Thinking about a road trip this year, but not sure which of the many amazing classic American road trips to take? You’re in the right place.
While it’s hard to say that any one singular road trip is the best most beautiful roast trip to take – the United States has tons of interesting terrain, stunning vistas, and cultural landmarks from sea to shining sea – we’ve compiled three favorites that you can start planning right now.
There are many more great options. Traveling Route 66 or visiting the Grand Canyon are evergreen classics. But these uniquely excellent drives were selected for weather, accessibility, and combination of natural wonders and modern conveniences.
American Road Trips to Take In 2025
What’s the best road trip to take for you? Only you can decide that, but it’ll depend on who you’re driving with (or if you’re flying solo!), where you’re starting your journey, and how long you want to spend in the day, per car and overall. Each of these road trips can be shortened or lengthened with fewer or more stops, and each has their pros and cons.
And once you’ve picked one, check out our road trip planner.
1. New England: Jamestown to Acadia National Park
If you’re craving a seaside getaway, it doesn’t get much more iconic than a drive up the New England coastline. This is a great option for summer and fall road trips. During the summer, you get cooler temperatures than much of the US, sea breezes, lobster rolls, and beach days. During the fall, you get stunning fall colors, script temperatures, bonfires, and apple pie.
This is a particularly great road trip for families and those not inclined to spend endless hours in the car, since the total driving time is fairly short and the stop options are plentiful, from bustling city life in Boston to the amazing restaurants of Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME, to the lighthouses, ocean views, and sprawling forests of coastal Maine and Acadia National Park.
Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 6 hours
Stop ideas: RI: Jamestown, Providence; MA: Cape Cod, Boston, Salem; NH: Portsmouth; ME: Ogunquit, Portland, Freeport, Augusta, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park
You won’t want to make all these stops in a row, but if you’re driving round trip, you can always see the LL Bean boot in Freeport one way and make time for Salem’s witches (or lack thereof) on the way back.
One word to the wise: This road trip won’t work in the winter due to the weather in the Northeast. Driving in winter conditions doesn’t make for a relaxing vacation!
2. Smoky Mountains: Asheville to Memphis
If you’re interested in a road trip through classic Americana, a trip from North Carolina to Tennessee might be just the ticket. By stopping in Nashville and Memphis, you can see much of the heart of American music history, and the barbecue across the region is iconic. And the culture isn’t half of it – this drive takes you through the stunning Smoky Mountains and is widely considered one of the most beautiful road trips you can take.
Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 8 hours
Stop ideas: NC: Charlotte, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (crosses multiple states); TN: Johnson City, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville
A few of these are out the way from the others – stopping Charlotte would really mean starting or ending in Charlotte, and Johnson City’s out of the way, but a fine place to stop if you choose to focus on exploring the Smoky Mountains.
This trip is going to have the hottest weather of the options on this list in the summer, but nothing compared to what you might experience in Zion or Big Bend. The Smoky Mountains and Asheville stay pretty cool, but by the time you get to Memphis, depending on the time of year, it can get into the 90s Fahrenheit. The good news is, all these places stay relatively temperate through the winter, so there’s no bad time of year to visit.
Be prepared: Cell service is weak or non-existent in some parts of the Smoky Mountains, so you’ll want to make sure you have a paper map and a well-stocked car emergency kit, just in case.
3. Pacific Northwest Meets Big Sky Country: Seattle to Yellowstone
When it comes to iconic American experiences, Yellowstone National Park is high on the list. But to get the full flavor of the Pacific Northwest and Big Sky Country, start or end the drive in Seattle. Taking time to stop in Washington’s wine country and see Puget Sound adds another incredible set of sights and experiences, and Seattle makes a great jumping off point to visit any one of Olympic, Mount Rainier, or North Cascades National Park.
From there, you’re diving into the heartland, whether you want to head up to Glacier National Park, down to Grand Teton, or straight to Yellowstone.
Driving time (one way without stops, approx.): 11.5 hours
Stop ideas: WA: Seattle, Puget Sound, Washington Wineries, Spokane; MT: Glacier National Park, Butte Historic District, Bozeman, Big Sky; ID: Boise; WY: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park:
This is clearly the most time-consuming, robust road trip of the three. If you’re looking for a big trip, this is the one.
Yes, it’s a commitment, but worth it for the stunning views and once in a lifetime experiences. Just remember, when you’re spending a lot of time in National Parks, you want to make sure you plan your road trip meticulously. Gas stations and places to stay the night can be few and far between, and some things may book up months in advance.
Don’t have a ton of time but want to see Big Sky Country? You can also fly into Yellowstone Airport (WYS) and land just two miles from Yellowstone National Park.
Which of These 3 Beautiful Road Trips In The United States Sings to You?
There’s no wrong choice – you want to choose something that fits the amount of time you have, your budget, and your interests.
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