the way, you can take a quick detour into Nebraska to stop by Chimney Rock, of Oregon Trail fame.

In the southwest corner of South Dakota you’ll definitely want to stop and see Mount Rushmore. Then drive north to Medora, North Dakota and visit the prairie dogs at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From here, you’re in a great place to take our final road trip route!

Your Gateway to the West road trip map

Tour the western national parks

Last summer, we took an epic road trip across the US and the final third was comprised mostly of national parks on the western side of the country. We had a blast and saw some incredibly diverse, beautiful terrain.

Start in Glacier National Park and spend a day driving the Going-To-The-Sun Road. Then head to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and be sure to see Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.

After Yellowstone, stop in at Grand Teton National Park, just south of Yellowstone. We missed this one but hear it’s a must-see.

From there, go south to Zion National Park in Utah and drive through the breathtaking red rocks. Then drive into Arizona and visit the Grand Canyon. You’ll see so many wonders on this trip that you’ll never forget it!

Your western national parks road trip map

Our top road trip tips

As expert US travelers (we’ve been to 49 of the 50 states — just gotta make it to Alaska!), here are some of our top tips to consider while you plan your road trip:

1. Make a plan but stay flexible

It’s good to know where you plan to be and when, how long it will take to get there, where you plan to stay, and what you want to do while you’re there. Especially in this post-Covid world, a lot of activities require planning ahead.

That being said, leave room for flexibility wherever possible. If we know we’ll be spending the night somewhere on the way to a destination, we won’t book a hotel until we’re almost ready to stop. Sometimes we are able to drive further than planned, and sometimes things come up and we get delayed — like the time it took 7 hours to drive 20 miles in New Mexico!

2. Prep your car

Fill your tires, check the oil, top up the fluids. Give yourself every reason to believe your car will get you from point A to B to C…and home again!

Also, consider getting your car detailed or deep-cleaned ahead of time, and be prepared with paper towels and wet wipes to keep things clean.

3. Stay comfy and entertained in the car

You’ll be seeing some incredible things…but also spending a lot of time just driving down the highway. A pillow and a blanket per person goes a long way, as does trivia games, books, podcasts, and (when all else fails) well-charged devices!

4. Pack light

You need some clothes and your phone. Not much else! Your phone (assuming it’s smart) is your map, your entertainment, and your way out in an emergency. Like I mentioned, toss in a blanket and pillow, maybe some non-screen books and games, and you’re good to go! Oh and snacks. Because is it really a road trip if you don’t have snacks? (No.)

Visit our sister site for some truly incredible road trip car hacks !

5. Combine touristy attractions with local hidden gems

A Google search can easily tell you the must-do activities in every city you visit, but also visit Atlas Obscura for some more, well, obscure things to see and do!

I sure hope this has given you some great information on where to road trip in each region of the US. Combine two or three routes (or all of them!) to create your own perfect road trip map to really see and experience this beautiful country, by car!

Thinking of heading out on a full-time family travel journey? Learn absolutely everything you need to know in our Family Gap Year Academy !

Pin it if you love it!

Family Travel Expert

Megan Tenney traveled full-time for four years with her husband and four children. She's visited 49 of the United States, backpacked across Europe, and spent some time in Canada, Mexico, Asia, and the Caribbean. Megan is the owner and author of Family Gap Year Guide , where she shares stories and tips from her family travel adventures and teaches other families how they can take life on the road!

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Map of Popular 2024 Travel Destinations

On this website our staff reviews some of our favorite travel hotspots and vacation destinations across North America.

Whether you are flying to a favorite seashore, roadtripping by car, soaking up luxury train travel, leisurely RVing, open road motorcyle trips or vacations on a cruise ship, this website can help you with your trip planning!

Our travel guides reveal the best places to go, along with first-hand experiences, personal recommendations, free maps and original photographs from our trips.

We love traveling around North America, and exploring the many exciting places and get-a-ways that the USA and Canada have to offer. We also love the adventure of the open roads, like cross-country trips on Route 66 The Mother Road. From the Beartooth Highway to the Blue Ridge Parkway , from Utah Scenic Byway 12 to the Trans Canada Highway, it is always a fun driving adventure.

Flying to your family beach destination this year? Check out our Travel Guide to the Top 10 Beach & Seashore Vacations .

Many of our RV enthusiasts enjoy the many popular national parks such as the  Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other attractions like Mount Rushmore .

If you are embarking on a cruise ship this year, be sure to explore out our newly published Alaska Travel Guide and Cruises from Vancouver's Canada Place . Those taking a rail trip might enjoy our Banff and Lake Louise Travel Guide , one of our favorite destinations in Canada.

Hopefully our travel experiences will be of interest and benefit to website viewers as they book their travel itineraries for 2024.

The interactive map below highlights many of the more popular travel destinations in America, including favorite travel cities, national parks, scenic byways, historic sites, and museums.

Popular Trips on Scenic Byways

US 50 crosses the central portion of Nevada, from the west side of the state near Lake Tahoe to the east side near Great Basin National Park.

The Nevada portion of U.S. 50 was named "The Loneliest Road in America" by Life magazine in July 1986.

U.S. Highway 550 in Colorado is a two-lane mountainous road. It is one of only two north–south U.S. Highways in Colorado which runs west of the Continental Divide.

The 25-mile section of U.S. 550 from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway .

The Burr Trail takes the adventurous traveler into some of Utah's most beautiful and extraordinary country, with views of the Henry Mountains, the colorfully contorted Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon.

The famous Burr Trail switchbacks rise steeply up through the canyon. The trail drops nearly 800 feet in about a mile, while zigging and zagging down the Waterpocket Fold.

Travel to National Parks

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The Great American Road Trip: A 4-Month Itinerary Around the USA

The Great American Road Trip. It’s the kind of multi-month adventure most dream about, but few actually do.

While many of us have bucket-list goals of exploring this vast and diverse landscape, more often than not, we end up heading abroad instead. International travel just seems more alluring, exotic, and exciting.

But this country has more than enough eclectic cities, small towns, regional culinary traditions, historic sites, fascinating museums, and natural wonders to keep any intrepid traveler busy.

I’ve done five big US road trips (two that completely crisscrossed the country and three in various regions) that cumulatively add up to a year on the road (and that doesn’t count all the “regular” trips, vacations, and weekend getaways). I’ve seen a lot of the United States.

When COVID-19 caused us to consider our backyard more and more, many Americans turned to domestic travel. We finally got to explore all the wonders our own country has to offer.

So, because of that, I’ve created an epic four-month itinerary for traveling around the States. I think it balances time in cities with relaxing in nature.

It may seem like a lot, but four months just scratches the surface. And, since I don’t expect most of you to have four months, you can easily break this trip into smaller portions. It’s much better to concentrate your focus rather than try to see a lot in a short amount of time.

One note before we begin: There are so many routes you could take that it’s impossible to have one “best” route. The US is just too big. The route below is just one of my favorites. Use it as a starting point for creating your own itinerary that mixes realistic drive times, national parks, and fabulous cities.

Table of Contents

Month 1: East Coast, Southern US

Month 2: south, southwestern us, west coast, month 3: pacific northwest, western us, month 4: midwest, northeast us, days 1-3: boston, ma.

• Walk the Freedom Trail – This 2.5-mile (4 kilometer) route links many historic sites, including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the State House, and Bunker Hill. To get the most out of your experience, take a guided tour . You’ll be able to ask questions to an expert local guide for a more in-depth experience.
• Relax in Boston Common – This is one of America’s oldest parks and was once used as communal pasture land by Puritan settlers. Today, it’s a great place to relax, people-watch, and picnic.
• See the Bunker Hill Monument – The Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) was one of the first major battles of the Revolutionary War. While the British won, the Americans wore British forces down more than was expected. The monument stands 221 feet (67 meters) tall; you can climb to the top to enjoy the best view of Boston.
• Visit the Museum of Fine Arts – This museum has over 450,000 pieces of fine art, covering everything from the pre-Columbian era to Italian Impressionists. It’s one of the biggest collections in the country. It’s free after 4pm on Wednesdays.

For more things to do, check out my free guide to Boston . And, for places to stay, here are my hostel recommendations.

Days 4-8: New York City, NY

• Take a walking tour – To get a feel for the city, take a walking tour. There are myriad free and paid tours on a variety of subjects. Nothing is too obscure. Here’s a list of suggested walking tour companies in NYC .
• Wander Central Park – This massive, 51-block-long, 843-acre park is the best free attraction in town. There are plenty of places to bike, walk, jog, read, picnic, and people-watch. During the summer, there are free concerts and theater productions too. Free tours are run by the parks service. The “Iconic Views of Central Park” tour is offered daily at 10am from the spring to the fall.
• See the Statue of Liberty – You can pay to visit Ellis Island if you want to see the statue up close . However, you can also take a free ferry to Staten Island instead if you just want to see it while passing by.
• Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum – At the base of the Freedom Tower is a park commemorating the victims of 9/11. Inside the museum, there are over 14,000 artifacts from that day, as well as 3,500 recordings from survivors, first responders, and family members of those killed. It’s a sobering, eye-opening exhibit. A timed-entry ticket is $19.40 USD.
• Walk the High Line – The High Line is an elevated urban walking park on the west side of NYC. Made from a converted train track, it runs for 22 blocks and is lined with overlooks, gardens, public art, food stalls, and greenery.
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge – For a view of the Manhattan skyline, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a long walk (around 40 minutes if you stop for photos), but the view is worth it — especially at night. It’s free too!
• Explore the Met – The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the foremost fine art collections in the world. You can easily spend an entire day here if you wanted to see it all.

If you want more ideas for things to see and do in NYC, here’s a detailed suggested itinerary that can come.

For accommodation suggestions, here is my comprehensive list of hostels in NYC , my recommended hotels , as well as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the city .  

Days 9-11: Philadelphia, PA

• See the Liberty Bell – This bell, which dates to 1752, is an iconic symbol of American freedom. It’s said to have been rung when the Declaration of Independence was read in July 1776. Today, the bell is located in Independence National Historical Park, which you can visit for free.
• Wander around Independence Hall – Learn about the founding of the United States at Independence Hall, and wander around the area’s historic colonial buildings.
• Explore Franklin Court – This is where Benjamin Franklin lived while serving in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. While his house was torn down after his death in 1790, a hollow structure stands where it was located, and there’s a museum nearby with information about his life and works.
• Climb the Rocky stairs – The stairs from Rocky , the classic boxing film, are located at the Museum of Art. You can’t visit Philadelphia without running up them and doing your best Stallone impression.
• Visit the Magic Gardens – This quirky art gallery is one of the most unique attractions in town: a collection of indoor and outdoor art and mosaics made from broken tiles, glass, and all kinds of odds and ends. Indoors, there’s a more conventional art gallery and space for events and concerts.

Days 12-14: Washington, DC

• Visit the Holocaust Museum – The Holocaust Museum is informative and heart-wrenching. Its permanent exhibit takes up three entire levels and tells the story of the Holocaust through films, photos, artifacts, and first-person stories. Admission is free.
• Tour the Smithsonian – The Smithsonian Institution is a group of world-class museums and research centers. All of them are free to enter. Some of the best museums are: the Air and Space Museum, the African American Museum, the Smithsonian Castle, and the American Art Museum.
• See the Lincoln Memorial – This iconic 19-foot statue is located on the National Mall and pays tribute to America’s 16th president. Built in 1914, it’s surrounded by 36 columns, each of which represents a state in the union at the time of his death in 1865.

For tons more ideas on what to see, here’s my free detailed guide to DC!  

Days 15-16: Shenandoah National Park, VA

Days 17-19: Asheville, NC

• The Biltmore Estate – This is America’s largest house. It’s a whopping 178,926-square-foot mansion surrounded by 8,000 acres of land. The massive estate has over 250 rooms (including 33 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms). I love it!
• Enjoying craft beer – Asheville has over 25 breweries (and there are another 50+ outside town too). Take a brewery tour, or just hop around and sample some local offerings. My two favorites are Bhramari and Wicked Weed.
• Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains – Parts of the Appalachian Trail can be found here, and there are lots of day or multiday hikes. You can also climb Mount Mitchell, the highest summit east of the Mississippi River.

Days 20-22: Atlanta, GA

• See the Center for Civil and Human Rights – Opened in 2014, this museum highlights the struggles and accomplishments of the civil rights movement as well as human rights around the globe. (To learn more about civil rights history in Atlanta, take this city walking tour with Unexpected Atlanta. )
• Wander the Atlanta Botanical Garden – Escape the urban hustle and bustle with a getaway to this 30-acre oasis in the heart of the city. In addition to its orchids and tropical plants, there’s a 600-foot canopy walk that lets you enjoy the gardens from 40 feet in the air.
• Take a street art tour – Atlanta is one of the best destinations for street art. There are tons of murals along the Krog Street Tunnel and the Belt Line. Take a guided tour or use the website streetartmap.org for self-guided suggestions.

Days 23-27: Nashville, TN

• Attend the Grand Ole Opry – Opened in 1925, this is one of the most famous country music venues in the world. Today, the Opry hosts regular live performances, TV broadcasts, and radio shows. You can buy tickets here or book a guided tour of the venue here .
• See the Parthenon – This full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, was built in 1897. It was created to celebrate Nashville’s 100th anniversary and chosen because Nashville is called “the Athens of the South” (due to its historic focus on higher education).
• Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – This museum has one of the largest music collections in the entire world. There are over 200,000 recordings here, including 98% of music released before World War II. Tickets are $29.95 USD.
• Visit Franklin – Located just 25 minutes outside of Nashville, most people assume Franklin is just another suburb. However, it has a lot going for it: it’s bursting with small-town charm, has stellar food and drink (it’s where I discovered my favorite Bourbon, H Clark), is full of history ( there was a major Civil War battle here ), and has one of the best-preserved historic main streets in the country. I’d spend two nights here.

Days 28-30: Memphis, TN

• Visit the National Civil Rights Museum – This museum traces the history of civil rights from the 17th century to today. It’s housed in the former motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It’s powerful and poignant. Don’t miss it. Admission is $20 USD.
• See the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum – This museum highlights the musical pioneers of blues, rock, and soul music from the 1930s to the 1970s. There are costumes and recordings, interactive media, and exhibitions on famous musicians from Memphis. A joint ticket that also includes the Music Hall of Fame is $17 USD.
• Stroll down Beale Street – Known as “America’s most iconic street,” Beale Street features many bars where you’ll find Memphis’s best live music. There are also numerous street buskers. If you’re going out at night, start here. ( Backbeat Tours offers guided tours if you’d like to learn more about the street’s history.)
• Day-trip to Graceland – The home of Elvis Presley, Graceland is located a few miles south of town. Even if you’re not a huge Elvis fan, it’s worth a visit to see just how impactful his life and music have been. You’ll see loads of lookalikes and die-hard fans making the pilgrimage to see the King.

Days 31-32: Natchez, MS

• Visit antebellum homes – Built in the early to mid-19th century, these historic homes are Natchez’s main draw. Longwood, Rosalie Mansion, and Stanton Hall were my favorites. Admission is $20-25 USD at each or there is a joint ticket that includes all three for $65 USD.
• Attend the Natchez Pilgrimage – During the Natchez Pilgrimage in the spring, all of the private historical homes open up to the public. The costumed guides explain the history of the home, their owners, and the region. It’s the city’s biggest annual event, and there are some 20 homes on display.
• See the Emerald Mount – Constructed sometime between the 13th and 17th centuries, this was an elevated place of worship for the Plaquemine Native Americans. All kinds of animal bones have been found nearby, leading researchers to believe it was the site of religious or sacred activity.

Days 33-36: New Orleans, LA

• Visit the National World War II Museum – This is the largest World War II museum in America. It’s also one of the best museums in the world. You can listen to firsthand accounts of the war, which make it all feel that much more intimate and impactful. You can get your tickets here .
• Listen to music on Frenchmen Street – Live music is available every night of the week, and there are innumerable venues to listen to blues and jazz. My personal favorite is the Spotted Cat.
• Wander the French Quarter and Garden District – These are two of NOLA’s most iconic and historic districts, full of old French-influenced buildings and grand mansions. You can either do a self-guided tour or go with Tour Orleans to learn more about this beautiful area.
• Take a ghost or voodoo tour – “The Big Easy” has a creepy past. The best way to learn about it is to take a voodoo or ghost tour . You’ll get to see cemeteries, explore haunted buildings, and hear all sorts of unsettling anecdotes and ghostly tales.

For more things to see and do in NOLA, check out this detailed itinerary .  

Days 37-39: Houston, TX

Houston is home to the Space Center and NASA’s astronaut training complex, as well as countless breweries and museums and a killer food scene (definitely go out for Viet BBQ).

These are some things you can do while you’re in town:

• Visit Space Center Houston – This is Houston’s top attraction, bringing in over a million visitors each year. There are over 400 items in the collection, including moon rocks and three spacecraft that were used during missions. Get your timed-entry ticket here .
• Explore the Museum of Natural Science – Opened in 1909, this museum has four floors of exhibitions (as well as a planetarium and an IMAX theatre). There are displays on wildlife, ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, minerals, and much more! Tickets are $25 USD.
• Wander Buffalo Bayou Park – This 124-acre park has all kinds of walking trails and is a nice spot for a picnic, to relax with a book, or to people-watch. There are also lots of concerts and events here too, so check the local tourism office to see what’s coming up.

Days 40-44: Austin, TX

• Relax at Barton Springs – Barton Springs is a pool/creek that locals flock to in warm weather. It’s fed by a natural cold-water spring in Zilker Park and has manicured lawns that are great for lounging on and relaxing when it’s too hot to do much else. You can also rent kayaks and paddle around.
• Go two-stepping – Two-stepping is a popular country dance — and country dancing is one of Austin’s favorite pastimes. To see it in action (and try it yourself), head to the White Horse, where there are free lessons so you can then dance your way around town.
• Enjoy world-class barbecue — Some of the best BBQ joints in the US are here in Austin. If you’re looking to treat your taste buds (and don’t mind waiting, usually a couple of hours), head to Franklin’s or La Barbecue. For something faster, check out Micklethwait Craft Meats.

For way more activities, check out my free guide to Austin ! Since I lived here for so long, I have a lot of suggestions on how to spend your time.  

Days 45-47: Truth or Consequences, NM

Originally named Hot Springs, “T or C,” as it’s known, got its name from a radio contest in 1950. After winning, the town kept the name. Located 10 hours from Austin, T or C is known for its wellness tourism. The entire town was built over a hot mineral spring, so it’s the perfect place to relax at a spa.

Try to explore some of the nearby ghost towns. Winston and Chloride, located north of T and C, are two mining towns that were abandoned in the early 1900s; some of the original buildings still remain.  

Days 48-49: Phoenix, AZ

• See the Desert Botanical Garden – This 140-acre garden is home to over 50,000 plants, including over 14,000 cacti. It’s super interesting!
• Visit the Heard Museum – This museum focuses on Native American art. There are permanent and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as cultural artifacts that highlight the history and traditions of the region’s native cultures.
• Hike Camelback Mountain – With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this 2-3-hour hike is a fun way to see Arizona’s stunning and arid landscapes. There are two trails, both of which are challenging but rewarding.

Days 50-51: Joshua Tree National Park, CA

A seven-day vehicle pass is $30 USD. It allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns.  

