Nothing beats the thrill of loading the car, pressing play on a favorite playlist, and watching America scroll past the windows. From glacier carved peaks to neon lit boardwalks, the United States holds so many road trip treasures that choosing where to go can feel impossible. This blog gathers the very best routes, each one packed with kid friendly stops, jaw dropping views, and tasty pit stops. Pick one or stitch several together for the ultimate cross country adventure.
Pacific Coast Highway California
Drive Big Sur Cliffs and Bridges
Begin just south of San Francisco in the artsy town of Pacifica where surfers ride gentle waves beneath pastel houses. Head south on Highway 1 and the road soon clings to cliffs that drop straight into the Pacific. Stop at Pigeon Point Lighthouse where children can climb the old oil house and watch for gray whales in spring and fall. The lighthouse keeper gives short talks about shipwrecks and sea life that keep even squirmy kids interested. Ten miles farther the tiny harbor of Pescadero offers artichoke soup in a sourdough bowl at Duartes Tavern, a family run spot since 1894.
Kayak Monterey Bay and Cannery Row
Roll into Monterey around lunchtime and rent bright yellow tandem kayaks from the wharf. Seals pop up beside the boats and curious sea otters crack clams on their bellies while kids laugh at the loud crunching sound. After paddling walk Cannery Row where old sardine factories now house candy shops and mini aquarium touch tanks. The Monterey Bay Aquarium sits at the end of the street and the outer decks let visitors watch wild sea otters without leaving land. Finish the day with fish and chips on the sand while the sun melts into the bay.
Ride Santa Monica Pier at Sunset
Cruise the final stretch through Malibu where movie star homes hide behind gates and surfers ride waves until dark. Santa Monica Pier bursts with carnival lights and the solar powered Ferris wheel lifts families above the ocean for one last panoramic view. Below the boards the Heal the Bay Aquarium lets kids pet small sharks and feed sea cucumbers under gentle supervision. Grab ice cream at Soda Jerks and watch street performers juggle fire before finding a beachfront hotel where the sound of waves lulls everyone to sleep.
Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina and Virginia
Hike Waterfalls near Asheville
Start in Asheville North Carolina where the Blue Ridge Parkway begins its gentle climb into the Appalachians. The first major stop is Craggy Gardens where a half mile trail leads through tunnels of rhododendron to a rocky summit that feels like walking on clouds. Pack a picnic because tables sit right on the edge with views across layers of blue mountains. Drive another twenty minutes to Graveyard Fields where a flat boardwalk crosses two waterfalls perfect for wading on hot days. Kids love skipping stones while parents relax on warm rocks with coffee from a roadside stand.
Watch Sunrise on Grandfather Mountain
Wake early for the twenty mile detour to Grandfather Mountain
destination where the mile high swinging bridge sways above a forested gorge. The parking lot fills by nine so an early start earns a quiet sunrise painted in gold and rose across endless ridges. After photos drive back to the parkway and stop at Linn Cove Viaduct, an engineering marvel that curves around Grandfather Mountain without touching it. A short trail leads underneath the bridge so families can look straight up at the concrete ribbon floating in midair.
Explore Folk Art in Boone
Boone sits thirty minutes off the parkway and the downtown feels like a storybook village. The Jones House hosts free bluegrass concerts on Friday nights where kids dance on the lawn while parents sip sweet tea. Walk to the Mast General Store where wooden floors creak under bins of old fashioned candy and shelves of sturdy hiking boots. Before leaving town drive the short but steep road to the Moses Cone Manor, a white mansion overlooking a meadow where sheep graze and handmade quilts hang on the porch railings.
Route 66 Chicago to Los Angeles
Begin at Lou Mitchells in Chicago
Start in downtown Chicago where Lou Mitchells has served fluffy pancakes since 1943 and every kid gets a free box of Milk Duds. The neon sign blazes above the door and the smell of fresh coffee drifts onto Jackson Boulevard. After breakfast pose under the Route 66 begin sign on Adams Street then head west through cornfields that stretch to the horizon. Stop in Wilmington to see the Gemini Giant, a twenty eight foot spaceman holding a silver rocket that marks the old Launching Pad Drive In. The parking lot is perfect for wiggly legs and a quick game of tag before climbing back into car seats.
