🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 162 (from laksa055)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa162.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/","crawl_time":1776534296,"first_indexed_time":1651786942,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,takebackroads!\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/ s443","src_root_hash":"8619892484670423362","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country","meta_descriptions":["A comprehensive cross country road trip guide, with things to see & do, the best routes to take, plus insights from seasoned road trippers."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"I’ve taken a handful of\ncross country road trips\nover the years.  However, there are still a few\ncross country\nroad trip\nideas that remain on my bucket list:  riding a motorcycle cross country, taking one of America’s\nhistoric highways\nthe whole way from coast to coast (US-50 is the most likely candidate),\ndriving cross country on one of the northern routes\n(done! Just need to finish that post!) and driving a back roads loop around the country.  During the summers of 2020 & 2021 – in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic! – I managed to cross the latter two items off my list.\nWell, sort of…  While the majority of those trips were on back roads, I must admit up front that we did also do a fair share of interstate driving across the Midwest.  With my sincerest apologies to residents of the\nflyover states\n, the time constraints for these trips forced us to take the highway across some of the center of the country, leaving very little time for sight-seeing.\nLike our time in\nLas Vegas\n, we were going to have to prioritize.\nIt’s time to get out there and explore!\nA Round Trip Itinerary for a Cross Country Road Trip\nThe Round Trip Road Trip\nTechnically, I’ve only done one truly coast-to-coast cross country road trip, and that was when I graduated from high school (1999!  It feels gross to even think how long ago that was…).  That was my first cross country road trip, and my first round trip road trip.\nThat experience will make for an excellent post, actually: \ntaking cross country road trips to celebrate graduation is now a three-generation family tradition.\n  My father took cross country trips to celebrate his high school and college graduations, in 1966 and 1970.  I took a round trip road trip to celebrate high school graduation in 1999.  And now, I’ve taken my daughter on two cross country road trips as well, celebrating her high school & college graduations.\nAlas… that will have to remain a different post to be written a different day.\nAll of my other cross country road trips have either started or ended in my former home state: \nPennsylvania\n(instead of the Atlantic coast).  While there is no formal definition for what qualifies as a cross country road trip, I feel confident that a trip covering 2,600 miles and all but one of the states that span from coast to coast definitely fits the bill!  In fact, on our drive heading west, we zig-zagged our way across nearly 8,000 miles during just one road trip!\nThis post is going to examine routes to consider, destinations to include, and a few other great pieces of cross country road trip advice… so buckle up, because it’s going to be a long ride!\nGenerally speaking, there are three main routes to drive cross country:  northern, central, and southern.  Mostly self-explanatory, the northern route stays on a path across the northern states like New York, Minnesota, Montana, or Idaho.  The central route follows a path across the middle states, like Kansas and Colorado.  The southern route stays mostly south, crossing states like Georgia, Texas, or Arizona.\nFair warning – This post is currently being updated\nThe Southern Route is being put together as quickly as I can.\nHowever, because I cannot save drafts of edits being made to published posts,\nI will have to publish things mid-creation.  It’s not ideal, so please bear with me!\nAs you can see on the map above, I am reviewing two of the three major routes to drive cross country.\n  It’s taken two years, but it’s finally occurred to me how absurd it is to not include more information on the southern route.  When I first published this post, like on my trips in 2020,\nI wrote about the central route heading west and then a northern route heading east.  For the southern option, I’m going to roughly follow the west-to-east route I took in 2019 when I drove cross-country\nin an antique Porsche.\nI write about these cross country routes using the orientation I traveled when I took them. \nI\nhope it’s clear that you can use these options when heading either direction.  \nDriving West: the Central Route\nDriving East: the Northern Route\nWhen to Travel\n(including insights on how long your road trip should be)\nWhere to Stay Along the Way\nWhat to Take With You\nAdditional Insights, tips, and road trip advice\nPlan a Cross Country Road Trip\nAs you might imagine, when\nplanning a road trip\nthat’s going to encompass approximately 6,000 miles, you’re going to need a significant amount of time to travel. \nEven in a situation like ours, where the first or last 1,000 miles or so are on the interstate, you should anticipate at least 125 hours of time behind the wheel. \nIf you’ve never taken a long road trip – or even if you have –\nthat’s a lot of time to be driving\n.\nWhen\ncreating road trip plans\nfor travelers, I suggest limiting actual driving time (“butts in seats” time) to 6 hours a day. \nThis allows you to still explore things you find along the way… and won’t completely burn you out to the experience of driving.\nIn my mind,\nthere are two main categories of\nroad trips\n:\n  trips in which you immerse yourself deeply into one region, and trips in which you experience a lot of different regions at once.  In the first category, immersing yourself deeply into one region, you spend your entire trip exploring all of the various things you can see in do in that particular region.  You delve into the intimate nuances which make that region unique, spending hours or even days exploring single areas.\nA cross country road trip, by its very nature, is going to fall under the second category. \nInstead of spending the majority (or entirety) of your trip exploring a single area, you are going to spend a little bit of time experiencing multiple different areas.  I like to call it an\nappetizer adventure\n:  you experience a proverbial sampler platter of a number of different regions of the country, getting a small taste of what that area has to offer.\nThink of your cross country drive as a scouting trip of sorts;  you’re going to find areas where you’ll have a powerful desire to return and explore in greater depth.  You’ll also discover that other areas are places where you have no interesting in returning.  \nDo no go into the process of planning a cross country road trip expecting to explore many areas in depth.  \nUnless you are retired and\/or have all the time in the world, you are going to find yourself disappointed if you go into your trip with this mindset!\nAs you might imagine,\nprioritizing the places you want to see is crucial to this process.\n  The\nvery first\npart of your planning process should be spent talking this over with your travel partner(s).  Discuss the places you absolutely must see, the places you’d like to visit if there’s time, and the places you’re not particularly interested in visiting.  This will lay the groundwork for planning your route, and if you’re lucky, might actually make the process very simple.\nLast thought:  While this itinerary will mostly follow my own recent trips, it will not be an exact match.\n \nAs I already mentioned, we had some time constraints that forced us to limit our itinerary a bit.  I’m going to add in a few destinations that we simply did not have time to explore, and let you decide what best fits your priorities!  As always, you can\nemail me directly\nif you have additional\nquestions!\nHead for the sunset!\nDriving West:  the Central Cross Country Route\nIn case you missed it, our trip started in\nPennsylvania\n, so that’s where this itinerary will start as well.  From there, we drove nearly straight west across the middle of the country and then dipped south.\nPennsylvania\nThere are many things that I could recommend for you to see and do in my home state, and it’s highly dependent upon what your interests are.  Because I’ve dedicated\na number of posts\nto the things you can do here, I’m going to focus on just a few broad highlights and options to consider.\nPlaces to go in Pennsylvania\nPhiladelphia\n:  America’s first capital city is LOADED with\nhistorical experiences\nto explore\nPittsburgh\n:  One of America’s original industrial cities, my hometown has undergone a complete makeover, and is now loaded with fascinating\nthings to see and do\nAllegheny National Forest\n:  One of several outdoor enthusiast meccas in PA, ANF has a\ndynamic range of activities\navailable year round… with\nplenty more\nnearby!\nLaurel Highlands\n:  Another outdoor enthusiast mecca, the\nLaurel Highlands\nis ALSO home to a number of homes designed by\nFrank Lloyd Wright\nBack Road Routes across Pennsylvania\nUS Route 6\n– a\nstoried transcontinental route\nwhich cuts across the heart of the PA Wilds, you could take Route 6 the whole way to California if you so desire!\nUS Route 30\n– one of America’s most famous historical cross country highways,\nthe Lincoln Highway\ntakes travelers from New York City to San Francisco\nWest Virginia\nAmerica’s primary coal-mining state is well-known for its numerous mines and heavily wooded mountainous terrain.  Chock full of natural scenery, sweeping hilltop vistas, and twisting back roads, West Virginia is a great state to include on your route!\nPlaces to go in WV\nMorgantown\n:  As the home of\nWVU\n, Morgantown is likely the most well-known city in the state, and offers plenty of\nplaces worth checking out\nMonongahela National Forest\n:  A MASSIVE National Forest that encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of rugged mountain terrain, including…\nDolly Sods Wilderness area\n:  A rocky and isolated wilderness area with plenty of places to hike and camp\nThe Talon\n:  A twisting and winding\nmountain back road\n, especially popular with motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts\nBack Road Routes across WV\nUS Route 50\n– Another historic cross country highway, Route 50 cuts across the northern woods of West Virginia\nUS Route 250\n– A zig-zagging route that runs diagonally across West Virginia, Route 250 cuts you through the heart of some of the wildest places in the state\nUS Route 19\n– Though it runs north to south, this historical route cuts across some of the most beautiful parts of the state, including the rock climbers’ heaven,\nNew River Gorge\nPhoto Credit:\nThe Talon\nBack to Top\nKentucky\nThe Bourbon State.  The Bluegrass State.  Home of the Kentucky Derby.  Another major coal mining state.  No matter what description you use, the bottom line here is that Kentucky is one of my favorite states on the East Coast, and is home to some absolutely gorgeous back roads.\nPlaces to go in Kentucky\nBourbon Trail\n:  a conglomeration of destinations, Kentucky’s bourbon trail is an\neasy way to visit\nany number of distilleries creating the state’s most famous export.  My favorites (to visit, not necessarily to drink): \nMaker’s Mark\n, Woodford, and Buffalo Trace\nLouisville\n:  Kentucky’s largest city is home to the\nKentucky Derby\n, the world’s most famous\nbaseball bats\n, and much more\nDaniel Boone National Forest\n:  Like MNF In WV, DBNF is home to dense woods, rugged terrain, rock climbing, cliffs, and plenty of places to hike\nLand Between the Lakes National Rec Area\n– a narrow strip of wilderness located between two lakes, full of hiking, camping, and water-based activities\nNatural Arch Scenic Area At Parkers Lake Kentucky In The Daniel Boone – image courtesy of\nUS Forest Service\nBack Road Routes across Kentucky\nUS Route 62\n– a diagonal shot across the state, Route 62 cuts across the gorgeous heart of bourbon country and the well-groomed\nthoroughbred territory\nKentucky Route 80\n– Cutting across the southern edge of the state, KY-80 is filled with scenic beauty and plentiful options for exploration\nMissouri\nMissouri is widely known as the\nGateway to the West\n.  It’s largest city is home to the Gateway Arch, and because it sits centrally on the western banks of the Mississippi River, Missouri is often the first “western” state road trippers encounter.\nPlaces to go in Missouri\nSt Louis\n:  the state’s most famous city sits on the banks of the mighty Mississippi and features numerous tourist destinations: \nGateway Arch\n,\nBudweiser Brewery\n, and the\nNational Transportation Museum\nare a few highlights.  This will also be the first place you’ll cross\nRoute 66\non your trip west.\nBranson\n:  one of the cheesiest cities in the country, Branson is home to countless country and other live music venues, wax museums, and other various & sundry attractions.  Oh, and it sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountain wilderness.\nDogwood Canyon\n&\nHickory Canyon\nState Parks:  relatively small but jaw-droppingly gorgeous (see what I did there?), these two parks offer lots to see and do for the lover of natural scenery\nMark Twain National Forest\n:  much larger than the previous parks, MTNF is home to thousands of acres of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and densely wooded rolling hills\nCedar Lodge at Dogwood Canyon Falls – image courtesy of\nCedar Lodge\nBack Road Routes across Missouri\nUS Route 160\n– Running along the very southern edge of the state, Route 160 (who we’ll be seeing again..!) winds its way across the rolling foothills of the Ozarks\nUS Route 60\n– Only a couple dozen miles north of Route 160, Route 60 also cuts you across the hills of southern Missouri, albeit in a slightly more “refined” fashion:  Less rugged, fewer hills, and more open panoramas… but still a far more interesting and relaxing option than US Route 50, which cuts across several metro areas and long stretches of open plains\nKansas\nNo sense in candy-coating the truth here:  Kansas is going to be one of the most boring, difficult states on this adventure.  That’s going to be nearly unavoidable, though, as it’s next to impossible to drive cross country without crossing one of the flat central plains states.\nImage courtesy of\nNational Parks Conservation Association\nPlaces to go in Kansas\nKansas City\n:  Located partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas, America’s most confusing city spans the Missouri River, Kansas River, the state border, and significant\nBBQ-based disputes\n!\nLittle House on the Prairie Museum\n:  A replica of the tiny cabin where Laura Ingalls Wilder & her family lived\nDodge City\n:  One of America’s most famous cowboy towns boasts a couple of\nexcellent museums\nand a handful of old school taverns & saloons (plus its fair share of casinos)\nTallgrass Prairie National Preserve\n:  some of the last natural tallgrass prairie acreage left in America\nBack Road Routes across Kansas\nUS Route 50 – If you really feel inclined and\/or dedicated to do the entirety of your cross country trip on back roads, US 50 is probably your best option – especially if you’re stopping in Kansas City for some BBQ!\nUS Route 400\n– If you would rather have a rural route, US 400 takes you across the southern portion of the state, and connects with Route 50 in Dodge City\nBack to Top\n \n \nThough it was still early – only around 10AM – the sand was too hot for precious puppy feet!  Shocking to realize that this was in Colorado.\n \nNo, your screen isn’t dirty – those are people, climbing the tallest sand dunes in America, found in … Colorado??\n(EDITOR’S NOTE:  The highlight lists from Colorado and beyond will not include the most obvious tourist destinations that people are already aware of)\nColorado\nThings are about to get really, really incredible… well, eventually, once you’ve crossed over the 100 miles or so of Eastern Colorado that looks a whole lot like Kansas!  Once you hit the mountains, though, the scenery is simply remarkable. \nColorado\nis easily in my top five for most jaw-dropping back roads in the country (bear in mind, I’ve not been to Alaska or Hawaii yet).  The state is just absolutely loaded with incredible scenery… more than I could ever hope to capture or describe. \nS\nelecting only a handful of places to highlight (or roads to choose from) is going to be challenging from here going forward!  \nPlaces to go in Colorado\nPike’s Peak\n:  one of Colorado’s highest peaks also features some of Colorado’s best mountaintop driving… and it’s very close to one of my favorite cities in the state…\nColorado Springs\n:  an awesome mountain city that is surrounded by utterly jaw-dropping natural beauty.  It also features several\nnatural attractions\nin or near the city, and an\nawesome bohemian shopping district\n.\nGreat Sand Dunes National Park\n:  an unusual and lesser known\nNational Park\n(I hadn’t heard of it until\nWanderlust Photography\npublished\ntheir blog\nabout it) centrally located in the southern tier of the state, Great Sand Dunes offers the unusual combination of desert and mountain scenery.  The San Juan Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tallest sand dunes in North America.\nBlack Canyon of the Gunnison NP\n:  I hesitated about whether to include Black Canyon on this list.  Though the view from the\nNorth Rim\nwas both impressive and uncrowded (we were the only ones there), and the drive to get there on CO-92 was genuinely stunning… the place felt somehow menacing to us.  The winds whipped and howled through the canyon, and the steep drop-offs were dizzying to behold.  The drive back to the North Rim also featured several unmarked & unfenced drop-offs, and was confusing and poorly marked.  It added at least 90 minutes each way to get there.  So if you’re going to go see it, I recommend the\nSouth Rim\n, which offers similar perspectives and is much closer and more easily accessible.\nMillion Dollar Highway\nand\nTelluride\n:  I considered including the Million Dollar Highway as a route across the state, but the truth is, it’s one of the few places in\nAmerica\nwhere the drive actually is the destination.  The scenic vistas are simply jaw-dropping – miles and miles of rugged mountain peaks and dense forests stretch in every direction – and the drive itself is thoroughly enjoyable, if perhaps\na bit white-knuckle\nat times… There are also the historic mining towns of\nOuray\n(pronounced “YOUR-ray”),\nSilverton\n,\nDurango\n, and Telluride, with their adorable downtown shopping districts surrounded on all sides by towering peaks.  I could spend weeks exploring here.\nBack Road Routes across Colorado\nUS Route 50\n– Cutting a consistently scenic path across the central portion of the state, Route 50 provides convenient access to many of the best destinations in Colorado while also providing a natural boundary of sorts between the Rocky Mountains to the North and San Juan Mountains to the South.\nUS Route 160\n– As prefaced in Missouri, it’s back on US-160 again for an incredibly scenic way to drive across Colorado, providing easy access to Great Sand Dunes NP, a handful of destinations in the San Juan mountains, the Million Dollar Highway, and\nCanyons of the Ancients\nNational Monument… plus is a great way to head towards Monument Valley.\nUtah\nAs is the case with Colorado, it’s critical to remember that this trip is the sampler platter, not the full entrée.  There is so much natural beauty to witness in Utah that you couldn’t see it all in a week or more.  The state’s most familiar features are its red rock desert formations, Canyons and Arches, and of course the\nmassive salt flats\n.  The scenery is ethereal and often otherworldly, and can often spring up at you out of nowhere.  Be prepared to stop often, and often stop unexpectedly as you traverse the\nBeehive State\n.\n \n \nMonument Valley\n \nAs beautiful as this view was, what captivated me the most while sitting here and drinking it all in was the complete lack of manmade sound.  It was the first time in my life I ever experienced that.\n \nMonument Valley\n \nZion National Park\n \nNear Zion National Park\nPlaces to go in Utah\nMonument Valley\n:  One of a handful of “bucket list” locations that I finally crossed off my list on this trip is Monument Valley.  I feel, to be completely honest, like we need to come back and explore the area more to get a better appreciation for it.  The stone pillars were incredibly neat to see, but it felt like it was over fast – I think we might’ve missed some?\nZion National Park\n:  I said I wasn’t going to include obvious tourist destinations, and here I am, a mere two states later including obvious tourist destinations.  But Zion is without question in my top five favorite National Parks in the country.   It will completely blow your mind the first time you drive through it.  If I had a nickel for every time my wife breathlessly exclaimed “Whoooaaaa…” as we weaved our way across the park, I could pay for someone to write this post for me!\nGlen Canyon National Rec Area\n:  An absolutely massive park that stretches south across the border into Arizona, Glen Canyon has over a million acres of stunning desert landscapes and water features to explore.  The twisting shores of Lake Powell carve jaw-dropping curves into the brilliant orange rocks, and the iconic\nRainbow Bridge\nis nearby as well.\nGrand Staircase-Escalante\n:  Immediately adjacent to, and nearly double the size of Glen Canyon, Grand Staircase is yet another collection of diverse and awe-inspiring arid landscapes.  With arches, pillars, dunes, slot canyons, and a number of other features to discover, you could easily spend a week hiking across the depths of this enormous National Monument.\nLittle Sahara Rec Area\n:  In a state that is world-famous for its\noff-roading opportunities\n, the Little Sahara rec area is a hidden gem of sorts for thrashing your UTV or SXS.  Hiking and fat biking trails are also available, as are places to camp.\nLower Calf Creek Falls\n(and\ntrailhead\n):   Not to overuse a cliche or anything, but the Falls are just absurdly stunning, and the moderate hike to get there ain’t shabby either!\nKanab\n:  One of several renowned outdoor adventurist towns in Utah, Kanab is a great place for launching a plethora of desert-based activities.  It’s also home to the\nBLM visitors center\nwhere you can attempt to get walk-in permits for\nThe Wave\nin Arizona.  The town itself is really cool, with a handful of unique shops, restaurants, marketplaces, and museums.\nUtah State Route 12, western terminus\nBack Road Routes across Utah\nUS Route 89\n– Utah’s intensely rugged and deeply carved geography make it particularly challenging to traverse east to west using strictly back roads. US-89 weaves an unusual course into the state from Arizona, then heads east-west for a stretch near Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase, before turning north again.\nUS Route 6 – The aforementioned storied east to west transcontinental route winds its way across Utah, intermingling with several other well-known US Routes along the way.\nUS Routes 40 & 50 – I mention both in the same breath here because they run similar courses not far from each other across the state… though both will try to run you along the interstate for a stretch if you’re not careful!\nUtah Route 12\n– It’s not included in the list of\nThe Best Back Roads in America\nfor no reason!  Though short, Utah’s State Route 12 carves a panoramic path across some of the most rugged, mind-bending rock formations and desert geography that I’ve ever witnessed.\nBack to Top\nNevada\nIt was hard to skip over one of my favorite states in the country – Arizona – but again,\nfor the sake of miles on a trip of this size, you have to make cuts somewhere\n.  Nevada is one of the most imposingly beautiful states you’ll ever visit.  It’s also contains some of the most desolate places you’ll ever visit – certainly some of the most remote places in the lower 48.  The landscape is often severely harsh and inhospitable, and will provide you with the longest “human-free” stretches of driving on your journey …. so\nmake sure you have plenty of gas\n, and fill up whenever you have the opportunity!  But fear not, because those same imposing and inhospitable landscapes will also provide you with countless uninterrupted natural panoramas, stretching as far as the eye can see without a single man-made structure in sight.  It truly is a wonder to behold, and if you’re open to it, it might just change your\nperspective on humanity\n.\n \n \nGreat Basin National Park\n \nSand dune races near Loneliest Road\nPlaces to go in Nevada\nValley of Fire State Park\n:  Intense reds and oranges will fill your vision as you make your way into and around Valley of Fire.  The sandstone formations jut out of the ground in unusual angles all around you, and there is plenty of petrified wood to discover.  With an incredible\nOff-Road Park\nfeeding into the northern edge of the state park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here.\nNelson Ghost Town\nand\nNelson’s Landing\n:  I found these gems by sheer happenstance while looking for outdoor activities for our\nadventure in Las Vegas\na few years ago, and we absolutely fell in love.  The ghost town is super cool, populated by ancient-looking wooden structures, and the landscape is littered with old cars.  There is an old abandoned mine, and even an airplane… and let’s not forget about cliff jumping into the Colorado River at Nelson’s Landing!  An all-around amazing day trip!\nGoldfield\n:  Speaking of old mining towns, Goldfield is another great historical destination in the desert.  For such a small town, it has a surprising amount of things worth seeing – historic saloons, museums, shops, and even a\ncar forest\n!  Being fairly isolated in the sparsely populated center of the state, and surrounded by stark natural beauty, the area around Goldfield is also prime real estate for\nstargazing\n.\nThe Loneliest Road in America\n:  In addition to being one of the most direct ways to drive east-west across the state, US Route 50 in Nevada also sports the rather depressing moniker of being the loneliest road in the country.  It’s true in a lot of ways:  there isn’t much life in any direction at any point on Route 50, human or otherwise.  Once you leave Ely, none of the few small towns you’ll come across in the next 250+ miles heading west have more than 500 residents.  But, as I’ve already mentioned above, there’s incredible beauty in all of that loneliness.\nGreat Basin National Park\n:  One of the smaller, more remote – and maybe most underappreciated and unknown – National Parks in the lower 48, Great Basin sports some absolutely stunning mountain peaks and desert valleys.  Sitting at the eastern end of the Loneliest Road in America, Great Basin offers plenty of hiking trails, scenic drives, and snow-capped mountain peaks.  Make sure to swing southeast from there to pick up Utah Route 12 across Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capitol Reef!\nBlack Rock Desert\n:  In addition to being the home of\nBurning Man\nevery August, the BRD is also a place to find incredible natural scenery.  Loaded with abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping, this area is known as being one of the darkest – and best – stargazing spots in the whole country.\nParadise Valley\n:  Located smack in the middle of\nHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest\n– a bit of a misnomer, as we didn’t see any trees until we drove up over\nthe mountain pass\n– Paradise Valley is indeed an arid wonderland.  In addition to being a good spot for hunting out abandoned buildings, the desert valley is partially ringed to the North & West by a string of jagged mountain peaks.  The rugged terrain is perfect for\ndispersed camping\nopportunities, though the isolated nature of the area forces me to only suggest this for experienced campers.\n \n \n \nBack Road Routes across Nevada\nUS Route 50 – as mentioned above, Route 50 offers one of the simplest ways of driving east to west across this arid state.  I would be remiss if I did not repeat my advice:  MAKE SURE you always have gas in your vehicle.  There are countless places where you are going to be 30-50 miles or more from the nearest gas station, and it’s entirely plausible you could wait several hours before seeing another human.\nUS Route 6 – coming into the state joined with Route 50 from Utah, the two routes diverge in Ely, with 50 heading on a more northerly course towards Lake Tahoe, and Route 6 cutting south towards Tonopah and Mono County CA.  Nearly as lonely as Route 50, Route 6 is another place to not mess around with being safe – an overabundance of caution with regards to maintaining your vehicle and fuel is crucial.\nUS Route 95\n– As with Route 19 in West Virginia, Route 95 deserves mention in spite of being a north-south route.  As one of my favorite back roads in the country, 95 is chock full of natural scenery, and it connects you with several of the best destinations in the state.\nOne of the most epic views – Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park (Half Dome in the distance) – in our nation’s most epic state\nCalifornia\nCalifornia is easily the most intimidating state on this entire list to try to tackle.  As the third largest state in the country, superlatives are abundant in my favorite state for back road driving.  I described California to my wife as having similar natural features as other states in the country – forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, etc – but on grander, exaggerated scale.  The state’s terrain takes on mythical proportions:  the mountains are more dramatic, the deserts more dry, the coastline totally defies description, and the trees tower above you in startling size.  California has been lionized in American mythology, and with good reason.  I’m not even going to attempt to scratch the surface of everything there is to see and do – not to mention the countless amazing back roads to explore.  I’m only going to address a handful of things we saw and did on our cross country adventure, and leave the rest for you to fill in the blanks!\nPlaces to go in Northern California\nMono Lake & Tufa Reserve\n:  Looking like an eyeball on the map, Mono Lake appears to stare back at you as you ogle open-mouthed at its mountain-lined shores.  In addition to its striking panoramas, Mono Lake also features a number of otherworldly\nTufa Towers\nalong its shorelines.\nMountain Gate Park\n:  Small and seemingly uninteresting on its face, this “park” – in reality, more of a rest area than a park – is a fantastic place for the hot and road-weary traveler to stop and refresh themselves in the frigid rush of the West Walker River.  Surrounded by steep and arid canyon walls, the melt-water river is shallow, clear, and crisp, its bottom lined with countless smooth stones for walking across.  Whether you sit on the shoreline and dunk your feet, or go whole hog and cross into its “depths,” it’s a relaxing place to rest up before continuing on your journey.\nMonitor Pass\n:  This white-knuckle mountain pass winds its way east across the Sierra Nevada chain, providing countless dynamic panoramic vistas … for the passengers!  Drivers beware:  This road, while gorgeous, is dangerously distracting.  Keep your eyes on the road, and use the numerous pull-offs to do your viewing.  The\nLake Alpine\narea in particular is gorgeous, and loaded with outdoor activities to explore!\nCalaveras Big Trees State Park\n: \nCalaveras Big Trees\nis just one of many, many places in California where you can walk among towering sequoia and redwood trees.  We appreciated the approachability and relaxed nature of the park, and found plenty of things to see and explore while we were there.  The campgrounds were affordable, clean, spacious, and provided easy access to numerous scenic hikes, and the sky was dark enough at night to make\nviewing the Milky Way\neasy.\nYosemite National Park\n:  I know, I’m breaking my own rule about obvious tourist destinations, but come on!  How can I not include one of the\nmost dramatic scenic drives\nin America and one of the\nmost dramatic back road vista points\nin America, all within a park that is laden with a plethora of both?  I could spend at least a week there, finding new angles to capture the natural beauty of the landscapes, and I would strongly recommend you do the same.  If nothing else, make sure to do the drive through\nYosemite Valley\n, and the drive up to\nGlacier Point\n.  Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, it’ll take you about an hour to drive from one to the other!\nNapa Valley\n:  More specifically, I suggest you drive\nthe loop around Napa Valley\n.  Though a very short drive, you could easily spend a couple days meandering your way from\nwinery\nto\nwinery\n– the route is lined with several dozen \nexcellent \nones – and it’s ringed on all sides by absolutely stunning natural splendor.  The diversity of the scenery alone – the flat valley floor, surrounded by rugged green and sand mountain peaks, rows and rows of grape arbors capped at each end with gnarled prickly pear cacti, all lined by lush evergreen and palm forests – makes this drive worthwhile… And of course, it’s easily America’s most celebrated wine region.  Again, I’m breaking my own rule a bit by including a fairly touristy destination, but the beauty of the drive – and the back road nature of the route (and the small towns and villages along the way) make it more than worthy of inclusion on this list.  Oh, and just over the western ridge is\nSonoma County\n, \nANOTHER \nexcellent wine region!\nRussian River Valley\n:  Most widely known as an excellent\nwine\nand\nbeer\nregion, driving through the Russian River Valley makes me absolutely swoon.  The scenery, driving west from US-101 along River Road, is absurdly diverse and dynamic in a relatively short stretch of miles…. and it will leave you gawking nearly the entire way.  I’m building a full-length post specifically devoted to this drive, but I’ll say this – it’s the only place in the half-million or so miles I’ve driven where you can experience palm trees, vineyards, dense redwood forests, a deep winding river, rolling hills and mountains, adorable bohemian villages, AND a gorgeous ocean coastline … all contained within a\nless-than-30-mile drive\n.\n \n \nCA route 49 near Angels Camp CA\n \nCA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada\n \nMono Lake CA\n \n \nBack Road Routes Across California\nCA State Route 4\n– Twisting and winding its way across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA-4 starts near the state’s eastern border at\nTopaz Lake\n, and terminates near the western coast at\nSan Pablo Bay\n.  In the interim, you’ll cross mountain passes, desert floor, dense forest, the scorched expanse of the Central Valley, and the dense congestion of East Bay.\nCA State Route 120\n– Though CA-120 barely makes it halfway across the state, terminating at I-5 in the middle of the Central Valley, it more than makes up for its short distance with its stunning scenery.  Starting near the bone-dry border with Nevada, 120 will quickly leave you gasping as you make your way past Mono Lake and into the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras.  Before long, the alpine beauty of\nTuolumne Meadows\nis whizzing past, and you’ve found yourself crossing the heart of Yosemite National Park.  Wind your way down the foothills of the Western Sierras, across Don Pedro Reservoir, and into the spartan beauty of the Valley.\nCA State Route 89\n– Yeesh!  Another north-south route, AND another state route!  I’ll be honest – the US Routes aren’t great options for east-west crossings of California.  They are often multi-lane highways that cut quickly across the less-scenic areas of the state, and don’t make for enjoyable driving.  I digress.  CA-89 is a mountain lovers paradise!  Towering mountains line nearly all of this route as it winds north from\nTopaz Lake\nalong the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range.  The road is just loaded with some of the most\nstunning mountain vistas\nI’ve ever seen in my life.  You’ll pass through a handful of kitschy mountain towns, along the eastern edge of\nLake Tahoe\n,\nDonner Pass\n, across\nPlumas National Forest\n, and into the\nCascade Mountains\n.  Don’t forget to stop at Lassen Volcanic\nNational Park\nand\nNational Forest\n.  The route terminates at the base of\nMount Shasta\n.\nUS Route 395\n– Like US Route 95 in Nevada,\nUS 395\ndeserves mention here because it connects so many of the beautiful places in California.  It threads its way up the eastern edge of the state and the\nSierra Nevada range\n, connecting one scenic spot after another like a spine holding the body together.  In addition to connecting so many beautiful spots, 395 itself is a rather fantastic drive even without stopping.  Start out at the bottom, just north of the\nAngeles\nand\nSan Bernardino\nNational Forests, and roll nearly straight north through the arid valley that makes up\none of my favorite back roads\nin the\ncountry.\nBack to Top\nDriving East:  the Northern Cross Country Route\nHeading home, I was finally able to hit up several northern states I’d never explored before.  My primary goals for the return drive were to explore Idaho, experience Yellowstone, and drive\nBeartooth Pass\n– all of which I was able to do!  \nNOTE\n: \nThough we drove across the northwestern corner of Nevada and had our first campsite in Paradise Valley, there’s no point in duplicating the state in the list.  