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The most epic American road trip

11,000 miles of roadside wonders and national park beauty.

  • 57
  • 235:16
  • 13,361 mi
  • $2140
Take This Trip

Created by KellyARoja - October 5th 2016

The best part of a road trip is making detours along the way. Pre-planned stops to see classic attractions and unexpected adventures are what make a road trip truly great. But taking the absolute most epic road trip across America? That's easier said than done. Luckily, we know our fans are a wanderlust-y sort, so with the help of Holiday Inn, we turned to them to show us their favorite places to go on a road trip.

Because we can't possibly fit EVERY single amazing place into one epic cross-country American road trip, we've singled out the best of the best, based on user submissions to our "America's Most Epic Road Trip" contest with Holiday Inn. These hidden gems and perennial favorites are user approved and Roadtrippers tested. Buckle up, roll down the windows, and turn up the radio, because we've got the definitive route for the most epic American road trip.

169 Brussels Street, San Francisco, California, United States

1
12mi 00h 31m
Photo of Golden Gate Bridge
4.5

US Highway 101, San Francisco, CA, US

Golden Gate Bridge

1

Rent a bike from one of the touristy bike rental places and take it across the Golden Gate Bridge to Salsalito. There, you'll find cute shops, places to eat, and fun bars, and you can jump on a ferry back across the bay. You get outstanding views of the Bay, of San Francisco, of Marin County and the Ocean. There's parking on the San Francisco side as well as the Marin County side. Fair warning- it gets very windy on the bridge so hold on to your hats, caps, and any loose items you wear. If you're a photographer, it's kind of a dream bridge because there's always dramatic fog. Fun fact: Before it opened in 1937, during its construction the city laid a safety net under the floor of the bridge. It was massive and stretched the length of the bridge. The net saved over 19 men from falling to their deaths. Those guys became part of a very exclusive club, known as the “Half-Way-To-Hell Club.”

2
193mi 04h 22m
Photo of Yosemite National Park
4.6

9039 Village Drive, CA, US

Yosemite National Park

2

Then it’s straight on to Yosemite National Park. It's one of America’s most awe-inspiring parks, and also one of its most popular. The best time to visit to avoid the seasonal crowds are after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. Plan to spend time floating down the Merced River if the weather is nice, and see if you can get a permit to climb Half Dome. From the minute you enter the park, you’re immediately surrounded by massive sequoia trees and there are loads of must-see spots hidden within the forest: Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, and Glacier Point, to name a few.

3
313mi 06h 10m
Photo of Santa Monica Pier
4.0

200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA, US

Santa Monica Pier

3

After exploring Yosemite, hop back in the car and visit the Santa Monica Pier, which is open every day of the year, and features free admission. There are loads of fun rides at the pier, including roller coasters, and a historic Carousel from 1922. You'll also find an old-fashioned soda fountain and an aquarium... or just stroll along the pier to watch the street performers and listen to musicians, and then make your way out onto the sand.

4
288mi 05h 01m

South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV, US

Las Vegas Strip

4

The Las Vegas Strip is a world unto itself. First, it’s the third destination on this most epic American road trip that has no open container law (the other places being Savannah and Bourbon Street), which means you can walk around with a foot-tall margarita while you casino hop. This is a fantastic place for people watching, and there are loads of shows and some pretty delicious restaurants. Visit the Heart Attack Grill if you have time... the waitresses wear nurse uniforms!

5
163mi 02h 47m
Photo of Zion National Park
4.9

1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT, US

Zion National Park

5
6
250mi 04h 57m
Photo of The Grand Canyon National Park
4.7

450 AZ-64, Grand Canyon Village, AZ, US

The Grand Canyon National Park

6

Rounding out the most epic American road trip is a visit to Grand Canyon National Park, the most popular spot that showed up in our Holiday Inn contest submissions. Drive between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View for some amazing scenic overlooks. The National Park Service takes exceptional pride in this park and does an amazing job at keeping it well-maintained and clean. A few insanely cool hikes are the hike down South Kaibab Trail toward Phantom Ranch, the North Rim hike to the river, and the South Rim Trail, which provides unbelievably beautiful sunsets.