Days 52-54: San Diego, CA

• See the USS Midway Museum – This aircraft carrier was commissioned after World War II and was the largest ship in the world until 1955. It saw action in numerous conflicts, including Vietnam. After it was decommissioned, it became a museum open to the public. Skip-the-line tickets are $32 USD.
• Visit wildlife at the San Diego Zoo – Located in Balboa Park, this zoo is home to over 3,500 animals and 700,000 plant species. It’s a massive 1,800-acre park, and you could easily spend an entire day here. It’s a fun place to visit with kids (there’s even a Children’s Zoo). A skip-the-line ticket is $72 USD.
• Go whale watching – California gray whales migrate from Alaska to Mexico between December and April. They are spectacular to see up close, as they grow up to 49 feet long and live for over 70 years. Tours range from around $60-75 USD depending on length and tour company. A 4-hour tour with City Cruises California is $73 USD.

Days 55-58: Los Angeles, CA

• Wander Hollywood Boulevard – Play tourist and visit the Walk of Fame (where stars have their names engraved in the sidewalk) and Grauman’s (now TCL) Chinese Theatre (featuring celebrities’ handprints and footprints).
• Relax on the beach – At iconic Venice Beach, you’ll find all kinds of street performers, surfers, roller-skaters, and locals and tourists alike soaking up the sun. Some other beaches worth checking out are Carbon Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, Huntington City Beach, and El Matador.
• Visit to the Hollywood sign – Don’t just settle for a photo of the sign — go see it up close. The three trails that you can take (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Bring water and sunscreen, as the hike will take a few hours. If you don’t want to go solo, guided hikes to the Hollywood sign cost $25 USD.
• Go hiking – LA is an active city, and locals love escaping the hustle and bustle as often as they can. Some trails worth checking out are the Charlie Turner Trail (90 minutes), Runyon Canyon (45 minutes), Portuguese Bend Reserve (3 hours), and Echo Mountain (3–3.5 hours).

For an even more detailed list of what else you can see and do while in LA, check out my Los Angeles travel guide . For accommodation suggestions, here are my favorite hostels in Los Angeles .  

Days 59-61: Las Vegas, NV

• Explore Fremont Street – Old Vegas is full of sketchy bars, vintage casinos, and a Bourbon Street vibe. It makes for an interesting contrast to the sleek and polished Strip. There are lots of cover bands, buskers, and celeb lookalikes pandering for paid photos, as well as people-watching, cheap slots, and cheap drinks. There’s also an hourly light show on the ceiling above the street. Las Vegas Walking Tours offers a 3-hour tour of Fremont Street if you’d like a bit of a deeper dive.
• Hike Red Rock – Just 30 minutes outside town, Red Rock Canyon offers plenty of hiking and biking trails. Just make sure to arrive early in the morning before it gets too hot. Red Rock Discovery Tours also offers guided hikes starting at $95 USD (includes round-trip transportation from Vegas).
• Visit the Neon Museum – This is essentially an eclectic graveyard for the huge lights and signs that once beckoned to tourists from casinos like the Silver Slipper, Stardust, and El Cortez. It spans three acres and gives you a glimpse into the city’s shining and sinful past. Admission is $20 USD.
• See the Grand Canyon – Rent a car and drive the four hours to the South or North Rim of the Grand Canyon . It’s one of the most epic, iconic sights in the country and absolutely worth the drive. If you can, hike down to the bottom and stay the night. It’s an amazing experience! And if you want to dive deeper into this beautiful area, check out HoneyTrek’s Grand Circle Road Trip .

For more activities (and there’s plenty to choose from that don’t involve gambling), here is my comprehensive guide to Las Vegas .  

Days 62-64: Yosemite National Park, CA

Days 65-67: San Francisco, CA

• Walk the Golden Gate Bridge – When it opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge. Spend some time walking across to enjoy the view of the bay and the ships coming and going.
• Tour Alcatraz – One of the most infamous prisons in the country, Alcatraz housed some of the nation’s worst criminals (renowned gangster Al “Scarface” Capone spent four years here). Today, it’s a national landmark where you can take tours, step foot in the cells, and learn about its grim history. Tickets are $53.25 USD. There are also many joint ticket options, such as this one that includes a cruise around San Francisco Bay .
• Relax at Golden Gate Park – This gigantic park features a Japanese garden, museums, an arboretum, a carousel, and many hiking and walking trails. It’s a whopping 20% bigger than New York City’s Central Park, so you easily could spend an entire day here relaxing, walking, and lounging.

Again, for even ways to spend your time in SF, here’s my guide to the city . And, for suggested places to stay, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco .  

Days 68-69: Redwood National Park, CA

Given the drive time from SF, spend two nights here to make sure you get some good hiking in.  

Days 70-73: The Oregon Coast

• Binge on oysters – I’ve grown to love oysters in recent years and some of the best in the country can be found in Oregon. Some of my favorite places I stopped at were from Shucker’s Oyster Bar (Lincoln City), Oregon Oyster Farm and Mo’s Seafood & Chowder (both in Newport), and Clausen Oysters (North Bend).
• See Thor’s Well – This coastal sinkhole near Cape Perpetua is known as the Drainpipe of the Pacific. While it can be dangerous to get too close (it’s very easy to get swept away into the water or rocks), you’ll nevertheless see tons of tourists posing for pictures near the well. It’s worth a stop to snap some quick pics.
• Relax at Cannon Beach – This iconic beach is long and sandy and is best known for its photogenic Haystack Rock, a giant rock jutting out of the ocean just offshore. There are plenty of tide pools and places to picnic here, and the town itself (also called Cannon Beach) is full of all kinds of cafés and artisanal shops.

Here’s a list of my favorite things to see and do along the Oregon coast to help you make the most of your drive.  

Days 74-76: Portland

• See Pittock Mansion – Built in 1914, this 46-room French Renaissance-style mansion was originally owned by a wealthy couple from England. Today, it’s part of the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, you’ll find beautiful artwork and furniture collected by the original owners. Admission is $16.50 USD.
• Devour some donuts – Portland is known for its donuts. Voodoo Doughnuts put Portland on the map with its weird and wonderful combinations, such as Cap’n Crunch and maple bacon. Some argue that Voodoo is for tourists and that actually Blue Star makes better donuts. Try both and see for yourself! You can also take a donut food tour with Underground Donut Tours for $70 USD.
• Hike the Columbia River Gorge – Located east of town, here you’ll find waterfalls (including Oregon’s tallest, Multnomah Falls), scenic vistas, and hiking trails. Some suggested hikes are Dry Creek Falls (easy, 2 hours), Wahkeena Falls Loop (moderate, 3 hours), and Starvation Ridge and Warren Lake (hard, 8 hours). Guided hikes with Wildwood Tours cost around $80 USD (transportation included).

For more suggestions on how to spend your time in Portland, here’s a list of the best things to see and do in the city!  

Days 77-79: Seattle, WA

• Explore the Seattle Center – Seattle Center is home to the Space Needle as well as a complex of entertainment venues: the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the Experience Music Project), the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the Pacific Science Center, and the outdoor Mural Amphitheater, as well as the International Fountain and the Armory food court. Don’t miss the views from the top of the Space Needle!
• Wander Pike Place Market – Pike Place Market is one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US. It’s a nine-acre, four-floor sprawl of shops, stalls, galleries, and cafés (including the original Starbucks location) selling everything from crafts to flowers to fresh produce. Wander, eat, shop, and enjoy the ambiance. Show Me Seattle offers food tours of the market for a more guided experience.
• See the Boeing Museum of Flight – This museum highlights planes and spacecraft through the ages, offering insight into how flight has evolved over the decades. You’ll also get a chance to see the original Boeing “factory.” The original Air Force One is here too. Admission is $26.

For more things to see and do, here’s my in-depth guide to Seattle . And here are some budget-friendly accommodation suggestions for your visit.  

Days 80-82: Missoula, MT

• Tour the breweries – For such a small city, there are breweries and bars everywhere (Montana has the third-highest number of craft breweries per capita in the country). Don’t miss Bayern Brewery (the state’s first craft brewery), Draught Works Brewery (which has live music three nights a week), and Imagine Nation (which is also a community center). If you visit in April, you can attend the Missoula Craft Beer Week.
• Hike the M – Mount Sentinel is a small mountain nearby that offers some stunning views. The trail is just 1.2 miles, so it’s not particularly challenging, though you can extend the route for an all-day hike by continuing along the Crazy Canyon Trail at the summit.
• Ski Snowball Mountain – In the winter you’ll find upwards of a thousand acres of skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, the area is open for zip-lining, hiking, and mountain biking. It’s just twenty minutes from downtown,

NOTE: While not here, if you have time, you can drive north to spend a few days in Glacier National Park.  

Days 83-86: Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone is home to the largest volcanic system in North America, which is why geysers like Old Faithful (and the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat) can be found here. Wolves, bears, lynx, cougars, and bison all call the park home as well. Spend some time here hiking, camping, and basking in the park’s magnificent landscapes.  

Days 87-90: Denver, CO

• Visit the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum – This museum is housed on an old air base and has a collection of over 50 aircraft on display. Some of the highlights include a supersonic Rockwell Lancer and the massive B-52 Stratofortress. Admission is $19.95.
• Hike Mount Evans – This 14,265-foot peak can actually be summited in under 30 minutes (though there are longer trails too). You’ll see sweeping panoramic views of the region without having to hike for hours. Be sure to visit Like Echo and Mount Goliath on the way here.
• Catch a show at Red Rocks – The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a 9,000-seat outdoor venue that regularly hosts concerts and other events. It’s one of the most beautiful concert venues in the US. Try to catch a show here if you can.

Days 91-93: Kansas City, MO

• Indulge in BBQ – KC is one of America’s best hubs for delicious barbecue. You can find pretty much any kind of meat barbecued here, from brisket to turkey to fish. Kansas City’s barbecue dates back to the 1920s, and the city takes this tradition seriously. Harp Barbecue and Fiorella’s Jack Stack are two of the best in town.
• Wander the Jazz District – The historic 18th and Vine area is known as the Jazz District, owing to the popularity of jazz music from the 1920s to the ’40s and performances here by the likes of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louie Armstrong. Wander the district and bar-hop to catch some stellar live music.
• See the World War I Museum – The award-winning National World War I Museum and Memorial of the United States sheds light on the history and horrors of the Great War.

Days 94-97: Chicago, IL

• Relax in Grant & Millennium Parks – Located downtown, these two parks provide a relaxing place to hang out, have a picnic, or go for a run. You’ll find people playing chess, and during the summer, there are a lot of free concerts. The famous “Chicago Bean” sculpture is located in Millennium Park.
• Try the pizza – Deep-dish pizza and stuffed-crust pizza were developed in Chicago, and no trip is complete without trying at least one. Deep-dish pizza was invented by Pizzeria Uno, which is now a national restaurant chain. But for something more local, Chicagoans swear by Lou Malnati’s.
• Visit the Art Institute of Chicago – Founded in 1879, this is one of the oldest art museums in the country. It has everything from photography to architecture to textiles, and its permanent collection includes works by Eva Hesse, David Hockney, and Ellsworth Kelly. A skip-the-line ticket is $40 USD.

If you want additional things to see and do (as well as some money-saving tips), consult my comprehensive guide to Chicago!

And here is my list of the best hostels in Chicago for budget-friendly accommodation .  

Days 98-100: Detroit, MI

• Explore the Detroit Institute of Art – This 130-year-old museum is located in the heart of Midtown and has something to offer every visitor. There are more than 65,000 works of art here, ranging from classic to more modern and contemporary pieces, spread out over 100 different galleries. It’s one of the best art museums in the country. Admission is $18 USD.
• Walk the Dequindre Cut – The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a two-mile urban recreational path that offers a pedestrian link between the East Riverfront, the Eastern Market, and several residential neighborhoods in between. Along the path, you’ll find all kinds of street art, as well as buskers in the summer. It’s a nice place to walk or jog and take in the city.
• Shop at the Eastern Market – The Eastern Market is a huge marketplace with local foods, art, jewelry, artisan crafts, and more. It covers 43 acres and is the largest historic public market district in the United States, dating back over 150 years. It is particularly busy on Saturdays, when farmers bring in their fresh produce.

Days 101-103: Cleveland, OH

• See the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – This is one of the largest collections of musical memorabilia in the entire world. John Lennon’s guitar, Elvis Presley’s military uniform, and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust outfits are just some of the items in the massive collection.
• Tour the Museum of Natural History – Founded in 1920, this massive museum is home to over four million specimens. There are exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, primates, animals, and more. It’s super educational, and there are lots of interactive exhibits too.
• Hike the Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Located on the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, this is the only national park in Ohio. Encompassing 32,000 acres, the park has all kinds of hiking and biking trails (camping is no longer permitted).

Days 104-106: Pittsburgh, PA

• Ride the Duquesne Incline – This 140-year-old funicular used to transport workers up Pittsburgh’s steep hills before cars became commonplace. Hop on, ride to the top, and enjoy the view! Tickets are $2.50 USD one way.
• Visit the Warhol Museum – Dedicated to Andy Warhol, Pittsburgh’s best-known artist, this is the largest museum in the country dedicated to a single person. While much of his art is unusual, it’s still worth a visit, as Warhol has had a profound and lasting impact on modern art. Admission is $25.
• See Randyland – Created by a local artist, here you’ll find a section of the north end completely painted in all kinds of bright colors and murals. Buildings, fences, driveways — it’s a massive, bright, and fun spot to visit and unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere! Admission is free but donations are encouraged.
• Tour Carrie Furnace – Built in 1884, these former blast furnaces were part of the Homestead Steel Works and produced over 1,000 tons of iron per day. It’s one of the only pre–World War II blast furnaces in existence. Tours are $25 USD.

Days 107-110: Finger Lakes, NY

• Visit the wineries – There are tons of wineries all around the Finger Lakes, most of which offer tours and tastings (some also have live music and serve food). To guide your way, follow the Seneca Wine Trail or the Keuka Wine Trail, which link some of the best wineries in the region.
• See Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen State Park gorge trail is home to 19 picturesque waterfalls spread out over a two-hour hike. It’s not particularly strenuous, and there are lots of spots to relax and snap photos.
• Visit Ithaca – This photogenic small town has over 150 waterfalls within 10 miles of the town. There’s also a charming downtown, the beautiful Cornell campus (one of the prettiest in the country), and Cayuga Lake.

Days 111-113: Albany, NY

• Hike in John Boyd Thacher State Park – Located 30 minutes outside of town, this state park has over 25 miles of trails, as well as panoramic views from the Helderberg Escarpment. It’s a beautiful place for a day hike.
• Visit New York State Museum – This museum has a wide range of interesting exhibitions, including on local birds and wildlife, colonial history, and the ice age, among other topics. Admission is free (though a $5 USD donation is suggested).
• Tour the Capitol – The NY State Capitol building offers free daily tours. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the state, the city, and the building (including some ghost stories about the capitol’s haunting). Tours last one hour.

Days 114-120: Buffer Days

Having some padding in your itinerary will let you explore, have serendipitous travel experiences, and dig a little deeper into the regions and cultures you’ll be passing through.

While this is a solid itinerary, please mix it up. Skip some cities and spend more time in nature — or vice versa!

At the end of the day, the United States is an amazing and diverse country. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it. Delicious food, adventure activities, hiking, museums, history — we’ve got it all. You just need to hit the road and see it for yourself.

Need a rental car for your epic adventure? use the widget below to find the best deals!

Book Your Trip to the United States: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money — and I think they will help you too!

Want more information on the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on the USA for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are mine alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. This page does not include all card companies or all available card offers.

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3 Weeks In USA: East Coast, West Coast, Road Trip

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Everyone should experience visiting the US at least once in their lifetime. It is a country with diverse nationalities and races, you’ll get to experience various cultures, from food to events. And honestly, they are undoubtedly one of the most influential countries when it comes to the economy, politics, and well, public figures.

Aside from that, it is also filled with natural and man-made wonders, tons of activities you can participate in, and overall make great memories. Less than a week and even a week is not enough, the United States is massive. That’s why I created a list of things that you can do and places to visit for 3 weeks in USA. 

This itinerary doesn’t only cover one location. I created one for those who plan to go to the east coast, west coast, north coast, and even south coast. This detailed guide might convince you to start looking for great deals right now, arrange your passports and visas, and book a flight for your trip to the US of A.

ALSO READ: Safety tips for a first-time traveller or solo traveller

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO THE US

Before you go and book your flight and accommodation, there are a few things you should know and remember for travelling to the US. These tips will help you write a travel itinerary suitable for you and your budget.

When is the best time to go

Depending on what you want to do, the season is important Summer can be tricky if you want to go on a beach holiday. It’s a busy season since locals are also travelling during this time. This means a price hike is related to anything about holidays and travelling. It is also very crowded, and long lines are inevitable. You may consider going just before June or after August if you hate these things.

If you are coming to the US for a winter break, remember that the North of the US can have extreme weather that could lead to delays or cancellation of flights. So, make sure to leave a wriggle room for these situations.

Are 3 weeks enough for the US

Three weeks in the US is not enough. However, with good planning and realistic idea, it can be done. What I meant by that is choosing the places you want to see. For example, if it’s your first time in the US, it’s understandable that you want to see everything. But that’s just not possible.

Instead, you can see 2-3 states for this trip. It will even be better if you can stick to one region for now. Let’s say you’re visiting in the summer. For that, focus on the coastal states with fantastic beaches, such as California, Florida, and even spend 3 weeks in Hawaii .

But if you want to hike, the national parks have so much to offer, which is better than hiking in summer. There are plenty of options for those planning to go from California, Colorado, and Utah in winter. New England has many places for the autumn trip for beautiful fall foliage.

Another thing to remember when choosing where to go to maximise your time in the US is transportation. You might have to book a domestic flight if you want to visit multiple states. But if the places are near one another, road-tripping can do that.

One thing that many people fail to realise is how big the US is. The bottom line, be realistic and make sure not to cram too much on your itinerary. >> Read smartly packing for a 3-week trip

Average cost of 20 days in the US

Accommodation is the most expensive part of touring the US. On average, a decent double room costs about $100. You can find something cheaper but expect it to be low-quality, or you must book a bunk bed in a hostel. This is why if you plan to make a road trip, you might want to look at car rentals where you can also sleep in them.

On average, a single person can spend $2,500 for a 20-day trip in the US . If you’re on a t ight budget, you can do it for under $1,800 if you don’t mind staying in dorm rooms. For people planning to stay at luxurious hotels, around $5,000 will do it very comfortably.

These prices per person don’t include flights to and from the US. Purchasing travel insurance is also recommended to avoid insane medical bills if something terrible happens.

Getting around

Moving around the US is pretty easy but costly. Most tourists would rent a car and drive around. It’s much cheaper and more convenient. However, driving can be exhausting and very time-consuming if you plan to travel from coast to coast or even from one state to two states over.

Of course, there are so many domestic flights. The challenge is how expensive it can be. Flying between European countries is far cheaper than flying between states in the US. Their geographical distance is really far, but maybe flight tickets are expensive.

Because you can find flights from Boston to London or Iceland for about the same price as flights from Boston to Los Angeles.

The US has one of the most challenging visas, like Australia and the UK. If you are from Canada, most of Europe, East Europe, some Oceania, and Chile, you don’t need a visa for 90 to 180 days. However, you must need to obtain an ESTA (electric authorisation) if you arrive via air or sea.

One last thing, medical services are costly in the US . Ensure you have travel insurance that covers medical and is valid in the US. Some immigration officers would even ask you to show proof of your coverage, and failing to provide one can be a reason to deny you entrance to the US.

Other basic tips

Just a quick blurb of tools I always use when travelling anywhere in the world, regardless of how long I’ll be there. Some of these services even offer flexible cancellations in case your plans change. Booking your hotel in advance is recommended, especially if you are coming during the peak season.

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN THE US

You can check out this map to help you visualise the must-visit spots in the US.

The US is such a massive country we won’t be able to cover all the must-see attractions there in this post. I only added the ones that we will mention in this itinerary.

