Planning an Arizona Road Trip?

What is the Best Time to Visit Arizona?

Arizona is a desert region in America. The best time to visit Arizona falls between November to April when it is not too hot. Remember there is heavy tourist traffic to Sedona and Grand Canyon throughout the year.
The weather is known to be perfect during early November.

Need a Rental Car to Explore Grand Canyon, Arizona?

If you are flying into Arizona, you could go for a rental car option. Remember that you drive on the right side of the road in the USA. Your international driving license is valid if you feel comfortable driving. The rules are pretty easy with wide roads and clear junctions combined with the fact that most of the cars in the USA are automatic.

Where to to stay in Arizona?

Arizona is a typical American city. You could find motels, hotels, and Airbnbs everywhere. I stayed in motels during my journey booked via top hotel booking websites.
I would recommend using Airbnbs only in the cities and going for well-established hotels or motels in remote regions while on the road.

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. I would appreciate the support.

The Journey to Sedona and a Perfect Grand Canyon Vacation: Day 1

Road Trip Route in Google Maps

My friend Arun and I started our journey from Phoenix around 10 in the morning and it was expected to be a 3 hours trip to the south rim of the Canyon and the national park. As a regular Grand Canyon Visitor, our aim was to reach there late afternoon and see the Canyon during sunset. We put on some good music and excitedly started catching up on what happened in our lives since we studied together ~8 years back.

We were soon enjoying the long drive, with occasional sights of cacti and palm trees along the way, which showed the true spirit of a desert. Arun decided to make a stop for some fresh air in the middle of nowhere- totally empty but for a fascinating desert view. As soon as we stopped, another car came and stopped right in front of us with four people inside and the first thing that grabbed my attention was the four gun stickers on the rear window.

Arun was already standing outside the car while I remained inside. I silently tried to point him to the front car which left both of us super alarmed and scared. Pretending like we were just enjoying the fresh air and relaxing, we managed to spend ~10 minutes there before fleeing the situation. What a good start to the adventurous trip – guns were our most concerning element of visiting America and it turned out to be the first thing we encountered during this trip.

Sedona Red Rocks

The city of Sedona was not originally part of the itinerary of our Grand Canyon vacation and came to our attention as we entered the red rock city on our way. The red color of the rocks was very striking as we approached. A quick google search showed that this was an important landmark not to miss and to learn about.

The theme of red makes this city so beautiful especially when the sun is up. We entered the city when it was cloudy, but were lucky to get some stunning views when the sun came out shortly.

Finding a parking place here is really difficult as there are no park services. I would recommend visiting here and even stay here for a hike if you have time. This is something I gotta do again as I felt FOMO severely not knowing about this place before to have included it in our itinerary.

We continued our road trip to Grand Canyon after taking almost a two-hour break here, enjoying the views of Sedona. We even stopped at the visitor center to make some inquiries.

Grand Canyon National Park

The journey ahead from Sedona presented a wide variety of scenery including pine tree forests, cloudy skies, and desert mountains which we saw while driving on the famous Hermit road. Driving in America is such a fantastic ride especially with the wide roads and vast sky views across the horizon presenting a great view throughout.

On our way, we saw this board of Bearizona Wildlife Park in Arizona, which was our next item on our list of fears for the journey. This initiated a discussion on how dangerous bears can be, where they are found, and whether we were likely to see them.

In the evening, we also experienced some picture-perfect clouds in the sky that reminded me of how we used to draw clouds as children with horizontal bottom- such a surreal sight that validated so many childhood drawings.

Approaching the canyon, we started to see red rocks and large mountains which was very thrilling as we were very close.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon lodge very late in the evening around 6 pm, almost 3 hours later than the plan. The first sight of these marvelous rocks forming different shapes and waves of little mountains was striking.

While on the road it was pretty hot in Arizona as during all Arizona road trips and based on that we thought the temperature would be okay up in the Canyons, which turned out to be completely wrong. It was freezing there and was very difficult to survive in our thin jackets and without gloves, miles away from our comfortable hotel rooms. We somehow managed to spend a few minutes there taking some pictures while watching the sunset and the Colorado River, which was one of the most stunning views I have experienced during my Grand Canyon vacation and even during whole my life.

Activities in Grand Canyon: Day 2

Kaibab National Forest

We first drove to the Kaibab National Forest, which was a thrilling ride as it allowed driving inside. After having prolonged conversations about how bears can kill humans the previous day, we both were pretty scared and cautious while being inside the forest. It was a fun experience in the forest and overall in the South Kaibab, where we spotted some animals and took some adventurous pictures always being cautious of wild animals jumping at us at any moment – that were us accepting the risks of a Grand Canyon vacation.

Arun kept playing tricks on me by crying out there were snakes, bears, etc. behind me every time I posed for some photos. It was also fun to have a photoshoot with my less scary animal friend Catty, while Arun continues shouting about bears and snakes, that I even left Catty at the tree while I thought I was running for my life at some point.

And of course, every road trip deserves a picture climbing on the car as a ritual that I try to follow

The Grand Canyon Hike

We explored Grand Canyon and the national park in the daytime, taking a short hike around and viewing this unmatched natural beauty. The hike is a great experience and I highly recommend it. The hiking pathway is very cute and scenic while you hike around the canyons. A perfect add-on to your Grand Canyon vacation itinerary.

The look of the canyon reminded me of a big temple town scattered with many little temples. The side view of the canyons appears like waves formed of rocks.

The close-up view is amazing to see how the erosion has formed very regular shapes in steps and cuts like how you would build a building. It almost feels like a mother-nature-architected town to me. While we were hiking, we met many fellow hikers from different parts of the world including some crazy cyclists.

Hiking the Grand Canyon was a great experience. Though the planning of the trip got disrupted, it was definitely worth the extended stay. With all those good memories, we looked at our road trip itinerary and set out on Highway 40 to Las Vegas in the evening.

The detailed itinerary of all the top bucket list destinations that can be covered in this road trip below is the exclusive blogs of all parts of the journey. 

• USA South West Road Trip from Arizona to California covers the itinerary of a two week road trip in South West, USA.
• The Nevada Road Trip to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam covers the most scenic routes in Nevada apart from Las Vegas.
• Los Angeles Road Trip part covers the journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles vacation and its main attractions.
• San Diego Road Trip blog covers our adventures in San Diego for three days. 

Pin the Arizona Road Trip for Future Reference

We arrived in San Diego from Los Angeles taking the California Amtrak, which was an exciting journey with great views throughout. During our visit, we explored the San Diego parks, coves, beaches, kayaking, and had a relaxing time with good food and the San Diego tourism vibes. Though we did not see the Bio-luminescence effect, my memory of San Diego remains very blue from the blue water, skies, and reflective skyscrapers I saw throughout my stay.

Top Things To Do During A San Diego Road Trip: Itinerary

San Diego is a destination for both tourists and locals alike, with some of the top things to do in California rightly available here. Visitors to San Diego will be able to take part in all sorts of activities that they would not likely find anywhere else- from world-famous zoos and aquariums, stunning beaches with some of the best surfing waves on Earth. Here are five top things visitors should do when visiting San Diego:

• La Jolla Cave
• Windansea Beach
• Old Point Loma
• Old Town San Diego
• Fifth Avenue
• Coronado Ferry Landing
• Kayaking in Coronado

La Jolla Cove

We visited La Jolla Cove on the first day after we freshened up and grabbed some lunch. La Jolla is a posh neighborhood with a very long beach famous for breath-taking sunset views and is a real tourism gem in the United States. It was so relaxing for us to walk around the beach enjoying the weather, especially after my long and hectic week of being on the road.  Considering the beauty of La Jolla, it is no surprise that it is one the top of Trip Advisor’s San Diego Itinerary recommendation lists.

