2018 Summer Road Trip Guide

One of America’s greatest pastimes, road tripping, remains as popular as ever, especially in summer. And with peak road-tripping season upon us, I have tips, tricks and recommendations directly from our most experienced travel counselors to help with your planning. Included are some hidden gems, as well as more popular destinations.

Choose your direction and read on.

North

We Minnesotans are fiercely proud of our state, and there’s a lot of it north of the Twin Cities. Between the remote wilderness, abundance of lakes and an overall sense of tranquility, it doesn’t get much more quintessentially Minnesotan.

Northern Minnesota

The majority of northern Minnesota, such as the familiar North Shore and Lakes resort areas, is easily accessible for a daytrip, quick overnight or long weekend. But if you travel just a little farther, there’s more to see and do, and it can often be considerably less crowded.

Gunflint Trail offers stunning wildlife, pristine lakes, quaint lodges, superior hiking and unforgettable scenery. A 57-mile national scenic byway and originally created as a pedestrian road, it’s now a popular scenic route stretching from Grand Marais into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Check out Eagle Mountain, the state’s highest point, and less than an hour north of Grand Marais, the Grand Portage National Monument, a free and often-overlooked attraction with beautiful Lake Superior vistas and reconstructed historical buildings.

Lake Superior

The Lake Superior Circle Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The 1,300-mile drive around the world’s largest freshwater lake offers breathtaking scenery, camping, hiking and relaxation. The drive passes through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario, and highlights include the Shipwreck Museum, Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, Copper Harbor, Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls and Mackinac. It’s a favorite fall road trip for all the changing colors, but if you’re feeling especially adventurous, try the entire tour.

Canada

Our friendly northern neighbor Winnipeg is one of the closest major Canadian cities. It sports plenty of museums, 600-acre FortWhyte Alive natural habitat and the Royal Canadian Mint. The Forks, framed by the Assiniboine and Red rivers, was originally a trading post more than 6,000 years ago. Today, it’s known as the city’s dining, shopping, entertainment and gathering hub.

Above the eastern side of the Minnesota border, Thunder Bay is popular for those looking to get in touch with nature. Nestled along Lake Superior’s coast, its multitude of parks offer not only epic views but scenic trails for great hiking and plenty of wildlife sightings.

If you have a few vacation days to spare, Banff National Park is a bit farther but worth the drive. Located in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is home to Lake Louise, whose crystal-blue water set among a mountainous backdrop is the stuff of dreams. Banff Gondola takes visitors to Sulphur Mountain’s summit for views of six mountain ranges from the 360-degree observation deck. Additional planning and preparation is needed to cross the Canadian border, as there are many rules and restrictions, so it’s important to be familiar with them before hitting the road.

East

When heading out of the Twin Cities by car, people don’t always think of the East Coast as a viable road-trip destination. Some think of the clustered New England states, the Atlantic Ocean or busy New York and turn away. But even if you don’t travel all the way to the East Coast, there’s plenty to see.

Wisconsin

When it comes to somewhere close and east, Wisconsin is one of your best bets. Door County is a popular destination not far from home. Located on a peninsula stretching into Lake Michigan, it’s nicknamed Cape Cod of the Midwest for its harbors, coves, boating and 300 glorious miles of coastline. Summertime activities feature lighthouse tours, fish boils and bike rides. And a bonus for Cheeseheads: Green Bay is on the way.

A lesser-known option a similar distance as Door County is Cedarburg. Reminiscent of Stillwater, Minn., with its quaint downtown area filled with shops and wineries, it’s located just north of Milwaukee. The Cedarburg Covered Bridge promises Instagram-ready photos, and the Strawberry Festival draws large crowds in June. Cedar Creek Winery is a popular spot, not only for its variety of wines but for the grounds and stunning Lake Michigan views. And if water slides are a must, Wisconsin Dells is on the way.

Michigan

Whether you’re heading to Grand Rapids, Lansing or Traverse City, there are several ways to get to Michigan, and all offer their own unique draws. Getting there is half the fun, right? Driving south through Wisconsin and Chicago is the more popular route and offers myriad great stops. Chicago is a destination on its own, of course.

Another option is straight across Wisconsin, through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan’s state parks and down the Mackinac Bridge. A popular destination in Michigan’s U.P. is Mackinac Island, known for its white historical buildings, bike riding and, of course, fudge.

There’s also the option of crossing Lake Michigan by ferry with your car. The S.S. Badger travels from Manitowoc, Wis., to Ludington, Mich., twice a day in summer. Round-trip tickets start at $111 per person currently.

Niagara Falls and New England

When it comes to iconic destinations, Niagara Falls is always high on the list. The route for this road trip depends on whether you want to make part of the drive through Canada or stick stateside. As mentioned before, have the proper documentation for the border crossing.

