Top five road trips to take with friends

By: Peter Lewis

Since the automobile became widely commercially available to the American public, the American love for the automobile began and it has been going strong ever since.  As the automobile became popular, so did traveling the roads and highways being created.  With all this, many have become interested in road trips for the exploration, freedom, bonding, and the adventure.  Luckily, the US has some very good road trips for you and your friends to see the country like you’ve most likely never seen before.  Keep in mind, road trips take serious planning and commitment, but are some of the greatest experiences in the end.  Listed are the five top road trips in the US that a group can take together.

 

5. The Great River Road

 

This famous route is not technically a single road, rather a collection of roads and highways that you can choose to travel along the Mississippi River, starting from either the Gulf of Mexico or Lake Itasca in Minnesota.  Covering the ten states that boarder the river, the total mileage you could chose to travel can be anywhere from 1,300 to 2,500 miles.  You will go directly through the major US cities such as St. Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and Minneapolis, as well as numerous cultural areas, hills, and the Mississippi River Basin.   Though a lot of industry exists on the route, the other views are well worth an extened drive.  Those who have traveled the numerous possible routes say this is the best way to live Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” and is one of the greatest driving experiences possible.

 

4.  Appalachian Trail

 

While the Appalachian Trail is primarily known as a great hiking destination, it also isn’t a surprisingly great road trip to take if hiking is your strong suit.  This route is primarily a two lane road that from Georgia to Maine and has 2,168 miles to view and explore.  The Appalachian Trail’s strongest selling point is its views, plus cutting through numerous national and state parks along the way gives many reasons to have a longer trip and not drive as much and take in the surroundings.  While the route can easily get you to New York City, Washington DC, and Philadelphia to explore, it’s advised by many to stick to the route to get the full experience and save time; however, if you have the time and desire this route may be perfect for a group.

 

3.  Pacific Coast Highway

 

When many think of the Pacific Coast, their minds often wonder to visions of palm tree beaches, surfing, unimaginable beach life, and California. This, however, doesn’t even come close to what this area has to offer and the Pacific Coast Highway proves it.  Only traveling through three states, California, Oregon, and Washington with its famous routes totaling an impressive 1,150 miles. For sites seers, this route offers mountain slopes and rises, beaches, wilderness, and parkland that can allow you to participate in numerous outdoor activities, all along the route.  If you’re into seeing cities, the Pacific Coast Highway will allow you to drive directly into Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, with all their surrounding areas at your disposal.  With the west coast, the weather is usually great year round, but this is a prime summer trip for any group.

 

2. Atlantic Coast Highway

 

Like the Pacific Coast Highway, The Atlantic Coast Highway travels the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to New York as its set route; but, if you want, you can easily continue up to Maine to get the full experience.  Not taking the infamous I-95, but the two lane country roads that make this route possible, the mileage will clock in around 2,000 miles or more, depending on what you wish to do on this true adventure.  Starting in Key West, the route will take you to some of the US’ most iconic cities like, Miami, West Palm Beach, Daytona, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Atlantic City, and New York City.  This route will easily have something to offer everyone, from historic sites, culture, or things to do. 

 

1.  Route 66       

 

  Without a doubt the undisputed king of the American road trips, Route 66 is the road trip everyone with a passion for road trips need to take.  This route of classic Americana travels from Chicago to Los Angeles, passes through eight states, and goes for over 2000 miles.  Traveling through major US cities, small town America, the plains, the desert, and the California hills, this route is the best way to see some of the best days of the US’ history.  Over eighty percent of the original road still exists and many original diners and motels on the route still survive to this day and continue to thrive, so the authenticity is still there, which gives the route its iconic identity.