Instead, I’m going to start the list in Oregon, a state which rivals California in many ways, and would also make a great starting point for a east-bound cross country road trip!\nOregon\nOfficially the start of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon rivals its southern neighbor in biodiversity and geographic landscapes.  Though not as large, and often not as sunny and warm as California, Oregon is still an absolutely beautiful, enchanting and unique state to visit:  dense, lush forests grow right up to the very edge of the jagged Pacific Coastline, and the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountains separates the coast from a surprisingly vast and arid desert in the southeastern corner of the state.  National Forests abound, and there’s even a pretty excellent wine region!\n \n \n \n \nPlaces to go in Oregon\nThree Sisters\n:  Three 10,000+ foot\nvolcanic peaks\n(plus the nearby\nBroken Top peak\n), laden with glacial ice and alpine lakes, all located within less than five miles of each other?  What more could an outdoor adventure explorer ask for?\nOregon Redwoods Trail\n:  Located less than a mile from the California border and less than five miles from the coast, this hiking area makes for a beautiful place to walk amongst the towering coastal redwood trees.\nThe Rugged Volcanic Peaks of the Cascade Range\n:  Running from south to north, and loaded with year-round outdoor activity options, this list includes some of the most prominent and well-known peaks in the west: \nMount McLoughlin\n,\nMount Scott\n&\nCrater Lake\n,\nMount Thielsen\n,\nMount Bachelor\n, The Three Sisters,\nMount Washington\n,\nMount Jefferson\n, and\nMount Hood\n.\nSmith Rock State Park\n:  What this park lacks in overall size, it more than makes up for with its stunning natural beauty.  Though primarily known as a\nrock climbing destination\n, the park also has abundant hiking trails and primitive campsites.\nAn abundance of\nState Forests\nand\nNational Forests\nWillamette Valley\n:  a world-class wine region, on par with the more widely known Napa and Sonoma valleys, lining the\nWillamette River\nand primarily centered in the region between\nPortland\nand\nSalem\n.\nBack Road Routes Across Oregon\nUS Route 20\n– Starting at the Pacific Coast at Route 101 in\nNewport\n, Route 20 winds its way east through the heavily wooded hills of the Oregon Coast Range and the southern end of the Willamette Valley.  After passing through\nthe city of Bend\n, Route 20 crosses the surprisingly desolate and remarkably flat expanse of eastern Oregon before joining US Route 26 near the Idaho border.\nUS Route 26\n– Like Route 20, US Route 26 starts near the Pacific Coast at Route 101.  After a brief pass through the dense coastal woods, Route 26 cuts across the heart of\nPortland\nbefore heading east.  From Portland, the route passes in the shadow of\nMt Hood\nand cuts nearly straight south past two\nremarkable\nstate\nparks\n, then across a rolling scenic valley between\nOchoco National Forest\nand\nJohn Day Fossil Bed\nbefore uniting with US 20.  Because the two routes run in parallel and join together at the eastern edge of the state, if you are making your way across Oregon, US 26 is clearly the better choice for an enjoyable drive.\nOR State Route 140\n– Though the route does not cut the entire way across the state, it does cut a very scenic path across the southern edge of Oregon.  Running east from\nMedford\nto roughly halfway between US Route 395 and 95 in the desolate southeastern corner of the state, the route’s scenery ranges from the\nCascade Mountains\n, the waterways and woodlands of the\nKlamath Falls area\n, and into the desolate desert east of\nGoose Lake\n.\nUS Route 395 – Though not quite as beautiful as its counterpart in California, US 395 in Oregon similarly cuts through the arid, desolate beauty in central Oregon.  Winding a north-south course across the entire state, the route passes near or through several National Forests along the way.\n \n \nA traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID\n \nIdaho\nIdaho is definitely the next-most intimidating state to write about on this list, after California.  That might seem a bit ostentatious for a state most widely known as the home of the lowly potato.  Merely brushing Idaho off as a bunch of boring farmland, however, would be to miss one of the most jaw-dropping states in America.  I had never really given Idaho much thought as a state worth visiting, and I almost wonder if that’s how they want it to be.  There’s really not much of a tourism vibe in the state, and I wonder if they want to keep their natural splendor a guarded secret.  I quite unexpectedly tripped over the allure of Idaho while working on a\nroad trip plan\nfor someone back in 2019, and the more I looked into it, the stronger my desire to explore the state became.  Even with a ton of build-up and seriously high expectations, the rugged mountains of Idaho did not disappoint!  Like California, picking which pictures to share – especially from the back road drone shots – was incredibly challenging.\nPlaces to go in Idaho\nSun Valley\n:  Technically considered a town, Sun Valley is more of a place or a geographic area… but who really cares what it is, aside from the fact that it’s jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful!  Near the top of the list of my favorite things we saw in Idaho.\nCoeur d’Alene\n:  Apparently some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho are known by the names of the town that’s nearby?  Either way, if you’re venturing this far up north, this mountains and lakes area can’t be missed!\nSnake River\n:  OK so given that the Snake River runs roughly 1\/3 of the length of the western border of the state AND THEN meanders its way across the state over to Wyoming, it’s hard to pick a single place to link to here.  We cut across the river several times during our drive across the state, and it always provided us with gorgeous sightlines and panoramic views… and if you’re a fisherman, this one is gold!\nPayette River\n: Since my Places for Idaho weren’t weird enough already, let’s toss another river into the mix!  Consisting of a North & South Fork that merge at ID-55 just north of\nBanks\n, the Payette River runs through some of the most beautiful, rugged parts of the state, making long stretches of its raging waters ideal for white-water rafting!\nSawtooth Mountains and National Forest\n: – OK, so I know that geographically this encompasses a pretty huge area, but between Sawtooth & the neighboring\nSalmon Challis NF\n, you could spend a full year exploring its beautiful mountains and dense evergreen forests without seeing everything the area has to offer.\n \n \nSteep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID\n \nA back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID\nBack Road Routes Across Idaho\nUS Route 12\n– As an oddly shaped state that’s much “taller” than it is “wide,” finding East-West back road routes across the state is surprisingly difficult.  That said, US 12 is an amazing option to consider, cutting an incredibly scenic path across the rugged northern third of the state.  Lewiston is the “biggest” city along the sparsely populated route, which eventually cuts through\nNez Perce National Forest\nalong the\nLochsa River Valley\n, adjacent to countless natural hot springs.\nID State Routes 17, 21 and 75\n– This is a bit of a tough one to weave together, since it doesn’t follow any of the routes completely, and it’s not the full\nPonderosa Pine Scenic Byway\neither.  This route, however, starting from where the two forks of the Payette merge and running east to west along the Southern Fork for most of the way, cuts through some of the most stunning canyon and mountain driving I’ve ever done.  The route is lined with abundant opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, natural hot springs,\ndispersed camping\nand much more… and offers you options to drop into additional outdoor activity havens like Sun Valley.\nUS Route 20\n(and 26) – Eventually merging with US Route 26, US Route 20 cuts a long, often flat, often straight line across the southern tier of the state.  Running from I-84 south of Boise all the way up to the Wyoming border and into\nYellowstone\n, US 20 is actually quite reminiscent of driving across\nNevada\n:  vast open valleys (with stick-straight driving) surrounded by gorgeous jagged mountain peaks along the way.  You’ll also pass right by\nCraters of the Moon National Monument\n.\nID State Route 55\nand US Route 95 – Running North and South from Boise to the Canadian border, this route will wind you through some of the most stunning open landscapes in the state.  Much of the route runs parallel to the Northern Fork of the Payette River, from the outlets on the southern edges of\nPayette Lake\nand\nLake Cascade\nall the way down to Boise.  Continue further north across a\nhandful of National Forests\n, Coeur D’Alene, and the fabulous\nLake Pend\nbefore hitting the Canadian border.\nBack to Top\nIs there a more iconic Wyoming view?\nWyoming\nDear Western United States:  Please stop having so many absolutely gorgeous states.  Sincerely, no one ever.  Honestly, though, it’s a real coin-flip, choosing whether to head from Idaho into Montana or Wyoming.  Both states have long stretches of absolutely gorgeous mountain driving, and both also have long stretches of teeth-grindingly boring open plains to cross.  What sealed the deal for us was the opportunity to finally check\nGrand Teton\nand\nYellowstone\nNational Parks off the list, so we headed a little south into Wyoming and had our minds blown by all of the gorgeous rugged scenery the state has to offer.  The fact that we could shoot briefly up into Montana on\nBeartooth Pass\ndefinitely helped!  Although back road options are somewhat limited in this vast state, I’ve definitely enjoyed every time I’ve driven across it!\n \n \n \nThe stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP\nPlaces to go in Wyoming\nYellowstone and Grand Teton\n:  OK look, I know that I said that I wasn’t going to hit the most widely known tourist destinations in each state, but honestly, how can I write about Wyoming and not include\nYellowstone\nand\nGrand Teton\n?  Aside from taking up like 15% of the state’s total area, the\nmountains\nand hot springs in both parks just simply define the state.  Just don’t get caught in the traffic on US-191 (like we did) travelling from one park to the other.\nMedicine Bow National Forest\n:  Absolutely stunning mountains surround deep blue alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests at this northern edge of the Rocky Mountain chain.  Often snowed-in well into the late spring and beginning again in early fall, the area can be difficult to access at times, and has a surprising lack of ski resorts.  That said, the gorgeous mountain vistas along many of the hiking trails are worth the extra effort.\nBeartooth Highway\n:  Though it does briefly cross over into Montana at the northern edge of Yellowstone, the vast majority of Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass traverses the northern edge of Wyoming.  Crossing a vast brigade of mountain peaks and National Forests, this twisting road will take you on some of the most stunning cliff’s edge driving this side of the Million Dollar Highway!  Though it’s primarily about the drive – and the panoramic vista points at the pull-offs – there are a handful of drop-dead gorgeous\ndispersed campsites\nto be had…\nif you can find them\n!\nPalisades Reservoir\n:  Surrounded by mountains and straddling the border between Wyoming and Idaho, this stunning man-made reservoir is situated just ten miles south of Jackson on the Snake River… and if that sweet alliteration doesn’t convince you to go check it out, maybe\nmy drone video\nfrom there will!\nBig Horn National Forest\n:  An absolutely sprawling park, filled with more mountain peaks, alpine lakes, densely wooded trails, and a boatload of other outdoor activities.  If you’re making your way across from Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills, this is a great place to break up the drive and spend a day.\nCurt Gowdy State Park\n:  Both little-known and little in size, what this park lacks in stature, it makes up for in scenery and activities. With spectacular rock formations, fantastic hikes, boating & fishing, horseback riding, an archery range, a waterfall, and a lot more, this park has something for everyone!\n \n \n \nBack Road Routes Across Wyoming\nUS Route 14\n– Starting in Chicago and terminating in Yellowstone, this historic route weaves a drunken path meandering from one side of the state to the other.  Running parallel (and now concurrent) with I-90 for a stretch from the South Dakota border, it heaves north of the interstate twice (including around Big Horn) before levelling out on its way into\nCody\nand towards the eastern gate of Yellowstone.\nUS Route 26\n– Roughly following the original path of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River across the desolate central plains of the state, US-26 comes into the state in the southeastern corner near Fort Laramie, then slowly meanders its way northwest toward Grand Teton and the Idaho border.\nSouth Dakota\nComing from the west, central South Dakota is where the Great Plains really begin in earnest.  Once you’ve made your way across the twisting maze of granite and pine that make up the Black Hills, the landscape flattens out rapidly.  The Missouri River cuts a massive gash down the middle of the state, looking almost like a piece of paper that’s been ripped in two.  Interestingly (at least to me), the Black Hills is the first – and only – place I’ve witnessed a mountain lion in the wild.  On the plus side, hey, at least it’s not North Dakota.  I kid, I kid!\n \n \n \nPlaces to go in South Dakota\nCuster State Park\n:  Full of towering otherworldly granite formations and gnarly winding roads, this large park is a great place for outdoor activities, bikers, and sports car enthusiasts!\nInternational Vinegar Museum\n:  OK, so this is one of those little oddball places that I love to discover.  Admittedly, I’ve not been there, and it looks relatively small, but if you happen to be in this relatively distant and obscure corner of South Dakota, it’ll certainly break up the monotony!\nBadlands National Park\n:  Yes, I know, another tourist destination.  But the jagged ridgelines and brilliant orange and red colors of the geological formations here seem starkly out of place in an otherwise green, pastoral state.  Loaded with wonderful hiking trails and insane scenic overlooks, the Badlands definitely feels like they were plucked out of Utah and dropped into South Dakota by some “\nWizard of Oz\n” like tornado.\nIngalls Homestead\n:  There are several different\nLaura Ingalls Wilder related locations\nspread throughout the Midwest, but quite a few of them are located in and around\nDe Smet, SD\n.\n \n \n \n \nBack Road Routes Across South Dakota\nUS Routes 14 – Though the last 40-50 miles of the western portion of the route merges with I-90 near the town of Wall (home of the kitschy\nWall Drug\n), it winds its way east to west across the majority of the state.  In addition to Wall, US-14 also passes through the capital city of\nPierre\nand the aforementioned De Smet.\nState Route 44\n– Running nearly the full east to west length of the state and cutting across the Badlands and Black Hills, Route 44 is a great option for avoiding the highway on a cross country road trip!\nBack to Top\nImage courtesy of\nWanderlust Travel Photography\nBack to Top\nMinnesota\nYou’ve now solidly entered the heart of the Great Plains, kids… the rugged aura of the wild west is a long distant memory in the rear view mirror.  While the pastoral miles of America’s breadbasket have a peaceful beauty to them, I recommend downloading a few interesting podcasts for each day’s drive to keep your mind active as the road stretches endlessly towards the horizon in front of you.  The\nLand of 10,000 Lakes\n(nearly 12,000, actually) is a\nnature lover’s paradise\nin many ways though, and is also home to the\nheadwaters of the Mississippi River\n.\nPlaces to go in Minnesota\nGooseberry Falls\n:  One of a long list of excellent parks on the western shore of Lake Superior (several of which are featured here), this relatively small park has a number of hikes, shoreline trails, and of course, a pretty gnarly set of cascading waterfalls.\nSplit Rock Lighthouse State Park\n:   Like Gooseberry Falls, what this Lake Superior shoreline park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in stunning natural beauty.  Featuring its namesake historic cliffside lighthouse, the park also has lots of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore.\nTettegouche State Park\n:  Can’t get enough of Lake Superior yet?  Who can blame you!  The largest of the Great Lakes shows its glacial history in its numerous lakeside cliffs, and Tettegouche State Park boasts some of the most stunning cliffs in the state.  As with most of the local parks, Tettegouche features a plethora of hikes, waterfalls, fishing opportunities, and even rock climbing.\nVoyageurs National Park\n:  If you’re venturing towards the northern end of the state and the Canadian border, a stop at this large and secluded National Park is well worth your time.  The park features sprawling, often-interconnected water features and is a boating fanatic’s wonderland.  Be sure to stop and check out the rock sculptures at\nEllsworth Rock Garden\n.\nKabetogama State Park\n:  This park is paradise for fishing, snowmobiling\/ATV riding, hiking, boating and kayaking.  It’s a great place for slowly paddling your way northwards through the interconnected waterways, meandering towards the southern boundary of Voyageurs NP.\nMinnesota might not have the most captivating landscapes, but the pastoral beauty of its back roads still make for a pleasant and peaceful road trip!\nBack Road Routes Across Minnesota\nState Route 61\n– I can’t mention all of those glorious shoreline parks on Lake Superior without also mentioning the fabulously\nscenic lakeshore drive\n, can I?  Though the majority of Route 61 runs north to south, the section of the route running parallel to the lake takes a more southwest to northeast course… and while it terminates at the Canadian border, the stunning scenery along the way makes the detour well worth your time.  After all, it wouldn’t be one of the\nbest back roads in America\nif it wasn’t!\nState Route 210\n– Given that this east to west route runs across the heart of Lake Country and through several state parks and state forests, finally terminating after weaving across\nJay Cooke SP\nsouth of Duluth, I was shocked by the dearth of tourist information about the route online.\nUS Route 14 – For those who aren’t interested – or don’t have time – for a northern adventure, US-14 offers a good option for meandering across the southern end of this tall state.  The route passes through a handful of farming towns and villages, small cities, and passes near the stunning\nMinneopa State Park\n.\nWisconsin\nCheese!  As the home to plentiful cheese & dairy products, as well as the state where\nHarley-Davidson\nand\nOshKosh B’Gosh\nstarted, you’ll definitely find plenty to do in this gorgeous northern plains state.  And because it’s the first state you’ll encounter after crossing the Mississippi River, it’s the “beginning of the end” of your cross country trip.  You’re now starting back into the\neastern side of the country\n.\nPlaces to go in Wisconsin\nThe Dells (Wisconsin Dells)\n:  These fascinating riverside rock formations can only be accessed by boat, so make sure to review your trip options and choose your tour carefully!\nRocky Arbor State Park\n:  Not far from the aforementioned riverside rocks is Rocky Arbor, this peaceful park is loaded with campsites and hiking trails.  You can explore the woods, or hike down for a few views of the sandstone cliffs.\nLaura Ingalls Wilder Museum\n:  The world-famous author bounced around quite a bit during her prolific life and writing career, setting up camp in several locations across the Midwest.  This museum, near the Mississippi River in Pepin, is located at her birthplace.\nFive Mile Bluff Prairie\n:  Located near Pepin along the Chippewa River, Five Mile Bluff offers hikers several sweeping panoramas of both rivers and nearly uninterrupted natural vistas.\nTaliesin Estate\n:  Located in the southeastern corner of the state is one of\nFrank Lloyd Wright\n‘s architectural masterpieces, and was his long-term home and studio.  The site of a brutal multiple-homicide and arson attack, Wright quickly re-designed and re-built his destroyed estate before his own death.  Don’t forget to stop at the quirky\nRomeo & Juliet windmill\nwhile you’re there.\nThe House on the Rock\n:  Speaking of quirky buildings, the House on the Rock is a must-see attraction while you’re in the Spring Green area.  With a cantilevered section of the home extending more than 200 feet out over the valley floor below it, it’s an architectural masterpiece that you have to see in order to believe!  Sadly, both Taliesin and House on the Rock were closed due to COVID restrictions during our drives, or I would have more photos of each to share!\nApostle Island National Lakeshore\n:  A water-lover’s paradise, this chain of sandstone islands features plenty of stunning landscapes and rock formations, as well as a number of historic lighthouses.  While the islands are best experienced from the seat of a kayak, a sea kayak is the only\nsafe\/recommended method\nto explore the area.\nImage courtesy of\nWanderlust Travel Photography\nBack Road Routes Across Wisconsin\nUS Route 14 – Running northwest to southeast across the southern portion of the state, US-14 cuts across the capital city of Madison and Spring Green, but mostly runs across the scenic rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland.\nUS Route 18\n– Heading nearly straight east to west from Milwaukee, US-18 runs across the southern tier of the state towards Iowa and South Dakota.  Route 18 also cuts across Madison, then diverts along a more southern and rural track.\nUS Route 10\n– As one of only two US historic routes that includes a designated ferry as part of the actual route, US-10 starts on the eastern edge of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Running along a more northern track, there are several short detours from US-10 to enjoy cities like Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire while also relishing the diverse natural scenery.\nBack to Top\nIllinois\nAnd here we finally meet the states that were a bit more difficult to get excited about.  I’ll be the first to admit it:  I bag on the flyover states, and that’s not fair.  The midwestern states have plenty of interesting destinations to offer.  My feeling comes from the sense that the vast majority of the land is open, flat, and tends not to inspire words like “stunning” or “breath-taking” or “awe-inspiring.”  I digress.  The land of Lincoln does have it’s fair share of enjoyable back road drives, and several rather unique features worth finding and exploring!\n \n \n \nImages courtesy of\nIllinois DNR\nPlaces to go in Illinois\nStarved Rock State Park \/ Nature Preserve\n:  This long, narrow park and adjoining preserve along the southern shore of the Illinois River is loaded with excellent natural features to explore.  With a handful of elevated river overlooks, a bunch of waterfalls and hikes, and more canyons than Arizona, this small park packs a punch!\nMatthiessen State Park\n:  Literally right down the road from Starved Rock is another small State Park that is full of natural beauty worth exploring.  With multiple bridges and waterfalls, you could easily spend a couple hours hiking the park and … soaking … in all the scenery! (Dad jokes are free for those who’ve made it this far!)\nPeru IL:  I haven’t included virtually any “indoor” sights on this post, but the city of Peru has two that are worth exploring.  The\nWestclox Museum\nlooks like it will be a fascinating place to spend a few hours perusing the displays (especially if, like me, you love old clocks).  A few blocks down the road is the absolutely jaw-dropping\nHegeler Carus Mansion\n.  Given that Peru is just across the river from the two aforementioned state parks, you could easily spend a couple days exploring everything this part of Illinois has to offer!\nVilla Katherine\n:  Speaking of absolutely stunning architecture, perched on the banks overlooking the Mississippi River near Quincy is the incredible Moorish-style Villa Katherine.  The building is currently used as the city’s tourist information center, and guided tours of the structure can be taken on an appointment basis.  Make sure to explore the city’s\nhistoric district\nand\nLog Cabin Village\n.\nLincoln Home\n:  As the first and only home that\nPresident Lincoln\never owned, this memorial site is a must-visit spot for any history buff in your group!\nBack Road Routes Across Illinois\nUS Route 6\n– America’s longest contiguous historic route runs nearly cross country (coast to coast), and is now mirrored by Interstate 80 in many states.  Cutting across the northern portion of the state into Chicago, Route 6 also runs through several of the highlighted locations above!\nUS Route 24\n– One of America’s original federal routes, dating back to the start of the US highway system in 1926, runs the heart of the auto manufacturing corridor in Michigan west to central Colorado.  Heading west to east, the route crosses the Mississippi into the state at Quincy and heads northeast along the Illinois River to Peoria, where it makes a sharp turn to head directly east into Indiana.\nUS Route 50 – After leaving St Louis and hooking a left at O’Fallon, US-50 quickly opens up to become a mostly straight shot across the rural flatlands of Illinois corn country.\nImage courtesy of\nDaniel Schwen & Wikipedia\nIndiana\nThe\nHoosier\nstate, like it’s eastern and western neighbors, is primarily known to travelers as being home to millions of acres of corn fields.  However, like all of the midwestern states, Indiana is home to a handful of hidden gems for travelers to unearth.  One merely needs to know where and how to find them!\nPlaces to go in Indiana\nTurkey Run State Park\n:  Though less than half a mile square, this tiny park is absolutely packed with diverse natural beauty.  Canyons, creeks, a covered bridge, camping, horseback riding and historical sites abound, with plenty of relatively easy hikes to explore throughout the park.\nShades State Park\n:  Just a few miles up the road, also along the meandering path of Sugar Creek, Shades State Park is another fantastic location filled with natural beauty and outdoor activities.  Sandstone cliffs set the scene for most of the hiking and water sports in the park, and it too sports a historic covered bridge.\nCircus Hall of Fame\n:  This one is pretty self-explanatory!  Make sure to also check out the surprising\nMiami County Museum\nin nearby Peru.\nSalamonie River State Park\n:  Another very small park located about 20 miles east of Peru, the real highlight of the park is the hike to the wide drop of\nKissing Falls\n.  Make sure to also check out\nHanging Rock National Landmark\nwhile you’re there.\nStudebaker Museum\n:  Located in the heart of South Bend – home of the glorious campus of\nNotre Dame University\n– the Studebaker Museum houses three floors of displays featuring the historic cars manufactured there, as well as American car culture in general.\nBack Road Routes Across Indiana\nUS Route 24 – Cutting a similar path across Indiana as it did in neighboring Illinois, US-24 parallels the Wabash River across much of the state, and will drop you close to several of the parks listed above.\nUS Route 36\n– Like US-24, US-36 was one of the original federal highways commissioned in 1926.  Running mostly straight east to west across the most rural stretches of the state, it also brings travelers close to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks before crossing downtown\nIndianapolis\n.\nUS Route 50 – The southern option for crossing the state on a historical federal route, US-50 runs through largely rural and relatively isolated areas of the state, eventually bearing northeast towards Cincinnati.\nThe Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills\nBack to Top\nOhio\nBecause most of my cross-country drives begin and end in Pennsylvania, the Buckeye State will be the final stop in this cross country road trip itinerary.  Ohio is a relatively interesting state on the East Coast, made up of an unusual mix of large swaths of flat open farmland to the north and west, and thick forests and rolling hills to the south and east.  When looking at a satellite image of the state, it’s almost as if there’s a slash running diagonally across the state, separating the two different geographies contained within.\nPlaces to go in Ohio\nCuyahoga Falls National Park\n:  The only National Park in the state, Cuyahoga Falls is a relatively new, absolutely gorgeous place to stop smack in the middle between Cleveland and Akron.  The long and narrow park, centered around the Cuyahoga River, features numerous hiking trails and is most widely known for the cascading\nBrandywine Falls\n.\nMay 4th Memorial\n:  Though the Kent State shooting in 1970 might be widely known, it’s absolutely worth seeing the memorial and learning more about the history of the four students murdered and nine more injured by the US National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War.\nThe Ohio State Reformatory\n:  Most obviously known as the site where the vast majority of\nShawshank Redemption\nwas filmed, the prison is also home to\nparanormal activities\/ghost hunting\n, events, and other tours.  Make sure to check out the\nShawshank Tree\n(on private property, only view from the road!) and\nShawshank Woodshop\n.\nMohican State Park\n\/\nState Forest\n:  This large park area is host to a number of excellent hiking & biking opportunities, a large river gorge, sizable woodlands, camping, and a massive covered bridge.\nHocking Hills State Park\n:  One of the state’s largest and most beautiful parks – if you ask me, it should’ve become the state’s National Park over Cuyahoga Falls – Hocking Hills features absolutely stunning rock formations, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wooded areas, camping, hiking, gorges and a boatload of other incredible outdoor activities.  This absolute gem of a park was definitely overlooked when the time came to nominate a National Park for Ohio.\nHistoric Roscoe Village\n:  An entire historic town, preserved in time, features guided tours by costumed “villagers,” plus preserved buildings, old-timey shops, and boat rides on the canal.\nBack Road Routes Across Ohio\nUS Route 36 – US-36 weaves and winds its way across central Ohio, passing through a handful of historic farming towns and villages, while also completely circumnavigating the insanity that can be downtown Columbus traffic.\nState Route 32 – Starting at the outskirts of Cincinnati and twisting its way east, OH-32 quickly transforms from its urban start to a very rural, very scenic way to cross southern Ohio.\nUS Route 250 – US-250 cuts a diagonal path across the state, starting at the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky (home of the sprawling\nCedar Point\namusement park) and taking a rather scenic track across rural Ohio farmland before hitting the foothills of West\nVirginia\nBack to Top\nAnother Option for Driving East:  the Southern Cross Country Route\nCalifornia\nYes, I’m writing about my adopted home state twice.  Yes, I’m biased.  But more importantly, as the third-largest state by land mass and (in my less-than-humble opinion) most beautiful state in the country, it is definitely deserving of another nod here.  For most cross country road trips, route plans are very likely going to start or stop in the Golden State… and with good reason.  Though very different from climate and terrain perspectives, the southern half of California is just as loaded with things to see as the northern half.\nPlaces to go in Southern California\nTar Pits Park\n– Though not as famous as\nLa Brea Tar Pits\n, these naturally occurring asphalt deposits have the distinct advantage of providing a double-whammy:  it’s also a great place to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast.\nTrona Pinnacles\n– Like the Tufa Towers near Mono Lake in Northern California, these geological abnormalities are stone spires poking through the earth’s crust.  And, like their cousins to the north, they’re located in an intensely dry and potentially formidable desert, so proceed with caution.\nMojave National Preserve\n– Though not as well-known as its neighbor to the North (\nDeath Valley\n), the Mojave Desert and National Preserve offers visitors fantastic opportunities to hike, bike, and off-road through some of America’s most otherworldly geography.  As one of the hottest and driest places in the country, though, I \nSTRONGLY\nrecommend additional research and significant caution when visiting.  However, the desert often greatly rewards those patient and brave enough to visit her.\nJoshua Tree National Park\n– I’m including JTNP on this list not for the obvious reasons that draw in the vast majority of the Park’s visitors.  Instead, I’m listing it for the sections that most people don’t explore:  the unpaved trails that zig-zag their way throughout the majority of the park.  Bring your 4WD vehicle and plenty of provisions (plus a\ngood GPS locator\n) in case you get lost or stuck, and bank an extra day or two to wander through the desert for a while!\nAnza Borrego State Park\n– As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, much of the natural beauty in Southern California is in the desert.  Anza Borrego is a state park dedicated to highlighting some of the most beautiful features of the desert, and in the springtime, is home to some of California’s most surprising and breathtaking displays of\nwildflower super-blooms\nyou’ll ever experience! \nBE MINDFUL AND TREAD LIGHTLY\n– please do not EVER stand, walk in, or take home any of the blooms you witness!\nBack Road Routes Across Southern California\nState Route 2\n– Also known as the Angeles Crest Scenic Highway, this stunning drive twists and winds across the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest heading east from Pasadena.  Both fun to drive and loaded with scenery, the route is a great alternative for leaving Los Angeles before heading out into the desert or finding Route 66.\nRoute 66\n– Feels like an obvious option to include, but depending on which direction you’re heading,\nSanta Monica Pier\n  in LA is either the beginning or end of one of the most famous back road routes in the world.  Much of the legendary route has been lost to modernization, but there’s still plenty to experience along what’s left!\nState Route 62\n– Known as\nTwentynine Palms\nHighway, the route runs east to west between Palm Springs and Parker AZ.  The mostly straight road runs across the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and provides plenty of desert scenery for your eyes to feast on.\nState Route 58\n– For those travelling a bit north of LA, CA-58 provides an often stunning drive the almost the whole way across the state.  Starting just north of the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo, CA-58 weaves across the coastal range before dropping down into the Central Valley and Bakersfield area.  You’ll cross the Tehachapi Range next (be sure to check out the\nRailway Loop\n!) before dropping into the Mojave Desert.\nArizona\nMuch like it’s red-rock desert neighboring state to the north, Arizona is home to stunning natural scenery, otherworldly geological formations, and some of\nmy favorite back roads\n.  It’s also home to several very cool cities, several different deserts, a handful of National Forests, and my all-time favorite National Park.  Oh… and it’s also home to one of the coolest stretches of Route 66!\nPlaces to go in Arizona\nFlagstaff\n\/\nSedona\n– Yeah, I’ll admit it, listing these two places this way, and first, is a bit of a cop-out.  But here’s the truth:  this area is probably my second-favorite place in the country.  Both towns are incredible in their own ways: unique architecture, vibrant art scenes, plenty of food, and friendly locals.  The area is rich with natural beauty to explore.  Hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, skiing, off-roading, camping, and on and on and on.  AND THOSE RED ROCKS!  **swoon**  (Did I mention it’s loaded with great back roads?)\nCanyon de Chelly\n– I’m a sucker for red rock formations, in case you hadn’t already figured that out.  And this park is loaded with them.\nSuperstition Mountains\n– Your outdoor activity of choice will help drive the best way for you to enjoy the expansive stunning wilderness about an hour east of Phoenix.  There’s a lot to see and do in this area – and the weather can be blistering – so be sure to do research and plan ahead.\nBack Road Routes Across Arizona\nRoute 66\n– Arizona doesn’t have a wide variety of east-west back road routes to choose from, but one major standout is Route 66.  Arizona contains the longest unbroken stretch of 66 in the US, and also has what I would consider to be one of\nthe coolest stretches of the Mother Road\n.  The stretch between Oatman and Kingman is likely to be the most “kitschy” area still remaining on 66… it’s rife with retro roadside attractions, and the town of Oatman looks and feels like walking onto an old western movie set.  I will say, fair warning, a lot of what Arizona is calling Route 66 is actually now just Interstate 40 paved over top of the original route… but there’s still several really cool parts of the old route as well.