There’s nothing like cruising along an open road with the music blaring, a car full of snacks and no idea where you’re going. That sense of adventure gave way to the classic American road trip. After all, there aren’t many other places where you can drive amidst tall pine trees, dart along the coast or zig-zag over a mountain range — all while staying in the same country.
So, why do we love road trips? Because of the freedom and discovery that come along with them. You might stop at a roadside diner that serves the best pancakes you’ve ever had, or you could find a cabin next to a peaceful lake to channel your zen for a few days.
For this ranking of the 25 best road trips in the U.S., we used data gathered by Geotab that looked at TripAdvisor review ratings, annual average daily traffic data and a country-wide survey to score these classic highway and parkway routes. While the iconic Route 66 didn’t break into the top 25, other popular routes throughout the Southwest made the top 10. No matter your travel interests, here’s all the info you need to plan your next American road trip.
Why the Native Trails of Oklahoma Road Trip Is One of the Best
The Native Trails of Oklahoma is an ideal road trip for those interested in Native American history. The route travels around the Trail of Tears, a series of forced relocations of thousands of Native Americans in the 1830s and teaches you about traditional tribes.
Along the way, stop at Standing Bear Park and Museum in Ponca City, Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur and Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center in Spiro. While this route only takes you through Oklahoma, the Trail of Tears spans across Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky.
Why the Around the Big Bend Road Trip Is One of the Best
Getty Images
Big Bend National Park is in the wilderness of West Texas, and its isolated location can make it tricky to visit. But once you get here, you’ll be hard-pressed to find much traffic along these country roads, as it’s one of the least visited national parks in the nation. Start the journey at the Big Bend Information Center in Marathon, Texas, and from there, drive about 40 miles to the entrance of the park at Permission Gap. The rest of the road trip can be done at your leisure.
You’ll pass through the Chisos Mountains, the Chihuahuan desert, Santa Elena Canyon, hot springs and miles of backroads. Along this route, you’ll even come across Wild West ghost towns you’ve only seen in movies. The park is also a certified dark sky park, meaning you’ll get a clear view of the stars at night. Pack extra food and gas, and take your time exploring this beautiful part of the world. Big Bend has three campgrounds within the park and options for indoor accommodations.
Why the Yellowstone and the Tetons Road Trip Is One of the Best
Getty Images
Wild animals, geysers and incredible mountain scenery make up the road trip of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. But first, you have to get there. The best way to start (if coming from other parts of the country) is to fly into Salt Lake City and drive five hours to Grand Teton National Park. From there, hike Death Canyon Trailhead, followed by a jump in Jenny Lake!
Continuing into Yellowstone, you must stop at Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and mammoth hot springs for that all-American, natural wonders vibe. You can loop back to Salt Lake City or continue driving towards Jackson, Wyoming, to end this road trip. This trip is best done during the summer months when roads and lodging are open.
Note: There are plenty of accommodations within the parks, including Signal Mountain Lodge (which is also a restaurant that serves blackberry margaritas).