Credit: Map data: Google , click the top right corner to enlarge the map

3 WEEKS IN USA ITINERARY

This itinerary will help you write your own travel plan. Of course, you don’t have to follow my travel, but I hope I can give you a tip or two on places to see and good to enjoy. I recommend you do the East Coast as a road trip.

Perhaps another road trip for the West Coast before catching a flight to Chicago. We have a specific 3 weeks on West Coast USA with 2 different itineraries you can choose from.

Package tours

For those who are looking for more convenience, you might want to look into package tours . These tours are basically an all-inclusive trip.

The tour operator will book the transportation, accommodation, activities, getting tickets, and even arrange the meals throughout the trip.

This will ease the planning and ensure that you see the top sites the US has to offer. However, these package tours usually don’t include your main flight to the US (and back home), souvenir shopping, and gratuity (which is expected in the US).

Itinerary #1: 3 Weeks In USA East Coast

The summer lasts from June to September for people who want to get tanned or are just fond of the beach. That’s why this is the perfect time for you to visit the East Coast, as it has a lot of beaches. If you prefer the snow, the best months are from December to February. I listed some states where you can spend your winter/spring/summer/fall vacation. 

You can visit these places by driving, especially if you’re going to stay for 3 weeks in the USA, it will be a great idea. So, here are the places you could visit for your 3 week US road trip. You can pick up the car in Massachusetts and drop it off in Florida.

>> ALSO READ: An article that focuses on 3 weeks on east coast USA – there are two itineraries to choose from

Massachusetts for 4 days

Massachusetts is part of the original New England region, established by Brits when they arrived in the US. It holds a lot of history and is rich in fantastic natural beauty. It’s great to start your trip here because Boston Logan International Airport is one of the busiest hubs on the West Coast.

Most people visit Boston, but there is more to explore, such as Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, and world-class Harvard University. If you are planning to rent a car , you should set a pick-up at the airport, but see if you can drop it off in Florida or at one of your stops along the way down south.

• For exploring Boston downtown, get a hop-on, hop-off trolley pass or get a Go City pass
• Cape Cod National Seashore
• Boston Common and Public Garden Swan Boats
• Plimoth Patuxet
• Spooky Tours – Haunting of Salem – Haunting Salem or Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley
• Museum of Science
• Fenway Park – join a tour with a local guide
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• Freedom Trail – discover with history and food
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Day trip to Martha’s Vineyard – book a tour with a round-trip ferry
• Faneuil Hall
• Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum – enjoy an interactive tour
• Crane Beach
• Boston Harbor Islands State Park
• Carson Beach
• John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library
• Harvard University – explore with a student guide
• Wachusett Mountain
• Jiminy Peak
• Learn about the cuisine of Massachusettes – book a walking tasting tour or underground donut tour or buffet cruise at Boston Harbor

Massachusetts’ trademark foods that are must-try include lobster rolls, cannolis, Boston cream pie, and a whole lot more which you’ll discover once you get there.

Accommodations in Boston:

• Budget hostels – HI Boston Hostel or Boston Homestel
• Mid-range hotels – Oasis Guest House or DoubleTree by Hilton
• Luxury hotels – Encore Boston Harbor or InterContinental Boston – if you are looking for something very unique, you should definitely check out these awesome hotels with rooftop pools in Boston

New York City for 3 days

One must not miss New York City if one is visiting the west coast of the US. From great shows, news network headquarters, music scene, nightlife, great food, tasty dishes, and rich culture – New York has it all.

Three days here might not be a lot, but it’s an expensive destination, so this short of time should be enough to see the top sites such as Time Square, Film Studios, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, see a show, and joining a food tour.

You can reach New York from Boston in 4 hours if you drive. You can also book a bus for 4 hr and 20 min. The train is the fastest, the travel time is 3 hr and 50 mins. A direct flight is only an hour and 30 mins.

• Discover New York – on a one-day sightseeing tour or purchase a New York CityPass
• Central Park
• Manhattan – go on a helicopter ride
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Statue of Liberty – combo with Ellis Island tour
• Times Square
• One World Observatory – get your admission ticket
• Brooklyn Bridge
• 9/11 Memorial Museum – purchase an entry ticket
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
• Summit One Vanderbilt – read the tour reviews
• Empire State Building – skip the line and go to 102nd Deck
• The High Line
• American Museum of Natural History – get your pass
• Rockefeller Center
• Friends Experience – visit the production set
• Top of The Rock
• Ice Cream Museum – book a ticket in advance
• Bryant Park
• Go on culinary experience – visit Chinatown and Little Italy or Greenwich Village or Brooklyn food tour or Hell’s Kitchen Tour
• Washington Square Park
• Enjoy a dinner cruise

Accommodations in New York City :

• Affordable: The Local NY or HI New York City Hostel or West Side YMCA
• Mid-range: The Herald by LuxUrban or Raven Hotel by Wyndham
• Luxury: Riu Plaza Manhattan Time Square or Arlo Midtown or citizenM New York Time Square

Washington D.C. for 3 days

Washington D.C. is known for being the capital of the US. It’s also the home of many excellent museums and historical locations. It is a great place to visit if you love history and culture. It also has so many government buildings that are open to the public. If you love history and politics, this is a must-not-miss destination.

Washington D.C is a historical destination filled with many places to explore. However, if you have a limited time here, you can still do a lot in 2 days in Washington D.C . Also, don’t miss out on food to try! This place’s signature dishes include avocado toast, saganaki, and pumpkin curry, among other varieties.  

Do not confuse it with Washington State (located on the west coast).

You can get from New York to Washington D.C by bus , which will take around 4 hr and 20 mins. The train travel is about 3 hr and 50 mins. If you’re driving, that’s approximately 4 hours. You can fly here , but you might need to make a connection somewhere.

• Learn about Washington DC – in a one-day tour or on a bike tour or Capitol Hill guided tour
• Library of Congress
• United States Capitol and Capitol Hill – book a Moonlight tour by trolley or simply get your reserved entry pass
• Lincoln Memorial
• Discover DC Monuments – via big bus hop-on, hop-off or a night tour
• Washington Monument
• The White House – advance planning must be done
• National Air and Space Museum
• National Mall – tour on an electric vehicle
• Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin
• Mount Vernon – do a day trip combo with Alexandria
• National Gallery of Art
• Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Museum – visit the museum with a private guide
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Arlinton National Cemetry – walking tour with changing of guards
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• National Harbor Capital Wheel – check the ticket price
• International Spy Museum
• Try out local food and drinks – on a food and history tour or pub crawl and history or cruise and gourmet

Accommodations in Washington D.C :

• Budget hostels – Duo Housing or Duo Nomad
• Mid-range hotels – Washington Plaza Hotel or citizenM Washington DC
• Luxury hotels – JW Marriott or Sofitel Lafayette Square

North Carolina for 3 days

Some fantastic dishes that you can try out while staying here are chocolate chess pie, steamed oysters, shrimp hushpuppies, Malayan chicken tikka, and more. If you want to explore this state more, here’s a fun guide to the best North Carolina road trip itineraries .

You can take the bus from Washington D.C., to Raleigh in 6 hr and 30 mins. Surprisingly the train is now faster than the bus, around 6 hours. Driving to Raleigh will be the quickest option, taking 4 hours and 20 mins. Flying directly is the most comfortable, just a little over an hour.

• Charlotte 90-minute electric cart tour – read the reviews and check the price
• James B. Hunt Jr. Library
• Pullen Park
• Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park
• Clingmans Dome
• Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
• Juniper Level Botanic Garden
• Pisgah National Forest
• Wright Brothers National Memorial
• Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State
• North Carolina Museum of Art

Accommodations in Raleigh, North Carolina:

• Budget hostels/Inn – Super 8 or Days Inn – both are by Wyndham
• Mid-range hotels – Best Western Plus Crabtree Valley or Hyatt Place
• Luxury hotels – Embassy Suites or The StateView

Georgia for 3 days

Georgia is well-known for various foods and dishes, including fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, pralines, and peaches. Apart from that, Georgia is also loved for its diverse and wide range of activities, such as hiking, bird watching, and water excursions.

Regarding food and drinks, Georgia has a massive and passionate food scene featuring the best fried chicken, biscuits, and peach cobbler. There are also plenty of vineyards throughout the state if you want to do wine-tasting tours.

If you’re visiting at the right time, you can join Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Savannah Music Festival, and Georgia State Fair. Get to Savannah from Raleigh by bus or train, where the journey is around 9 hours. Driving will be the best option, which is about 5 hours. There’s a flight , although it requires a connection.

• Save money and get an Atlanta CityPass
• High Museum of Art
• Explore Savannah – by land and sea tour or hop-on, hop-off ancient trolley or join a narrated trolley tour or Riverboat Cruise
• The Davenport House Museum
• Atlanta – learn about Black History and Civil Rights
• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
• Wormsloe Plantation – join a tour from Savannah
• Savannah Theater
• Spooky Savannah – check this history and haunted tour
• Forsyth Park
• Tybee Island – book a guided tour
• Service Brewing Company
• World of Coca-Cola – get your skip-the-line ticket
• Piedmont Park
• Victorian Districts – combo with Bonaventure Cemetery tour
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Discover food and drinks culture – culinary and culture walking tour or pub crawl and food
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Enjoy nightlife – Savannah Drag Queen Show or Comedy Trolley Tour
• The Olde Pink House
• Day trip to North Georgia Wine Country – join a tour
• Stone Mountain Park
• Ride a helicopter on a scenic tour – read the reviews

Accommodations in Savannah, Georgia:

• Mid-range hotels/Inn – Hotel Indigo or The Thunderbird Inn
• Luxury hotels – Mansion, Kessler Collection or The Marshall House

Florida for 5 days

This 3 weeks in USA itinerary is incomplete without visiting the famous state of Florida. You and I both know how beautiful the beaches in Miami are. Do you also know that there are also nude beaches in Florida ?

If you are a foody, don’t miss visiting local Latin American restaurants, you can even find vegan and gluten-free spots in Miami. And, of course, don’t miss seeing the Everglades. If you are going to rent a car , you may want to check out this Florida road trip guide.

Some of the best local dishes in Miami are Chicharron, Ceviche, Stone crabs, and the Cuban sandwich, among others. If you are travelling with children, check out this list of activities in Everglades National Park with kids .

You can drive down to Miami from Savannah in 7 hours, but you can also just go to Florida and spend a day or two there before continuing to Miami to break up the drive. There’s a non-stop flight to Miami as well, around 1 hr and 30 mins. If you want an affordable option, book a bus to Miami or to Orlando .

There are a lot of flights from Florida back to Europe or some other parts of the world, making it a suitable place to end your trip.

• Miami – cruise to see Millionaire homes or join a speedboat sightseeing or evening cruise on Biscayne Bay
• Walt Disney World Resort
• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
• Everglades National Park – book Everglades Airboat Tour and Wildlife Tour
• Deering Estate
• Fort Lauderdale – get a water taxi all-day pass
• Magic Kingdom Park
• Orlando – enjoy a pirate show with dinner
• Universal Orlando Resort
• Rock Spring – go kayaking with a glass-bottomed boat
• Key West – sunset sail and live music
• Coral Castle
• St. Augustine – get a hop-on, hop-off trolley pass
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Snorkel with Manatee – tour with a photographer
• SeaWorld Orlando
• Tampa Bay – purchase a city pass
• The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
• Go Food and Drinks Exploration – join Little Havana food walking tour (Miami)
• LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
• Go to Kennedy Space Center – reserve an entry ticket

Accommodations in Miami:

• Budget hostel – Art Hostel Wynwood Concept
• Mid-range hotels/Inn – Hampton Inn/Coconut Grove or Hilton Garden Inn
• Luxury hotels – East Miami or InterContinental

Itinerary #2: 3 Weeks Across USA

Unlike what was discussed above, this portion of the article will focus on places where flying would be required as it would save time compared to driving, and the sites are more distant compared to the locations listed above. This road trip will span from California to Las Vegas, Arizona, Chicago, and Boston.

If you plan a road trip on some parts of the west coast US, you can r ent a car in California , and then take it to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon. Drop it off in Arizona and take a domestic flight to Chicago , then another to New York.

California for 5 days

California is famous for many things, but to ensure you don’t end up cramming too many attractions in your 3 weeks in USA itinerary, I recommend you list five things you want to see. It’s better if they are near each other and you can visit quickly without spending too much time driving around.

Remember that California is a massive state, though. So, it’s best to plan to see 1-2 cities only. Maybe for this trip, you can visit Los Angeles and San Francisco or Los Angeles and Anaheim if you want to go to Disneyland.

Venice Beach – Venice Boardwalk is a must-do in this area; there are lots of restaurants, wall paintings, and even a skate park.

• Disneyland Park
• Visit Hollywood and Beverly Hills or Hollywood tour only or Celebrity Homes Tours or ride a helicopter tour
• Los Angeles – half-day sightseeing tour or get a 40+ attraction pass
• Yosemite National Park – tour from San Franciso
• Hop-on, Hop-off Bus – check the pass fee
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Marina del Rey – hop on a luxury boat cruise
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art
• Echo Park – ride the swan boat
• Griffith Observatory
• Warner Bros Studio – book a tour
• Balboa Park
• Universal Studios – get your admission ticket in advance
• Santa Monica Pier
• Petersen Automotive Museum – book an entry ticket
• Redwood National and State Parks
• Yosemite National Park – book a day tour for a hiking trip .

Accommodations in Los Angeles:

• Budget hostel – Samesun Venice Beach or HI Los Angeles Santa Monica
• Mid-range hotels – Hotel Figueroa by Hyatt or H Hotel by Hilton
• Luxury hotels – Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills or Four Season Beverly Hills

Las Vegas for 3 days

A place that will make you forget what day it is or it is too early to start hitting the bar – Las Vegas have so much to offer. Whether you like gambling or not, the Las Vegas casinos are unique and worth visiting at least once.

But if you want to avoid that, you can still visit the desert, and fantastic buildings, do thrilling activities and get crazy with buffet options. You can even book a day trip to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. That way, you can save time and spend it on another destination or stay long in some cities.

To reach Las Vegas by car from California, the travel time is 5 hours. You can also get on a bus , a more affordable option, but it might be just a little slower. A direct flight is 1 hr and 20 min.

• Head to The Strip – free things to do in Las Vegas or get a GoCity Pass where you can enter 30+ attractions or join a big bus night tour
• The Stratosphere Tower
• Vegas Indoor Skydiving
• Madame Tussauds – get your entry ticket combo with a gondola cruise
• The Neon Museum Las Vegas
• High Roller – purchase a ticket beforehand
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
• Helicopter Ride – at night over Las Vegas, check the price
• Day trip to the Grand Canyon – stop at West Rim and Hoover Dam by bus, read the reviews or do a helicopter tour
• Bellagio Hotel & Casino
• Drive ATV at the Dunes – book your trip
• The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod
• Emerald Cover – sign up for a kayak
• Day trip to Bryce and Zion National Park
• Join a food tour or pub crawl for Las Vegas

Accommodations in Las Vegas:

• Budget hostel – The STRAT Hotel or The D Las Vegas
• Mid-range hotels – Bally’s or Downtown Grand Hotels & Casino
• Luxury hotels – Bellagio or The Palazzo

Arizona for 4 days

Many don’t know that Arizona is just a bunny hop from California when people think of exploring the West Coast. If you have Las Vegas on your itinerary, you might as well visit the home of the most popular attractions in the US – the Grand Canyon.

You can actually fly from Las Vegas to Phoenix, Arizona, in just an hour. Driving will take 8 hours if you’re reading to Phoenix, but if you’re going towards the Grand Canyon, drive to Flagstaff instead, which is only 4 hours or board a bus .

• Grand Canyon – join a tour from Phoenix or enjoy a 45-minute helicopter ride
• Monument Valley
• Lower Antelope Canyon – get your ticket
• Saguaro National Park
• Upper Antelope Canyon – purchase your ticket
• Arizona Desert – explore by ATV
• Trail of Time
• Phoenix ZooLight – book an entry ticket
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Verde Canyon – do the railroad adventure

Accommodations in Arizona:

• Mid-range hotels – Hilton Garden or Best Western
• Luxury hotels – Renaissance Downtown or Sheraton Downton

Chicago for 3 days

Personally, when I was writing my itinerary for 3 weeks in the US, Chicago was not on the radar. Not only it’s kind of out of the way but also because I didn’t know or didn’t have an attraction in mind that I wanted to see.

However, a friend sent me a list of must-see places in Chicago, so I squeezed it into my itinerary. Here are the things to do and see in Chicago. If you have limited time, this two days in Chicago itinerary will be convenient.

The flight between Phoenix and Chicago is not about 3 hr and 30 mins. You can also fly from Flagstaff, but you need to connect somewhere, and the flight cost might be double.

• Explore Chicago – get a city pass or join a food walking tour
• Field Museum
• Chicago Architecture – book a 1-hour river cruise or 95-min river cruise or 45-minute river cruise
• North Avenue Beach
• Mob, Crime, Ghosts- join a Mob and Crime bus tour or Gangsters and ghosts tour
• Fly over Chicago Skyline – for 45-minutes
• Willis Tower
• Chicago Art Institute – get your skip-the-line pass
• Museum of Science and Industry
• 360 Observation Deck – book your admission
• Wrigley Field
• Navy Pier – ride the centennial wheel
• Buckingham Fountain
• Sunset Cruise – check the reviews or fireworks cruise
• Garfield Park Conservatory
• Museum of Ice Cream – get your entry ticket
• Brewery of Chicago – ride the brewery barrel bus

Accommodations in Chicago:

• Budget hostels – Freehand Chicago or HI Chicago Hostel
• Mid-range hotels – Club Quarter Hotel Wacker or Central Loop Hotel
• Luxury hotels – Sofitel or Viceroy

RELATED POST: 3 weeks in Canada

New York City3 days

Finishing the trip in New York is an excellent plan because two significant airports fly internationally. It will be easier to catch a flight home or to your next destination.

New York is popular for many things, but more importantly, it’s rich in culture, art, food, and unique people. Not on can you explore downtown New York, but you can also plan some day trips nearby.

One thing you can’t miss when visiting New York is seeing a live show, going on a food tour, taking photos at Time Square, and riding the infamous subway.

Plenty of flights between Chicago and New York, between 2 and 5 hours. But you’re up for the final stretch of driving, and you can stop by Cleveland to take a break for the night and continue the next day.

Accommodations in New York City:

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN USA ITINERARY

The USA is filled not only with diverse people and cultures but different types of places as well. There’s always something to see and do, regardless of your preferences. They have something in store for history buffs, beach bums, adventure junkies, and food lovers. Because there are just so many places to go to, some might even get overwhelmed or confused about where to start.

I hope that this guide has been helpful for those who are planning to stay for at least 3 weeks in USA. This comprehensive guide contains the most famous attractions in various states, the opening hours and ticket costs (if any) of the said attraction, and the states’ trademark foods that are must-try. 

SAVE THIS 3-WEEK ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

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This Map Shows the Quickest (and Ultimate) Road Trip Across America

Planning holidays in USA? This map has got you covered for a great American road trip this year. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before. A few years back a savvy University of Michigan researcher figured out the fastest route to drive across the US, hitting all the country’s major landmarks before coming full circle.

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If you’ve got the time to complete the full circuit, you’ll encounter some of the United States’ most famous sights, including Arizona’s Grand Canyon, Washington DC’s White House, New York’s Statue of Liberty and Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. And if you were curious, Randy calculated the whole thing in less than a minute. Genius.

