Nearly 35 million Americans will take to the roads this Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. If you plan on being one of them and are looking for a little road trip inspiration, here’s a look at five of America’s greatest road trips.
Route 66
Quite possibly the most historic highway in the U.S. is Route 66, one of America’s first highways. As the mother of all American road trips, Route 66 drips with nostalgic neon road signs, gas stations and roadside diners. Take a journey into America’s past on a road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica, and make time to stop at sites like the Route 66 Auto Museum in New Mexico and the teepee structures at the Wigwam Motel in Arizona.
Great River Road
Both communities and cultures were built around the Mississippi River, from Louisiana’s Cajun country to the musical roots of Memphis. Great River Road follows the Mississippi from its Minnesota roots to its ocean sendoff in Louisiana. A road trip along the Mississippi offers diverse backdrops (everything from prairies to urban cities) and ample opportunities to sample local fare like Memphis barbecue and spicy Creole jambalaya.
Pacific Coast Highway
Dramatic cliffs, ocean views and redwood forests set the scene for a road trip along California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Start your road trip in the waterfront town of Monterey and work your way down the coast, making time to stop for photo ops when you see the road signs marked “Vista Point.” Also, don’t miss a chance to snap a few vacation shots of Point Sur Lighthouse and the dramatic arch of Bixby Bridge.
Seward Highway
Delve into the Alaskan wilderness with a slow trip along scenic Seward Highway, which stretches 127 miles from Anchorage to the coastal town of Seward. You’ll sample all Alaska has to offer along the way, from glaciers and fjords to whale watching and national parks.
Red Rock Scenic Byway
South of the Grand Canyon, Arizona’s Red Rock Scenic Byway offers a road trip through the striped mountains of Sedona’s Red Rock Country. Don’t expect to spend all your time in the car, though: The highway is loaded with hiking and biking trails, all offering a closer look at the pine-laced rocks.
(Main image: ejharaldseid used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