\nState Route 89 \/ 89A\n– In addition to touting the title of one of my “\nFavorite Back Roads in America\n,” this northeast-to-southwest route connects a number of really cool towns and incredibly scenic natural areas.\nWhen to Take a Cross Country Road Trip\nThe question of when to take a cross country road trip can be a very tricky one.  In addition to the amount of time required to drive cross country, one also has to factor in things like climate, elevation, and local weather extremes.  It is especially challenging due to the fact that the climate in areas along the way can vary drastically during the exact same months.  Toss in the fact that most of the highlighted places will be very busy during the summer months, and picking a time to take this trip can be an unenviable task!\nHow long does it take to drive cross country?\nThe first step in the process of choosing when to travel is determining how long you have!  Driving cross country can take as long or as short as you want, based upon how much time you have to take it slowly and explore.  In April of 2021, I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Sonoma CA – almost 2,600 miles – in 63 hours, completely by myself.   I had virtually no time to get the drive done, so I spent no time stopping and enjoying the trip.  On my very first cross country road trip, however, after my best friend Dietmar and I graduated from High School, we took over five weeks to drive a loop across the middle & southern parts of the country!\nMy point here is that how long you need for your road trip depends entirely upon how much time your schedule will allow.  Once you’ve determined this most crucial fact, you can start to build your itinerary around this knowledge.  For example, if you are retired and have no time constraints, you can take as long as you want, drive as slowly as you want, and stop as frequently – and for as long at each destination – as your heart desires.  Conversely, if you still work full time and have two kids in school, your trip is going to be a lot shorter and more constrained by your time off work.\nWhat I personally advise\npeople who are working with limited time\nis the following process:\nGet together with whoever you are travelling with and pick your top 3-5 most important destinations or priorities – the absolute must-see locations along the way.  Allot these top priorities more time in each day to explore, with as little driving time on those days as possible.\nPick secondary priority destinations – places you are interested in seeing, but won’t be devastated if you don’t get much time to explore them.  Allot these secondary priorities less time on location, with more driving time on these days.\nFor the rest of the trip, which doesn’t matter to you and doesn’t involve destinations of great interest, these can be the days where you do the bulk of your driving.  If possible, what you can do on these days is try to pick a scenic route that allows you to pass through interesting areas without stopping to explore.  Seeing it through the windows of your car is good enough.\nOnce you’ve completed this rough outline of your trip, I’d recommend the following driving times for each of the three “levels” or categories of destination:\nTop priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to less than four hours per day.\nSecondary priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to approximately 6-8 hours per day.\nUnimportant areas – drive as much during these days as you are physically capable; for most people, this should be at least 8-10 hours of driving per day.\nA few thoughts on drivin\ng\ntime\n:\n  \nI advise all of my road trip planning customers that\nwhen I say driving time, I mean butts in seats, behind the wheel actually driving time\n.  This does NOT include time sleeping, eating, getting fuel, using the restrooms, etc.   \nMy personal rule of thumb is that you should factor in 30-60 minutes of non-travel time for each four hours of actual driving\n.  So if I say 8 hours of actual driving, you should anticipate approximately 9-10 hours of travel time.  If it’s 12 hours of driving, anticipate 14-15 hours of actual travel time. \nYou absolutely should give yourself at least 8 hours of rest each night.\nThe other driving time factor to consider here is that driving on back roads is substantially slower than driving on the interstate.  In my experience,\nwhen driving strictly back roads, you are going to average approximately 40 miles for each hour of driving time\n.  That is a rough estimate, but again, in my many years and many thousands of miles of driving experience, it has consistently been very close to exactly correct. \nSo if you are planning to drive 200 miles on back roads, anticipate it’s going to take you approximately 5 hours of driving\n.\nLONG STORY SHORT (TL\/DR):\n  \nIf you are planning on driving cross country and back, or round trip, you should allow yourself at least 20 total days for your trip.  For a 6,000 mile trip, that means you’ll average 300 miles per day.  That’s a lot, but if you break it up well, it’s absolutely manageable.\nBack to Top\nDo yourself a favor and don’t go to the desert in the heat of summer!\nWhat time of year should you drive cross country?\nBecause the weather can vary so dramatically in different regions of the country, this too can be a very tricky question to answer.  This will be an especially important consideration if you are\ncamping\n:  when you’re sleeping outdoors, the weather conditions you’ll likely encounter become a critical part of your planning process.  If you’re going to be sleeping indoors, weather becomes less important, but still worth considering.\nIf you are travelling with children\n, you’re immediately limited to the summer months for your trip.  It’s the only time of year that your kids will be out of school long enough to enjoyably complete a journey of this type.  \nIf you are not travelling with children\n, you have a lot more flexibility, and quite frankly, should strongly consider avoiding the summer months if possible.  The summer months are going to be crowded by the aforementioned families with kids, and more importantly, are likely going to be unpleasantly hot in the vast majority of the country.\nSo when \nshould\nyou travel if you’re not going in the summer?  My personal favorite times to travel are\nlate spring\nand mid-fall\n.  Most destinations will have the least amount of visitors in these timeframes, and generally speaking, they are the best times of year weather-wise.  Daytime temperatures in most of the country are pleasantly mild, and in most places, it does not get terribly cold overnight.  To be even more specific, if possible, you should try to plan your trip for either \nthe middle of May or the middle of September.\nA word of warning about these travel times\n:\n  You’re going to have to be careful when travelling in high elevations, or at the northern edge of the country at these times of year.  I’ve experienced severe snowstorms in the High Sierra in May, and I’ve experienced freezing rain and snow in Idaho in late August (granted, we were ALSO at a higher elevation when that happened, but still).  So if you know that you’re going far north, or up high in altitude, \nbe prepared for a little bit of cold weather.\n \nIf you’re camping,\n \nyou absolutely must be prepared to spend the night in below-freezing temperatures.\nAside from those two caveats, though, late spring and mid-fall are the best times of year to\ndrive cross country!\nBack to Top\nOur campsite at Grand Teton National Park wasn’t too shabby!\nWhere should you stay on a cross country road trip?\nYou have a couple basic options to choose from for overnight stays on a cross country road trip:\nHotels\/motels\nCamping\nBed n Breakfasts (actual BNBs)\nAirBNB\/VRBO\nFriends and family\nI’ve utilized all of the options over the years, and in some cases, a blend of more than one at a time.  Frankly, if you are flexible and can mix and match the options, based upon weather and financial considerations, that’s going to usually be your best option.  I give brief thoughts on each option below.\nHotel\/Motel\nA hotel or motel is most likely going to be the easiest and most comfortable option for you.  In most places, there are a number of options to choose from.  If you pay for a nicer hotel, you’ll get a clean room and comfortable bed, with a hot breakfast in the morning.  The biggest downside is the cost, and the inability to prepare meals unless you really pony up and get a suite with kitchen.  My personal favorite affordable chain hotels are\nHoliday Inn\nand\nBest Western\n.\nCamping\nCamping is the second cheapest option, and if you are willing to find\ndispersed or wild campsites\nlike I typically do, will often provide you with some extraordinary scenery and surroundings.  I’ve written a couple posts about\nhow to find excellent campsites\nalready, so I won’t rehash that here.  The biggest downsides are the exposure to weather, and the fact that finding a campsite during daylight hours really limits how far you can drive each day.\nBed n Breakfasts\nThis is the option I’ve utilized the least, but it is one that I should probably start doing far more often.  True BNB’s were once a dying breed, though they’ve experienced a\nresurgence in popularity\nrecently.  BNB’s are typically unique and enjoyable experiences, especially when you have a great host.  They are often found in historic buildings with incredible architecture, and many include one or more hot meals.  The biggest downside is that they are often the most expensive option per night.\nAirBNB\/VRBO\nA modernized version of the old BNB system,\nAirBNB\nand\nVRBO\nare websites where property owners can offer up their homes – or a portion of their home – for rent to travelers.  There is an unfathomable amount of variety and diversity in the types of places and the types of amenities available to travelers, from the most bare bones single bedroom in the owner’s house to some of the most\nelaborate\nand\nunusual\novernight accommodations I’ve ever seen.  Prices for places to stay can also vary dramatically, giving travelers a great deal of control over budget, amenities and quality.  The biggest downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of skill and experience needed to find and figure out how to choose the right places to fit your needs.  We’ve stayed in some real stinkers over the years, but we’ve mostly had really incredible experiences.\nFriends and Family\nStaying with friends or family members is, of course,\nthe lowest cost option\nfor overnight accommodations.  Not only will F&F not charge you (I should hope!), many will often also provide you with meals and – critically important on a long trip – a place to wash your clothing!  My very first cross country road trip, all the way back in 1999, was primarily spent staying with friends & family.  Even with paying for hotels and meals in quite a few locations, that particular trip – 5 weeks, 9,000 miles – only cost my friend and I around $900 each!\nYou should try to mix in at least one or two F&F stops spread out over the course of your trip for this exact reason, unless you have the space or interest in packing enough clothing for 2-3 weeks of travel.  F&F will\nalso\nbe able to provide you with\nexcellent insights about local places\nyou should check out, from restaurants and shopping to parks, museums, and other activities.  The biggest “downside” of staying with F&F is the logistical restrictions of basing a trip around where your friends and family live… and when they are\navailable and can host you!\nBack to Top\nWhat should you pack for a cross country road trip?\nThis might just be the toughest section to tackle.  In addition to being heavily dependent upon the time of year that you’re travelling, how long your trip will be, and the destinations you’ll be exploring, it will also vary wildly based upon the size and storage of your vehicle, where you’ll be sleeping each night, who is travelling with you, etc.  As such,\nmy suggestions are going to be fairly generic in nature.\n  Though I do have a couple posts dedicated to\ngear for camping trips\n, my intent here is to provide you with a \nbasic must-have list\nsuitable for virtually any trip.\nWhat I would recommend is start by working with a handful of categories, and working your way from there:\nClothing\n– pack enough for a full week of outfits, plus at least one or two “extreme weather” options\nShoes\n– spend a lot of time walking and hiking in your current boots and shoes before your trip to determine if they’re comfortable – on the road is not when you want to realize you need better footwear\nFood\/Food Storage\n– this is addressed in detail in my\ncamping posts\n, but you’re going to want water-tight and long-lasting food storage options\nSafety\/Medical gear\n– though I list this fourth, having a \nmedical kit\n,\nfire extinguisher\n,\nflashlight\nFix-A-Flat\n,\njumper cables\n, and other safety items easily accessible should be your first priority\nCamera gear\n– in addition to the gear you’ll need for\nnight sky photography\n, I also recommend having a nice zoom lens on hand for taking\nincredible landscape photographs\n– I use a\nNikon 55-300mm\nlens\nTools\n– addressed in depth in my\ncamping gear\n and\nmotorcycle gear\nposts, just a few simple hand tools will get you through a lot of potentially unpleasant situations\nMusic\/Entertainment\/books\n– the drive and various attractions are going to be amazing, but I’d be lying if I said you’re not going to also have long and boring stretches of time to kill on your trip.  Having various forms of entertainment – especially if you’re traveling with family – will be crucial.  I recommend having books, magazines, playing cards, and a couple\ntravel-size board games\non hand.  Oh, and don’t\nforget your\nplaylist\n!\nRoad trip tips, suggestions, and other travel advice\nIn addition to my own advice for taking a cross country road trip, I’ve gathered insights and suggestions from dozens of other road trippers over the last year\nin anticipation of creating this post.  Though I’ve taken dozens of road trips and driven countless thousands of miles over the last 25 years, I certainly haven’t experienced everything.  I reached out to other travelers and collected their suggestions for taking long road trips.  One thing I’ve learned about people who travel a lot – they love to help other people get out on the road!\nI’m going to start off with one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned in all my years of taking road trips.\nDownload offline\n \nmaps\n–\nLINK\n(make sure to click on\nAndroid\nor\niPhone\nat the top) – I cannot stress the importance of this step strongly enough.  One of the very first recommendations I make to every\nroad trip planning\nclient I’ve worked with is to download\noffline Google maps\n.   Every cross country road trip will include driving in areas with no cell service.   If you’ve not prepared ahead of time by downloading offline maps for those areas, you might lose your route plans at the worst time possible.  If you aren’t sure where your cell providers don’t have coverage, start with this\nFCC Map\n, downloading maps in areas where no service is available.\nUS Route 50 winds through several valleys on its way across the High Sierra in Eastern California\nRoad Trip Advice\nHave a general plan, but allow for spontaneity & choices along the way\nPack items that can serve multiple purposes\nGet a\ncar power adapter\n(turns your car’s cigarette lighter into an outlet with USB ports)\nBring reusable items (water bottles, coffee mugs) instead of disposable ones\nBring a\nwater bottle with filter\n, or a\nfilter straw\nBuild in time for stops at local shops, farmers markets, antique stores and other ways to incorporate local culture\nOpt for healthy snacks (trail mix, triscuits) and avoid soda and candy\nBring your recreational wheels along:  MTB, bicycle, scooter, rollerblades etc\nVisit more than just National Parks!  State and county parks often provide excellent natural scenery and local history.\nHang a\nshoe rack\nbehind your seats for convenient and organized access to your stuff\nBuy a\ncamp toilet\nand keep TP in your vehicle\nUtilize a small “grab bag” with a couple days’ of clothing & supplies so you’re not hauling your suitcases in at every stop, rotating stuff in or out as needed\nBe sure to hydrate & consume electrolytes, especially in the desert\nIf camping, be sure to practice setting up your tent at night using only your headlamp, just in case\nDrive less than 12 hours per day – 7-8 hours is OK, but 4-5 hours is ideal if possible\nBuy a\nnational parks pass\nbefore you leave!\nAlways stop to visit friends and family whenever they will be near your route\nAsk older bikers where the prettiest local drives are\nDon’t drive long distances at night – it’s not worth the risk, and you miss out on the scenery!\nEat your meals somewhere scenic whenever possible, whether by a window or at a picnic table or on an overlook\nGet and maintain roadside assistance – AAA or some other similar service\nFreeze bottles of water to use as ice packs and to give you something cold to drink\nSearch for weird local destinations on\nAtlas Obscura\n\/\nRoadside America\n\/\nFactory Tours\nBe aware that there will be remote areas in the western states with no gas stations for 30-50 miles in any direction and plan accordingly – as old bikers say, don’t pass gas on a road trip!\nAlways double-check the weather conditions at the next day’s destination when you’re stopped at night\nWatch for road closures\nand plan alternative routes if needed\nOpen a credit card a month or two before you leave, only use that card, then cancel it at the end of your trip to prevent fraud \/ identity theft\nBe flexible – plans can change quickly due to unforeseen emergencies like a wildfire (or pandemic!)\nMaximize your bathroom stops – get gas, walk the dog, buy fresh supplies, etc\nStart your day early – beat rush hour traffic, maximize sunlight hours, etc\nCheck out our tips & tricks for back roads travel!\nDon’t forget that there’s\nan entire category\non our website dedicated solely to road trips!\nAnd, if all else fails, you can always\nask us for help\n.\nBack to top\nEnjoy your trip from coast to coast!","attrs_markdown":"[![Take Back Roads](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/TBR-profile-RMBG.png?fit=474%2C474&ssl=1)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/)\n\n# [Take Back Roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/)\n## Seeking authentic travel experiences, one back road at a time\n\n[Menu]() [Skip to content](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#content)\n\n- [Travel Posts, by Region](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/)\n  expand child menu\n  - [Northeast](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/)\n    expand child menu\n    - [Delaware and Maryland](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/delaware-and-maryland\/)\n    - [New York & New Jersey](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/new-york-new-jersey\/)\n    - [Pennsylvania](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/pennsylvania\/)\n  - [Southeast (coastal)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/southeast-coastal\/)\n    expand child menu\n    - [The Carolinas](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/southeast-coastal\/the-carolinas\/)\n    - [The 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Resources](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/life-liberty-and-non-travel-stories\/)\n  expand child menu\n  - [Photography](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/photography\/)\n    expand child menu\n    - [Astrophotography – shots of the night sky & Milky Way](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/photography\/photo-prints-available-for-purchase\/astrophotography-shots-of-the-night-sky-milky-way\/)\n    - [Back Road Beauties](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/photography\/photo-prints-available-for-purchase\/back-road-beauties\/)\n    - [Pictures of Pittsburgh](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/photography\/photo-prints-available-for-purchase\/pictures-of-pittsburgh\/)\n- [Who We Are](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/home)\n- [About TBR](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/about\/)\n\n[May 5, 2022October 22, 2025](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/)\n\n[Scott](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/author\/berneysm80\/)\n# The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country\nI’ve taken a handful of [cross country road trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/14\/cheap-cross-country-road-trip\/) over the years. However, there are still a few [cross country](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/02\/16\/solo-travel-is-it-possible-to-drive-cross-country-by-yourself\/) [road trip](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/road-trips\/) ideas that remain on my bucket list: riding a motorcycle cross country, taking one of America’s [historic highways](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/) the whole way from coast to coast (US-50 is the most likely candidate), ~~driving cross country on one of the northern routes~~ (done! Just need to finish that post!) and driving a back roads loop around the country. During the summers of 2020 & 2021 – in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic! – I managed to cross the latter two items off my list.\n\nWell, sort of… While the majority of those trips were on back roads, I must admit up front that we did also do a fair share of interstate driving across the Midwest. With my sincerest apologies to residents of the [flyover states](https:\/\/www.urbandictionary.com\/define.php?term=fly-over%20state), the time constraints for these trips forced us to take the highway across some of the center of the country, leaving very little time for sight-seeing.\n\nLike our time in [Las Vegas](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/08\/04\/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert\/), we were going to have to prioritize.\n\n[![Twisty back road surrounded by mountains](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C497&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nIt’s time to get out there and explore\\!\n## A Round Trip Itinerary for a Cross Country Road Trip\n#### *The Round Trip Road Trip*\nTechnically, I’ve only done one truly coast-to-coast cross country road trip, and that was when I graduated from high school (1999! It feels gross to even think how long ago that was…). That was my first cross country road trip, and my first round trip road trip.\n\nThat experience will make for an excellent post, actually: *taking cross country road trips to celebrate graduation is now a three-generation family tradition.* My father took cross country trips to celebrate his high school and college graduations, in 1966 and 1970. I took a round trip road trip to celebrate high school graduation in 1999. And now, I’ve taken my daughter on two cross country road trips as well, celebrating her high school & college graduations.\n\nAlas… that will have to remain a different post to be written a different day.\n\nAll of my other cross country road trips have either started or ended in my former home state: [Pennsylvania](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/pennsylvania\/) (instead of the Atlantic coast). While there is no formal definition for what qualifies as a cross country road trip, I feel confident that a trip covering 2,600 miles and all but one of the states that span from coast to coast definitely fits the bill! In fact, on our drive heading west, we zig-zagged our way across nearly 8,000 miles during just one road trip\\!\n\nThis post is going to examine routes to consider, destinations to include, and a few other great pieces of cross country road trip advice… so buckle up, because it’s going to be a long ride\\!\n\nTrip map created using [Wanderlog, for making itineraries](https:\/\/wanderlog.com\/) on [iOS](https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/wanderlog\/id1476732439) and [Android](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.wanderlog.android)\n\nGenerally speaking, there are three main routes to drive cross country: northern, central, and southern. Mostly self-explanatory, the northern route stays on a path across the northern states like New York, Minnesota, Montana, or Idaho. The central route follows a path across the middle states, like Kansas and Colorado. The southern route stays mostly south, crossing states like Georgia, Texas, or Arizona.\n\n***Fair warning – This post is currently being updated***\n\n***The Southern Route is being put together as quickly as I can.***\n\n***However, because I cannot save drafts of edits being made to published posts,***\n\n***I will have to publish things mid-creation. It’s not ideal, so please bear with me\\!***\n\n~~As you can see on the map above, I am reviewing two of the three major routes to drive cross country.~~ It’s taken two years, but it’s finally occurred to me how absurd it is to not include more information on the southern route. When I first published this post, like on my trips in 2020, I wrote about the central route heading west and then a northern route heading east. For the southern option, I’m going to roughly follow the west-to-east route I took in 2019 when I drove cross-country [in an antique Porsche.](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/)\n\n#### **I write about these cross country routes using the orientation I traveled when I took them.**\n#### **I** **hope it’s clear that you can use these options when heading either direction.**\n1. [Driving West: the Central Route](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#west)\n2. [Driving East: the Northern Route](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#east)\n3. [When to Travel](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#when) (including insights on how long your road trip should be)\n4. [Where to Stay Along the Way](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#where)\n5. [What to Take With You](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#pack)\n6. [Additional Insights, tips, and road trip advice](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#advice)\n### [![Monument Valley back road](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?resize=663%2C419&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n### Plan a Cross Country Road Trip\nAs you might imagine, when [planning a road trip](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) that’s going to encompass approximately 6,000 miles, you’re going to need a significant amount of time to travel. *Even in a situation like ours, where the first or last 1,000 miles or so are on the interstate, you should anticipate at least 125 hours of time behind the wheel.*  If you’ve never taken a long road trip – or even if you have – that’s a lot of time to be driving.\n\n**When [creating road trip plans](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) for travelers, I suggest limiting actual driving time (“butts in seats” time) to 6 hours a day.** This allows you to still explore things you find along the way… and won’t completely burn you out to the experience of driving.\n\nIn my mind, **there are two main categories of [road trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/11\/20\/how-to-take-back-roads\/#vacation):** trips in which you immerse yourself deeply into one region, and trips in which you experience a lot of different regions at once. In the first category, immersing yourself deeply into one region, you spend your entire trip exploring all of the various things you can see in do in that particular region. You delve into the intimate nuances which make that region unique, spending hours or even days exploring single areas.\n\n**A cross country road trip, by its very nature, is going to fall under the second category.**  Instead of spending the majority (or entirety) of your trip exploring a single area, you are going to spend a little bit of time experiencing multiple different areas. I like to call it an **appetizer adventure**: you experience a proverbial sampler platter of a number of different regions of the country, getting a small taste of what that area has to offer.\n\nThink of your cross country drive as a scouting trip of sorts; you’re going to find areas where you’ll have a powerful desire to return and explore in greater depth. You’ll also discover that other areas are places where you have no interesting in returning.  **Do no go into the process of planning a cross country road trip expecting to explore many areas in depth.** Unless you are retired and\/or have all the time in the world, you are going to find yourself disappointed if you go into your trip with this mindset\\!\n\nAs you might imagine, **prioritizing the places you want to see is crucial to this process.** The very first part of your planning process should be spent talking this over with your travel partner(s). Discuss the places you absolutely must see, the places you’d like to visit if there’s time, and the places you’re not particularly interested in visiting. This will lay the groundwork for planning your route, and if you’re lucky, might actually make the process very simple.\n\n***Last thought: While this itinerary will mostly follow my own recent trips, it will not be an exact match.*** As I already mentioned, we had some time constraints that forced us to limit our itinerary a bit. I’m going to add in a few destinations that we simply did not have time to explore, and let you decide what best fits your priorities! As always, you can [email me directly](mailto:scott@takebackroads.com) if you have additional questions\\!\n\n[![RV bus driving west on a back road](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/road-trip-west-2.jpg?resize=663%2C462&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/road-trip-west-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nHead for the sunset\\!\n## Driving West: the Central Cross Country Route\nIn case you missed it, our trip started in [Pennsylvania](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/05\/09\/thirteen-back-road-adventures-pennsylvania-virginia-delaware-road-trips\/#PAroadtrip), so that’s where this itinerary will start as well. From there, we drove nearly straight west across the middle of the country and then dipped south.\n\n### Pennsylvania\nThere are many things that I could recommend for you to see and do in my home state, and it’s highly dependent upon what your interests are. Because I’ve dedicated [a number of posts](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/pennsylvania\/) to the things you can do here, I’m going to focus on just a few broad highlights and options to consider.\n\n#### Places to go in Pennsylvania\n- [Philadelphia](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Gnk7GqY8F9hma5kf7): America’s first capital city is LOADED with [historical experiences](https:\/\/uncoveringpa.com\/philadelphia-region) to explore\n- [Pittsburgh](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/V9zcuKhDpe16ndtZ7): One of America’s original industrial cities, my hometown has undergone a complete makeover, and is now loaded with fascinating [things to see and do](https:\/\/www.discovertheburgh.com\/things-to-do-in-pittsburgh\/)\n- [Allegheny National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/EP1sqhnmPkNZE1fB7): One of several outdoor enthusiast meccas in PA, ANF has a [dynamic range of activities](https:\/\/pawilds.com\/landscape\/allegheny-national-forest-surrounds\/#!directory\/map\/ord=rnd) available year round… with [plenty more](https:\/\/pawilds.com\/journey\/) nearby\\!\n- [Laurel Highlands](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/K74Tg2S7nSopZzyz7): Another outdoor enthusiast mecca, the [Laurel Highlands](https:\/\/www.laurelhighlands.org\/) is ALSO home to a number of homes designed by [Frank Lloyd Wright](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/10\/11\/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania\/)\n\n[![Fallingwater house Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?resize=663%2C542&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n#### Back Road Routes across Pennsylvania\n- [US Route 6](https:\/\/pawilds.com\/journey\/scenic-route-6\/#!directory\/map\/ord=rnd) – a [storied transcontinental route](https:\/\/www.paroute6.com\/history) which cuts across the heart of the PA Wilds, you could take Route 6 the whole way to California if you so desire\\!\n- [US Route 30](https:\/\/www.pahighways.com\/us\/US30.html) – one of America’s most famous historical cross country highways, [the Lincoln Highway](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/longest.cfm) takes travelers from New York City to San Francisco\n### West Virginia\nAmerica’s primary coal-mining state is well-known for its numerous mines and heavily wooded mountainous terrain. Chock full of natural scenery, sweeping hilltop vistas, and twisting back roads, West Virginia is a great state to include on your route\\!\n\n#### Places to go in WV\n- [Morgantown](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Zfip7An8RCcjmwSX6): As the home of [WVU](https:\/\/www.wvu.edu\/), Morgantown is likely the most well-known city in the state, and offers plenty of [places worth checking out](https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/morgantown-things-to-do\/)\n- [Monongahela National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Ns2f97UGMtL3QL6N6): A MASSIVE National Forest that encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of rugged mountain terrain, including…\n- [Dolly Sods Wilderness area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kXprqrBiXPeakVSF9): A rocky and isolated wilderness area with plenty of places to hike and camp\n- [The Talon](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BackRoadsWV): A twisting and winding [mountain back road](https:\/\/backroadswv.com\/the-talon\/), especially popular with motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts\n#### Back Road Routes across WV\n- [US Route 50](https:\/\/www.route50.com\/) – Another historic cross country highway, Route 50 cuts across the northern woods of West Virginia\n- [US Route 250](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#250) – A zig-zagging route that runs diagonally across West Virginia, Route 250 cuts you through the heart of some of the wildest places in the state\n- [US Route 19](https:\/\/scenicusa.net\/121812.html) – Though it runs north to south, this historical route cuts across some of the most beautiful parts of the state, including the rock climbers’ heaven, [New River Gorge](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sHdb6uY3cZYNfNip8)\n\n[![The Talon back road in West Virginia](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/The-Talon-WV.jpg?resize=723%2C413&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/The-Talon-WV.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nPhoto Credit: [The Talon](http:\/\/www.backroadswv.com\/)\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Kentucky\nThe Bourbon State. The Bluegrass State. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Another major coal mining state. No matter what description you use, the bottom line here is that Kentucky is one of my favorite states on the East Coast, and is home to some absolutely gorgeous back roads.\n\n#### Places to go in Kentucky\n- [Bourbon Trail](https:\/\/kybourbontrail.com\/): a conglomeration of destinations, Kentucky’s bourbon trail is an [easy way to visit](https:\/\/kybourbontrail.com\/plan-your-trip\/) any number of distilleries creating the state’s most famous export. My favorites (to visit, not necessarily to drink): [Maker’s Mark](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2016\/10\/04\/road-trip-nashville\/), Woodford, and Buffalo Trace\n- [Louisville](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9gigESM6cGj6mep36): Kentucky’s largest city is home to the [Kentucky Derby](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QuQpnssF6pWMcB3Q7), the world’s most famous [baseball bats](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kVvTXqX3Xg7AGUCn6), and much more\n- [Daniel Boone National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rdvVJkKWuFSBMgoT7): Like MNF In WV, DBNF is home to dense woods, rugged terrain, rock climbing, cliffs, and plenty of places to hike\n- [Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eTJiWvriiNgrJKHu9) – a narrow strip of wilderness located between two lakes, full of hiking, camping, and water-based activities\n\n[![](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?resize=520%2C280&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nNatural Arch Scenic Area At Parkers Lake Kentucky In The Daniel Boone – image courtesy of [US Forest Service](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/dbnf\/recarea\/?recid=39726)\n#### Back Road Routes across Kentucky\n- [US Route 62](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/62.html) – a diagonal shot across the state, Route 62 cuts across the gorgeous heart of bourbon country and the well-groomed [thoroughbred territory](https:\/\/www.khorse.com\/list_of_horse_race_farms_in_kentucky.htm)\n- [Kentucky Route 80](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#eastik) – Cutting across the southern edge of the state, KY-80 is filled with scenic beauty and plentiful options for exploration\n### Missouri\nMissouri is widely known as the [Gateway to the West](https:\/\/www.gatewayarch.com\/). It’s largest city is home to the Gateway Arch, and because it sits centrally on the western banks of the Mississippi River, Missouri is often the first “western” state road trippers encounter.