Ultimate Road Trip Planning Guide: Routes, Costs & Tips

A road trip is one of the few experiences that gets better the more you plan. The right route turns driving from a chore into the highlight. A realistic budget prevents financial stress from souring the memories. Proper vehicle preparation means you spend your time exploring, not sitting on the shoulder waiting for a tow truck.

This guide covers the 20 best road trips in the United States, realistic fuel and lodging budgets, vehicle preparation checklists, the best apps for navigation and trip planning, and specific considerations for EV road trippers.

Key Takeaways

Budget approximately ~$150-$250 per day for a two-person road trip covering fuel, lodging, and meals.
Vehicle preparation --- fluid checks, tire inspection, brake assessment --- before departure prevents the vast majority of roadside breakdowns.
The best road trips balance driving time with destination time; aim for no more than 4-6 hours of driving per day to avoid fatigue.
EV road trips are fully viable on most major US routes, but require planning around DC fast charging stations.
Shoulder season travel (spring and fall) delivers better prices, thinner crowds, and comfortable temperatures on most routes.

Top 20 US Road Trips

1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)

Route: San Francisco to Los Angeles (or reverse) via Highway 1 Distance: ~380 miles Recommended time: 3-5 days Highlights: Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, Bixby Bridge Best season: April-June or September-November (summer brings fog along the northern sections) Budget (2 people, 4 days): ~$800-$1,200

This is America’s most iconic coastal drive. The stretch through Big Sur --- where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the Pacific --- is among the most dramatic stretches of highway anywhere in the world. Take it slow, stop at the overlooks, and do not try to rush through in a single day.

2. Route 66 (Chicago to Santa Monica)

Route: Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA via the historic alignment Distance: ~2,400 miles Recommended time: 10-14 days Highlights: Cadillac Ranch (TX), Painted Desert (AZ), Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon side trip, Santa Fe, Oatman ghost town, St. Louis Gateway Arch Best season: April-May or September-October Budget (2 people, 12 days): ~$2,500-$4,000

Route 66 is as much a cultural experience as a driving one. The original alignment passes through small towns that time forgot, quirky roadside attractions, and vast stretches of open desert. Not every segment is scenic --- some sections parallel the interstate with little to see --- but the highlights are genuinely unforgettable.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)

Route: Shenandoah National Park, VA to Cherokee, NC Distance: ~469 miles Recommended time: 4-6 days Highlights: Shenandoah NP, Mabry Mill, Linn Cove Viaduct, Grandfather Mountain, Asheville, Mt. Pisgah, Craggy Gardens Best season: October (peak fall foliage) or May-June (wildflowers and waterfalls) Budget (2 people, 5 days): ~$700-$1,100

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit of the National Park System, and for good reason. The 45 mph speed limit forces you to slow down and absorb the mountain scenery. Fall foliage season transforms the route into a corridor of red, orange, and gold.

4. Utah’s Mighty Five

Route: Loop through Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks Distance: ~900 miles (loop from Salt Lake City) Recommended time: 7-10 days Highlights: Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch sunrise, Angels Landing, The Narrows, Scenic Byway 12, Capitol Reef orchards Best season: March-May or September-November (summer exceeds 100 degrees F in some areas) Budget (2 people, 8 days): ~$1,400-$2,200

Five national parks in a single loop makes this one of the most concentrated doses of natural beauty available anywhere. Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce and Capitol Reef is a highlight in its own right --- one of the most dramatic two-lane roads in the country.

5. Great Smoky Mountains Loop (Tennessee/North Carolina)

Route: Loop from Knoxville or Asheville through Cades Cove, Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg, Cherokee Distance: ~300 miles Recommended time: 3-5 days Highlights: Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Cataloochee Valley elk Best season: Late October (foliage) or April-May (wildflowers) Budget (2 people, 4 days): ~$600-$1,000

The most visited national park in America, and free to enter. Cades Cove is magical at dawn before the crowds arrive. The Newfound Gap Road crossing from Tennessee to North Carolina offers sweeping mountain views at every turn.

6. New England Fall Foliage

Route: Boston to Burlington, VT via the Kancamagus Highway and White Mountains Distance: ~400 miles Recommended time: 4-6 days Highlights: Kancamagus Highway, White Mountains, Stowe, covered bridges, Woodstock, Lake Champlain Best season: Late September to mid-October Budget (2 people, 5 days): ~$900-$1,500

Peak foliage in New England is one of those experiences that lives up to its reputation. The Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountains is the crown jewel, but every backroad in Vermont delivers postcard views. Book lodging early --- this is peak demand season.