The beach features majestic sea lions along with sea birds. I saw sea lions for the first time here, and they looked as relaxed as if they had just finished a feast and were sleeping it off on the rocks. Their roar sound is special and echoes on the beach.

We spent the entire evening here waiting for the sunset, watching folks enjoying kayaking and surfing as well as the sea lions.

Typically, while we were eagerly waiting for the sunset, clouds came from nowhere and filled the sky. This did not meet my expectations during my trip to San Diego but still was a nice treat for the eyes. Sunset is still a sunset (: wink

After watching the sunset, we left to meet my friends Surabhi and Aneesh for dinner. They were both my classmates during my undergraduate degree in India. I don’t recall the name of the restaurant but I do remember sharing their famous Mango Margarita on Surabhi’s recommendation and that it was situated in the old town.

We started the day by heading to the University of California, San Diego, where my friend Divya studied. I met her during an internship in 2013 and we had not seen each other for 5 years. She was aware of my San Diego vacation, so Divya joined us for this day and we started off by treating ourselves to a giant American Breakfast with pancakes, fruit, omelets, and french toast.

Windansea Beach

We first went to the Windansea beach near La Jolla and had a short walk along the shore, which was very quiet and calm.

Old Point Loma

We then headed to the Point Loma peninsula which has a park that features a lighthouse. We first saw the lighthouse and I found it interesting to see the mock-up of the old facilities arranged for sea travelers. The southern tip of Point Loma has the Cabrillo National monument, which is a spectacular view of the sea and also for the San Diego naval base.

Old Point Loma offers a cliff-top view of the sea and the heavy naval traffic. There is a big USA flag flying here and the brisk sea wind provided a very invigorating stroll.

While we were watching the sea and naval activities, we spotted a submarine approaching in the distance. This was an exciting experience as I had never seen a submarine before. We stayed a very long time watching it very closely. We even saw a whale-watching cruise ship.

After spending some more time here chit-chatting and taking pictures, we reached another cove in Point Loma Park, as part of our San Diego Road Trip.

Old Town San Diego

We drove to the Old Town San Diego to spend our late afternoon there. The old town is a fantastic area for great Mexican food, music, and cute shops. It is worth paying a visit to see the charming specialty shops and enjoy the outdoor vibe at its cafes and restaurants.

After we finished eating here, we wandered around looking at the cute shops before leaving to spend the night in the city.

Live Music Joint in Fifth Avenue

We spent the night on Fifth Avenue which has some really cool places for a night hang out. The famous Tiny Roof pub hosts ‘A Live Music Joint’ with some really cool live music performances that reminded me of a few English pubs. I really enjoyed my time here and was envious of my friends who live in this city.

Around midnight we called it a day as Andriani and I had to check out of the Airbnb early the next day as it was our last day and we had a booking for Kayaking at Coronado.

Coronado Ferry Landing

Coronado Island is a pretty amazing location which is a must-visit in San Diego, filled with many specialty shops, water sports activities, and restaurants. It has a backdrop of a spectacular view of the sea, the harbor, and the skyscrapers of San Diego. Coronado Island and San Diego city are connected by a bridge that is 200 feet high allowing for even large aircraft carriers to pass underneath. So, I started filling in my Coronado activities list and was so excited.

While we were walking around, we met with a group of girls who were singing and dancing. I approached them and requested to dance with them, much to the embarrassment of Andriani, and they were kind to agree. I at least thought those girls were really cool and definitely enjoyed the experience of joining them to dance.

Kayaking in Coronado

We went to the tour company we booked Kayaking with. It was our first time and we were assigned a guide to instruct us. We started with our full energy chanting “Left”,  “Right” to helps us row the kayak in the right order, while listening to the guide explain the history of Coronado and San Diego. Things got real when we were in the middle of the sea, far away from Coronado beach. There were fierce waves demanding a heavy workout to come back. Our guide was a young guy who had traveled a lot in South America and shared his travel stories with us throughout our venture, which was very entertaining.

Once we made it back, we spend the rest of our time in Coronado visiting shops in the city and having a delicious Greek lunch in a cute downtown restaurant. Andriani, who has a Greek origin, did not approve of the Moussaka we ate, but I thought it was good Not a bad ending for our San Diego vacation. San Diego is perfect for a weekend getaway as well with many fun things to do such as camping at the beach.

A Silly Weed Giveaway Adventure

While we were chilling and we had just a few hours before we flew back to the UK, Andriani remembered that we were still carrying the weed we bought in Los Angeles (Blog story here). As we couldn’t fly with it, the obvious answer was to throw it in the bin. However, as we know weed is very precious for some people, it felt wasteful to throw it away (says someone who is constantly scolded for wasting food as I can never finish my meal), we came up with this brilliant idea of gifting it to our kayaking guide.

We went back to the shop and asked to speak with our guide who was away but was called upon our request. When he came, we proceeded to have the most awkward conversation ever. We asked him if he smoked to which he hesitantly responded yes and naturally asked why. We told him we had some weed but we couldn’t fly with it and wanted to give it to someone.  He blushed and agreed to take it but first I demanded that he show me his ID so that I could verify his age. He went back to the shop to find his ID, while Andriani tried to contain her laughter. At this point, we also had other shopkeepers from the nearby shops getting curious about our conversation watching us. When he returned, I verified his ID and handed over the goods. He was also laughing and stated it was one of the most awkward encounters he ever had too. Oh well, we hope he had a good time with it

Leaving San Diego and the USA

It was time for us to leave and end our amazing San Diego vacation and while driving to the airport, we captured the massive blue bridge that connects the city with Coronado.

The San Diego vibe was so good and it was the perfect end to my ten-day-long road trip. With the fine weather, amazing food, and ultimate beach experience, San Diego definitely qualifies to be “America’s Finest City”.

Other USA South West Road Trips

• USA South West Road Trip from Arizona to California covers the itinerary of a two week road trip in South West, USA.
• The Arizona Road Trip from Phoenix to Sedona & Grand Canyon covers the major attractions in Arizona around Sedona and Grand Canyon.
• The Nevada Road Trip to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam covers the most scenic routes in Nevada apart from Las Vegas.
• Los Angeles Road Trip part covers the journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles vacation and its main attractions.
• San Diego Road Trip blog covers our adventures in San Diego for three days. 

Pin the San Diego Road Trip for Planning Your Trip

1- Colorado National Parks

One of the best road trips in the USA has got to be in the great state of Colorado. With 4 national parks within Colorado, there’s no shortage of sights to see in this area. In this road trip itinerary, you can cover the following national parks.

National Parks

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park

Best time to go: While the absolute best time to go on this Colorado road trip is summer, you’ll see less crowds in the national parks during the other seasons.

Duration: To see all four unique national parks in Colorado, you’ll want a minimum of 5-7 days to fully enjoy this road trip.

Colorado Top Stops/Itinerary

Starting in Boulder or Denver, the first national park on the list is the Rocky Mountain National Park. It is located just northwest of Boulder, and is a unique gem in the United States. Be sure to witness the alpine tundra at the Alpine Visitor Center, where the summit is over 12,000 feet! Or grab your hiking shoes and hit the trail, with over 350 miles of hiking trails available in the park.

The next park on this Colorado road trip is Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The scenic drive through the 7-mile South Rim Drive is phenomenal! Be sure to visit the Painted Wall Overlook, Devil’s Lookout and Pulpit Rock Overlook. As an international dark sky park, this is a perfect spot for stargazing, too!

In the far southwest corner of the state of Colorado is Mesa Verde National Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly a sight to see. The must-see spot in this park is the ‘green table’ where there are 600 cliff dwellings and over 4,000 archaeological sites. See how the Ancestral Puebloans lived as you marvel at this ancient community.

