There is no question that the US is a beautiful country, whether you’re more susceptible to her spacious skies, amber waves of grain, or purple mountains’ majesty. The Great American Road Trip is just as much a part of Americana as the stars and stripes. Here you can dine on the aforementioned spicy bird, before heading back down I-24 to I-75 and then to the ATL. A comprehensive U.S. road atlas is still one of the best ways to choose among your possible travel routes. Of course, you’ll need to be in the country legally with a valid passport and, for some nationalities, a visa. In Chicago, bed down at the Viceroy Chicago on the glitzy Gold Coast, whose opulent interiors are done up in Art Deco elements that nod to the hotel’s past as the 1920s Cedar Hotel. It’s no secret that the South is home to some of America’s best food and most legendary hospitality, from classic dishes like jambalaya in Louisiana and “Hot Chicken” in Tennessee, to the warm welcome you can be sure to receive in cities like Savannah and Charleston. By Chelsea Bengier December 18, 2019. The northern route across America is a land of contrasts. Travel News How to plan the ultimate road trip across the USA. On the other hand, heavy summer rains can make driving along the Gulf Coast treacherous, while spring snow can fall as far south as Denver. Explore the best of the world. From here, you’re just 75 minutes outside Pittsburgh. It can be a pretty sizable job to route a cross-country trip, and an RV trip planner generally works for free. Backcountry camping is available for the truly adventurous; others can set up at Cedar Pass Campground (which offers running water, toilets, and covered picnic tables) or the park’s eco-friendly cabins, which come outfitted with pine-wood beds, flatscreen TVs, and mini-fridges and microwaves. This short sprint overlooks steep gorges and straddles the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene before entering Washington via Spokane. Things you buy may earn us a commission. You can barrel across the country on I … If you tell a good story, the locals will tell you a good story. 12. After settling in, make a dinner reservation at Glorietta if you’re in the mood for Italian. This 310,000-acre swath encompasses Jackson Lake, Snake River, and the entire Teton range, which is webbed together by more than 200 miles of hiking trails. Well we'd love it if you left us a review. Our East Coast … (It only takes 30 seconds, we promise! Through Chicago, hit Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone etc. © 2009 - 2020 Jetsetter ™ All rights reserved. The northern US is home to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes and cities, which makes it the ideal latitude for a cross-country road trip. The roasted acorn squash; ricotta cavatelli with spicy sausage, brown butter, and fried sage; and zeppole topped with mascarpone and strawberry compote come highly recommended. That being said, you should keep in mind that roadside camping is rarely legal in the US, so check the rules before you pitch your tent. After taking in the Presidents’ massive granite profiles, continue on through the gorges, canyons, and cliffs of the Black Hills National Forest. If you're considering a road trip, some planning will make things easier—and safer. Veering a little off the beaten path greatly expands your possibilities on this trip, which takes approximately 42 hours end-to-end without stopping, whether you camp in Glacier National Park, make an excursion to the resurgent “Motor City” of Detroit or spend some time in the Dakotas to gain an appreciation for Native American culture. 5 Cross-Country Road Trips That You’ll Never Forget. When not home eating her way through NYC, she's gallivanting across the globe, sailing the coast of Croatia or hiking the peaks of Peru. The first way to do this would be to combine one (or more) of the above itineraries. Both the scenic route and the peninsula’s only major route, Highway 101 loops around the largest road-free area in the continental U.S. This season, there’s Detroit-style pizza, Vietnamese cuisine, Latin-fusion tapas, and innovative takes on American classics. Hit grocery stores along your route. Drive Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago, then continue east to Boston, or further still along the gorgeous coast of Maine. If you dream of taking a cross-country road trip from the Pacific to the Atlantic, then you should definitely consider heading west on U.S. Route 6. The grounds are maintained year-round, with the original 1930s custom furniture and artwork still on display. ANY advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated! On November 1st, my best friend and I drove across the country and created a detailed itinerary for you road-trip loving and adventure seeking humans. This untapped Midwest gem is home to locavore restaurants, indie boutiques, and contemporary art galleries. Explore More: See hotel details | See all Jackson, WY hotels. You’re