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.
8071 Sapphire Cove Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
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8071 Sapphire Cove Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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!
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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.
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This world-famous scenic drive is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, which parallels Freeway 101 with its 51,222 acres of redwood groves. It is by far the most outstanding display of these giant trees in the entire 500-mile redwood belt and is accessible to all with convenient services provided along the way. The Avenue of the Giants is surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world. Take time to picnic, camp, hike, swim, fish, raft, or bike in the cool hush of these ancient redwood forests.
From Medford - Route 62 north and then east. From Klamath Falls - Route 97 north to Route 62 north and then west., OR, US
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Yes, Crater Lake is beautiful. Yes, you should see it. However, it is a long haul from Eugene or any of the major stops off the 5, so you'll want to plan accordingly and expect to take a full day to visit and drive back from this attraction. From high atop the rim of Crater Lake, you can see just how magical the world really is. A hike down to the water reveals new beauty. The water is so blue and so deep, it’s no surprise that it’s the deepest lake in America, and one of the deepest on Earth. That’s why it’s one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon.
Surrounded by cliffs almost 2,000 feet high and boasting a picturesque island with a violent volcanic past, Crater Lake is also home to hikes through old-growth forests, and cross-country ski trips in the winter months. Many of the roads and facilities close during the winter, but the park is open and accessible all year long.
Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon, which is also home to the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the stunning Rogue River, the Oregon Caves and vineyards, and chocolatiers and cheesemakers galore.
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!