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The Great American Road Trip. It\u2019s the kind of multi-month adventure most dream about, but few actually do.<\/p>\n
While many of us have bucket-list goals of exploring this vast and diverse landscape, more often than not, we end up heading abroad instead. International travel just seems more alluring, exotic, and exciting.<\/p>\n
But this country<\/a> has more than enough eclectic cities, small towns, regional culinary traditions, historic sites, fascinating museums, and natural wonders to keep any intrepid traveler busy.<\/p>\n I’ve done five big US road trips (two that completely crisscrossed the country and three in various regions) that cumulatively add up to a year on the road (and that doesn’t count all the “regular” trips, vacations, and weekend getaways). I’ve seen a lot<\/em> of the United States.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve created an epic four-month itinerary for traveling around the States. I think it balances time in cities with relaxing in nature.<\/p>\n It may seem like a lot, but four months just scratches the surface. And, since I don’t expect most of you to have four months, you can easily break this trip into smaller portions. It’s much better to concentrate your focus rather than try to see a lot in a short amount of time.<\/p>\n One note before we begin:<\/strong> There are so many routes you could take that it\u2019s impossible to have one \u201cbest\u201d route. The US is just too big. The route below is just one of my favorites. Use it as a starting point for creating your own itinerary that mixes realistic drive times, national parks, and fabulous cities.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p>\n Month 1: <\/strong>East Coast, Southern US<\/a><\/p>\n Month 2: <\/strong>South, Southwestern US, West Coast<\/a><\/p>\n Month 3: <\/strong>Pacific Northwest, Western US<\/a><\/p>\n Month 4: <\/strong>Midwest, Northeast US<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n For LOTS more things to do, check out my free guide to Boston<\/a>. And, for places to stay, here are my recommendations.<\/a><\/p>\n For a complete list of things to see and do in NYC, here\u2019s a detailed suggested itinerary<\/a>.<\/p>\n For accommodation suggestions, here is my comprehensive list of hostels in NYC<\/a>, my recommended hotels<\/a>, as well as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the city<\/a>. <\/p>\n For tons more ideas on what to see, here’s my free detailed guide to DC!<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more things to see and do in NOLA, check out this detailed itinerary<\/a>. <\/p>\n For way more activities, check out my free guide to Austin<\/a>! Since I lived here for so long, I have a lot of suggestions on how to spend your time. Originally named Hot Springs, “T or C,” as it’s known, got its name from a radio contest in 1950. After winning, the town kept the name. Located 10 hours from Austin, T or C is known for its wellness tourism. The entire town was built over a hot mineral spring, so it’s the perfect place to relax at a spa. Try to explore some of the nearby ghost towns. Winston and Chloride, located north of T and C, are two mining towns that were abandoned in the early 1900s; some of the original buildings still remain. <\/p>\n A seven-day vehicle pass is $30 USD. It allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns. <\/p>\n For a detailed list of what else you can see and do, check out my Los Angeles travel guide<\/a>. For accommodation suggestions, here are my favorite hostels in Los Angeles<\/a>. For more activities (and there’s plenty that don’t involve gambling), here is my comprehensive guide to Las Vegas<\/a>. For even ways to spend your time in SF, here’s my guide to the city<\/a>. And, for suggested places to stay, here\u2019s a list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco<\/a>. Given the drive time from SF, spend two nights here to make sure you get some good hiking in. Here’s a list of my favorite things to see and do along the Oregon coast<\/a> to help you make the most of your drive. For more suggestions on how to spend your time in Portland, here’s a list of the best things to see and do in the city!<\/a> For more things to see and do, here’s my in-depth guide to Seattle<\/a>. And here are some budget-friendly accommodation suggestions<\/a> for your visit. NOTE:<\/strong> While not here, if you have time, you can drive north to spend a few days in Glacier National Park. Yellowstone is home to the largest volcanic system in North America, which is why geysers like Old Faithful (and the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat) can be found here. Wolves, bears, lynx, cougars, and bison all call the park home as well. Spend some time here hiking, camping, and basking in the park\u2019s magnificent landscapes.\nMonth 1: East Coast, Southern US<\/h2>\n
Days 1-3: Boston, MA<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/bostonitinerary.jpeg\")
