Have you ever wondered what other road trips are worth exploring besides the famous Route 66?
Do not get us wrong, we love Route 66, but it is not the only road trip you can do in the United States that will leave you marveling at all the amazing sites our beautiful country has to offer. We have been going on road trips a lot in the last few years, and some of the ones we explored are not only just as amazing as Route 66 but also less crowded and at times even more worth exploring.
This doesn’t mean that you should not go on your planned Route 66 vacation, but rather that the next time you are thinking of going on a road trip (maybe even with your own or rented RV), you should be open to going somewhere else too. After all, life is too short to just be stuck visiting the same sites, and we should use our wandering spirit and explore all we can for as long as we can!
To help you widen your horizons and give you some amazing suggestions, here are some of our favorite road trips that you are definitely going to love if you just give them a chance! Thank us later!
Let us know if you have been on any of these, and if there are other ones you wish to see us explore, in the comments!
Overseas Highway
This is one of the most scenic highway drives you can go on, and believe us, you are going to love it. Built back in 1928, this over-the-water highway was constructed so that you could easily access several islands in the south of Florida, close to Miami. Before that, the only way to be able to access the islands was by train or boat, so this feature was a big feat at the time, not to mention the fact that it goes over water.
This road trip is one of the most beautiful in the United States and also one of the easiest ones to do, as it is only 120 miles and mostly through gorgeous tropical islands. You will cross through 44 islands, all surrounded by crystal waters, gorgeous beaches, and a lot of attractions and great food stops! The recommended road trip time is up to 3 days, but you can always extend your trip by stopping on some islands for a night or two and relaxing on the beach!
If you are going to Miami or you live close to Florida and would like to relax, the Overseas Highway road trip is the best choice to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and instead get a relaxing holiday!
The Pacific Coast Highway
This road trip is for those who have already beaten Route 66 and are looking for another long one to go on. However, it is still good for those who want to try their hand at a longer road trip too. Depending on which route you take, the whole trip can be between 600 and 1675 miles long, so it is also one that is customizable and can take you anywhere from one week to three.
Truth be told, you have probably heard about the Pacific Coast Highway since it is very famous, but you should also not let it just be a famous sight, but a vacation you have experienced yourself. You can choose to stick to the California coast, or you can venture further up the west coast, all the way up to Oregon and Washington.
This is definitely one picturesque drive, so if you love the cliff views, along with the amazing scenery and the ocean views, it is definitely for you. It also helps that you can make some stops in some bigger cities with nice landmarks, such as Santa Barbara, Crescent City, Long Beach, and even Seattle!
Going the Sun Road
The shortest road trip on our list, but perfect if you are trying to ease your way into them and want to work your way up to longer ones. It is also great to go on this one if you are looking for a few days of relaxation and not a few weeks worth. It is only a 50-mile drive, and you can easily complete it in 1 to 2 days, but you can easily extend it a few more days if you wish to thoroughly explore the sights and spots along the way.
Going the Sun Road may be a short drive, but you will be able to experience varied terrain and spectacular views, even get to visit some glacial lakes, and you may even get to see some of the American wildlife (it is known you may be spotting some mountain goats on this road). The recommendation is to take this trip slow, stop and explore anytime you see something worth while, and also take your time to also go around on foot.
The tricky part is to make sure that you do not go on this road trip during the summer months, as it can get pretty crowded and busy, so avoiding peak times is the way to go if you actually want to enjoy everything we have presented so far!
Anchorage to Valdez, Alaska
This is one of the road trips on our list that is not that long, but it is definitely worth it. The only caveat is to make sure you are dressed appropriately depending on the season you choose to embark on your scenic trip: in the summer you will be greeted by more favorable weather, being around 67°F in July, but it will be around 14°F in the winter, so if you plan to go during the cold season to see the snowy peaks, prepare yourself for a blistering cold.
Otherwise, the road trip from Anchorage to Valdez is dubbed the best Alaskan drive, and it is worthy of that title with how beautiful it is. You will be able to see quite a bit of the wilderness of the Last Frontier while also being able to stop and visit a lot of stunning attractions, from the Matanuska Glacier all the way to the myriad of waterfalls, mountain ranges, and glacial rivers. You can explore them by yourself or book some guided explorations and other outdoor activities ahead of time.
It could take you up to 5 days to go over the 300 miles of this road trip, and due to the amount of barren landscape you will have to traverse, it is better done with an RV rather than counting on on-road accommodations.
If you plan to do this road trip during winter, make sure you get yourself a warm, waterproof jacket so you will not freeze or catch a cold!
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of those road trips that is best experienced when you are going slow and steady. It is just 496 miles long, so it is definitely not even close to the longest on our list, but it is still advisable that you take around 1 to 3 weeks to explore it. It is a quintessential Southern American experience, and we recommend that you make the most of it. After all, the 45 mph speed limit that is present on most of this gorgeous, winding road is also going to help with taking it slow.
Yet, if you are looking for a relaxing drive where you will be able to admire a ton of different types of land, from green pastures through the hilly meadows all the way to the mountain ranges of Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains, Along the way, you can also visit the Peaks of Otter, Linville Falls, and Asheville, just to name a few of the route’s best spots! If you want to know more about the drive, make sure to also check out their website, where they have all the information you may need!
However, if you are committed to making the most out of your Route 66 vacation, we suggest you make sure you do not miss these amazing landmarks that you will find on your way!
