Are we there yet??
Are we back to normal? Not quite.. Are we about to embrace the heck out of the great American road trip lifestyle this year, you bet! As we continue to navigate the new normal, many of us are eager to get back on the road and simply get out of the house! For the time being, it is typically safer to drive somewhere over flying. I recently went on a road trip, and while I loved all the experiences I had on the trip, one of my biggest takeaways was the mental health benefits of taking time away from work and getting out of the house that most of us have been confined to for the past few months.
Whether you are reading this during the global pandemic or you are looking for some USA road trip inspiration, here are seven memorable bucket-list road trips and iconic drives throughout the United States. Note there are plenty of more gorgeous road trip options throughout the USA, these are simply a few of my favorites I’ve been able to experience.
1. Big Sur in California
I have family in California so I’ve been lucky enough to drive down the iconic HWY 1 three times now and the views are incredible every single time! This drive includes numerous beach towns with heaps of charm along the coast, perfect for stopping for a meal or drink while you soak in the views!
2. Colorado Rocky Mountains
Driving through the mountains, lush national forests, alpine lakes, clear rivers, plenty of hiking, the list goes on! Colorado is an incredibly beautiful destination to visit and is one of my favorite places to drive since you get to enjoy some of the best views in America!
3. Smoky Mountain National Park & Blue Ridge Mountains
A fall bucket list item is driving through the Application Mountains along Blue Ridge Parkway and through Smoky Mountain National Park is breathtaking! Make sure to add the cute town of Asheville, North Carolina to your agenda as well. This area is gorgeous and accessible throughout the majority of the year, and I highly recommend visiting this area during autumn to witness the fall foliage!
4. New England in the Fall
One of the first girl’s trips I went on with my mom was to the New England region in 2017! Another fall bucket list road trip destination right here. We roamed throughout Main, New Hampshire, and Vermont embracing some classic fall activities such as running through corn mazes and going apple picking, spending time outside hiking in the White Mountains and Acadia National Park, and enjoying many beautiful sites along the way.
5. New Mexico & Arizona
If you like the desert, nature, and national parks, then this route is for you! A few iconic stops include White Sands National Park, Sedona, Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and many more hidden gems along the way! One thing I loved about driving through Arizona is the variety of landscapes and how quickly they change. Add this route to your list!
6. Portland, Oregon (Mt Hood, Flume Gorge, & Cannon Beach)
If you love the great outdoors, head to Oregan to experience some of the most gorgeous views of the great outdoors! From delicious food trucks and donuts in Portland to incredible outdoor activities and hikes in the surrounding area, if you love the outdoors, food, and even the beach then consider this road trip route!
7. Utah National Parks (Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, & Zion)
Home to 5 of 62 United States National Parks, Utah has insane landscapes that make you feel like you are on another planet! You’ll find mountains, slot canyons, wide open spaces, lakes, salt flats, arches, canyons, and so much more in this beautiful state.
America is filled with countless incredible road trip options and this list of recommendations barely scratches the surface! With so much beauty in the United States or wherever your home country is, I hope these road trip ideas encourage you to explore your own backyard or somewhere within driving distance! Happy and safe travels everyone.
With wanderlust,
Haley
Halesyah 