7
132mi 02h 25m
Photo of Horseshoe Bend
5.0

Highway 89, Page, AZ, US

Horseshoe Bend

7
8
126mi 02h 08m
Photo of Monument Valley
4.5

U.S. 163 Scenic, Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ, US

Monument Valley

8

From Vegas, drive to Monument Valley. This is home to what’s arguably the most iconic landscape of the American West.If you go to The View Hotel and pay $10 per person, you can get some insane pictures of the valley from the Visitor Center balcony. This is absolutely an essential stop on any great American road trip.

9
104mi 01h 47m
Photo of Four Corners Monument
3.0

NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ, US

Four Corners Monument

9
10
53mi 01h 08m
Photo of Mesa Verde National Park
4.5

Mile .7 Headquarters Loop Road, CO, US

Mesa Verde National Park

10
11
133mi 02h 32m
Photo of Arches National Park
5.0

N Highway 191, Moab, UT, US

Arches National Park

11
12
404mi 06h 49m
Photo of Rocky Mountain National Park
4.9

1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, CO, US

Rocky Mountain National Park

12

From Arches, hit up Rocky Mountain National Park. With more than 300 miles of hiking trails, epic fields of wildflowers, alpine lakes, and wildlife around every corner, this is one of America's most beautiful woodlands. The Trail Ridge Road is a must-drive! It takes you to an impressive elevation of more than 11,0000 feet. Another great trip is the hike along Estes Cone Trail. The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking. It's a pretty lengthy hike at four to five hours, but it's definitely worth it.

13
509mi 08h 15m
Photo of Cadillac Ranch
4.0

12601 W Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX, US

Cadillac Ranch

13
14
102mi 01h 36m

Then it's on to Tucumcari, New Mexico! After all that national park adventuring, it's time to chill out in an authentic Route 66 town, just off of I-40. There are tons of great diners to eat at here, and loads of retro motels, such as the Blue Swallow and Motel Safari. And make sure to grab a bite at Del's: You'll recognize it 'cause it's got a massive cow on top of its sign. Take some time to walk around and snap loads of pictures of the vintage Route 66-era neon signs.

15
268mi 04h 37m
Photo of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
4.6

727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM, US

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

15
16
470mi 08h 17m
Photo of The Alamo
4.5

300 Alamo Plz, San Antonio, TX, US

The Alamo

16

From New Mexico, hop the border into Texas and drive down o the Alamo. Every year, more than 2.5 million people visit this important piece of history. Back in 1836, a band of Texans held out for an impressive 13 days inside the Mission against the centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Even though the Alamo ultimately fell to Santa Anna's forces, those brave men who defended the Mission have gone down in history as American heroes and defenders of liberty. The Alamo is located directly in the middle of San Antonio, right next to the Riverwalk (which is a bustling riverfront neighborhood full of restaurants, bars, and cafés).

17
174mi 02h 46m
Photo of Padre Island National Seashore
4.5

20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX, US

Padre Island National Seashore

17
18
599mi 09h 43m
Photo of The French Quarter
4.5

Canal St to Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA, US

The French Quarter

18

After San Antonio, head to the French Quarter in New Orleans, for a taste of some insane Louisiana nightlife. Here you can drink on the streets thanks to New Orleans's open container law. Be prepared if you visit during football season: The crowds can get pretty crazy after a Saints game. Bourbon Street is one of the wildest streets in America (in a good way), and the French Quarter itself is full of gorgeous architecture that will make you feel like you're walking back in time through an eighteenth century French tropical colony.

19
1071mi 16h 53m
Photo of Southernmost Point Buoy (90m To Cuba)
4.0

Corner Of South Street And Whitehead St, Key West, FL, US

Southernmost Point Buoy (90m To Cuba)

19

There you have it: The most epic American road trip as voted by road-trippers just like you during our Most Epic Road Trip contest, powered by our friends at Holiday Inn. Happy travels!