If you are looking to drive around major cities in United States? Here is the 7 best road trip routes in US, major routes in each states and approximate driving hours, and 10 best recommended Road trip planner app.
Road Trip Planner App
When embarking on a journey in US, several guides are necessary to take. Such is the Road trip planner app which provides navigated road maps to your destinations. This apps may include the following.
- Roadtrippers
- Google Maps
- TripAdvisor
- RoadTrippers by AAA
- Sygic Travel
- Waze
- MapQuest
- Furkot
- TripIt
- Scout GPS Navigation & Meet Up
7 Best Road Trip Routes in US
Experience the best road trip routes in US with the following routes connecting the entire landmark of United States. Such journey offers beautiful and satisfied travel experience to travelers. Read further to learn different travel routes across United States.
Routes connecting Pacific Coast Highway
Depending on your current location, moving across the Pacific Coast Highway could be simple. Follow these route structure to get to your destination below
- Highway 1 and Redwood Highway
If you are going to journey along Highway 1 and Redwood Highway, Start your journey on the PCH in California, and continue northward along Highway 1, passing through beautiful coastal towns like Mendocino and Fort Bragg. Once you reach Leggett, you can take the scenic Redwood Highway (Highway 101) and explore the magnificent redwood forests in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
- Crater Lake Loop
From the PCH in Oregon, head inland and drive east to Crater Lake National Park. After marveling at the stunning blue lake, continue on Highway 62 towards Klamath Falls, and then head south on Highway 97. This route takes you through scenic landscapes and eventually connects back to the PCH near Crescent City.
- Olympic Peninsula Loop
When you reach Washington state on the PCH, cross over to the Olympic Peninsula via the Hood Canal Bridge. Explore Olympic National Park, including the lush rainforests, rugged coastlines, and Hurricane Ridge. To complete the loop, drive east on Highway 101 and cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to return to the mainland.
- Cascade Loop
After reaching Washington on the PCH, you can head east towards the Cascade Mountains and embark on the Cascade Loop. This route takes you through charming towns, alpine landscapes, and stunning vistas. Drive through Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Lake Chelan, and the North Cascades National Park, eventually returning to the coast near Anacortes.
Route 66 Road Trip
One of the most famous road trip routes, Route 66 stretches from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. This historic route offers a glimpse into the classic Americana and passes through cities like St. Louis, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque.
Major Cities Connecting Round 66 Route
- Chicago, Illinois (Starts at Adams Street and Michigan Avenue)
- St. Louis, Missouri (Various streets such as Watson Road, Chippewa Street, and Gravois Avenue)
- Tulsa, Oklahoma (Southwest Boulevard and 11th Street)
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Various streets such as 23rd Street, Classen Boulevard, and NW 39th Street)
- Amarillo, Texas (Historic Route 66 Boulevard)
- Albuquerque, New Mexico (Central Avenue/Route 66 Boulevard)
- Flagstaff, Arizona (Historic Route 66)
- Los Angeles, California (Santa Monica Boulevard, Colorado Boulevard, and others)
How Many Hours Can Drive Round 66 Route Across Major Cities.
Assuming an average speed of 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour), you can drive Round 66 Route across major cities in the following hours. Though the time it takes to drive through each state along Route 66 can vary depending on factors such as speed limits, traffic conditions, and your driving pace.
- Illinois: Approximately 5 hours
- Missouri: Around 5-6 hours
- Kansas: Less than 1 hour (small portion)
- Oklahoma: Approximately 7-8 hours
- Texas: Around 3-4 hours
- New Mexico: Approximately 6-7 hours
- Arizona: Around 6-7 hours
- California: Approximately 5-6 hours
Great River Road Trip
Following the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana, the Great River Road offers scenic views, historic towns, and cultural attractions. It passes through cities like Minneapolis, St. Louis, and New Orleans.
How Many Hours can I Drive Along Great River Road Trip
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River and passes through multiple states, offering beautiful views and attractions along the way. The driving time for the Great River Road trip can vary depending on the specific sections you choose to explore and the time spent at each stop.
To time to drive around Great River Road for each state assuming an average speed of 60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) could be estimated as follows;
- Minnesota: Approximately 8-10 hours
- Wisconsin: Around 5-6 hours
- Iowa: Approximately 8-10 hours
- Illinois: Around 6-8 hours
- Missouri: Approximately 6-8 hours
- Kentucky: Around 3-4 hours (a small portion of the route passes through the southwestern corner of the state)
- Tennessee: Approximately 3-4 hours
- Arkansas: Around 4-5 hours
- Mississippi: Approximately 8-10 hours
- Louisiana: Around 4-5 hours
The Appalachian Trail Road Trip
It is mountain-like road trip routes in US experience. While primarily known as a hiking trail, you can drive portions of the Appalachian Trail. This route takes you through the scenic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, passing through states such as Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and New Hampshire.
Southern Cross-Country Road Trip
If you want to experience the southern states, you can take a cross-country trip from Charleston, South Carolina to San Diego, California. This route allows you to explore southern hospitality, visit cities like New Orleans, Houston, and Phoenix, and enjoy the diverse landscapes along the way.
Northern Cross-Country Road Trip
For a northern route, you can start in Boston, Massachusetts and drive westward to Seattle, Washington. This journey takes you through vibrant cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, as well as breathtaking natural attractions like Niagara Falls and Yellowstone National Park.
Florida Keys Road Trip
Starting in Miami, Florida, you can drive the scenic Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys. This tropical road trip offers beautiful ocean views, opportunities for snorkeling and diving, and access to the unique culture of Key West.
