Looking for the best U.S. road trips for families? With nearly 4 million miles of roadway, the United States is built for adventure. From iconic highways to scenic national park loops, there’s no better way to see the country than on four wheels.

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Best U.S. road trips

Why Family U.S. road trips are the Ultimate Getaway

There’s something magical about piling into the car, topping off the gas tank, and turning up your favorite playlist. U.S. road trips give families the freedom to explore at their own pace, take spontaneous detours, and create memories you can’t make at an airport gate. From coastal drives and mountain passes to historic routes filled with Americana, every road trip tells a story worth experiencing together.

The Great River Road: A Historic U.S. Road Trip Down the Mississippi

If you want a mix of history, culture, and scenic views, the Great River Road is one of the most rewarding family road trips in the U.S. This 3,000-mile route traces the Mississippi River through 10 states, from Minnesota all the way to New Orleans.

Highlights along the way include:

Exploring Minneapolis-St. Paul’s art and music scene.
Visiting Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Missouri.
Touring Civil War battlefields and music landmarks in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Ending in New Orleans, where live jazz, Creole cuisine, and French Quarter architecture create a one-of-a-kind finale.

Start in Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” where the river begins its journey. Along the way, explore Minneapolis-St. Paul’s museums and music scene before heading south through Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. A stop in Missouri offers the chance to visit Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, where the spirit of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn still lingers.

Further downriver, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi offer a mix of Civil War battlefields, archaeological sites, and world-famous music venues. Don’t miss detours to Nashville for country music or Churchill Downs in Louisville for a taste of horse racing history. The journey ends in New Orleans, where the French Quarter greets travelers with live jazz, Creole cuisine, and centuries-old architecture.

This drive is perfect for families who want both education and adventure rolled into one unforgettable trip.

U.S. road trips: Southwest desert and national parks

Large red sandstone rock formation stands next to green pine trees under a blue sky; a small brown sign is visible at the base—an iconic stop on some of the best U.S. road trips.

For outdoor-loving families, few adventures beat a Southwest road trip through Nevada, Utah, and Arizona’s national parks. Starting and ending in Las Vegas, this loop covers about 1,200 miles of dramatic desert landscapes, slot canyons, and red rock formations.

Highlights include:

Hiking Zion’s famous trails or driving along the Virgin River. Zion National Park kicks things off with hikes like The Narrows and Angels Landing.
Seeing Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos from 9,000 feet above sea level.
Watching a sunset (and stargazing) at Capitol Reef, an International Dark Sky Park.
Exploring Arches National Park, boasting over 2,000 natural stone arches, the highest concentration in the world.
Standing in awe at Monument Valley, which is instantly recognizable from countless Western films.
Touring Antelope Canyon on Navajo land, an accessible slot canyon famous for its glowing sandstone walls. Known as “the place where water runs through rocks,” this slot canyon is famous for its shifting beams of light and sculpted sandstone walls, and is accessible only by guided tour.
The trip concludes with the crown jewel: the Grand Canyon, where families can hike, raft, or ride mules along some of the most iconic trails in the world.

This is the kind of trip where sturdy hiking boots, a National Parks Pass, and a camera are must-haves.

Several brightly lit neon motel signs stand along Route 66 in Illinois at dusk, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

U.S. road trips: Historic Route 66

No list of American road trips would be complete without Route 66, often called The Mother Road. Turning 100 years old in 2026, Route 66 once stretched over 2,400 miles from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in California. Although much of the original highway has been replaced by interstates, the surviving portions still capture the spirit of 20th-century America.

What makes Route 66 so special?

Quirky roadside attractions like the Gemini Giant in Illinois.
Vintage diners, neon motels, and retro drive-in theaters.
Over 250 landmarks are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A chance to experience a true piece of Americana, from Chicago to Santa Monica Pier.

It’s part history lesson, part sightseeing adventure, and all fun for the whole family.

Originally built in 1923 to link rural towns to larger cities, the road quickly became a migration route for families heading west after the Dust Bowl. By the mid-1900s, it was lined with diners, motels, neon signs, and quirky roadside attractions. Today, more than 250 landmarks along Route 66 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Travelers can still grab a burger at vintage drive-ins, pose with kitschy roadside giants, or take in the nostalgia of neon-lit small towns. Much of the original Route 66 was disrupted or rerouted by four- and six-lane highways built from the 1950s to the 1970s, and by 1985, it no longer existed. In 1990, Congress declared that it had become “a symbol of the American people’s heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life.” It’s not just a fun drive; it’s a snapshot of history that will not soon be forgotten.

A truck drives over an elevated highway surrounded by colorful autumn trees and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the spirit of the best U.S. road trips. — Source: Facebook

U.S. road trips: Blue Ridge Parkway

Nicknamed America’s Favorite Drive, this 469-mile scenic route runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, linking Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park with North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains. Along the way, you’ll find Revolutionary War sites, historic settlements, and panoramic overlooks. (Note: portions remain closed due to 2024’s Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.)

Map of California’s Pacific Coast Highway route on the left, with photos of Golden Gate Bridge, Bixby Creek Bridge, and a coastal highway at right—highlighting one of the best U.S. road trips. — Source: Facebook

U.S. road trips: Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)

Usually, one of the most breathtaking drives in the U.S., stretching from Washington down to Southern California. Sweeping ocean views, seaside towns, and dramatic cliffs make it a truly iconic destination. Following recent wildfires and mudslides, large portions of the park remain closed, so families may want to save this one for next year.

Here are a few more U.S. road trips to inspire you:

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose the Great River Road, a Southwest National Park loop, or the nostalgia of Route 66, U.S. road trips offer families more than just a vacation — they’re a chance to connect, explore, and create stories you’ll share for years. Sure, there might be bumps along the way, but that’s all part of the journey.

When it comes to family-friendly travel in the U.S., few experiences beat the freedom of the open road. Pack your bags, grab your playlist, and get ready for an adventure your family will never forget.