Here’s a full list (in order) of everything you’ll encounter on your holidays in USA for an epic road trip:

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

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Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Pikes Peak, Colorado

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

The Alamo, Texas

The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma

Toltec Mounds, Arkansas

Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Tennessee

Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi

French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana

USS Alabama , Alabama

Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida

Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia

Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina

Lost World Caverns, West Virginia

Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina

Mount Vernon, Virginia

White House, Washington DC

Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland

New Castle Historic District, Delaware

Cape May Historic District, New Jersey

Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania

Statue of Liberty, New York

The Mark Twain House and Museum, Connecticut

The Breakers, Rhode Island

USS Constitution , Massachusetts

Acadia National Park, Maine

Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire

Shelburne Farms, Vermont

Fox Theater, Michigan

Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana

Abraham Lincoln’s Home, Illinois

Gateway Arch, Missouri

C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas

Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, Iowa

Taliesin, Wisconsin

Fort Snelling, Minnesota

Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota

Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota

Glacier National Park, Montana

Hanford Site, Washington

Columbia River Highway, Oregon

San Francisco Cable Cars, California

San Andreas Fault, California

Hoover Dam, Nevada

Love maps? Check out this handy map that shows you every single airport’s Wi-Fi codes across the world !

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Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

Home | Travel | North America | United States | Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

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Traveling along the West Coast of the United States  had been in my head since the day I found out I’d be moving there for work. Who hasn’t dreamed about a road trip across the Western US? For me, the landscapes that automatically come to mind are the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley among others, as we have seen again and again in a bunch of movies.

Grand Canyon

In addition to nature, the American West Coast also offers you visits to symbolic cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

My favorite part of this trip was definitely the National Parks where natural wonders of this incredible country are concentrated within. I had been taking note of them on a  Western US  map   for a long time so that I could visit them as soon as I had the chance.

That’s how I started planning the 10-day West Coast USA road trip that we took in August.

THIS WAS OUR 10-DAY WEST COAST USA ITINERARY:

Our 10-day West Coast USA road trip itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas.  Beginning of our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip.
• Day 2: Monument Valley + Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend.  The most popular places in the Western USA.
• Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park. One of the less touristic national park in the West Coast USA.
• Day 4: Zion Canyon National Park. One of the places we like the most during our 10-day West Coast USA trip.
• Day 5: Grand Canyon,  a must-visit place on the West Coast.
• Day 6: Mojave National Preserve + Death Valley,  the best of our 10-day West Coast Itinerary.
• Day 7: Yosemite Valley, the best attraction in the Western USA.
• Day 8: Upper Yosemite Falls,  the best hike of our West Coast America road trip.
• Day 9: Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. You cannot skip this highlight of West Coast USA:
• Day 10: Return flight from San Francisco.  En of our 10-day Western US trip.

If a Western US road trip is also one of your dreams, you will find everything you need to prepare your trip here:

• 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip

Best places to visit in West Coast America

• Our West Coast USA 10-day itinerary
• How to plan a self-drive trip to the Western US

How much does it cost a West Coast USA trip?

• Map of Western US

10-day west coast USA road trip

One of the first things I am sure you will be wondering about is how long a West Coast trip could take. My opinion is that you could be discovering the American West Coast for months and would still have things to do.

Death Valley – Zabriskie Point

When looking at a West Coast USA map, it may initially seem that the best tourist destinations are close to each other. However, distances in this country are huge, and you will spend a lot of time on the road during your trip.

Keep in mind that the US public transportation system is very scarce outside of the big cities, so the only practical option is to rent a car and prepare for a West Coast USA driving holiday.

On our West Coast USA road trip, more than ¼ of the trip was spent driving and still, along with the Canadian Rockies trip , it was one of the best trips of our life.

Another highly recommended option is to take a West Coast RV trip , as this country offers all kind of facilities for those who like to travel with their motorhome. You can check the best RV rental companies in the USA here.

Although it takes a long time to travel across the West Coast in depth, if you don’t have too many days or prefer to combine them, I encourage you to spend in West Coast America at least 10 days.

Grand Canyon – Plateau Point

There are thousands of West Coast USA tours you can take, so the first thing you have to choose is a few must-see places. It may seem complicated to plan this trip at first, especially when you do not have much time.

To help you choose your perfect West Coast America itinerary, you will discover the main tourist attractions in this section. Then, you can design the West Coast USA holiday itinerary that best suits your needs.

I suggest that as you read through this article, write down  the things to do in West Coast America  that interest you most on a map to help determine the best itinerary.

SAN FRANCISCO

If you like to visit cities, one of the places you cannot miss on the West Coast America is San Francisco. This popular city of California, is characterized by the steep slopes and the well-known Lombard street.

The most popular thing to do in San Francisco is visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in the US and a classic in many American films, as seen in Godzilla and Superman.

In addition, another interesting activity to do is visiting the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary whose best-known prisoner was Al Capone. It was said that nobody could escape from this maximum-security prison island since the only way was by swimming almost two kilometers in cold and treacherous waters.

If you are visiting this city, stay in one of the best hotels in San Francisco.

Las Vegas,  also known as “Sin City”, is one of the American classics famous for its countless casinos, open container laws (aka public drinking), and legalized prostitution in nearby counties.

The largest city in the state of Nevada welcomes both domestic and global tourism, where vice is a right. It is not surprising to hear the old saying: What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.

Welcome Las Vegas

Whether you like gambling or not, it is a must-see Western American city. It is also a good place to celebrate your (fake) wedding if being married by Elvis is also one of your dreams. Here you can find the ultimate list of things to do in Las Vegas.

If you are visiting this city make sure you know where to stay in Las Vegas , since its hotels are some of the most amazing in the World.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS to do in las vegas

• Los Angeles

Los Angeles , also known as LA, is the most populous city on the West Coast of USA. The City of Broken Dreams and Hollywood stars is located in California.

The Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign are probably the main tourist attractions in Los Angeles , although a visit to Santa Monica , the beach where Baywatch was filmed, is also recommended.

Another place of interest is the Warner Bros. studios , where you can visit the film sets of a lot of movies, as well as Venice , where the canals remind you of those from the Italian city with the same name.

LA is a stop that you cannot miss on your 10-day West Coast US trip if you happen to enjoy both cities and film. You can find where to stay in Los Angeles here.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES

Grand canyon.

If we had to choose just a single place to start, visiting the Grand Canyon  would probably be the first that we recommend to do in West Coast USA.

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona and was shaped by the Colorado River over millions of years. In some points, the Canyon reaches a depth of more than 5250 feet.

Grand Canyon – Helicopter Tour

If you don’t have much time, taking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour is a good option, as we told you in that article about our experience. However, if you have several days, I advise going down the canyon  through one of the many different hikes to discover the Colorado River.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO DO IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK and best places to stay in Grand canyon

Havasu falls.

If you like adventure, visiting the Havasu Falls is an essential of West Coast USA.

The Havasu Falls, along with others in the area, belong to the Havasupai Indian Reservation and are guarded by a tribe of Native Americans. They are inaccessible by car, so you must be in excellent physical condition to visit as you will be hiking in and out.

Plan well in advance for your visit, since you will need a permit that usually runs out shortly after the beginning of the  reservation  period which starts in February of each year. In addition to the permit, you will have to book a camping spot, as it is mandatory to stay there when visiting the falls.

SANTA BARBARA

Back at the coastal area, Santa Bárbara, located 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles, can be another interesting stop.

The main beach largely resembles Santa Mónica, except Santa Bárbara is not as popular.

However, Santa Bárbara is not just a beach: its architecture with Hispanic colonial roots is an important tourist attraction.

MONUMENT VALLEY

Between Utah and Arizona, Monument Valley is another one of the supernatural landscapes in the American West. It is a huge valley where very interesting geological formations rose with reddish colors. This was also a scene featured in many classic western films.

Monument Valley

This desert valley is located within the Navajo Nation, a territory that belongs to the Navajo natives who are responsible for both maintenance of the reserve and collection of entrance fees, which is not included in the US National Parks pass.

The best time to photograph the valley is during sunrise when the sun is behind the monuments, or during sunset when the monuments are illuminated by the last rays of the sun. In addition, there are different hiking trails that bring you closer to the main monuments of the valley, or you can even take a Jeep tour with one of the Navajo guides.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO Do IN Monument Valley and WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

Page: antelope canyon and horseshoe bend.

Page is a town inside the Navajo Indian Reservation, located in Arizona.

The most interesting attraction here is the Antelope Canyon , a geological feature formed by consecutive floods throughout history, which eroded narrow labyrinths of sandy rock into its terrain.

Antelope Canyon

Do not miss our Guide to antelope canyon TOURS

In addition, if you visit Page, you cannot miss a sunset in  Horseshoe Bend, which is named after its shape. It is probably the most famous bend of the Colorado River.

Horseshoe Bend

Do not miss our Guide to VISIT horseshoe bend

Here we leave you the best guide to know where to stay in Page.

The Wave in Arizona is another attraction to see in Western America.

To see this solidified wave-shaped dune, you must have a permit issued  four months in advance and by lottery (only 20 visitors per day are allowed).

It is one of the few virgin wonders that remain in the United States, so if you missed the date of the draw, it is always a good idea to check if someone has canceled his or her tour on the calendar. Visit this booking website both to participate in the lottery and to check the calendar.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Bryce Canyon National Park is a reserve located in Utah and is popular for the peculiar rock formations also known as “Hoodoos”. This park should be included in any Western US National Parks itinerary.

Due to the reddish color of the terrain, the best time to contemplate the main amphitheater viewpoint is at sunrise and sunset.

Bryce Canyon

There are also several hiking trails that will take you through the formations, where you can discover some with very interesting forms and names like Thor’s Hammer or Queen Victoria.

Do not miss THE BEST HIKES IN bryce canyon and the BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BRYCE

Close to the Mexican border, we will find San Diego, the second largest city in the state south of Los Angeles

This city is a good stop on your 10-day West Coast US road trip if you are more interested in beach areas. La Jolla Cove is the most popular beach and you can find all kinds of wildlife including sea lions there.

In addition to the beach, there are other places of interest, such as Old Town San Diego, where you can find original buildings of the first Spaniards that arrived here, and Balboa Park, where many museums are concentrated, or the Coronado Island , where you can find the best views of the city.

ZION NATIONAL PARK

In Utah, one of the most important landmarks of the state is  Zion National Park, where the main interest here is an 800-meter-deep canyon carved into the reddish terrain for 24 kilometers by the Virgin River.

There are different hikes that you can take in this park. One of the most popular is Angels Landing, where you can get a full view of the canyon after three hours of hiking and up the Via Ferrata section.

Zion Canyon

Another longer route is The Narrows , which can be completed in 8 hours or done over several days. The route goes through the narrow gorges carved in by the virgin river, so you always need to check river flow the day before at the visitor’s center, and also to get water shoes.

Do not miss THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO IN zion national park and WHERE TO STAY IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

Joshua tree national park.

Located in a desert area in southern California, Joshua Tree National Park stands out for its unique rocks and mountain shapes.

Although its name comes from the unique Joshua Tree , what makes this park really interesting are the infinite rock-climbing possibilities .

Whether or not you are a climber, if you decide to visit Joshua Tree National Park on your West Coast USA trip over 10 days, you will experience the feeling of finding yourself on another planet.

DEATH VALLEY

On your 10-day West Coast America self-driving tour, you cannot miss the Death Valley that is located in California.

Death Valley

This immense desert is famous for Badwater, a dry area with the highest negative elevation within North America, situated at 262 feet below sea level. In addition, it is one of the hottest places on earth during summer, with a maximum recorded temperature of 58ºC.

Zabriskie Point

If you are going to cross it, be sure to fill the fuel tank and bring plenty of water to survive the extreme desert temperatures during the day.

Do not miss tHE bEST tHINGS TO DO IN Death Valley and where to stay in Death Valley

Mojave national preserve.

The Mojave Desert  spreads across Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) and the Mojave National Preserve.

While you will find Joshua trees all over in this vast extension of land, the world’s highest concentration is located within the Mojave National Preserve .

Mojave Desert

In addition to the flora, the fauna is abundant and diverse, from reptiles like snakes, lizards, and turtles to mammals like bobcats or hares.

Do not miss WHAT TO DO IN mojave desert

Arches national park.

Arches National Park , located in Utah, has the highest concentration of stone arches in the world, however, there is no record of how many arches there are in this extension. This is the reason why it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Utah.

In addition, we can find another type of geological formations that defy gravity here, such as the Balanced Rock, a rock that seems to be falling at any time, yet has been standing for thousands of years in the same position.

The best way to go across Arches National Park is through a park ranger-guided tour that takes you to the purest and most virgin area of the park, where you cannot access on your own. You can book it here.

This park is one of the most acclaimed by photographers since the impossible shapes of the arches are very easy to use in any composition.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

An essential stop in West Coast USA is Yosemite National Park , located in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

This park is remarkable for two of the most important climbing sites in the United States and the world: the big granite walls of El Capitan and the Half Dome. In addition, we can find the American Giant Sequoia, one of the largest trees in the world, as well as extensive fauna that includes raccoons and black bears in this park.

Yosemite Valley

If you are a lover of nature, outdoor activities, and camping , this is surely going to be one of your favorite places near West Coast of the United States.

Do not miss all you have to do in Yosemite and WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE

Sequoia national park.

In Sequoia National Park, you can find the largest concentration of giant sequoias in the world. These are grouped within what is known as the Giant Forest.

The park is located about 10000 feet above sea level, a critical altitude for this type of trees to grow. However, it may be closed during the winter because of the snow.

In addition, here we can find the giant sequoia known as General Sherman standing at 275 feet. While it is the largest single-stem tree, the Hyperion , located in Redwood National Park, California, stands taller at 379 feet as the tallest living tree known in the world.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is the oldest national park in the United States. It stands out for the incredible volcanic activity in the area and for the abundant fauna that inhabits the park: buffalo, grizzly bears, black bears, moose… If you want to enjoy the authentic American wildlife and landscapes with a smell of sulfur taken from another world, Yellowstone is an essential place to visit on the American West Coast.

I didn’t visit it during my first trip to the West Coast in the United States in 10 days, but during my next trip in which I toured Yellowstone and Grand Teton for 10 days, a great plan if you are looking for an alternative itinerary.

Check WHAT TO DO IN YELLOWSTONE and WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE

Grand teton national park.

The mountains of Grand Teton National Park are one of the most haunted landscapes by photographers on the West Coast. If you like wildlife, hiking, and want to flee the typical 10-day US West Coast itineraries , I recommend visiting this national park that promises a quiet vacation away from the masses even in peak tourist season.

Grand Teton adjoins Yellowstone National Park, so taking a 10-day tour of the US West Coast combining these two parks is quite popular.

Check what to do in grand teton and WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON

Our 10-day west coast usa itinerary.

As we stated above, our West Coast USA trip was focused on national parks and all the natural wonders of this area in North America.

Cities in the west coast are for sure some interesting destinations, but, without a doubt, if we had had more than 10 days to travel the American West Coast, we would have kept exploring the natural places that this country offers, each one so different and full of contrasts.

DAY 1 – West Coast America Trip: FLIGHT TO LAS VEGAS

We arrived in Las Vegas at noon, picked up the rental car and made a quick route to see the highlights of the city.

After a mandatory stop to make the classic photo with the Welcome Las Vegas sign, we headed to Monument Valley (6 hours driving) where we spent our first night.

DAY 2 – West Coast America Trip: DAWN IN MONUMENT VALLEY + ANTELOPE CANYON + HORSESHOE BEND

We photographed the sunrise in Monument Valley to see the incredible geological formations of the Navajo Reservation tinted in beautiful reddish colors.

Monument Valley (Our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip)

In the morning we went to Antelope Canyon , in Page (2 hours driving) to take both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours.

Antelope Canyon (Our 10-day West Coast USA Trip)

In the afternoon we had a rest at  Lake Powell. Then we went to Horseshoe Bend from where we watched and photographed an unforgettable sunset.

Horseshoe Bend (Our 10-day Western US Road Trip)

We drove 2.5 hours until our next stop on our 10-day route along the West Coast.

DAY 3 – West Coast America Trip: BRYCE canyon NATIONAL PARK

We woke up in Bryce Canyon National Park , where we took pictures of the twilight from Sunrise Point overlooking the amphitheater.

We hiked the Rim Trail, seeing different Hoodoos as Thor’s Hammer.

Bryce Canyon (Our 10-day WesternUSA Road Trip)

At night, we returned to photograph the amphitheater under the Perseid Meteor Shower, and camped inside the park.

Bryce Canyon – Sunrise Overlook

DAY 4 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: ZION NATIONAL PARK

We arrived in Springdale (2 hours driving), parked our car and took the shuttle to Zion National Park.

We did the Angels Landing trail to get the best views of the valley.

Zion National Park (Our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip)

In the afternoon, we drove 4 hours to the next stop on our 10-day Western US trip.

DAY 5 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: GRAND CANYON

We watched the sunrise at the Grand Canyon from Mather Point in probably the most epic light display we have ever seen during a sunrise.

Grand Canyon (Our trip to West Coast USA for 10 days)

In the morning we take this tour , as we tell you in this article about Grand Canyon helicopter rides . Without a doubt, I enjoyed my visit the most.

In the afternoon, we descended the first section of the Bright Angel Trailhead trail.

In the evening we drove to the next stop of our 10-day Western US trip, Mojave National Preserve (4 hours driving), where we spent one of the best nights of our life camping in the wild desert.

Mojave National Preserve

DAY 6 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: MOJAVE DESERT + DEATH VALLEY

We photographed the first sun rays of the day through the branches of the Joshua trees in the Mojave National Preserve.

We filled the tank to cross the Death Valley and made stops at the main viewpoints.

Death Valley (Our 10-day West Coast USA Self-drive Trip)

We arrived at Yosemite National Park where we set up a bivouac to spend the night in order to get accommodation the next morning at the historic Camp 4.

This day we drove a total of 10 hours, more driving hours than any other day of the entire trip.

DAY 7 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Once settled in Yosemite National Park valley we went to discover the main viewpoints of the valley, from which we would photograph the last sunrises and sunsets of our 10-day trip to the West Coast USA.

Yosemite (Our 10-day West Coast USA holidays)

We took the opportunity to enjoy the real camp life,  cooked on the bonfire at night and raccoon watched with our campmates so they didn’t eat our food.

DAY 8 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

On the eighth day, we did the most strenuous hike of our 10-day West Coast USA trip. We climbed to the Upper Yosemite Falls, where we had a bath in one of its natural pools.

Yosemite Falls (Our 10-day West Coast USA vacations)

In the afternoon we took refuge in the tent as a hail storm fell – remember that weather in Yosemite, like any high mountains, is quite unpredictable even during summer season.

DAY 9 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

On our 9th day, we decided to try one of the small hiking trails in Yosemite National Park, such as the hike that takes you to Bridal Veil Falls or the Taft Point viewpoint.

In the afternoon we visited Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where we could see these giant trees.

Tuolumne Grove (Our 10-day West Coast USA self-drive holidays)

DAY 10 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: FLIGHT BACK FROM SAN FRANCISCO

We left Yosemite National Park to head to San Francisco , where we took our return flight home.

Our initial idea was to have the last day to discover the city. However, we liked Yosemite so much that we ended up leaving just enough time to catch the flight back. It took us 4 hours to get to the airport.

How to plan an self-drive trip to the Western US

Although many travel agencies offer West Coast USA holiday packages, this destination seems more appropriate to be planned on your own (unless you are interested in photography and decide to take a photo tour to the West Coast America ).