\n\n#### Places to go in Missouri\n- [St Louis](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j8hT22MTwjLr3Fxg7): the state’s most famous city sits on the banks of the mighty Mississippi and features numerous tourist destinations: [Gateway Arch](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tc689GWSXAi5eqgJ8), [Budweiser Brewery](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GJ5oQqMPJR4PQ9fp7), and the [National Transportation Museum](https:\/\/g.page\/TNMOT?share) are a few highlights. This will also be the first place you’ll cross [Route 66](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/) on your trip west.\n- [Branson](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7XWtVJ6hvx3Yv7sn6): one of the cheesiest cities in the country, Branson is home to countless country and other live music venues, wax museums, and other various & sundry attractions. Oh, and it sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountain wilderness.\n- [Dogwood Canyon](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vrczfcVRNRm2KUb99) & [Hickory Canyon](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JH1ow2Z4jmtTtUmN9) State Parks: relatively small but jaw-droppingly gorgeous (see what I did there?), these two parks offer lots to see and do for the lover of natural scenery\n- [Mark Twain National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LMo5WbhrgEk48NXd9): much larger than the previous parks, MTNF is home to thousands of acres of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and densely wooded rolling hills\n\n[![A waterfall runs down a cliff face into a green pool of water, with an enclosed stone bridge across it, leading to a matching stone lodge](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nCedar Lodge at Dogwood Canyon Falls – image courtesy of [Cedar Lodge](https:\/\/bigcedar.com\/attractions\/dogwood-canyon\/)\n#### Back Road Routes across Missouri\n- [US Route 160](https:\/\/interstate411.us\/ushighways\/us160\/) – Running along the very southern edge of the state, Route 160 (who we’ll be seeing again..!) winds its way across the rolling foothills of the Ozarks\n- [US Route 60](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/60.html) – Only a couple dozen miles north of Route 160, Route 60 also cuts you across the hills of southern Missouri, albeit in a slightly more “refined” fashion: Less rugged, fewer hills, and more open panoramas… but still a far more interesting and relaxing option than US Route 50, which cuts across several metro areas and long stretches of open plains\n### Kansas\nNo sense in candy-coating the truth here: Kansas is going to be one of the most boring, difficult states on this adventure. That’s going to be nearly unavoidable, though, as it’s next to impossible to drive cross country without crossing one of the flat central plains states.\n\n[![A hill slopes gently down towards a grove of trees under the setting sun in Tallgrass Prairie in Kansas](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [National Parks Conservation Association](https:\/\/www.npca.org\/parks\/tallgrass-prairie-national-preserve)\n#### Places to go in Kansas\n- [Kansas City](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/jwRzAcsrgG7bTQyZ9): Located partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas, America’s most confusing city spans the Missouri River, Kansas River, the state border, and significant [BBQ-based disputes](https:\/\/spoonuniversity.com\/lifestyle\/is-kansas-city-bbq-really-the-best)\\!\n- [Little House on the Prairie Museum](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PhkiTJtC6UEgTV6Q9): A replica of the tiny cabin where Laura Ingalls Wilder & her family lived\n- [Dodge City](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YNVKKDE3pgpUvCkW7): One of America’s most famous cowboy towns boasts a couple of [excellent museums](https:\/\/g.page\/BootHillMuseum?share) and a handful of old school taverns & saloons (plus its fair share of casinos)\n- [Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/tapr\/index.htm): some of the last natural tallgrass prairie acreage left in America\n#### Back Road Routes across Kansas\n- US Route 50 – If you really feel inclined and\/or dedicated to do the entirety of your cross country trip on back roads, US 50 is probably your best option – especially if you’re stopping in Kansas City for some BBQ\\!\n- [US Route 400](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/400.html) – If you would rather have a rural route, US 400 takes you across the southern portion of the state, and connects with Route 50 in Dodge City\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A young girl carrying a dog across hot sand with tall sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Great-Sand-Dunes-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nThough it was still early – only around 10AM – the sand was too hot for precious puppy feet! Shocking to realize that this was in Colorado.\n\n![Tall tan sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Great-Sand-Dune-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nNo, your screen isn’t dirty – those are people, climbing the tallest sand dunes in America, found in … Colorado??\n\n**(EDITOR’S NOTE: The highlight lists from Colorado and beyond will not include the most obvious tourist destinations that people are already aware of)**\n\n### Colorado\nThings are about to get really, really incredible… well, eventually, once you’ve crossed over the 100 miles or so of Eastern Colorado that looks a whole lot like Kansas! Once you hit the mountains, though, the scenery is simply remarkable. [Colorado](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#westernc) is easily in my top five for most jaw-dropping back roads in the country (bear in mind, I’ve not been to Alaska or Hawaii yet). The state is just absolutely loaded with incredible scenery… more than I could ever hope to capture or describe. *S**electing only a handful of places to highlight (or roads to choose from) is going to be challenging from here going forward\\!*\n\n#### Places to go in Colorado\n- [Pike’s Peak](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DKAyskZ7EtfxZ22R9): one of Colorado’s highest peaks also features some of Colorado’s best mountaintop driving… and it’s very close to one of my favorite cities in the state…\n- [Colorado Springs](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7PfrkniY6dxG2vJy5): an awesome mountain city that is surrounded by utterly jaw-dropping natural beauty. It also features several [natural attractions](https:\/\/www.visitcos.com\/things-to-do\/outdoors\/) in or near the city, and an [awesome bohemian shopping district](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/76CjbjVipcB1j16B9).\n- [Great Sand Dunes National Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LgA4kCqeu4xFGnj87): an unusual and lesser known [National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/index.htm) (I hadn’t heard of it until [Wanderlust Photography](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/) published [their blog](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2020\/07\/07\/travel-journal-7-11-2020-exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park\/) about it) centrally located in the southern tier of the state, Great Sand Dunes offers the unusual combination of desert and mountain scenery. The San Juan Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tallest sand dunes in North America.\n- [Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tqd4fLNoDvq8kDkv8): I hesitated about whether to include Black Canyon on this list. Though the view from the [North Rim](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LWN7pnBV4betpzCv6) was both impressive and uncrowded (we were the only ones there), and the drive to get there on CO-92 was genuinely stunning… the place felt somehow menacing to us. The winds whipped and howled through the canyon, and the steep drop-offs were dizzying to behold. The drive back to the North Rim also featured several unmarked & unfenced drop-offs, and was confusing and poorly marked. It added at least 90 minutes each way to get there. So if you’re going to go see it, I recommend the [South Rim](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/X85QYcK4g3ThM7NW6), which offers similar perspectives and is much closer and more easily accessible.\n- [Million Dollar Highway](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cJbQjmabVy85dFEc9) and [Telluride](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vM9XDcSHhjhEwed68): I considered including the Million Dollar Highway as a route across the state, but the truth is, it’s one of the few places in [America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/) where the drive actually is the destination. The scenic vistas are simply jaw-dropping – miles and miles of rugged mountain peaks and dense forests stretch in every direction – and the drive itself is thoroughly enjoyable, if perhaps [a bit white-knuckle](https:\/\/youtu.be\/gd5SYDzXKKY) at times… There are also the historic mining towns of [Ouray](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PvnTrF4W2VcLqJyz5) (pronounced “YOUR-ray”), [Silverton](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6BeK5YaWwjPMfbN77), [Durango](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VGD9BRjBzDNvXTkt7), and Telluride, with their adorable downtown shopping districts surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. I could spend weeks exploring here.\n#### Back Road Routes across Colorado\n- [US Route 50](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/) – Cutting a consistently scenic path across the central portion of the state, Route 50 provides convenient access to many of the best destinations in Colorado while also providing a natural boundary of sorts between the Rocky Mountains to the North and San Juan Mountains to the South.\n- [US Route 160](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/U.S._Route_160#Colorado) – As prefaced in Missouri, it’s back on US-160 again for an incredibly scenic way to drive across Colorado, providing easy access to Great Sand Dunes NP, a handful of destinations in the San Juan mountains, the Million Dollar Highway, and [Canyons of the Ancients](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4xm7cybLWcHaFPXM7) National Monument… plus is a great way to head towards Monument Valley.\n### Utah\nAs is the case with Colorado, it’s critical to remember that this trip is the sampler platter, not the full entrée. There is so much natural beauty to witness in Utah that you couldn’t see it all in a week or more. The state’s most familiar features are its red rock desert formations, Canyons and Arches, and of course the [massive salt flats](https:\/\/utah.com\/bonneville-salt-flats). The scenery is ethereal and often otherworldly, and can often spring up at you out of nowhere. Be prepared to stop often, and often stop unexpectedly as you traverse the [Beehive State](https:\/\/www.saltlakemagazine.com\/behind-the-beehive\/).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![two cars drive away on a two lane road stretches towards the distant horizon, lined by tall rock spires in Monument Valley](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-Monument-Valley.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nMonument Valley\n\n![A red dirt road leading to the rocky hills of Zion National Park. Learn how to find red dirt roads off the beaten path.](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/back-road-zion.jpg?fit=723%2C542&ssl=1)\n\nAs beautiful as this view was, what captivated me the most while sitting here and drinking it all in was the complete lack of manmade sound. It was the first time in my life I ever experienced that.\n\n![monument valley rock formations are blurred behind a crisp and defined barbed wire fence](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-Monument-Valley-barbed-wire.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nMonument Valley\n\n![Tall red rock formations in Utah feature white and tan horizontal stripes](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-Zion-rock-formation.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nZion National Park\n\n![varying rock and desert land features create multi-colored layers in the desert near Zion National Park utah](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-desert-layers.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nNear Zion National Park\n#### Places to go in Utah\n- [Monument Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AAzTiAbURjWYNarP6): One of a handful of “bucket list” locations that I finally crossed off my list on this trip is Monument Valley. I feel, to be completely honest, like we need to come back and explore the area more to get a better appreciation for it. The stone pillars were incredibly neat to see, but it felt like it was over fast – I think we might’ve missed some?\n- [Zion National Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/B4U3VpRy8Ht1Gs936): I said I wasn’t going to include obvious tourist destinations, and here I am, a mere two states later including obvious tourist destinations. But Zion is without question in my top five favorite National Parks in the country. It will completely blow your mind the first time you drive through it. If I had a nickel for every time my wife breathlessly exclaimed “Whoooaaaa…” as we weaved our way across the park, I could pay for someone to write this post for me\\!\n- [Glen Canyon National Rec Area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9wct9dxLTQWeVf4P6): An absolutely massive park that stretches south across the border into Arizona, Glen Canyon has over a million acres of stunning desert landscapes and water features to explore. The twisting shores of Lake Powell carve jaw-dropping curves into the brilliant orange rocks, and the iconic [Rainbow Bridge](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4cg7oJepJoCWWEYy7) is nearby as well.\n- [Grand Staircase-Escalante](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MwnDziwRXwgZ23pk7): Immediately adjacent to, and nearly double the size of Glen Canyon, Grand Staircase is yet another collection of diverse and awe-inspiring arid landscapes. With arches, pillars, dunes, slot canyons, and a number of other features to discover, you could easily spend a week hiking across the depths of this enormous National Monument.\n- [Little Sahara Rec Area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SvBqfXkSxhZAHymA8): In a state that is world-famous for its [off-roading opportunities](https:\/\/www.discovermoab.com\/), the Little Sahara rec area is a hidden gem of sorts for thrashing your UTV or SXS. Hiking and fat biking trails are also available, as are places to camp.\n- [Lower Calf Creek Falls](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Zn7gFEDM2EGfPHhy7) (and [trailhead](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/8gR4hTpXe5Hqp4W99)): Not to overuse a cliche or anything, but the Falls are just absurdly stunning, and the moderate hike to get there ain’t shabby either\\!\n- [Kanab](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kGfB2iRMTwEfz8er7): One of several renowned outdoor adventurist towns in Utah, Kanab is a great place for launching a plethora of desert-based activities. It’s also home to the [BLM visitors center](https:\/\/g.page\/blm-kanab-visitor-center?share) where you can attempt to get walk-in permits for [The Wave](https:\/\/www.thewave.info\/) in Arizona. The town itself is really cool, with a handful of unique shops, restaurants, marketplaces, and museums.\n\n[![Utah State Route 12 east sign dominates a disorganized cluster of road signs and billboards at the western end of the route](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nUtah State Route 12, western terminus\n#### Back Road Routes across Utah\n- [US Route 89](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/89.html) – Utah’s intensely rugged and deeply carved geography make it particularly challenging to traverse east to west using strictly back roads. US-89 weaves an unusual course into the state from Arizona, then heads east-west for a stretch near Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase, before turning north again.\n- US Route 6 – The aforementioned storied east to west transcontinental route winds its way across Utah, intermingling with several other well-known US Routes along the way.\n- US Routes 40 & 50 – I mention both in the same breath here because they run similar courses not far from each other across the state… though both will try to run you along the interstate for a stretch if you’re not careful\\!\n- [Utah Route 12](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#westerntu) – It’s not included in the list of [The Best Back Roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/) for no reason! Though short, Utah’s State Route 12 carves a panoramic path across some of the most rugged, mind-bending rock formations and desert geography that I’ve ever witnessed.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Nevada\nIt was hard to skip over one of my favorite states in the country – Arizona – but again, *for the sake of miles on a trip of this size, you have to make cuts somewhere*. Nevada is one of the most imposingly beautiful states you’ll ever visit. It’s also contains some of the most desolate places you’ll ever visit – certainly some of the most remote places in the lower 48. The landscape is often severely harsh and inhospitable, and will provide you with the longest “human-free” stretches of driving on your journey …. so make sure you have plenty of gas, and fill up whenever you have the opportunity! But fear not, because those same imposing and inhospitable landscapes will also provide you with countless uninterrupted natural panoramas, stretching as far as the eye can see without a single man-made structure in sight. It truly is a wonder to behold, and if you’re open to it, it might just change your [perspective on humanity](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/10\/29\/where-the-pavement-ends-camping-california\/).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![Crisp fluffy white clouds and a brilliant blue sky top the towering snow capped peak of Wheeler Mountain in Great Basin National Park Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-Great-Basin-National-Park.jpg?fit=723%2C454&ssl=1)\n\nGreat Basin National Park\n\n![A side by side dune buggy races up a monster sand dune in Nevada along the Loneliest Road](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-sand-dune-racing.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nSand dune races near Loneliest Road\n#### Places to go in Nevada\n- [Valley of Fire State Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UnRkcjNvQB91EphB9): Intense reds and oranges will fill your vision as you make your way into and around Valley of Fire. The sandstone formations jut out of the ground in unusual angles all around you, and there is plenty of petrified wood to discover. With an incredible [Off-Road Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/nicGu1ZdZKb8Q2RL8) feeding into the northern edge of the state park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here.\n- [Nelson Ghost Town](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/aSQ1Pz3LzqPRkNjM9) and [Nelson’s Landing](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rNNo52A69STyJS6r7): I found these gems by sheer happenstance while looking for outdoor activities for our [adventure in Las Vegas](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/08\/04\/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert\/) a few years ago, and we absolutely fell in love. The ghost town is super cool, populated by ancient-looking wooden structures, and the landscape is littered with old cars. There is an old abandoned mine, and even an airplane… and let’s not forget about cliff jumping into the Colorado River at Nelson’s Landing! An all-around amazing day trip\\!\n- [Goldfield](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uQ6DQqpySXcLqdd68): Speaking of old mining towns, Goldfield is another great historical destination in the desert. For such a small town, it has a surprising amount of things worth seeing – historic saloons, museums, shops, and even a [car forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BFqTsnjks6jjA5388)! Being fairly isolated in the sparsely populated center of the state, and surrounded by stark natural beauty, the area around Goldfield is also prime real estate for [stargazing](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/28\/milky-way-night-sky-photography\/).\n- [The Loneliest Road in America](https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/travel\/destinations\/north-america\/united-states\/nevada\/pictures-loneliest-road-america-route-50\/): In addition to being one of the most direct ways to drive east-west across the state, US Route 50 in Nevada also sports the rather depressing moniker of being the loneliest road in the country. It’s true in a lot of ways: there isn’t much life in any direction at any point on Route 50, human or otherwise. Once you leave Ely, none of the few small towns you’ll come across in the next 250+ miles heading west have more than 500 residents. But, as I’ve already mentioned above, there’s incredible beauty in all of that loneliness.\n- [Great Basin National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grba\/index.htm): One of the smaller, more remote – and maybe most underappreciated and unknown – National Parks in the lower 48, Great Basin sports some absolutely stunning mountain peaks and desert valleys. Sitting at the eastern end of the Loneliest Road in America, Great Basin offers plenty of hiking trails, scenic drives, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Make sure to swing southeast from there to pick up Utah Route 12 across Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capitol Reef\\!\n- [Black Rock Desert](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/masQpsqsu2NuxwnEA): In addition to being the home of [Burning Man](https:\/\/burningman.org\/) every August, the BRD is also a place to find incredible natural scenery. Loaded with abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping, this area is known as being one of the darkest – and best – stargazing spots in the whole country.\n- [Paradise Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/c4VezUdyaGXhkjWf6): Located smack in the middle of [Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ExTv6YoSroPrdqxe6) – a bit of a misnomer, as we didn’t see any trees until we drove up over [the mountain pass](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PyhPUoc9Uuac113i7) – Paradise Valley is indeed an arid wonderland. In addition to being a good spot for hunting out abandoned buildings, the desert valley is partially ringed to the North & West by a string of jagged mountain peaks. The rugged terrain is perfect for [dispersed camping](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/02\/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp\/) opportunities, though the isolated nature of the area forces me to only suggest this for experienced campers.\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A US Route 6 road sign dominates the foreground, as a two lane back road stretches off towards distant cloud covered mountains in Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-US-Route-6.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![Back Road US route 6 stretches towards distant desert mountains in Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/DSC_0325.jpg?fit=723%2C450&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes across Nevada\n- US Route 50 – as mentioned above, Route 50 offers one of the simplest ways of driving east to west across this arid state. I would be remiss if I did not repeat my advice: MAKE SURE you always have gas in your vehicle. There are countless places where you are going to be 30-50 miles or more from the nearest gas station, and it’s entirely plausible you could wait several hours before seeing another human.\n- US Route 6 – coming into the state joined with Route 50 from Utah, the two routes diverge in Ely, with 50 heading on a more northerly course towards Lake Tahoe, and Route 6 cutting south towards Tonopah and Mono County CA. Nearly as lonely as Route 50, Route 6 is another place to not mess around with being safe – an overabundance of caution with regards to maintaining your vehicle and fuel is crucial.\n- [US Route 95](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/) – As with Route 19 in West Virginia, Route 95 deserves mention in spite of being a north-south route. As one of my favorite back roads in the country, 95 is chock full of natural scenery, and it connects you with several of the best destinations in the state.\n\n[![A winding back road in Yosemite leads the eye to the towering grey granite Half Dome mountain formation in the background](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C408&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nOne of the most epic views – Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park (Half Dome in the distance) – in our nation’s most epic state\n### California\nCalifornia is easily the most intimidating state on this entire list to try to tackle. As the third largest state in the country, superlatives are abundant in my favorite state for back road driving. I described California to my wife as having similar natural features as other states in the country – forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, etc – but on grander, exaggerated scale. The state’s terrain takes on mythical proportions: the mountains are more dramatic, the deserts more dry, the coastline totally defies description, and the trees tower above you in startling size. California has been lionized in American mythology, and with good reason. I’m not even going to attempt to scratch the surface of everything there is to see and do – not to mention the countless amazing back roads to explore. I’m only going to address a handful of things we saw and did on our cross country adventure, and leave the rest for you to fill in the blanks\\!\n\n#### Places to go in Northern California\n- [Mono Lake & Tufa Reserve](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LYRnE3N1PfAAVv4N9): Looking like an eyeball on the map, Mono Lake appears to stare back at you as you ogle open-mouthed at its mountain-lined shores. In addition to its striking panoramas, Mono Lake also features a number of otherworldly [Tufa Towers](http:\/\/www.monolake.org\/about\/geotufa) along its shorelines.\n- [Mountain Gate Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/39FzgNS3gnwq33Zj8): Small and seemingly uninteresting on its face, this “park” – in reality, more of a rest area than a park – is a fantastic place for the hot and road-weary traveler to stop and refresh themselves in the frigid rush of the West Walker River. Surrounded by steep and arid canyon walls, the melt-water river is shallow, clear, and crisp, its bottom lined with countless smooth stones for walking across. Whether you sit on the shoreline and dunk your feet, or go whole hog and cross into its “depths,” it’s a relaxing place to rest up before continuing on your journey.\n- [Monitor Pass](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/c5Vb3LVmHGpN8uqn6): This white-knuckle mountain pass winds its way east across the Sierra Nevada chain, providing countless dynamic panoramic vistas … for the passengers! Drivers beware: This road, while gorgeous, is dangerously distracting. Keep your eyes on the road, and use the numerous pull-offs to do your viewing. The [Lake Alpine](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PamVK5jVGWjsjoHH9) area in particular is gorgeous, and loaded with outdoor activities to explore\\!\n- [Calaveras Big Trees State Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VF8EzbQ7XLNrbzDGA): [Calaveras Big Trees](http:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=551) is just one of many, many places in California where you can walk among towering sequoia and redwood trees. We appreciated the approachability and relaxed nature of the park, and found plenty of things to see and explore while we were there. The campgrounds were affordable, clean, spacious, and provided easy access to numerous scenic hikes, and the sky was dark enough at night to make [viewing the Milky Way](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CJcKVteh9Ed\/) easy.\n- [Yosemite National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yose\/index.htm): I know, I’m breaking my own rule about obvious tourist destinations, but come on! How can I not include one of the [most dramatic scenic drives](https:\/\/youtu.be\/YDpjxagr6s4) in America and one of the [most dramatic back road vista points](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CI1rr5fBL9s\/) in America, all within a park that is laden with a plethora of both? I could spend at least a week there, finding new angles to capture the natural beauty of the landscapes, and I would strongly recommend you do the same. If nothing else, make sure to do the drive through [Yosemite Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Zc3gDsL6yR8Ez9Vd9), and the drive up to [Glacier Point](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/dCwABC8K3nPSo74a8). Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, it’ll take you about an hour to drive from one to the other\\!\n- [Napa Valley](https:\/\/www.visitnapavalley.com\/): More specifically, I suggest you drive [the loop around Napa Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GAzapN9jVtWYZoGw6). Though a very short drive, you could easily spend a couple days meandering your way from [winery](https:\/\/www.visitnapavalley.com\/wineries\/) to [winery](https:\/\/www.napavalley.com\/wineries\/) – the route is lined with several dozen *excellent* ones – and it’s ringed on all sides by absolutely stunning natural splendor. The diversity of the scenery alone – the flat valley floor, surrounded by rugged green and sand mountain peaks, rows and rows of grape arbors capped at each end with gnarled prickly pear cacti, all lined by lush evergreen and palm forests – makes this drive worthwhile… And of course, it’s easily America’s most celebrated wine region. Again, I’m breaking my own rule a bit by including a fairly touristy destination, but the beauty of the drive – and the back road nature of the route (and the small towns and villages along the way) make it more than worthy of inclusion on this list. Oh, and just over the western ridge is [Sonoma County](https:\/\/sonomawine.com\/), *ANOTHER* excellent wine region\\!\n- [Russian River Valley](https:\/\/russianrivervalley.org\/): Most widely known as an excellent [wine](https:\/\/russianrivervalley.org\/vineyards) and [beer](https:\/\/www.russianrivergetaways.com\/things-to-do\/wine-beer-food\/sonoma-county-beer-savoring) region, driving through the Russian River Valley makes me absolutely swoon. The scenery, driving west from US-101 along River Road, is absurdly diverse and dynamic in a relatively short stretch of miles…. and it will leave you gawking nearly the entire way. I’m building a full-length post specifically devoted to this drive, but I’ll say this – it’s the only place in the half-million or so miles I’ve driven where you can experience palm trees, vineyards, dense redwood forests, a deep winding river, rolling hills and mountains, adorable bohemian villages, AND a gorgeous ocean coastline … all contained within a [less-than-30-mile drive](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ij3vik5dWdxGYF6XA).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![back road route bridge stretches across New Melones Lake in the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada mountains](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-New-Melones-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C290&ssl=1)\n\nCA route 49 near Angels Camp CA\n\n![A curving back road arches towards a panoramic view of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-route-89-Monitor-Pass-eastern-Sierra-Nevada.jpg?fit=723%2C262&ssl=1)\n\nCA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada\n\n![A back road route stretches straight across the flat desert valley floor towards the towering eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-Route-120-Mono-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C480&ssl=1)\n\nMono Lake CA\n\n![The Pacific Coast Highway weaves a twisting course across the coastal hills lining California\\&\\#039;s pacific coastline](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Russian-Gulch-beach.jpg?fit=723%2C328&ssl=1)\n\n![The Pacific Coast Highway bends around the top left corner of a scene otherwise dominated by the towering cliffs of the California coastline](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Pacific-Coast-Highway.jpg?fit=723%2C481&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes Across California\n- [CA State Route 4](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/California_State_Route_4) – Twisting and winding its way across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA-4 starts near the state’s eastern border at [Topaz Lake](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6), and terminates near the western coast at [San Pablo Bay](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/TbxFN94hEEX24vd7A). In the interim, you’ll cross mountain passes, desert floor, dense forest, the scorched expanse of the Central Valley, and the dense congestion of East Bay.\n- [CA State Route 120](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/California_State_Route_120) – Though CA-120 barely makes it halfway across the state, terminating at I-5 in the middle of the Central Valley, it more than makes up for its short distance with its stunning scenery. Starting near the bone-dry border with Nevada, 120 will quickly leave you gasping as you make your way past Mono Lake and into the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras. Before long, the alpine beauty of [Tuolumne Meadows](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1y4TgCjTVY4oP4w17) is whizzing past, and you’ve found yourself crossing the heart of Yosemite National Park. Wind your way down the foothills of the Western Sierras, across Don Pedro Reservoir, and into the spartan beauty of the Valley.\n- [CA State Route 89](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/California_State_Route_89) – Yeesh! Another north-south route, AND another state route! I’ll be honest – the US Routes aren’t great options for east-west crossings of California. They are often multi-lane highways that cut quickly across the less-scenic areas of the state, and don’t make for enjoyable driving. I digress. CA-89 is a mountain lovers paradise! Towering mountains line nearly all of this route as it winds north from [Topaz Lake](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6) along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range. The road is just loaded with some of the most [stunning mountain vistas](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CHnkrhhhWMo\/) I’ve ever seen in my life. You’ll pass through a handful of kitschy mountain towns, along the eastern edge of [Lake Tahoe](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j9pjCwaULeZZvA8s6), [Donner Pass](http:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=503), across [Plumas National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/a9CpYKLVs8TTTg2Z9), and into the [Cascade Mountains](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cascade_Range). Don’t forget to stop at Lassen Volcanic [National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/lavo\/index.htm) and [National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tdN7weyKqHFmxtA36). The route terminates at the base of [Mount Shasta](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/r9MpFuF8nTq6zVRq5).\n- [US Route 395](https:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/articles\/california-hwy-395-road-trip) – Like US Route 95 in Nevada, [US 395](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/395north\/) deserves mention here because it connects so many of the beautiful places in California. It threads its way up the eastern edge of the state and the [Sierra Nevada range](https:\/\/californiahighsierra.com\/), connecting one scenic spot after another like a spine holding the body together. In addition to connecting so many beautiful spots, 395 itself is a rather fantastic drive even without stopping. Start out at the bottom, just north of the [Angeles](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/angeles) and [San Bernardino](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/sbnf\/) National Forests, and roll nearly straight north through the arid valley that makes up [one of my favorite back roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#395) in the country.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n## Driving East: the Northern Cross Country Route\nHeading home, I was finally able to hit up several northern states I’d never explored before. My primary goals for the return drive were to explore Idaho, experience Yellowstone, and drive [Beartooth Pass](http:\/\/beartoothhighway.com\/) – all of which I was able to do! **NOTE:** Though we drove across the northwestern corner of Nevada and had our first campsite in Paradise Valley, there’s no point in duplicating the state in the list. Instead, I’m going to start the list in Oregon, a state which rivals California in many ways, and would also make a great starting point for a east-bound cross country road trip\\!