The last national park stop on this road trip is the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It’s a great demonstration of how diverse the landscapes truly are in the state of Colorado. If you’re up for an adventure, go off-roading up the scenic Medano Pass Primitive Road. Or go sand sledding on some of the largest sand dunes in North America!

With such a variety of sights in the great state of Colorado, this road trip has something for everyone.

2- Pacific Coast Highway- PCH California

Hands down, one of the best road trips in the USA lies in the beautiful state of California. Specifically, along the coast. The California’s Pacific Coast Highway, lovingly called PCH for short or Highway 1, hugs the entire state’s coast line, winding around curves that overlook the Pacific Ocean. You will visit one of the famous national parks during this trip.

National Park:

Redwood National Park

Duration: At the very minimum, plan for your trip to take three to four days to allow you to stop at a few sites.

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

PCH Top Stops/Itinerary

The road trip technically starts in Southern California, Orange County to be specific. As you make your way up the coast, you’ll pass through the cities of Malibu, Santa Barbara, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and even San Francisco. The road trip will give you a chance to experience the most scenic landscapes in California, as well as cultural hot spots and cities throughout the state. You will also get to pass by famous sites such as the Madonna Inn, Hearst Castle, the Santa Cruz boardwalk, the Golden Gate Bridge, and even a beach whose pebbles look like colored glass. The PCH goes through one National Park, Redwood National Park, and you will discover the tallest trees in the Americas as you drive under their canopies – for free!

Best Time to Go: The best season to do a road trip along the Pacific Coast highway is between late spring and late summer/early fall. At the tail end of the hot season, California will often have wildfires raging the mountainsides, making the view muggy and ashy at best, or completely close the roads due to safety hazards at worst. Likewise, winter and early spring are California’s rainy season, turning the coastal cliffs into scary slick roads at best…or completely closed at worst. It’s best to avoid both fire and mudslide seasons all together to prevent getting stranded. 

Submitted by Kay from The Awkward Traveller

3- Arizona & Nevada

Arizona is home to some of the top national parks in USA, with incredible landscapes formed of red rocks being one of the major highlights. Nevada, the neighboring silver state is most famous for Las Vegas, but also has many scenic routes filled with range of mountains and attractions making it an amazing destination for road trips. Traveling from Arizona to California via Nevada can be a long road trip to plan for central and west America which you can even add Utah as a stop. Within Arizona, a loop road trip can be done covering some of the major highlights and national parks below.

READ: USA South West Road Trip from Arizona to California via Nevada

National/State Parks:

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Sedona Red Rock State Park
• Petrified Forest National Park

Duration: This itinerary for Arizona, Nevada will take 10-14 days fully explore this area, you need at least 2 days in each of the Grand Canyon and Sedona national parks.

Best Time to Go: This road trip can be done all year around, but the best time to visit Arizona will be in spring/autumn. Summer is too hot and winter can be hard to drive.

Arizona-Nevada Top Stops/Itinerary

This road trip can begin in Phoenix or Las Vegas depending on your choice. The itinerary is laid out for starting from Phoenix. The first visit is Saguoro National Park in Tucson to see the Sonoran desert cacti beauty Arizona has to offer. You can stay the night in Saguoro or Holbrook depending on when you prefer driving etc. Cover Petrified Forest National Park and monument valley over the next 1 or 2 days. Don’t miss the famous Forrest Gump point for a picture in monument valley. From there, head onto Antelope Canyon and the Horse shoe bend the next day. You could stay somewhere near Page that day and head to Sedona the next day. It is best to see the red rocks in Sedona during sunset or sunrise. Spend 1 or 2 days in Sedona and head onto Grand Canyon National Park. Spend another 1 or 2 days exploring the Grand Canyon and drive towards Las Vegas via Hoover Dam. This drive has some epic highways not to miss. At this point you could either fly home from Las Vegas, or end your trip returning back to Phoenix from the Grand Canyon not covering Nevada at all.

4- New England – South & North

New England on the East Coast of the USA is referred to as the Europe of USA. Many places are named after European cities like Cambridge in Boston, Montpellier in France, Manchester in Vermont etc. With islands and charming B&B’s and Cottages, this region is one of the most popular touristic destinations and has some charming scenic routes to take for an epic road trip. You need at least 2 weeks to fully see this region, but you can always choose to cover only the South or the North of New England to cut down time as needed.

READ: An Epic Fall Foliage Road Trip Itinerary for Vermont

National Parks/Forests:

• Green Mountain National Forest
• White Mountain National Forest
• Acadia National Park

Best time to go: The best time for a New England road trip is Fall, with some of the world’s best autumnal views. Winter is famous for a visit as well with multiple winter outdoor sports destinations.

Duration: You need at least 3-5 days for Vermont to explore the scenic routes including the Scenic 600 route. New England also needs at least 3-5 days to fully explore, or a weekend for going to the Acadia.

Vermont Top Stops/Itinerary

This road trip can begin from Boston or even New York if you don’t mind the longer drive. The itinerary here is listed based on starting from Boston. Head to Wilmington to start the scenic route 100 in Vermont northwards up to Stowe. A fall foliage road trip in Vermont is best done with just this route to take in the beauty. Some of the top stops in this route include Woodstock, Mount Killington and Montpelier where you can find plenty of places to stay. This covers a good part of Green National Fort. Explore Montpelier, the capital city of Vermont for at least a day and visit Burlington if you have time from there. This can be a 3-5 day trip on its own. For further exploration head towards the North of England via White National Forest to Maine. Maine has many scenic towns to visit. The next major destination is Acadia National Park which can be explored in 2 days. Then drive towards Boston via Portland and Portsmouth, two major towns worth spending one day each. Other places to visit in this region include Martha’s vineyard,

5- Utah National Parks

Utah is home to five stunning national parks and you can see all of them in one epic road trip! 

National Parks

• Zion National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Arches National Park
• Canyonland National Park

Known as the Mighty 5, the national parks Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands, are full of red rock canyons, and vistas reminiscent of the old west. 

Duration: To fully explore all the five national parks, you would need 10 days minimum.

Utah Top Stops/Itinerary

To start your road trip, you’ll want to fly into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. From there, hit the road in a car, but make sure you set aside about ten days to make the best of this Mighty 5 road trip. 

In Zion you’ll need to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The Narrows is a bucket list worthy hike that’ll have you hiking in the river 20 to 30 feet wide, while canyon walls tower up to a thousand feet above you. 

After Zion, Bryce Canyon does not disappoint. The amphitheater is what the park is best known for, and the views at sunrise and sunset are incredible. Bryce also sits at a higher elevation, so expect cooler weather. 

Capitol Reef is perhaps the most underrated of all the parks, and has the least crowds. Check out the orchards, have a pie, and hit the trails here as well. 

Finally, you’ll end the trip in Moab, home to Arches and Canyonlands. The hike to Delicate Arch at Arches is a must do! In Canyonlands, the views go on for miles. 

Try this road trip in the spring or fall months for best weather, and smaller crowds! 

Submitted by Ale Leon from Sea Salt & Fog

6- Utah: Moab (Arches to Canyonlands via Gemini Bridges)

Moab is home to some of the most alluring desert magic the USA has to offer, and this road trip is all about exploring the Mars-like views this slice of Utah has to offer.

Moab Top Stops/Itinerary

To start the road trip off, head to Arches National Park and spend the day exploring the park to hit up the most beautiful arches it has to offer (Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch are a must). The Arches Scenic Drive is a 36-mile drive where you’ll get to see some of the biggest highlights of this national park if you’d rather not break a sweat during a hike. Drive back to Moab or spend the night camping in Arches (it’s renowned for being one of the best places for stargazing, so camping is a real treat here!).