Feeling up for a slightly longer trip? Continue to New York’s impressive Adirondack Mountains. But if you want to save this road trip for fall and you’re willing to go even farther, New England colors are indescribably beautiful in places such as idyllic Bar Harbor, Maine. Book early for this season, and be aware many lodging options require a two- or three-night minimum stay.

South

Many people equate heading south with an abundance of culture and history, warmer weather and the big state of Texas. But some of the best road-trip routes lie just south of the Twin Cities.

Iowa

While our southern neighbor may be known for its never-ending cornfields, there’s more to see and do than many realize. Iowa is the perfect distance for a quick daytrip or a long weekend. On your way down (or as a destination), check out Austin, Minn.’s, SPAM Museum for a free tour and a sample.

In Iowa, movie buffs flock to Dyersville’s Field of Dreams movie site or the bridges of Madison County. Or even Winterset’s John Wayne Birthplace Museum. History enthusiasts frequent West Branch’s Herbert Hoover birthplace, a national historic site. And for more recent history, Clear Lake’s Buddy Holly crash site is a photo-worthy moment.

If you’re looking for an extended trip that includes the heart of Iowa, try Avenue of the Saints, which travels from St. Paul, Minn., to St. Louis. This 563-mile stretch of road was conceptualized in the 1980s by Ernest Hayes of Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Nashville

One of the hottest destinations, Nashville boasts a mix of music, food and culture that has people of all ages flocking here, especially country-music fans. It’s a great distance for a road trip and has a lot of excellent stops along the way. With only three freeways into the city, it’s important to time your arrival to avoid peak traffic times.

History buffs will enjoy The Hermitage, the historical plantation that was President Andrew Jackson’s home, while the Grand Ole Opry is the music-lovers’ destination. And 
everyone will enjoy Centennial Park’s full-scale replica of the Parthenon. As an added bonus, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country’s most popular and frequently visited park, is located a few hours’ drive east.

Great River Road

When it comes to road trips, it doesn’t get much more iconic than the Great River Road. Located along the Mississippi River, it’s one of the country’s most beautiful drives, stretching 3,000 miles through 10 states, from the river’s Minnesota headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico. This national scenic byway, created in 1938, is a collection of state and local roads marked throughout with signs featuring a green pilot’s wheel.

You can take it all the way to New Orleans’ French Quarter (approximately 36 hours) and enjoy great towns, parks and views the whole way. There’s no shortage of places to stop along the way, including historical sites, countless breweries and wineries, and local eateries offering cuisine ranging from cheese curds to barbecue to gumbo. There are maps, TourBook guides and TripTik routings available for the route, and there’s also a Drive the Great River Road app available for Android and iOS.

West

Westward road tripping lends itself to thoughts of picturesque mountain ranges, expansive plains and national parks. That’s definitely true, but allow time for lots of fantastic stops on the way.

South Dakota

South Dakota remains one of the most-frequented family road trips for Minnesotans and for good reason. The Black Hills, Badlands and Mount Rushmore are obvious draws, but there are many memorable stops. From the Mitchell Corn Palace to the famous Wall Drug Store to Rapid City’s presidential statues, there’s something for everyone. You may want to avoid (or join the fun?) the Black Hills for the first weekend in August, as motorcycles will take over for the 77th annual Sturgis Rally.

Yellowstone National Park

You can take the South Dakota route to get to Yellowstone National Park, but the quicker route is actually through North Dakota, where there’s a surprisingly immense amount of fun stuff. Hit West Fargo’s Bonanzaville museum complex, sample dandelion wine at Casselton’s Maple Winery and feast your eyes on Salem Sue, the world’s largest Holstein cow statue, in New Salem. Don’t miss Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with its beautiful Painted Canyon, and several dinosaur museums.

In Montana, try Miles City’s casinos, and stop at Pompeys Pillar National Monument near Billings. As one of the largest national parks, Yellowstone has much to experience, 
so allow enough time at this destination.

Utah’s Mighty 5

Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion national parks are major draws for summer road trips. Most people try to visit at least three of the five, and the decision is based on proximity and personal preference. 

Colorado and Utah are incredibly popular because of the beautiful surroundings and access to a wide range of activities, including hiking, river rafting and biking. May and September tend to be less busy and a little less hot.

An America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass could be a worthwhile investment at $80 if you plan to visit more than three parks this year, as entrance fees average around $25 per car. The GyPSy app offers guided audio tours for several parks, and it can track your location to provide rare information about the surroundings. If you’re interested in a tour or staying at a particular place, making a reservation (sometimes months in advance) is strongly recommended. Lodging with a complimentary shuttle into the park is ideal and could save a lot of time and hassle.

Planning Your Trip

Talk to AAA Minneapolis Travel advisers. Not only have they helped plan hundreds of road trips for members, they love to road trip themselves. If any of the routes mentioned (or any others) interest you, our counselors will be happy to provide a more detailed and thorough itinerary for you.

Raya Garrison is AAA Minneapolis’ content marketing specialist.