\nStart your adventure off in the historic New England<\/a> city of Boston. Home to die-hard sports fans, lots of history, stellar food (especially seafood), beautiful architecture, and a lively nightlife, Boston<\/a> has been a commercial hub since the 17th century. It’s also where I was born and raised so I might be slightly biased when I say it’s really an incredible destination. Here are three of my favorite things:<\/p>\n\n
Days 4-8: New York City, NY<\/h3>\n
![\"New](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/nycitineraryfeature.jpg\")
\nNYC<\/a> is one of my favorite cities in the world. Home to over eight million people and located just 3.5 hours southwest of Boston, New York would take you many lifetimes to see. There’s just too<\/em> much to see and do here. You’ll definitely want at least three nights, but if you can squeeze in an extra night or two, do so. Here four suggestions:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 9-11: Philadelphia, PA<\/h3>\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/phillyroadtrip.jpg\")
\nPhiladelphia<\/a>, aka the City of Brotherly Love, is just under two hours from New York. I used to spend a lot of time there visiting my mother’s family. The city is currently reinventing itself; despite the dire stories you hear on the news, it’s vibrant and full of nice people. Like Boston, the city is packed with colonial history (the first Continental Congress was held there in 1774). Here are four suggestions on what to do during your visit:<\/p>\n\n
Days 12-14: Washington, DC<\/h3>\n
![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/freewashingtondc.jpg\")
\nHead 2.5 hours south to Washington<\/a>, which I’ve visited a bunch since I was a kid. Thanks to all the embassies here, there is an incredible international food scene (and a solid cocktail bar culture too). Throw in dozens of free museums on any subject, interesting and educational walking tours<\/a>, and tons of green space and you get a diverse and fun city to explore. Thre must-do activities are:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 15-16: Shenandoah National Park, VA<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/shenandoahnatparkmk.jpg\")
\nThis massive national park spans 200,000 acres. Encompassing the Blue Ridge Mountains (as well as 100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail), the park was established in 1935 and is located just one hour west of DC. Shenandoah sees over 1.6 million visitors each year and has a plethora of hiking, biking, and camping options. There are 516 miles of trails to choose from so, regardless of your skill level, there’s plenty to explore!
\n <\/p>\nDays 17-19: Asheville, NC<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/blueridgemountains.jpg\")
\nAsheville is known for craft beer, delicious food, and hipster caf\u00e9s. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains less than five hours from Washington, Asheville also has a lot of green space and nearby hiking trails. It’s also near the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains (though, with all the trails there, it’s better to do that as an overnight rather than a day trip). While in Asheville, don’t miss these attractions:<\/p>\n\n
Days 20-22: Atlanta, GA<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/atlantaskyline.jpg\")
\nNext, head south to Atlanta (just over three hours away). It\u2019s one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas and has a thriving food scene, cool museums, parks, and everything else you\u2019d expect from a sprawling urban center (including terrible traffic). Here are a few things you shouldn’t miss:<\/p>\n\n
Days 23-27: Nashville, TN<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/nashvillestay.jpeg\")
\nNashville is one of my favorite cities in the country. Located just under four hours from Atlanta in the Deep South<\/a>, it\u2019s home to amazing music (you can’t walk anywhere without hearing really good country or bluegrass), delicious food<\/a> (don’t miss the hot chicken), cool people, and a robust cocktail bar scene. Plus, there are lots of cool parks to wander around. Win-win! Don’t miss these activities:<\/p>\n\n
Days 28-30: Memphis, TN<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/lorrainemotelmemphismk.jpg\")
\nNext, head to Memphis, home of the blues and the birthplace of rock \u2019n\u2019 roll, a three-hour drive from Nashville. While Memphis has a gritty exterior, don\u2019t let its rough fa\u00e7ade fool you. Like Nashville, it is home to some killer food (Memphis BBQ and fried chicken is famous worldwide), a growing brewery scene, and a lot of live music. Here are a few things not to miss during your visit:<\/p>\n\n
Days 31-32: Natchez, MS<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/natchezthings.jpg\")
\nLocated five hours from Memphis, Natchez<\/a> was established by French colonists in 1716. In the middle of the 19th century, it attracted Southern planters, who built mansions using slave labor to show off their vast wealth. Secession sentiment never ran high here, and the city quickly surrendered to the Union Army in 1862, which is why it was not destroyed during the Civil War. Here’s what to see:<\/p>\n\n
