Best Road Trips of 2023

So many places to visit in the United States, deciding on a destination doesn’t have to feel cumbersome. If this is your first road trip, you may want to choose a location that isn’t too far from home or feels at least somewhat familiar. Grab a map, plan your adventure and read on for a few that top our list……

#1 Big Sur, Highway 1, One of the most scenic drives of my life, the twist and turns are worth the unbeatable views. The tall trees and mountains on one side giving way to the ocean on the other are breathtaking Where else will you encounter an arched bridge nestled between the mountains and dangling above the ocean? This would be one to add to the bucket list!

#2 Blue Ridge Parkway, stretches across Virginia’s spectacular landscape through the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. This drive links Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and includes delightful towns, craft breweries, wineries and countless hiking opportunities along the way. A favorite stopping point here is Asheville, North Carolina which offers views of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi River. Asheville is also home of the Biltmore Estate; the highlight of this trip was driving the Hyundai Palisade through the meadows on the grounds of the famed estates. 

#3 Leavenworth to Seattle, cities to explore and nature abounds along this dramatic drive. Snoqualmie Falls is a must stop with its  2 acre park, you can walk around for different views of this 270-foot waterfall. There is an upper and lower observation deck offering different heights and advantage points. The trail to get to them is wide and easy to hike, even for families with smaller children.

#4 Beartooth Highway. This breathtaking drive is not open year-round so make sure to plan ahead. The 68 mile route connects Red Lodge to Cooke City and Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. The ecosystem varies from thick pine forest to meadows of wildflowers to snow-capped mountain peaks to sleek lakes. Give yourself some time on this one, as you will likely want to stop for the views, hiking, and picnics. 

#5 Cape Cod, Old King’s Highway, known as one of the most historic byways in the U.S. Enjoy architecture dated back to the 17th century. Be sure to catch a glimpse of Highland Light, the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the peninsula. Also not to miss, the 252-foot Pilgrim Monument commemorating the arrival of the pilgrims on the Mayflower. Note, if you overnight in Cape Cod be prepared to wake to the sound of fog horns from nearby ships. 

#6 Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the drive to Marquette is magical. You will encounter waterfalls, mountains, museums, beaches and hikes depending on the time of year that you go. The best drive is from St Ignace, west to Escanaba, Iron Mountain, continuing the upper peninsula to Marquette. As you head west to Marquette, you will encounter Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore which hugs the south shore of Lake Superior. Pictured Rocks is known for its multicolored dramatic cliffs and unique formations. In my opinion, autumn is the best time of year to go, the scarlets, yellows, oranges and burgundies against the scenic Pictured Rocks is truly something extraordinary. 

#7 Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444 mile drive from Natchez, Mississippi to Tennessee. With its amazing foliage, you need uninterrupted time to experience all of its natural beauty and historic sites; from historic landmarks of the Natchez Indians, to original homes from the frontier days of old. We started our drive in Nashville in the Nissan Rogue, across the Double Arch bridge which is simple, yet impressive and completed our trip at Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, a win-win!

#8 Savannah, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina, neighbors at just over 100 miles apart, these are two of the most visited cities in the south! Both are full of history, shopping, dining and great for taking in a breath of fresh coastal air. The Toyota Camry fit right in with the southern charm of these tw0 cities. We spent a good deal of time in Savannah strolling along the river walk, enjoying pralines and stopping to take pictures at the Forsyth Park Fountain. Makes a great one-day road trip! 

#9 Miami to Key West, the ideal Florida road trip. Your drive will entail beautiful blue waters, beaches, everglades and highways over the seas! The distance is 166 miles, but with stops along the way, this 4 hour trip could easily become 7-8 hours. Coral Castle Museum is a must-stop that has been compared to the likes of Stonehenge with its large chunks of limestone; it is a one-of-a-kind sculpture garden. If time permits, be sure to pack your snorkel gear. Best time to go? Winter!

#10 Denver, Colorado to the Grand Canyon. This 12 hour drive could easily take a few days of driving if scenic overlooks are your forte. You will drive through National Forest, National Arches Park, historic towns and monuments. Taking advice from fellow journalist Scott Brady, we decided to off-road in the Toyota 4-Runner after visiting the Grand Canyon. The route took us to the small mining town of Jerome, south of Mingus Mountain. Plan ahead, as some passes could be closed due to inclement weather; best time to go would be late spring or summer. Oh, and don’t forget to stop in scenic Sedona somewhere along the way!

Wherever you roam, make those memories, enjoy those views, take plenty of pictures and feel free to share or leave comments telling us about your favorite stops so that others can add them to their list!