7 Best Cross-Country American Road Trips

When the first highway atlas came out in the U.S. on April 15, 1924, road trips became part of the American way of life. The first McDonald’s and the first motels opened on Route 66.

 Many bikers appeared in America, “On the Road” and “Easy Rider” were published. Most students take such trips. But they need to learn the rules of under 21 car rental very well.

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There are the 7 tracks with the most beautiful views:

Route 1, St. Augustine

Route 1 is one of the oldest trails in the United States. Its northern part already existed in 1636, when the way from Philadelphia to New York (about 160 kilometers) took the traveler four days. But today, it can be done in a couple of hours. In addition, there is an affordable car rental for 19 year olds and car rentals for 20 year olds.

The route connects the major East Coast cities, and by driving the entire route, you are capturing a lot of American history. The road begins almost at the Canadian border in Maine, the “pine state.” The state capital, Portland (but don’t confuse it with Portland on the West Coast) with its old port, is also on route number 1. 

Next are Massachusetts and colonial New England towns with Ivy League university campuses. Then there’s New York and Washington, Georgia and South Carolina, the cultural centers of the old American South, with cotton fields, plantations, and homesteads, some of which can now be visited as slave-era museums. 

The trail ends at Florida’s southernmost point, Key West. Along the way, you’ll visit America’s oldest city, St. Augustine, as well as Miami and the archipelago of the Florida Keys, which are worth the trip because the route between the islands literally runs over water.

California Pacific Coast Highway, Monterey

The Pacific Coast is analogous to Route 1, but on the west coast of the United States. The highway runs through California. This route is very popular among Americans themselves, as it goes along the most beautiful beaches in the country. Because of this, it is called the “all-American road.”

The road stretches for 200 km and to overcome it without stopping will take about five hours, but it is worth stopping. Along the route, there are views of the Pacific Ocean, the old town of Monterey with its aquarium in the bay, and views from the Bixby Bridge. It takes a few days to get there.

Steward Highway in Alaska, Steward

The roads in this northern state are a far cry from the previous itineraries. But the beautiful views are worth it. Those who want to see some of Alaska’s most picturesque scenery should take a road trip along the highway from Seward to Anchorage, which traverses the Kenai Peninsula. Along the road are the Chugach National Forest with its mountains and lakes and the Kenai Mountains. There will be no billboards on the road, towns are rare, and there are virtually no gas stations, but instead there are glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls.

Big Sur, Carmel

The strange name “Big Sur” hides a scenic stretch of road along the U.S. West Coast between the California towns of San Simeon and Carmel. For 90 miles, the road runs between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. On one hand, there are California mammoth trees, and on the other, beaches with seals. The road is not overrun with tourists, but if you go for a weekend trip in May or September, it is too hot to drive there in the summer.

Million Dollar Highway, Ouray

“The Million Dollar Highway” is the name of the part of Interstate 550 that runs through Colorado. The highway is notable because it connects the former mining towns of Ouray and Silverton, where precious metals used to be mined. Hence, the “million dollar” name. The most impressive part of the road goes through the old Idarado gold mine. An old wooden bridge remains here, and the heights and gorges of the San Juan Mountains Pass are breathtaking. But unsure drivers had better think twice.

Route 66, Santa Monica

Route 66 is the route for anyone who wants to see the real America. It is perhaps the most iconic highway in the United States. It is called “America’s Main Street” and “the mother of roads”. The landscape with the dividing line and the police badge with the number 66 painted on it is one of the symbols of America.

This road runs almost all through the country – from Chicago to sunny California. The highway became a real symbol in the 1950s and 60s, when it was sung by the hippies, who regularly took Route 66 from state to state. Many songs were written about the road, and movies and TV shows were made. 

With the advent of Route 66, crowds of tourists traveled along it each year, planning to see the Grand Canyon, the Arizona Desert, the Arizona Crater, and other popular places in the country along the way. So, along the way, a real tourist infrastructure began to emerge: there were the first roadside motels, which are now sung about by Lana Del Rey, and traditional American diners, without which it is difficult to imagine a trip across the United States. By the way, the first McDonald’s in the world appeared here.

Hawaii Island Roads, Hilo

The best way to spend time in Hawaii is not to idle on the beach sipping cocktails, but to rent a car and drive around the main and largest island of the archipelago. This trip promises such natural wonders which you cannot see anywhere else: the active volcanoes, lava flowing down from the cliff and hissing at a meeting with seawater –  on the one hand, and the jungle, mountain ranges, and beaches with black volcanic sand – on the other. There is a very nice bonus – car rental under 21 is possible here. 

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Along the way, you’ll come across towns that blend the local Polynesian culture with the legacy of the colonial past.

Depart from the town of Kailua-Kona, home to an active volcano. Continue up into the mountains into “coffee country,” an area of coffee plantations that are open to the public, as well as guava and mango, all of which can be sampled. For the next 60 km, you’ll find a paradise of tropical gardens with mossy flowers on both sides of the road, and right after that, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Finish the journey in the town of Hilo, where Jack London lived.

These are the most popular and some of the most scenic trails in the United States. There’s a route here that’s just right for you. Have a great trip!