These bucket list US road trips should not be missing from your traveler’s passport!
When it comes to a bucket list US road trips, a lot of people name Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway in California.
While these are definitely trips that you should be going on to be able to experience some amazing scenery in the United States, our country has a lot more than these ones.
If the allure of the open road speaks to you, if you love to feel the wind in your hair and have the freedom to explore your destinations to the fullest and have an amazing experience while also knowing you can count on your car, we’ve got you.
The United States is home to some of the best road trips in the world, scattered all around the country, and while you may have heard about some, there are some breathtaking and iconic ones some people forget about!
To help you include on your bucket list some of the best road trips our country has to offer, we brought you some memorable adventures that not many go on!
Get ready to discover the essence of this country!
Which one of these road trips have you already taken? Were there some that surprised you? Let us know in the comments!
1. Hawaii Big Island Circuit Drive
- Mileage: 300 miles
- Ideal time: April through October, when you can make the most of the weather
- Bucket list stop: Pepe’ekeo Scenic Drive, north of Hilo at the start of Highway 19
A lot of us end up going to Hawaii for the relaxing oasis some of the islands and their resorts can be, but there is so much more to explore on the island.
Sure, you may have been on a couple of road trips around the islands before, but have you ever considered the Big Island Circuit drive?
The Big Island is the largest island chain in Hawaii, and it is home to numerous active volcanoes, as well as some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country!
If you want to go on some of the most exciting drives around the Big Island and see the coast in a whole new light, you should definitely embark on this road trip.
The two main roads on the island, Highways 11 and 19, are the ones that you should take, and together they make a huge loop around the island.
Along the way, you can stop and visit numerous waterfalls and even volcanoes, stop to catch some waves, or relax next to the coast, so this road trip is amazing if you want to relax and become one with the Hawaiian island!
2. The Texas Hill Country
- Mileage: 200 miles
- Ideal time: April, May, and October, to miss the scorching heat
- Bucket list stop: Fredericksburg
Between Austin and San Antonio, you can take one of the most picturesque road trips that the country has to offer, and it is in the Lone Star State!
This is not the first thing that people have in mind when they think about Texas, but believe us, if you love small, charming towns and rolling hills, this is one of the tips that should not be missing from your bucket list!
It is not that long, with only 200 miles to cover, and you can easily take it easy, visit some of the historic sites along the way, stop in the small towns, and get to tick off the unique cultural attractions on your visiting list.
Some of the best towns to stop and visit since they are scenic towns include Gruene, Luckenbach, and the iconic Fredericksburg, which many warn not to miss out on!
Most of these small towns are equipped with anything you may want, from restaurants to live music venues, so there is something to do for every member of the family!
Another highlight of this road trip includes the scenic drive through Hill Country, where you can enjoy the stunning landscape that winds around the hills.
There are plenty of scenic overlooks and lookout points for some amazing pictures and memorabilia that you will definitely remember for years to come!
3. The Dalton Highway, Alaska
- Mileage: 414 miles
- Ideal time: June to mid-July, to be able to catch the highway dry
- Bucket list stop: Finger Mountain Wayside
We cannot leave our Alaskan highway road trip that many people wish they had known about earlier!
Known as the northernmost highway in the country, this is the only road trip that will cross over the Arctic Circle.
The landscape and views of this road trip are out of this world, but it is also one of the most challenging road trips one can take.
This is because the Dalton Highway is extremely remote, and you will have to do some extensive planning when it comes to going down this road. Some joke that it is a great moment to have a breakdown surrounded by the remote wilderness of Alaska.
Despite this, this highway is going to take you from the state’s main city, Fairbanks, all the way to Prudhoe Bay in Deadhorse, which is next to the Arctic Ocean.
If you choose to take this road trip, make sure you do not miss the Finger Mountain Wayside hike, which is only half a mile and amazing if you are looking for a scenic overlook.
We are sure that no matter what road trip you choose this year, you are going to be taking a lot of pictures. Sure, you need your phone, but there is something special about still using a camera for your travel pictures! This one is considered the best choice for this purpose, and it hasn’t let us down once since we purchased it!
4. Seattle To Fairbanks North American Drive
- Mileage: 2,150 miles
- Ideal time: early June and July, definitely during the summer months
- Bucket list stop: Fairbanks with extra time saved to also explore around Canada
Turning to longer bucket list-worthy road trips, you shouldn’t miss out on this one. It is the only trip on our list that will also lead you to visit our neighbors and believe us, it is one that you will not want to miss out on.
From Settle, WA, all the way to Fairbanks, AK, you will be able to enjoy the views of some of the most remote places in North America and truly become one with nature.
On your way, you can enjoy the Yukon Territory and British Columbia, so it is one long road trip to be saved for the summer months!
If you do not want to cross into Canada, you can also make it an all-American road trip by taking the Aalaska Mirine Highway and making most of the ferry network that bypasses crossing the border!
5. The Great Lakes Circle Tour
- Mileage: 6,500 miles
- Ideal time: June through August
- Bucket list stops: Niagara Falls and Pictured Rocks
If you are a seasoned road tripper and you want a new challenge, then why not take up the Great Lakes Circle Tour? This mammoth of a trip is surely one for the bucket list since it takes you all around the five Great Lakes and amasses 6,500 miles in total!
You will be able to pass through eight US states and even cross into Canada to explore Ontario!
This long trip will give you the chance to explore several areas and landscapes, from the rural countryside to small towns and even urban areas!
Some of the iconic stops besides the ones we have already mentioned include the Pictured Rocks and Isle Royale, along with the myriad of impressive beaches, scenic overlooks, and historic lighthouses you can visit and explore!
This is one of the longest road trips you can take, and you can include all the other bucket list spots you have that are in these 8 states and even Canada!
Some stops you should not miss include the St. Lawrence River, where you can admire the Thousand Islands and the amazing Great Lakes Seaway Trail.
If you’re on the quest to make the most of your road trip, especially if you are going to go on a longer one, make sure you have all the essentials for such an undertaking! If you want to make sure your list is complete, check out our article here to double-check and ensure your trip is as comfortable as possible!