In any case, we will explain step by step how you can plan a trip to the West Coast USA on your own in this section:

• Choose your best West Coast USA itinerary
• Plan how to get to West Coast USA
• Get your US tourist visa
• Hire the best travel insurance for traveling to the United States
• Book a rental car
• Buy America the Beautiful Pass to enter the US National Parks for free
• Book the best accommodation  on the West Coast

HOW TO CHOOSE THE best West Coast USA itinerary

From the previous section where we highlighted the best places to visit in Western US, choose 8 (if taking a 10-day West Coast road trip) or 15 places (if taking a 20-day trip) that interest you most.

Jot them down on a map of  West Coast USA (I suggest using  Google MyMaps ).

Connect the different points and check on our map below to see if there is any tourist attraction that is on your way or that you can easily reach.

Finally, check that the driving hours are compatible with the itinerary or else leave them out of your list.

Driving in the West Coast USA

Do not be frustrated, no matter how long you stay on the West Coast, you will always leave something to explore for the next trip 😉

how to get to the West Coast of USA

In order to define our itinerary, we must know how to get to the Western US.

The best way is by flying to one of the following three airports:

• San Francisco

If you want to find cheap flights to the West Coast , the best time to book them is 3 months in advance. You can find here the best cheap flights hacks . My favorite search engine is Kiwi.com.

Also, if you want to visit too many places in the West and do not have much time, I suggest that you do a one-way trip , starting at a different airport from where you will return home through. This will increase the travel budget a bit, but you don’t get to travel to the Western US every day, do you?

VISA FOR THE UNITED STATES

There are two ways to travel as a tourist to the United States. If you belong to one of these countries you can travel to the US without a visa, but must obtain a travel authorization called “ESTA”.

HOW TO PROCESS THE ESTA

The ESTA is very easy to obtain. Simply fill out the application form on iVisa and you will receive the approval in about 6 hours by email.

We have a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the ESTA to the USA.

HOW TO PROCESS TOURIST VISA B2

If you do not have a passport from one of the countries mentioned above, you need a B2 visa to travel as a tourist to the United States.

This type of visa is more difficult to obtain. In addition to preparing the required documentation which proves that you are not going to travel to the United States with the intention of living or working, you will have to go through an interview at the embassy.

A more extensive explanation of how to process this visa can be found on the US Department of State website.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE UNITED STATES

Living in the USA, I know how important is to have good travel insurance for the USA. Since health care cost in this country is very high, hospitalization without insurance can easily make your bill rise above $100,000.

So when we moved here, we bought long-stay travel insurance , although we are currently using annual multi-trip insurance.

Death Valley dunes

Although I always recommend buying the best travel insurance wherever you go, you must have extraordinary coverage for the US (never consider hiring anything that covers below $30,000 if you travel to the United States).

You can get the best quality-price insurance with Heymondo .

5% OFF your travel insurance

western USA car rental

As we have said, the only practical way to travel the Western United States is by renting a car.

Driving in Death Valley

If you do not have too much time, consider taking a  one-way instead of a round-trip  along the West. We picked up the car in Vegas and left it in San Francisco. Although this meant an increase in the budget because of the drop off-fee, we were able to visit more places during our 10-day West Coast trip.

The cheapest way to rent a car is using DiscoverCars , where we hired the rental car in Las Vegas.

FIND CHEAP RENTAL CARS IN THE US

ANNUAL NATIONAL PARKS PASS – AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

If you are planning a Western US National Parks itinerary, I recommend that you buy an annual America the Beautiful pass.

This pass allows access to all US National Parks, as well as other state parks.

The pass is valid for one year from when it is purchased and covers entry for one vehicle with up to 5 passengers. Display pass by hanging it over the rear-view mirror).

In addition, the pass is issued for two owners who must sign behind the card to use. A very good option is to buy the annual pass, leave one signature blank, and resell it to a second owner at the end of your Western USA tour.

Even if you don’t resell the pass, you will get your money’s worth just by visiting 3 or 4 National Parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite …).

The pass can be purchased online from here or directly at the ticket office of the first national park you visit.

ACCOMMODATION ON THE WEST COAST US

It is difficult to find cheap and very good quality hotels at the same time on West Coast America. Therefore we will try to help you by listing the best places to stay, considering different budgets, tastes, and needs.

Best accommodation in West Coast USA

Keep in mind that accommodation will be one of the major expenses of your trip to  West Coast America. On the other hand, sometimes a good hotel can even be one of the best attractions you can enjoy during your trip.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO

• HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel: Hostel in the heart of San Francisco that has both shared and private rooms at a very low price. Free WIFI. Includes breakfast and a kitchen for those who want to cook.
• Buena Vista Motor Inn: Hotel with complimentary parking in the middle of Lombard street. Wi-Fi and breakfast included. Totally safe area to walk at night. Just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Guide on where to stay in San Francisco

WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS

• Venetian:  Venice-themed casino resort with gondoliers included.
• Circus Circus: Casino hotel with circus theme, with its own indoor amusement park that runs throughout the year.
• Stratosphere:  Casino hotel that includes vertigo attractions at 350 meters high.
• Bellagio: Inspired by Italy, it is one of the most luxurious resort and casinos in Las Vegas.
• New York – New York:   Resort casino inspired by the big city where we can find a miniature statue of liberty.
• Paris Las Vegas:   Perfect casino hotel for honeymoon or couple trips with miniature Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
• Excalibur:  You will find yourself in the Middle Ages in this casino resort within its castles.
• Planet Hollywood:  Modern hotel and casino where you will feel the essence of the West Coast.

Guide on where to stay in Las Vegas

WHERE TO STAY IN LOS ANGELES

• Hollywood Travelodge:  Located very close to the walk of fame. Includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and free parking.
• Samesun Venice Beach:  The best option if you want to enjoy the Venice boardwalk and its beach. They have bicycle rental service.
• Cal Mar Hotel Suites:  If you prefer to be close to Santa Monica beach this option is very well priced.

Guide on where to stay in Los Angeles

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND CANYON

If we visit the South Rim, the most touristic edge of the Grand Canyon, it is quite important to stay in the Grand Canyon Village, since two of the main attractions of this jewel of Western US is their sunrise and sunset. So, the closer we are to the edge, the easier it will be for us.

We camped in the Grand Canyon, at the  Mather Campground on the South Rim.

If you prefer to stay at a hotel, all accommodations at Grand Canyon Village are run by the company   Xanterra ,  and you can make reservations on whose website.

Guide on where to stay in Grand Canyon

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGE

• Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell: This hotel is located in the center of Page. As it is highly valued, you will have to book it well in advance, since rooms tend to run out being such a small and tourist place at the same time.
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson: Without a doubt the best hotel in Page, both the price and the charm of its rooms. It is not in the center but is closer to Horseshoe Bend.

Guide on where to stay in Page

WHERE TO STAY IN BRYCE

Bryce is one of the best places to camp in the Western US. In addition to two conventional campsites ( North Campground and Sunset Campground ), there are 12 backcountry campsites.

If camping is not your thing and you prefer to stay in one of the best hotels in the West, then I recommend the Best Western Ruby’s Inn , a historic hotel at the gates of the national park that also has a camping area.

Guide on where to stay in Bryce

WHERE TO STAY IN ZION

• Bumbleberry Inn:  One of the few hotels near Zion whose price is below $200 a night and with a great value.
• La Quinta Inn and Suites : Another hotel that also has good prices and is highly rated near Zion, known for its buffet breakfast that includes delicious homemade waffles.

Guide on where to stay in Zion

WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

If you want to enjoy dawn with the best views of the valley, I recommend that you camp in the Monument Valley. The campground is called The View Campground and the only way to reserve it is by calling +1 435-727-5802.

This campsite belongs to  The View Hotel , a hotel run by the Navajo Indians with equally amazing views.

Guide on where to stay in Monument Valley

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA BARBARA

• Hotel Santa Barbara: One of the best hotels in Santa Barbara with a great location in the city center and very close to the beach. Includes Wi-Fi, breakfast and free parking.
• The Eagle Inn:   On the beach of Santa Barbara and in a beautiful historic building. The price is a bit higher but it includes a jacuzzi in the room.

WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE

We decided to camp at Camp 4 during our visit to Yosemite. Here, the hippy movement was born in the 60s and spread throughout the United States.

However, if you don’t want to camp, don’t worry. There are very good hotels in Yosemite. Some of the best are:

• The Ahwahnee
• Yosemite Valley Lodge
• Curry Village

Guide on where to stay in Yosemite

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO

• Staypineapple at Hotel Z: One of the best hotels in downtown San Diego. Modern design and quite affordable. It offers free bicycles to its customers.
• HI-San Diego Point Loma Hostel: Hostel with shared rooms, very good price and located next to the beach. Ideal if you visit San Diego with the intention of meeting other travelers.

WHERE TO STAY IN JOSHUA TREE

The best place to stay in Joshua Tree is in one of its campsites. There are 4 campsites throughout the national park that can be reserved, and another 4 first-come, first-served campground. All the information regarding the Joshua Tree campgrounds can be found on the National Parks Service website.

WHERE TO STAY IN DEATH VALLEY

• The Inn at Death Valley: This Oasis in the middle of the desert is the most luxurious resort you’ll find here. Refresh between your palm garden and its spring water pool and relax in your spa area.
• The Ranch at Death Valley: Run by the same company as The Inn at Death Valley, it is the familiar and informal complement of the previous one. If you want to relax in a unique environment but without too many pretensions, this accommodation is for you.
• Panamint Springs Resort:  This resort offers both tourist resorts and lodging in tents. It’s close to the west entrance of the national park, from where you’ll have stunning views of the sand dunes.

Guide on where to stay in Death Valley

WHERE TO STAY IN MOJAVE DESERT

There are no motels inside Mojave National Preserve. The only way to stay is camping. There are two family campsites, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and Mid Hills Campground. Both are first-come, first-served campgrounds.

There is also the possibility of doing backcountry camping. If you want more information, check the US National Parks Service website.

WHERE TO STAY IN ARCHES

There are no campsites or hotels within Arches National Park. The best thing to do is to stay somewhere close to the entrance:

• Red Cliffs Lodge:  All rooms have views of the Colorado River. In addition, you have access to a private living room with a fridge and microwave. This accommodation is the best you’ll find if you visit Arches National Park from the west. Do not miss its western cinema museum.
• Under Canvas Moab:  This accommodation is located east of Arches National Park and offers already pitched tents, some with private bathrooms. If you are not a fan of the camps, but you would like to try, this is your place. In addition to the bed linen, the hotel will lend you towels and a flashlight. A very comfortable way to learn a little about the American camper culture.

WHERE TO STAY IN SEQUOIA

• Montecito Sequoia Lodge: This rustic mountain accommodation offers a place to relax, surrounded by lakes, forests and rugged peaks. It has a restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet.
• Bearpaw High Sierra Camp: This established camp has 6 canvas tents with wooden floors. The views of the surroundings are amazing. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the accommodation.
• Wuksachi Lodge:  It is the emblematic hotel of Sequoia, an amazing mountain hut made of stone and cedar located in the heart of the park, surrounded by a powerful sequoia forest and towering peaks of the sierra.

WHERE TO STAY IN HAVASU FALLS

As we commented, if you visit Havasu Falls, it is compulsory to spend at least one night in one of its campsites, since you cannot make excursions exclusively for one day. Book both the tour and the camping permit from the official website of the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE

There are only  9 hotels within Yellowstone National Park , so in peak tourist season, most travelers only find accommodation outside the park.

You can find the best options on our guide on where to stay in Yellowstone National Park, but my favorite hotels are:

• Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
• Yellowstone Gateway Inn
• Stage Coach Inn
• Al’s Westward Ho Motel
• Travelodge by Wyndham
• Absaroka Lodge

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON

There are many places to stay in Grand Teton National Park but my favorite ones are:

• Colter Bay Village 
• Jackson Lake Lodge  
• Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch 
• Jenny Lake Lodge

To calculate  how much a road trip along the West Coast cost, keep in mind that gasoline in the United States is quite cheap compared most European countries, so even though you will drive many kilometers, this is not something you have to worry too much about when planning your itinerary.

Regarding the food , going to restaurants or going out to have a drink is very expensive; especially when you are looking for somewhere that serve healthy and quality food. If you’re willing to eat fast food, your West Cost travel budget will decrease since the United States is the paradise for junk food.

Regarding accommodation , while it is more expensive in the US than other countries, there are ways to make it cheaper .

Consider camping during your West Coast America tour. In addition to being cheaper, it is very fun and do not forget that there is no country in the world with such an active camping culture as in the United States. You will enjoy watching all the American accessories that make camping more comfortable, and the amazing motorhomes that are better than many houses. You can check some tips for traveling by rv in the USA here.

If you want to know how much we spent during out trip, you can check our West Coast travel budget for 10 days.

West Coast USA combinations ideas

In case you have more time, you can combine the West Coast of the USA with other destinations. Some of the most popular combinations are the following.

West Coast America and Hawaii holidays

If you love nature, combine  West Coast USA and Hawaii to enjoy the most active volcanoes in the United States. These wild islands in the middle of the Pacific, offer a native culture totally different from any other place in the world, in addition to beautiful beaches. The Western US and Hawaii landscapes are an excellent combination for the more adventurous.

RIVIERA MAYA and WEST COAST USA honeymoon

Riviera Maya and West Coast America honeymoon trips are very popular.  With this travel itinerary, we can enjoy a mix of the natural American West Coast landscapes with turquoise water beaches and the history of ancient civilizations. This is the best combination for honeymoons or for travelers interested in a mix of all-inclusive vacation packages.

WEST COAST AND ROUTE 66 road trip

If you want to travel the most famous road in the United States, plan a Route 66 – Western US road trip. With this tour, you will have a chance to visit my favorite city in the US: Chicago. I don’t recommend this combination if you do not like driving since much time of this trip will be spent inside the car.

West Coast USA tours from New york

Another very popular combination, especially if you are traveling from Europe. A New York & West Coast America fly-drive itinerary mixes the Western US National Parks with the busiest city of the East Coast. This option is perfect for those who also enjoy visiting big cities, since there are plenty of things to do in New York City.

With any of these combinations, I recommend spending at least 10 days in West Coast America .

However, if you only plan to travel to the West Coast and can afford it, I would recommend spending 2 or even  3 weeks.

map of West Coast USA

Finally, it is very useful to plan your trip using a map of Western US , marked with your places of interest. Then check the following map to see if there is any other attraction on the way.

SEE you ON THE WEST COAST and do not hesitate to ask if you need help preparing your itinerary!

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and the only one that pays all your medical bills upfront for you!

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80 replies on “ Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary ”

We are from Singapore and planning a 20 days trip in June to West Coast of US and would be our first drive trip to the US. We wanted to cover Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite, route 66, UTAH but not sure if we are able to (or worth to) cover up till Seattle. We love your advise as it will be our first trip to West Coast of US and accommodation recommendations will be helpful plus itinerary. regards Melvin

Hi Melvin, Wow, that sounds amazing! There is so much to see the western United States. I think you’ll find our road trip itineraries from Las Vegas to be super helpful. As for accommodation, it depends on whether you’re renting a car or RV since an RV will take care of accommodation for you. Otherwise, the hotel recommendations above in this article are a great place to start. 🙂

Hi! Wow, relieved i came accross this blog. Thank you for sharing this.

I made an almost similar itinerary and posted it in trip advisor.

we are arriving early morning in Vegas on March 10 and flying out late night from San Francisco March 20. For the 10 day trip, we’d like to see Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Most of the comments says most of the time will be spent driving hence the trip might not be an enjoyable one. Some even suggested dropping Yosemite as this is too far from the rest of the places we’re hoping to see.

With all the driving you did on this trip, do you think you still spent a good time exploring the parks?

Thanks heaps!

Yes, it was a lot of hours driving but it was a trip of a lifetime. I won’t change any of the stops I did so I highly recommend it specially if you don’t mind driving at night and you don’t have more time to spend on the West Coast USA.

Hi, very informative post there ! May I know what route did u take to travel to yosemite from death valley ? I supposed you travelled when the tiogo road was closed ?

We traveled in August when the Tioga Road was open. So we just drove Nort through the Eastern Sierra and enter from the Northeastern part of the park 😉

i am planning to go to a trip with my friends but iam confused where should i go.

It’s difficult to choose when there are so many great options! My recommendation is to check the places and pictures and just pick the 4/5 places that you find more interesting 😉

Hi Martin from Australia here. I am busy planning an 8 day self drive tour in April starting in, and returning to Las Vegas. I stumbled on your website and found it to be a fantastic resource, full of very helpful information. One thing that is puzzling me with your route. Why did you go to Monument Valley first and then criss-cross south to Antelope Canyon, north to Bryce Canyon and then south again to the Grand Canyon. This appears to add an additional 400 miles (appx). I had originally been planning a circuit through Bryce Canyon, Monument Park, Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon. Then Back to Las Vegas via Mojave Desert and Death Valley. Thank you

We did that itinerary because we were traveling in August (high season) and wanted to camp in Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, so we book the only days available hehehe

Your itinerary sounds great. Let me know how you do it finally.

Hi! I would love your help in planning my itinerary for my West Coast Roadtrip Honeymoon. We would love to check as many of the same locations off our list as you have in this post. Would love to get your thoughts on cost efficiency, glamping/camping vs. RV rentals and what we HAVE to see, and what we could skip. We definitely don’t want to spend the majority of our trip in the car. Thinking of flying into Vegas and then going from there. We would be going from June 12-20th. This is by far the most helpful article I have found online so far! Thanks for writing!

We will be happy to help. Let me know any questions you may have and we will help.

we are a couple, 60 years+ but able to drive and planning a trip next Sep. 2020. However we note that at some places you had to camp. I don’t think we are up to camping and wonder how to achieve the trip you made without camping.

You don’t need to camp if you don’t want to. There are many hotels where you can stay 🙂 Let me know your itinerary and I will give you some hotel ideas.

I wish more people would post valuable content like this. This is the first time I’ve been on your website, but after this, I doubt it will be the last time.

Thanks Robert!! You are always welcome 😉

Planning a trip in mid December. Is your 10 day trip feasible at this time of year ? Thanks.

Yes, it’s perfectly fine. Just bear in mind that you might find snow in some places like Bryce and Yosemite and the main roads to Yosemite from the east (Tioga road) is gonna be closed.

Hope you have a beautiful trip!

Have you ever thought of planning a trip of the Four Corners States of the Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado & Utah). There are so many sites that would be a tough decision. New Mexico has the Gila National Forest, City of Rocks in the southwest, Carlsbad Caverns to name just a few, Colorado, Arizona, Utah you could go on and on. This would also the sunrises and sunsets, rivers canyons. It is so vast that each state could provide what every photographer would want to see and shoot. Just think about it. if you more information, please contact me.

Sure! We still have a bunch of places we want to visit!

Thank you It was very useful

Thanks Isabel!

Great post, thanks for the info I’m considering doing this trip with my dad, how fit do you have to be to do this trip? He can’t really walk a whole lot at a time.

Hi Emiliano,

You don’t need to walk if you don’t want to. Just visit the main lookouts accessible by car.

Let me know if you have any other question.

Well, that was a pretty fascinating read, not going to lie. I really hope you continue to write. Probably one of the more informative pieces I’ve read on this subject. Thanks!

Thanks Justin! Glad to see our USA West Coast article was useful and you enjoyed it reading!

You know if you are not on Instagram, you should be. I know you can’t put text up, but just throw in a few pics and build an audience there. I think you’d find a ton of people who would be super interested in your blog here.

Thanks for the advice. We already use Instagram, our account is: @Capturetheatlas

Well… consider yourself added to my blogroll. I have like six other blogs I read on a weekly basis, guess that number just increased to seven! Keep writing!

Thanks Chris! and Welcome to Capture the Atlas! 😉

Way to go on this post man. Really killer stuff. I’ll be back to read your other posts.

Thanks Travis! Glad you found the information helpful!

