California's Highway 1 is the quintessential American coastal drive. The route winds along dramatic cliffs, past hidden beaches, through charming towns, and across iconic bridges. Start in Los Angeles with its beaches, museums, and Hollywood glamour. Drive north through Santa Barbara, known for its Spanish architecture and wine tasting. Continue to Pismo Beach, famous for its sand dunes and monarch butterfly groves. Visit Hearst Castle, the opulent mansion of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Then enter the legendary Big Sur stretch, one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. Stop at McWay Falls, a waterfall that drops directly onto the beach. Photograph the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. Visit Pfeiffer Beach with its purple sand and keyhole rock. Continue to Monterey, home to Cannery Row and the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Drive the 17-Mile Drive through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. Explore Carmel-by-the-Sea, a fairytale village with storybook cottages and dog-friendly beaches. Visit Santa Cruz, ride the historic Beach Boardwalk and see the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park. Stop at Half Moon Bay for coastal trails and pumpkin farms. Finish in San Francisco, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and exploring Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and Lombard Street. Spring and fall offer the best weather with fewer crowds. Summer brings fog but warmer inland temperatures. This route often has zero drop fees because rental companies need cars relocated from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

The reverse direction of the classic PCH route. Start in San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and head south along the coast. You will be driving on the ocean side of the road for most of the route, offering better pull-off opportunities for photos and unobstructed views of the coastline. Key stops include Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Malibu, and Los Angeles. One way rentals work just as well in this direction, and many rental companies offer zero drop fees on this popular relocation route. The advantage of driving south is that you will have the ocean on your right side, making it easier to pull over at viewpoints without crossing traffic. Allow at least three days for a comfortable pace, though five days is better to fully explore the coastal towns and state parks. Spring and fall are ideal. Summer can be crowded but offers the warmest weather. Winter has fewer crowds but more rain and potential road closures in Big Sur.

This epic route takes you through California's ancient redwood forests, Oregon's dramatic coastline, and Washington's lush evergreen landscapes. Start in San Francisco and drive north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Your first major stop is the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, a 31-mile scenic drive through some of the tallest trees on Earth. Continue to Redwood National and State Parks, home to the world's tallest trees, reaching heights of over 370 feet. Hike the Lady Bird Johnson Grove or the Tall Trees Grove. Cross into Oregon and explore the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a stretch of coastline with natural bridges, secret beaches, and dramatic sea stacks. Visit the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where you can rent sandboards or take a dune buggy tour. Stop at Heceta Head Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in America. Continue to Cannon Beach, famous for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot sea stack that appears in many films. Visit Astoria, the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies, and see the Goonies house. Cross the Columbia River into Washington and drive to Seattle. Visit the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Kerry Park for the iconic skyline view. Summer offers the best weather with dry roads and long daylight hours. Winter brings rain and possible road closures. Spring and fall have fewer crowds but unpredictable weather.

The reverse direction of the Redwood Coast route. Start in Seattle, drive south through Washington's coastal forests, cross into Oregon, explore Cannon Beach and the Oregon Dunes, visit the redwoods in Northern California, and finish in San Francisco. The scenery is equally spectacular in both directions. Driving south has the advantage of having the ocean on your right side for much of the Oregon coast, making pull-offs easier. This route is less crowded than the Pacific Coast Highway but equally stunning, with more forests and fewer urban areas. Summer is the best time for this route because mountain passes are clear and coastal fog is minimal. Winter can be rainy but offers solitude and lower prices. Spring brings wildflowers and rushing waterfalls. Fall offers crisp air and fewer tourists. Allow at least five days, though seven days is better for a relaxed pace with hiking and exploration.

A short but sweet coastal drive through Southern California's best beach towns. Start in San Diego with its Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and world-famous zoo. Drive north along the coast through Oceanside, a classic beach town with a historic wooden pier. Continue to Laguna Beach, known for its art galleries, coves, and tide pools. Visit Newport Beach, home to Balboa Island and its famous frozen bananas. Drive through Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA, with its long pier and consistent waves. Finish in Los Angeles, exploring Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. This route is perfect for a long weekend or as part of a longer California trip. The Mediterranean climate makes it enjoyable year-round, though summer is crowded and winter is mild. One way drop fees are often zero on this short route because rental companies frequently need cars moved between these major cities. You can fly into San Diego and out of Los Angeles, or vice versa.

