• 18 journeys to provide inspiration for your travels
• Everything from national parks to beach towns to the big city
Have wheels, will travel. But where should you go for that memorable getaway?
Here are 18 of the best road trips for 2025, as recommended by AAA, to give you some momentum with your planning.
From sandy shores to wide skies and mountains, plus a range of destinations to explore when you pull in, there’s plenty to peruse and set your sights on.
1. Southern New England
Fill up on history and scenery with a trip that starts and finishes in Boston, Massachusetts, where you’ll have the chance to walk the Freedom Trial to sites key to the American Revolution. On the open road, you’ll head to coastal village Mystic, Connecticut, for seafaring traditions followed by the opulent mansions of Newport, Rhode Island.
229 miles, five hours
2. Northern Arizona canyons
Seemingly a world away from the bustle of Boston lie the rugged desert canyons of Arizona, including the main attraction, the Grand Canyon. Loop from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and experience another side of U.S. history within the pueblos of the Wupatki National Monument. Want more? This trip also ventures to the staggering Sunset Crater Volcano.
272 miles, six-plus hours
3. Natchez Trace Parkway
Unwind and relax on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a sedate two-lane traverse of the scenic American South. Setting out from Nashville, Tennessee, it follows the course of an historic Native American footpath, through Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and passes close to Native American and Civil War sites on the way to Natchez.
495 miles, 10-plus hours
4. Hershey and Dutch Country, Pennsylvania
A step and a drive back in time await as part of a 197-mile journey through Dutch Country, Pennsylvania. Leaving Harrisburg for Lancaster, York and Gettysburg, before circling back to Harrisburg, it includes the opportunity to see traditional Amish and Mennonite lifestyles. And no trip to Dutch Country would be complete without a sweet stop at Hershey, home to the long-established chocolate maker.
197 miles, five-plus hours
5. Southern Arizona
Tucson and Scottsdale, with their art galleries and refreshing resorts, are interspersed with the cacti-characterized landscape of the Sonoran Desert and Western saloons on this photo-worthy drive. Enjoy the colors and contrasts as you adventure at your own pace.
547 miles, 10-plus hours
6. Southern California
It’s SoCal all the way with Los Angeles as your beginning for a route that encompasses palm trees, beaches, wine country, a visit to San Diego and the canyons of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. AAA recommends traveling in spring or fall to avoid the heat.
307 miles, six-plus hours
7. Northern California and southern Oregon coast
Further north you can experience a different sort of coastal beauty as you set off from California’s Central Valley along the Pacific Coast Highway and on to Oregon’s U.S. Highway 101. Soak up the stunning ocean views, stop at quaint beach towns and marvel at the mighty redwoods.
380 miles, eight-plus hours
8. Vegas to national parks to Vegas
Combine the bright lights of the city with landmarks and some natural wonders on this Southwestern adventure through Nevada, Arizona and Utah. Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon are some of the highlights here.
857 miles, 16 hours
9. Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, is the star of the show in Tennessee and North Carolina for a meander through the natural splendor. Besides enabling you to admire almost endless vistas and explore the park, the trip offers visits to Knoxville, as well as Chattanooga, Gatlinburg and Ashville among the mountains.
498 miles, 10-plus hours
10. Grand Pacific Northwest
Discover the dramatic landscapes of Oregon and Washington along the Historic Columbia River Highway through Columbia River Gorge, and visit iconic Mount Rainier and its surrounding national park. Covering a swathe of the Northwest, your route also winds through arid valleys supporting flourishing vineyards.
551 miles, 10-plus hours
11. Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina
This spectacularly elevated drive along a section of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway takes you from Cherokee to North Carolina’s state line with Virginia, accompanied by mountain views aplenty and great places for hiking as you go.
304 miles, eight-plus hours
12. Route 66 – Eastern New Mexico
Chances are you’ve heard of fabled Route 66 but have you experienced it? Here’s an opportunity to explore “pockets of well-preserved Mother Road nostalgia” with a weekend-friendly two-hour-plus road trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Adrian, Texas, the midpoint of Route 66.
119 miles, two-plus hours
13. Black Hills
In a region of cooler temperatures, this South Dakota sojourn is recommended for the summer, during which you can tour a host of historic landmarks. Mount Rushmore, famed for the towering rock carvings of prominent presidents, is the focus while other sites include Jewel Cave National Monument and the goldrush town of Deadwood.
209 miles, five hours
14. Utah’s national parks
You’re set to encounter some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country when embarking on an epic 1,049-mile journey to Utah’s distinctively rugged national parks, such as those of Zion and Bryce Canyon.
1,049 miles, 19-plus hours
15. Cape Cod
Less expansive but no less appealing is a route through Cape Cod, Massachusetts; an area rich with history and coastal charm. Fans of beaches, fishing and whale watching (the season runs from mid-April to October) will be enamored with this choice.
174 miles, six-plus hours
16. Big Sky Country
Drive into unspoiled, untamed lands within Big Sky Country for 425 miles of mountainous Montana and Wyoming. Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West are not to be missed among the wealth of natural wonders and Old West history.
425 miles, eight-plus hours
17. South Florida
Go coast to coast in the Sunshine State and enjoy its beaches, big-hitting vacation destinations, including Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Naples, as well as the marshlands and watery landscapes between each sea.
421 miles, 10-plus hours
18. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno
Get ready for an enthralling mix of adventures when making tracks from San Francisco across California to the sparkling waters and outdoor experiences of Lake Tahoe, before moving on to the glitter of gaming city Reno, Nevada, and returning to the City by the Bay.
486 miles, nine-plus hours
Get road-trip ready
Once you’ve turned ideas and inspiration into some solid travel plans, you might find tips for your trip preparation useful. Take a look at these suggestions to gear up for a smooth journey.
