8 U.S. Road Trips to Consider This Summer

I also feel like it's my patriotic duty to combat all the negative travel news in the mainstream media right now because when you dig into it a little bit, so much of it is just thinly veiled anti-Trump negativity. "People are too scared and poor to travel with Trump as president!" Not true. 

As a matter of fact, AAA is expecting a record amount of Memorial Day travel in the United States this weekend, via both car and plane, along with other modes of transportation. 

AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26. This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record. The previous record was set back in 2005 with 44 million people.

The org says the U.S. will see a 2% increase in air passengers compared to last year, as well as an 8.5% increase in those who travel via train, bus, or cruise. However, the majority of travelers will take road trips. As I wrote earlier this week, I'm a big road trip fan, and I was actually supposed to be on one this week, but I had to postpone, so that sort of inspired my subject for this week's list. What are some of the best road trips in the country? I looked to some popular travel sites and bloggers for answers. Here are some of the ones they say that everyone should take at least once. 

Recommended: Taking a Road Trip This Summer? Bring Tom Petty Along.

1. Pacific Coast Highway From Start to Finish 

Lonely Planet ranks the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) as one of its "10 best road trips in the USA." It's definitely iconic, and something I've always wanted to do myself but haven't gotten around to it. While I've spent time in California, I've never been further north than Malibu, and I'd love to make this road trip before Democrats completely ruin the place. 

PCH runs from San Diego to Seattle, and Lonely Planet suggests taking eight to twelve days to make the most of the trip. It also says to plan ahead for potential road closures that are common due to rockslides. Here's more:

The Pacific Coast Highway delivers one of the US’s most iconic road trips, stitching together the West Coast’s most notable cities, quirky California beach towns, ancient redwood forests, and the dramatic capes and pools of the Pacific Northwest. The route includes Hwy 1, Hwy 101 and I-5, starting in San Diego; it winds up the coast through Los Angeles, Big Sur, San Francisco and Redwood National & State Parks, eventually terminating in Seattle.

2. Florida Highway 1 From Start to Finish 

If you're more of an East Coast kind of person, this one is a must. I've experienced parts of it, but I think a full trip from Amelia Island to Key West down Florida's Highway 1 would be a fun way to spend a week. It's a beautiful drive. Lonely Planet also ranks this one and suggests taking at least six days, just not during hurricane season. It also says: 

Florida’s Hwy 1 runs the length of the state’s Atlantic Coast before banking east at Miami and ending in stunning Key West. This sublime multi-day journey takes you past many of Florida’s most iconic sights: historic St Augustine, windswept Canaveral National Seashore, Nascar-fueled Daytona, laid-back Fort Lauderdale and the glam and glitter of Miami and South Beach.

3. Texas Hill Country

This one is for the foodies, and it comes recommended by a company called Gozney. Texas Hill Country is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States, but it's still got plenty of rural beauty for a scenic road trip. It's also got something else you might like: barbecue and beer (and wine). The area, which includes parts of San Antonio and Austin, is home to numerous places that might allow you to plan a trip based on trying some of the best food and beverages in the state. Here's more from Gozney on where to make your stops. 

The Texas Hill Country road trip is just as much about the flavors as it is the scenery, making it a must for foodies and wine lovers. Of course, no trip to Texas is complete without authentic BBQ, and Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood is the perfect place to start. Their slow-smoked brisket and legendary sauce have earned a cult following, while Payne’s Bar-B-Q Shak serves up incredible sausage and melt-in-your-mouth brisket that keeps travelers coming back for more. And for a classic Texas sweet treat? A slice of pecan pie from the iconic Blue Bonnet Café in Marble Falls is a must.

To wash it all down, Becker Vineyards offers award-winning Bordeaux blends and stunning lavender fields, while William Chris Vineyards is known for its 100% Texas-grown wines and scenic tasting patio. If craft beer is more your style, head to Jester King Brewery in Austin, where wild-fermented farmhouse ales are best enjoyed in their sprawling hill country beer garden.

4. Smoky Mountains

AAA actually recommends a cool little loop through the Smoky Mountains that will take you to about 500 miles from Knoxville, Tenn., to Gatlinburg, Tenn., to Cherokee, N.C., to Asheville, N.C., to Chattanooga, Tenn., and back to Knoxville. While I've visited many of these places, I've never made this specific loop, but it does sound like fun. Spend some time in each place to experience natural beauty, outdoor adventures, history, entertainment, and even casinos. Here's what AAA says about it: 

A trip through the Great Smoky Mountains and the cities straddling the sinuous Tennessee-North Carolina border offers a surprise around every turn. The curvy roads were made for lollygaggers, not the impatient, for those who stop to dawdle and gaze, breathing in the fragrance of rhododendron in the spring and soaking up brilliant colors in the fall. 