Wow! What a scenery. I hope I can visit those place in the future too! People on your newsletter must love you. This content is pure 100% gold

Thanks Matthew for your kind words! I am sure you will be fascinated by the West Coast USA landscapes when you visit them.

Feel free to join our community and receive our newsletter 😉

Hi, My family of 3 will be travelling to West of USA for about 12 to 14 days this coming September month 2019. Can you help us to plan the trip visiting all the interesting places and also advise us the cost.

We give a lot of piece of advice on our blog. Please read it and let us know if you have any question.

I am flying from Toronto, Canada and am unsure which airport to arrive and leave in. I am planning on visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cathedral Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Grand Canyon (South Rim). I am unsure whether to fly to Las Vegas and leave from Arizona, or vice versa, or do a loop. Any suggestions?

Amazing blog by the way!

Which airport in Arizona are you considering? Las Vegas in quite close to those places you want to visit and usually there is cheap flights to go there.

Let me know if you have any question

Thank you for your reply! I was thinking Phoenix airport. Just not sure the best route and will be renting a car!

Also, do you know if its possible to rent a car at one airport and return it to another?

Hi, i am traveling with 6 adults. Planning to arrive in New York, then fly to LA and hoping to have a glimpse of the city and its surrounding and fly to vancouver . We will fly back home from Vancouver.

How many days do you think is good for us? I am travelling with my parents aged 60yo.

Can you give me any recommendations

Hi Felicia,

I would say to book at least 10 – 15 days. As recommendations I would suggest hiring good travel insurance for the USA and check the different articles we have at the blog.

Let me know if you need something else,

Hello there,

We have about 8-9 days along the West Coast after a conference in Vegas. Looking at the following itinerary/places we want to visit. Do you think this is something workable/have any comments? Thanks so much!

Day 1: (From Vegas) Antelope Valley/Horseshoe Bend (Find somewhere to stay for the night – is there a recommendation where we can stay in that area?) Day 2: Grand Canyon Day 3: Travel back to Vegas, fly to San Francisco. Day 4: San Francisco Day 5: San Francisco -> Monterey, Big Sur (Find somewhere to stay?) Day 6: Travel to LA Day 7: LA Day 8: LA

Thanks very much for your message and for reading us!

Until day 4 your itinerary is gonna be very intense but definitely doable, as we made a very similar itinerary at the beginning of our trip. You can find recommendations for the night near horseshoe bend/Antelope Canyon in this section of our article.

As for the second part of your trip, We didn’t travel from SF towards the south so don’t know if that would be something possible.

Please let me know if we can help with any other questions.

Best regards,

Hi I am trying to plan a trip with my son for September 2019 have i left enough time to do this? And could you help us with an itinerary Also if we choose to camp do we purchase this in the USA as we are travelling from the UK Thanks

Hi Richard,

Thank you very much for your message.

You are still in time for planning the trip, so I ‘d definitely try to do it!

You can see different itineraries in our US articles depending on your days and preferences. Hope that helps.

As for the campings it depends on the campsite, some accept online reservations like the one in Monument Valley while others are filled in a first-come first-served basis like Camp 4 in Yosemite.

Please let us know if we can help with any other questions.

Hi everyone! Could you help me to make a itinerary with the time and 10 destinations?

We will need some more information to help you. When and where are you starting your trip, days, preferences and so on.

Hi guys, Love your work. I’m a photographer and looking to do a road trip through the west cost of the USA, covering as much of the national parks as possible (Yellowstone a must). We only have a 2 week gap during July to do this. Do you have any tours available for July 2019 for 2 super fun people?

Me, along with spouse and 13 year old son, are planning for a 10 day trip to LA, LV & SFO from India during June last week.

Request if you could help build us an itinerary for First Timers to US. It would be with a driver if we have to hire a car.

Do you deal in hotel accommodations too – 4 star?

Could you please let me know a rough expenditure on all this.

Kindly do mention your charges too for helping us out with a good itinerary and any help on ground that you could provide during our stay.

Thanking You, MOHAN

I have sent you an email with our service rates.

Have a nice day!

I am planing with my boyfriend our trip in June to California for 10 days. We are landing in LA and we would like to visit Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and San Diego. Could you please give us some tips? We are afraid that Tioga Pass might not be opened at the beginning of June..

Thanks a lot!

Hi Anabel, I think you have enough time in 10 days to visit the cities and NP you mentioned. You can do 2 days for LA, 3 days for Yosemite, 1 day for Death Valley, 1 day for Las Vegas, 2 days for Grand Canyon and 1 day for San Diego.

As you said, Tioga Pass maybe is still close in June, so I recommend you booking a hotel around Fresno (in case Tigoa Road is close) and other around Mammonth Lakes (in case it is open). And cancel the one you are not going to use once you know the Tioga Road status?

Let me know if you need anything else.

Hello, Thanks for the detailed analysis of west coast. We are planning to visit west coast from Philadelphia and would like to cover California/LA/SFO/Las Vegas. We would however fly to Seattle from PHL and take our trip to west coast from Seattle.

Please provide us with an itinerary.

We are planning 10 days for this trip and would like to over not just national parks but also Golden gate bridge/Hollywood/Alcatraz etc. We don’t want to do the theme parks.

Sure, I have sent you an email with our planner services rates.

Hi, Thanks for itinerary! We are going on a trip from LA in September for 16 days, and this helped a lot! If you could give some tips on showering…it’s not available in a lot of camp sites. Also, if you have some experience with laundry service, I would appreciate some info. Thanks!

Hi Soma! Thanks for your message and words!

You can check beforehand which campsites offer shower utilities and plan according to your needs. We booked camping with showers in Grand Canyon and Yosemite, taking a shower at least every 2 days. As for laundry service, I would suggest doing the same. We went just for a week and didn’t really need to do any washing but if you are staying 16 days some campings have some sort of place for washing. As an example again, you can find those utilities in Grand Canyon and Yosemite, and I am sure there will be more in other important campgrounds.

Hope that helps and have a wonderful US West Coast trip!

Hi we are planning a 15 day stay flying into LA hiring a car can you recommened a route then we fly back out from LA.Thanks

The US West Coast is huge and there are endless possibilities doing a round trip from L.A.

Depending on your personal taste and the number of miles that you are willing to drive, there are many itineraries.

I recommend that you check all the main attractions explained throughout the article and once you know your preferences, you can design your own route.

Hope it helps and you make the most of your trip!

Planning on driving to monument valley and staying at View hotel I need driving directions from Salt Lake City

Take I-15 S, US-6 E, US-191 S and US-163 S to Main Monument Valley Rd/Monument Valley Rd in Oljato-Monument Valley

Hi my husband and I are planning a trip to tour the west coast next June/July next year for 4 weeks starting in San Francisco driving down the coast then across to Vegas by car then possibly hiring a camper van to visit the national parks, would you be able to advise us of some places to stop and stay and give some advice as to how long we should stay at certain places, we would also like to spend a week in Washington and New York at the end of our stay but we will fly to the east coast, thanks Tracey

Sure, I have sent you an email more information about our trip planner services. I can also help you to plan your visits to NYC and Washington. I live in Philadelphia, that is 2hours from NYC and two hours from Washington, so I know these cities very well and I can help you too.

Hello Jaz, thank you for the useful information. I am planning for the west coast trip but could you confirm will it be too much to digest if I cover all/most of the destinations mentioned in your article above in just one trip?

Or shall I split the trip in multiple trips to enjoy and assimilate the delightful view which each destination has to offer?

That is up to you. How much time do you have? Where are you coming from? If I could, I would do it in one trip (3-4 months).

Let me know if you need something else, Ascen.

We are planning a tour of West Coast starting and ending at LA. Can you suggest a good travel itinerary for family of 3 or 6 pxs. for 8-12 days sometime in June or July 2019. Thanks Jaz

Hi Jasmine, I have sent you an email with our rates. Ascen.

Planning to gravel to west coast of USA Visiting friends & also travelling (self drive) . I have 14 days from Sep15 to Sep30 Would like to visit Yosomite, Death Valley Coastal Drive & Las Vegas and Grand canyon. Thanks for your help with an itinerary.

Sure! I will help you to plan your West America trip. I have sent you an email.

Hi, I am planning for west coast tour for 10 days in July. I would like to start from San Francisco . Could you please suggest road trip plan

Hi Rajan, I will be happy for helping you to plan your west coast USA itinerary.

I have sent you an email regarding our travel planner services.

Hi, I am planning a 15 days trip to USA with my family of 5 (2 sons aged 24, 25, Daughter 18). What route would you recommend us to take? We are looking to rent a car and drive around ourselves. Thank you.

Hi Sharon, I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Thanks, Ascen.

Hi.. myself and 2 friends are planning a trip up the west coast from San Francisco in April.. We are renting an RV ..we would like to try and go as north to Portland maybe Seattle.. could you advise of the best route and places we should try to see.

Hi we are planning to Visit West coast in the month of June 19 . Not sure about self drive option but could u please suggest some best places to explore in 10 days . We are landing at San Francisco & leaving to New York from LA .

Would appreciate if u could help us to arrange our trip .

Thanks Sunil

I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Hi Loved reading your information on USA! My husband and I want to travel the west coast in September this year. We have booked so far return flights from Sydney to San Francisco. We would like to see Yosemite Bryce Zion Death Valley Redlands Lake Tahoe Sequoia and Grand Canyon. Not interested in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. We thought we would return via The big Sur to San Francisco. Do you think we can do this in a month? What would be the best driving route to do all this. Can we also purchase driving maps? Any help you could give I would be most grateful! Thanking you

Hi Cath, I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Hi, thanks a lot for your details itinerary which is very much appreciated. I’m planning my self-drive trip to west coast USA for about 12 days, in May 2019. Just wondering any tips on what to wear? Will it be cold in the Yosemite national park? I’m planning for Grand Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon + Horseshoes band, Yosemite, is it still worth to get the annnual pass? There are total 6 of us.

Hi Joey, If you are only visiting two national parks (Yosemite and Grand Canyon ) it is not worth getting the annual pass. Pay just for the standard fee in each of them. Horseshoe Bend is free and Antelope Canyon is private, so you will have to pay the Navajo fee.

In 12 days you have enough time to visit Death Valley, Bryce and Zion too.

Regarding what to carry in the backpack, please check the camping and cold weather section of this post.

P.S: Next sunday we will be posting our Guide to Yosemite and I am sure you are going to find it interested!!

Best, Ascen

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This Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. Road Trip

The concept of a road trip is as American as apple pie, and yet, devising the “best” U.S. driving route is a bit of a head scratcher. Much depends on time parameters, personal preference, and frankly, how long you want to spend behind the wheel.

In 2015, Tracy Staedter at Discovery News decided to take on that challenge, enlisting Randy Olson —the data scientist behind the famed (and super helpful) Where’s Waldo algorithm —to devise what you might call the platonic ideal of the United States road trip. The parameters were: It had to hit all of the 48 continental states; every stop had to be a National Natural Landmark, a National Historic Site, a National Park, or a National Monument; and of course, had to be confined to car travel and within U.S. borders.

With a stop in Washington, D.C. and two in California, the result is 50 points of all American awesomeness. Here are the destinations:

• Grand Canyon, Arizona 
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Craters of the Moon, Idaho 
• Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 
• Pikes Peak, Colorado 
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
• The Alamo, Texas
• The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma 
• Toltec Mounds, Arkansas 
• Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Tennessee 
• Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi 
• French Quarter, Louisiana 
• USS Alabama, Alabama 
• Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida 
• Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia 
• Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina 
• Lost World Caverns, West Virginia 
• Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina 
• Mount Vernon, Virginia 
• White House, Washington, D.C. 
• Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland 
• New Castle Historic District, Delaware 
• Cape May Historic District, New Jersey 
• Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania 
• Statue of Liberty, New York 
• The Mark Twain House & Museum, Connecticut 
• The Breakers, Rhode Island
• USS Constitution , Massachusetts 
• Acadia National Park, Maine
• Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire 
• Shelburne Farms, Vermont 
• Fox Theater, Michigan 
• Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio 
• Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky 
• West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana 
• Abraham Lincoln’s Home, Illinois 
• Gateway Arch, Missouri 
• C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas 
• Terrace Hill Governor’s Mansion, Iowa 
• Taliesin, Wisconcin 
• Fort Snelling, Minnesota 
• Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska 
• Mount Rushmore, South Dakota 
• Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota 
• Glacier National Park, Montana 
• Hanford Site, Washington 
• Columbia River Highway, Oregon 
• San Francisco Cable Cars, California 
• San Andreas Fault, California 
• Hoover Dam, Nevada

That list starts with the Grand Canyon , but you could theoretically begin anywhere as long as you drive in sequence after that. Staedter guessed it would take a little over nine days of driving straight through, but more realistically is a two- or three-month trip.

Want to drive across the U.S. & see all major landmarks? #MSU 's @randal_olson made a map. http://t.co/KbFjQGXBXM pic.twitter.com/jDs1EsP1xS — MSU (@michiganstateu) March 9, 2015

For the details on how he came up with the route, check out Olson’s blog . After determining the stops, the main goal of the algorithm was to find the shortest distance between points.

Olson wrote to Staedter: “Instead of exhaustively looking at every possible solution, genetic algorithms start with a handful of random solutions and continually tinker with these solutions—always trying something slightly different from the current solution and keeping the best one—until they can’t find a better solution any more.”

And whether or not you understand the specifics of how it was created, the map is truly a marvel and the kind of itinerary you'll probably spend all winter dreaming about. See the map here , and for additional travel goals, check out Olson’s road trip maps for South America and Europe .

A version of this story ran in 2015; it has been updated for 2023.

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【Road Trip】Discovering the United States: Your Ultimate Self-Driving Tour Itinerary

1. Regional Overview

Preparation, app recommendations, essential items, driving tips, 1) classic route, 2) off-the-beaten-path route, food recommendations.

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Region Description

The United States, a bustling center of the world and a symbol of modern civilization, boasts a highly developed economy, technology, and culture. With its vast territory, the U.S. encompasses a variety of stunning landscapes, making it a perfect destination for a road trip. Here, a self-drive trip offers a unique experience of freedom and individuality. From the bustling, illuminated cities to the vast, uninhabited deserts, and from sunny beaches to majestic canyons, experiencing America's natural beauty and cultural charm is another way to realize the "American Dream" on your self-driving tour.

Geographical Location

The United States is located in the central part of North America in the Western Hemisphere, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, Canada to the north, and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. It spans almost the entire North American continent, including Alaska near the Arctic and Hawaii in the Pacific equatorial region. It ranks fourth in the world in terms of area, following Russia, Canada, and China. The U.S. consists of 50 states and one district (District of Columbia), with Washington, D.C. as the capital. Planning a road trip through these diverse states is an exciting adventure.

Topographical Features

The U.S. has a complex terrain, generally characterized by "high on the sides and low in the middle." The West Coast is dominated by the towering Rocky Mountains, dividing the mainland from south to north. The East Coast features coastal plains, broad in the south and narrow in the north, with rolling foothills extending to the Appalachian mountains. West of the Appalachian Mountains lies the Central Plains, relatively flat, with the terrain rising west of the Mississippi River, leading to the expansive, featureless Great Plains in the central U.S. A road trip planner can help you map out these scenic routes effectively.

Scenic Overview

The vast U.S. landscape nurtures diverse natural wonders. From the warm beaches of the state of Florida to the icy regions of Alaska, and from the endless prairies of the Midwest to the towering Rocky Mountains, the U.S. is home to globally renowned sites like The Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and Yellowstone National Park, known as a unique natural wonderland. Additionally, the U.S. offers captivating cultural landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Universal Studios Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Empire State Building. Each destination is a great stop for your self-drive tours USA.

Cultural Customs

The U.S. is a highly inclusive immigrant nation, welcoming people of different colors, races, beliefs, and genders from around the world. This cultural diversity creates a vibrant melting pot. However, American customs differ significantly from those in China. During a self-drive trip, it's important to adapt to local customs. For example, most Americans are Christians and avoid the number "13" and "Friday." Tipping is customary in restaurants. Additionally, be cautious with political and religious topics, especially regarding racial issues.

2. Pre-Trip Tips

Car Rental Documents

- Main driver's original driver's license (held for at least one year; check age restrictions with the rental company).

- Original driver's license + notarized translation.

- Original driver's license + rental company translation.

- Original driver's license + translated copy.

- Original passport (must match the driver's license issuing country/region).

- International credit card in the driver's name (Mastercard/Visa, with a credit limit of at least $1,000; some companies accept debit cards but not for one-way rentals).

- Printed rental confirmation (provided by the booking platform).

- Auxiliary translation documents.

- Google Maps: A commonly used navigation app in the U.S., allowing route planning and real-time views.

- Roadtrippers: Ideal for long road trips, helping plan stops along the way.

- WiFi Map: Provides access to free WiFi, even without a phone signal.

- USA Rest Stops: Offers information on nearby rest areas and service plazas.

- GasBuddy: Provides real-time gas prices at over 150,000 stations nationwide.

- YELP: The largest review site in the U.S., useful for finding restaurants and accommodations.

- Credit Card: Ensure the main driver's international credit card (VISA or MASTER) has sufficient credit.

- Car Phone Mount: Necessary for hands-free phone use while driving.

- Child Seat: Required by U.S. law for children, available for reservation with the rental car.

Traffic Rules

- Drive on the right: The U.S. follows the drive on the right. All passengers must wear seat belts. Children must use appropriate car seats and those under 12 cannot sit in the front.

- Right of Way: Yield at "YIELD" signs and stop for at least 3 seconds at "STOP" signs.

- Overtaking: Use the left lane for overtaking. Do not overtake in the following situations:

- On the solid side of a double yellow line.

- When a school bus is ahead.

- When the vehicle in front slows or stops at a crosswalk.

- Traffic Lights: Right turns on red are allowed unless a "No turn on red" sign is present. Slow down at yellow lights to avoid rear-end collisions. In California, a flashing yellow arrow means the direction will soon be prohibited.

Common Signs

- Toll Roads: Most U.S. highways are free, with toll roads mainly in the east. Payment is primarily electronic, with some accepting cash or credit cards.

Fueling and Parking

- Gas prices vary by state. Both full-service and self-service stations are available, accepting cash and credit cards. For self-service, pump the gas, then pay inside.

- Parking is generally free outside major city centers. Display parking tickets on the dashboard. Avoid parking in disabled spots or near fire hydrants to avoid fines.

In conclusion, planning a self-driving tour in the USA offers endless possibilities. Each road trip provides an opportunity to explore diverse landscapes and cultures. Whether you're traveling through national parks or bustling cities, your adventure will be unforgettable. Don't forget to utilize a good road trip planner to enhance your journey!

3. Self-Drive Routes

California State Route 1

California’s Highway One, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, connects San Francisco to Los Angeles, winding along the stunning western coastline. Its dreamlike coastal scenery makes it a "golden route" for self-drive enthusiasts planning a memorable road trip. Embark on a ten-day journey with this guide for an unforgettable self-driving tour!

San Francisco → Monterrey → Carmel → BigSur → Solvang → Santa Barbara → Malibu → Los Angeles

DAY 1: Pick up a car in San Francisco — Fisherman's Wharf — Palace of Fine Arts — Lombard Street — Golden Gate Bridge

DAY 2: Union Square — San Francisco City Hall — Twin Peaks

DAY 3: San Francisco — Monterey Bay — Old Fisherman's Wharf

DAY 4: Monterey Bay Aquarium — 17-Mile Drive — Carmel

DAY 5: Explore Carmel

DAY 6: Carmel — Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park — Solvang

DAY 7: Solvang — Santa Barbara

DAY 8: Santa Barbara County Courthouse — Santa Barbara Waterfront — Malibu Beach —Los Angeles

DAY 9: Beverly Hills — Getty Center — Santa Monica Beach

DAY 10: Universal Studios Hollywood — Griffith Observatory — Hollywood Walk of Fame

Total Distance: Approximately 840 miles

Recommended Duration: About 10 days

Suitable For: General public, cultural enthusiasts

Must-See Attractions

- Golden Gate Bridge:

A majestic symbol of San Francisco, spanning the bay like a sleeping dragon.

