Route 66 might be known as America's Mother Road, but U.S. Route 20 is, without question, the Big Daddy. It's America's longest road, stretching from Boston, Massachusetts to Newport, Oregon. That's 12 states and 3,365 miles of transcontinental American awesomeness to explore. Go big and then go home with a mega road trip along this epic route!
Start off by admiring the singular beauty of the Pacific Coast at Newport's Yaquina Bay. Oregon's wild beaches, with their seastacks and tidepools, are unlike anything anywhere else in the country (and set the West Coast apart from the East Coast's beaches on the Atlantic). Then bid adieu to the shore (for now) and prepare yourself to drive right through the beating heart of America!
Just off US-20 is one of Oregon's tallest waterfalls. Salt Creek Falls is the perfect spot to pull over, have a picnic, and prepare yourself for beginning the road trip of a lifetime. Or, if you started in the East, then this is a fantastic scenic point to breathe a sigh of relief at having conquered the Longest Road.
From Medford - Route 62 north and then east. From Klamath Falls - Route 97 north to Route 62 north and then west., OR, US
As you make your way through Idaho, be on the lookout for fossils. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is one great place to see how the rocky Idaho landscape hides tons of ancient remains. The fossil bed has been an important archaeological site since the 1920s, and still produces thousands of fossils and shards a year. Learn about the intriguing animals like massive ground sloths, saber-tooth cats, and mastodons that are now extinct but once called Idaho home. The visitor center has tons of great information on the site's past and how to explore!
And you can't drive through Idaho without paying tribute to the state's most famous product. The Idaho Potato Museum. You'll learn everything you never knew about the root veggie, from various potato-related anecdotes to its place in Idaho's culture to how it's been grown throughout history. See a collection of potato peelers, antique farming equipment, and, of course, the giant potato statue out front. Grab some fries and the "free taters for out-of-staters" before you head back out on your way.
Wyoming is also known for its pioneer past. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is a fascinating look back at settling the prairie. Hands-on, interactive exhibits keep kids engaged while adults can browse the collection of artifacts. The story of the American Western migration is also told through performance and videos. You won't just learn about what life was like in a wagon or on a homestead... you'll get insight into wildlife, native cultures, and natural history as well.
Crazy Horse, South Dakota, United States
Of course, summer is a great time for a trip along US 20... the weather might get hot, and some spots (ahem Yellowstone) might get crowded, but many roads and attractions close during the winter. Spring and fall provide mild weather, which is always nice, but can be rainy, and the variable weather might making packing a little tougher. Either way, it'll take you at least a few weeks to fully appreciate everything offered along US 20, so leave yourself plenty of time... and just enjoy the ride!
