Nothing reminds me of summer more than a family road trip. Two days after school let out, we’d pile in the car on the first leg of summer vacation to visit our extended family. A few weeks later we’d head out on an epic road and camping trip. Before the invention of ipods, netbooks, and portable DVD players we amused ourselves playing I- Spy and the license plate game. We had travel bingo, a magnetic checkers set and more crayons than I care to think about. With a little imagination we survived and thinking about punching my sister in the backseat, my Dad stopping at every rest stop and seeing a unique license plate will always stir up memories of those summer road trips.
Now that it’s just Danny and I, we road trip without the crayons, but it’s still our favorite form of travel. We love the complete freedom of going wherever whenever. Usually we try to make a vacation out of it and hit the road to someplace we can hike, bike or camp. Some of our happiest days of our trip around the world were road tripping in Argentina, South Africa and Laos. Sure it was different driving on the opposite side of the road or on a motorbike in a developing country, but nevertheless there’s a certain romantic appeal to touring an area on your own. We probably never would have discovered Steers Burgers in South Africa or Isla de los Pajaros in Argentina which inspired Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s description of a hat in The Little Prince on a regular tour.
In honor of the weather turning warm and with summer just around the corner here are some of my favorite U.S. road trips. Still on my list are Seward Highway in Alaska, and California’s Route 1 near Big Sur. What’s on yours?
U.S. 1: It’s an epic trip for sure from Maine to Key West. From the tropics to the mountains and dense forests of our border with Canada this 2,377 mile route will take you through more small towns than you can shake a stick at. I can’t say that we’ve driven the route in its entirety but we have seen it’s beginning in Key West and been pretty darn close to its end in Maine. In fact, we even own a souvenir Route 1 mile zero road sign!
Blue Ridge Parkway: Winding its way through the Appalachian Mountains and two national parks, this is a stunning drive and one of our favorite places to go when we lived in D.C. Since the road cuts through park land, there are plenty of places to pull off the road and hike, bike or camp, making it a favorite weekend destination. The leaves are breathtaking in the Fall, but it’s also the most crowded time of year, and there’s plenty of spectacular scenery in the spring and summer. In Virginia there are a number of caverns just off the highway, nothing that will take your breath away, but interesting diversions nonetheless. If you camp, watch out for the black bears, which are usually harmless, but are curious about your food!
Sonoma & Napa Valleys: A few years ago we were out in San Francisco and wow this area is gorgeous. We loved driving through the vineyards and enjoying the relaxed pace of some of the smaller wineries. Although we didn’t get a chance to get out and hike, there is also a hiking trail near Lake Sonoma, which would probably make for a great picnic. Did I mention the vineyards and wine? It’s a great region to explore, but if you’re into hitting as many vineyards as possible, you’ll miss the spectacular scenery and surroundings.
Red Rock Scenic Byway in Sedona: You’d have to be crazy if this scenery didn’t impress you. The vibrant red clay punctuated by green trees and the occasional cactus flower will make your pictures look professional to everyone back home. It’s an incredible drive along the Red Rock Scenic Byway through Coconino National Forest and don’t be surprised if you see desert animals along the way. I can’t really put into words how beautiful this area is. Even now, having been there, when I see pictures of the area I swear they’ve been enhanced. It’s just that beautiful. Although my hike ended well after sunset, there are other shorter hiking trails in the area, just plan ahead because the desert is dark at night!
Jozef @ Where Now says
Road tripping is greattt! Myself and six friends have a plan to buy an old dodge bus in South America, convert it, and then travel around South America for a year!
Jillian says
That would be awesome! I used to follow the blog of a couple that bought a VW van and toured Central America… I can’t remember the name or I’d pass it along. If I remember it I’ll email you!
Christina says
I’ve only done road trips in New Zealand and Europe, but I see why I should do them in North America, too!
Jillian says
Where did you road trip in NZ? I read a blog post the other day on the “ultimate” NZ road trip. I definitely added it to my bucket list!
adventureswithben says
My favorite road trips are the Great Ocean Road outside of Melbourne, Australia and the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
Jillian says
Oh we loved having a car in South Africa. Everywhere we went it was amazing- especially along the coast. Consider the Great Ocean Road added to my Australia list. Thanks for the suggestion!
Cathy Sweeney says
Love road trips — anywhere, anytime (pretty much)! Long road trips were part of my early travel experiences, too. Had much fun and saw a lot of the U.S. You picked some great ones. I never get tired of drives through Sonoma/Napa. Hwy 1. Hope you take the California Hwy 1 trip soon — it really is a gorgeous drive.
On my list is to do some driving trips in Europe. Did a 10-day drive through Ireland, but not other countries yet.
Jillian says
Glad I wasn’t the only one amusing myself with books and crayons in the backseat of the family car! Have you done the Lake Sonoma hike before? I’m interested to know what it’s like. Seeing as we just got back I’m not sure where our next vacation will be, but I’m sure we’ll be out West again soon!
Grace says
Ahhh the good old days when everyone was still pretty much unplugged. It makes me miss the times when we only had our imagination to keep us amused.
Jillian says
Me too! The things we used to do with cardboard boxes!
Jay says
Haa haa, this made me laugh! Must be the time of year….I am a riicnesming fool these past few months! Anyway, our family motto is road trips are an adventure….cause with 4 kids your not flying…your driving! Might as well break them in young…lol! However, my worst road trip (and one I have NOT done again) was going to Ohio with my 18 month old…to visit the grandparents….it was a night from hell….seriously. I thought for sure I would be divorced before the end of the trip…but we survived….barely! The trip was not planned well (oy), the road work (was terrible), the screaming kid in the car seat for SO long (ugh), and having to pull off and find a hotel because it was now 13 hours into what I was told would be a peaceful 9 hour trip…and we were about 1/2 way there….I wish I had a camera…..it would be funny to have those pictures now….um, maybe not?!?!? Thanks for sharing!
Jeremy B says
I’ve actually been to all 3 of these places! Each have their own unique charms but the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Fall is beautiful. I have personal connections to all 3 of these places!
Jillian says
I guess I chose well then. Blue Ridge has always been one of my favorites. Shenandoah will always hold a special place in my heart – it’s where we got engaged!
Mom McKnight says
Ah road trips. Ask Uncle Danny about the road trip around the Great Lake. The
road right on the California coast from San Fransico to Santa Barbara especially around Carmel and the Sur Pennisila is beathtaking. Watch going south, you are right on the edge. Lake Sonoma was a nice respite from the vineyards. We also camped there. Of course this was before kids. You are right the drive from Anchorage to Seward i in Alaska is spectacular. My suggesion is take the train. There is nowhere to really pull over and the driver would miss so much. Every few minutes Dad , Aunt Diane and I werre jocking and moving up or down and right or left to take pictures from the train. The train takes it time where the cars a, trucks and buses where speeding right along… the road and train parallel each other Save the car for the road between Fairbanks and Wrangel St Elais on the Richardson Highway to Anchorage. When we go back I’d like to continue on that road from Denali d around to Achorage. We had to take the quicker route.
Lorna - the roamantics says
YES PLEASE to road trippin’! great post- love the family memories and how you’re building your new ones. i’m heading out soon in my tiny rv so i’m glad to get these tips! 🙂
Rebecca says
I haven’t been on a road trip in ages! The ultimate for me would be Route 66 or any kind of road trip in the US!
Jillian says
We saw a bit of Route 66 when we were out West, but I agree, it’s the ultimate road trip!