The reverse direction of the SoCal beach hop. Start in Los Angeles, drive south through Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Oceanside, and finish in San Diego. The route follows the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) for much of the way, with ocean views throughout. This is one of the cheapest one way routes with frequent zero drop fee promotions. San Diego offers the zoo, SeaWorld, Old Town, and Coronado Beach. The drive takes only two hours without stops, but you can easily spend two to three days exploring the beach towns along the way. Each town has its own character: Huntington Beach is for surfers, Laguna Beach is for artists, Oceanside is for families. Spring and fall offer the best combination of good weather and smaller crowds. Summer is peak season with higher prices but perfect beach weather. Winter is mild and less crowded, though ocean temperatures are cool.

This route takes you through five of Utah's most spectacular national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. Start in Las Vegas and drive northeast to Zion National Park, famous for Angels Landing (a thrilling hike with chain-assisted sections) and The Narrows (a hike through the Virgin River). Continue to Bryce Canyon National Park, known for its hoodoos – spire-shaped rock formations that glow orange and red at sunrise and sunset. Drive through Capitol Reef National Park, a hidden gem with the scenic Waterpocket Fold drive and historic Gifford Homestead (famous for its pies). Visit Arches National Park, home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch. Explore Canyonlands National Park, a vast wilderness of canyons, mesas, and buttes, with the Island in the Sky district offering panoramic views. Finish in Denver, the Mile High City, with its craft breweries, outdoor activities, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and smaller crowds. Summer is extremely hot in the desert sections, often exceeding 100°F. Winter brings snow to higher elevations but offers solitude and beautiful snow-dusted red rocks. The one way drop fee is higher on this route but can be reduced by renting for 10+ days.

The reverse direction of the Mighty 5 route. Start in Denver, drive west through the Rocky Mountains, then enter Utah and visit Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, finishing in Las Vegas. The scenery is equally spectacular in both directions. Driving from Denver to Las Vegas means you will start with mountain landscapes and gradually transition to desert red rocks. This direction may be slightly easier in spring because you avoid the highest temperatures at the end of your trip. Allow at least seven days for a comfortable pace, though ten days is better if you want to include hiking in all five parks. Book lodging inside the national parks months in advance, especially for Zion and Arches. Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass ($80) for entry to all national parks along this route.

An extended version of the Mighty 5 that adds the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde. Start in Las Vegas, drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim, the most iconic viewpoint of this natural wonder. Continue to Monument Valley, the classic American West landscape with sandstone buttes that have appeared in countless films. Visit Mesa Verde National Park, home to ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings built into the canyon walls. Then drive through Utah's Mighty 5 as described above, and finish in Denver. This is a bucket-list route for any road trip enthusiast, covering over 1,500 miles and some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. Allow at least ten days; fourteen is better for a relaxed pace with hiking and photography. Lodging inside the national parks is limited and books months in advance. Consider camping or staying in gateway towns like Moab, Springdale, and Tusayan. The best times are spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. Summer is very hot in the desert sections; winter brings snow to higher elevations but offers solitude and lower prices.

Drive through the heart of the Rocky Mountains on this spectacular route. Start in Denver, drive west to Rocky Mountain National Park. Drive Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in America, reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation. Continue through the mountain towns of Breckenridge, a historic mining town turned world-class ski resort. Visit Vail, known for its European-style village and excellent skiing. Explore Aspen, a glamorous mountain town with four ski areas and cultural events. Drive through Glenwood Springs, home to the world's largest hot springs pool. Cross into Utah and visit Dinosaur National Monument, where you can see real dinosaur bones embedded in the rock. Finish in Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, with its impressive Mormon Temple, Great Salt Lake, and nearby ski resorts at Park City. Summer offers wildflowers and accessible high passes; fall brings golden aspens and cooler temperatures. Winter is for skiers only – many mountain passes close due to snow. Spring can be muddy with unpredictable weather. Allow five to seven days for a comfortable pace.

Experience the dramatic desert landscapes of the American Southwest. Start in Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, with its desert botanical garden and world-class resorts. Drive to Tucson to visit Saguaro National Park, home to the iconic saguaro cactus that defines the Sonoran Desert. Continue north to Sedona, famous for its red rock formations, vortexes, and arts community. Drive to Flagstaff, a historic railroad town at 7,000 feet elevation. Visit the Grand Canyon South Rim, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Stop at the Hoover Dam, an engineering marvel on the Colorado River. Finish in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world. The contrast between desert vistas, canyon depths, and the bright lights of Vegas is unforgettable. Winter and spring offer the best weather with mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer is extremely hot, often exceeding 105°F in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Fall is also pleasant but can be windy. This route often has low or zero drop fees because rental companies need cars moved between these popular destinations.