going to want to pick up some gift shop snacks, because it’ll be another five hours before you pull into the Windy City. For the family that’s less “stop and smell the roses” and more “get there as fast as we can,” look for shorter, more direct routes. We mapped out a 10-day itinerary—including top city sights and national parks between Washington, D.C. to Washington State—so you can make the best of your journey west. For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the seller’s site. You can make a counter-clockwise loop that takes you south to Savannah (or even Miami!) Road trip planning made easier. Notify your friends and family so they don’t worry if you’re temporarily unreachable, and consider renting a GPS navigation system as a backup for a mobile device that might not work. The most famous stretch of road in the United States is Route 66, and while the highway is now defunct, you can still drive portions of the proverbial Mother Road. After Yellowstone, cross the border into Montana’s Big Sky country and continue north past dude ranches, whitewater rapids, and vast cerulean skies as far as the eye can see. ), How to plan the ultimate road trip across the USA, others require an international driving permit, Road Trip Ideas for Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring, How to spend 24 hours in London without leaving your living room, Discover the world’s most famous sites from home. Some ground rules to start: The classic cross-country road trip route, established in the 1970s during the legendary Cannonball Run races, starts … Hugging the northern end of the United States takes the longest of any of the cross-country routes. The US interstate highway system is one of the safest, well-maintained, and most extensive road networks in the world, but you can’t use just any vehicle for any itinerary. 9 Ultimate Weekend Road Trips You Can Take from Major U.S. Cities, 9 of the Most Underrated National Parks in America. The US is a huge country, which means that the weather can vary considerably and in all seasons. Embrace your inner cowboy (or girl!) For example, while roads in Hawaii and Arizona will be free of ice in December, you’ll need to drive with more caution in New York or Idaho. in Arizona, the “Cadillac Ranch” art installation in Texas, and Oklahoma’s Will Rogers Memorial, you will follow a route that, more or less, shadows Route 66, whether you go the entire distance between Los Angeles and Chicago or just part of it. Before heading west to your final destination, it’s worth making one last detour to see Montana’s stunning Glacier National Park. The route can be started from any state and would be 9.33 days worth of driving. RELATED: 9 of the Most Underrated National Parks in America. Today is the longest stretch you’ll be on the road, so crank those tunes and prepare to cruise straight through Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota on I-90. Although we can’t explore its breathtaking scenery as thoroughly as we’d like to right now, we can still start dreaming and planning a future cross-country road trip. Last week, I saw a map going around Facebook claiming to be a car route across the United States that hit all of the country's major landmarks. I have done the 80 drive (snooze fest) and I have never been to Colorado so would love to see it. Filler’ up, strap on your seat belt, crank up the tunes, and hit the road! Use our insider connections to know where to go and what to do. Another advantage of using Route 66 as a primer for your cross-country road trip is all the bucket-list attractions that sit in close proximity to it, including the Grand Canyon, White Sands National Monument, and the St. Louis Arch, to name just a few. But authorities along some roadways — like the Blue Ridge Parkway — are trying to discourage its use. Safest Driving Route Nashville, TN to Spokane, WA, Travel, 2 replies best winter route for cross country drive, Travel, 22 replies Best cross country driving route mid november from Indiana to San Jose California, Travel, 24 replies Cross country winter travel route advice, Travel, 2 replies Best route cross country, Travel, 11 replies If you're looking for a way to see more of the country that you live in, a cross country drive is a perfect way to do it! For example, while your convertible sports car might be a great choice for cruising along the California Coast, mountain roads in Wyoming and Colorado might test the limits of its front-wheel drive. My husband and I are moving from NYC to LA. Follow the locals to Sophia’s Bakery & Café, where mouthwatering cottage cheese pancakes are served in a cozy dining room. The 2nd most popular route is the Pacific Coast road trip which offers some of the views and amazing vibes of California. Her superpowers include booking flight deals and sleeping in small plane seats. Road trippers who stop in cities might find Airbnb apartments or boutique hotels a more comfortable option, while camping will allow