You don’t have to take to the skies to enjoy an epic vacation this summer: you could just hop in your car instead!
I love road trips.
In fact, as I type this my car is half-packed for our annual summer road trip adventure!
Nothing beats the freedom of driving your own vehicle with your favorite songs blasting, stopping when and where you please, and exploring at your own pace.
But where to go?
The travel company Rustic Pathways conducted a new study to find the most popular American road trips this summer.
These are the top 3:
3. Big Sur Road Trip
This is by far the shortest road trip on the list, but that only makes it all the more appealing to American travelers looking for a good time, not a long time!
The Big Sur road route covers just 71 miles but on the journey you can see sites such as the Bixby Creek Bridge and the McWay Falls.
There are so many different ways to approach this road trip.
You can complete the route in as little as 2 hours if you don’t stop at all, but most travelers prefer to do it slowly over 2-5 days so that they can stop for the for the views, cuisine, and hikes to enjoy along the way.
The best time to visit Big Sur is from September to November when the weather is cool enough to hike, so put this on your fall travel bucket list.
Some of the not-to-be-missed stops include the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and the iconic Rocky Creek Bridge.
To enter Point Lobos with your car will cost $10 per passenger car.
Discounts are available for disabled travelers and senior citizens. You can park by the Rocky Creek Bridge and take those famous photos for free if you’re traveling on a budget.
2. Route 66
Nat King Cole famously sang ‘Get your kicks on Route 66’ and millions of people are still doing just that today!
Route 66 allows you to drive across the country from East to West (or vice versa!) You’ll start your journey in Chicago and end it on the Santa Monica Pier.
On the way you’ll pass through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, meaning you can cross through 8 states in one trip.
As a Brit, I find this to be the most famous and iconic American road trip internationally. Everyone wants to ride this road in their lifetime (including me!)
But this route isn’t for the fainthearted. You’ll need to be prepared to put in the miles and enjoy spending time in your car!
Because to drive the full length of Route 66 covers a distance of 2,448 miles (3,940 km)
Because I don’t want to be called out for being factually incorrect, I need to let you know that technically you can’t travel the full Route 66 anymore.
It was removed from the US Highway System in the 1980s, giving way to the interstate. However, the remaining parts still prove popular, and much of the original journey can be recreated on the interstate, too.
The historic route has multiple museums dedicated to it, which makes it a great stop on your trip.
The Arizona Route 66 museum is widely considered to be the best of these.
This is located in Kingman, Arizona, and is housed in a historic building packed full of fascinating artifacts. General admission to the museum is:
- $4 for adults
- Seniors are $3
- Children 12 and under are free with the admission of an adult
So, it’s a very affordable place to stop.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway is officially the most popular road trip destination in the U.S. right now.
This highway route covers the West Coast of America, running across California via Highway 1, and if you’re after breathtaking coastal views, then this is the perfect route for you.
Effectively, this is an extended version of the Big Sur road trip. It is a 1,650-mile (2,655 km) journey that would take 10-12 hours to drive the length of without stopping. But that wouldn’t be much fun! Allow several days so you can stop regularly and really enjoy the journey.
This is a great choice if you’re looking for a taste of Americana, as the route allows you to explore iconic attractions such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Big Sur mountains.
If you visit at the right time of year, you can enjoy whale watching here: a real once-in-a-lifetime experience (and a bucket list one for me!)
You’ll find the highest number of whales in Big Sur from December through April.
But Monterey Bay is a year-round whale-watching destination if you’re traveling outside of this period.
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