7. Olympic Peninsula Loop (Washington)

Route: Loop from Seattle through Olympic National Park Distance: ~600 miles Recommended time: 4-6 days Highlights: Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, Rialto Beach, Sol Duc Hot Springs, Cape Flattery, Marymere Falls Best season: July-September (driest months) Budget (2 people, 5 days): ~$800-$1,300

Temperate rainforest, alpine meadows, wild Pacific coastline, and hot springs --- all in a single loop. The Hoh Rain Forest receives over 12 feet of rain annually and feels like another planet.

8. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Route: Mackinaw City to Copper Harbor Distance: ~350 miles (one way) Recommended time: 5-7 days Highlights: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls, Mackinac Island, Porcupine Mountains, Copper Harbor Best season: June-September Budget (2 people, 6 days): ~$800-$1,200

One of the most underrated road trips in America. Pictured Rocks is stunning from a kayak or from the cliffs above. The UP has a rugged, end-of-the-road feel that is hard to find east of the Rockies.

9. Florida Keys Overseas Highway

Route: Miami to Key West via US-1 Distance: ~165 miles Recommended time: 2-4 days Highlights: Seven Mile Bridge, Key Largo, Islamorada, Bahia Honda State Park, Key West Best season: November-April (dry season) Budget (2 people, 3 days): ~$600-$1,000

The Overseas Highway is one of the most unique driving experiences in the country. You are driving across the ocean, hopping between islands connected by bridges. Bahia Honda has some of the best beach snorkeling in the continental US.

10. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)

Route: West Glacier to St. Mary through Glacier National Park Distance: ~50 miles Recommended time: 1-3 days (combine with a longer Montana trip) Highlights: Logan Pass, Hidden Lake, Weeping Wall, Jackson Glacier Overlook, Wild Goose Island Best season: July-September (road is closed by snow much of the year) Budget (2 people, 2 days): ~$300-$500

The most spectacular mountain road in North America. Going-to-the-Sun is an engineering marvel that clings to the sides of the Continental Divide. Vehicle reservations are required during peak season --- book early.

11-20: More Outstanding Routes

#	Route	Distance	Days	Best Season	Budget (2 ppl)
11	Natchez Trace Parkway (TN to MS)	~444 mi	3-4	Spring/Fall	~$500-$800
12	Oregon Coast (Astoria to Brookings)	~363 mi	3-5	June-Sep	~$700-$1,100
13	Highway 12 (Lewis & Clark, ID)	~175 mi	2-3	July-Sep	~$400-$600
14	Beartooth Highway (MT to WY)	~68 mi	1-2	June-Sep	~$200-$400
15	Extraterrestrial Highway (NV)	~98 mi	1-2	Spring/Fall	~$150-$300
16	Million Dollar Highway (CO)	~25 mi	1-2	June-Oct	~$200-$400
17	Savannah to Charleston (GA to SC)	~110 mi	2-3	Mar-May	~$400-$700
18	North Shore (Lake Superior, MN)	~150 mi	2-4	Sep-Oct	~$400-$700
19	Enchanted Circle (Taos, NM)	~84 mi	1-2	Sep-Oct	~$200-$400
20	Acadia National Park Loop (ME)	~40 mi	2-4	Sep-Oct	~$500-$800

Road Trip Budgeting

Understanding typical costs helps you plan realistically and avoid financial surprises.

Fuel Costs

Fuel is one of the most predictable expenses on a road trip. Calculate yours using this formula:

Total fuel cost = (Total miles / Vehicle MPG) x Price per gallon

Vehicle Type	Average MPG	Cost per 100 Miles (~$3.50/gal)	Cost per 1,000 Miles
Compact car	~35 MPG	~$10.00	~$100
Mid-size sedan	~30 MPG	~$11.67	~$117
SUV	~25 MPG	~$14.00	~$140
Truck	~20 MPG	~$17.50	~$175
Hybrid	~45 MPG	~$7.78	~$78
EV (home charged before trip)	~3.5 mi/kWh	~$10.00 (DC fast)	~$100

For EV road trips, DC fast charging costs approximately ~$0.30-$0.50 per kWh at most networks, which works out to roughly the same cost per mile as a fuel-efficient gas car. The savings come from home charging, which is roughly half the cost of DC fast charging.

