With hair dancing in the breeze, shades perched atop your nose, and those iconic yellow stripes serving as your guide, you can envision yourself cruising down American highways, discovering a nation brimming with varied scenery. These renowned routes weave through nearly every part of the U.S., making your journey all the more unforgettable.
What could be more exciting than discovering the United States through a road trip? In this nation, where cars dominate transportation, one can effortlessly uncover countless secret gems, unexpected delights, and breathtaking vistas—scenes so picturesque they seem almost familiar from movies.
Planning a trip to the United States? Learn more about it to make your journey smoother:
- 10 must-read classics of American literature at least once in your lifetime
- 4 dynamic cities to explore in America’s Midwest
- This beach stands as the loveliest along the West Coast of the United States, and it’s not located in California!
The 4 essential road trips to take in the United States
The Pacific Coastal Road, the pathway to the American dream
Distance: roughly 1,000 kilometers (spanning from San Francisco to San Diego)
State Route 1, also known as Highway 1 and the Pacific Coast Highway... This coastal thoroughfare in the United States goes by several titles, yet each fails to fully encapsulate its allure, with stunning sea vistas that shift dramatically around every curve.
Must-see stops: major urban centers such as San Francisco up north, along with Los Angeles and San Diego down south – if you've got the time to explore these bustling metropolitan areas. Then again, why not also check out some smaller but enchanting locales like Monterey known for its picturesque Victorian homes, or the fashionable Carmel featuring its historically significant Mission? Of course, Santa Barbara , the Californian Saint-Tropez.
The iconic Route 66
Distance: roughly 3,700 kilometers (from Chicago to Santa Monica)
Probably the most renowned highway in the United States, its emblem is familiar to us long before our wheels touch it: the complete stretch of Route 66 represents the ultimate journey that everybody – including Americans themselves – aspire to undertake at least once in their lifetime. The Main Street of America It spans across eight states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California), covers three different time zones, and represents the period of significant western migration. It also captures that indomitable sense of liberty while traveling on the open road.
Must-see stops: Chicago St. Louis known for its iconic church, Clinton featuring the Route 66 museum, Tucumcari boasting beautifully refurbished motels, Santa Fe recognized as the oldest city in the Western United States, Albuquerque distinguished by its Art Deco architecture, and naturally Los Angeles.
The Overseas Highway stands as the most picturesque of them all.
Distance: roughly 200 kilometers (from Miami to Key West)
The remarkable Overseas Highway spans across the 42 channels separating the keys. 43 islands of Florida's Keys chain , bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Throughout, glimpses of blue blend the sky and sea, making you feel as though you're in an earthly paradise.
Must-see stops: Miami, with Key Largo and its extensive coral reef — the biggest in North America —, along with Marathon, would be perfect for a diving excursion and sampling local cuisine. lobster reuben The Seven Mile Bridge spanning over more than 11 kilometers of water, along with Key West, the southernmost tip of the United States, featuring Ernest Hemingway’s home and a distinctive relaxed ambiance.
Highway 61, the pathway to melodies
Distance: roughly 1600 kilometers (distance from Chicago to New Orleans)
Slightly lesser-known among European travelers, a road trip along Highway 61—the Blues Route—will lead you alongside the Mississippi River as you explore the lives of influential blues and jazz artists who've shaped musical history. These include icons like Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and naturally, Louis Armstrong. Elvis Presley .
Must-see stops: Chicago, the city of Buddy Guy, along with St. Louis featuring its blues museum, Memphis—the cradle of the blues and also known as Elvis Presley’s hometown, Clarksdale boasting two blues museums, and not to forget New Orleans, where one can enjoy both blues and jazz around the clock—day and night.
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