The end of summer is the perfect time for a road trip. They’re the ultimate feeling of freedom: just you and the open road, and maybe some friends and family in the backseat.
Over the past few weeks, Wendy has been hand-picking the coolest American road trips, so that no matter where you are in the country, it’ll be easy for you to get in the car and drive.
In case you missed her all-American itineraries, we’re sharing them again here. Find your route and hit the road!
Midwest
America’s Great River Road will steer you all the way from Canada to the Gulf Coast, passing through country dotted with historic villages, wineries, wildlife, and sweeping vistas. Wendy recommends the section that runs along the Minnesota/Wisconsin border, starting in Minneapolis.
Northeast
Pop in an audio book and cruise through the country’s literary past. In New England you’ll find historic sites related to some of our best writers and philosophers, including Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Emily Dickinson.
Northwest
Drive through Oregon and you’ll get the best of two trips all rolled up into one: a relaxing meander through the Willamette Valley’s wine country, and an invigorating exploration of the natural beauty —and adventure sports — of the Cascade Mountains.
South
You can’t explore the South without stopping for some good BBQ. So why not make that the theme of your next road trip? Start in Blue Ridge, Georgia, for some hickory-smoked ribs at Joe’s BBQ, voted the No. 1 BBQ joint in America by TripAdvisor readers. Then stop frequently to fill up (and nap) as you eat your way through Nashville, St. Louis, and Kansas City.
Southern California
Summer isn’t the ideal season for every road trip. The drive through the Anza-Borrego Desert’s buttes, canyons, and badlands is best in February and March, when the wildflowers bloom, and is also great in November, when deals abound.
Southwest
Make a loop from Albuquerque back to Albuquerque, stopping in Santa Fe and Taos, and you’ll hit the best that New Mexico has to offer—mesas, museums, margaritas, and art markets, as Wendy puts it. Check out her full itinerary and start planning!