Lodging Costs

Lodging Type	Average Cost per Night	Pros	Cons
Budget motel	~$60-$90	Cheap, widely available	Basic amenities
Mid-range hotel	~$100-$180	Comfortable, reliable	Adds up quickly
Vacation rental (Airbnb/VRBO)	~$80-$200	Kitchen, space, character	Varies wildly in quality
National park campground	~$15-$35	Affordable, scenic	Requires gear, advance reservation
Dispersed camping (BLM/NF land)	Free	Free, remote, quiet	No facilities, requires self-sufficiency
Car camping	~$0-$35	Flexible, low cost	Comfort depends on vehicle/setup

Budget tip: Mix lodging types. Camp for 2-3 nights to offset the cost of a nice hotel for 1-2 nights. This keeps the overall budget reasonable while still getting comfortable beds when you need them. For car camping specifics, check our Best Car Camping Gear guide.

Food Costs

Approach	Average Cost per Person per Day	Notes
Cook all meals (camp stove/kitchen)	~$15-$25	Grocery stops, cooler meals
Mix of cooking and restaurants	~$30-$50	Breakfast/lunch DIY, dinner out
All restaurants	~$50-$80	Adds up fast

Budget tip: A cooler stocked with sandwich supplies, fruit, snacks, and drinks covers breakfast and lunch cheaply. Eat one restaurant meal per day (dinner) to experience local food without blowing the budget.

Total Daily Budget Estimates

Style	Per Day (2 people)	7-Day Trip Total
Budget (camp, cook, efficient car)	~$80-$120	~$560-$840
Moderate (mix of hotels/camping, some dining)	~$150-$250	~$1,050-$1,750
Comfortable (hotels, dining, attractions)	~$250-$400	~$1,750-$2,800
Premium (nice hotels, fine dining, guided tours)	~$400-$600+	~$2,800-$4,200+

Vehicle Preparation

A breakdown on a remote highway is dangerous, expensive, and ruins the trip. Thirty minutes of pre-trip inspection prevents the vast majority of roadside failures.

Pre-Trip Checklist

Fluids:

Engine oil: Check level and condition. Change if due within the next 2,000 miles.
Coolant: Should be between min and max marks on the reservoir. No leaks visible.
Brake fluid: Level should be between min and max. Dark/contaminated fluid means it is due for a flush.
Transmission fluid: Check level and condition (should be pink/red, not brown or burnt-smelling).
Power steering fluid: Check level.
Windshield washer fluid: Top off. Bring an extra jug for dusty routes.

Tires:

Check pressure on all four tires plus the spare (reference the placard on the driver’s door jamb, not the tire sidewall).
Inspect tread depth: use the penny test (insert a penny head-first; if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, the tire needs replacement). Minimum safe tread depth is 2/32”.
Look for cracks, bulges, uneven wear, and embedded objects.
Verify the spare tire is inflated and the jack and lug wrench are present.

Brakes:

If pads are below 3-4mm, replace them before the trip.
Listen for grinding, squealing, or pulsation during test driving.

Battery:

Test the battery, especially if it is more than 3 years old.
Clean corroded terminals.

Belts and hoses:

Visual inspection for cracks, fraying, or bulging.
Serpentine belt should be firm with no glazing.

Lights:

Verify all headlights (low and high beam), taillights, brake lights, and turn signals function.

Wipers:

Replace if they streak or skip.

Air conditioning:

Test it before a summer trip. An AC recharge takes 30 minutes at a shop and costs ~$100-$200.

Emergency Kit

Pack these items regardless of trip length:

Jumper cables or portable jump starter
First aid kit
Flashlight with extra batteries
Reflective triangles or road flares
Basic tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, duct tape, zip ties)
Tire repair kit and portable air compressor
Extra quart of engine oil
Extra coolant (50/50 pre-mix)
Phone charging cable and portable battery bank
Paper map of your route (phone batteries die; cell service is spotty in remote areas)
Water (at least 1 gallon per person)
Non-perishable snacks
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Best Road Trip Apps

Google Maps remains the most accurate for real-time traffic, detour routing, and finding gas stations, restaurants, and lodging. Download offline maps for areas with poor cell coverage (most national parks, rural highways, mountain passes).

Waze excels at real-time hazard reports and speed trap alerts on highway segments. Less useful on rural roads with low user density.

Gaia GPS is the gold standard for off-pavement navigation. Essential if your trip includes forest roads, BLM land, or any unpaved segments.

Trip Planning

Roadtrippers lets you plot routes with stops, attractions, and campgrounds along the way. The free tier covers basic planning; premium (~$30/year) adds offline maps and trip collaboration.