Next, head to Canyonlands National Park via the Gemini Bridges – this is one of the most scenic drives in Moab and offers some insanely good views of Arches and the La Sal Mountains in the distance (note that you’ll need a high clearance vehicle for this road!).

Once in Canyonlands, you can visit the Island in the Sky District to see even more arches and strange rock formations on easy hikes or opt to drive the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive which provides views of the sheer cliff drop-offs into the canyons below. 

If you want to make your road trip a little longer, you can also visit the southern section of The Needles, where you’ll find hikes for more intrepid travelers, try your hand at off-roading, or go all in and go on a backpacking adventure.

Submitted by Gabby Abbott from Journey to the Destination

7- Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful, scenic drive spanning 469 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina to Charlottesville, Virginia. This parkway through the Appalachian mountains has beautiful views, amazing hiking trails, and plenty of waterfalls. The Blue Ridge Parkway has even been named “America’s Favorite Drive” and it definitely deserves that title! 

Duration: While the Blue Ridge Parkway can technically be completed in a day, I would recommend spending 3-7 days experiencing the parkway! This will give you enough time to go hiking, see the waterfalls, and spend some time in each town.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Blue Ridge Parkway Top Stops/Itinerary

With so many great stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway, it can be difficult to decide what to do. I recommend spending some time in Cherokee, NC to learn about Cherokee history and culture, Asheville, NC to enjoy some craft beer, Mount Mitchell, NC to reach the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and Roanoke, VA to learn more about America’s past.

While the Blue Ridge Parkway goes through some amazing towns, this roadtrip is an outdoor lover’s dream! Spending some time hiking and exploring waterfalls is a must.

Here are some of the best waterfalls to check out during your trip:

• Linville Falls
• Crabtree Falls
• Looking Glass Falls
• Graveyard Fields Falls
• Apple Orchard Falls 

Here are some of the best hikes to do during your trip:

• Graveyard Fields
• Devil’s Courthouse
• Waterrock Knob
• Humpback Rocks Loop
• Flat Top Mountain

Submitted by Gabby Abbott from Journey to the Destination

8- Western National Parks

One of the USA’s best road trips is the stunning drive to see three of the best national parks in the west.

National Parks

• Glacier National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park

Duration: 5-7 days

Western National Parks Top Stops/Itinerary

Starting in Montana at Glacier National Park, you’ll want to spend at least 2 days exploring Lake McDonald, Avalanche Lake, and the iconic Going To The Sun Road. If you have the time, take a day to visit the gateway town of Whitefish, Montana.

Afterward, you’ll head south to America’s 1st National Park, Yellowstone. Yellowstone is massive and spans three different states. You’ll want at least 2-3 days to do justice to this epic national park. Yellowstone is unique for its location on top of a supervolcano. It’s a hotbed of interesting geothermal activity, so the main activities are viewing mesmerizing hot springs and exploding geysers. Make sure to see Old Faithful Geyser go off, then hike to Fairy Falls with a stop at the Grand Prismatic Overlook, and the trek along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. If you have extra time, take a scenic drive through the Lamar or Hayden Valley to see if you can spot bison, bears, wolves, or elk.

Next, you’ll take the quick one-hour drive to see your last National Park, Grand Teton. While they’re close in proximity, Teton is nothing like Yellowstone. Teton is an excellent hiking destination with gorgeous alpine lakes to dip into on a hot summer’s day. It’s a small park, so one day is enough to take a hike around Jenny Lake and watch the sunset over the Teton Mountain Range from Colter Bay. If you have more time, you’ll want to include some time in the hip mountain town of Jackson, Wyoming.

Best Time To Go: The best time to make this National Parks road trip is from late spring to early fall. Summer is the ideal time, but you might have to deal with crowds and expensive lodging. If crowds aren’t your thing, the best time is right after Labor Day weekend when the weather is still warm enough to enjoy water activities, and the crowds will have thinned out.

Submitted by Christina from Live A Wilder Life

9- Oregon Coast

One of the best road trips around the Pacific Northwest is exploring the Oregon Coast. The area is filled with beaches, rainforests, shipwrecks, cute coastal towns, waterfalls, sand dunes, and wildlife. There is so much to do, and the best part is that you can visit here all year round. 

Oregon Coast Top Stops/Itinerary

If you are starting from Northern Oregon, start at Fort Stevens State Park. This black sand beach has a neat shipwreck called Peter Iredale Shipwreck and is a great place to photograph. Next, check out Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park. The sea stacks in this area are out of this world. There are also many beaches and hikes to enjoy and people also love to bring their pets. Next, check out the underrated hug point. Hug point is absolutely stunning and has many sea creatures, caves, and a waterfall. Yes, a waterfall on a beach! 

Afterward, make sure to check out Cape Kiwanda for sunset. This sea stack is breathtaking and is a great spot to have a picnic with the whole family. The last area that is highly recommended is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor area. The dreamy vibes of the natural bridge is one of the most photographed places in Oregon.

Best Time to go: No matter when you go, the Oregon Coast is a magical and whimsical experience for any outdoor lover. 

Submitted by Michelle from The Wandering Queeen

10- Big Bend National Park, Texas

A road trip from Austin to Big Bend National park is an epic road trip experience like no other. From mountains to valleys, to desserts – you will experience nature at its finest and get to take in some of the best art and culture that Texas has to offer. 

National Park:

Big Bend National Park

Duration: This trip can be done in 3-5 days

Big Bend Top Stops/Itinerary

Start your adventure in Austin. Ideally, you’d want to spend 2 days here. Start off with a visit to the Texas State Capitol, followed by lunch at Hop Doddy’s or at Guerro’s Taco Bar on South Congress. Enjoy the afternoon checking out the cute stores on South Congress. Finish off with a walk down South Congress bridge to see the bats in the summer or kayak down the beautiful Ladybird lake. For dinner head over to Rainey Street and stop at one or many bars that line the street while enjoying a local band. On Day 2, you can hike or bike downtown lake and then head over to Barton Springs Road to enjoy the awesome food trucks. Take a dip in Barton Springs pool or relax by Zilker Park post-lunch. End the day by taking the music scene on 6th street. 

The next stop is Marfa which is 6.5 hours away. Marfa is popular for its many unique art galleries including Prada Marfa and the mysterious Marfa Lights. Spend at least a day exploring this unique and artsy city. Stay at one the epic tipis at El Cosmico. 

End your trip at the spectacular Big Bend National Park. Spend 3-4 days exploring Big Bend. Do some hikes, do some stargazing, camp at one of the campgrounds or try glamping. If you have more time, you can explore some other places around Big Bend. Most of Big Bend gets very hot in the summer and lacks shade on trails. The best time to go would be between November and April when the days are cooler. You’re guaranteed a great time!.

Submitted by Preema from Wine Travel Kids

Pin this Post for Your American Road Trip Bucket List!

Las Vegas to Hoover Dam Road Trip : Overview

Las Vegas to Hoover Dam is more than just a car ride. It’s an epic journey with plenty of stops along the way for exploring and sightseeing. 

Distance from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam

From the city of Las Vegas, Route 93 North takes you through 60 miles and two hours on your way to Hoover Dam. You can do this road trip in between an hour and a half hours and two hours depending on traffic conditions.

Las Vegas Airport to Hoover Dam

If you are driving from Las Vegas International airport you’ll be happy to know that the drive to Hoover dam is less than two hours and 60 miles. You might want to consider a tour with one of the many exciting options if you are not able to take a rental car yourself.

Hoover Dam Visitor Centre

The Hoover Dam Visitor Center is a modern, interactive museum that provides visitors with an up-close experience of this engineering marvel. With exhibits and tours for all ages, the visitor center offers something for everyone.