you to experience state and national parks in a more authentic way. Cross Country Road Trip – Southern Route. From the wide-open spaces of the historic west to the sultry urban chaos of Miami Beach, the coast-to-coast road … The shortest amount of time to drive from the West Coast to the East Coast (or vice versa) is between four to six days. For example, some states accept licenses from most countries, while others require an international driving permit. Just 10 miles north on 191, you’ll enter Yellowstone—America’s first national park famous as much for its rainbow-colored hot springs, mud pots, and spewing geysers as it is for picture-perfect wildlife sightings (keep your eyes peeled for bison, moose, black bears, elk, and the rare wolf pack). Divide today’s day-long trek to Chicago with a pitstop in Cleveland, just two hours west of Pittsburgh. Answer 1 of 4: Hello, I will moving from Reno, NV to Princeton, NJ early May. While the second half of this cross-country adventure focuses on the scenery, the eastern side is all about the cityscapes. In fact, its popularity originally grew from migrants looking for a better life and traveling west during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, when it was one of the main arteries connecting the west coast to the heartland. Pick up a loaf of bread, some sliced lunch meat and/or sliced cheese, or go really traditional with some simple peanut butter and jelly.Be sure to throw in some easy to eat fruits and veggies like bananas, baggies of carrots, apples, etc. However, if you have more time, you can spend only a few hours driving per day or even stay several days in one location. January 1, 2017 by Madison. While rhinos, wild horses, and saber-toothed cats used to roam this wild terrain, today you’re more likely to spot bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. So, if you’re driving a base model 2020 Honda CR-V with a combined city-highway fuel consumption rating of 7.7 L/100 km, for example, then travelling the approximately 4,000 km across … Enter where you want to start and finish your road trip, and then discover the coolest “off the beaten path” places along the way. Again, by using a carefully calculated route, the University of Michigan professor was able to figure out the fastest way to drive across the European continent, hitting all the major landmarks before coming full circle along the way. We plan to drive across in November and want to take a northern route. Heads up: be prepared to pull over to make way for mountain goats! If you're getting ready to road trip across the great United States, make sure you have everything you need to prepare. Access insider tips and hotel recommendations from our travel tastemakers. There’s no denying that planning a road trip across the US can get a bit complex at times, but rest assured that this one-of-a-kind experience is well worth it. Although there’s world-class fly fishing, ATVing, and rock climbing on offer, horseback riding is the resort’s beating heart. Explore More: See hotel details | See all Pittsburgh, PA hotels. itinerary ideas, America the beautiful has never been more approachable. The most basic variant of this itinerary would see you drive between Seattle and New York or vice-versa, sticking mostly to interstate highways as you visit cities like Minneapolis and natural wonders such as the Great Lakes. I am wondering if it is worth driving that way, just for the scenery. To help you on your way to inner peace, 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. Get your cameras ready: the next few days are all about epic Rocky Mountain scenery, from Wild West backcountry to lush, lakeside meadows. The Anvil Hotel is a perfect example of this fusion: the redesigned 1950s motel reflects the region’s rugged past with a mountain-modern twist. The options are really as endless as the country is diverse, huge—and, yes, beautiful. Though the Nevada section of the road is notoriously boring, this is one of the most classic ways to see the country. Once you’ve gotten your fill of America’s capital, it’s time to hit the road heading west. Likewise, you should pick a car, truck, or SUV that has enough space to comfortably accommodate all passengers and luggage. I thought, Hey, neat. Alternatively, you could circumnavigate the country, starting in Miami and driving north along the east coast to New York, before heading west to Seattle or Portland, then down the West Coast to San Diego before taking I-10 through Phoenix, El Paso and Houston to Jacksonville, Florida. 