Pet Burros in Oatman Arizona
Cross into Arizona and the landscape shifts to red rock mesas and towering saguaros. Oatman is an old mining town where wild burros wander the main street and nuzzle tourists for carrots sold in brown paper bags. The wooden sidewalks creak and storefronts sell rock candy and leather goods while mock gunfights entertain crowds at high noon. After the show drive ten miles to Cool Springs Station, a restored gas station that now serves thick milkshakes and sells vintage postcards. Kids can run around the desert garden while parents taste prickly pear lemonade.
Dip Toes in Santa Monica Beach
Follow the final miles through the Mojave Desert where Joshua trees reach toward endless sky and the temperature soars. The road drops into Los Angeles traffic but soon the ocean appears and Route 66 officially ends at the Santa Monica Pier. Kick off shoes and let the cool Pacific wash over tired feet while the sun sets behind the mountains. Share a plate of fish tacos on the sand and watch street performers spin fire before finding a beachside hotel where the sound of surf ends the epic journey.
Going to the Sun Road Montana
Spot Bears near Lake McDonald
Begin on the west side of Glacier National Park at Lake McDonald where the water is so clear you can see stones twenty feet below. The historic lodge welcomes families with massive fireplaces and rocking chairs that invite long stories. Drive slowly along the lake because black bears often wander the shoreline in early morning. Rangers at the Apgar visitor center hand out junior ranger booklets that turn every stop into a scavenger hunt for wildflowers and animal tracks. After earning the badge kids proudly pin it on backpacks for the rest of the trip.
Cross the Continental Divide
The road climbs quickly past waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and cliffs that rise like castle walls. Logan Pass sits at the top where snow can fall in July and mountain goats walk so close you can see their curved horns. A short boardwalk leads to Hidden Lake overlook where a turquoise pond reflects the sky and kids can skip rocks on the far shore. Bring jackets because wind howls across the pass even in summer and snowball fights are common in shaded patches.
Raft Flathead River
Descend the east side of the divide and stop in West Glacier for a gentle float trip on the middle fork of the river. The water is cold but rafts stay warm under thick rubber and guides point out bald eagles and osprey nests in tall pines. Kids can jump in for a quick swim at a sandy beach before the final stretch brings rafts back to the lodge. After drying off drive to Polebridge for huckleberry bear claws at the mercantile, a log cabin bakery that smells like cinnamon and campfire smoke.
Florida Keys Overseas Highway
Feed Tarpon at Robbie’s Marina
Leave Miami early and watch the city shrink in the rearview mirror as the road lifts onto a series of bridges that hop from key to key.First main stop would be Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada the place where giant tarpon swim right up to the docks and open their silver mouths for sardines tossed by brave kids. Pelicans perch on railings like feathered security guards and iguanas sunbathe on nearby rocks. After the feeding frenzy rent stand up paddle boards and glide through calm mangrove channels where tiny fish dart below.
Snorkel Sombrero Reef
Continue to Marathon where Sombrero Reef waits just a mile offshore. A glass bottom boat carries families over coral gardens and drops snorkelers into warm water filled with parrotfish and sea turtles. Kids as young as five can float in life vests while parents hold hands and point at purple sea fans and bright yellow tangs. Back on land the Turtle Hospital offers tours that let children feed lettuce to rescued sea turtles and learn how plastic harms the ocean. End the day with key lime pie on a picnic table while the sunset paints the sky cotton candy pink.
Watch Sunset in Key West
The final forty miles crosses the famous Seven Mile Bridge where the road seems to float above endless turquoise water. Arrive in Key West and head straight to Mallory Square for the nightly sunset celebration. Street performers juggle flaming torches while musicians play steel drums and kids dance in circles with painted faces. After the sun slips below the horizon walk to Kermits Key Lime Shoppe for a slice of the tart pie that made the island famous.
Conclusion
Every one of these routes and destinations offers something different, ranging from misty mountain sunrises to neon roadside giants, still they all share the same promise of freedom and discovery. Choose the trip that matches your family style, load the snacks, and hit the road because the best memories are made between the mile markers.