– All ages can enjoy the exhibits and tours at Hoover Dam Visitor Center. The museum is geared toward kids with interactive displays that teach about electricity and engineering while still being engaging for adults visiting on their own or in a group.

– You can also take an elevator ride to see the inner workings of this iconic landmark from a bird’s eye view!

Pro Tips: Arrive early if you want to beat the crowds as lines tend to get longer later in the day. Daily guided tour times are offered every hour on the half-hour from noon – 12 pm ET.

Las Vegas to Hoover Dam Road Trip Itinerary: Top Stops

Stop 1 – Lake Mead

On your way, you will first stop at this spectacular man-made lake which is one of the best lakes I have ever seen. Lake Mead is a manmade reservoir that supplies water for the surrounding area and also produces hydroelectric power. It has fluctuating levels due to the release of water downstream, but it always provides essential services in addition to being one of America’s largest lakes!

Stop 2- Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam is one of America’s most iconic landmarks. It spans the Colorado River and creates Lake Mead, a man-made lake that can store up to 29 billion cubic meters of water. The dam also produces electricity through hydroelectric generators for millions living nearby. Hoover Dam is located on the border of Arizona and Southern Nevada, where the dam is constructed across the Colorado river whose middle forms the border of these two states. 

READ: Best Road Trips in USA covering major national parks

The water is very clear and almost still with tiny ripples making it a very calm atmosphere. The Hoover Dam bridge is very similar to the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls, Canada. This dam near Vegas gives a good view of all the engineering work done for its construction and operation and will leave you awestruck.

Stop 3 – Boulder City

We took the route via Boulder City to catch the I-15S highway, as our next destination was Los Angeles in California. Boulder City is a nice small city with some amazing art spotted here and there, where we stopped briefly in the city for a short break and a coffee. The number plate board in different designs of various states was interesting and I have got one of them.

From here, we continued our journey to Los Angeles taking the highway I-15S. On our way, I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. I was lucky to find a quick stop to capture the moment.

READ: An Epic Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary

Explore other Road Trips in the USA South West

If you wish to find out more about all these top bucket list destinations for road trips, below are the detailed blogs of all parts of the journey. 

• USA South West Road Trip from Arizona to California covers the itinerary of a 2 week road trip in South West, USA.
• The Arizona Road Trip from Phoenix to Sedona & Grand Canyon covers the major attractions in Arizona around Sedona and Grand Canyon.
• Los Angeles Road Trip part covers the journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles vacation and its main attractions.
• San Diego Road Trip blog covers our adventures in San Diego for three days. 

Los Angeles Vacation : Overview

This epic Los Angeles road trip itinerary which is the third instalment of a USA South West road trip from Arizona to California via Nevada. During our visit, we explored the LA life visiting some beaches, Hollywood staples and had my ultimate La La Land experience gazing at the Californian sky at night from Mount Hollywood.

We drove ~300 miles non-stop from Las Vegas to LA on Highway I-15S which I think was the most difficult drive during the trip to California, especially when getting closer to LA. There was very heavy traffic and restless drivers switching lanes often without warning, which felt like a video game where you only get one life. If you don’t feel like driving yourself, you can find some cheap bus tickets from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on Wanderu and let someone else do the driving.

While I was in LA, the traffic reminded me of the opening song of La La Land, Another day of sun, showcasing bored drivers dancing in a LA traffic jam. It was very obvious why Los Angeles is one of the best places to visit in USA judging from the first look and vibe.

7 Unique Things to do during a Los Angeles Vacation

Los Angeles has so much that you could do, so don’t forget to include some of these top ten things on your itinerary during your Los Angeles vacation. Some of the unique attractions in LA include:

1. Beaches: Los Angeles has some great beaches to relax and explore. The first place I would recommend to visit is LA is the Venice Beach boardwalk. On a sunny day, this place can be so beautiful with all of its bright colours and people walking to their destination. Enjoy some seafood at one of the restaurants that line up along the beach side or take in some entertainment from street performers on Santa Monica pier!
2. Universal Studios: If you love theme parks, you may want to check out Universal Studios Hollywood which features famous attractions such as King Kong 360-degree Experience and Water world. These attractions are not only great for children, but also fun for adults!
3. Museums: With more than 400 different museums located within city limits, Los Angeles offers something for everyone when it comes to sightseeing. Museums range from art galleries such as LACMA and MOCA to space exploration centres like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
4. Rodeo Drive: For those who love shopping then Rodeo Drive is the perfect place to go with its luxury brands lining up store front after store front. Or if diamonds are what sparkle in your eye, there is no better location than Beverly Hills’ famed jewellery district known as “The Block”.
5. Art Galleries: LACMA & MOCA, both art galleries offer their own special exhibits that can range from modern art pieces to space exploration technology.
6. Disneyland/Disney California Adventure: If you are a disney fan or not, these theme parks are just so fun filled for anyone.
7. JPL Space Exploration Museum: If space exploration is what intrigues you then this may be one of your favourite spots during your stay – it features everything from Mars rovers to space expeditions all within city limits!
8. Griffith Observatory: Located atop Mount Hollywood, this observatory offers one of the most breath-taking views in Los Angeles as well as a planetarium, exhibition hall and educational resources for all.
9. Hollywood Wax Museum: Here you can take your family to see some of Hollywood’s biggest stars – such as Marilyn Monroe or Leonardo DiCaprio – right before your eyes!

Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary

So ready for some adventure in Los Angeles? Here are some ideas for your first time Los Angeles road trip itinerary, based on our first road trip here:

• Explore Venice City & Beach
• Santa Monica Pier
• Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Beverly Hills
• Hollywood Sign Board
• Griffith Observatory
• Universal Studios

Venice City Beach

If you’re looking for some adventure, head on over to Venice Beach! You can’t really say you have been to LA without visiting this historic beach town. Venice Beach is an artistic hub and a mecca for all things summer. To get there, take the 10 freeway going South. It’s about a 20 minute drive from downtown LA. Park near the pier and walk up the boardwalk to the street.

Venice is a neighbourhood with residential and commercial areas next to a beautiful beach and gains its name probably from the residential complexes being connected by canals resembling the Italian Venice.

The Venice beach vibe is too good with folks and families all around enjoying activities such as cycling, running, skateboarding, BIRD-ing and you will also come across surfers, artists, performers, etc. I envied a few folks who were reading books in hammocks tied around the palm trees.

The public Art Walls of Venice are definitely worth a visit during your California vacations, they showcase stunning street art, not just on the walls themselves but also on nearby trees. We met and spoke with some artists busy painting while we were there and found some had travelled from around the world to paint on these walls. Graffiti artists are one of my favourite people on the planet, just like musicians, they can put out a lot of their thoughts so loudly via their paintings. Respect!

The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a one-mile street market that runs parallel to the beach and has lots of many funky shops and street performances by free-spirited people. While you enjoy all the weird and wonderful creative activities, you can also try a wide variety of food here. We were aware that in California marijuana is legal so when we saw the underground based marijuana shops, we decided to go try that too. If you are feeling adventurous, you need your passport to get hold of one.

Santa Monica Pier

Head on over to Santa Monica Pier for an iconic LA experience. The pier is a great place to take in the beauty of Southern California, and get some fresh ocean air! You can sit at one of the many restaurants, snack bar or ice cream shop that line the boardwalk. There are also carnival games and other amusements such as “The Revenge from Mars” arcade game you can play (even if you’re not into video games)!

Santa Monica Pier is very charming with lots of fun activities and parks making it a great place for a family day out. We strolled around for around two hours enjoying some live music, street shopping and even watching some scuba divers in the blue sea.

