Pack a bag. Hire a car. Grab your friends, and head out on the open road- we’ve all dreamed of it. There’s no better place for a lengthy road trip than the United States of America. From small towns to big cities, country landscapes to exquisite beaches, you can see it all. Road trips across the USA are what songs are written about, inspirations for films (Crossroads with Britney Spears is a very underrated road trip film) and enthralling novels. So, which route should you take? Holiday Numbers takes a look.
Get your kicks on Route 66
Ah, Route 66. This iconic stretch of road runs between Chicago and LA and is the most famous road trip route in the world. If you’re looking for the typical Americana neon signs and truck stops, this is the route for you. The original road was decommissioned in 1984, but you can still use stretches of it today. Accommodation along Route 66 can get booked up a year in advance, due to a number of coach trips looking to get in on the action. If you can, don’t miss a chance to stay in the iconic Wigwam Motel, just remember to set your expectations back to the 1950’s. When travelling down Route 66, you can also go a little off course and go to the Grand Canyon or Las Vegas.
California dreamin’ on the Pacific Coast Highway
This scenic highway runs from Olympic National Park to San Diego. It can be so quiet that you’ll often have the open country views all to yourself, but you’ll hit vibrant cities like Seattle and San Francisco along the way. The bends in the roads can be difficult for larger vehicles to navigate and you shouldn’t set off too early in the morning, in case fog disrupts the beautiful views. For yummy eats, you can enjoy oysters fresh from the water, the way that they were meant to be tasted.
Border to Border
A border to border road trip runs from the Canadian Rockies to the Sonoran Desert through Highway 93. Along this route, you will see a wide range of terrain from mountains, rivers, valleys and deserts, right through to the bright lights of Las Vegas. The trip isn’t for the faint hearted, or those with unreliable cars as there is over 500 miles of desert to cross. For most of the 1800 miles, it’s a slow two lane road, with plenty of quirky towns along the way.
We’re on the Road To Nowhere…
The affectionately nicknamed ‘Road to Nowhere’ runs from North Dakota to Matamoros, Mexico. It’s an agricultural route full of ‘unexciting’ landscapes and wild countryside. The US-83 route marks the divide between the ‘civilized’ East and the deserts of the West. The route isn’t at all touristy but makes for a quintessential American road trip.
The Appalachian Trail
Follow the world famous hiking route without gaining a single blister- by car! Between Maine and Georgia, you’ll notice a contrast between the wealthy and poorer areas, often right next to each other. The route also passes through Pennsylvania Dutch country, home of the Amish people.
Atlantic Coast
This route runs from New York to Florida. You’ll see many famous sights, such as Lady Liberty and important places that are relevant to the Civil War. Rest up for the night in quirky little seaside towns and eat at roadside food stands, watching fishing boats go by. The route is just under 2,500 miles and you can visit coastal casinos in Atlantic City, as well as Ernest Hemingway’s house when you reach the final stop in Key West, Florida.
Oregon Trail
Travel down the Oregon coast to Massachusetts, taking in the open landscapes of the West, with the urban cityscapes of the East. The route covers over 3,300 miles, possibly more if you stop for detours and side trips. Take in the Niagara Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore and the Cleveland Rock n Roll Hall of Fame amongst other iconic sights. This route is best for people who are interested in history.
Tips for a successful road trip
- Always pack a beach outfit for impromptu swimming, a camera, notebook, your smartphone, a tent, sleeping bag, headlamp and plenty of snacks.
- Keep the car clean of wrappers, receipts etc. You’re spending hours a day in it, so better to have a clean environment.
- Have a plan, but allow time for detours and longer stops.
- Make several great music playlists- you could even make them themed to the areas you drive through.
- Make sure you know phone numbers for roadside rescue services.
- Always have all of your documents ready- your licence, hire car agreement and insurance.
- Keep a drinks cooler filled up.
- Use the cruise control function to avoid getting distracted by the views and stepping on the accelerator too hard.
- Stick to one bag per person to avoid having more luggage than people!
- Keep the essentials within reach- road maps, sunglasses, wet wipes and first aid kits.
- Research your stops, but try to keep a slight element of surprise, so not too much research.
- Carry cash for toll roads.
- Text someone at home each night to say where you’re staying and where you expect to be tomorrow, for safety.
- Follow the weird billboards- ‘world’s largest…this way’ or ‘free samples of…this way’ for the unexpected.
- If you’re coming from outside the USA, make sure that you understand the rules of the road.
Are you tempted to make the trip across the USA? Hire a car from Hertz and off you go!
If you have any wild road trip stories to share with us, comment below!