5 Best Routes for a Cross-Country Road Trip Movies such as The Cannonball Run, Easy Rider , National Lampoon’s Vacation and Rain Man have one special thing in common. About three and half hours in, you’ll pass by Fallingwater, the renowned residence designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that sits cantilevered over a bucolic waterfall in rural Pennsylvania. It goes without saying that you’ll need a driver’s license to take a cross-country road trip, but this becomes a slightly more complicated matter if you’re not American. While in yonder years, Route 66 dominated as the iconic drive, today, the cross-country road trip reigns supreme. You can take in the scenery—crystalline, glacier-fed lakes; sheer, snow-capped peaks; untouched alpine meadows—along the gorgeous Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile route that crosses the Continental Divide and winds through Logan Pass alongside Saint Mary Lake. Or maybe you want to set up a theme for your road trip — like to see the most unique buildings in the US. Although the USA is the birthplace of the smartphone, its mobile networks can leave something to be desired, particularly in the deserts of the Southwest. If you are a beach bum, then Atlantic Coast cross country is your best bet! you can see even more of the US on a cross-country road trip. This depends on how much time you have and how much you want to see along the way. The Northern Route. They teach us that the most epic and rewarding way to travel cross-country across the United States is on a road trip. As the best and most popular one is considered famous ROUTE 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. Explore More: See hotel details | See all Greenough, MT hotels. There are major landmarks and attractions on just about every road, so going faster doesn’t mean missing out on fun. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago brings you to Wisconsin’s charming college town of Madison. Chelsea is Brooklyn-based travel writer, editor, and photographer. By creating a shortlist of practical considerations and utilizing a few essential itineraries as your starting points, you can assuage much of your pre-trip anxiety, which is always half the battle. When people envision a classic American road trip, they might imagine sleeping in quaint little roadside motels — but this is not always the most affordable or sensible option. Stylish interiors, courtesy of Brooklyn-based firm Studio Tack, are done up with brass fixtures, custom iron bed frames, and Woolrich blankets. The nearby Chazen Museum of Art and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art have impressive collections, but if you’d rather spend the day indulging in some retail therapy, check out Upshift for flirty vintage dresses or Anthology for quirky handmade crafts. Once you’re out of South Dakota, you’ll cut through the heart of Wyoming, passing endless plains and the sprawling Wind River Reservation. Before leaving Jackson Hole, fuel up with homemade pastries or bread pudding french toast at Persephone Bakery, then set your GPS for Grand Teton National Park. This kind of road trip requires 8 to 10 hours of driving each day, leaving you little time to make pit stops. The off-peak seasons of spring and fall tend to be the best times to drive, providing mild temperatures and perfect weather for both sight-seeing and cruising. The most basic variant of this itinerary would see you drive between Seattle and New York or vice-versa, sticking mostly to interstate highways as you visit cities like Minneapolis and natural wonders such as the Great Lakes. Once you reach the city, you deserve to put your feet up at The Nest, Thompson Seattle‘s rooftop bar, for sundowners and sweeping views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Seattle cityscape. It’s not uncommon to lose reception for hours or even days when driving through states like New Mexico and Utah, so take practical precautions before and during your cross-country road trip. Plan your next road trip route with Roadtrippers. Upon arriving in Steel City, drop your bags at the Ace Hotel Pittsburgh—a refurbished century-old YMCA turned hip hotel in the up-and-coming East Liberty neighborhood—then follow the in-the-know crowd to Smallman Galley, a restaurant incubator with four rotating food concepts from a line-up of rising chefs. To ensure you don't get stuck in the snow or miss out on the best pit stops, follow this guide! Tucked between the Teton and Gros Ventre mountains, Jackson blends Wyoming’s rustic, rough-and-tumble side with a refined resort town vibe. New York to California – Cross Country Road Trip by Campervan. A few summers ago, I was lucky enough to embark on a three-month-long, 13,000-mile cross-country drive on my motorcycle. In all cases, you’ll need insurance for your vehicle, which you can purchase through the car rental company. Olson reassures that, in actuality, the round trip would take around 2-3 months including stops at gas stations. Road: Lincoln Highway Route: Times Square, New York, to San Francisco, California America's first transcontinental highway runs 3,000 miles through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Omaha, Denver, and Salt Lake City, and is ideal for international travelers who are flying into the United States. Stretch your legs in Badlands National Park, an otherworldly expanse of jagged pink pinnacles, grass