To reach Santa Mo in LA, take the 101 or 110 freeway going West. The pier will be on your left as you reach Pacific Coast Highway, just before Lawry’s Restaurant.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

We headed towards Hollywood Boulevard to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame first – one f the main destinations during a trip to Los Angeles This street has brass stars of all the famous celebrities engraved on them. We followed the star lane and managed to spot one name which we all recognized as the star of the American guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. 

Rodeo Drive & Beverly Hills

Next, it was time to head towards the famous Beverly Hills which is a popular hunting ground for celebrity spotting as many famous celebrities live nearby. We have all watched many of those videos of celebrities shopping around here, so we wanted to make sure we saw this place. Of course, we had no intentions of scrutinizing people’s faces or quizzing anyone if they had seen any celebrities around

Sunset Boulevard

While we were strolling around, we were approached by many tourism agents who were offering to take us for a ride and offering their vacation packages to show us some celebrity houses. We were not going to pay the price for the guide but got intrigued and decided to take the Google approach to hunt celebrity homes. We read an article about a boy in Sunset Boulevard who sold maps containing the location of all the celebrity homes in the area and we became determined to obtain one for ourselves. We set off focused on hunting the celebrity map boy and almost forgot about hunting for the celebrity houses themselves. Throughout our searching we didn’t manage to spot anyone on the streets and found the majority of houses had huge gates that blocked any views, so after almost an hour we conceded defeat and decided to go check out the Hollywood sign instead since we at least knew where that was.

Hollywood Sign Board

We were pretty convinced that Hollywood board wouldn’t be anything pretty but for the sake of ritual we needed to check it off our list of California road trip ideas, as couldn’t say we’d been to LA but not seen the famous board itself. We drove as far as we could up the hill and discovered that to get to the sign itself required a long hike but after our unsuccessful celebrity hunting we didn’t have the energy left for this and decided the view from the Griffith Observatory in Mount Hollywood would be good enough for us.  

I captured a LA traffic from the top of the Hill when it again reminded me of the La La Land song, Another Day of Sun, and the lyrics.

“Climb these hills,
I’m reaching for the heights,
And chasing all the lights that shine,
And when they let you down,
You’ll get up off the ground,
‘Cause morning rolls around,
And it’s another day of the sun”

Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek
Music Composer, Lyricist

It was sooo…… relieving to get a picture with the Hollywood board from the Griffith Observatory before the sunsets. 

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory is a public astronomy site also located on Mount Hollywood and gives one of the best views of the LA basin. The observatory makes a perfect location for either a romantic or geeky day out, or both, with a variety of attractions including a planetarium, geeky shops, cafes, and a public telescope to gaze at the Californian sky. It is a heaven for science lovers and when I saw Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s books in the stores, I just wanted to sit there and read them all maybe another time!

One of the main attractions here was the Pieces of Sky exhibition,  which displays actual meteorite pieces that had been excavated across the US. I found it so exciting to see these pieces that had originated far out in the solar system and fell to Earth many years ago.

Overall the Griffith Observatory was my favorite landmark in LA, and it gave me the ultimate La La Land experience. The sunset and city views from here were so magical and dreamy. I walked around many times and was constantly reminded of the La La Land movie poster. 

Other USA South West Road Trips

• USA South West Road Trip from Arizona to California covers the itinerary of a two week road trip in South West, USA.
• The Arizona Road Trip from Phoenix to Sedona & Grand Canyon covers the major attractions in Arizona around Sedona and Grand Canyon.
• The Nevada Road Trip to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam covers the most scenic routes in Nevada apart from Las Vegas.
• San Diego Road Trip blog covers our adventures in San Diego for three days.

Pin This Trip for Future Reference

Vermont Road Trip Planner

New England on the east coast of the USA is one of the most gorgeous places to experience the ultimate beauty of Fall and the state of Vermont takes the crown. During the Autumn season here, you will have one of the best leaf-peeping experiences– whilst enjoying the natural Fall exhibition just during your drive, strolling in scenic state parks, hiking mountain ranges, or even exploring stunning waterfalls in this area. I came back with strong feelings for the state of Vermont and its people- it is by far my most favorite state in America. I will also go again, so let us say this was a beginning for me too.

Some of the top places to visit in Vermont in Fall include:

• Green Mountain National Forest
• White Mountain National Forest
• Montpelier
• Burlington
• Stowe
• Scenic Route 100

Why Fall is the Best Time to Visit Vermont?

The Fall foliage starts in mid-September and lasts until mid-October. I visited at the beginning of October when the leaves are more reddish however if you’re looking for yellow colors, visiting earlier is advised. Personally, I would recommend aiming for “Peak Foliage” in mid-October and the USA long weekend of October 12th for Columbus day is perfect for this Fall Road Trip.

Where to to stay in Vermont?

Vermont is more like a European Travel experience when it comes to the stay. There are many inns and B&Bs run by locals which I would recommend as your first choice to experience the local life. I stayed in a lovely Airbnb which was very similar to a Scottish B&B and I would rate my stay here as one of the best Airbnb stays ever.

Need a Rental Car in Vermont?

If you are visiting internationally flying into New York or Vermont, you could go for a rental car option. Remember that you drive on the right side of the road in the USA. Your international driving license is valid if you feel comfortable driving. The rules are pretty easy with wide roads and clear junctions combined with the fact that most of the cars in the USA are automatic.

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. I would appreciate the support.

3 Day Itinerary for a Fall Foliage Road Trip in Vermont

We embarked on a Vermont Fall road trip as part of a Week East Coast Road trip traveling from Florida to Boston. This Vermont road trip itinerary starts from Albany and made our up North with stops at villages and parks in the Green Mountain National Forest until arriving at Montpelier, the capital city of Vermont. In the following days, we also covered the Vermont scenic 100 route and two mountain ranges, Mount Mansfield and Killington. Below is the route we followed color-coded per day for this amazing fall foliage road trip in Vermont. Let us enjoy the fall visual show of Vermont together.

READ: Best Road Trips in USA for your American Road Trip Bucket List

Day 1: Green Mountain National Forest

Stop 1: Jamaica State Park

Our first stop in Vermont was the Jamaica State Park which is located in a small picturesque village Jamaica in the south of Vermont. The state park needs a pass to enter and it is best to check the activities before you go. We only strolled around the village. 

The short walk from the village to the park is stunning with amazing views of colorful houses embedded into nature along the West River and an amazing bridge called the Wardsboro bridge forming a great frame.

There is a hike from here to the Ball Mountain Dam via Hamilton Falls which we missed as our itinerary was tight, I would advise planning to spend a long time here. From here we headed upwards to the village of Weston. On the way, you will get this stunning view which is the same as my feature image. Here is the exact stop: 60-52 River Road, Jamaica, VT 05343.

Stop 2: Weston Village

Weston felt was like walking through a European town with the houses, roads, and shops here reminding me of Austria/Switzerland. Adding to the Autumn charm, the village houses were fully decorated with pumpkins all ready for Halloween. I really loved the orange theme in this postcard-perfect Green Mountain Town village in autumn.

There are some really cute little shops here selling local crafts and produces. I had heard that this town is perfect to celebrate Christmas in, and the Christmas shop here really had strong European vibes so you can note this village if you’re planning a European-style getaway in the USA.

Another attraction is here the Old Mill Museum, which has a mountainous backdrop and a stunning waterfall. We did not go inside the museum as it was closed the day we visited however the view from the outside museum was breathtaking enough for us. Someone from the village had even left a pumpkin beneath the trees, how cute!

Stop 3: Plymouth

The route to Woodstock via Plymouth was one of the best scenic routes during the trip. We didn’t stop in the town itself but we just stopped along the way to admire the views.

The view of mountains and reflections in the lake is simply splendid. This route is just stunning throughout so much so it was confusing which pictures to take and which pose would be best. In the end, I can see we ended up taking fewer pictures and spent more time just enjoying the view. 

