With the freedom to manage your own itinerary and pace, stopping whenever the mood strikes, you can experience the vast, boundless Pacific Ocean and the rolling, continuous Rocky Mountains. Temporarily forget the complexities of urban life, set aside some time, keep moving forward, and truly experience being "on the road"—it is an indispensable part of the American experience. Today, we are specially presenting the must-visit, well-established iconic road trip routes in the U.S. It is time to consider unlocking them one by one for a deep exploration of American customs and culture.
U.S. Route 66
Route: Chicago to Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California
Total Length: 2,448 miles (approx. 3,939 km)
Duration: From 2-3 weeks
This route hardly needs an introduction; even if you have never been to the United States, you have likely heard of it in various films, television shows, and literary works. This highway, which almost spans the entire United States from east to west, has become an important part of American road culture and is known by Americans as the "Mother Road."
In addition to the rich landscapes along the way, iconic symbols of Route 66 include giant neon signs, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, classic American muscle cars, massive freight trucks, hardcore Western steakhouses, and the sun-drenched Santa Monica at the Pacific coast terminus. Along the way, you will constantly encounter various signs, souvenirs, and food centered around Route 66. The music, films, and road culture behind it are proof of what a powerful cultural icon this road has become.
Starting from bustling Chicago and heading west, the free and unconstrained American Midwestern scenery slowly unfolds. After crossing the desert, California sunshine and the sparkling Pacific Ocean await you at the end of Route 66!
California State Route 1 / Highway 1
Route: Leggett (Redwood National and State Parks) to Dana Point, Los Angeles
Total Length: 655.845 miles (approx. 1,055 km)
Duration: From 2-3 days
California Highway 1 and U.S. Route 66 are equally famous. Unlike the old Route 66 that crosses the American West, the trump card of California Highway 1 is the combination of ocean and mountains along the way.
Connecting the two major cities of the American West, San Francisco and Los Angeles, California Highway 1 features the vast blue Pacific Ocean on one side and the rolling Rocky Mountains on the other. This highway, which runs along the western coastline of California, was selected by National Geographic as one of the 50 places you must visit in your lifetime, so it is naturally a route you must unlock!
It should be noted that this route is best traveled from north to south to fully appreciate its unique geographical advantages, as this keeps you driving in the lane closest to the ocean. Moreover, the most important aspect of this road is the scenery along the way, so be sure not to drive at night and miss the beautiful views.
Key highlights include the fishing town of Monterey, which attracts many artists, the scenic "17-Mile Drive," and Big Sur National Park and beaches. Pfeiffer Beach is the only purple sand beach in the world, and there are many more beautiful sights waiting for you to explore and discover.
U.S. Route 89
Route: Flagstaff, Arizona to Babb, Montana
Total Length: 1,252 miles (approx. 2,015 km)
Duration: From 2 weeks for selected sections
Friends who love the magnificent scenery of various national parks must not miss this route. U.S. Route 89 passes through seven national parks, including Great Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Salt Lake City, Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park, as well as fourteen national monuments. This road is also known as the National Park Highway.
From Gobi deserts and eroded canyons to lush greenery and mountains filled with cattle and sheep, the scenery changes constantly. It is absolutely a fulfilling and rich road trip experience, and it is also very suitable for bringing school-age children to learn about various geological and botanical knowledge.
U.S. Route 1 / Overseas Highway
Route: Fort Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida
Total Length: 2,369 miles (approx. 3,813 km)
Duration: From 1 week for selected sections
U.S. Route 1 and California Highway 1 guard the east and west coasts of the United States, respectively. U.S. Route 1 connects almost all major cities along the Atlantic coast of the eastern United States, the most famous of which is the overseas highway section from Miami to the southernmost point, Key West.
This section is known as the most beautiful overseas highway in the world and is also the longest over-water highway in the world. On the 309-kilometer sea section, 42 overseas bridges connect nearly a hundred small islands in Florida.
There are no mountains, plains, forests, or cities on either side of the road; there is only the boundless, deep blue, refreshing ocean on both sides—the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The scene in the Arnold Schwarzenegger film "True Lies" where a car drives on an elevated bridge over the sea was filmed here.
Stopping at the seaside towns along the way will lead to various rich discoveries. Want to see wildlife? Love seafood? Enjoy sea fishing? Love art? I believe you will meet like-minded people here. In addition, Bahia Honda State Park has one of the recognized best beaches in the United States.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Route: St. Mary, northeastern Montana to West Glacier, southwestern Montana
Total Length: Scenic section approx. 80 km
Duration: From 1 day
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain road featuring glaciers, located within Glacier National Park in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, with the highest point of the road at an altitude of 2,026 meters.
Built in the 1920s and 1930s, it is a National Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark, and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificence and majesty of snow-capped mountains and the cleanliness and purity of glaciers. Waterfalls formed by melting snow in summer are also a unique sight.
This road is also one of the most difficult sections for snow removal in the northern United States in the spring. In the most extreme parts, the snow can reach a thickness of 24 meters. With the help of snowplows, it still takes about 10 weeks to clear the road for traffic. Therefore, it is generally open from early June to mid-October. The latest opening date in history was July 13, 2011.
Columbia River Highway
Route: Troutdale to The Dalles, Oregon
Total Length: 74.1 miles (approx. 119.3 km)
Duration: From 1-2 days
This road was built in 1913 and is the first scenic highway in the United States. It has received certifications as a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
The original design intent was to allow people to slow down on the winding road and properly appreciate the vast green valley scenery on both sides, which is especially dyed with the golden yellow of fallen leaves in autumn.
The deepest part of the valley reaches 1,200 meters. Here you will find Multnomah Falls, the second-highest waterfall in the United States, and Oneonta Gorge, which is said to be the most beautiful water route in the United States. Friends who like valley and mountain forest scenery can make an appointment to drive here during the eye-pleasing autumn season.
Hana Highway
Route: Kahului to Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii
Total Length: 64.40 miles (approx. 103.64 km)
Duration: From 1 day
If you leave the U.S. mainland for a vacation in enthusiastic Hawaii, don't miss this route.
The distance from Hana to Kahului is only about 52 miles (84 km), but the road is winding and tortuous, passing through 620 curves and 59 bridges, 46 of which are single-lane. Therefore, even without stopping, it takes 2.5 hours to complete the journey.
However, the scenery on both sides is rich and varied, with lush tropical rainforests on one side and the refreshing Pacific Ocean on the other. (This article is reprinted from the internet; if there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it.)