You know that classic image of an American road trip: parents struggling to read a map or gripping the steering wheel while the kids kick their seats and scream, “Are we there yet?”
Parents and children alike dread being trapped in a car together, but road trips can be a fantastic excuse to ditch electronics for a bit and see some incredible landscapes. If you’re planning a family road trip, consider these stunning and historical routes that will keep the attention of parents and kids alike.
1. The Oregon Trail
You don’t have to leave the country to show your child some of the wonders of the world. The Oregon Trail, which stretches over 3,000 miles between Cape Cod and Portland, Oregon, features several marvels of nature, including Niagara Falls State Park in New York, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the most beautiful drives in America, the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a scenic path that stretches through the Smoky Mountains. Beginning in Virginia and ending in the Appalachian hills of North Carolina, this road trip will have children and adults alike in awe of the scenery.
3. Mt. Washington Auto Road
Your child’s eyes will be glued to the windows on this scenic New Hampshire drive. If you pass through the state, detour onto Mt. Washington Auto Road. It’s 8 miles of high-altitude mountain tops with stomach-churning drops shielded only by a guardrail.
4. Route 66
The Historic Route 66 runs across the entire U.S., but several stops may pique your child’s interest.
You can begin your road trip in Chicago by visiting popular attractions like the Bean or the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. Next, stop in Amarillo, TX, and visit the Cadillac Ranch, a classic Route 66 exhibit featuring dozens of vintage Cadillacs positioned nose-down into the ground. Wrap up your trip in Southern California, and be sure to stop at the Santa Monica Pier for street food and carnival rides.
5. Rocky Mountain Loop
Tell your child to buckle up for the Rocky Mountain Loop’s high peaks and sharp curves. Starting in Denver and winding northwest through Colorado, this drive will make your child’s stomach drop. If your kid isn’t much of a thrill-seeker, there are also caves along the way that are sure to pique their curiosity.
6. New York City to the Poconos
Give your child a summer camp experience with your family! The drive stretching from New York City to the Poconos abounds with rustic woodland views and outdoor adventures to match. Make a stop at the Woodloch Resort in the Pocono Mountains, where your child can enjoy activities like paintball and fishing.
7. Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway is a scenic ocean drive that stretches from Dana Point in Southern California to San Francisco. Adult and child passengers alike will be in awe at the waves crashing against miles of cliffs.
8. Tucson to the Grand Canyon
If your child would like a change of atmosphere from the snow-capped mountains of the Rockies, take a road trip through Arizona. Beginning in Tucson and heading toward Scottsdale, you’ll pass through Martian-like scenery, including the famous Grand Canyon.
9. Lake Champlain Byway
Does your child dream of being a paleontologist one day? Take a drive on the Lake Champlain Byway road trip, which runs about 80 miles between the Canadian border and Vermont. You can make a pit stop in Grand Isle County, VT, and explore real fossils that are nearly 500 million years old.
10. Florida Keys
If your child is fascinated by wildlife, a road trip through the Florida Keys will hold their attention for hours. Check out the Monkey Jungle in Miami or head 20 minutes south of Key West to pet stingrays in Islamorada.
11. Down the East Coast
While driving the entire length of the East Coast would take days, you can start in Boston and end near Savannah, Georgia, and catch some sights to entertain you and your kids. Stops on this road trip include Paul Revere’s house in Boston, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
12. Skyline Drive
While the Appalachian Trail runs for thousands of miles, you can break it down into several short drives, including Skyline Drive. This classic American road trip will have your child riding through the tops of the Appalachian mountains, experiencing “purple mountain majesties” in real life.