Great American Road Trips for Families

Take your family on an unforgettable road trip!  

Road trips are an iconic American pastime and a great way for families to bond and explore new places. From charming towns to breathtaking national parks from sea to shining sea. Pack your car and set off for an adventure along one of these ten best U.S. family road trips: 

NORTHEAST 

Boston to Bar Harbor 

This route takes you from historic Boston to the seaside of Bar Harbor, Maine, and Acadia National Park. Explore American Revolution sites along Boston’s Freedom Trail, then explore coastal towns and lighthouses as you drive across Maine. Explore Acadia’s 46,000 acres, including 20 different islands, via hiking, carriage rides, biking, and boating. Visit the quaint town of Bar Harbor and enjoy fresh-caught lobster.  

SOUTHEAST

The Florida Keys

A road trip through the Florida Keys is perfect for a tropical getaway. Start in Miami and cruise your way down to Key West along the 180-mile-long archipelago, stopping at beaches, snorkeling spots, and seafood shacks along the way. You can also visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and take a sunset cruise in Key West. 

North Carolina

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway for beautiful scenery, tour the lighthouses on the Outer Banks, and get a little closer to nature with a stay in a mountain cabin. Don’t forget to check out the history and attractions of Asheville while you’re here. 

MIDWEST

Route 66

Driving along Route 66 is a classic American road trip that offers plenty of family-friendly attractions along the way. Start in Chicago and travel to Santa Monica as you journey across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and into California. Stop at quirky roadside attractions like the Cadillac Ranch and National Parks like the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest. 

SOUTH CENTRAL

Texas

From vibrant cities like Austin to the high desert and stargazing at Big Bend National Park, a family road trip through Texas offers plenty of activities for every interest. Enjoy rodeos, sample the barbecue, and pick up a few pairs of handmade cowboy boots along the way. Oh, and don’t forget Mission San Jose and remember the Alamo! 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The Oregon Coast

Start off the coast west of Portland in the lush dairy region of Tillamook for a cheese and ice cream-filled experience at the Tillamook Creamery. Then drive south along stunning coastal views to whale-watching in the nation’s smallest harbor Depoe Bay, colorful cranberry bogs outside of Bandon, and North America’s largest coastal sand dunes in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. North from Tillamook will take you to charming Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park. 

Pacific Northwest National Parks

A road trip through the Pacific Northwest is a great option for families who love the great outdoors. Start in Seattle and drive through Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and southern Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. Along the way, you can go hiking, kayaking, and even whale watching. 

WEST & WEST COAST

Utah

Spend time exploring the dramatic landscape of Utah. Check out Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, ride the ski lifts for incredible views, and pan for gemstones at Spooky Gulch and Dance Hall Caverns.  

Colorado Star Gazing Road Trip

From National Parks to National Forests and small towns in between, explore Colorado’s Experience the Night itinerary connecting locations known for their dark skies and allowing for some of the best stargazing in the world.  

South Dakota to Wyoming

Start in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest, visiting the iconic Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Then head west to Wyoming for Jurassic adventures at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center & Dig Sites, where the whole family can play paleontologist. 

California Central Coast

Start in the quaint town of Monterey with a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a whale watch boating adventure. Pick up the famed Pacific Coast Highway to drive south through Big Sur and to Solvang, the Danish Capital of America and California’s “Little Denmark.”  

No matter your route, you're sure to make memories to last a lifetime with your family on one of these fantastic adventures.  

Get tips for your trip in the Planning the Perfect Summer Family Road Trip KeeKee’s Corner.

Summer Family Road Trip Adventure Awaits!