5. Chicago to New Orleans

Are you a big music and history fan? Travel Nation, which is actually a British site, suggests this one, which Google tells me is between 900 and 1,000 miles, depending on the route you want to take. At first, it didn't sound that appealing to me personally, but when you think of all the major sites you can stop at along the way, it might actually be pretty cool. Here's what they suggest: 

This drive traverses the heart of America from top to bottom and takes a musically-themed route through 6 different states. Beginning in Chicago, your route takes you towards Lincoln’s birthplace in St Louis. From here, you’ll head south to Memphis; the cradle of rock’n’roll, blues and jazz and home to Elvis’s ‘Graceland’ mansion.

Feel the southern charm seep in and notice the cuisine take on a distinctly southern creole flavor as you continue to Natchez on the banks of the Mississippi River. From here, it’s a 3 hour drive to finish your mammoth route in the spectacular southern city of New Orleans – a jazz fan and foodie’s paradise... 

6. Scenic Byway 12 in Utah 

If you prefer something shorter, Daytrip Nomad suggests the 124-mile Scenic Byway in the Utah desert. I actually have a friend who lives near here, and while I've never been there myself, I am always in awe at the pictures she shares. Here's more from Daytrip Nomad: 

Stretching across 124 miles, Scenic Byway 12 gives you front-row seats to Utah’s epic desert landscapes. You’ll drive through Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef National Parks, and a handful of state parks like Escalante and Kodachrome Basin. The terrain is otherworldly, from arched rock formations to horizons of hoodoos. If you’re a fan of stargazing, this is the place to be.

7. Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire

I didn't want to leave New England out, and I saw that Travel + Leisure the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire one of the "23 Best Road Trips in the U.S." It's just under 35 miles, though you could definitely tack on several drives in the region if you want a longer trip. While it sounds like it's beautiful any time of year, you may want to save it for fall, though: 

Though the White Mountains are a year-round sportsperson's paradise, the autumnal fireworks are the undisputed highlights of New Hampshire's 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway. Serious leaf-peepers visit in October to see the maples, alder, and birch blazing in full technicolor glory. In the spring, expect yellow violets and wood anemone.

This route starts in Lincoln and ends in Conway (or vice versa) and takes about two to three hours to drive. However, you'll want to factor in plenty of time to pull over and explore the White Mountains on foot. One highlight is the half-mile hike to Sabbaday Falls, a three-tiered waterfall easily accessed from the road.

More than the Parks also recommends this one:   

Every year nearly a million people drive this scenic, 34 mile stretch of highway to see its spectacular displays of fall foliage. Peak foliage here is typically in the first two weeks of October but can vary each year. If you have to choose between seeing it too early or too late, I recommend erring on the early side as it’s better to see the area with leaves (albeit greener than you’d like) rather than with no leaves at all.Be advised that this is not a hidden gem. Travelers from all over the country and particularly the northeast flock to the 'Kanc', as its known locally, every fall to take in the colors. So be prepared for traffic and pricey lodging. Early morning is the best time to take in the views on this beautiful stretch of mountain road.

8. Cape Cod to Oregon 

Last but not least, if you're looking for a full cross-country experience, Road Trip USA suggests starting in Cape Cod and driving all the way to Oregon. The trip they lay out is about 3,300 miles. It actually takes you to some All-American tourist destinations. 

Superlative sights include at least two wonders of the world, New York’s Niagara Falls and Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park; the great cities of Boston and Chicago; and two halls of fame, one in Cleveland celebrating rock ’n’ roll, the other in Cooperstown idolizing the national pastime, baseball. Odd museums, classic diners, idyllic towns, and poignant postindustrial decay—you’ll find it all along this great cross-country highway.

Starting in the West, the route parallels, and in places runs right on top of, the broad path that formed the Oregon Trail. The landscape across Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming along US-20 and a parallel highway, US-26, is still as lonesome as it was more than 150 years ago, when pioneer families followed this one-way route west to the promised lands of the Pacific Coast. Midway across the country you can visit two All-American monuments, Mt. Rushmore and Carhenge.