If you’re going on a U.S. road tour, incorporate chic locations in national parks and overnight stays in good hotels along the way into your itinerary. In this article, we’ll also give reliable, proven destinations and expert information on the best places . to visit . Here are some ideas that might interest you to book a car in the United States.
California: along the Pacific Coast
The 1,675-mile Pacific Coast Highway stretches from San Diego and as far north as Washington state. But the most iconic stretch of this highway is between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it is the absolute hit of rental car travel in the United States. The famous State Route 1 runs along the Pacific coast through incredibly beautiful towns and natural locations. Technically you can make the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the ocean in about 8-9 hours, but this road is meant to be a savoring of beauty and a leisurely drive. You’ll stop at cliff-top viewpoints, laid-back coastal towns, and oceanfront restaurants.
Stop and take some pictures of lookouts overlooking the Piedras Blancas elephant rookery near the town of San Simeon (a very popular spot and even marked on Google Maps), the McWay Falls lookout, Big Sur Park (you have to get out of the car and go hiking) and the famous Bixby Bridge near Monterey. Many things happen on the road, You might be interested to know why the red lightning bolt on dash appears.
Florida: The Road Over the Sea
Built in the 1930s on the site of a former railroad, the 113-mile road called the “Trail to the Sea” is a series of 42 low-profile bridges connecting Miami and the Florida Keys, reaching its finale at the southernmost point of the continental United States, the town of Key West. Many tourists consider this trip to be one of the highlights of their visit to Miami. Just don’t forget to bring snacks! From Miami the first half goes completely over water, there are no stops and the closest point is the town of Key Largo.
Stop at Key Largo for pancakes and lime pie; Islamorada and Marathon for diving or fishing; and of course Key West itself with beaches, Hemingway’s old house and sunset encounters at Mallory Square. Kayak through the mangroves at sunset or ask your travel agent to book a sunset cruise on a schooner or sailboat. Good Sunset Key is located in a remote area of Key West. It offers Victorian-style homes with panoramic verandas and easy access to the beach.
Maine and New Hampshire: The Woods and Atlantic Coast
Between the New Hampshire border and Acadia National Park, Route 1 in Maine covers some of the best stretches of the state’s more than 5,000 miles of coastline. You’ll see typical fishing villages dotted with lighthouses, oceanfront oyster farms, rocky beaches, and yes, lots of lobster rolls – it’s the most popular dish here. Summer and fall in the New England region are beautiful. No, really – if you choose a car tour in the U.S., consider New England and our signature Boston and New England tour – it features some of the most beautiful places in America. In the summer, there are long days with late sunsets – perfect for walking! And in the fall, people from all over the country come here to see the riot of reds and yellows of the fall forests.
Hawaii: Hana
The 64-mile Hana Highway, also known as the “Road to Hana,” connects the towns of Paia and Hana on Maui’s lush green northeast coast. It’s a leisurely drive along a single-lane road with dozens of turns and enticing stops along the way that invite Hawaii travelers to stop for a picnic, a swim or a hike in the mountains. Most hikers return to Hana, but we recommend continuing along the south slope of Haleakala. It’s worth it, though the road is dirt and one lane in places, but the views are unreal, both of the ocean and the volcano because of the scale of the terrain. Most of the best hotels in Maui are on the west coast near Wailea and Kapalua – both are about a 30-60 minute drive from the start of the Hana Highway.
North Carolina and Virginia: Blue Ridge Parkway
The central portion of this legendary road takes you through the scenic mountain ranges that gave the region its colorful name. Stretching 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, the panoramic Blue Ridge Parkway crosses the Appalachian Highlands, showcasing waterfall-laden hiking trails, family wineries and breweries, and bluegrass jams along the way. You’ll cover this route in three or four days. Yow to prepare to road trip read here.
Texas: Hill Country
This Central Texas farming region just west of the big city of Austin is covered in blue flowers in March and April and is a favorite destination for day-trippers who want to refresh themselves in natural water springs in the summer. The whole setting is conducive to slow down and stay longer – cozy little town stores, wineries at the top of the hills, and the like.
Recommend making this region part of your Texas trip and staying in Austin as your home base for day trips around the state. One of the coolest hotels in town is Miraval Austin, an out-of-town health resort in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. It’s a great place to get away, relax and unwind, and it blends well with the rest of Texas Hill Country. Krause Springs for swimming and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for hiking is the largest pink granite hill in the country.
Montana: Going-to-the-Sun Road
The 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road splits in half the glacial lakes, valleys and cedar forests of Glacier National Park, climbing more than 6,400 feet. Many find these panoramas breathtaking, but for some travelers, it’s definitely some driving experience, too. You’re traveling virtually through the mountains and watching straight up epic scenery right from the car.
