Want to take a recently purchased vehicle on a road trip? Our recommendations span the United States (and Canada) and offer everything from staggeringly beautiful landscapes to rich cultural experiences. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, the popular road trip destinations have something for everyone.

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Route 66, Illinois to California

Distance: 2,448 miles
Travel Time: 14-21 days with stops

When to Go: Late April to early July or September to late October

If you’re looking to do some serious road-tripping, this historic highway is the perfect route. The so-called “Mother Road” is a time machine that allows you to travel through a bygone America.

Suggested Stops:

• Illinois: Start at the iconic “Historic Route 66 Begin" sign in Chicago. In Wilmington, visit the Gemini Giant, an homage to the earliest days of the U.S. space program, and the Route 66 Hall of Fame & Museum in Pontiac. Further down the road in Atlanta, you’ll find the Paul Bunyon Hot Dog statue (a giant man holding an even larger bun), while Lincoln is home to the World’s Largest Covered Wagon. If you’re a history buff, nearby Springfield has many sites connected to Abraham Lincoln, including his home, Presidential Library, and tomb.
• Missouri: If you’re interested in walking across the mighty Mississippi River, you can do so on St. Louis’ Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, a former railroad crossing. Before you leave town, marvel at the Gateway Arch and climb, walk through, swing on, or jump across City Museum’s many art installations — made from repurposed industrial parts. Other notable detours include Meramec Caverns in Sullivan (a former Jesse James hideout), the Route 66 Car Museum in Springfield, and the “Mural City” of Cuba. There’s also the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Fanning.
• Oklahoma: For your first stop in the OK state, check out the Totem Pole Park in Chelsea or snap a photo with the Blue Whale of Catoosa. Then it’s off to Sapulpa for the World’s Largest Gas Pump. Look for the giant soda bottle to find Pops in Arcadia, home to over 650 varieties of soda. As you roll into Oklahoma City, set aside some time for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Braum’s Grocery Giant Milk Bottle. If you missed the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Illinois, you can always check out the Route 66 Museum in Clinton or the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler.
• Texas: On your way into Texas, you can visit either the Pioneer West Museum in Shamrock or the Devil's Rope Museum in McLean, which focuses on barbed wire and Texas ranching. As you continue, there’s the Leaning Water Tower and Giant Cross in Groom, as well as the VW Slug Bug Ranch in Conway. In nearby Amarillo, you can see another automotive “Stonehenge” of sorts, the Cadillac Ranch.
• New Mexico: Make your first destination the town of Tucumcari, home to a large amount of retro neon signs. And if you missed the car museum in Missouri, there’s the Route 66 Auto Museum down a ways in Santa Rosa. Next, you could detour to see the wonderful museums and historic churches in Santa Fe. Or, keep on to enjoy a stroll through Albuquerque’s historic Old Town, followed by a ride on the scenic Sandia Peak Tramway. For Native American history and culture, you’ll want to linger in the Gallup area. It’s the epicenter of Native American art. There’s also a variety of cultural sites, including the Red Rock Park Museum for Anasazi heritage and the Navajo Code Talkers Museum for a bit of WWII history.
• Arizona: If you like rugged natural beauty, this leg of the tour is for you. There’s the Meteor Crater Natural Landmark near the historic town of Flagstaff and the Petrified Forest National Park near Holbrook, home of the Painted Desert.
• California: This is ghost town country, and you’ll find Amboy west of Needles. The abandoned mining town only has one operational business, Roy’s Motel and Cafe (renowned for its hulking neon sign). There’s also Calico, near Barstow, which is now a regional park. The Barstow area is known for the Mojave National Preserve and the Rainbow Basin Natural Area. The town proper has the Western America Railroad Museum and the NASA Goldstone Visitor Center, where you can learn about the space agency’s Deep Space Network. In San Bernardino, you can visit the original McDonald’s restaurant. It’s been converted into the free-to-visit First Original McDonald's Museum. Your travels conclude at the Santa Monica Pier, where you can take in the sunset over the Pacific Ocean (possibly from the Ferris Wheel).

The Hana Highway, Hawaii

Distance: 64 miles
Travel Time: 10-12 hours with stops
When to Go: June to September

The Hana Highway, popularly known as The Road to Hana, is a curvy highway stretching across Maui from Kahului to Hana. Expect picturesque coastlines, lush botanical gardens, waterfalls, and black and red sand beaches.

