If you’re in New England, New York..well, just about any of the northern states, you may not quite believe it yet – but…we are closer to summer than we were this side of a few weeks ago and if you’re been feeling the wintertime blues and need some solid inspiration, here are some of the top road trips that you must think about this year.
Hands down, America is blessed with some of the world’s most fabulous natural beauty and diverse landscapes and ecosystems and even though we love putting those blue passports to work, domestic travel is not just “in” right now because of the world-class facilities our country offers, you’ll also be helping a much-beleaguered industry recover from what has been some of the direst circumstances in history.
So, leave Europe on the planner, for now, pack up the kids, sort out those 4×4 wheels and rediscover just why the United States of America, is also known, as the United States…of Awesome!
COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY, OREGON
As if you needed another excuse to visit Oregon. The state is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, awesome locals, and warm-hearted hospitality. Some of the best forests, hiking trails, parks, and mountains are here, and the Columbia River Highway is a 74-mile trip that will see you very well satisfied with all of the above, indeed. It starts in Portland and is a winding route that extends to Oregon Route 35 as well as Route 30.
Driving this route is particularly fun to drive because it’s windy, bendy, steep in places, and offers you some amazing views of waterfalls, bridges, and rivers. Forget Hotels, campsites along the way are safe and generally well run and maintained, and cost around $50 a night.
UTAH – THE BIG FIVE
Named after the five awesome national parks that are within Utah’s borders, you’ll find something to do in each of the parks that your family will love. Arches National Park alone receives over 1.5 million visitors every year with the ‘Delicate Arch’ a major attraction and one of the best photo opportunities you could ask for.
Spend the night in one of the parks and discover why Utah’s night sky is known the world over, as it offers some of the most fantastic nighttime views of stars and gorgeous skies.
THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
There is just nothing like this iconic of roads. If you’re looking to experience California cool, tied up effortlessly with authentic Americana, great food along the way, unrivaled ocean views, sunsets that will engrave their signature on your soul, and more ‘cool chic’ than you could know what to do with, you know you have to do this highway.
Iconic beaches, Hearst Castle, Laguna Beach, the Laguna Art Museum which has over 3000 pieces of art from local Californian artists are a must-see, along with areas like Malibu and Zuma Beach. This is movie-town America and if you’re not a native of California (or even if you are mind you), you’ll get to experience a part of our country that most people in the world can only ever dream about.
Check out some mystic summer camps too.
ROUTE 66 – THIS, IS AMERICA
The words ‘ultimate’ and ‘American road trip’ will be used here together for the rest of time, because there is certainly no other road anywhere in the world that conjures up the nostalgia of classic Americana quite like the iconic Route 66. This is a 2400 mile route that if done correctly should take you about 2 weeks to complete. There are 66 roadside attractions, tons of historical buildings, fabulously authentic diners, museums, bars, towns, and much, much more.
Traveling from Chicago to California is no mean feat and you’ll be joining a very privileged fraternity of travelers who have taken on this mighty road – it may not be ideal for some families with younger kids who are perhaps a little too urbanized to really appreciate this kind of journey, but if you’re planning on a trip with you and a plus one, or even better – all by yourself, you’re not going to find another vacation in America that is going to get you the instant street cred and rightfully awarded bragging rights, as this one will. You can find an awesome two-week planner, here.
There are so many more fabulous journeys to make this summer than what we can talk about in one post, so you need to get out there and start doing some research. Remember that for every dollar you spend in America – you’re helping to keep your fellow Americans employed.
Safe travels!
