• 18 journeys to present inspiration to your travels
• Everything from nationwide parks to seashore cities to the large metropolis
Have wheels, will journey. But the place must you go for that memorable getaway?
Here are 18 of the best road trips for 2025, as really useful by AAA, to provide you with some momentum together with your planning.
From sandy shores to large skies and mountains, plus a spread of locations to discover whenever you pull in, there’s lots to peruse and set your sights on.
1. Southern New England
Fill up on historical past and surroundings with a visit that begins and finishes in Boston, Massachusetts, the place you’ll have the likelihood to stroll the Freedom Trial to websites key to the American Revolution. On the open road, you’ll head to coastal village Mystic, Connecticut, for seafaring traditions adopted by the opulent mansions of Newport, Rhode Island.
229 miles, 5 hours
2. Northern Arizona canyons
Seemingly a world away from the bustle of Boston lie the rugged desert canyons of Arizona, together with the foremost attraction, the Grand Canyon. Loop from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and expertise one other aspect of U.S. historical past inside the pueblos of the Wupatki National Monument. Want extra? This journey additionally ventures to the staggering Sunset Crater Volcano.
272 miles, six-plus hours
3. Natchez Trace Parkway
Unwind and loosen up on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a sedate two-lane traverse of the scenic American South. Setting out from Nashville, Tennessee, it follows the course of an historic Native American footpath, by way of Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and passes shut to Native American and Civil War websites on the manner to Natchez.
495 miles, 10-plus hours
4. Hershey and Dutch Country, Pennsylvania
A step and a drive again in time await as half of a 197-mile journey by way of Dutch Country, Pennsylvania. Leaving Harrisburg for Lancaster, York and Gettysburg, earlier than circling again to Harrisburg, it contains the alternative to see conventional Amish and Mennonite existence. And no journey to Dutch Country can be full and not using a candy cease at Hershey, house to the long-established chocolate maker.
197 miles, five-plus hours
5. Southern Arizona
Tucson and Scottsdale, with their artwork galleries and refreshing resorts, are interspersed with the cacti-characterized panorama of the Sonoran Desert and Western saloons on this photo-worthy drive. Enjoy the colours and contrasts as you journey at your personal tempo.
547 miles, 10-plus hours
6. Southern California
It’s SoCal all the manner with Los Angeles as your starting for a route that encompasses palm bushes, seashores, wine nation, a go to to San Diego and the canyons of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. AAA recommends touring in spring or fall to keep away from the warmth.
307 miles, six-plus hours
7. Northern California and southern Oregon coast
Further north you possibly can expertise a unique type of coastal magnificence as you set off from California’s Central Valley alongside the Pacific Coast Highway and on to Oregon’s U.S. Highway 101. Soak up the gorgeous ocean views, cease at quaint seashore cities and marvel at the mighty redwoods.
380 miles, eight-plus hours
8. Vegas to nationwide parks to Vegas
Combine the shiny lights of the metropolis with landmarks and some pure wonders on this Southwestern journey by way of Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon are some of the highlights right here.
857 miles, 16 hours
9. Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited nationwide park, is the star of the present in Tennessee and North Carolina for a meander by way of the pure splendor. Besides enabling you to admire nearly countless vistas and discover the park, the journey presents visits to Knoxville, in addition to Chattanooga, Gatlinburg and Ashville amongst the mountains.
498 miles, 10-plus hours
10. Grand Pacific Northwest
Discover the dramatic landscapes of Oregon and Washington alongside the Historic Columbia River Highway by way of Columbia River Gorge, and go to iconic Mount Rainier and its surrounding nationwide park. Covering a swathe of the Northwest, your route additionally winds by way of arid valleys supporting flourishing vineyards.
551 miles, 10-plus hours
11. Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina
This spectacularly elevated drive alongside a bit of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway takes you from Cherokee to North Carolina’s state line with Virginia, accompanied by mountain views aplenty and nice locations for climbing as you go.
304 miles, eight-plus hours
12. Route 66 – Eastern New Mexico
Chances are you’ve heard of fabled Route 66 however have you ever skilled it? Here’s a chance to discover “pockets of well-preserved Mother Road nostalgia” with a weekend-friendly two-hour-plus road journey from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Adrian, Texas, the midpoint of Route 66.
119 miles, two-plus hours
13. Black Hills
In a area of cooler temperatures, this South Dakota sojourn is really useful for the summer time, throughout which you’ll tour a bunch of historic landmarks. Mount Rushmore, famed for the towering rock carvings of outstanding presidents, is the focus whereas different websites embrace Jewel Cave National Monument and the goldrush city of Deadwood.
209 miles, 5 hours
14. Utah’s nationwide parks
You’re set to encounter some of the most lovely pure landscapes in the nation when embarking on an epic 1,049-mile journey to Utah’s distinctively rugged nationwide parks, resembling these of Zion and Bryce Canyon.
1,049 miles, 19-plus hours
15. Cape Cod
Less expansive however no much less interesting is a route by way of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; an space wealthy with historical past and coastal attraction. Fans of seashores, fishing and whale watching (the season runs from mid-April to October) will likely be enamored with this selection.
174 miles, six-plus hours
16. Big Sky Country
Drive into unspoiled, untamed lands inside Big Sky Country for 425 miles of mountainous Montana and Wyoming. Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West will not be to be missed amongst the wealth of pure wonders and Old West historical past.
425 miles, eight-plus hours
17. South Florida
Go coast to coast in the Sunshine State and revel in its seashores, big-hitting trip locations, together with Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Naples, in addition to the marshlands and watery landscapes between every sea.
421 miles, 10-plus hours
18. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno
Get prepared for an enthralling combine of adventures when making tracks from San Francisco throughout California to the glowing waters and out of doors experiences of Lake Tahoe, earlier than shifting on to the glitter of gaming metropolis Reno, Nevada, and returning to the City by the Bay.
486 miles, nine-plus hours
Get road-trip prepared
Once you’ve turned concepts and inspiration into some strong journey plans, you may discover suggestions to your journey preparation helpful. Take a take a look at these ideas to gear up for a easy journey.