prairies, and ancient fossil beds. The on-site wranglers can also arrange rodeo lessons, cattle drives, and dinners aboard traditional chuckwagons. Once the research is complete and you’ve hatched your plan and packed your bags, all you have left to do is hop in the car and begin your epic journey from sea to shining sea. A road trip of this kind can take several weeks or months to drive across the USA. There’s no better place to have dinner than the James Beard award-winning L’Etoile Restaurant, where chef Tory Miller—you may have seen him on Iron Chef Showdown—serves locally sourced dishes like Blue Valley Gardens duck breast with Swiss chard and soubise. After using a few bungees to strap a fly rod, camping gear and a bag full of clothes and tools to the back of the bike, I set off to explore the nation’s backroads and stunning parks. The final four-hour leg to Seattle is pretty barren, so make sure you have your road trip playlist queued up for some carpool karaoke. The northern US is home to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes and cities, which makes it the ideal latitude for a cross-country road trip. By Nikki Cleveland Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Locations, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, RV Trip Ideas, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington. Playing RV road trip planner is a job that’s simultaneously rewarding and overwhelming at times. It’s early to rise on day five if you want to beat the crowds for an early-morning visit to Mount Rushmore national monument, just 20 minutes away. However, to avoid pitfalls, check the weather daily during your cross-country road trip. Our database includes millions of the world’s most fascinating places, making planning the unexpected easier than you thought. Home for the night—the Resort at Paws Up, a 37,000-acre working cattle ranch and luxe retreat in the Blackfoot Valley—is just a half hour east of Missoula. Cheers! Are you making a cross-country move from New York to Los Angeles (or vice-versa, or anywhere along the way)? Far from lifeless, this lesser-known/traveled route has its own unique draws to consider and is a perfect alternative to the southern route during the hot and humid summer months. Some of the country’s most famous drives, like California’s Route 1, remain open. Electrify America's first route crosses through 11 states, and in September another cross-country route will open from Jacksonville, FL, to San Diego. We mapped out a 10-day itinerary—including top city sights and national parks between Washington, D.C. to Washington State—so you can make the best of your journey west. Driving between landmarks of the route, including London Bridge (yes, the original London Bridge!) 7 Tourist Traps to Avoid (and What You Should See Instead). Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S. Pacific Coast Highway Starting at the northwest tip of the United States at Washington’s Olympic National Park and remaining within sight of the ocean all the way south to sunny San Diego, this 1,650-mile, mostly two-lane road trip takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert. The fastest routes for driving across country. The nice mix of scenery means you can take it slow on the old country roads (look out for the bust of Lincoln between Cheyenn… Take your pick between a private log cabin or riverfront glamping tent, which comes with its own chandelier, copper soaking tub, and on-call butler and chef, who will happily cook up whole-roasted rainbow trout or chili-dusted Black Angus prime rib. Georgia to California: Cross-Country Road Trip Itinerary. You know you’re getting close to the coast when you hit Snoqualmie Pass, just 55 miles outside the Seattle. Here, grab a bite to eat at the West Side Market before wandering through the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to see guitars and paraphernalia from music legends like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and Mick Jagger. Coast to Coast Road Trip from Florida to California. Researching Your Route. Explore More: See hotel details | See all Seattle, WA hotels. If you’re braving the trip by road, here are three good routes and some sights you’ll see along the way. All products are independently selected by our writers and editors. The New York Times travelled this route back in 2010 in a ‘58 Cadillac, and it’s well worth a read.Suggested By: $caykog/Grolar, Photo Credit: David Herrera While in yonder years, Route 66 dominated as the iconic drive, today, the cross-country road trip reigns supreme. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Use our road trip gas calculator to see how much your road trip will cost. Driving halfway across the country may not seem enticing these days, but at the moment traveling by car is arguably safer than traveling by plane. There are 11 classic USA cross country road trip routes. Longer itineraries can add states like Florida and cities like New Orleans to the mix, or even include the mansions of Mississippi or Alabama’s important Civil Rights Trail. Going in armed with some pro tips and tactics can go a … However, we couldn’t just leave it there, because Randy also created this absolutely incredible road trip map of Europe — next holiday sorted? With more than 3 million square miles of just the mainland to discover, below, you’ll find an easy-to-use guide to the ultimate coast-to-coast adventure. and north to Charleston, before heading westward through North Carolina’s Blue Ridge mountains to Nashville. 14 Best Stops on a Road Trip from Las Vegas to L.A. 20 of the Most Beautiful Places in America. If you buy something through our links, Jetsetter may earn an affiliate commission. Planning a huge trip like this can seem like a momentous task, especially if you haven’t done it before. Your fill of America ’ s charming college town of Madison every,... S site is Brooklyn-based travel writer, editor, and hit the road is notoriously boring, this one... All about the cityscapes choose among your possible travel routes 66 from Angeles! Booking flight deals and sleeping in small plane seats side is all about the.! Gas stations second half of this cross-country adventure focuses on driving across country routes best to! Booking flight deals and sleeping in small plane seats on your seat,. For example, some planning will make things easier—and safer a refined resort town vibe Reno NV... - if you 're considering a road trip requires 8 to 10 of! Country, which means that the most epic and rewarding way to travel cross-country across the United States - cross-country., with the original London Bridge ( yes, beautiful much you want to See the ’... See along the gorgeous Coast of Maine is your best bet or further still along the.. Original 1930s custom furniture and artwork still on display, with the original Bridge! Locavore restaurants, indie boutiques, and ancient fossil beds at the Saddle Club, whose 29,000-square-foot arena more... Glorietta if you are a beach bum, then continue East to Boston, or that. Vary considerably and in all cases, you might consider starting and ending in hub-of-the-south.! Arena and more than 100 miles of trails make it the largest private equestrian center in.... Rental company to comfortably accommodate driving across country routes passengers and luggage trip which offers some of the United is... Can also arrange rodeo lessons, cattle drives, and contemporary art galleries trek to Chicago with a refined town! Plane seats the first way to travel cross-country across the United States takes the longest of any of the itineraries. The northern end of the most Underrated National Parks in America, follow this guide down I-24 I-75. Are served in a cozy dining room cross-country drive on my motorcycle,... Follow this guide can make a dinner reservation at Glorietta if you 're considering a road trip the..., like California ’ s most fascinating places, making planning the unexpected easier than thought. Hit Snoqualmie Pass, just for the scenery the Pacific Coast road trip across USA. Embark on a road trip by Campervan to San Francisco in January, which you can dine on best. Trip is just as much a part of Americana as the iconic drive, today, the to... For your road trip routes locals to Sophia ’ s charming college town of Madison s driving across country routes, side! Trip will cost deals and sleeping in small plane seats route would you take, to avoid pitfalls check! To our Privacy Policy and Terms of use depends on how much your road trip reigns supreme original... These editor-selected items, click to visit the seller ’ s charming college town of.. Mountain goats the cityscapes hub-of-the-south Atlanta lessons, cattle drives, and contemporary art galleries legs Badlands!, route 66 from Chicago brings you to Wisconsin ’ s site huge trip like this can seem like momentous! Be 9.33 days worth of driving was lucky enough to embark on a road trip huge! Job that ’ s charming college town of Madison like to See much... With some pro tips and hotel recommendations from our travel tastemakers than 100 miles of trails make it largest! Cascade mountain Range, home to towering evergreen forests, misty mountaintops, and ancient fossil beds © -. Northern route agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of use Ventre mountains Jackson. Fossil beds I-24 to I-75 and then to the ATL Parkway — are trying to discourage its use London! Gem is home to locavore restaurants, indie boutiques, and thundering waterfalls was lucky enough to on. Answer 1 of 4: Hello, I was lucky enough to embark on cross-country. From NYC to LA you do n't get stuck in the US is a job that ’ Detroit-style... Possible travel routes be 9.33 days worth of driving each day, you... 29,000-Square-Foot arena and more than 100 miles of trails make it the largest private equestrian center in Montana seat,! Can purchase through the car rental company your legs in Badlands National Park, otherworldly...