\n\n### Oregon\nOfficially the start of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon rivals its southern neighbor in biodiversity and geographic landscapes. Though not as large, and often not as sunny and warm as California, Oregon is still an absolutely beautiful, enchanting and unique state to visit: dense, lush forests grow right up to the very edge of the jagged Pacific Coastline, and the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountains separates the coast from a surprisingly vast and arid desert in the southeastern corner of the state. National Forests abound, and there’s even a pretty excellent wine region\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![The surreal blue water of Crater Lake pops out against the greens of the forest and greys of the surrounding cliffs](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-Crater-Lake.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1)\n\n![The dark smoke of a distant wildfire obscures the snow-covered peak of Mount Bachelor near Bend Oregon](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-Mount-Bachelor.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1)\n\n![Vibrant hues of red and orange of the painted hills in Oregon\\&\\#039;s eastern bad lands territory pop out in the foreground, sandwiched between red evergreen trees and distant sandstone peaks](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-painted-hills-badlands.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1)\n#### Places to go in Oregon\n- [Three Sisters](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/CwswesCNHRn28eq18): Three 10,000+ foot [volcanic peaks](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Three_Sisters_\$Oregon\$) (plus the nearby [Broken Top peak](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oA7ds8moCHc6PHP8A)), laden with glacial ice and alpine lakes, all located within less than five miles of each other? What more could an outdoor adventure explorer ask for?\n- [Oregon Redwoods Trail](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ij3YHYiLqZbkBxE69): Located less than a mile from the California border and less than five miles from the coast, this hiking area makes for a beautiful place to walk amongst the towering coastal redwood trees.\n- [The Rugged Volcanic Peaks of the Cascade Range](https:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/list.aspx?lid=21317): Running from south to north, and loaded with year-round outdoor activity options, this list includes some of the most prominent and well-known peaks in the west: [Mount McLoughlin](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Tv8w1Sm8YkZu8fTZ6), [Mount Scott](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/V3Jh56SVwwcS7dzK7) & [Crater Lake](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/q6s2n3gMZ5oNq5Ew7), [Mount Thielsen](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j3QAUvppxx7NUTcn8), [Mount Bachelor](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JuxzakfPDymQg7RH9), The Three Sisters, [Mount Washington](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yc82JRphQRQ33H7V7), [Mount Jefferson](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1tZNTjnPxjMoc5aU7), and [Mount Hood](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4vNdWCai7XUMT1T87).\n- [Smith Rock State Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PFq96xD1yEE6bVJ57): What this park lacks in overall size, it more than makes up for with its stunning natural beauty. Though primarily known as a [rock climbing destination](https:\/\/stateparks.oregon.gov\/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=36), the park also has abundant hiking trails and primitive campsites.\n- An abundance of [State Forests](https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/odf\/working\/pages\/stateforests.aspx) and [National Forests](https:\/\/www.fs.fed.us\/sopa\/state-level.php?or)\n- [Willamette Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fETXD4RvdFcoYYBw6): a world-class wine region, on par with the more widely known Napa and Sonoma valleys, lining the [Willamette River](https:\/\/www.willamettewines.com\/) and primarily centered in the region between [Portland](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hZXRzsushZns2QLn7) and [Salem](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9qvwh1Pi1XR6B8mM9).\n\n[![The gritty hot pavement of a two lane back road twists across the parched hills of eastern Oregon desert](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C409&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-back-road.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n#### Back Road Routes Across Oregon\n- [US Route 20](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/20.html) – Starting at the Pacific Coast at Route 101 in [Newport](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7wDtxXrt3zHbV3DP9), Route 20 winds its way east through the heavily wooded hills of the Oregon Coast Range and the southern end of the Willamette Valley. After passing through [the city of Bend](https:\/\/www.visitbend.com\/), Route 20 crosses the surprisingly desolate and remarkably flat expanse of eastern Oregon before joining US Route 26 near the Idaho border.\n- [US Route 26](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/26.html) – Like Route 20, US Route 26 starts near the Pacific Coast at Route 101. After a brief pass through the dense coastal woods, Route 26 cuts across the heart of [Portland](https:\/\/www.visitportland.com\/) before heading east. From Portland, the route passes in the shadow of [Mt Hood](https:\/\/www.mthoodterritory.com\/) and cuts nearly straight south past two [remarkable](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) state [parks](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/t4ME7Wo2gsoCkETA6), then across a rolling scenic valley between [Ochoco National Forest](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/activity\/ochoco) and [John Day Fossil Bed](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) before uniting with US 20. Because the two routes run in parallel and join together at the eastern edge of the state, if you are making your way across Oregon, US 26 is clearly the better choice for an enjoyable drive.\n- [OR State Route 140](https:\/\/www.milebymile.com\/main\/highway-1224.html) – Though the route does not cut the entire way across the state, it does cut a very scenic path across the southern edge of Oregon. Running east from [Medford](https:\/\/www.travelmedford.org\/) to roughly halfway between US Route 395 and 95 in the desolate southeastern corner of the state, the route’s scenery ranges from the [Cascade Mountains](https:\/\/www.oregonencyclopedia.org\/articles\/cascade_mountain_range\/), the waterways and woodlands of the [Klamath Falls area](https:\/\/traveloregon.com\/places-to-go\/cities\/klamath-falls\/), and into the desolate desert east of [Goose Lake](https:\/\/stateparks.oregon.gov\/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=1).\n- US Route 395 – Though not quite as beautiful as its counterpart in California, US 395 in Oregon similarly cuts through the arid, desolate beauty in central Oregon. Winding a north-south course across the entire state, the route passes near or through several National Forests along the way.\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A man standing near a black Ford F150 stares out over an enormous desert valley in central Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-panorama.jpg?fit=723%2C361&ssl=1)\n\nA traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID\n\n![A man walks through the middle of an enormous desert valley in Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-valley.jpg?fit=723%2C357&ssl=1)\n### Idaho\nIdaho is definitely the next-most intimidating state to write about on this list, after California. That might seem a bit ostentatious for a state most widely known as the home of the lowly potato. Merely brushing Idaho off as a bunch of boring farmland, however, would be to miss one of the most jaw-dropping states in America. I had never really given Idaho much thought as a state worth visiting, and I almost wonder if that’s how they want it to be. There’s really not much of a tourism vibe in the state, and I wonder if they want to keep their natural splendor a guarded secret. I quite unexpectedly tripped over the allure of Idaho while working on a [road trip plan](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) for someone back in 2019, and the more I looked into it, the stronger my desire to explore the state became. Even with a ton of build-up and seriously high expectations, the rugged mountains of Idaho did not disappoint! Like California, picking which pictures to share – especially from the back road drone shots – was incredibly challenging.\n\n[![A colorful sunset warms up streaks of fluffy clouds over distant mountains in Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-sunset.jpg?resize=534%2C382&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-sunset.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n#### Places to go in Idaho\n- [Sun Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/2FwwsmWyTPqUW29v5): Technically considered a town, Sun Valley is more of a place or a geographic area… but who really cares what it is, aside from the fact that it’s jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful! Near the top of the list of my favorite things we saw in Idaho.\n- [Coeur d’Alene](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/S2VgLsyWMvwEEnZ47): Apparently some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho are known by the names of the town that’s nearby? Either way, if you’re venturing this far up north, this mountains and lakes area can’t be missed\\!\n- [Snake River](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uicQw6omHRQZ19MU7): OK so given that the Snake River runs roughly 1\/3 of the length of the western border of the state AND THEN meanders its way across the state over to Wyoming, it’s hard to pick a single place to link to here. We cut across the river several times during our drive across the state, and it always provided us with gorgeous sightlines and panoramic views… and if you’re a fisherman, this one is gold\\!\n- [Payette River](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QnzqyNEAWN7v8caR8): Since my Places for Idaho weren’t weird enough already, let’s toss another river into the mix! Consisting of a North & South Fork that merge at ID-55 just north of [Banks](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/iaY3JA6PUuB7tcRj8), the Payette River runs through some of the most beautiful, rugged parts of the state, making long stretches of its raging waters ideal for white-water rafting\\!\n- [Sawtooth Mountains and National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Ncj2DEUdt249Zqss8): – OK, so I know that geographically this encompasses a pretty huge area, but between Sawtooth & the neighboring [Salmon Challis NF](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MSPKxttH6bMXDuRo6), you could spend a full year exploring its beautiful mountains and dense evergreen forests without seeing everything the area has to offer.\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A two lane back road by a raging river divides two drastically different landscapes - smooth rolling sage-covered hills on the left, and jagged granite cliffs on the right](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C299&ssl=1)\n\nSteep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID\n\n![A narrow dirt road runs along the side of one of several mountains creating the boundary around Sun Valley Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sun-Valley-Idaho.jpg?fit=723%2C340&ssl=1)\n\nA back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID\n#### Back Road Routes Across Idaho\n- [US Route 12](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/us12.cfm) – As an oddly shaped state that’s much “taller” than it is “wide,” finding East-West back road routes across the state is surprisingly difficult. That said, US 12 is an amazing option to consider, cutting an incredibly scenic path across the rugged northern third of the state. Lewiston is the “biggest” city along the sparsely populated route, which eventually cuts through [Nez Perce National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/dZvP3f6D1MzX4Khx6) along the [Lochsa River Valley](https:\/\/www.americanwhitewater.org\/content\/River\/view\/river-detail\/570\/main), adjacent to countless natural hot springs.\n- [ID State Routes 17, 21 and 75](https:\/\/visitidaho.org\/things-to-do\/road-trips\/ponderosa-pine-scenic-byway\/) – This is a bit of a tough one to weave together, since it doesn’t follow any of the routes completely, and it’s not the full [Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/Internet\/FSE_DOCUMENTS\/stelprd3803819.pdf) either. This route, however, starting from where the two forks of the Payette merge and running east to west along the Southern Fork for most of the way, cuts through some of the most stunning canyon and mountain driving I’ve ever done. The route is lined with abundant opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, natural hot springs, [dispersed camping](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/) and much more… and offers you options to drop into additional outdoor activity havens like Sun Valley.\n- [US Route 20](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/longest.cfm) (and 26) – Eventually merging with US Route 26, US Route 20 cuts a long, often flat, often straight line across the southern tier of the state. Running from I-84 south of Boise all the way up to the Wyoming border and into [Yellowstone](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/index.htm), US 20 is actually quite reminiscent of driving across [Nevada](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#95): vast open valleys (with stick-straight driving) surrounded by gorgeous jagged mountain peaks along the way. You’ll also pass right by [Craters of the Moon National Monument](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/crmo\/index.htm).\n- [ID State Route 55](https:\/\/itdprojects.org\/projects\/id55smithsferry\/) and US Route 95 – Running North and South from Boise to the Canadian border, this route will wind you through some of the most stunning open landscapes in the state. Much of the route runs parallel to the Northern Fork of the Payette River, from the outlets on the southern edges of [Payette Lake](https:\/\/parksandrecreation.idaho.gov\/parks\/ponderosa\/) and [Lake Cascade](https:\/\/parksandrecreation.idaho.gov\/parks\/lake-cascade\/) all the way down to Boise. Continue further north across a [handful of National Forests](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/main\/ipnf\/maps-pubs), Coeur D’Alene, and the fabulous [Lake Pend](https:\/\/visitnorthidaho.com\/activity\/lake-pend-oreille\/) before hitting the Canadian border.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![Snow capped granite mountain peaks tower over TA Moulton old barn in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nIs there a more iconic Wyoming view?\n### Wyoming\nDear Western United States: Please stop having so many absolutely gorgeous states. Sincerely, no one ever. Honestly, though, it’s a real coin-flip, choosing whether to head from Idaho into Montana or Wyoming. Both states have long stretches of absolutely gorgeous mountain driving, and both also have long stretches of teeth-grindingly boring open plains to cross. What sealed the deal for us was the opportunity to finally check [Grand Teton](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grte\/index.htm) and [Yellowstone](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/index.htm) National Parks off the list, so we headed a little south into Wyoming and had our minds blown by all of the gorgeous rugged scenery the state has to offer. The fact that we could shoot briefly up into Montana on [Beartooth Pass](https:\/\/youtu.be\/-TKLM0uxiiY) definitely helped! Although back road options are somewhat limited in this vast state, I’ve definitely enjoyed every time I’ve driven across it\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![An expansive landscape rolls out away from the viewer, displaying a small resort community surrounded by mountain peaks under a fluffy cloud lined blue sky](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-landscape.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![The towering granite peaks of Grand Teton mountain range soar towards an ice blue sky over Jackson Lake](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountain-lake.jpg?fit=723%2C446&ssl=1)\n\nThe stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP\n#### Places to go in Wyoming\n- [Yellowstone and Grand Teton](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2017\/12\/12\/national-parks-yellowstone-and-grand-teton\/): OK look, I know that I said that I wasn’t going to hit the most widely known tourist destinations in each state, but honestly, how can I write about Wyoming and not include [Yellowstone](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/planyourvisit\/index.htm) and [Grand Teton](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grte\/planyourvisit\/index.htm)? Aside from taking up like 15% of the state’s total area, the [mountains](https:\/\/youtu.be\/J594k-Nkdwc) and hot springs in both parks just simply define the state. Just don’t get caught in the traffic on US-191 (like we did) travelling from one park to the other.\n- [Medicine Bow National Forest](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/attmain\/mbr\/specialplaces): Absolutely stunning mountains surround deep blue alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests at this northern edge of the Rocky Mountain chain. Often snowed-in well into the late spring and beginning again in early fall, the area can be difficult to access at times, and has a surprising lack of ski resorts. That said, the gorgeous mountain vistas along many of the hiking trails are worth the extra effort.\n- [Beartooth Highway](http:\/\/beartoothhighway.com\/): Though it does briefly cross over into Montana at the northern edge of Yellowstone, the vast majority of Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass traverses the northern edge of Wyoming. Crossing a vast brigade of mountain peaks and National Forests, this twisting road will take you on some of the most stunning cliff’s edge driving this side of the Million Dollar Highway! Though it’s primarily about the drive – and the panoramic vista points at the pull-offs – there are a handful of drop-dead gorgeous [dispersed campsites](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/) to be had… [if you can find them](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/02\/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp\/)\\!\n- [Palisades Reservoir](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/ctnf\/recarea\/?recid=54449): Surrounded by mountains and straddling the border between Wyoming and Idaho, this stunning man-made reservoir is situated just ten miles south of Jackson on the Snake River… and if that sweet alliteration doesn’t convince you to go check it out, maybe [my drone video](https:\/\/youtu.be\/UZFYEUpcA0A) from there will\\!\n- [Big Horn National Forest](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/attmain\/bighorn\/specialplaces): An absolutely sprawling park, filled with more mountain peaks, alpine lakes, densely wooded trails, and a boatload of other outdoor activities. If you’re making your way across from Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills, this is a great place to break up the drive and spend a day.\n- [Curt Gowdy State Park](https:\/\/wyoparks.wyo.gov\/index.php\/activities-amenities-curt-gowdy): Both little-known and little in size, what this park lacks in stature, it makes up for in scenery and activities. With spectacular rock formations, fantastic hikes, boating & fishing, horseback riding, an archery range, a waterfall, and a lot more, this park has something for everyone\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![Drone shot of a back road in Wyoming near Buffalo Bill state park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-back-road-drone.jpg?fit=723%2C291&ssl=1)\n\n![Back road view of a lake and mountains in Wyoming](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C329&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes Across Wyoming\n- [US Route 14](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/14.html) – Starting in Chicago and terminating in Yellowstone, this historic route weaves a drunken path meandering from one side of the state to the other. Running parallel (and now concurrent) with I-90 for a stretch from the South Dakota border, it heaves north of the interstate twice (including around Big Horn) before levelling out on its way into [Cody](https:\/\/www.codyyellowstone.org\/see-do\/) and towards the eastern gate of Yellowstone.\n- [US Route 26](https:\/\/www.aaroads.com\/west\/us-026_wy.html) – Roughly following the original path of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River across the desolate central plains of the state, US-26 comes into the state in the southeastern corner near Fort Laramie, then slowly meanders its way northwest toward Grand Teton and the Idaho border.\n\n[![A pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles enter Doane Robinson Tunnel, with the faces on Mount Rushmore clearly visible under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?resize=663%2C416&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n### South Dakota\nComing from the west, central South Dakota is where the Great Plains really begin in earnest. Once you’ve made your way across the twisting maze of granite and pine that make up the Black Hills, the landscape flattens out rapidly. The Missouri River cuts a massive gash down the middle of the state, looking almost like a piece of paper that’s been ripped in two. Interestingly (at least to me), the Black Hills is the first – and only – place I’ve witnessed a mountain lion in the wild. On the plus side, hey, at least it’s not North Dakota. I kid, I kid\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![The painted sandy hills of the South Dakota badlands glow in the setting sun at golden hour](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Badlands-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![Wall drug signs are lit up under the falling darkness at dusk](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Wall-Drug-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n#### Places to go in South Dakota\n- [Custer State Park](https:\/\/gfp.sd.gov\/parks\/detail\/custer-state-park\/): Full of towering otherworldly granite formations and gnarly winding roads, this large park is a great place for outdoor activities, bikers, and sports car enthusiasts\\!\n- [International Vinegar Museum](https:\/\/www.internationalvinegarmuseum.com\/visit.html): OK, so this is one of those little oddball places that I love to discover. Admittedly, I’ve not been there, and it looks relatively small, but if you happen to be in this relatively distant and obscure corner of South Dakota, it’ll certainly break up the monotony\\!\n- [Badlands National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/badl\/index.htm): Yes, I know, another tourist destination. But the jagged ridgelines and brilliant orange and red colors of the geological formations here seem starkly out of place in an otherwise green, pastoral state. Loaded with wonderful hiking trails and insane scenic overlooks, the Badlands definitely feels like they were plucked out of Utah and dropped into South Dakota by some “[Wizard of Oz](https:\/\/youtu.be\/awL4PJRrp9Q?t=131)” like tornado.\n- [Ingalls Homestead](https:\/\/discoverlaura.org\/visit): There are several different [Laura Ingalls Wilder related locations](https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/laura+ingalls+wilder+sites\/@44.2797775,-96.0893894,7.29z\/data=!4m2!2m1!6e1) spread throughout the Midwest, but quite a few of them are located in and around [De Smet, SD](https:\/\/www.ingallshomestead.com\/de-smet-info).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A dirt road bounces along the dusty rolling hills in badlands territory of South Dakota](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/South-Dakota-back-road-2.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![A two lane back road stretches out towards the jagged hills of South Dakota\\&\\#039;s badlands national park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/South-Dakota-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C338&ssl=1)\n\n![A single lane dirt road sweeps past a small sandstone feature in the badlands region of South Dakota](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/South-Dakota-dirt-road-badlands.jpg?fit=723%2C407&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes Across South Dakota\n- US Routes 14 – Though the last 40-50 miles of the western portion of the route merges with I-90 near the town of Wall (home of the kitschy [Wall Drug](https:\/\/www.walldrug.com\/)), it winds its way east to west across the majority of the state. In addition to Wall, US-14 also passes through the capital city of [Pierre](https:\/\/pierre.org\/visit-pierre-south-dakota\/) and the aforementioned De Smet.\n- [State Route 44](https:\/\/605magazine.com\/2018\/04\/30\/605-road-trip-highway-44\/) – Running nearly the full east to west length of the state and cutting across the Badlands and Black Hills, Route 44 is a great option for avoiding the highway on a cross country road trip\\!\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![Golden hour at Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2018\/03\/03\/minnesota-beauty-split-rock-lighthouse-and-gooseberry-falls\/)\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Minnesota\nYou’ve now solidly entered the heart of the Great Plains, kids… the rugged aura of the wild west is a long distant memory in the rear view mirror. While the pastoral miles of America’s breadbasket have a peaceful beauty to them, I recommend downloading a few interesting podcasts for each day’s drive to keep your mind active as the road stretches endlessly towards the horizon in front of you. The [Land of 10,000 Lakes](https:\/\/www.exploreminnesota.com\/list\/5-ways-to-enjoy-minnesotas-10000-lakes) (nearly 12,000, actually) is a [nature lover’s paradise](https:\/\/www.exploreminnesota.com\/article\/outdoor-adventures-await-minnesota) in many ways though, and is also home to the [headwaters of the Mississippi River](https:\/\/www.mississippiheadwaters.org\/history.asp#:~:text=The%20Mississippi%20River%20begins%20as,one-half%20of%20the%20nation.).\n\n#### Places to go in Minnesota\n- [Gooseberry Falls](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00172#homepage): One of a long list of excellent parks on the western shore of Lake Superior (several of which are featured here), this relatively small park has a number of hikes, shoreline trails, and of course, a pretty gnarly set of cascading waterfalls.\n- [Split Rock Lighthouse State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00266#homepage): Like Gooseberry Falls, what this Lake Superior shoreline park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in stunning natural beauty. Featuring its namesake historic cliffside lighthouse, the park also has lots of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore.\n- [Tettegouche State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00269#homepage): Can’t get enough of Lake Superior yet? Who can blame you! The largest of the Great Lakes shows its glacial history in its numerous lakeside cliffs, and Tettegouche State Park boasts some of the most stunning cliffs in the state. As with most of the local parks, Tettegouche features a plethora of hikes, waterfalls, fishing opportunities, and even rock climbing.\n- [Voyageurs National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/voya\/index.htm): If you’re venturing towards the northern end of the state and the Canadian border, a stop at this large and secluded National Park is well worth your time. The park features sprawling, often-interconnected water features and is a boating fanatic’s wonderland. Be sure to stop and check out the rock sculptures at [Ellsworth Rock Garden](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/176CegyAybgQYCAp9).\n- [Kabetogama State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_forests\/forest.html?id=sft00027#homepage): This park is paradise for fishing, snowmobiling\/ATV riding, hiking, boating and kayaking. It’s a great place for slowly paddling your way northwards through the interconnected waterways, meandering towards the southern boundary of Voyageurs NP.\n\n[![A two lane Minnesota back road stretches out towards the horizon under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nMinnesota might not have the most captivating landscapes, but the pastoral beauty of its back roads still make for a pleasant and peaceful road trip\\!\n#### Back Road Routes Across Minnesota\n- [State Route 61](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#westernm) – I can’t mention all of those glorious shoreline parks on Lake Superior without also mentioning the fabulously [scenic lakeshore drive](https:\/\/northshorevisitor.com\/communities\/scenic-61\/), can I? Though the majority of Route 61 runs north to south, the section of the route running parallel to the lake takes a more southwest to northeast course… and while it terminates at the Canadian border, the stunning scenery along the way makes the detour well worth your time. After all, it wouldn’t be one of the [best back roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state) if it wasn’t\\!\n- [State Route 210](https:\/\/roadnow.com\/us\/mn\/mn-210.html) – Given that this east to west route runs across the heart of Lake Country and through several state parks and state forests, finally terminating after weaving across [Jay Cooke SP](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00187#homepage) south of Duluth, I was shocked by the dearth of tourist information about the route online.\n- US Route 14 – For those who aren’t interested – or don’t have time – for a northern adventure, US-14 offers a good option for meandering across the southern end of this tall state. The route passes through a handful of farming towns and villages, small cities, and passes near the stunning [Minneopa State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/minneopa\/minneopa_itinerary.html).\n### [![A red wheel of Wisconsin Cheese sits on a decorative wooden cutting block in front of shelving full of other Wisconsin products](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?resize=663%2C387&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?ssl=1)\n### Wisconsin\nCheese! As the home to plentiful cheese & dairy products, as well as the state where [Harley-Davidson](https:\/\/www.insurance.harley-davidson.com\/the-open-road\/profiles\/founders-of-harley-davidson) and [OshKosh B’Gosh](https:\/\/www.oshkosh.com\/oshkosh\/okbg-story.html?id=oshkosh) started, you’ll definitely find plenty to do in this gorgeous northern plains state. And because it’s the first state you’ll encounter after crossing the Mississippi River, it’s the “beginning of the end” of your cross country trip. You’re now starting back into the [eastern side of the country](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#topeast).\n\n#### Places to go in Wisconsin\n- [The Dells (Wisconsin Dells)](https:\/\/www.wisdells.com\/wisconsin-dells-attraction\/tours.htm): These fascinating riverside rock formations can only be accessed by boat, so make sure to review your trip options and choose your tour carefully\\!\n- [Rocky Arbor State Park](https:\/\/dnr.wisconsin.gov\/topic\/parks\/rockyarbor\/recreation): Not far from the aforementioned riverside rocks is Rocky Arbor, this peaceful park is loaded with campsites and hiking trails. You can explore the woods, or hike down for a few views of the sandstone cliffs.\n- [Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum](https:\/\/www.lauraingallspepin.com\/): The world-famous author bounced around quite a bit during her prolific life and writing career, setting up camp in several locations across the Midwest. This museum, near the Mississippi River in Pepin, is located at her birthplace.\n- [Five Mile Bluff Prairie](https:\/\/dnr.wi.gov\/topic\/Lands\/naturalareas\/index.asp?SNA=76): Located near Pepin along the Chippewa River, Five Mile Bluff offers hikers several sweeping panoramas of both rivers and nearly uninterrupted natural vistas.\n- [Taliesin Estate](https:\/\/www.taliesinpreservation.org\/tours\/): Located in the southeastern corner of the state is one of [Frank Lloyd Wright](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/10\/11\/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania\/)‘s architectural masterpieces, and was his long-term home and studio. The site of a brutal multiple-homicide and arson attack, Wright quickly re-designed and re-built his destroyed estate before his own death. Don’t forget to stop at the quirky [Romeo & Juliet windmill](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fY6bH3me3SCj5ocC9) while you’re there.\n- [The House on the Rock](https:\/\/www.thehouseontherock.com\/): Speaking of quirky buildings, the House on the Rock is a must-see attraction while you’re in the Spring Green area. With a cantilevered section of the home extending more than 200 feet out over the valley floor below it, it’s an architectural masterpiece that you have to see in order to believe! Sadly, both Taliesin and House on the Rock were closed due to COVID restrictions during our drives, or I would have more photos of each to share\\!\n- [Apostle Island National Lakeshore](https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Apostle+Islands+National+Lakeshore\/@46.9302046,-90.6333321,3a,75y,90t\/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4000!8i3000!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88074f57372daee1:0x972160075cd0cdaa!2sThe+Dells!3b1!8m2!3d43.6416457!4d-89.783458!3m4!1s0x52a8fea6288e5235:0x4772c8f9b80b5a3!8m2!3d46.9302046!4d-90.6333321): A water-lover’s paradise, this chain of sandstone islands features plenty of stunning landscapes and rock formations, as well as a number of historic lighthouses. While the islands are best experienced from the seat of a kayak, a sea kayak is the only [safe\/recommended method](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/apis\/planyourvisit\/kayaking.htm) to explore the area.\n\n[![Kayakers stare up at fire red stone cliffs from the water surrounding Apostle Islands](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Apostle-Islands.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Apostle-Islands.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2019\/07\/16\/apostle-islands-visitor-guide\/)\n#### Back Road Routes Across Wisconsin\n- US Route 14 – Running northwest to southeast across the southern portion of the state, US-14 cuts across the capital city of Madison and Spring Green, but mostly runs across the scenic rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland.\n- [US Route 18](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/18.html) – Heading nearly straight east to west from Milwaukee, US-18 runs across the southern tier of the state towards Iowa and South Dakota. Route 18 also cuts across Madison, then diverts along a more southern and rural track.\n- [US Route 10](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/10.html) – As one of only two US historic routes that includes a designated ferry as part of the actual route, US-10 starts on the eastern edge of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan. Running along a more northern track, there are several short detours from US-10 to enjoy cities like Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire while also relishing the diverse natural scenery.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Illinois\nAnd here we finally meet the states that were a bit more difficult to get excited about. I’ll be the first to admit it: I bag on the flyover states, and that’s not fair. The midwestern states have plenty of interesting destinations to offer. My feeling comes from the sense that the vast majority of the land is open, flat, and tends not to inspire words like “stunning” or “breath-taking” or “awe-inspiring.” I digress. The land of Lincoln does have it’s fair share of enjoyable back road drives, and several rather unique features worth finding and exploring\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A wide natural arch frames a hiker walking through the fallen leaves at Starved Rock State Park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Starved-Rock-1.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1)\n\n![Walkers stare up at steep cliff faces lining a narrow canyon at Starved Rock State Park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Starved-Rock-2.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1)\n###### Images courtesy of [Illinois DNR](https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/StarvedRock.aspx)\n#### Places to go in Illinois\n- [Starved Rock State Park \/ Nature Preserve](https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/StarvedRock.aspx): This long, narrow park and adjoining preserve along the southern shore of the Illinois River is loaded with excellent natural features to explore. With a handful of elevated river overlooks, a bunch of waterfalls and hikes, and more canyons than Arizona, this small park packs a punch\\!