- Old Fisherman's Wharf:

California's first wharf, offering sea views, seafood, and a rich history.

- 17-Mile Drive:

A photographer's paradise with stunning coastal views.

A picturesque town with historic cottages, offering a poetic escape.

A Danish-style village with unique architecture and a fairy-tale atmosphere.

- Malibu Beach:

A beautiful beach near Hollywood, perfect for sunbathing and surfing.

- Universal Studios Hollywood:

A theme park and movie studio offering thrilling experiences.

West Coast Scenic Tour

The U.S. West Coast is a favorite among travelers. A self-drive trip is the best way to explore its epic landscapes and unique culture. Let's hit the road and enjoy the freedom of the West Coast breeze on your self-drive tours USA!

Los Angeles → Palm Springs → Arizona → Las Vegas → San Francisco → Santa Barbara →Los Angeles

DAY 1-2: Pick up a car in Los Angeles — Universal Studios Hollywood — Griffith Observatory — Hollywood Walk of Fame

DAY 3: Los Angeles — Desert Hills Premium Outlets — Grand Canyon National Park

DAY 4: Hermit Road — Desert View Drive

DAY 5: Grand Canyon — Antelope Canyon — Horseshoe Bend

DAY 6: Las Vegas Strip — Bellagio Fountains

DAY 7-8: San Francisco — Chinatown — Union Square — San Francisco City Hall — Twin Peaks

DAY 9-10: Fisherman'sWharf — Palace of Fine Arts — Lombard Street — Golden Gate Bridge

DAY 11: San Francisco — Santa Barbara

DAY 12: Santa Barbara — Disneyland Park

Total Distance: Approximately 1,900 kilometers

Recommended Duration: About 12 days

Suitable For: General public, nature and culture enthusiasts

- Griffith Observatory:

Offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and the universe.

- Grand Canyon National Park:

Features breathtaking cliffs and adventurous activities.

- Horseshoe Bend:

A magical view of the Colorado River encircling a red rock formation.

- Lombard Street:

Known for its winding path and vibrant flowers, challenging drivers' skills.

- Santa Barbara:

Offers sailing views, sea lions, and a relaxing atmosphere.

National Park Nature Tour

If you're tired of modern cities like New York and Los Angeles, consider a self-drive trip to America's national parks. These parks are treasures of natural, cultural, and historical heritage, offering a window into America's stunning landscapes. This route is perfect for those looking to plan a road trip that connects with nature and explore the best of self-drive tours USA.

Las Vegas → Arizona → State of Utah → State of Wyoming → Yellowstone National Park

DAY 1: Pick up a car in Las Vegas — Hoover Dam

DAY 2: Grand Canyon National Park

DAY 3: Antelope Canyon — Monument Valley

DAY 4: Goosenecks State Park

DAY 5: Canyonlands National Park

DAY 6: Arches National Park

DAY 7: Grand Teton National Park

DAY 8-10: Yellowstone National Park

Total Distance: Approximately 1,866 kilometers

Suitable For: Nature enthusiasts

- Antelope Canyon:

A world-famous slot canyon with mesmerizing light and shadow.

- Canyonlands National Park:

Known for its eroded sandstone towers and canyons.

- Arches National Park:

Home to thousands of natural sandstone arches, resembling a fantasy world.

- Yellowstone National Park:

Features diverse landscapes, including geothermal wonders like the Grand Prismatic Spring.

- SanFrancisco: Clam chowder, red wine oyster mushrooms

- CityofLosAngeles: Fried chicken waffles, burgers + beer

- New York: Buffalo wings, bagels, pastrami on rye, bacon egg cheese sandwich

- Boston: Clam chowder, Boston lobster, oysters, Boston cream pie, cod

- Las Vegas: Shrimp platter, buffet, cocktail shrimp

- Washington: Roast beef sandwich, roast chicken leg, cedar-smoked salmon

- Hawaii: Poke, fish salad, luau, hotcakes, ginger ale

- New Orleans: Shrimp gumbo, corn salad, red beans and rice

- Chicago: Jibarito sandwich, Chicago-style bacon, Chicago-style pizza

- Seattle: Seafood chowder, crab feast

- Orlando: Grilled sweet corn, Apalachicola oysters, backyard burger

This self-driving tour of the U.S. offers countless adventures, whether you’re along the stunning coastline or exploring the breathtaking national parks. Don't forget to use a road trip planner to optimize your routes and make the most of your journey with self-drive tours USA!

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9 Scenic Drives through US National Parks Everyone Raves About (And How To Plan Them)

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road with the windows down and taking in some of the country’s most astonishing scenery. Imagine driving through vast landscapes, where every turn reveals a new vista of sprawling desert cacti, summits of snow-capped mountain ranges, and the infinitesimal feeling of smallness beneath towering Redwoods.

Of course, many of the best scenic drives in USA are found within its national parks, which are spread nationwide. Between road trips back home to my van life years, from winding mountain passes to sun-drenched coastal roads, here are 9 of the most picturesque routes through national parks where I couldn’t help but stop every few minutes.

1. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana

• Best Time to Visit Glacier: June to September (Otherwise closed)
• Distance: 50 miles
• Must-See Stops: Logan Pass, St. Mary Lake, and Jackson Glacier Overlook

Starting off this list is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which winds through Glacier National Park in Montana and some of the most stunning alpine landscapes in the country. The road is a feat of engineering, with narrow lanes hugging steep cliffs behind curves to glacial peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes.

Take a hike or two along the many trails that branch off from the road. One of my favorite and most popular trails is the hike to Avalanche Lake. Continue to Logan Pass to capture some of the park’s most dazzling vistas at the Weeping Wall and Bird Woman Falls. At Lake McDonald Valley, take a brief detour to the Apgar Lookout. Other attractions include St. Mary Lake, Sunrift Gorge, and Wild Goose Island.

Tip! The roads are only open from June to September; even in summer, the high elevation can bring unexpected chilly weather. Traffic can get congested during peak season.

2. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Zion National Park, Utah

• Best Time to Visit Zion: Year-Round (Summers get crowded)
• Distance: 10 miles
• Must-See Stops: Checkerboard Mesa, Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, and Canyon Overlook Trail

This drive through Zion National Park is just one section of Highway 9, a 150-mile scenic byway. The steep switchbacks and narrow tunnels carved into the red rock cliffs make for an exhilarating drive.

Start at Springdale, with your first landmark being the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Places like the famous Checkerboard Mesa are the best places to see the unique patterns in the rocks caused by erosion. Traverse further toward the park’s East Entrance for the Tunnel Viewpoint and the Canyon Overlook.

3. Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

• Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain: Late May to October (otherwise closed)
• Distance: 48 miles
• Must-See Stops: Rock Cut Overlook, Many Parks Curve, and Forest Canyon Overlook

Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest paved roads in the United States, reaching an altitude of 12,183 feet at its peak. The drive takes you along the alpine tundra, glacial valleys, and a lot of wildlife sightings.

The scenic drive starts in Estes Park, with your first stop being Many Parks Curve. Press on to Rainbow Curve, then absorb the sights at Forest Canyon Overlook, a great spot for both sunrise and sunset. Travel Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center, Gore Range Overlook, and Milner Pass.

4. Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park, California

• Best Time to Visit Yosemite: May to September
• Distance: 46 miles
• Must-See Stops: Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows

Tioga Road is the only route that crosses through the high country of Yosemite National Park, linking the east and west entrances. This scenic drive takes you through alpine meadows, past towering granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls, all while winding along the Tuolumne River.

The scenic drive kicks off at the Tioga Pass Entrance, ideal for those coming from the east via US-395. Venturing into Yosemite, make a point to stop at Tuolumne Meadows. A short stroll here can lead you to Soda Springs, then move on to Olmsted Point for a panorama of Half Dome and its surroundings. Continue on Tioga Road to witness the beauty of Ellery Lake, Tenaya Lake, and Tioga Lake.

5. Death Valley Scenic Byway, Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada

• Best Time to Visit Death Valley: November to March (otherwise extremely hot)
• Distance: 96 miles
• Must-See Stops: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Running parallel to the Nevada border, this scenic byway takes you through Death Valley National Park. It is one of the most diverse drives on this list. You’ll see it all, from the lowest point in North America to high desert overlooks and through some of the hottest recorded temperatures on Earth.

Near Stovepipe Wells, head east towards Badwater Basin, known for its salt flats and extreme temperatures. This route also includes Artist’s Drive and Palette, where you’ll see colorful mineral deposits on the mountainside, the Zabriskie Point badlands, and Dante’s View. End your drive at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where you can walk among the towering dunes and watch the sunset over this otherworldly landscape.

Tip! Avoid coming in the summer for both you and your vehicle.

6. Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park

• Best Time to Visit Yellowstone: April to October (otherwise closed)
• Distance: 142 miles
• Must-See Stops: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Hayden Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is shaped like the number eight, with the Grand Loop Road running through the bottom circle, connecting the park’s major attractions. This scenic drive takes you past geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and herds of bison and elk.

Although the landscapes along the road itself may not be as beautiful as some of the others on this list, take a short hike to see some of the coolest geothermal formations in the world, such as Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basic, and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. Make sure to also stop at Hayden Valley for the wildlife and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for powerful waterfalls and colorful canyons.

Tip! Be prepared for traffic jams in peak season, especially around popular attractions like Old Faithful and when wildlife herds block the roads.

7. Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

• Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon: March to May, September to November
• Distance: 25 miles
• Must-See Stops: Desert View Watchtower, Grandview Point, Moran Point, Yavapai Point

Desert View Drive hugs along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and gets you some of the most iconic vistas of the “7 Wonders of the Natural World”. This scenic drive is perfect for those who want to see the Grand Canyon’s highlights without having to hike or venture too far off the beaten path.

Starting at the Grand Canyon Village, you can choose to take a shuttle bus along Desert View Drive or drive your own vehicle. Drive all the way to the East Entrance to climb up the Desert View Watchtower. Along the way, stop at Grandview Point, Moran Point, and Yavapai Point for different perspectives of the canyon.

8. Highway 89 to Teton Park Road Loop, Grand Teton National Park, WY

• Best Time to Visit Grand Teton: Late May to September (otherwise closed)
• Distance: 43 miles
• Must-See Stops: Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row, Snake River Overlook

This dramatic loop takes you along the main highway towards Yellowstone and through Grand Teton National Park for some of the most spectacular views of the mountain range. The drive is quite short, but there are many scenic points of interest to stop at along the way.

Starting at Moose Junction in the south, take Highway 89 north towards Antelope Flats Road for a chance to see iconic Moulton Barn on Mormon Row. Continue on towards famous Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend, especially if you are coming around sunrise time. Turn into the park ‘s main loop road and stop at Jenny Lake for a hike or boat ride to the parks best hike, Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls.

9. Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, WA

• Best Time to Visit: June to September (otherwise rainy or closed in winter)
• Distance: 17 miles
• Must-See Stops: Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, scenic overlooks, hiking trails

This short and windy road takes you to one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Olympic National Park. Starting in Port Angeles, Washington, follow Hurricane Ridge Road up towards the mountains and through dense forests until you reach the top.

Five miles from the start is a popular viewpoint known as “The View,” where you can see Mount Olympus and other peaks on a clear day. Keep going until you reach the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center at mile 17 for glaciers, wildflowers, and wildlife views. From here, hike along different trails before heading back down to Port Angeles.

Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

• 14 Rare Weather Phenomena You Won't Believe Happen in the US
• Don't Miss These 12 Epic Things to Do in Olympic National Park for First-Timers
• 27 Drivable Day Trips from Dallas That’ll Surprise Even Long-Time Texans
• 10 Lesser-Known National Parks You Won't Believe Aren't Crowded Yet

2021 School Travel Resources

Resources for your school trip

The school trip looks different this year after last year's distant and hybrid learning. Safe Routes to School has many resources to help you design a school trip that works for you. Below is information about walking, biking, carpooling, and taking transit. Whichever way you decide to go, get there safely.  

Neighborhood maps feature pedestrian paths, transit stops, libraries, parks and other community resources. If you need help figuring out your route, use the maps below or contact us.  

Portland Neighborhood Walking Maps

The digital bike map shows bike shops, biking options such as neighborhood greenways and protected bike lanes, as well as difficult intersections and connections.

Interactive Digital Citywide Bike Map  

How-to Guides for Walk + Roll Groups

From the Safe Routes to School National Partnership:

• Walking School Bus Guide  - find a friend to join you, pick a route, & walk to school
• Bike Train Program  - find a friend to join you, pick a route, & bike to school
• Park & Walk Program  - drive to a location a few minutes away from school & walk the rest of the way

Walking to school

Safety Tips for your Walk to School

Portland Walking Guide  

Biking to school

Portland Family Biking Guide

How to fit a helmet

Bike theft and how to prevent it

Riding transit to school

Tools for planning your transit route

What to know for your first transit trip

How to put your bike on a TriMet bus rack

Carpooling to school

Pairing up with a classmate's family to drive to school together can help reduce the amount of traffic around your school...and helps share the responsibility of getting kids to school. Remember to follow CDC recommendations : clean surfaces, wash your hands, wear face coverings, and roll down windows for good air circulation.  

Traffic Safety Education Videos Four 1-minute videos that address top traffic safety issues in Portland. Originally they were created for  private for-hire drivers , but include information relevant for everyone who drives in Portland. 

Personal safety

Information about being an active bystander, and resources for reporting hate or bias incident s

Need some inspiration or how-to information? Here are some fun, informative Safe Routes videos. 

Tips to share on social media

Safe Routes created social media posts with tips for walking, biking, pod-pooling, riding transit, and parking then walking to school. 

Report a homeless campsite

Concerned about a campsite and/or an abandoned vehicle? You can use PDXReporter or call 311 to report your concern. Once you have reported the campsite/vehicle to the City, you can check here for a weekly street service report . The graphic below describes the process. Please note: each site must be assessed. If it meets criteria to be moved, a notice is posted. The City must give residents 72 hours prior to removing people’s belongings. More information on the Homeless/Urban Camping Reduction Program can be found here . City and school district staff are partnering on these issues.

Connect with us

Want to start walking, biking, or rolling groups at your school? Or carpools? Safe Routes to School can serve as a support and resource for you to get moving. 

Reach out to us and we will see how we can help:

Email:  [email protected] Phone: 503-823-1171 (message line)

Facebook:  @PBOTSafeRoutes Instagram:  @saferoutespdx

See something we could improve on this page?  Give website feedback .

Hurricane Helene: Category 1 storm intensifies as it takes aim at Florida

What we know about hurricane helene.

• Helene is strengthening as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast . It became a Category 1 hurricane today and is expected to hit Florida's Big Bend late tomorrow.
• Helene is expected to intensify and become a Category 4 hurricane before it makes landfall in Florida late tomorrow.
• A storm surge warning has been issued for the Florida Keys and most of Florida's west coast, signaling a likelihood of life-threatening inundation. Surges could reach up to 20 feet.
• At 11 p.m. ET today, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. It was about 425 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving north at 9 mph.
• Several counties are under evacuation orders. The National Hurricane Center warned it is "a life-threatening situation."

Tallahassee working to keep its 70,000 students safe

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said that the city is making preparations to secure everyone’s safety, including its large population of students from Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College.

"We have a student population of about 70,000" and have been working with those institutions, Dailey said. "Yesterday, they shut down the college campuses. We have encouraged the students to go home to be safe. Those students that will be remaining, we have great shelters in place where they can also go to be safe.”

Dailey said he had been in touch with both the governor's office and the White House ahead of the storm.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott says storm surge isn't survivable

Phil Helsel

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida issued a dire warning about the expected storm surge from Helene, which could be a Category 4 hurricane before it makes landfall, saying it won’t be survivable.

“In the Big Bend, they’re talking about possibly 18-foot of storm surge,” Scott said in Taylor County. “I’m a little over 6 feet — that’s three times my height. None of us are living that.”

Other parts of the coast are forecast to get 10 or 12 feet of storm surge, he said. Scott told people to evacuate and said no homes or possessions are worth dying for.

“You’re not going to survive. I mean, you’re not going to live through this stuff,” Scott said.

FEMA prepares for 'multi-state event'

Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida tomorrow as a major hurricane. FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell joined José Díaz-Balart to discuss how the agency is preparing for the storm.

Apalachee Bay, Florida, could see ‘nightmare surge scenario,’ NWS says

The storm surge that will hit Apalachee Bay, Florida, could be “catastrophic and unsurvivable,” the National Weather Service warned today.

“This forecast, if realized, is a nightmare surge scenario for Apalachee Bay,” the weather service for the Tallahassee region said in a local impact statement. “Please, please, please take any evacuation orders seriously!”

Storm surge may begin arriving in the area, in Florida’s Big Bend region, as early as late today.

Apalachee Bay is south of Tallahassee.

Tropical storm-force winds extend 345 miles from Helene's center

The size of Hurricane Helene prompted national forecasters to issue tropical storm warnings for a huge swath of the Southeast.

Tropical storm-force winds extended 345 miles from the hurricane’s center this evening as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico and toward Florida, the National Hurricane Center said.

Tropical storm warnings covered almost all of Florida, all of Georgia and all of South Carolina, and they extended into Western North Carolina. Parts of Alabama were also under the warning.

“Look how far inland the tropical storm warnings extend. We don’t normally issue tropical storm warnings this far inland or for this part of the country,” National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said in a briefing.

Helene developments ‘increasingly dire’ for people in storm’s path, NHC official says

National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said today that updated information about Hurricane Helene “is increasingly dire for the people in the path of this storm” as it moves toward Florida.

Rhome said the agency is now forecasting Helene to be a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale before it makes landfall sometime late tomorrow.

"Tallahassee, unfortunately, you’re going to be right in the path of these catastrophic winds,” Rhome said.

“Valdosta, Georgia, Albany, even all the way going up to Warner Robins in southern Georgia — you get a sense of just how far inland those hurricane-force winds are going to extend,” he said.

Catastrophic wind impacts mean people need to prepare for unsafe conditions, extended power outages and a significant number of downed trees and blocked roads, Rhome said.

A surprising hurricane season – and lots of activity in the Gulf Coast

This Atlantic hurricane season hasn’t shaped up like experts predicted. 

In May, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters predicted eight to 13 hurricanes and 17 to 25 named storms in 2024 — its highest-ever forecast . 

Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The season typically peaks in mid-September.

So far, there have been just eight named storms this season, and forecasters were surprised — and confused — when the season hit a lull in August and September. 

Most Americans will remember not the number of storms but how many of them strike U.S. coastlines.

The Gulf Coast has taken an outsized battering this season. If Helene strikes Florida's Big Bend, as expected, it would be only the fifth time since 1851 that four or more hurricanes have hit the Gulf Coast region in a single season. 

Some Florida theme parks closing their doors in anticipation of Helene

Antonio Planas

Hurricane Helene has prompted several theme parks in Florida to shut down for a day in anticipation of Hurricane Helene.

Universal Volcano Bay in Orlando will be closed tomorrow, Universal Orlando Resort said. The water theme park is expected to reopen Friday, the resort said in a statement.

Other theme parks and attractions, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Halloween Horror Nights and hotels affiliated with the parks, remain open and are monitoring weather conditions, officials said.