Suggested Stops:

• Twin Falls (Mile Marker 2): An easily accessible waterfall perfect for a quick stop. The short trail may require some wading through a stream. Swimming is permitted once you arrive at the waterfalls.
• Garden of Eden Arboretum (Mile Marker 10): Wander through 26 acres of tropical gardens. The lush escape is filled with 700 plant species, giant eucalyptus trees, bamboo, a banana patch, a mango orchard, a waterfall, and more. Part of the movie Jurassic Park was filmed here (look for Keopuka Rock in the opening scene).
• Keanae Peninsula (Mile Marker 17): This rocky shoreline was created as lava expelled from the Haleakala volcano met the Pacific Ocean and cooled.
• Wailua Valley State Wayside (Mile Marker 18.8): Take in panoramic views from this scenic overlook, where you can see all the way to the coast. The sign for the wayside is easily missed, so you’ll want to keep an eye out.
• Upper Waikani Falls (Mile Markers 19-20): These cascading waterfalls can be seen from the road. Also known as "Three Bears Falls," the falls of descending sizes are named Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. Should you decide to hike down for a closer look, be aware that the trail can be slippery.
• Hana Lava Tube (Mile Marker 31): See the underground Ka'eleku Cave via a self-guided tour (visitors are given high-powered flashlights). The tube is almost 1,000 years old and is the largest in Maui. Be advised you’ll need to wear non-slip shoes for the potentially slick surfaces.
• Waianapanapa State Park: Relax on the black sand beach or explore freshwater caves. Several scenic trails wind across the 122 acres, some leading to the remains of ancient Hawaiian structures.
• “Seven Sacred Pools” at Ohe’o Gulch: The waterfalls and pools in Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District aren’t technically sacred. That was just a clever bit of marketing by the enterprising owner of a nearby hotel. Fun fact: there are more than seven pools along the Palikea Stream, with some saying the count is as high as 20. Swimming in them is permitted.

The Black River Scenic Byway, Michigan

Distance: 15 miles
Travel Time: 4-6 hours with stops

When to Go: May to October

Winding along the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is Highway 513, the Black River Scenic Byway, which follows the river from the town of Bessemer to the shore of Lake Superior. Along the way, you’ll pass by mystic waterfalls and dense forests.

Suggested Stops:

• Great Conglomerate Falls: A conglomerate rock formation in the middle of the river gives this waterfall its “forked” appearance. It’s reachable by a 3/4-mile trail from a paved parking lot in the Ottawa National Forest.
• Potawatomi Falls: This serene beauty is accessible directly from the byway. Just look for the marked 3/4-mile trail off the parking area.
• Gorge Falls: This waterfall drops about 25 feet into a narrow canyon. It’s adjacent to Potawatomi Falls and shares the same parking lot. Be warned: The short trail with stairs is considered moderately difficult.
• Sandstone Falls: Meandering over a series of rock slabs, the waterfall’s drops are considerably shorter than the others on this list. It has one of the shortest trails — just 1/4 of a mile.
• Rainbow Falls: Its 45-foot drop makes this one a must-see. The water crashes into a rock wall and makes a 90-degree turn. On a sunny day, its namesake forms in the mist. A slightly obscured observation point is accessed from the parking area.
• Black River Harbor: A lovely harbor with a sandy beach, picnic areas, and boating facilities. The trail from the parking lot actually provides a better vantage point for Rainbow Falls. It’s a short 3/4-mile hike across a suspension bridge.

U.S. Route 9, New York

Distance: 57 miles

Travel Time: 1-2 days with stops

When to Go: May to October

Although the entire route is more than 300 miles long, the 57-mile lower New York stretch from Poughkeepsie to Valatie has very appealing scenery.

Suggested Stops:

• Hyde Park: Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site or the opulent Vanderbilt Mansion. Or, you can join a tour or tasting at the Culinary Institute of America.
• Rhinebeck: If you feel like stretching your legs, strolling down Market and Mill Streets is the way to go. There’s also the nearby Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, an aviation museum with 60 vintage aircraft. There are airshows on weekends between June and October, and you can ride in a biplane for an extra fee.
• Hudson: Known for its antique shops and arts scene, much of which is concentrated along Warren Street. There’s also a year-round Farmers Market on Saturdays (double-check the location, as it changes seasonally). Just outside of downtown, you’ll find the Museum of Firefighting, one of the largest museums of its kind.

Ohio River Scenic Byway, Ohio to Kentucky

Distance: 98.8 miles

Travel Time: 2-3 days

When to Go: April to October

This scenic route crosses three states, following the river downstream from Cincinnati. We chose to stop short of its terminus and cross into Kentucky a couple of times.