\n- [Matthiessen State Park](https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/Matthiessen.aspx): Literally right down the road from Starved Rock is another small State Park that is full of natural beauty worth exploring. With multiple bridges and waterfalls, you could easily spend a couple hours hiking the park and … soaking … in all the scenery! (Dad jokes are free for those who’ve made it this far!)\n- Peru IL: I haven’t included virtually any “indoor” sights on this post, but the city of Peru has two that are worth exploring. The [Westclox Museum](https:\/\/www.westcloxmuseum.com\/) looks like it will be a fascinating place to spend a few hours perusing the displays (especially if, like me, you love old clocks). A few blocks down the road is the absolutely jaw-dropping [Hegeler Carus Mansion](https:\/\/hegelercarus.org\/). Given that Peru is just across the river from the two aforementioned state parks, you could easily spend a couple days exploring everything this part of Illinois has to offer\\!\n- [Villa Katherine](https:\/\/www.quincyparkdistrict.com\/parks-and-facilities\/villa-kathrine-park\/): Speaking of absolutely stunning architecture, perched on the banks overlooking the Mississippi River near Quincy is the incredible Moorish-style Villa Katherine. The building is currently used as the city’s tourist information center, and guided tours of the structure can be taken on an appointment basis. Make sure to explore the city’s [historic district](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/F8Zmba9ZUjVheB1z8) and [Log Cabin Village](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Upr5LE3UJZe2yPQ57).\n- [Lincoln Home](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/liho\/learn\/historyculture\/the-lincoln-home.htm): As the first and only home that [President Lincoln](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/liho\/learn\/historyculture\/links.htm) ever owned, this memorial site is a must-visit spot for any history buff in your group\\!\n#### Back Road Routes Across Illinois\n- [US Route 6](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/us6.cfm) – America’s longest contiguous historic route runs nearly cross country (coast to coast), and is now mirrored by Interstate 80 in many states. Cutting across the northern portion of the state into Chicago, Route 6 also runs through several of the highlighted locations above\\!\n- [US Route 24](https:\/\/www.listchallenges.com\/us-route-24) – One of America’s original federal routes, dating back to the start of the US highway system in 1926, runs the heart of the auto manufacturing corridor in Michigan west to central Colorado. Heading west to east, the route crosses the Mississippi into the state at Quincy and heads northeast along the Illinois River to Peoria, where it makes a sharp turn to head directly east into Indiana.\n- US Route 50 – After leaving St Louis and hooking a left at O’Fallon, US-50 quickly opens up to become a mostly straight shot across the rural flatlands of Illinois corn country.\n\n[![Sugar Creek runs through Turkey Run State Park in Indiana](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [Daniel Schwen & Wikipedia](https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=4008314)\n### Indiana\nThe [Hoosier](https:\/\/youtu.be\/C2ILSuQOmEg) state, like it’s eastern and western neighbors, is primarily known to travelers as being home to millions of acres of corn fields. However, like all of the midwestern states, Indiana is home to a handful of hidden gems for travelers to unearth. One merely needs to know where and how to find them\\!\n\n#### Places to go in Indiana\n- [Turkey Run State Park](https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/state-parks\/parks-lakes\/turkey-run-state-park\/): Though less than half a mile square, this tiny park is absolutely packed with diverse natural beauty. Canyons, creeks, a covered bridge, camping, horseback riding and historical sites abound, with plenty of relatively easy hikes to explore throughout the park.\n- [Shades State Park](https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/state-parks\/parks-lakes\/shades-state-park\/): Just a few miles up the road, also along the meandering path of Sugar Creek, Shades State Park is another fantastic location filled with natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sandstone cliffs set the scene for most of the hiking and water sports in the park, and it too sports a historic covered bridge.\n- [Circus Hall of Fame](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/U4PfqSnYYxcQXZZr8): This one is pretty self-explanatory! Make sure to also check out the surprising [Miami County Museum](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DZRYdww9QNCsEW8T6) in nearby Peru.\n- [Salamonie River State Park](https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/forestry\/properties\/salamonie-river-state-forest\/): Another very small park located about 20 miles east of Peru, the real highlight of the park is the hike to the wide drop of [Kissing Falls](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Bb5D3nHU1ZxEW5LF7). Make sure to also check out [Hanging Rock National Landmark](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ZJBHsfRv6GYRWiWu5) while you’re there.\n- [Studebaker Museum](https:\/\/www.studebakermuseum.org\/): Located in the heart of South Bend – home of the glorious campus of [Notre Dame University](https:\/\/www.nd.edu\/) – the Studebaker Museum houses three floors of displays featuring the historic cars manufactured there, as well as American car culture in general.\n#### Back Road Routes Across Indiana\n- US Route 24 – Cutting a similar path across Indiana as it did in neighboring Illinois, US-24 parallels the Wabash River across much of the state, and will drop you close to several of the parks listed above.\n- [US Route 36](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/36.html) – Like US-24, US-36 was one of the original federal highways commissioned in 1926. Running mostly straight east to west across the most rural stretches of the state, it also brings travelers close to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks before crossing downtown [Indianapolis](https:\/\/www.visitindy.com\/indianapolis-things-to-do).\n- US Route 50 – The southern option for crossing the state on a historical federal route, US-50 runs through largely rural and relatively isolated areas of the state, eventually bearing northeast towards Cincinnati.\n\n[![Upper falls under a stone arch bridge near old man's cave in hocking hills ohio](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/img_5767.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/img_5767.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nThe Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Ohio\nBecause most of my cross-country drives begin and end in Pennsylvania, the Buckeye State will be the final stop in this cross country road trip itinerary. Ohio is a relatively interesting state on the East Coast, made up of an unusual mix of large swaths of flat open farmland to the north and west, and thick forests and rolling hills to the south and east. When looking at a satellite image of the state, it’s almost as if there’s a slash running diagonally across the state, separating the two different geographies contained within.\n\n#### Places to go in Ohio\n- [Cuyahoga Falls National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/cuva\/index.htm): The only National Park in the state, Cuyahoga Falls is a relatively new, absolutely gorgeous place to stop smack in the middle between Cleveland and Akron. The long and narrow park, centered around the Cuyahoga River, features numerous hiking trails and is most widely known for the cascading [Brandywine Falls](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1VWWM1kScsHyqweK7).\n- [May 4th Memorial](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hwY3nt9yStjovxn58): Though the Kent State shooting in 1970 might be widely known, it’s absolutely worth seeing the memorial and learning more about the history of the four students murdered and nine more injured by the US National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War.\n- [The Ohio State Reformatory](https:\/\/www.mrps.org\/): Most obviously known as the site where the vast majority of [Shawshank Redemption](https:\/\/www.mrps.org\/shawshank) was filmed, the prison is also home to [paranormal activities\/ghost hunting](https:\/\/www.mrps.org\/paranormal), events, and other tours. Make sure to check out the [Shawshank Tree](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PvBc2X5thL1VqGPk8) (on private property, only view from the road!) and [Shawshank Woodshop](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QxLLcsPu3EGLK9g76).\n- [Mohican State Park](https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/wps\/portal\/gov\/odnr\/discover-and-learn\/safety-conservation\/about-odnr\/division-parks-watercraft) \/ [State Forest](https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/wps\/portal\/gov\/odnr\/go-and-do\/plan-a-visit\/find-a-property\/mohicanmemorial-state-forest): This large park area is host to a number of excellent hiking & biking opportunities, a large river gorge, sizable woodlands, camping, and a massive covered bridge.\n- [Hocking Hills State Park](https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/wps\/portal\/gov\/odnr\/go-and-do\/plan-a-visit\/find-a-property\/hocking-hills-state-park): One of the state’s largest and most beautiful parks – if you ask me, it should’ve become the state’s National Park over Cuyahoga Falls – Hocking Hills features absolutely stunning rock formations, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wooded areas, camping, hiking, gorges and a boatload of other incredible outdoor activities. This absolute gem of a park was definitely overlooked when the time came to nominate a National Park for Ohio.\n- [Historic Roscoe Village](https:\/\/roscoevillage.com\/): An entire historic town, preserved in time, features guided tours by costumed “villagers,” plus preserved buildings, old-timey shops, and boat rides on the canal.\n#### Back Road Routes Across Ohio\n- US Route 36 – US-36 weaves and winds its way across central Ohio, passing through a handful of historic farming towns and villages, while also completely circumnavigating the insanity that can be downtown Columbus traffic.\n- State Route 32 – Starting at the outskirts of Cincinnati and twisting its way east, OH-32 quickly transforms from its urban start to a very rural, very scenic way to cross southern Ohio.\n- US Route 250 – US-250 cuts a diagonal path across the state, starting at the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky (home of the sprawling [Cedar Point](https:\/\/www.cedarpoint.com\/) amusement park) and taking a rather scenic track across rural Ohio farmland before hitting the foothills of West Virginia\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n##\n## Another Option for Driving East: the Southern Cross Country Route\n### California\nYes, I’m writing about my adopted home state twice. Yes, I’m biased. But more importantly, as the third-largest state by land mass and (in my less-than-humble opinion) most beautiful state in the country, it is definitely deserving of another nod here. For most cross country road trips, route plans are very likely going to start or stop in the Golden State… and with good reason. Though very different from climate and terrain perspectives, the southern half of California is just as loaded with things to see as the northern half.\n\n#### Places to go in Southern California\n- [Tar Pits Park](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/kuionnisfz9rKvtB7) – Though not as famous as [La Brea Tar Pits](https:\/\/tarpits.org\/), these naturally occurring asphalt deposits have the distinct advantage of providing a double-whammy: it’s also a great place to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast.\n- [Trona Pinnacles](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yuMdsAxKLKF4EtsE7) – Like the Tufa Towers near Mono Lake in Northern California, these geological abnormalities are stone spires poking through the earth’s crust. And, like their cousins to the north, they’re located in an intensely dry and potentially formidable desert, so proceed with caution.\n- [Mojave National Preserve](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/moja\/index.htm) – Though not as well-known as its neighbor to the North ([Death Valley](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/deva\/index.htm)), the Mojave Desert and National Preserve offers visitors fantastic opportunities to hike, bike, and off-road through some of America’s most otherworldly geography. As one of the hottest and driest places in the country, though, I STRONGLY recommend additional research and significant caution when visiting. However, the desert often greatly rewards those patient and brave enough to visit her.\n- [Joshua Tree National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/jotr\/index.htm) – I’m including JTNP on this list not for the obvious reasons that draw in the vast majority of the Park’s visitors. Instead, I’m listing it for the sections that most people don’t explore: the unpaved trails that zig-zag their way throughout the majority of the park. Bring your 4WD vehicle and plenty of provisions (plus a [good GPS locator](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3yEp7m2)) in case you get lost or stuck, and bank an extra day or two to wander through the desert for a while\\!\n- [Anza Borrego State Park](https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=638) – As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, much of the natural beauty in Southern California is in the desert. Anza Borrego is a state park dedicated to highlighting some of the most beautiful features of the desert, and in the springtime, is home to some of California’s most surprising and breathtaking displays of [wildflower super-blooms](https:\/\/theabf.org\/experience-anza-borrego\/wildflowers\/) you’ll ever experience! **BE MINDFUL AND TREAD LIGHTLY** – please do not EVER stand, walk in, or take home any of the blooms you witness\\!\n#### Back Road Routes Across Southern California\n- [State Route 2](https:\/\/angelescrestscenichighway.com\/) – Also known as the Angeles Crest Scenic Highway, this stunning drive twists and winds across the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest heading east from Pasadena. Both fun to drive and loaded with scenery, the route is a great alternative for leaving Los Angeles before heading out into the desert or finding Route 66.\n- [Route 66](https:\/\/www.route66ca.org\/) – Feels like an obvious option to include, but depending on which direction you’re heading, [Santa Monica Pier](https:\/\/www.santamonicapier.org\/) in LA is either the beginning or end of one of the most famous back road routes in the world. Much of the legendary route has been lost to modernization, but there’s still plenty to experience along what’s left\\!\n- [State Route 62](https:\/\/www.thearmchairexplorer.com\/california\/twentynine-palms-highway.php) – Known as [Twentynine Palms](https:\/\/www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us\/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) Highway, the route runs east to west between Palm Springs and Parker AZ. The mostly straight road runs across the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and provides plenty of desert scenery for your eyes to feast on.\n- [State Route 58](https:\/\/www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us\/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) – For those travelling a bit north of LA, CA-58 provides an often stunning drive the almost the whole way across the state. Starting just north of the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo, CA-58 weaves across the coastal range before dropping down into the Central Valley and Bakersfield area. You’ll cross the Tehachapi Range next (be sure to check out the [Railway Loop](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tehachapi_Loop)!) before dropping into the Mojave Desert.\n### Arizona\nMuch like it’s red-rock desert neighboring state to the north, Arizona is home to stunning natural scenery, otherworldly geological formations, and some of [my favorite back roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/). It’s also home to several very cool cities, several different deserts, a handful of National Forests, and my all-time favorite National Park. Oh… and it’s also home to one of the coolest stretches of Route 66\\!\n\n#### Places to go in Arizona\n- [Flagstaff](https:\/\/www.flagstaffarizona.org\/) \/ [Sedona](https:\/\/visitsedona.com\/) – Yeah, I’ll admit it, listing these two places this way, and first, is a bit of a cop-out. But here’s the truth: this area is probably my second-favorite place in the country. Both towns are incredible in their own ways: unique architecture, vibrant art scenes, plenty of food, and friendly locals. The area is rich with natural beauty to explore. Hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, skiing, off-roading, camping, and on and on and on. AND THOSE RED ROCKS! \\*\\*swoon\\*\\* (Did I mention it’s loaded with great back roads?)\n- [Canyon de Chelly](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/cach\/index.htm) – I’m a sucker for red rock formations, in case you hadn’t already figured that out. And this park is loaded with them.\n- [Superstition Mountains](https:\/\/www.visitphoenix.com\/sonoran-desert\/parks\/superstition-mountains\/) – Your outdoor activity of choice will help drive the best way for you to enjoy the expansive stunning wilderness about an hour east of Phoenix. There’s a lot to see and do in this area – and the weather can be blistering – so be sure to do research and plan ahead.\n#### Back Road Routes Across Arizona\n- [Route 66](https:\/\/www.visitarizona.com\/plan\/road-trips\/arizonas-route-66\/) – Arizona doesn’t have a wide variety of east-west back road routes to choose from, but one major standout is Route 66. Arizona contains the longest unbroken stretch of 66 in the US, and also has what I would consider to be one of [the coolest stretches of the Mother Road](https:\/\/www.historic66az.com\/route66roadtrip.html). The stretch between Oatman and Kingman is likely to be the most “kitschy” area still remaining on 66… it’s rife with retro roadside attractions, and the town of Oatman looks and feels like walking onto an old western movie set. I will say, fair warning, a lot of what Arizona is calling Route 66 is actually now just Interstate 40 paved over top of the original route… but there’s still several really cool parts of the old route as well.\n- [State Route 89 \/ 89A](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arizona_State_Route_89) – In addition to touting the title of one of my “[Favorite Back Roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#sedona),” this northeast-to-southwest route connects a number of really cool towns and incredibly scenic natural areas.\n## [![A beautiful vibrant sunset glows over a back road where there is a silhouette of two kids sit taking a selfie](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-sunset.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-sunset.jpg?ssl=1)\n## When to Take a Cross Country Road Trip\nThe question of when to take a cross country road trip can be a very tricky one. In addition to the amount of time required to drive cross country, one also has to factor in things like climate, elevation, and local weather extremes. It is especially challenging due to the fact that the climate in areas along the way can vary drastically during the exact same months. Toss in the fact that most of the highlighted places will be very busy during the summer months, and picking a time to take this trip can be an unenviable task\\!\n\n### How long does it take to drive cross country?\nThe first step in the process of choosing when to travel is determining how long you have! Driving cross country can take as long or as short as you want, based upon how much time you have to take it slowly and explore. In April of 2021, I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Sonoma CA – almost 2,600 miles – in 63 hours, completely by myself. I had virtually no time to get the drive done, so I spent no time stopping and enjoying the trip. On my very first cross country road trip, however, after my best friend Dietmar and I graduated from High School, we took over five weeks to drive a loop across the middle & southern parts of the country\\!\n\nMy point here is that how long you need for your road trip depends entirely upon how much time your schedule will allow. Once you’ve determined this most crucial fact, you can start to build your itinerary around this knowledge. For example, if you are retired and have no time constraints, you can take as long as you want, drive as slowly as you want, and stop as frequently – and for as long at each destination – as your heart desires. Conversely, if you still work full time and have two kids in school, your trip is going to be a lot shorter and more constrained by your time off work.\n\nWhat I personally advise **people who are working with limited time** is the following process:\n\n1. Get together with whoever you are travelling with and pick your top 3-5 most important destinations or priorities – the absolute must-see locations along the way. Allot these top priorities more time in each day to explore, with as little driving time on those days as possible.\n2. Pick secondary priority destinations – places you are interested in seeing, but won’t be devastated if you don’t get much time to explore them. Allot these secondary priorities less time on location, with more driving time on these days.\n3. For the rest of the trip, which doesn’t matter to you and doesn’t involve destinations of great interest, these can be the days where you do the bulk of your driving. If possible, what you can do on these days is try to pick a scenic route that allows you to pass through interesting areas without stopping to explore. Seeing it through the windows of your car is good enough.\n\nOnce you’ve completed this rough outline of your trip, I’d recommend the following driving times for each of the three “levels” or categories of destination:\n\n1. Top priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to less than four hours per day.\n2. Secondary priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to approximately 6-8 hours per day.\n3. Unimportant areas – drive as much during these days as you are physically capable; for most people, this should be at least 8-10 hours of driving per day.\n\n[![A distant car drives up a back road as it weaves its way up a distant hillside](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n**A few thoughts on drivin****g** **time****:** I advise all of my road trip planning customers that when I say driving time, I mean butts in seats, behind the wheel actually driving time. This does NOT include time sleeping, eating, getting fuel, using the restrooms, etc. **My personal rule of thumb is that you should factor in 30-60 minutes of non-travel time for each four hours of actual driving**. So if I say 8 hours of actual driving, you should anticipate approximately 9-10 hours of travel time. If it’s 12 hours of driving, anticipate 14-15 hours of actual travel time. **You absolutely should give yourself at least 8 hours of rest each night.**\n\nThe other driving time factor to consider here is that driving on back roads is substantially slower than driving on the interstate. In my experience, **when driving strictly back roads, you are going to average approximately 40 miles for each hour of driving time**. That is a rough estimate, but again, in my many years and many thousands of miles of driving experience, it has consistently been very close to exactly correct. **So if you are planning to drive 200 miles on back roads, anticipate it’s going to take you approximately 5 hours of driving**.\n\n***LONG STORY SHORT (TL\/DR):*** If you are planning on driving cross country and back, or round trip, you should allow yourself at least 20 total days for your trip. For a 6,000 mile trip, that means you’ll average 300 miles per day. That’s a lot, but if you break it up well, it’s absolutely manageable.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![A man and his dog walk slowly under the brutal heat of the midday sun at Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nDo yourself a favor and don’t go to the desert in the heat of summer\\!\n### What time of year should you drive cross country?\nBecause the weather can vary so dramatically in different regions of the country, this too can be a very tricky question to answer. This will be an especially important consideration if you are [camping](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/camping\/): when you’re sleeping outdoors, the weather conditions you’ll likely encounter become a critical part of your planning process. If you’re going to be sleeping indoors, weather becomes less important, but still worth considering.\n\n**If you are travelling with children**, you’re immediately limited to the summer months for your trip. It’s the only time of year that your kids will be out of school long enough to enjoyably complete a journey of this type. **If you are not travelling with children**, you have a lot more flexibility, and quite frankly, should strongly consider avoiding the summer months if possible. The summer months are going to be crowded by the aforementioned families with kids, and more importantly, are likely going to be unpleasantly hot in the vast majority of the country.\n\nSo when *should* you travel if you’re not going in the summer? My personal favorite times to travel are **late spring** **and mid-fall**. Most destinations will have the least amount of visitors in these timeframes, and generally speaking, they are the best times of year weather-wise. Daytime temperatures in most of the country are pleasantly mild, and in most places, it does not get terribly cold overnight. To be even more specific, if possible, you should try to plan your trip for either **the middle of May or the middle of September.**\n\nA word of warning about these travel times: You’re going to have to be careful when travelling in high elevations, or at the northern edge of the country at these times of year. I’ve experienced severe snowstorms in the High Sierra in May, and I’ve experienced freezing rain and snow in Idaho in late August (granted, we were ALSO at a higher elevation when that happened, but still). So if you know that you’re going far north, or up high in altitude, *be prepared for a little bit of cold weather.*  **If you’re camping,** **you absolutely must be prepared to spend the night in below-freezing temperatures.**\n\n##### Aside from those two caveats, though, late spring and mid-fall are the best times of year to drive cross country\\!\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![A drone photo captures the setting sun glows behind the towering granite peaks of Grand Teton national park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?resize=723%2C258&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nOur campsite at Grand Teton National Park wasn’t too shabby\\!\n## Where should you stay on a cross country road trip?\nYou have a couple basic options to choose from for overnight stays on a cross country road trip:\n\n- - Hotels\/motels\n  - Camping\n  - Bed n Breakfasts (actual BNBs)\n  - AirBNB\/VRBO\n  - Friends and family\n\nI’ve utilized all of the options over the years, and in some cases, a blend of more than one at a time. Frankly, if you are flexible and can mix and match the options, based upon weather and financial considerations, that’s going to usually be your best option. I give brief thoughts on each option below.\n\n#### Hotel\/Motel\nA hotel or motel is most likely going to be the easiest and most comfortable option for you. In most places, there are a number of options to choose from. If you pay for a nicer hotel, you’ll get a clean room and comfortable bed, with a hot breakfast in the morning. The biggest downside is the cost, and the inability to prepare meals unless you really pony up and get a suite with kitchen. My personal favorite affordable chain hotels are [Holiday Inn](https:\/\/www.holidayinn.com\/hotels\/us\/en\/reservation) and [Best Western](https:\/\/www.bestwestern.com\/en_US.html).\n\n#### Camping\nCamping is the second cheapest option, and if you are willing to find [dispersed or wild campsites](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/02\/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp\/) like I typically do, will often provide you with some extraordinary scenery and surroundings. I’ve written a couple posts about [how to find excellent campsites](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/camping\/) already, so I won’t rehash that here. The biggest downsides are the exposure to weather, and the fact that finding a campsite during daylight hours really limits how far you can drive each day.\n\n#### Bed n Breakfasts\nThis is the option I’ve utilized the least, but it is one that I should probably start doing far more often. True BNB’s were once a dying breed, though they’ve experienced a [resurgence in popularity](https:\/\/www.odysys.com\/blog\/study-the-state-of-bbs-in-the-u-s\/) recently. BNB’s are typically unique and enjoyable experiences, especially when you have a great host. They are often found in historic buildings with incredible architecture, and many include one or more hot meals. The biggest downside is that they are often the most expensive option per night.\n\n#### AirBNB\/VRBO\nA modernized version of the old BNB system, [AirBNB](https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/) and [VRBO](https:\/\/www.vrbo.com\/) are websites where property owners can offer up their homes – or a portion of their home – for rent to travelers. There is an unfathomable amount of variety and diversity in the types of places and the types of amenities available to travelers, from the most bare bones single bedroom in the owner’s house to some of the most [elaborate](https:\/\/www.myglobalviewpoint.com\/airbnb-penthouses-for-rent\/) and [unusual](https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/associates\/99216?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_11&a4ptk=18309_0_11_99216&af=115) overnight accommodations I’ve ever seen. Prices for places to stay can also vary dramatically, giving travelers a great deal of control over budget, amenities and quality. The biggest downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of skill and experience needed to find and figure out how to choose the right places to fit your needs. We’ve stayed in some real stinkers over the years, but we’ve mostly had really incredible experiences.\n\n#### Friends and Family\nStaying with friends or family members is, of course, **the lowest cost option** for overnight accommodations. Not only will F\\&F not charge you (I should hope!), many will often also provide you with meals and – critically important on a long trip – a place to wash your clothing! My very first cross country road trip, all the way back in 1999, was primarily spent staying with friends & family. Even with paying for hotels and meals in quite a few locations, that particular trip – 5 weeks, 9,000 miles – only cost my friend and I around \\$900 each\\!\n\nYou should try to mix in at least one or two F\\&F stops spread out over the course of your trip for this exact reason, unless you have the space or interest in packing enough clothing for 2-3 weeks of travel. F\\&F will **also** be able to provide you with **excellent insights about local places** you should check out, from restaurants and shopping to parks, museums, and other activities. The biggest “downside” of staying with F\\&F is the logistical restrictions of basing a trip around where your friends and family live… and when they are available and can host you\\!\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n## [![A man stands in the middle of a back road in the desert of eastern California with the towering Sierra Nevada mountains in the background](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?resize=723%2C290&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?ssl=1)\n## What should you pack for a cross country road trip?\nThis might just be the toughest section to tackle. In addition to being heavily dependent upon the time of year that you’re travelling, how long your trip will be, and the destinations you’ll be exploring, it will also vary wildly based upon the size and storage of your vehicle, where you’ll be sleeping each night, who is travelling with you, etc. As such, **my suggestions are going to be fairly generic in nature.** Though I do have a couple posts dedicated to [gear for camping trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/), my intent here is to provide you with a **basic must-have list** suitable for virtually any trip.\n\nWhat I would recommend is start by working with a handful of categories, and working your way from there:\n\n- Clothing – pack enough for a full week of outfits, plus at least one or two “extreme weather” options\n- Shoes – spend a lot of time walking and hiking in your current boots and shoes before your trip to determine if they’re comfortable – on the road is not when you want to realize you need better footwear\n- Food\/Food Storage – this is addressed in detail in my [camping posts](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/camping\/), but you’re going to want water-tight and long-lasting food storage options\n- Safety\/Medical gear – though I list this fourth, having a [medical kit](https:\/\/amzn.to\/34FPBoe), [fire extinguisher](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LlG0nq), [flashlight](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Vbl5ey) [Fix-A-Flat](https:\/\/amzn.to\/34wQiAp), [jumper cables](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3JcoqjO), and other safety items easily accessible should be your first priority\n- Camera gear – in addition to the gear you’ll need for [night sky photography](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/28\/night-sky-photography-gear\/), I also recommend having a nice zoom lens on hand for taking [incredible landscape photographs](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CZN5VHVLlrY\/) – I use a [Nikon 55-300mm](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3HF68aC) lens\n- Tools – addressed in depth in my [camping gear](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/#tools) and [motorcycle gear](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/14\/motorcycle-camping-tools-equipment-and-gear-every-biker-needs-to-have\/) posts, just a few simple hand tools will get you through a lot of potentially unpleasant situations\n- Music\/Entertainment\/books – the drive and various attractions are going to be amazing, but I’d be lying if I said you’re not going to also have long and boring stretches of time to kill on your trip. Having various forms of entertainment – especially if you’re traveling with family – will be crucial. I recommend having books, magazines, playing cards, and a couple [travel-size board games](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Lm14tP) on hand. Oh, and don’t forget your [playlist](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/07\/08\/road-trip-playlist-driving-and-travel-songs\/)\\!\n## Road trip tips, suggestions, and other travel advice\nIn addition to my own advice for taking a cross country road trip, I’ve gathered insights and suggestions from dozens of other road trippers over the last year\n\nin anticipation of creating this post. Though I’ve taken dozens of road trips and driven countless thousands of miles over the last 25 years, I certainly haven’t experienced everything. I reached out to other travelers and collected their suggestions for taking long road trips. One thing I’ve learned about people who travel a lot – they love to help other people get out on the road\\!\n\n*I’m going to start off with one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned in all my years of taking road trips.*\n\n**Download offline** **maps** – [LINK](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838) (make sure to click on [Android](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0) or [iPhone](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=0) at the top) – I cannot stress the importance of this step strongly enough. One of the very first recommendations I make to every [road trip planning](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) client I’ve worked with is to download [offline Google maps](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838). Every cross country road trip will include driving in areas with no cell service. If you’ve not prepared ahead of time by downloading offline maps for those areas, you might lose your route plans at the worst time possible. If you aren’t sure where your cell providers don’t have coverage, start with this [FCC Map](https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/BroadbandData\/MobileMaps\/mobile-map), downloading maps in areas where no service is available.