Must-See Road Trip Stops In All 50 States

Spring is upon us, and the travel bug is out and jittery. If you want to stay land bound but are up for an adventure, consider taking a road trip this coming season.

Most of us don’t think of white sandy beaches when we think of Alabama, but that is exactly what you’ll find on the Gulf Coast of this beautiful state. Drive along the Alabama State Routes 180 and 182 which links the state’s borders between Mississippi and Florida.

The Denali Highway is a 135 mile stretch of gravel road along the rugged and gorgeous Alaska landscape. We included this on the list due to the lack of tourist traction this expansive adventure tends to pull in, making it beautiful and desolate.

Visit the natural and ancient thermal springs of Arizona’s Hot Springs National Park. The breathtaking mountain views, forestry, hiking, and amazing geology is worth the trip.

Venice Beach is a bohemian beach town with upscale commercial and residential pockets sprinkled without. You’d be hard-pressed to find anything close to the energy at the Venice beach walk, where free-spiritedness is on full display in the form of street performers and funky shops.

Take in the glory of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado through this winding road drive. You’ll enter a portal through time and nature on this tough terrain road, you can explore the mountain town Ouray, located in a box canyon, with its charming historic streets and ice-climbing park.

What is in a name? The town Mystic carries its own historical feel and personality. The sea port town, which used to host more than 600 ships beginning in 1784, now has an array of attractions, food, and sightseeing.

This small and coastal town is known for its wide boardwalk beach and historical gems. The Indian River Life Saving Station, which was built in 1877, is an interesting and engaging place to visit, along with the Fenwick Island Lighthouse.

Known for its turquoise waters and small beach towns, this stretch of the Gulf Coast a must-see tour on your road trip if you are going within Florida. Good luck not pulling over again and again!

Feast your eyes on the natural wonders of Rock City Gardens, only a few miles away from downtown Chattanooga. The gardens feature upwards 400 native plant species and have gorgeous panoramic views that features seven states.

Of course, you would already have to be in Hawaii for this trip, but assuming you are and have a mode of transportation you would have to visit Hanauma Bay! This marine embayment formed within a tuff ring alongside the southeast coast of O’ahu.

Travel to the capital of Idaho for tree-dotted trails, green parks, art deco buildings, and wonderful museums and eateries. From there take the I-84 eat and head towards the Shoshone Falls Park near Twin Falls.

A natural wonder of the world, Starved Rock State Park is a sight to see. Located in Oglesby, Illinois, the sandstone canyons formed from glacial meltwater and forms 13 miles of trails.

If you find yourself on a road trip through Indiana, immerse yourself in the expansive scenery and outdoor recreation of the Indiana Dunes State Park. One of the most distinctive features of the park is “The Challenge.”

If you don’t consider yourself afraid of heights, check out the Swinging Bridge in Columbus Junction, Iowa. Also known as “Lover’s Leap,” the 262 feet long bridge was originally built in 1886 and then rebuilt in 1922.

Cut through the state of Kansas on the Prairie Scenic Byway for the stunning views and landscape that Kansas has to offer. One of the first stops is the Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark where you’ll find rare chalk formations where 80-million-year-old fossils have been discovered.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail isn’t just for the whisky drinkers, this bluegrass region route has some of the best attractions that Kentucky has to offer. Begin in Louisville, Kentucky’s major city and home of the Kentucky Derby.

If you want to still be near the heart of New Orleans but are looking for less of a raucous, try Frenchmen Street, which is walking distance away and contains something for everyone. With its authentic live music and art, it’s a must see for New Orleans immersion.

This spot is perfect for history buffs! The historical Portland Head Lighthouse landmark dates all the way back to 1776 when the Town of Cape Elizabeth had eight soldiers posted at the lighthouse to warn their citizens of incoming attacks.

For sightly views of beach landscape and wild horses, visit Assateague Island. The wild horses roam around the beach, and legend has it that the horses are survivors of a shipwreck off of the Virginia coastline.

Boston is one of the most significant historical cities in the United States, so it makes sense that there is a three-mile self-guided tour trail to explore. The Freedom Trail has 16 monuments that includes graveyards that contains graves of notable signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Known for its picturesque and multi-colored rock cliffs, the Pictures Rocks National Lakeshore is a sight to behold! The extraordinary sandstone formations contrast beautifully against the multi-hued water and trees that line the cliffs.

For the art fans, make sure you stop by the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to see 40 permanent art installations along with several temporary installments. The sculpture garden spans across the 11-acre park and is one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the entire country.

Tupelo, Mississippi is the birthplace of one Elvis Presley, you may have heard of him…the King of Rock and Roll and all that. The small two-bedroom house was built by Elvis Presley’s father, grandfather, and uncle.

This Giant Arch is quite literally record-breaking and stands at 630 feet. It is made entirely out of stainless steel and is in the shape of a catenary arch. It is the tallest arch in the world and is also the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere

This stop is unlike any state park you’ve ever been to! The Lewis and Clark State Park is one of the largest (known) limestone caverns in the Northwest.

