North America is the home of the road trip. Whether youre sitting on a Greyhound bus, riding pillion on a Harley-Davidson or behind the wheel of a classic Cadillac, your vehicle choice doesnt matter half as much as the journey itself. Our top five choices are the stuff of movies and the best way of discovering the true North American spirit.
1. Highway One
Also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, this sea-hugging road winds its way down the USAs western coastline. Its a way to see the best of California and everything this state has to offer: not just golden beaches, but towering redwood forests, national parks, and glittering cities. Stop off in San Diego and wrap it all up on the relaxed Mexican Baja Peninsula.
If times limited, stick to the most driven part of the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Zoom over the Golden Gate Bridge and swing around the cliffs mountainous Big Sur. Our top tip? Drive this route between December and April for the best chances of seeing gray whales on their annual migration to warmer waters.
2. The Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway is a 127-mile-long stretch of road connecting the islands of the Florida Keys from Key Largo down to Key West. Cruise over the famous Seven Mile Bridge, surrounded by ocean, between Knights Key and Little Duck Key. Swim with dolphins along the way, dive the coral reefs, scour deserted beaches for exotic shells, and wander around the marinas.
Start or end your trip in pastel-toned Miami, where you can party or night, dine in the fine restaurants of Little Havana and people watch on South Beach.
3. The Northern National Parks
Exploring the magnificent Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Arches National Parks can be done in one road trip, throwing in a bit of the Rocky Mountains for kicks. There are fantastic places to stay along the way and by self-driving, youll have easy access to some of the most exclusive accommodation options in luxurious ranches and out-of-the-way retreats.
Its worth setting out for Yellowstone from Montana, a route which will take you through the eerie-sounding Beartooth Pass. Cut into the mountains, its said to be one of the USAs most picturesque roads. Keep an eye out for those grizzlies! After the lakes and geysers of Yellowstone, explore the mountains of Grand Teton and the sandstone deserts of Arches National Park.
4. Route 66
This is arguably the most iconic of North Americas famous roads. Running west to east from Los Angeles to Chicago over 2,000 miles, theres definitely a certain romance to this route despite the fact that much of the original road was decommissioned in the 1980s. Its a fantastic way to trace the history of modern America, first established in 1926. The highway passes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
There are numerous attractions along the way, including classic motels and fast-food joints, Arizonas Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park, and the Chain of Rocks Bridge which crosses the Mississippi River.
5. The East Coast
Home to a more rural, peaceful way of life, the East Coast is most beautiful in Fall, when the leaves explode into fiery shades all around. Be sure to take the 6A road along the Cape Cod peninsula, which juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Its simple to stop off in little villages and towns for a wander and to absorb the living history of this fascinating region of the USA. Sandwich, the oldest town on the Cape was settled by Puritans in 1637. Dont miss out on the clam chowder and the dunes of Province Lands.