\n\n[![A drone shot of a u-shaped two lane back road winds through the pine trees in eastern California's High Sierra region](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C452&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nUS Route 50 winds through several valleys on its way across the High Sierra in Eastern California\n### Road Trip Advice\n- Have a general plan, but allow for spontaneity & choices along the way\n- Pack items that can serve multiple purposes\n- Get a [car power adapter](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3B77gkI) (turns your car’s cigarette lighter into an outlet with USB ports)\n- Bring reusable items (water bottles, coffee mugs) instead of disposable ones\n- Bring a [water bottle with filter](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Je6sxl), or a [filter straw](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3rBKGgW)\n- Build in time for stops at local shops, farmers markets, antique stores and other ways to incorporate local culture\n- Opt for healthy snacks (trail mix, triscuits) and avoid soda and candy\n- Bring your recreational wheels along: MTB, bicycle, scooter, rollerblades etc\n- Visit more than just National Parks! State and county parks often provide excellent natural scenery and local history.\n- Hang a [shoe rack](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3JdorE1) behind your seats for convenient and organized access to your stuff\n- Buy a [camp toilet](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LorKKL) and keep TP in your vehicle\n- Utilize a small “grab bag” with a couple days’ of clothing & supplies so you’re not hauling your suitcases in at every stop, rotating stuff in or out as needed\n- Be sure to hydrate & consume electrolytes, especially in the desert\n- If camping, be sure to practice setting up your tent at night using only your headlamp, just in case\n- Drive less than 12 hours per day – 7-8 hours is OK, but 4-5 hours is ideal if possible\n- Buy a [national parks pass](https:\/\/store.usgs.gov\/pass\/index.html) before you leave\\!\n- Always stop to visit friends and family whenever they will be near your route\n- Ask older bikers where the prettiest local drives are\n- Don’t drive long distances at night – it’s not worth the risk, and you miss out on the scenery\\!\n- Eat your meals somewhere scenic whenever possible, whether by a window or at a picnic table or on an overlook\n- Get and maintain roadside assistance – AAA or some other similar service\n- Freeze bottles of water to use as ice packs and to give you something cold to drink\n- Search for weird local destinations on [Atlas Obscura](https:\/\/www.atlasobscura.com\/) \/ [Roadside America](https:\/\/www.roadsideamerica.com\/) \/ [Factory Tours](https:\/\/factorytoursusa.com\/)\n- Be aware that there will be remote areas in the western states with no gas stations for 30-50 miles in any direction and plan accordingly – as old bikers say, don’t pass gas on a road trip\\!\n- Always double-check the weather conditions at the next day’s destination when you’re stopped at night\n- [Watch for road closures](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/trafficinfo\/) and plan alternative routes if needed\n- Open a credit card a month or two before you leave, only use that card, then cancel it at the end of your trip to prevent fraud \/ identity theft\n- Be flexible – plans can change quickly due to unforeseen emergencies like a wildfire (or pandemic!)\n- Maximize your bathroom stops – get gas, walk the dog, buy fresh supplies, etc\n- Start your day early – beat rush hour traffic, maximize sunlight hours, etc\n\n**[*Check out our tips & tricks for back roads travel\\!*](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/11\/20\/how-to-take-back-roads\/#tips)**\n\nDon’t forget that there’s [an entire category](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/road-trips\/) on our website dedicated solely to road trips\\!\n\nAnd, if all else fails, you can always [ask us for help](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/).\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![A drone shot of a back road winding down a hill towards the Pacific Coast in California](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?resize=723%2C285&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nEnjoy your trip from coast to coast\\!\n\n### Share this:\n- [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/?share=facebook&nb=1)\n- [Share on X (Opens in new window) X](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/?share=twitter&nb=1)\n- [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/?share=pinterest&nb=1)\n- [Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email](mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20Great%20American%20Road%20Trip%3A%20%20an%20Itinerary%20for%20Driving%20Cross%20Country&body=https%3A%2F%2Ftakebackroads.com%2F2022%2F05%2F05%2Fcross-country-road-trip-itinerary%2F&share=email&nb=1)\n- [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/?share=reddit&nb=1)\n- [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1)\n- [More](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/)\n\n- [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/?share=linkedin&nb=1)\n\n### Like this:\nLike Loading...\n\n### *Related*\n[![A man in a white t-shirt reading ](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_4720.jpg?fit=1200%2C898&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2025\/10\/02\/cross-country-road-trip-to-celebrate-graduation\/ \"Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation:  A Three-Generation Tradition\")\n\n#### [Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation: A Three-Generation Tradition](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2025\/10\/02\/cross-country-road-trip-to-celebrate-graduation\/ \"Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation:  A Three-Generation Tradition\")\nCelebratory Adventures: Three Generations of Cross Country Road Trips To tell this road trip story appropriately, I'm enlisting two other authors: my father (who now goes by \"Grandpop\") and my daughter (who I call \"kiddo\"). Together, we three make up the crew who took cross country road trips to celebrate…\n\nOctober 2, 2025\n\nIn \"California\"\n\n[![A wide open back road spreads out off into the distance under desert mountains and a cloudy blue sky in Nevada on our cross country road trip](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Open-Road-Blue-Sky.jpg?fit=1080%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/14\/cheap-cross-country-road-trip\/ \"How to Take a Cross Country Road Trip for less than $100\")\n\n#### [How to Take a Cross Country Road Trip for less than \\$100](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/14\/cheap-cross-country-road-trip\/ \"How to Take a Cross Country Road Trip for less than $100\")\nTake Back Roads presents our comprehensive guide on how to take an excellent cross country road trip on a tight budget\\!\n\nAugust 14, 2019\n\nIn \"Camping\"\n\n[![The snow-capped peak of Mt Grant looms in the distance over US route 95 in Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Walker-Lake-and-Mt-Grant.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/ \"Great American Road Trips, Part 2:  My Favorite Back Roads in America\")\n\n#### [Great American Road Trips, Part 2: My Favorite Back Roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/ \"Great American Road Trips, Part 2:  My Favorite Back Roads in America\")\nLast year, I collaborated with roughly 40 travel bloggers to put together the first installment of the Great American Road Trip series. That behemoth of a post looked at the best back roads on a state-by-state basis. While it's a very comprehensive look at some of the best road trips…\n\nApril 9, 2020\n\nIn \"Arizona and New Mexico\"\n\n- [Back Road Beauties](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/photography\/photo-prints-available-for-purchase\/back-road-beauties\/)\n- [Great American Road Trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/great-american-road-trips\/)\n- [Midwest](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/midwest\/)\n- [Northeast](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/)\n- [Northwest](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northwest\/)\n- [Photography](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/photography\/)\n- [Ride Back Roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/ride-back-roads\/)\n- [Road Trip Resources](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/road-trips\/)\n- [Southeast (coastal)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/southeast-coastal\/)\n- [Southwest](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/southwest\/)\n- [Travel Blogs, organized by region](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/)\n\n- [America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/tag\/america\/)\n- [cross country](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/tag\/cross-country\/)\n- [road trip](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/tag\/road-trip\/)\n\n![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/83d6db8011701b1c3193e18369caa5a79c530d82ccb417db873507cdc5fc7ec3?s=125&d=identicon&r=g)\n\n## Published by Scott\nA writer who travels... a traveler who writes... I'm just a guy who seeks adventure, authenticity, and to promote intelligence and maturity in these wild and crazy times.  [View all posts by Scott](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/author\/berneysm80\/)\n\n## Post navigation\n[Previous Finding Quirky Roadside Attractions Across America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/10\/15\/finding-quirky-roadside-attractions-across-america\/)\n\n[Next Chen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/08\/04\/chen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance\/)\n\n## 82 comments\n# Comment navigation\n[« Older Comments](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-1\/#comments)\n\n1. **[canyon lake wedding venue](https:\/\/stayatcanyonlake.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/10\/canyon-lake-wedding-venue\/)** says:\n   \n   [December 18, 2024 at 8:02 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5048)\n   \n   \\[…\\] Lake has a great location, situated between major cities like Austin and San Antonio. This makes it easy for both local and \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5048)\n2. **[Lugar de bodas en Canyon Lake: Un destino de ensueño en Texas Hill Country](https:\/\/stayatcanyonlake.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/18\/lugar-de-bodas-en-canyon-lake-un-destino-de-ensueo-en-texas-hill-country\/)** says:\n   \n   [December 18, 2024 at 8:26 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5049)\n   \n   \\[…\\] Lake tiene una excelente ubicación, situada entre ciudades importantes como Austin y San Antonio. Esto facilita el viaje tanto a los \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5049)\n3. **[40 New Year's Resolutions for Couples \\| Goals for Couples](https:\/\/www.beforeamore.com\/advice\/new-years-resolutions-for-couples\/)** says:\n   \n   [December 19, 2024 at 8:28 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5051)\n   \n   \\[…\\] and plan it! Pick an unforgettable experience that you can work toward together to achieve, like a cross-country road trip, a tropical bucket-list destination, or anything else that you both are champing at the bit to \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5051)\n4. **[Things to keep in mind when preparing for a road trip. - best food travel](https:\/\/bestfoodtravel.online\/things-keep-mind-when-preparing-road-trip\/)** says:\n   \n   [December 27, 2024 at 5:09 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5059)\n   \n   \\[…\\] unexpected problems and missed opportunities along the way, whether you’re heading out on a weekend or a cross-country trip. But before doing so, what should be considered? Here is an excellent and detailed guide for \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5059)\n5. **[20 Ultimate Road Trip Routes Across the USA - Travelhapyhob](https:\/\/travelhapyhob.com\/20-ultimate-road-trip-routes-across-the-usa\/)** says:\n   \n   [December 28, 2024 at 4:49 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5061)\n   \n   \\[…\\] Planning a road trip? Wondering what makes it unforgettable? It’s the scenic views, historic sites, or the freedom to go where you want. The USA has many scenic drives, from California’s coast to New England’s history-lined roads. These routes offer travel tips for an unforgettable journey1. \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5061)\n6. **[Weekend Getaways by Car: Best Destinations for a Quick Escape - Travel fast now](https:\/\/mohammedalsayed.com\/weekend-getaways-by-car-best-destinations-for-a-quick-escape\/)** says:\n   \n   [January 2, 2025 at 11:18 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5063)\n   \n   \\[…\\] Places like Idaho’s Craters of the Moon or Maine’s Cadillac Mountain offer unique landscapes. They provide opportunities to explore volcanic craters or see breathtaking sunrises. These spots add variety to driving vacation spots, giving both adventure and peace9. \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5063)\n7. **[How to Plan a Cheap Road Trip: Budget Tips for 2024 – For Explore](https:\/\/forexplore.com\/how-to-plan-a-cheap-road-trip-budget-tips-for-2024-2\/)** says:\n   \n   [January 10, 2025 at 11:37 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5071)\n   \n   \\[…\\] Traveling cheaply cuts costs and boosts the fun. Families learn to focus on one area or visit several, making the most of their time and money. With apps like GasBuddy for finding cheap gas, and staying in places like campsites, they save even more. Packing smart, eating high-protein snacks, and keeping clean keeps everyone energized on the road. As they travel, the bond between friends and family grows stronger. While the urge to explore new paths is strong, being ready makes every trip unforgettable in the story of road trip culture234. \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5071)\n8. **[Lincoln Highway: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s First Coast - Travel fast now](https:\/\/mohammedalsayed.com\/lincoln-highway-a-comprehensive-guide-to-americas-first-coast\/)** says:\n   \n   [January 11, 2025 at 3:35 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5074)\n   \n   \\[…\\] The Lincoln Highway is a stunning journey filled with amazing sights and iconic spots. It’s America’s first coast-to-coast road, covering about 3,000 miles. It connects big cities and beautiful landscapes, making it a memorable drive910. \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5074)\n9. **[13 Must-Know Road Trip Tips for Every American Explorer – Country Adventures](https:\/\/www.countryadventures.net\/13-must-know-road-trip-tips-for-every-american-explorer\/)** says:\n   \n   [January 23, 2025 at 12:48 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5084)\n   \n   \\[…\\] Engage with your travel companions, take in the scenery, and savor the moments of freedom and adventure. Road trips offer a unique opportunity to connect with people and places in a way that other forms of travel don’t. Embrace the spontaneity and joy of the open road. \\[…\\]\n   \n   Loading...\n   \n   [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5084)\n10. **[USA Road Trip Itinerary: Embark on an Unforgettable Journey – passports and paradise](https:\/\/passportsandparadise.blog\/usa-road-trip-itinerary-embark-on-an-unforgettable-journey\/)** says:\n    \n    [February 2, 2025 at 7:23 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5095)\n    \n    \\[…\\] Planning a road trip involves several key steps. First, pick the right vehicle for your trip. Think about fuel efficiency, comfort, and reliability. The average coast-to-coast trip is about 3,000 miles, so choose wisely2. \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5095)\n11. **[Getting to Sunriver, Oregon – A Travel Guide – Direct2](https:\/\/direct2wordpress.surfairdev.com\/getting-to-sunriver-oregon-a-travel-guide\/)** says:\n    \n    [February 9, 2025 at 3:53 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5104)\n    \n    \\[…\\] The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country – https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/ \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5104)\n12. **[36 Hours in Portland: A Perfect Weekend Getaway Guide – Direct2](https:\/\/direct2wordpress.surfairdev.com\/36-hours-in-portland-a-perfect-weekend-getaway-guide\/)** says:\n    \n    [February 9, 2025 at 4:23 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5105)\n    \n    \\[…\\] The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country – https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/ \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5105)\n13. **[Best Weekend Getaways in Florida for Nature Lovers ![🌿](https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f33f.svg) (10 Must-Visit Spots in 2025) - Florida Getaways](https:\/\/www.floridagetaways.org\/what-are-the-best-weekend-getaways-in-florida-for-outdoor-enthusiasts-and-nature-lovers\/)** says:\n    \n    [March 5, 2025 at 12:20 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5128)\n    \n    \\[…\\] Take Back Roads – The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5128)\n14. **[Ultimate Dating Guide for Singles in Red Chute, Louisiana](https:\/\/www.folkd.com\/ultimate-dating-guide-for-singles-in-red-chute-louisiana\/)** says:\n    \n    [March 27, 2025 at 11:59 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5158)\n    \n    \\[…\\] Exploring these nearby cities can enhance your dating experience. Each location offers something special, making it easier to find the right person for you. For more tips on planning your journey, check out this road trip guide. \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5158)\n15. **[Your Fun-Centric Complete Travel Guide to the USA: From Coast to Coast - flyworldexplore.com](https:\/\/flyworldexplore.com\/your-fun-centric-complete-travel-guide-to-the-usa-from-coast-to-coast\/)** says:\n    \n    [July 29, 2025 at 3:28 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5348)\n    \n    \\[…\\] Need ideas? The Great American Road Trip guide has some wacky off-the-wall stops. If you’re dreaming even bigger, here’s an RVers Bible to take your adventure up a notch or even a Pacific Coast RV itinerary for the ultimate drive. If you want planning tips you don’t see everywhere, peek at these coast to coast road trip tips—and don’t forget to look at inspiration from other countries, like Australia’s east coast. \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5348)\n16. **[Before the Crowds: What Visiting National Parks Was Like in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s - Back in Time Today](https:\/\/backintimetoday.com\/before-the-crowds-what-visiting-national-parks-was-like-in-the-60s-70s-and-80s\/)** says:\n    \n    [September 12, 2025 at 10:56 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5441)\n    \n    \\[…\\] © Take Back Roads \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5441)\n17. ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f29ecd996ef3dea52e580662a7fb284adefa1e32cafd078f5fd8e49d87e9bbca?s=120&d=identicon&r=g) **[20 US Dollars](https:\/\/billsnbills.com\/)** says:\n    \n    [September 23, 2025 at 8:08 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5471)\n    \n    This is an amazing piece of content.\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5471)\n    - ![](https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/83d6db8011701b1c3193e18369caa5a79c530d82ccb417db873507cdc5fc7ec3?s=120&d=identicon&r=g) **[Scott](http:\/\/www.takebackroads.com\/)** says:\n      \n      [October 22, 2025 at 8:35 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5540)\n      \n      Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words\\!\n      \n      Loading...\n      \n      [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5540)\n18. **[The Ultimate Family Road Trip: 7 U.S. Destinations That Make Driving Worth It - Top Travel Guides](https:\/\/travellersguides.com\/ultimate-family-road-trip-7-worthwhile-us-destinations\/)** says:\n    \n    [October 19, 2025 at 5:26 pm](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5530)\n    \n    \\[…\\] <https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/> \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5530)\n19. **[Where the Pavement Ends - Take Back Roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/10\/29\/where-the-pavement-ends-camping-california\/)** says:\n    \n    [October 22, 2025 at 8:59 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5538)\n    \n    \\[…\\] Most important of all, this road trip was the pivotal moment in my life that resulted in me uprooting everything and moving from Pennsylvania to California. \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5538)\n20. **[Best Roadside Stops and Routes for Vintage Cars Lovers - Curious Roads](https:\/\/curiousroads.com\/best-roadside-stops-for-vintage-car-enthusiasts\/)** says:\n    \n    [November 15, 2025 at 6:59 am](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-2\/#comment-5582)\n    \n    \\[…\\] Historic highways for car lovers like Route 66 have been a fundamental part of American road trip culture since the 1930s. During this time, the National Park Service started recognizing these stretches of road as important cultural landmarks. The Mother Road and its counterparts weren’t just ways to get from one place to another—they were vital connections for small towns in America, filled with family-owned garages, brightly lit motor courts with neon signs, and diners where mechanics and travelers shared stories over cups of coffee. \\[…\\]\n    \n    Loading...\n    \n    [Reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#comment-5582)\n\n# Comment navigation\n[« Older Comments](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/comment-page-1\/#comments)\n### Got something to say? Leave your 2 cents here\\![Cancel reply](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#respond)\n\n## Recent Posts\n- [Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation: A Three-Generation Tradition](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2025\/10\/02\/cross-country-road-trip-to-celebrate-graduation\/)\n- [Chen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/08\/04\/chen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance\/)\n- [The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/)\n- [Finding Quirky Roadside Attractions Across America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/10\/15\/finding-quirky-roadside-attractions-across-america\/)\n- [Maine Back Roads on a Motorcycle: The Actual Trip (Part 2)](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/10\/11\/maine-back-roads-on-a-motorcycle-the-actual-trip\/)\n\n## [Take Back Roads is on Facebook\\!](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/takebackroads)\n> [Take Back Roads is on Facebook\\!](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/takebackroads)\n\nCheck us out on YouTube\\!\n\n## Follow Blog via Email\n## Categories\n- ![An RV drives a curving back road through beautiful mountains](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Featured-homepage-1024x667.jpg)\n  \n  Beautiful views on the Million Dollar Highway\n- ![cars and motorcycles travel through the mountains on a scenic back road](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Back-Road-drone-shot-1024x512.jpg)\n  \n  Drivers enjoy the panoramic scenery of the back roads in Colorado\n- ![A drone shot of a u-shaped two lane back road winds through the pine trees in eastern California's High Sierra region](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road-1024x698.jpg)\n  \n  A swooping curve on US-50 in the High Sierra, California\n- ![A man stands in the middle of a back road in the desert of eastern California with the towering Sierra Nevada mountains in the background](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-back-road-drone-shot-1024x411.jpg)\n  \n  Just over the border into California near Mono Lake\n- ![A distant car drives up a back road as it weaves its way up a distant hillside](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-mountain-twisty-1024x683.jpg)\n  \n  A driver navigates the back roads leading to Great Basin NP\n- ![A beautiful vibrant sunset glows over a back road where there is a silhouette of two kids sit taking a selfie](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-sunset-1024x683.jpg)\n  \n  Soaking in the sunset at Badlands NP\n- ![A pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles enter Doane Robinson Tunnel, with the faces on Mount Rushmore clearly visible under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Mount-Rushmore-harley-1024x642.jpg)\n  \n  Riders explore Doan Robinson Tunnel near Mount Rushmore\n- ![The towering granite peaks of Grand Teton mountain range soar towards an ice blue sky over Jackson Lake](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountain-lake-1024x632.jpg)\n  \n  The stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP\n- ![Snow capped granite mountain peaks tower over TA Moulton old barn in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountains-1024x683.jpg)\n  \n  Is there a more iconic Wyoming view?\n- ![A narrow dirt road runs along the side of one of several mountains creating the boundary around Sun Valley Idaho](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sun-Valley-Idaho-1024x481.jpg)\n  \n  A back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID\n- ![A two lane back road by a raging river divides two drastically different landscapes - smooth rolling sage-covered hills on the left, and jagged granite cliffs on the right](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-back-road-1024x423.jpg)\n  \n  Steep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID\n- ![A man standing near a black Ford F150 stares out over an enormous desert valley in central Idaho](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-panorama-1024x511.jpg)\n  \n  A traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID\n- ![A back road route stretches straight across the flat desert valley floor towards the towering eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-Route-120-Mono-Lake-1024x680.jpg)\n  \n  Mono Lake CA\n- ![A curving back road arches towards a panoramic view of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-route-89-Monitor-Pass-eastern-Sierra-Nevada-1024x371.jpg)\n  \n  CA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada\n- ![back road route bridge stretches across New Melones Lake in the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada mountains](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-New-Melones-Lake-1024x411.jpg)\n  \n  CA route 49 near Angels Camp CA\n- ![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2-1024x630.jpg)\n  \n  The iconic Half Dome in Yosemite NP\n- ![Crisp fluffy white clouds and a brilliant blue sky top the towering snow capped peak of Wheeler Mountain in Great Basin National Park Nevada](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-Great-Basin-National-Park-1024x643.jpg)\n  \n  Great Basin National Park\n- ![Monument Valley back road](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2-1024x647.jpg)\n  \n  Monument Valley, on the AZ \/ UT border\n- ![RV bus driving west on a back road](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/road-trip-west-2-1024x713.jpg)\n  \n  An RV heads west on the Loneliest Road in America\n\n1 \/ 19\n\nTake Back Roads Merch - Now Available! Click on the SHOP button below. [Dismiss](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/)\n\n## Discover more from Take Back Roads\nSubscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.\n\n[Continue reading](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/)\n\n##\n##\nLoading Comments...\n\n###\n\n%d","attrs_readable_markdown":"I’ve taken a handful of [cross country road trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/14\/cheap-cross-country-road-trip\/) over the years. However, there are still a few [cross country](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/02\/16\/solo-travel-is-it-possible-to-drive-cross-country-by-yourself\/) [road trip](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/road-trips\/) ideas that remain on my bucket list: riding a motorcycle cross country, taking one of America’s [historic highways](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/) the whole way from coast to coast (US-50 is the most likely candidate), ~~driving cross country on one of the northern routes~~ (done! Just need to finish that post!) and driving a back roads loop around the country. During the summers of 2020 & 2021 – in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic! – I managed to cross the latter two items off my list.\n\nWell, sort of… While the majority of those trips were on back roads, I must admit up front that we did also do a fair share of interstate driving across the Midwest. With my sincerest apologies to residents of the [flyover states](https:\/\/www.urbandictionary.com\/define.php?term=fly-over%20state), the time constraints for these trips forced us to take the highway across some of the center of the country, leaving very little time for sight-seeing.\n\nLike our time in [Las Vegas](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/08\/04\/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert\/), we were going to have to prioritize.\n\n[![Twisty back road surrounded by mountains](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C497&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nIt’s time to get out there and explore\\!\n## A Round Trip Itinerary for a Cross Country Road Trip\n#### *The Round Trip Road Trip*\nTechnically, I’ve only done one truly coast-to-coast cross country road trip, and that was when I graduated from high school (1999! It feels gross to even think how long ago that was…). That was my first cross country road trip, and my first round trip road trip.\n\nThat experience will make for an excellent post, actually: *taking cross country road trips to celebrate graduation is now a three-generation family tradition.* My father took cross country trips to celebrate his high school and college graduations, in 1966 and 1970. I took a round trip road trip to celebrate high school graduation in 1999. And now, I’ve taken my daughter on two cross country road trips as well, celebrating her high school & college graduations.\n\nAlas… that will have to remain a different post to be written a different day.\n\nAll of my other cross country road trips have either started or ended in my former home state: [Pennsylvania](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/pennsylvania\/) (instead of the Atlantic coast). While there is no formal definition for what qualifies as a cross country road trip, I feel confident that a trip covering 2,600 miles and all but one of the states that span from coast to coast definitely fits the bill! In fact, on our drive heading west, we zig-zagged our way across nearly 8,000 miles during just one road trip\\!\n\nThis post is going to examine routes to consider, destinations to include, and a few other great pieces of cross country road trip advice… so buckle up, because it’s going to be a long ride\\!\n\nGenerally speaking, there are three main routes to drive cross country: northern, central, and southern. Mostly self-explanatory, the northern route stays on a path across the northern states like New York, Minnesota, Montana, or Idaho. The central route follows a path across the middle states, like Kansas and Colorado. The southern route stays mostly south, crossing states like Georgia, Texas, or Arizona.\n\n***Fair warning – This post is currently being updated***\n\n***The Southern Route is being put together as quickly as I can.***\n\n***However, because I cannot save drafts of edits being made to published posts,***\n\n***I will have to publish things mid-creation. It’s not ideal, so please bear with me\\!***\n\n~~As you can see on the map above, I am reviewing two of the three major routes to drive cross country.~~ It’s taken two years, but it’s finally occurred to me how absurd it is to not include more information on the southern route. When I first published this post, like on my trips in 2020, I wrote about the central route heading west and then a northern route heading east. For the southern option, I’m going to roughly follow the west-to-east route I took in 2019 when I drove cross-country [in an antique Porsche.](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/)\n\n#### **I write about these cross country routes using the orientation I traveled when I took them.**\n#### **I** **hope it’s clear that you can use these options when heading either direction.**\n1. [Driving West: the Central Route](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#west)\n2. [Driving East: the Northern Route](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#east)\n3. [When to Travel](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#when) (including insights on how long your road trip should be)\n4. [Where to Stay Along the Way](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#where)\n5. [What to Take With You](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#pack)\n6. [Additional Insights, tips, and road trip advice](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#advice)\n### [![Monument Valley back road](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?resize=663%2C419&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n### Plan a Cross Country Road Trip\nAs you might imagine, when [planning a road trip](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) that’s going to encompass approximately 6,000 miles, you’re going to need a significant amount of time to travel. *Even in a situation like ours, where the first or last 1,000 miles or so are on the interstate, you should anticipate at least 125 hours of time behind the wheel.*  If you’ve never taken a long road trip – or even if you have – that’s a lot of time to be driving.\n\n**When [creating road trip plans](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) for travelers, I suggest limiting actual driving time (“butts in seats” time) to 6 hours a day.** This allows you to still explore things you find along the way… and won’t completely burn you out to the experience of driving.\n\nIn my mind, **there are two main categories of [road trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/11\/20\/how-to-take-back-roads\/#vacation):** trips in which you immerse yourself deeply into one region, and trips in which you experience a lot of different regions at once. In the first category, immersing yourself deeply into one region, you spend your entire trip exploring all of the various things you can see in do in that particular region. You delve into the intimate nuances which make that region unique, spending hours or even days exploring single areas.\n\n**A cross country road trip, by its very nature, is going to fall under the second category.**  Instead of spending the majority (or entirety) of your trip exploring a single area, you are going to spend a little bit of time experiencing multiple different areas. I like to call it an **appetizer adventure**: you experience a proverbial sampler platter of a number of different regions of the country, getting a small taste of what that area has to offer.\n\nThink of your cross country drive as a scouting trip of sorts; you’re going to find areas where you’ll have a powerful desire to return and explore in greater depth. You’ll also discover that other areas are places where you have no interesting in returning.  **Do no go into the process of planning a cross country road trip expecting to explore many areas in depth.** Unless you are retired and\/or have all the time in the world, you are going to find yourself disappointed if you go into your trip with this mindset\\!\n\nAs you might imagine, **prioritizing the places you want to see is crucial to this process.** The very first part of your planning process should be spent talking this over with your travel partner(s). Discuss the places you absolutely must see, the places you’d like to visit if there’s time, and the places you’re not particularly interested in visiting. This will lay the groundwork for planning your route, and if you’re lucky, might actually make the process very simple.\n\n***Last thought: While this itinerary will mostly follow my own recent trips, it will not be an exact match.*** As I already mentioned, we had some time constraints that forced us to limit our itinerary a bit. I’m going to add in a few destinations that we simply did not have time to explore, and let you decide what best fits your priorities! As always, you can [email me directly](mailto:scott@takebackroads.com) if you have additional questions\\!\n\n[![RV bus driving west on a back road](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/road-trip-west-2.jpg?resize=663%2C462&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/road-trip-west-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nHead for the sunset\\!\n## Driving West: the Central Cross Country Route\nIn case you missed it, our trip started in [Pennsylvania](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/05\/09\/thirteen-back-road-adventures-pennsylvania-virginia-delaware-road-trips\/#PAroadtrip), so that’s where this itinerary will start as well. From there, we drove nearly straight west across the middle of the country and then dipped south.