Exploring some of the best road-trips in the USA, these exquisite road trips will sure stay in your latent memory for long and educate you about several aspects of living in one of the most nature-rich countries in the world. Every location will have its unique cultural artifacts, climate, wildlife, and inhabitants. Not only that those road trips are refreshing and adventurous, but they also help you learn a lot about the United States. So, these road trips impart a memorable experience to all types of travelers. This blog will highlight the best destinations for your road trips in the year 2021.
Route 66
It’s no surprise that we’re starting the round-up with the symbolic Route 66, covering eight states, this beautiful road is full of national parks, historical museums, and aesthetic diners. Below is a list of all the tourist attractions on Route 66 that are worth a stop:
- Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois
- Route History in Springfield, Illinois
- Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
- Meramec Caverns in Sullivan, Missouri
- Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma
- Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma
- Leaning Tower of Texas in Groom, Texas
- Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Café in Shamrock, Texas
- Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas
- Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico
- Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona
- Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert in Arizona
- Calico Ghost Town in California
- Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, California
- Original McDonald’s Museum in San Bernardino, California
The Black Hills of South Dakota
This is one of the famous tourist spots in the USA, which gets more crowded during the peak of summer when the tourist influx in the state is maximum. Mount Rushmore is a sight that you should not miss if you travel this region. You must know that this historic sculpture is the reason that as many as 2.5 million tourists travel to South Dakota every year. You will appreciate it more if you are a history buff. Mount Rushmore is a unique sculpture made into the sides of a mountain from 1927 to 1941, and it is a sure sight that will behold you. This area can be aptly explored with a road trip, as it has paved roads that help you explore the Wild West towns, natural anomalies, and national treasures in the region.
You will also explore the exquisite natural landscapes as you move into the region on the road. If you love history, nature, and food, great places await you in South Dakota. This travel will satiate your wonder and curiosity as you explore the glacial lakes and archaeological sites. You get to know about the history of the USA when you visit several museums in the region. South Dakota has the seventh longest cave in the world that you can find at Wind Cave National Park. There is also a dinosaur museum in the city.
Below is a list of all the sights you’ll be sure to stop at when going through the twisting mountain roads of South Dakota:
- Badlands National Park
- Bear Butte State Park
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Hill City
- Rapid City
Utah’s Mighty 5
Next on the list, we have five incredible national parks distributed across Southern and Central Utah, often referred to as Utah’s Mighty 5 or The Big Five. This ultimate one-week Utah’s Mighty 5 road trip will take you on a majestic adventure full of striking trails and scenic rock formations, being the best fit for hiking lovers. So, gear-up for the best backpacking adventures you’ll ever have when you set out to tour the following national parks in Utah’s Mighty 5:
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef Natural Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
Pacific Coast Highway
The thrilling Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is a great road trip option as it gives the chance to explore most of California; all those mesmerizing coastlines, blue skies, sandy beaches, and some of the best surfing spots you’ve anticipated are just a road trip away! Starting from Monterey, here are all the best-highlighted stops of the Pacific Coast Highway that will give you the maximum road trip experience:
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Point Lobos State Reserve
- Big Sur
- Garrapata State Park
- Old Coast Road
- Bixby Bridge
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Nepenthe
- San Simeon
- Cambria
Nevada’s Highway 50
For people with an impulse to get away from it all and looking to get some peace and quiet, Nevada’s 657km Highway 50 is the best option there is. While many people deem the U.S 50 a “lonely road”, we’re here to tell you otherwise. You can expect a lot of leisure activities when passing through here, such as biking, camping, stargazing, horseback riding, and so much more. Filled with culture and history, Nevada’s Highway 50 also gives road trippers an opportunity to discover mining towns, rockhounding areas, museums, parks, and railways. Scroll down below to check out the highlighted spots on the U.S 50:
- The Reno Arch
- St James Infirmary
- National Automobile Museum
- Project Shoal Monument
- Historic Middlegate Station
- The Shoe Tree
- Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
- Hickson Petroglyph Recreation Area
- Eureka Sentinel Museum
- Eureka County Opera House
- Nevada Northern Railway Museum
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park
- Great Basin National Park
- Lehman Caves
Florida Keys / Overseas Highway
Last but definitely not least, Overseas Highway completes some of the best road trip destinations in the US. This highway takes you through the Florida Keys, a chain of 800 coral islands full of fun activities to do. From scuba diving, snorkeling, and diving to sightseeing, art exhibitions, and antiques, going through the Florida Keys is one rich and tropical experience you won’t soon forget! Below are the hottest spots in this wondrous archipelago worth your time:
- Duval Street, Key West
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Mallory Square, Key West
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- National Key Deer Refuge
- Dolphin Research Center
- Turtle Hospital
- Marathon
That sums-up some of the most memorable drives you could go for in the states! It is important to check in with all these destinations before heading out since the ongoing pandemic has limited the number of public activities and travel options. So, don’t waste any more time and embark on an exhilarating journey on the road that will be embedded in your memory forever!