Helene also prompted Walt Disney World to close some of its parks and cancel events, including Disney Typhoon Lagoon water park, miniature golf courses and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it s aid in a s tatement .

In other theme park closings, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove will shutter tomorrow, United Parks & Resorts said in a statement . Both parks are expected to reopen Friday.

Parks in Tampa, including Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, will close tomorrow and are expected to reopen Friday, officials said.

Storm chasers prepare to measure Hurricane Helene

When Hurricane Helene makes landfall, researchers Karen Kosiba and Josh Wurman plan to be at the center of it. 

“We’re trying to position ourselves right where the eye is going to come on shore,” said Wurman, a University of Illinois research scientist.

The researchers are among the world’s top academic storm chasers. This afternoon, they were driving around Florida’s Big Bend region with six others, searching for locations safe enough to deploy pods that contain scientific instruments and Doppler-on-wheels radar trucks.

Once the storm arrives, they’ll hunker down, hoping to capture data about its wind speeds and structure. Such information will help researchers better understand what makes hurricanes tick. 

“We can understand better how these storms intensify, how they weaken and how they evolve,” Wurman said. 

The goal of such research is to learn about the inner dynamics of hurricanes and why some rapidly intensify as they near shore — a trend that research suggests is increasingly common because of climate change . 

Earlier this year, Wurman and Kosiba intercepted a tornado whose winds briefly exceeded 300 mph . 

It's tough work. 

“We’re getting ready to hunker down and be in the storm for sometimes 12 or 18 hours. We’re sleeping in a truck. There’s no bathrooms. It’s dark,” Wurman said, adding that for a few hours during the eyewall, no one will be allowed out of their vehicles as debris batters the trucks. “I had a snake blow by me once.”

Virginia's governor declares state of emergency ahead of Helene's impacts

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency today in anticipation of heavy rainfall and flooding from Hurricane Helene.

While the current path of the hurricane is west of Virginia, forecasters predict the western part of the state could “experience significant rainfall and flooding Friday into Saturday, combined with pre-cursor rainfall events predicted in the next few days,” a statement from Youngkin's office said.

Youngkin said Virginians are not in the clear.

“Even though the largest impacts of Helene are predicted to the south and west of us, we cannot ignore the fact that we have had significant flooding events arise from pre-cursory rain events and outer bands from tropical systems that drop locally heavy rainfall leading to flooding, especially in our southwestern region,” he said.

Youngkin urged residents to stay vigilant and informed through "trusted resources" on the latest from Helene, as well as to follow the direction of their local officials.

Atlanta Braves games are postponed tonight and tomorrow

Denise Chow

The baseball games scheduled for tonight and tomorrow between the Atlanta Braves and the visiting New York Mets have been postponed because of Hurricane Helene, Major League Baseball announced.

MLB officials said the two games will be made up in a doubleheader Monday at Truist Park near Atlanta. The first game will begin at 1:10 p.m. ET, and the second will start 40 minutes after the last out of the first game.

Helene is strengthening, National Hurricane Center says

Hurricane Helene is strengthening and expected to be a “major” hurricane — at least Category 3 or potentially Category 4 — when it reaches Florida’s Big Bend tomorrow, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory .

Parts of the Florida coast could get storm surge of up to 20 feet.

Helene is about 460 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, and moving north at around 12 mph. The storm is expected to cross the eastern Gulf of Mexico tonight and make landfall tomorrow evening, according to the NHC.

The hurricane has maximum sustained winds near 85 mph, with higher gusts, the advisory said. Significant rain, high winds and dangerous storm surge are all expected as Helene approaches the Gulf Coast.

Helene is expected to dump 4 to 8 inches of rain over western Cuba, the Cayman Islands and the northeast Yucatán Peninsula before it reaches the U.S. Across the Southeast, the storm could produce 6 to 12 inches of rain, with isolated totals around 18 inches, causing “catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding,” the NHC said.

After it makes landfall, the storm is expected to turn northwest and slow down over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday, according to the advisory.

Though the storm is expected to weaken after landfall, its strong, damaging winds are expected to “penetrate well inland across the southeastern United States, including over the higher terrain of the southern Appalachians,” the NHC said.

Get electric vehicles to higher ground, DeSantis advises

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis offered a reminder to owners of electric vehicles as they prepare for Hurricane Helene: “If you have an EV, you need to get that to higher land,” he said. “Be careful about that getting inundated. It can cause fires.”

At a news briefing this afternoon, he said such fires have become more common in Florida in recent years.

“You’re in an area that is in the eye of where there can be storm surge, you have an electric vehicle — just know that when you have saltwater intrusion on that, those can catch on fire,” DeSantis said. “Those are very difficult to put out.”

Indeed, electric vehicles are powered with banks of lithium-ion batteries that, if they catch fire, can burn for a long time and are very hard to extinguish . Saltwater is highly conductive, which adds extra risk during periods of high storm surge and coastal flooding.

In 2022, after Hurricane Ian hit southwestern Florida, firefighters near Naples responded to six EV fires that burned for “hours and hours” and required “thousands upon thousands” of gallons of water to put out, E&E News reported .

Atlanta public schools will close tomorrow and Friday

All Atlanta public schools will be closed tomorrow and Friday as a result of “expected severe weather from the impact of Hurricane Helene,” officials said in a statement.

District office employees will work remotely, and an update will be issued Friday afternoon about any activities over the weekend, officials said.

Watch hurricane hunters fly into the eye of Helene

Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration flew into the center of Hurricane Helene earlier today, capturing video of the storm’s immensity and its expansive clouds.

The researchers, known as “hurricane hunters,” fly through storms to gather data that can improve forecasts and help scientists better understand tropical storms and hurricanes as they develop.

NOAA maintains a fleet of three WP-3D turboprop aircraft — nicknamed Miss Piggy, Kermit and Gonzo — for the bumpy missions.

Atlanta's mayor describes preparations for heavy wind and rain

Mayor Andre Dickens said Atlanta is preparing for impacts from Hurricane Helene, including significant wind, heavy rain and flooding.

In a news conference this afternoon, Dickens said agencies are clearing drain systems to prepare for the rain, given that the city’s topography can put it at risk for serious flooding.

“We’re a city of 1,000 hills, as it’s been called before,” he said. “And those low-lying areas are bowls.”

Crews are also ready to deal with downed trees, Dickens added, and shelters are open for people who need housing.

DeSantis: 'The eye of the storm is coming'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said people in the state should anticipate widespread power outages, heavy rain and high winds as Hurricane Helene approaches.

The fast-moving storm is expected to bring 12 inches of rain over parts of the state, DeSantis said at a news briefing, and storm surge could reach up to 15 feet in some areas.

“Just know these effects are coming to the state of Florida, and it’s not a matter of whether we’re going to get effects, it’s just a question of how significant those effects will be,” he said.

A state of emergency is in effect as Florida braces for the hurricane to make landfall tomorrow in the Big Bend region, potentially as a Category 3 storm.

“The eye of the storm is coming in this region,” DeSantis said.

State officials emphasized that it’s not too late to evacuate or make preparations, but they warned that people shouldn’t wait any longer.

“You should be finalizing your plans now, executing on your plans,” said Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “Tomorrow midday will be way too late.”

South Carolina declares state of emergency

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency today ahead of potential impacts from Hurricane Helene.

McMaster said people in the state should monitor local forecasts and begin taking precautions now.

“Although South Carolina will likely avoid the brunt of Hurricane Helene’s impacts, the storm is still expected to bring dangerous flooding, high winds and isolated tornadoes to many parts of the state,” McMaster said in a statement.

The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida's Big Bend, then bring strong winds, major rainfall, flash flooding and other risks to other southeastern states including South Carolina.

Helene could undergo 'rapid intensification.' Here's what that means.

Early forecasts suggest Hurricane Helene could become a major Category 3 storm before it reaches Florida's Big Bend. That intensification is expected to happen quickly as the hurricane moves over warmer-than-usual waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

Warm water is a key ingredient in the formation and development of storms, and warm conditions in the ocean and in the atmosphere can jumpstart the process known as rapid intensification.

The term describes an increase in sustained wind speeds of at least 35 mph over 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Many recent storms have undergone rapid intensification before making landfall, including Hurricane Ian in 2022, which strengthened into a Category 3 storm as it neared Florida’s coast. A year before that, Hurricane Ida’s maximum sustained winds increased by 65 mph over a span of just 24 hours. And in 2019, Hurricane Dorian underwent rapid intensification twice before it made landfall in the Bahamas.

Climate change is increasing ocean temperatures, but teasing out what role — if any — that global warming plays in the rapid intensification of storms has been complicated so far. Overall, studies have shown that climate change may not be increasing the total number of hurricanes that form, but it can make the storms that do occur more intense.

Helene moves into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico

Marlene Lenthang

Helene is 110 miles north-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said in a 2 p.m. advisory. 

It’s expected to take a turn toward the northeast and increase its forward speed later today and tomorrow. That will likely bring Helene’s center across the eastern Gulf of Mexico to Florida's Big Bend coast by tomorrow evening. 

Helene is still forecast to strengthen and become a major hurricane by the time it reaches Florida. 

"Preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds along the Florida Big Bend Coast should be rushed to completion today," the NHC warned.

High-speed winds anticipated in Florida as Hurricane Helene closes in

Nearly every Florida county is under a state of emergency as Hurricane Helene moves through the Gulf of Mexico. NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch reports on how Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing the state ahead of the expected winds.

Tallahassee mayor says Helene could bring 'unprecedented damage'

Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said that if the trajectory of Helene holds, the area will see “unprecedented damage like nothing we have ever experienced before as a community.”

Tallahassee, in the Big Bend area, is inland within the projected path of Helene’s landfall. 

“If the city of Tallahassee is hit directly by a Category 3 hurricane, it’ll be the strongest hurricane in recorded history ever to hit our community. Current forecast continues to position us squarely within the cone of Hurricane Helene,” Dailey said in a news conference.

Locals should plan for a possible direct hit with winds in excess of 100 mph and flooding, he warned, adding that the city could see downed trees, structural damage and loss of power.

“Now is the time to prepare. We have no more time left to wait. Today is the day. We urge you to stay weather aware as we’re on the verge of what could be … a historic event,” Dailey added.

Aid resources from nine states — Missouri, Louisiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan and Florida — are arriving in the area later today.

“By the sun setting this evening, we will have tripled our electric utility workforce,” he said, adding that when restoration begins, the goal is to increase it five-fold.

Tampa International Airport to suspend operations Thursday

Tampa International Airport will suspend all commercial and cargo operations at 2 a.m. Thursday, ahead of Helene's arrival.

The airport will remain closed to the public until damage assessments are completed, but it is anticipated to reopen Friday.  

Three other public airports managed by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority — Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive and Plant City Airports — will also close at 2 a.m. Thursday, the airport said in a statement . 

North Carolina declares state of emergency

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency today ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Helene. 

In his announcement, Cooper said Helene is forecast to trigger flash flooding, landslides, debris flows and river flooding across portions of the western and central part of the state. Tropical-storm-force winds are possible in the western part of the state late Thursday into Friday. 

“Flooding may occur in areas that do not typically flood. All North Carolinians should be weather aware and prepared,” the statement said.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also declared a state of emergency yesterday, as the southern part of the state was put under a tropical storm watch.

How unusually warm waters could fuel Hurricane Helene

Helene will pass over unusually warm waters as it charges up from the Caribbean, which forecasters say will likely help the storm build intensity.

Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico have been as hot as 88 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the eastern Gulf Coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .

Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami, posted on X earlier this month that the amount of heat energy stored in the Gulf of Mexico is “obliterating” previous records.

“It’s almost as if this matters...” McNoldy said in a follow-up post this morning.

Warm water acts like fuel for hurricanes, feeding storms energy and heat to gather strength at a rapid pace. Studies have shown that climate change is increasing ocean temperatures, which in turn is making storms stronger and increasing their intensity and destructiveness.

Florida universities close due to storm

The University of Florida in Gainesville said its campus will close and classes will be cancelled tomorrow due to Helene. The University of Central Florida in Orlando also suspended campus operations and classes tomorrow.

Florida A&M University , Tallahassee State College and Florida State University had already called off classes and closed campuses.

Helene lashes Mexico with fierce winds and flooding

Mara Lezama Espinosa, the governor of Quintana Roo, Mexico, shared videos and photos of severe flooding and damage from Helene as the hurricane passes the Yucatán Peninsula. 

She shared video of high tides at San Miguel Pier in Cozumel and cars submerged in flooded streets. Other posts showed downed trees, workers sweeping debris and intense rain.

“There are streets with fallen trees, power outages, strong gusts of wind and high waves,” she wrote on X . "Let’s take precautions! All emergency teams are in the territory and active on 911."

NASA delays SpaceX launch ahead of storm's arrival

NASA has delayed an upcoming SpaceX launch as Helene gathers strength and threatens Florida’s east coast.

SpaceX was scheduled to launch NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov tomorrow to the International Space Station. But the space agency opted to stand down, saying “the storm system is large enough that high winds and heavy rain are expected in the Cape Canaveral and Merritt Island regions on Florida’s east coast.”

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule, which were out at the launch pad, were also rolled back to a hangar at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Tuesday evening, NASA officials wrote in a blog post .

The upcoming mission, known as Crew-9 , will now launch no earlier than Saturday at 1:17 p.m. ET.

Helene becomes a Category 1 hurricane

Helene has become a hurricane, with 80 mph maximum sustained winds, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. advisory.

It’s now about 85 miles north-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, moving at 10 mph.  

Helene's outer bands already hitting parts of southern Florida

Some outer bands from Helene are already hitting the Florida Keys and Collier, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said in a news conference Wednesday.

“Sixty-four out of 67 counties need to pay attention to their alerts,” he warned as the state braces for what's forecast to become a major hurricane.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said northern Florida will most likely be hit by Helene’s landfall, but impacts will be felt inland as well. 

The governor had declared an emergency for 61 counties in the state. On Wednesday, he said FEMA partially approved the state’s pre-landfall emergency declaration, “but we didn’t get approved for what we think we need to get approved for.” He said the state will ask again for “more robust” approval. 

The governor urged locals to familiarize themselves with their evacuation zones and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. The state is bracing for power outages, with 18,000 linemen already in Florida to restore power and more on the way. DeSantis said the National Guard is on standby and Starlink internet will be deployed as needed. 

Helene's forecast impacts

Kathryn Prociv

Wind: Tropical storm-force winds already extend 350 miles in diameter across the storm. Tropical storm conditions are expected in southern Florida later today, spreading northward through Thursday. Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area late Thursday. 

Helene is expected to be a massive hurricane with a wind swath of over 400 miles wide — that’s twice the size of Debby and Idalia, the last two hurricanes to slam the Big Bend. 

Surge: Rivers across Florida will see significant surge, with the highest forecast to be 10 to 15 feet from the Ochlockonee River to Chassahowitzka. Tampa Bay will see 5 to 8 feet surge.

Rain: 32 million people are already under flood watches from South Florida to southern Virginia. Highest rainfall totals of up to 15 inches will be near landfall and in the southern Appalachians over Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. 

Tornadoes: 12 million people are under risk for tornadoes Thursday from central Florida to central South Carolina. Tornado threat will be maximized across the Georgia coast. On Friday, the tornado threat shifts to eastern North Carolina and Southern Virginia.

Helene forecast to make landfall tomorrow night

Helene is forecast to make landfall along the Big Bend of Florida tomorrow night between 6 and 10 p.m. as a major hurricane. 

Helene’s outer rain bands will bring on-and-off tropical downpours to South Florida and the Keys by this afternoon. Tropical storm-force winds will begin for Key West to Miami by later this evening. 

Tomorrow, wind gusts 60 mph and higher, tornadoes, and storm surge flooding are expected along the west coast of Florida, including the Tampa area. Conditions will then quickly go downhill for the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend area by tomorrow afternoon. 

Tomorrow night, Helene is forecast to make landfall and hurricane-force wind gusts are likely for the I-10 corridor across Florida and into southern Georgia. Major wind damage and power outages are likely along with significant urban and river flooding.

On Friday, Helene is forecast to remain strong as it pushes inland. It could maintain hurricane strength into southern Georgia. Major wind and rain impacts from north Georgia into the western Carolinas are forecast. Life-threatening flash flooding is expected for parts of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. 

NHC: Helene nears hurricane strength

Tropical Storm Helene is nearing hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. A Category 1 hurricane has winds of 74 to 95 mph under the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. 

It’s forecast to become a hurricane later today and rapidly strengthen into a major hurricane on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. advisory . 

Swirling about 60 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, Helene is moving northwest at almost 9 mph. Helene is forecast to pass near the northeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula this morning, and move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend coast of Florida late Thursday.  

A tropical storm warning, already in effect for all of the Florida Keys, the Florida west coast from Flamingo to Anclote River, including the Tampa Bay, has been extended to include the Florida east coast from Flamingo northward to Altamaha Sound, Georgia. 

Evacuations ordered across Florida's coastline

• Pinellas County : Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for health care and long-term care facilities in Zone A, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said Tuesday.
• Levy County — Mandatory evacuation orders for coastal communities, low-lying areas, mobile and manufactured homes. 
• Taylor County — Mandatory evacuation orders for all of the county, with shelters in Alachua County. 
• Charlotte County — Evacuations orders for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, and manufactured homes.
• Citrus County — Mandatory Evacuation orders for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in Zone A.
• Hernando County — Mandatory evacuations starting Wednesday at 8 a.m. for all areas west of US 19. 

View the full list of evacuation orders here . 

Tropical Storm Helene expected to grow to Category 3 hurricane

Emergency evacuations are underway in Florida as Tropical Storm Helene is expected to grow into a massive and destructive Category 3 hurricane. "TODAY’s" Al Roker tracks the projected path of the storm.

Biden approves Florida's emergency declaration

President Joe Biden last night declared an emergency in Florida and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts as Helene approaches. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had requested the disaster declaration on Monday and he declared a state of emergency in 61 counties in the state.

The president’s authorization will see federal assistance and reimbursement for “mass care including evacuation and shelter support.”

University of South Florida cancels all classes ahead of Helene's arrival

Patrick Smith Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

The University of South Florida ia taking no chances as the state braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Helene tomorrow, likely as a hurricane.

The college has canceled all classes through Monday and closed access to its campuses until at least Friday.

"The University of South Florida continues to monitor Tropical Storm Helene. The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority as we track the storm and the possible impacts to the Tampa Bay region," the college said in a statement this morning.

Tropical storm and storm surge warnings extended across Florida

Florida is set to be hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene, forecasters said today, ahead of its likely arrival as a hurricane late tomorrow.

The National Hurricane Center said in a 5 a.m. ET update that its list of warnings and watches had grown overnight, with a hurricane warning already in place for Florida's west coast, from Mexico Beach to the Anclote River.

A hurricane watch is in place for a stretch of coastline from the river down to Englewood.

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the NHC said.

A storm surge warning, meaning there is danger of life-threatening inundation in the next 36 hours, is in place for almost the entirety of Florida's west coast from Indian Pass, south-east of Panama City, down to Flamingo in the Everglades National Park on the tip of the peninsular. This warning includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor.

Across the upper portion of the west coast, the storm surge could reach between 10 and 15 feet.

And a tropical storm warning is in place for Florida's west coast, much of the east coast, and all the Florida Keys.

Cancun’s beaches empty as Helene heads toward Mexico

A few visitors at the tourist hotspot Cancun were still on the beach on Tuesday, despite warnings that Helene was approaching Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

Florida braces for Helene to hit, potentially as a Category 3 hurricane

Angie Lassman

NBC News meteorologist Angie Lassman on Early Today forecasts the direction, size and strength of Helene as it heads toward Florida.