GasBuddy finds the cheapest gas stations along your route. Savings of ~$0.20-$0.40 per gallon between stations are common, especially near highway exits versus in-town stations.

iOverlander is invaluable for finding free camping, water sources, and dump stations. Crowd-sourced data with user reviews.

FreeRoam helps find free dispersed camping on public land (BLM, National Forest). Shows land boundaries and access roads.

EV-Specific Apps

PlugShare is the most comprehensive charging station map, with user reviews, photos, and real-time availability for many stations.

A Better Route Planner (ABRP) is the best EV road trip planner. It accounts for your specific vehicle’s efficiency, weather, elevation changes, and battery degradation to calculate accurate charging stops and times.

EV Road Trip Considerations

Road tripping in an EV is no longer experimental, but it does require more planning than a gas vehicle.

Planning Your Route

Use A Better Route Planner (ABRP) to map your route with charging stops. The app knows the location and speed of every public charger and calculates the optimal stops based on your vehicle’s efficiency, the weather, and the terrain.

Key rules of thumb:

Plan charging stops every 150-200 miles (well before your battery runs low)
Charge to 80 percent at each stop rather than 100 percent (the last 20 percent charges much slower)
Build in 25-30 minutes per charging stop (enough to stretch, use the restroom, grab food)
Have a backup charger identified in case your primary stop is occupied or out of service

Charging Speed by Vehicle

Vehicle	Max DC Charge Rate	Time: 10-80%	Miles Added in 20 min
Tesla Model Y	~250 kW	~25 min	~170 mi
Hyundai Ioniq 5	~233 kW	~18 min	~190 mi
Kia EV6	~233 kW	~18 min	~185 mi
Ford Mustang Mach-E	~150 kW	~38 min	~100 mi
Chevrolet Equinox EV	~150 kW	~35 min	~110 mi
Rivian R1T/R1S	~200 kW	~30 min	~140 mi

Best and Worst Routes for EV Road Trips

Well-supported routes (dense charging):

Interstate corridors (I-5, I-95, I-10, I-80, I-70)
Pacific Coast Highway (Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America stations are well-positioned)
Northeast corridor (Boston to Washington DC)

Challenging routes (sparse charging):

Remote sections of the Intermountain West (central Nevada, eastern Oregon, western Kansas)
Northern Maine
Upper Peninsula of Michigan (improving but still limited)
Parts of the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming away from interstates

For vehicles with 300+ miles of range, even challenging routes are manageable with planning. The key is identifying charging stations in advance and arriving with enough buffer to reach the next one if a station is down. For EV options, see our Best EVs with 300+ Mile Range guide.

Money-Saving Strategies

Smart planning can cut road trip costs by 20-40 percent without sacrificing the experience.

Fuel Savings

Use GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas along your route. Prices can vary by ~$0.30-$0.50 per gallon between stations just a few miles apart, especially near highway exits versus in-town stations.

Fill up before entering national parks and remote areas. Gas stations near popular destinations and in isolated areas charge significant premiums --- sometimes ~$1.00 or more above average.

Drive at moderate speeds. Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed. Driving 65 mph instead of 80 mph can improve fuel economy by 15-20 percent on highway segments. On a 2,000-mile trip in an SUV, that difference saves approximately ~$40-$70 in fuel.

Use cruise control on flat highways. Maintaining a consistent speed is more fuel-efficient than constantly accelerating and decelerating.

Lodging Savings

Book through hotel loyalty programs rather than third-party sites. Direct bookings often include perks (free breakfast, room upgrades, points) that offset any small price difference from Expedia or Booking.com.

Consider last-minute deals if your schedule is flexible. HotelTonight (now part of Airbnb) specializes in same-day deals with discounts of 20-40 percent.

Mix campgrounds with hotels. Two nights camping at ~$25 per night offsets the cost of one nice hotel night. This strategy keeps the budget moderate while avoiding camping fatigue.

National park campgrounds are among the best values in the country at ~$15-$35 per night. Reserve through Recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance --- popular campgrounds sell out within minutes of opening.

Food Savings

Stock a cooler before departure with breakfast and lunch supplies. Grocery stores cost a fraction of restaurant meals and roadside convenience stores.

Eat your big meal at lunch, not dinner. Many restaurants offer the same menu items at lower prices during lunch service.

Look for local recommendations rather than chain restaurants near highways. Yelp, Google Maps, and the Roadfood app help you find authentic, affordable local food.