Stop 4: Woodstock Village

We arrived in Woodstock village around sunset, of course, this is what happens if you take a scenic route and keep stopping. Woodstock village is very famous in New England and is on the top list of scenic towns with amazing houses and post-card views around. Though we missed exploring the village properly, we could experience the local shop here which was so thrilling with lots of diverse farm productions. I almost wanted to buy everything and the bakery here was calling to us loudly.

These pumpkins and Squashes are just a small part of what they produce. Aren’t they so diverse? I have never seen these shapes and colors before, I spent a lot of my time just staring at pumpkins and I wished I could have brought them home with me. 

After strolling here, we headed towards Montpellier where our Airbnb was booked for the night.  I definitely need to go back to Woodstock as I could not explore it properly. We arrived late in Montpellier, found a local Thai restaurant to eat at, and headed to the Airbnb to crash.

Day 2: Scenic Route 100

Stop 5: Plainfield

Waking up in Plainfield, Montpellier in our Farm Stay Airbnb is still one of my most favorite stay experiences. This house is located in a private estate with a lake and the morning view was breathtaking. Our host was such a lovely lady who had everything sorted for us like a typical B&B in Europe. They also had an Apple tree with such low-hanging apples that I tried to act eating one while standing on the ground.

The Airbnb farm house has a vintage style and is decorated very well. The prayer flags caught my attention and I added them to my list of home decorations straight away. I wish we had more time here, I will definitely go back and stay exactly here again if it is still available.

The Airbnb was in a hilly area far away from the city. We headed towards Montpellier city first.

Stop 6: Montpelier

We stopped at Montepellier and went via Cliff Street towards Hubbard Tower to get a top view of the city. There were a lot of hikers around here and would recommend not missing this view if you visit. This town qualifies to be the most scenic Fall Town view in my mind, just like I have Tromso for the best winter view. The capital city of Vermont and the vibes here caught my attention, there is something so positive about the people and region here.

Stop 7: Vermont State House

The State House of Vermont is located in its capital town, Montpelier. Stopping by this cute statehouse was a heartwarming experience as it stood gorgeous and constantly reminded me of the Glory of this State and its People. It was just stunning with its golden dome and fall backdrop. 

We drove towards Stowe taking the scenic route 100. This drive was just epic and was sad I could only do a part of it and hope to revisit and finish the full route.

Stop 8: Ben & Jerry’s Factory, Waterbury, Stowe

We arrived at the original Ben and Jerry’s factory which is the Mekkah for Ice-cream lovers. The vibe here is too cheerful, both adults and kids queued up to get their hands on their favorite flavor. 

Here you can taste all their new flavors and pay a visit to the ice-cream graveyard where there is a gravestone for every flavor that didn’t succeed in the market.

Stop 9: Mount Mansfield

One of the highlights of my trip was the drive and hike up to Mount Mansfield, the highest mountain point in Vermont. This literally felt like being in a Hollywood movie even looking at cars coming down from that steep hill while we queued to drive up. 

Climb up and you are in the middle of a FALL HEAVEN literally. It is all Yellow, the Coldplay song was singing in my head throughout the drive here. This mountain is a not-to-miss and the best for leaf-peeping and complete with a cute little chapel.

Tips to remember while traveling to Mount Mansfield

The drive can be tricky here and we saw a couple who had got stuck with their car tire wedged in a ditch.
There are multiple trails you can do here and it is best to plan time if you wish to hike.

We just did a short section of the Sunset Ridge Trail as we did not have much time left of the day. The view from here is amazing.

A list and map of trails can be found here.

Day 3: Killington

Stop 10: Killington

At this point, one of our friends had to leave so we had a short break in the trip before the rest of us continued to visit Killington the next day which is another mountain range famous for skiing. Look at the view- amazing isn’t it?

The Killington Mountain Lodge is very popular among families and was packed during our long weekend visit. It is perfect for a Fall Foliage road trip in Vermont, particularly for a weekend getaway and they have amazing rooms to stay in here. 

Click here to find some amazing accommodation options in Killington

Final thoughts on the Fall Road Trip in Vermont

Fall Road trips in Vermont are the best for leaf peepers, nature lovers and foodies. What attracted me the most during my Vermont visit, apart from the leaf-peeping experience, and picturesque villages are the really nice people and their commitment to using local products that even McDonald’s does not exist there. Vermont is known for its natural landscape, and its capital town Montpelier is amongst the least populated cities of the USA. It definitely is an Autumn Wonderland!

Pin This Fall Road Trip in Vermont for Planning Your Trip

If you would like some help with road trip planning itself or wonder how to plan a long road trip like this, here are some of our top travel tips and guides:

• Ultimate Road trip Planner Guide
• Road Trip Accessories
• Road Trip Packing List

USA South West Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Overview

This road trip itinerary was planned to cover fewer but major highlights along the route, focusing on scenic routes and national parks in Arizona and Nevada and then adding more time for relaxation in California with less driving. It was also done this way to make sure we have room for spontaneous explorations than with a heavily packed itinerary to catch until the end. We thoroughly enjoyed this style and the itinerary was a good mix of multiple experiences. Read on!

Journey Details:

The road trip started in Phoenix exploring Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona state, Las Vegas, and Hoover Dam in Nevada state and ended in Los Angeles and San Diego in California.  This is one of the longest road trips that I have driven myself, covering some of the major US Highways 17, 40, 93, and 66. All road trip parts are written as exclusive blogs linked in the end and per destination for those interested in the overall journey.

Road Trip Duration

We spent our days as in the itinerary we followed covered in the blog, but I would recommend adjusting days based on what attracts you more. In the table, you will find a rough recommendation for the number of days and top destinations to cover along the route. In the individual itinerary planning, I will highlight other destinations and reroutes to take for your itinerary customization, some of which are still on my bucket list. Below is my recommendation for the 10-15 days planning. I wished I had more time in Arizona than we could afford to in our ten days trip, so I have made this into a two weeks road trip itinerary.

Arizona to California Road Trip Map: Downloadable Map of Route Taken

Our journey started in Phoenix and ended in San Diego as shown in the route below that is downloadable. You could also start this journey from somewhere in California.

Arizona to California Road Trip: Arizona

Arizona Road Trip Stops

Below is a list of major bucket list items to cover in Arizona Road Trip:

• Phoenix: Capital city of Arizona with an international airport
• Sedona Red Rock State Park : A red rock heaven, stunning natural beauty and best for hiking
• Grand Canyon National Park: A natural landscape wonder and great for hiking
• Kaibab National Forest: Good for wildlife tour
• Coconino National Forest: Arizonian forest experience
• Drive Across US Highway 66: The American road trip dream route

If you have more time, you could also do a trip from Phoenix to Saguaro National Park, which is the ultimate cacti desert of Arizona. Similarly, you could add Monument valley to the Northwest as well as both lower antelope canyon and upper antelope canyon as well as Horseshoe bend for an ultimate Arizona road trip.

Arizona Unique Experiences

• Hot Air Balloon Adventure in Phoenix
• ATV Tour in the Sonoran Desert
• Grand Canyon with Helicopter

Day 1 – Phoenix

We arrived in Phoenix around late afternoon, where we started this road trip across South West of America from Arizona to California. The evening drive from the Phoenix Airport to the hotel was already pretty exciting with sights of mountains and huge trucks on the wide American highways. Phoenix is one of the largest cities in Arizona, one of the desert states in America especially known for the Grand Canyons, and is sprinkled with national parks, forests, and large varieties of mountains. 