The Overseas Highway is a drive like no other. The route connects the Florida mainland to the Florida Keys via a series of bridges over turquoise water, including the famous Seven Mile Bridge. Start in Miami with its beaches, art deco architecture, and Cuban culture in Little Havana. Drive south through Key Largo, home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the United States – you can snorkel or dive among the coral reefs. Continue to Islamorado, known as the Village of Islands, with excellent fishing and the History of Diving Museum. Drive through Marathon, home to the Seven Mile Bridge and the Turtle Hospital. Visit Big Pine Key, where you can see the endangered Key deer. Finish in Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. Explore Duval Street with its bars, shops, and historic sites. Watch the sunset at Mallory Square, a nightly celebration with street performers. Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, famous for its six-toed cats. The best time is winter and spring when temperatures are pleasant and hurricane risk is low. Summer is hot, humid, and hurricane season. This route often has zero drop fees because rental companies need cars moved to Key West.

The reverse direction of the Overseas Highway. Start in Key West, drive north through the Florida Keys, crossing the same spectacular bridges, and finish in Miami. The views are equally stunning in both directions. Driving north has the advantage of having the ocean on your right side for many sections. One way rentals from Key West to Miami are also common because many travelers fly into Key West and drive north to Miami for their flight home. Allow two to three days to fully explore the Keys, with stops for snorkeling, kayaking, and fresh seafood. Winter and spring offer the best weather. Summer is hot but less crowded.

Follow the sounds of American music from country to blues to jazz. Start in Nashville, the home of country music. Visit the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Ryman Auditorium. Explore Broadway with its honky-tonk bars playing live music day and night. Drive west to Memphis, the birthplace of blues and rock 'n' roll. Visit Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. Walk down Beale Street, where B.B. King and other blues legends performed. Visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Continue south to Clarksdale, Mississippi, the unofficial capital of the Delta blues. Visit the Delta Blues Museum and the Crossroads where legend says Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil. Finish in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Explore the French Quarter, walk down Bourbon Street, listen to jazz on Frenchmen Street, eat beignets at Café du Monde, and take a swamp tour. Spring and fall offer the best weather with mild temperatures. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is mild but can be rainy. This route is as much about food as music – enjoy barbecue in Memphis, soul food in Mississippi, and Creole cuisine in New Orleans.

The reverse direction of the Southern Music Trail. Start in New Orleans, drive north through Mississippi to Memphis, then to Nashville. The route offers the same incredible music history and Southern culture. Driving north means you will end in Nashville, which has a major airport for your flight home. Allow at least five days to fully experience the music venues, museums, and restaurants in each city. Consider adding a detour to the Mississippi Blues Trail markers scattered throughout the Delta. Spring and fall are the best times to avoid summer heat and humidity.

Travel through American history on the East Coast. Start in New York City with its iconic skyline, Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty. Drive northeast through Connecticut, stopping at Mystic Seaport, a living history museum of maritime America. Continue to Providence, Rhode Island, with its historic downtown and WaterFire events. Visit Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims landed in 1620 and see Plymouth Rock. Finish in Boston, walking the Freedom Trail to see 16 historic sites, including the Paul Revere House and the Old North Church. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and beautiful foliage. Summer is crowded but lively. Winter is cold with possible snow but fewer tourists. This short route is perfect for a long weekend and often has zero drop fees.

The reverse direction of the Historic East Coast route. Start in Boston, drive south through Plymouth, Providence, and Mystic, finishing in New York City. The route is equally scenic and historic in both directions. Allow two to three days for a relaxed pace with stops at museums and historic sites. Fall foliage in October is spectacular along this route. Spring brings flowers and mild weather. Summer is warm and crowded, especially in the coastal towns.

A short but history-packed route through the nation's capital and the birthplace of American independence. Start in Washington DC, exploring the National Mall with its monuments and free Smithsonian museums. Visit the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Lincoln Memorial. Drive north to Baltimore, visiting the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry (where the Star-Spangled Banner was written), and the National Aquarium. Continue to Wilmington, Delaware, with its historic district and du Pont family estates. Finish in Philadelphia, the birthplace of America. Visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed. See the Liberty Bell, an icon of American freedom. Eat a cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's. Visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art and run up the Rocky steps. This route is doable in two days but can be stretched to three or four for deeper exploration. Year-round is fine, though summer is hot and humid.