Suggested Stops:

• Cincinnati: Start your day at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a large downtown museum dedicated to the courageous journeys undertaken by enslaved people and the abolitionists who guided them.
• Big Bone Lick State Historic Site: See fossils and lifesize replicas of large Ice Age mammals in the Visitor Center — think mammoths, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats. You might even glimpse the bison herd that still roams the park today.
• Madison, Indiana: A charming river town with well-preserved 19th-century architecture. There’s also the Regatta boat race and festival in July and the Chautauqua Festival of Art in September.
• Louisville: Treat yourself to an overnight stay at the 21c Museum Hotel, which features a $10 million modern art collection. You can tour the Louisville Slugger Museum or the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum dedicated to the boxer’s life. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center is downtown as well and offers exhibits and tastings.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina

Distance: 469 miles
Travel Time: 7-10 days with stops
When to Go: Late March to May for wildflowers or October for fall foliage

This picturesque parkway runs through Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Great Smoky Mountains of far western North Carolina. Prepare yourself for some amazing views.

Suggested Stops:

• Shenandoah National Park: Begin in Virginia on Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that runs the park's entire length and has over 75 overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont region. It becomes the Blue Ridge Parkway at its conclusion.
• Peaks of Otter (Mile Marker 85.6): Here you can see three peaks: Sharp Top and Flat Top Mountains plus Harkening Hill. Should you want to stay and explore the area, there’s a lakeside lodge and multiple hiking trails.
• Mabry Mill (Mile Marker 176): This historic grist mill hosts cultural demonstrations on weekends throughout the summer and into early fall. Mountain music concerts are held on select Sunday afternoons.
• Linn Cove Viaduct (Mile Marker 304): An S-shaped bridge, the viaduct was built to skirt around Grandfather Mountain without damaging its ecology. It was an engineering feat at the time of its construction and is still the most photographed bridge on the parkway.
• Grandfather Mountain (Mile Marker 305): Not for the faint of heart, its Mile High Swinging Bridge lives up to its name. The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm and lets visitors enjoy the panoramic views from Linville Peak. A caution for those with mobility issues: you must climb 50 stairs to access the bridge.
• Mount Mitchell State Park (Mile Marker 355.4): The highest peak east of the Mississippi River has an observation deck at its top. North Carolina’s first state park also has a restaurant and museum. Hiking trails wind through a spruce-fir forest, which you can only find in a few places globally.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Mile Marker 469.1): Cap your trip at this 800-acre refuge. It’s one of the most biologically diverse national parks, with over 19,000 documented species of trees, plants, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Scientists say there could be another 80,000 species unaccounted for.

The Pacific Coast Highway, California

Distance: 479 miles
Travel Time: 10-14 days with stops
When to Go: May or September

The Pacific Coast Highway stretches from Leggett to Dana Point, though we prefer a shorter leg from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This stretch of the PCH offers fantastic ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and idyllic seaside towns.

Suggested Stops:

• San Francisco: Gawk at the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll through the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square, graze your way through the food emporium at the Ferry Building, tour Alcatraz, or choose from numerous museums.
• Santa Cruz: Its Beach Boardwalk is California’s oldest surviving amusement park. Try your hand at surfing at Cowell Beach or escape to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and hike amongst the towering trees.
• Monterey: Book a whale-watching tour or discover marine life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which has four large tanks, nearly 200 exhibits, and over 30,000 animals. It’s adjacent to the popular Cannery Row, full of shops and restaurants.
• Big Sur: Before crossing the Bixby Bridge, you may want to stop and take a pic, as it’s one of California’s most photographed bridges. You might also want to capture the moment you walk across the purple sands at Pfeiffer Beach on your way to Keyhole Rock.
• Santa Barbara: While its happening downtown charms with its Spanish-style architecture, the draw for many are the wineries dotting the Santa Ynez Valley.
• Los Angeles: You can wrap things up at the Santa Monica Pier, with its roller coaster and ocean views. Or you can continue a little farther south to people-watch at eclectic Venice Beach, where you’ll see bodybuilders, skateboarders, and a variety of street performers.

Florida Keys Overseas Highway, Florida

Distance: 113 miles
Travel Time: 3-5 days with stops
When to Go: November to April

The Overseas Highway connects Miami to Key West via a series of bridges and islands. The turquoise waters of the Florida Keys make for some incredible ocean vistas.

