If you’re eager to get out and explore this summer, why not consider a real, honest-to-goodness road trip? With road trips becoming the most common form of travel over the last year, our VacationRenter team scouted out some of the best road trip routes all over the United States, and it has us itching to wander along the open road.
Whether you’re using your everyday car, a top-down convertible, or decked out RV — each of the routes listed below should be enjoyed pleasantly without much of a rush. The most important thing is that you use a trusty vehicle, put on a great playlist, and bring along even better company. Be our guest and read through this ultimate road trip series, including detailed road trip routes throughout the country, a list of on-the-road essentials, and even playlists for you to enjoy on your drive. By the end of it, we hope you’ll feel inspired to seek adventure too.
Keep in mind that each road trip’s duration varies based on how many stops you want to make. You could also break each route up into weekend trips, or drive the entire route in one go. Realistically, all these road trips can start at any point on the route that you want. You can even reverse the starting point and ending point, depending on your location.
Skip to your route of choice by clicking one of the links below!
- California’s Pacific Coast Highway
- California’s National Park Loop
- Arizona and Utah Loop
- Florida’s Coastline Drive
- The Great Northwest Loop
The Routes
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California’s Scenic Pacific Coast Highway
Starting off with the longest, and most breathtaking state route in California: the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1, or just simply “the 1”. This drive is filled with spectacular views of the ocean and is a true vision of California’s coastline.
Click here to see the route on Google Maps.
Starting point: San Francisco
Closest airport to starting point: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Ending point: San Diego
Closest airport to ending point: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Driving distance: about 600 miles
Duration of trip: 5 daysFor a five day itinerary with must-see stops and local tips, click here to read more.
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California’s National Park Loop
Our second road trip route takes us on a loop to hit four of California’s National Parks, and then some. Needless to say, you’re in for a wild ride. This route covers a good chunk of California, so you can make your starting and ending point anywhere along the route since it goes in a loop.
Click here to see the map on Google Maps.
Starting point: Reno
Closest airport to starting point: Reno International Airport (RNO)
Ending point: loops back to Reno
Driving distance: about 1,330 miles
Duration of trip: 1 weekFor a week long itinerary with must-see stops and local tips, click here to read more.
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Arizona and Utah Loop
If there’s any state in the entire U.S. that screams characteristics of being otherworldly, without a doubt, Arizona is the champ. This loop allows you to see all of Arizona’s most noteworthy cities and sites, including the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and the highly in-demand “The Wave.” Keep your eyes peeled during this entire road trip because a lot of your time behind-the-wheel will be equally as breathtaking as some stops.
Click here to see the route on Google Maps.
Starting point: Phoenix
Closest airport to starting point: Phoenix International Airport (PHX)
Ending point: loops back to Phoenix
Driving distance: a little over 1,000 miles
Duration of the trip: 2 weeksFor a two week itinerary with must-see stops and local tips, click here to read more.
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Florida’s Coastline Drive
This route would be a fantastic idea for a romantic tropical getaway, or for BFFs who just want to hop from one beach view to another. Consider this entire road trip route as the epitome of cruising. To make the most out of Florida’s sunshine, the best time to go would be between January and April, before the rain and humidity take over.
Click here to see the route on Google Maps.
Starting point: Jacksonville
Closest airport to starting point: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Ending point: Key West
Closest airport to ending point: Key West International Airport (EYW)
Driving distance: roughly 560 miles
Duration of the trip: 1 weekFor a week long itinerary with must-see stops and local tips, click here to read more.
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The Great Northwest Loop
You already read about the gorgeous route scaling the southern half of the West Coast, so it’s time to find out what’s on the north end. We know what you’re thinking and yes — the West Coast is so beautiful that its entire landscape is road-trip-worthy, except this time you’ll be greeted by mountains, forests, greenery, and a few other surprises along the way.
Click here to see the route on Google Maps.Starting point: Portland
Closest airport to starting point: Portland International Airport (PDX)
Ending point: loops back to Portland
Driving distance: about 1,160 miles
Duration of trip: 2 weeksFor a two week itinerary with must-see stops and local tips, click here to read more.
The Essentials
Once you’ve found the right route for your next vacation, it’s time to take note of your on-the-road essentials. Aside from the many “wow” moments you’ll have on your drive, one particular aspect that makes a road trip more fun is when you have a fun playlist to vibe out to. An impromptu car karaoke session belting out your favorite tunes can be just as effective as a cup of coffee to keep you awake on the road.
If you get through all your go-to playlists and albums during your excursion, don’t panic. We curated three playlists made specifically for this occasion. Follow VacationRenter on Spotify to access them anytime!
VacationRenter Podcast Picks
Every now and then, you might need a break from the tunes. Thankfully, it’s 2019 and we have podcasts! We asked the VacationRenter team which podcasts keep them entertained, and here are our staff picks below.
Good Reads for the Road
And finally, for our bookworms, when you have a moment to sit back and relax in between all the driving, here are a few book suggestions from our team as well.
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Hippie by Paulo Coelho
- Work Rules by Lazlo Bock
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- It’s Not How Good You Are It’s How Good You Want to Be by Paul Arden
Ensure Extra Comfort at Your Rest Stops
You’ll be spending a good chunk of your trip in the car, so it’s very important to make sure you have a comfortable bed to sleep in during your rest stops! Vacation rentals are a fantastic overnight option because it allows you to get the local experience, and in most cases, you get the place all to yourself. Be sure to book the your rentals using VacationRenter. Our site aggregates properties from the industry’s top websites and puts them into one easy-to-use platform, making trip planning a breeze.
We hope this guide was helpful and encourages you to explore any corner of this beautiful country. As the wise Babs Hoffman once said, “Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.”
Feel free to show us bits of your journey using the hashtag #VacationRenterAdventures. We might get blown away and want to share your photos too.
Safe travels and happy road tripping!