Month 2: South, Southwestern US, West Coast<\/h2>\n
Days 33-36: New Orleans, LA<\/h3>\n
![\"One](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/nolathings.jpeg\")
\nLocated three hours from Natchez, New Orleans is one of the most energetic and exciting cities in the world. You can easily spend the better part of a week here. It has so much to see and do: the famous Bourbon Street, jazz and blues music, a colorful history, beautiful homes, wonderful parks, interesting people, unique food, and a mix of French-Creole-Anglo cultures. It’s a magical place. To get you started, here are a few suggestions on how to spend your time:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 37-39: Houston, TX<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/houstonspacecenter.jpg\")
\nHouston lies five hours west of New Orleans. There are several conservation areas, wildlife parks, and antebellum homes along the way. I definitely recommend stopping at them and turning this drive into a full-day adventure (or stop for a night along the way). Houston is home to the Space Center and NASA\u2019s astronaut training complex, as well as countless breweries and museums and a killer food scene (definitely go out for Viet BBQ). Some things you can do while you’re in town:<\/p>\n\n
Days 40-44: Austin, TX<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/austinhotels.jpg\")
\nJust 2.5 hours from Houston, Austin<\/a> is Texas\u2019s unconventional city, home to musicians, hippies, weirdos \u2014 and for eight years, me! (I’ve since moved back to NYC<\/a>, but I loved living here.) There are tons of incredible breweries, food-truck parks, outdoor activities, and restaurants, and you can\u2019t throw a stone without finding wonderful music. Here are three things you must do in Austin:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 45-47: Truth or Consequences, NM<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 48-49: Phoenix, AZ<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/mtcamelbackphoenix.jpg\")
\nTucked away in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is a six-hour journey west. It\u2019s the fifth most populous city in the country. You can find a lot of outdoor activities here. My top suggestions are as follows:<\/p>\n\n
Days 50-51: Joshua Tree National Park, CA<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/calisevendays.jpeg\")
\nLocated just under three hours west of Phoenix, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the nation’s most iconic landscapes. Here you\u2019ll find the famous Joshua trees, twisted multibranched trees that dot the barren landscape. Temperatures in the summer can spike to 110\u00b0F (43\u00b0C), so be sure to bring water, a hat, and sunscreen when you hike.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 52-54: San Diego, CA<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/sandiegohostel.jpeg\")
\nSan Diego, just three hours drive from the park, is my second-favorite city in California after Los Angeles. It\u2019s easy to get around, the weather is always seemingly perfect, the beaches are terrific, the tacos are endless (SD is known for its tacos), and it\u2019s cheaper than LA and San Francisco. Here’s what to do when you visit (besides hitting the beach and eating tacos):<\/p>\n\n
Days 55-58: Los Angeles, CA<\/h3>\n
![\"Streetscape](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/losangelesmk.jpg\")
\nI hated LA when I first visited. However, after going there a few more times over the years, I\u2019ve come to love Los Angeles<\/a>. It\u2019s not your typical \u201ctourist\u201d city, as everything is spread out and there are not as many attractions as you\u2019d expect. But, if you learn to go with the flow, you\u2019ll see why people fall in love with it. Indulge in world-class and diverse food while enjoying the hiking trails and beachfront boardwalks. These are my “must-dos” when you’re in the City of Angels:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 59-61: Las Vegas, NV<\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/vegasthings1.jpeg\")
\nA mere four hours northeast lies Sin City, the third most-visited city in the United States. Here, hotels, casinos, nightclubs, and restaurants all vie for attention among flashy neon lights. I love Vegas because it has so much to offer beyond just gambling and partying and glitz and glam<\/a>. Here are three things you definitely need to do:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 62-64: Yosemite National Park, CA<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/caliroadtripday16mk.jpg\")
\nLocated around 4.5 hours from Vegas (depending on where in the park you go), Yosemite is tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It encompasses nearly 750,000 acres and is one of the most famous national parks in the country. There’s a lot of hiking. Be sure to visit mid-week as the crowds can get pretty crazy. It’s like DisneyLand sometimes. If you have more time on the drive up, stop in Sequoia National Park too.