Suggested Stops:

• Miami: Start with a drive through the art deco South Beach or check out the abundant street art in the Wynwood Art District. And don’t forget Little Cuba!
• Key Largo: Snorkel or take a glass-boat boat tour at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the U.S.’s first undersea park.
• Islamorada: An excellent spot to fish or dive. There’s even a History of Diving Museum.
• Marathon: Meet rehabilitated sea turtles at The Turtle Hospital. You can double down on aquatic life by visiting the Dolphin Research Center before continuing on.
• Bahia Honda State Park: The white sands of this narrow sliver of land are consistently voted one of the best beaches in America. Prepare to be amazed by the crystal-clear waters.
• Key West: Tour the former home of writer Ernest Hemingway, and you might make a friend amongst its colony of six-toed cats, descendants of the author’s pets. Be sure to catch the sunset at Mallory Square and then spend your evening carousing lively (but not family-friendly) Duval Street. Finally, to commemorate the end of your trip, make your way to the buoy-like marker for the supposed Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S.

Pacific Northwest Loop, Washington to Oregon

Distance: 945 miles

Travel Time: 10-14 days with stops

When to Go: June to September

The Pacific Northwest Loop is a gorgeous drive past lush rainforests, rugged coastlines, and majestic mountain peaks. Starting in Seattle, it takes you through Olympic National Park, along the scenic Oregon Coast, and into Portland.

Suggested Stops:

• Seattle: Of course, there’s the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. But Seattle also has an aquarium, the Museum of Popular Culture, a waterfront Ferris Wheel, and more. Other touristy experiences are the original Starbucks store across from Pike Place Market and the bridge-dwelling Fremont Troll.
• Olympic National Park: Known for its two rainforests, Hoh and Quinault, which receive between 12-14 feet of annual rainfall. The park additionally encompasses the rugged Ruby and Rialto Beaches. The former has tower-like “sea stacks” rising from the water, while the latter has the distinctive Hole In The Wall rock formation.
• Mount Rainier National Park: Hike among wildflower meadows with views of the iconic peak, an active volcano that’s the most glaciated in the contiguous U.S. In all, the park has 25 named glaciers.
• Cannon Beach: Another spot renowned for its sea stack: the massive 235-foot Haystack. You might have seen it in the movie Goonies. Also notable are the tidal pools surrounding the monolithic rock that teem with marine life.
• Portland: If you have a green thumb, you’ll want to check out Washington Park’s International Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden. The city is also known for its “pods” hosting over 500 food carts.

Alaska Highway, British Columbia to Alaska

Distance: 1,387 miles

Travel Time: 7-10 days with stops

When to Go: June to August

The Alaska Highway stretches from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Delta Junction, Alaska. It’s an awe-inspiring trek through some of North America’s most pristine wilderness. If you’re traveling in late August, you may catch the Northern Lights.

Suggested Stops:

• Dawson Creek, BC: Local attractions include the Walter Wright Pioneer Village and an art gallery in an old grain elevator.
• Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park: Canada's second-largest natural hot spring is surrounded by a thick forest of conifer trees. Instead of being contained by a man-made pool, these hot springs flow into a river.
• Whitehorse, Yukon: The Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre showcases First Nations heritage. Or, swing by the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site, where you can see a restored sternwheeler that once traversed the Yukon River. The Takhini Hot Pools additionally offer another chance to warm up, this time in mineral springs.
• Kluane National Park: Contains 17 of Canada’s highest peaks, including its tallest, Mount Logan. It has the largest non-polar ice field in the world, too. You’ll be able to explore a conifer forest, alpine tundra, and glacial valleys here. Area wildlife includes black and grizzly bears, sheep, moose, caribou, mountain goats, and over 180 species of birds.
• Delta Junction, AK: The town was originally called Buffalo Center, as American bison from Montana were introduced in the 1920s. Today, you can see a free-roaming herd of over 500 bison at the Delta Bison Range.

Tips for an amazing road trip

• Prep your car: Get a tune-up (if necessary) and check your tires, fluids, and brakes.
• Plan your stops: Use maps or apps to find scenic overlooks and rest areas.
• Pack wisely: Bring snacks, water, a first-aid kit, and a good playlist.
• Stay flexible: Some of the best times happen when you take unexpected detours. While we’ve tried to provide an in-depth itinerary, there’s much more to see along these routes.

The Great American Road Trip awaits

Remember, your vehicle isn’t just a way to get from A to B — it’s your way to have big and small adventures. These trips will leave you with life-long memories, so start plotting your escape today. If your current vehicle isn’t roadworthy, Credit Acceptance may be able to help. Start the pre-qualification process for auto financing today!