Enter a portal back in time and explore the Oregon National Historic Trail, which travels through six states. Recreate the traveler’s journey as they passed by Courthouse and Jail Rocks, the iconic and massive clay and sandstone rock formations.

Sitting on the border of California, Nevada, lies the third deepest lake in North America, Lake Tahoe. Depending on when you decide to take your trip, you will either be met with snowy peaks and glistening snow for skiing or snowboarding, or with pretty weather fit for hiking, swimming, stand-up paddling.

For dramatic views of incredibly high peaks and incredibly low valleys, make it a point to stop at Mount Washington for your road trip in New Hampshire. Mount Washington is the record highest peak in Northeastern United States.

This is a great place for this history enthusiasts while also balancing out summer fun in the sun. The entire city is a National Historic District and has nearly 600 Victorian buildings. So cool! Furthermore, the picturesque beach town always has a lot to do.

Bandelier National Monument is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico and is truly a treasure. The national site has over 3,000 dwelling sites of the ancestral Pueblo People who existed over 11,000 years ago.

This upstate New York destination is one of the more dazzling destinations that we’re recommending that has something in it for everyone. This family-friendly spot has anything from amusement parks to winery tours.

Located in Linville, North Carolina, Grandfather Mountain is the perfect destination for those seeking hiking adventures of all ages. The mountain offers supreme views along with varying hiking trail levels.

The namesake of the United States’ 26^th president, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located in Western North Dakota. There is a plethora of activities to do while there and is definitely a great location for the outdoorsy road tripper.

It was t TLC who said “don’t go chasing waterfalls” but we may have to make the case to forgo this advice in lieu of chasing the waterfalls in Ohio! Ohio is packed with beautiful waterfalls across the state, and depending on what you’re up for, are either incredibly accessible or more of a hike.

While this isn’t a destination per say, it is a revered road and is a great route to take for the average road tripper. The reason is because Route 66 connects from Chicago, Illinois all the way to Santa Monica, California, passing through a total of eight states in between.

This one may seem obvious, but Portland is truly a unique and amazing city that has so much to offer! From Powell books, Voodoo Donuts, the near constant live music, and wonderful Bagby Hot Springs, there is truly something in it for any personality type.

Yet another great place for the history fans, Philadelphia, Philly, the City of Brotherly Love—whatever you want to call it, offers handsome historic buildings that once homed Benjamin Franklin and the like, as well as where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.

Explore colonial-era towns and stunning Atlantic Ocean beaches on your seaside “Rhode-trip” (see what I did there?) Yet another historic place to explore is Providence for the history buffs, as well as a drive south towards the coastal communities for the beach-lovers.

Visit this oasis in South Carolina for 12 miles of pristine beaches and savory southern fine dining. Hit the beaches for some surf, swing a couple golf clubs, or discover the art and culture on the island. Or better yet, do it all!

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located in Keystone, South Dakota, and is definitely a sight to see! Imagine, 60-foot-tall heads of former Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln towering over you and the great state of South Dakota.

Dollywood, created by the ever-iconic Dolly Parton, offers more than 40 rides, high-energy entertainment, delicious dining, and a friendly park atmosphere that is fun for everyone. Dollywood was even voted a Top 10 Outdoor Waterpark by USA Today Readers!

If sprawling wildflowers and dreamy colored landscapes are your thing, visit Hill Country of Texas. The historic and scenic drive is a 13-mile stretch of bluebonnets, yellow and white daisies, sunflowers, Mexican poppies, and Indian paintbrushes.

Follow the path of the native people and pioneers and gaze upon the massive sandstone cliffs against the backdrop of the sky at Utah’s first national park, Zion. Explore The Narrows, hike on whatever type of level you’re most comfortable with and reserve a campsite if you’re so inclined.

Explore Vermont’s marketplace area, Church Street for dining, shopping, and pretty parks. Before you go, check out their online calendar to see what live events they may be offering. There are also beautiful freshwater beaches that can be explored.

Fun fact: Virginia clocks in at number five on the list of states with the most wineries. We say, when in Rome! Tour the scenic Shenandoah Valley on the western side of the state for a gorgeous road trip.

Be it the summer season or time for skiing time in winter Mountain Baker Snoqualmie National Forest is a naturistic escape into scenic trails and wildlife.

The New River Gorge Bridge is a large steel arch bridge that spans 3,030 feet over the New River near Fayetteville, West Virginia. For nearly 30 years, it was the world’s longest single-span arch at 1,700 feet long but has now been pushed down to number four.

The largest state park in Wisconsin is called Devil’s Lake State Park and is located south of Baraboo. The park is well known for its 500-foot-high quartzite bluffs alongside the 360-acre Devil’s Lake.

Grand Teton National Park is located in Northwestern Wyoming and spans a total of 310,000 acres of country. It has dramatic mountain ranges and clear blue lakes.