\n <\/p>\nDays 65-67: San Francisco, CA<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/sfthings.jpg\")
\nSan Francisco<\/a> is one of the most iconic (and expensive) cities in the US. It\u2019s a vibrant and diverse place, home to hippies, yuppies, techies, students, and a sizable immigrant community. It is an eclectic destination with a lot of attractions, both conventional and quirky. Here are my top suggestions on what to see and do:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 68-69: Redwood National Park, CA<\/h3>\n
![\"Looking](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/redwoodnatlparkmk.jpg\")
\nRedwood National Park sits along the West Coast and makes for a relaxing place to hike and camp. When combined with the nearby state parks, it forms a massive 139,000-acre area of old-growth forests. Located six hours from San Francisco, this huge expanse of giant redwood trees is filled with picnic areas, places to camp, and miles of hiking trails. The mature trees range from 200 to 240 feet high, with diameters of 10-15 feet. In short, they\u2019re gigantic. Trails range from easy to strenuous, and there are many loops that head out to nearby beaches.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nMonth 3: Pacific Northwest, Western US<\/h2>\n
Days 70-73: The Oregon Coast<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/oregoncoastmk.jpg\")
\nI’ve driven down the Oregon coast a couple of times now because it’s absolutely gorgeous and entirely underrated. There are scenic views, beautiful beaches, tons of hiking trails, sand dunes, and all the oysters and seafood you can eat. Don’t rush the coast. Spend a few days slowly making your way through the coastal towns. Things you shouldn’t miss:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 74-76: Portland<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/pdxthings.jpg\")
\nFive hours north of Redwood National Park, Portland<\/a> \u2014 nicknamed \u201cthe City of Roses\u201d after roses became a common garden staple in the late 19th century, and \u201cStumptown\u201d due to all the tree stumps after the city expanded and clear-cut the surrounding area \u2014 is best known for its food truck scene, coffee shops, breweries, and hipsters. Check out these activities while in town:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 77-79: Seattle, WA<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/seattlemk.jpg\")
\nThe birthplace of both grunge music and Starbucks, Seattle is just three hours north of Portland. It is both alternative and laid back and one of the biggest tech hubs in the country (it\u2019s home to Microsoft and Amazon). Don’t miss the city’s Chinatown as it’s one of the best in the country. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Seattle:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 80-82: Missoula, MT<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2021\/missoulanew1.jpg\")
\nNext, head east toward Missoula, a seven-hour drive. Here you\u2019ll find a thriving college town that\u2019s fast becoming one of the best places to live in the US. Missoula is a popular getaway for anyone who loves craft beer and spending time outdoors. Here are a few things to see and do while you\u2019re here:<\/p>\n\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 83-86: Yellowstone National Park, WY<\/h3>\n
![\"Bison](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/yellowstonemk.jpg\")
\nThis iconic national park \u2014 the first in the US, created in 1872 \u2014 is just four hours from Missoula. Spanning over 2.2 million acres (it\u2019s larger than both Delaware and Rhode Island), the park sees four million visitors each year. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nDays 87-90: Denver, CO<\/h3>\n
![\"Shops](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2024\/denverco.jpg\")
\nCross Wyoming and head to Denver, the Mile High City, located eight hours from Yellowstone. It has a huge craft beer scene, excellent restaurants, and is close to the mountains. This is another city that provides a nice mix of urban and outdoor activities. Some things I love here:<\/p>\n\n