10 Best Road Trip Itineraries in the United States

The great American road trip is more popular than ever since the start of the pandemic, which is why Hilton put together a list of the best road trip itineraries. Whether it's a long-distance journey or a short day trip somewhere new, these ten itineraries are great ideas to jumpstart any potential road trip. Visit the Grand Canyon or Key West, hike the Appalachian Trail or just relax somewhere new.

From Maine to Miami, road trippers can travel 1,900 miles on the I-95 and experience everything the East Coast has to offer. Travelers can drive from Acadia National Park, visiting New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C., Charleston and more.

Follow the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico along the Great River Road. From Minneapolis through ten states, the road takes one past Beale Street in Memphis, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the French Quarter in New Orleans as it follows the natural highway.

For a shorter East Coast trip, try the eight-hour New England itinerary, which begins in Baltimore, travels through New York City to enjoy all that the Big Apple has to offer and then ends in Boston.

Route 66 is one of the most iconic American road trip routes. Crossing eight states and almost 2,500 miles, this famed roadway begins in Chicago, travels through Texas and Arizona, where you and your fellow roadtrippers can enjoy the Grand Canyon, before ending at Santa Monica, California.

Travel along the US-80 from San Diego, California and drive through Arizona, Texas and Alabama before arriving in Georgia on the South Pacific itinerary. From deserts to the beach, this itinerary has much to be explored.

For a shorter trip, drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, stopping at Sedona and Flagstaff along the way. This road trip is perfect for photography lovers, or for those who just love posting beautiful photos on Instagram.

Explore the Appalachian Mountains all the way from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary. Rolling green hills, verdant mountains and picturesque scenery await in this shorter road trip, which extends from Charlottesville, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina.

Drive from Denver to Montrose and visit all of the incredible outdoor activities to experience. The Mount Evans scenic byway, the Buena Vista hot springs and Monarch Mountain are only some of the exciting places to explore along the route.

If you're a fan of bridges, warm weather and the beach, then check out the Miami to Key West itinerary, which travels the US 1, the Overseas Highway. Crossing 42 bridges over 34 islands, you'll visit quaint beach villages and beautiful forests, grasslands and coral reefs. The last stop, Mile Marker 0, lets you know that you've made it to Key West.

Take a long trip through California with the Pacific Coast Highway. Travel to Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego and Mission Bay, stopping at each unique destination along the way. From forests to beaches and even the desert, California has much to explore.