Top Things To do in Phoenix

• Explore the Botanical Garden
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Phoenix Zoo
• Checkout the Hall of Flame Fire Museum
• Hike Camelback mountain
• Goldfield Ghost town
• Scottsdale Old Town

Day 2 – Phoenix to Sedona

We drove from Phoenix towards Grand Canyon and spend the majority of the day exploring Sedona red rocks. I would recommend spending one more day here to go on the hikes. There are some nice outdoorsy staycation sites here to explore including some popular retreats in Sedona.

READ: Road Trip to Sedona & Grand Canyon, Arizona

Top Things To do in Sedona

1. Hike Chapel of Holy Cross
2. Pink Jeep Tour (very good if you have time, takes 2 hours)
3. Cathedral Rock
4. Oak Creek Canyon
5. Devil’s Bridge Trail

The red rock city is a stunner, which is so unique and leaves you breathless. It really reminded me of ancient temples in India and even made me think of the pyramids of Egypt in a funny way. The red rocks look like a big piece of architecture from a far sight.

Sedona Unique Experiences

• Broken Arrow Pink Jeep Tour: Most popular recommendation from all travellers in the community
• Stargazing in Sedona: Mostly recommended by locals
• Sedona Grand Canyon Sunset Tour: Most romantic option

Day 3 – Sedona to Grand Canyon

Sedona to Grand Canyon is an easy drive with some stunning views when you approach the grand canyon national park south rim. You need to get a national park entrance pass to go inside here and as expected there was a long queue.

Entry Ticket: 35$/vehicle, 20$/individual.

All information to find a pass is here.

READ: Road Trip to Sedona & Grand Canyon, Arizona

Top Tips for Grand Canyon

• Plan a hike based on how much time you have at hand
• Don’t miss the sun rise and sunset here. There are specific points and hikes for best sunrise and sunset views that you could plan accordingly. Just turning up to the canyon wont give you the experience you are looking for.
• Checkout Kaibab Forest if you are into wildlife photography

Grand Canyon Unique Guided Experiences

• Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour : A very popular one
• Grand Canyon Tour with Skywalk : The skywalk is pretty unique
• Grand Canyon Pink Jeep Tour : Most highly recommended by travel community

Arizona to California Road Trip: Nevada

Nevada Road Trip Stops

A few major bucket list items to cover in Nevada a Road Trip include:

• Hoover Dam
• Las Vegas
• Lake Meade

Other top itinerary items to add to your list include exploring the Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley National Park, and Valley of Fire State Park.

Day 4 & 5 – Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

We drove along the US Highway 66, across Hoover Dam to Las Vegas, via Boulder City. Nevada is really underrated in my opinion as the drive along this route is scenic and enjoyable. The border between Arizona and Nevada is cut by the Colorado River and the lakes and river views in this area are spectacular. The signboard that welcomes you to Nevada is a great road tripper experience to get to that roadside landmark.

When you are approaching Vegas,  the view of the city is captivating when you suddenly see a grand city with tall buildings appear on the horizon far away,  in contrast to the mountainous side views from the road. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to capture a nice picture of our approach.

Top Things to Do in Las Vegas

• Casino hopping (The Mirage, Luxor Hotel, MGM Grand)
• Watch the fountains of Bellagio
• Stroll around the Las Vegas Strip
• Watch a live show
• Strip club – (go for it if you fancy )

Las Vegas Budget Friendly Activities

• Las Vegas Night Bus Tour : Perfect to enjoy the city lights and vibe in Vegas
• Las Vegas Roller in the Strip : Perfect for a great view

Day 6 – Las Vegas to Hoover Dam & Lake Meade

We drove back to Hoover Dam from Vegas via Bounder city via Lake Meade on this day, and this is the best day trip for those who visit Las Vegas that offers such a fantastic scenic route to drive on.

Top tip: Hire a fancy car at least for this route and thank me later!

READ: Road Trip from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam

Top Things to Do around Hoover Dam

• Take the Lake Meade route
• Explore art and mural in Boulder City
• Stroll around the serene Hoover Dam and try your photography skills

Hoover Dam Tours from Las Vegas

Some highly rated tours from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam are:

• Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and Route 66 Guided Tour from Las Vegas

Hoover Dam to California via Boulder City

We drove from Hoover Dam to Los Angeles California by taking a small break in Boulder City. We drove in the evening time to reach Los Angeles during the night time, so this was just a highway drive with not much sightseeing.

Arizona to California Road Trip: California

California Road Trip Stops

We covered two major bucket list cities during the Road Trip California time:

• Los Angeles
• San Diego

If you have time, you could also try to hit Lake Tahoe as well as the Joshua Tree National Park around this area. Another hidden gem is Lake Havasu which is top of my bucket list for our next visit.

For those of you not been to San Francisco, I would recommend adding the city in in and do the PCH- the famous Pacific Coast Highway Route and visit the Redwood National Park where you can see the tallest trees in the world. I plan to go back and do this another time when I visit Cali, as it is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in California for a road trip lover.

Day 7,8 – Los Angeles Road Trip

We spent two days in Los Angeles which is good enough to see the majority of LA attractions, but you can add more days to enjoy the beaches and the vibe here for longer.

Top Things to Do in Los Angeles

• Venice Beach
• Santa Monica Pier (Sunset)
• Hollywood
• Walk of Fame
• Griffith Observatory (Sunset)
• Mural hunting (Venice)
• Disneyland Park
• Museum of Art

READ: Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary

Griffith observatory is my personal favourite in LA. You get here via Hollywood and you can see the Hollywood sign landmark from here. The sunset view is perfect at LA LA Land moment and the observatory is absolutely worth it. This is one of the most romantic places I have been to ever.

Los Angeles Unique Experiences

• Beverly Hills and Hollywood Helicopter Ride
• Celebrity Homes and Hollywood Tour

Day 9 – Los Angeles to San Diego taking Amtrak Train

From Los Angeles to San Diego, we took the most popular Amtrak train journey along the coast in California. We added this break in our drive to have some time to relax and we picked up our rental car in San Diego for road tripping in San Diego.

Days 10,11 – San Diego Road Trip

San Diego was the most relaxed leg of the road trip, it being the last place as well as an epicenter of one of the best beaches in California. We enjoyed beach hopping here, including kayaking, while we also enjoyed the city. San Diego’s old town is great and there are some cool bohemian-themed shops here that are very vibrant. La Jolla was my favourite most beach. Don’t forget to walk around here to see some of the best houses in San Diego.

Top Things to Do in San Diego

• La Jolla
• Sea World San Diego
• Old Town San Diego
• San Diego Zoo

READ: San Diego Road Trip Itinerary for Three Days

San Diego Unique Experiences

• Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
• San Diego Jet Boat Thrill Ride

Day 12 – Coronado Islands

On our last day, we spent a relaxed day at the Coronado islands which is a short drive from San Diego and one of the coolest places to hang out. We particularly enjoyed kayaking here at the San Diego bay.

Top Things to Do in Coronado Islands

• Water sports
• Take a tour of the island
• Hotel del Coronado
• Coronado beach is perfect for pets

You could take a Segway tour from San Diego to Coronado, which is highly recommended to see the islands.

USA South West Road Trip from Phoenix: Journey in Parts

For the detailed itinerary of all these top bucket list destinations that can be covered in this road trip, below are the exclusive blogs of all parts of the journey. 

• The Arizona Road Trip from Phoenix to Sedona & Grand Canyon covers the major attractions in Arizona around Sedona and Grand Canyon.
• The Nevada Road Trip to Las Vegas and Hoover Dam covers the most scenic routes in Nevada apart from Las Vegas.
• Los Angeles Road Trip part covers the journey from Las Vegas to Los Angeles vacation and its main attractions.
• San Diego Road Trip blog covers our adventures in San Diego for three days. 

Pin the road trip itinerary for future reference