Road Trip Safety

Driving Fatigue

Fatigue is the leading cause of single-vehicle accidents on road trips. Follow these rules:

Maximum 4-6 hours of driving per day. Beyond this, fatigue compounds and reaction times degrade.
Stop every 2 hours for a 15-minute break. Walk around, stretch, hydrate.
Share driving duties if possible. Swap drivers every 2-3 hours.
Never drive drowsy. If you feel tired, pull over and nap for 20-30 minutes. A short nap is dramatically more effective than coffee alone.
Avoid driving between midnight and 6 AM when your circadian rhythm makes you sleepiest.

Remote Area Preparedness

On routes through remote areas (national forests, BLM land, desert highways):

Fill up when your tank hits half (gas stations can be 100+ miles apart in remote areas)
Carry extra water (dehydration is dangerous in desert heat)
Tell someone your itinerary and expected check-in times
Download offline maps before you lose cell service
Carry a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, ZOLEO) if traveling in truly remote areas

Weather Awareness

Check forecasts for mountain passes (snow can close passes into June in the Rockies)
Flash flood warnings are serious in slot canyons and desert washes
Fog on coastal routes (especially Pacific Coast Highway) can reduce visibility to near zero
Thunderstorms in the plains and Southeast can be sudden and severe

Traveling with Kids

Road trips with children require additional planning but can create lasting family memories.

Age-Appropriate Entertainment

Ages 2-5: Audiobooks (Sparkle Stories, Sesame Street podcasts), magnetic drawing boards, window clings, snack traps
Ages 6-10: Road trip bingo, license plate game, portable coloring kits, tablets with downloaded content (limit screen time to driving segments)
Ages 11+: Podcasts, music playlists, card games at rest stops, photography challenges

Stopping Strategy with Kids

Plan stops every 90-120 minutes rather than every 2 hours. Look for rest stops with grass areas where kids can run. Playgrounds adjacent to highways exist in many states --- apps like Playground Buddy help locate them.

Snack Management

Pack a dedicated cooler accessible from the back seat. Pre-portion snacks into individual bags to prevent messes and fights. Bring more snacks than you think you need --- hungry children in a car is a recipe for misery.

Safety Considerations

Verify car seats are properly installed before departure (fire stations offer free checks)
Pack a first aid kit with child-specific items (children’s pain reliever, bandages, anti-itch cream)
Bring a change of clothes accessible without unpacking the trunk
Never leave children in a parked vehicle, even briefly

Traveling with Pets

Dogs are popular road trip companions, but they need their own preparation.

Pre-Trip Preparation

Visit the vet for a health check, especially for longer trips
Update ID tags and microchip information
Bring vaccination records (required at many campgrounds and hotels)
Pack familiar items: their bed, favorite toy, regular food (do not switch food during travel --- it causes stomach issues)

In-Vehicle Safety

Use a crash-tested harness, carrier, or vehicle barrier --- loose dogs become projectiles in a collision
Never let dogs ride with their heads out the window (debris, insects, ear infections)
Stop every 2-3 hours for bathroom breaks and water
Never leave pets in a parked car (temperatures can reach lethal levels in minutes)

Pet-Friendly Lodging

BringFido.com and the BringFido app are the best resources for finding pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities along your route. Many national parks allow dogs on paved trails and in campgrounds but not on backcountry trails --- check individual park rules before planning hikes.

Packing Essentials

The Non-Negotiables

Driver’s license, registration, and insurance card
Phone charger and car charger
Sunglasses
Comfortable driving shoes
Layers (temperature swings are common, especially in mountains)
Reusable water bottles
Trash bag (keep the car clean on long trips)
Entertainment for passengers (audiobooks, podcasts, downloaded playlists)

Nice to Have

Dash mount for phone navigation
Seat cushion for long driving days
Portable cooler for drinks and snacks
Binoculars (for scenic overlooks and wildlife)
Camera (phone or dedicated)
Travel pillow for passenger naps

For dashboard recording, check our Best Dashcams 2026 roundup. A dashcam captures memorable scenery and provides security documentation.

Next Steps

Choose your route from the 20 options above, or combine segments for an extended trip.
Prepare your vehicle using the pre-trip checklist to avoid roadside breakdowns.
Budget realistically using the per-day estimates and adjust for your comfort level.
If driving an EV, map your charging stops using A Better Route Planner and check our Best EVs with 300+ Mile Range for vehicles suited to long-distance travel.
Gear up with essentials from our Best Car Camping Gear guide.

Road conditions, fuel prices, lodging rates, park fees, and charging station availability change frequently. Verify current conditions before departure, especially for seasonal roads and mountain passes.