\n\n### Pennsylvania\nThere are many things that I could recommend for you to see and do in my home state, and it’s highly dependent upon what your interests are. Because I’ve dedicated [a number of posts](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/northeast\/pennsylvania\/) to the things you can do here, I’m going to focus on just a few broad highlights and options to consider.\n\n#### Places to go in Pennsylvania\n- [Philadelphia](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Gnk7GqY8F9hma5kf7): America’s first capital city is LOADED with [historical experiences](https:\/\/uncoveringpa.com\/philadelphia-region) to explore\n- [Pittsburgh](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/V9zcuKhDpe16ndtZ7): One of America’s original industrial cities, my hometown has undergone a complete makeover, and is now loaded with fascinating [things to see and do](https:\/\/www.discovertheburgh.com\/things-to-do-in-pittsburgh\/)\n- [Allegheny National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/EP1sqhnmPkNZE1fB7): One of several outdoor enthusiast meccas in PA, ANF has a [dynamic range of activities](https:\/\/pawilds.com\/landscape\/allegheny-national-forest-surrounds\/#!directory\/map\/ord=rnd) available year round… with [plenty more](https:\/\/pawilds.com\/journey\/) nearby\\!\n- [Laurel Highlands](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/K74Tg2S7nSopZzyz7): Another outdoor enthusiast mecca, the [Laurel Highlands](https:\/\/www.laurelhighlands.org\/) is ALSO home to a number of homes designed by [Frank Lloyd Wright](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/10\/11\/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania\/)\n\n[![Fallingwater house Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?resize=663%2C542&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n#### Back Road Routes across Pennsylvania\n- [US Route 6](https:\/\/pawilds.com\/journey\/scenic-route-6\/#!directory\/map\/ord=rnd) – a [storied transcontinental route](https:\/\/www.paroute6.com\/history) which cuts across the heart of the PA Wilds, you could take Route 6 the whole way to California if you so desire\\!\n- [US Route 30](https:\/\/www.pahighways.com\/us\/US30.html) – one of America’s most famous historical cross country highways, [the Lincoln Highway](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/longest.cfm) takes travelers from New York City to San Francisco\n### West Virginia\nAmerica’s primary coal-mining state is well-known for its numerous mines and heavily wooded mountainous terrain. Chock full of natural scenery, sweeping hilltop vistas, and twisting back roads, West Virginia is a great state to include on your route\\!\n\n#### Places to go in WV\n- [Morgantown](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Zfip7An8RCcjmwSX6): As the home of [WVU](https:\/\/www.wvu.edu\/), Morgantown is likely the most well-known city in the state, and offers plenty of [places worth checking out](https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/morgantown-things-to-do\/)\n- [Monongahela National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Ns2f97UGMtL3QL6N6): A MASSIVE National Forest that encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of rugged mountain terrain, including…\n- [Dolly Sods Wilderness area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kXprqrBiXPeakVSF9): A rocky and isolated wilderness area with plenty of places to hike and camp\n- [The Talon](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BackRoadsWV): A twisting and winding [mountain back road](https:\/\/backroadswv.com\/the-talon\/), especially popular with motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts\n#### Back Road Routes across WV\n- [US Route 50](https:\/\/www.route50.com\/) – Another historic cross country highway, Route 50 cuts across the northern woods of West Virginia\n- [US Route 250](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#250) – A zig-zagging route that runs diagonally across West Virginia, Route 250 cuts you through the heart of some of the wildest places in the state\n- [US Route 19](https:\/\/scenicusa.net\/121812.html) – Though it runs north to south, this historical route cuts across some of the most beautiful parts of the state, including the rock climbers’ heaven, [New River Gorge](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sHdb6uY3cZYNfNip8)\n\n[![The Talon back road in West Virginia](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/The-Talon-WV.jpg?resize=723%2C413&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/The-Talon-WV.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nPhoto Credit: [The Talon](http:\/\/www.backroadswv.com\/)\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Kentucky\nThe Bourbon State. The Bluegrass State. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Another major coal mining state. No matter what description you use, the bottom line here is that Kentucky is one of my favorite states on the East Coast, and is home to some absolutely gorgeous back roads.\n\n#### Places to go in Kentucky\n- [Bourbon Trail](https:\/\/kybourbontrail.com\/): a conglomeration of destinations, Kentucky’s bourbon trail is an [easy way to visit](https:\/\/kybourbontrail.com\/plan-your-trip\/) any number of distilleries creating the state’s most famous export. My favorites (to visit, not necessarily to drink): [Maker’s Mark](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2016\/10\/04\/road-trip-nashville\/), Woodford, and Buffalo Trace\n- [Louisville](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9gigESM6cGj6mep36): Kentucky’s largest city is home to the [Kentucky Derby](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QuQpnssF6pWMcB3Q7), the world’s most famous [baseball bats](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kVvTXqX3Xg7AGUCn6), and much more\n- [Daniel Boone National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rdvVJkKWuFSBMgoT7): Like MNF In WV, DBNF is home to dense woods, rugged terrain, rock climbing, cliffs, and plenty of places to hike\n- [Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eTJiWvriiNgrJKHu9) – a narrow strip of wilderness located between two lakes, full of hiking, camping, and water-based activities\n\n[![](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?resize=520%2C280&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nNatural Arch Scenic Area At Parkers Lake Kentucky In The Daniel Boone – image courtesy of [US Forest Service](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/dbnf\/recarea\/?recid=39726)\n#### Back Road Routes across Kentucky\n- [US Route 62](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/62.html) – a diagonal shot across the state, Route 62 cuts across the gorgeous heart of bourbon country and the well-groomed [thoroughbred territory](https:\/\/www.khorse.com\/list_of_horse_race_farms_in_kentucky.htm)\n- [Kentucky Route 80](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#eastik) – Cutting across the southern edge of the state, KY-80 is filled with scenic beauty and plentiful options for exploration\n### Missouri\nMissouri is widely known as the [Gateway to the West](https:\/\/www.gatewayarch.com\/). It’s largest city is home to the Gateway Arch, and because it sits centrally on the western banks of the Mississippi River, Missouri is often the first “western” state road trippers encounter.\n\n#### Places to go in Missouri\n- [St Louis](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j8hT22MTwjLr3Fxg7): the state’s most famous city sits on the banks of the mighty Mississippi and features numerous tourist destinations: [Gateway Arch](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tc689GWSXAi5eqgJ8), [Budweiser Brewery](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GJ5oQqMPJR4PQ9fp7), and the [National Transportation Museum](https:\/\/g.page\/TNMOT?share) are a few highlights. This will also be the first place you’ll cross [Route 66](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/) on your trip west.\n- [Branson](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7XWtVJ6hvx3Yv7sn6): one of the cheesiest cities in the country, Branson is home to countless country and other live music venues, wax museums, and other various & sundry attractions. Oh, and it sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountain wilderness.\n- [Dogwood Canyon](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vrczfcVRNRm2KUb99) & [Hickory Canyon](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JH1ow2Z4jmtTtUmN9) State Parks: relatively small but jaw-droppingly gorgeous (see what I did there?), these two parks offer lots to see and do for the lover of natural scenery\n- [Mark Twain National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LMo5WbhrgEk48NXd9): much larger than the previous parks, MTNF is home to thousands of acres of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and densely wooded rolling hills\n\n[![A waterfall runs down a cliff face into a green pool of water, with an enclosed stone bridge across it, leading to a matching stone lodge](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nCedar Lodge at Dogwood Canyon Falls – image courtesy of [Cedar Lodge](https:\/\/bigcedar.com\/attractions\/dogwood-canyon\/)\n#### Back Road Routes across Missouri\n- [US Route 160](https:\/\/interstate411.us\/ushighways\/us160\/) – Running along the very southern edge of the state, Route 160 (who we’ll be seeing again..!) winds its way across the rolling foothills of the Ozarks\n- [US Route 60](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/60.html) – Only a couple dozen miles north of Route 160, Route 60 also cuts you across the hills of southern Missouri, albeit in a slightly more “refined” fashion: Less rugged, fewer hills, and more open panoramas… but still a far more interesting and relaxing option than US Route 50, which cuts across several metro areas and long stretches of open plains\n### Kansas\nNo sense in candy-coating the truth here: Kansas is going to be one of the most boring, difficult states on this adventure. That’s going to be nearly unavoidable, though, as it’s next to impossible to drive cross country without crossing one of the flat central plains states.\n\n[![A hill slopes gently down towards a grove of trees under the setting sun in Tallgrass Prairie in Kansas](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [National Parks Conservation Association](https:\/\/www.npca.org\/parks\/tallgrass-prairie-national-preserve)\n#### Places to go in Kansas\n- [Kansas City](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/jwRzAcsrgG7bTQyZ9): Located partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas, America’s most confusing city spans the Missouri River, Kansas River, the state border, and significant [BBQ-based disputes](https:\/\/spoonuniversity.com\/lifestyle\/is-kansas-city-bbq-really-the-best)\\!\n- [Little House on the Prairie Museum](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PhkiTJtC6UEgTV6Q9): A replica of the tiny cabin where Laura Ingalls Wilder & her family lived\n- [Dodge City](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YNVKKDE3pgpUvCkW7): One of America’s most famous cowboy towns boasts a couple of [excellent museums](https:\/\/g.page\/BootHillMuseum?share) and a handful of old school taverns & saloons (plus its fair share of casinos)\n- [Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/tapr\/index.htm): some of the last natural tallgrass prairie acreage left in America\n#### Back Road Routes across Kansas\n- US Route 50 – If you really feel inclined and\/or dedicated to do the entirety of your cross country trip on back roads, US 50 is probably your best option – especially if you’re stopping in Kansas City for some BBQ\\!\n- [US Route 400](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/400.html) – If you would rather have a rural route, US 400 takes you across the southern portion of the state, and connects with Route 50 in Dodge City\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A young girl carrying a dog across hot sand with tall sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Great-Sand-Dunes-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nThough it was still early – only around 10AM – the sand was too hot for precious puppy feet! Shocking to realize that this was in Colorado.\n\n![Tall tan sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Great-Sand-Dune-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nNo, your screen isn’t dirty – those are people, climbing the tallest sand dunes in America, found in … Colorado??\n\n**(EDITOR’S NOTE: The highlight lists from Colorado and beyond will not include the most obvious tourist destinations that people are already aware of)**\n\n### Colorado\nThings are about to get really, really incredible… well, eventually, once you’ve crossed over the 100 miles or so of Eastern Colorado that looks a whole lot like Kansas! Once you hit the mountains, though, the scenery is simply remarkable. [Colorado](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#westernc) is easily in my top five for most jaw-dropping back roads in the country (bear in mind, I’ve not been to Alaska or Hawaii yet). The state is just absolutely loaded with incredible scenery… more than I could ever hope to capture or describe. *S**electing only a handful of places to highlight (or roads to choose from) is going to be challenging from here going forward\\!*\n\n#### Places to go in Colorado\n- [Pike’s Peak](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DKAyskZ7EtfxZ22R9): one of Colorado’s highest peaks also features some of Colorado’s best mountaintop driving… and it’s very close to one of my favorite cities in the state…\n- [Colorado Springs](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7PfrkniY6dxG2vJy5): an awesome mountain city that is surrounded by utterly jaw-dropping natural beauty. It also features several [natural attractions](https:\/\/www.visitcos.com\/things-to-do\/outdoors\/) in or near the city, and an [awesome bohemian shopping district](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/76CjbjVipcB1j16B9).\n- [Great Sand Dunes National Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LgA4kCqeu4xFGnj87): an unusual and lesser known [National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grsa\/index.htm) (I hadn’t heard of it until [Wanderlust Photography](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/) published [their blog](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2020\/07\/07\/travel-journal-7-11-2020-exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park\/) about it) centrally located in the southern tier of the state, Great Sand Dunes offers the unusual combination of desert and mountain scenery. The San Juan Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tallest sand dunes in North America.\n- [Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tqd4fLNoDvq8kDkv8): I hesitated about whether to include Black Canyon on this list. Though the view from the [North Rim](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LWN7pnBV4betpzCv6) was both impressive and uncrowded (we were the only ones there), and the drive to get there on CO-92 was genuinely stunning… the place felt somehow menacing to us. The winds whipped and howled through the canyon, and the steep drop-offs were dizzying to behold. The drive back to the North Rim also featured several unmarked & unfenced drop-offs, and was confusing and poorly marked. It added at least 90 minutes each way to get there. So if you’re going to go see it, I recommend the [South Rim](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/X85QYcK4g3ThM7NW6), which offers similar perspectives and is much closer and more easily accessible.\n- [Million Dollar Highway](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cJbQjmabVy85dFEc9) and [Telluride](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/vM9XDcSHhjhEwed68): I considered including the Million Dollar Highway as a route across the state, but the truth is, it’s one of the few places in [America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/travel-blogs-organized-by-region\/) where the drive actually is the destination. The scenic vistas are simply jaw-dropping – miles and miles of rugged mountain peaks and dense forests stretch in every direction – and the drive itself is thoroughly enjoyable, if perhaps [a bit white-knuckle](https:\/\/youtu.be\/gd5SYDzXKKY) at times… There are also the historic mining towns of [Ouray](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PvnTrF4W2VcLqJyz5) (pronounced “YOUR-ray”), [Silverton](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6BeK5YaWwjPMfbN77), [Durango](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VGD9BRjBzDNvXTkt7), and Telluride, with their adorable downtown shopping districts surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. I could spend weeks exploring here.\n#### Back Road Routes across Colorado\n- [US Route 50](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/06\/29\/america-scenic-byway-road-trip\/) – Cutting a consistently scenic path across the central portion of the state, Route 50 provides convenient access to many of the best destinations in Colorado while also providing a natural boundary of sorts between the Rocky Mountains to the North and San Juan Mountains to the South.\n- [US Route 160](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/U.S._Route_160#Colorado) – As prefaced in Missouri, it’s back on US-160 again for an incredibly scenic way to drive across Colorado, providing easy access to Great Sand Dunes NP, a handful of destinations in the San Juan mountains, the Million Dollar Highway, and [Canyons of the Ancients](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4xm7cybLWcHaFPXM7) National Monument… plus is a great way to head towards Monument Valley.\n### Utah\nAs is the case with Colorado, it’s critical to remember that this trip is the sampler platter, not the full entrée. There is so much natural beauty to witness in Utah that you couldn’t see it all in a week or more. The state’s most familiar features are its red rock desert formations, Canyons and Arches, and of course the [massive salt flats](https:\/\/utah.com\/bonneville-salt-flats). The scenery is ethereal and often otherworldly, and can often spring up at you out of nowhere. Be prepared to stop often, and often stop unexpectedly as you traverse the [Beehive State](https:\/\/www.saltlakemagazine.com\/behind-the-beehive\/).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![two cars drive away on a two lane road stretches towards the distant horizon, lined by tall rock spires in Monument Valley](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-Monument-Valley.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nMonument Valley\n\n![A red dirt road leading to the rocky hills of Zion National Park. Learn how to find red dirt roads off the beaten path.](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/back-road-zion.jpg?fit=723%2C542&ssl=1)\n\nAs beautiful as this view was, what captivated me the most while sitting here and drinking it all in was the complete lack of manmade sound. It was the first time in my life I ever experienced that.\n\n![monument valley rock formations are blurred behind a crisp and defined barbed wire fence](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-Monument-Valley-barbed-wire.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nMonument Valley\n\n![Tall red rock formations in Utah feature white and tan horizontal stripes](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-Zion-rock-formation.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nZion National Park\n\n![varying rock and desert land features create multi-colored layers in the desert near Zion National Park utah](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-desert-layers.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nNear Zion National Park\n#### Places to go in Utah\n- [Monument Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AAzTiAbURjWYNarP6): One of a handful of “bucket list” locations that I finally crossed off my list on this trip is Monument Valley. I feel, to be completely honest, like we need to come back and explore the area more to get a better appreciation for it. The stone pillars were incredibly neat to see, but it felt like it was over fast – I think we might’ve missed some?\n- [Zion National Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/B4U3VpRy8Ht1Gs936): I said I wasn’t going to include obvious tourist destinations, and here I am, a mere two states later including obvious tourist destinations. But Zion is without question in my top five favorite National Parks in the country. It will completely blow your mind the first time you drive through it. If I had a nickel for every time my wife breathlessly exclaimed “Whoooaaaa…” as we weaved our way across the park, I could pay for someone to write this post for me\\!\n- [Glen Canyon National Rec Area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9wct9dxLTQWeVf4P6): An absolutely massive park that stretches south across the border into Arizona, Glen Canyon has over a million acres of stunning desert landscapes and water features to explore. The twisting shores of Lake Powell carve jaw-dropping curves into the brilliant orange rocks, and the iconic [Rainbow Bridge](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4cg7oJepJoCWWEYy7) is nearby as well.\n- [Grand Staircase-Escalante](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MwnDziwRXwgZ23pk7): Immediately adjacent to, and nearly double the size of Glen Canyon, Grand Staircase is yet another collection of diverse and awe-inspiring arid landscapes. With arches, pillars, dunes, slot canyons, and a number of other features to discover, you could easily spend a week hiking across the depths of this enormous National Monument.\n- [Little Sahara Rec Area](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SvBqfXkSxhZAHymA8): In a state that is world-famous for its [off-roading opportunities](https:\/\/www.discovermoab.com\/), the Little Sahara rec area is a hidden gem of sorts for thrashing your UTV or SXS. Hiking and fat biking trails are also available, as are places to camp.\n- [Lower Calf Creek Falls](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Zn7gFEDM2EGfPHhy7) (and [trailhead](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/8gR4hTpXe5Hqp4W99)): Not to overuse a cliche or anything, but the Falls are just absurdly stunning, and the moderate hike to get there ain’t shabby either\\!\n- [Kanab](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kGfB2iRMTwEfz8er7): One of several renowned outdoor adventurist towns in Utah, Kanab is a great place for launching a plethora of desert-based activities. It’s also home to the [BLM visitors center](https:\/\/g.page\/blm-kanab-visitor-center?share) where you can attempt to get walk-in permits for [The Wave](https:\/\/www.thewave.info\/) in Arizona. The town itself is really cool, with a handful of unique shops, restaurants, marketplaces, and museums.\n\n[![Utah State Route 12 east sign dominates a disorganized cluster of road signs and billboards at the western end of the route](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nUtah State Route 12, western terminus\n#### Back Road Routes across Utah\n- [US Route 89](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/89.html) – Utah’s intensely rugged and deeply carved geography make it particularly challenging to traverse east to west using strictly back roads. US-89 weaves an unusual course into the state from Arizona, then heads east-west for a stretch near Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase, before turning north again.\n- US Route 6 – The aforementioned storied east to west transcontinental route winds its way across Utah, intermingling with several other well-known US Routes along the way.\n- US Routes 40 & 50 – I mention both in the same breath here because they run similar courses not far from each other across the state… though both will try to run you along the interstate for a stretch if you’re not careful\\!\n- [Utah Route 12](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#westerntu) – It’s not included in the list of [The Best Back Roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/) for no reason! Though short, Utah’s State Route 12 carves a panoramic path across some of the most rugged, mind-bending rock formations and desert geography that I’ve ever witnessed.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Nevada\nIt was hard to skip over one of my favorite states in the country – Arizona – but again, *for the sake of miles on a trip of this size, you have to make cuts somewhere*. Nevada is one of the most imposingly beautiful states you’ll ever visit. It’s also contains some of the most desolate places you’ll ever visit – certainly some of the most remote places in the lower 48. The landscape is often severely harsh and inhospitable, and will provide you with the longest “human-free” stretches of driving on your journey …. so make sure you have plenty of gas, and fill up whenever you have the opportunity! But fear not, because those same imposing and inhospitable landscapes will also provide you with countless uninterrupted natural panoramas, stretching as far as the eye can see without a single man-made structure in sight. It truly is a wonder to behold, and if you’re open to it, it might just change your [perspective on humanity](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/10\/29\/where-the-pavement-ends-camping-california\/).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![Crisp fluffy white clouds and a brilliant blue sky top the towering snow capped peak of Wheeler Mountain in Great Basin National Park Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-Great-Basin-National-Park.jpg?fit=723%2C454&ssl=1)\n\nGreat Basin National Park\n\n![A side by side dune buggy races up a monster sand dune in Nevada along the Loneliest Road](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-sand-dune-racing.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\nSand dune races near Loneliest Road\n#### Places to go in Nevada\n- [Valley of Fire State Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UnRkcjNvQB91EphB9): Intense reds and oranges will fill your vision as you make your way into and around Valley of Fire. The sandstone formations jut out of the ground in unusual angles all around you, and there is plenty of petrified wood to discover. With an incredible [Off-Road Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/nicGu1ZdZKb8Q2RL8) feeding into the northern edge of the state park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here.\n- [Nelson Ghost Town](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/aSQ1Pz3LzqPRkNjM9) and [Nelson’s Landing](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/rNNo52A69STyJS6r7): I found these gems by sheer happenstance while looking for outdoor activities for our [adventure in Las Vegas](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2017\/08\/04\/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert\/) a few years ago, and we absolutely fell in love. The ghost town is super cool, populated by ancient-looking wooden structures, and the landscape is littered with old cars. There is an old abandoned mine, and even an airplane… and let’s not forget about cliff jumping into the Colorado River at Nelson’s Landing! An all-around amazing day trip\\!\n- [Goldfield](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uQ6DQqpySXcLqdd68): Speaking of old mining towns, Goldfield is another great historical destination in the desert. For such a small town, it has a surprising amount of things worth seeing – historic saloons, museums, shops, and even a [car forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/BFqTsnjks6jjA5388)! Being fairly isolated in the sparsely populated center of the state, and surrounded by stark natural beauty, the area around Goldfield is also prime real estate for [stargazing](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/28\/milky-way-night-sky-photography\/).\n- [The Loneliest Road in America](https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/travel\/destinations\/north-america\/united-states\/nevada\/pictures-loneliest-road-america-route-50\/): In addition to being one of the most direct ways to drive east-west across the state, US Route 50 in Nevada also sports the rather depressing moniker of being the loneliest road in the country. It’s true in a lot of ways: there isn’t much life in any direction at any point on Route 50, human or otherwise. Once you leave Ely, none of the few small towns you’ll come across in the next 250+ miles heading west have more than 500 residents. But, as I’ve already mentioned above, there’s incredible beauty in all of that loneliness.\n- [Great Basin National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grba\/index.htm): One of the smaller, more remote – and maybe most underappreciated and unknown – National Parks in the lower 48, Great Basin sports some absolutely stunning mountain peaks and desert valleys. Sitting at the eastern end of the Loneliest Road in America, Great Basin offers plenty of hiking trails, scenic drives, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Make sure to swing southeast from there to pick up Utah Route 12 across Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capitol Reef\\!\n- [Black Rock Desert](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/masQpsqsu2NuxwnEA): In addition to being the home of [Burning Man](https:\/\/burningman.org\/) every August, the BRD is also a place to find incredible natural scenery. Loaded with abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping, this area is known as being one of the darkest – and best – stargazing spots in the whole country.\n- [Paradise Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/c4VezUdyaGXhkjWf6): Located smack in the middle of [Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ExTv6YoSroPrdqxe6) – a bit of a misnomer, as we didn’t see any trees until we drove up over [the mountain pass](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PyhPUoc9Uuac113i7) – Paradise Valley is indeed an arid wonderland. In addition to being a good spot for hunting out abandoned buildings, the desert valley is partially ringed to the North & West by a string of jagged mountain peaks. The rugged terrain is perfect for [dispersed camping](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/02\/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp\/) opportunities, though the isolated nature of the area forces me to only suggest this for experienced campers.\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A US Route 6 road sign dominates the foreground, as a two lane back road stretches off towards distant cloud covered mountains in Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Nevada-US-Route-6.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![Back Road US route 6 stretches towards distant desert mountains in Nevada](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/DSC_0325.jpg?fit=723%2C450&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes across Nevada\n- US Route 50 – as mentioned above, Route 50 offers one of the simplest ways of driving east to west across this arid state. I would be remiss if I did not repeat my advice: MAKE SURE you always have gas in your vehicle. There are countless places where you are going to be 30-50 miles or more from the nearest gas station, and it’s entirely plausible you could wait several hours before seeing another human.\n- US Route 6 – coming into the state joined with Route 50 from Utah, the two routes diverge in Ely, with 50 heading on a more northerly course towards Lake Tahoe, and Route 6 cutting south towards Tonopah and Mono County CA. Nearly as lonely as Route 50, Route 6 is another place to not mess around with being safe – an overabundance of caution with regards to maintaining your vehicle and fuel is crucial.\n- [US Route 95](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/) – As with Route 19 in West Virginia, Route 95 deserves mention in spite of being a north-south route. As one of my favorite back roads in the country, 95 is chock full of natural scenery, and it connects you with several of the best destinations in the state.\n\n[![A winding back road in Yosemite leads the eye to the towering grey granite Half Dome mountain formation in the background](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C408&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nOne of the most epic views – Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park (Half Dome in the distance) – in our nation’s most epic state\n### California\nCalifornia is easily the most intimidating state on this entire list to try to tackle. As the third largest state in the country, superlatives are abundant in my favorite state for back road driving. I described California to my wife as having similar natural features as other states in the country – forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, etc – but on grander, exaggerated scale. The state’s terrain takes on mythical proportions: the mountains are more dramatic, the deserts more dry, the coastline totally defies description, and the trees tower above you in startling size. California has been lionized in American mythology, and with good reason. I’m not even going to attempt to scratch the surface of everything there is to see and do – not to mention the countless amazing back roads to explore. I’m only going to address a handful of things we saw and did on our cross country adventure, and leave the rest for you to fill in the blanks\\!\n\n#### Places to go in Northern California\n- [Mono Lake & Tufa Reserve](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/LYRnE3N1PfAAVv4N9): Looking like an eyeball on the map, Mono Lake appears to stare back at you as you ogle open-mouthed at its mountain-lined shores. In addition to its striking panoramas, Mono Lake also features a number of otherworldly [Tufa Towers](http:\/\/www.monolake.org\/about\/geotufa) along its shorelines.\n- [Mountain Gate Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/39FzgNS3gnwq33Zj8): Small and seemingly uninteresting on its face, this “park” – in reality, more of a rest area than a park – is a fantastic place for the hot and road-weary traveler to stop and refresh themselves in the frigid rush of the West Walker River. Surrounded by steep and arid canyon walls, the melt-water river is shallow, clear, and crisp, its bottom lined with countless smooth stones for walking across. Whether you sit on the shoreline and dunk your feet, or go whole hog and cross into its “depths,” it’s a relaxing place to rest up before continuing on your journey.\n- [Monitor Pass](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/c5Vb3LVmHGpN8uqn6): This white-knuckle mountain pass winds its way east across the Sierra Nevada chain, providing countless dynamic panoramic vistas … for the passengers! Drivers beware: This road, while gorgeous, is dangerously distracting. Keep your eyes on the road, and use the numerous pull-offs to do your viewing. The [Lake Alpine](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PamVK5jVGWjsjoHH9) area in particular is gorgeous, and loaded with outdoor activities to explore\\!\n- [Calaveras Big Trees State Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VF8EzbQ7XLNrbzDGA): [Calaveras Big Trees](http:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=551) is just one of many, many places in California where you can walk among towering sequoia and redwood trees. We appreciated the approachability and relaxed nature of the park, and found plenty of things to see and explore while we were there. The campgrounds were affordable, clean, spacious, and provided easy access to numerous scenic hikes, and the sky was dark enough at night to make [viewing the Milky Way](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CJcKVteh9Ed\/) easy.\n- [Yosemite National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yose\/index.htm): I know, I’m breaking my own rule about obvious tourist destinations, but come on! How can I not include one of the [most dramatic scenic drives](https:\/\/youtu.be\/YDpjxagr6s4) in America and one of the [most dramatic back road vista points](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CI1rr5fBL9s\/) in America, all within a park that is laden with a plethora of both? I could spend at least a week there, finding new angles to capture the natural beauty of the landscapes, and I would strongly recommend you do the same. If nothing else, make sure to do the drive through [Yosemite Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Zc3gDsL6yR8Ez9Vd9), and the drive up to [Glacier Point](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/dCwABC8K3nPSo74a8). Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, it’ll take you about an hour to drive from one to the other\\!\n- [Napa Valley](https:\/\/www.visitnapavalley.com\/): More specifically, I suggest you drive [the loop around Napa Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GAzapN9jVtWYZoGw6). Though a very short drive, you could easily spend a couple days meandering your way from [winery](https:\/\/www.visitnapavalley.com\/wineries\/) to [winery](https:\/\/www.napavalley.com\/wineries\/) – the route is lined with several dozen *excellent* ones – and it’s ringed on all sides by absolutely stunning natural splendor. The diversity of the scenery alone – the flat valley floor, surrounded by rugged green and sand mountain peaks, rows and rows of grape arbors capped at each end with gnarled prickly pear cacti, all lined by lush evergreen and palm forests – makes this drive worthwhile… And of course, it’s easily America’s most celebrated wine region. Again, I’m breaking my own rule a bit by including a fairly touristy destination, but the beauty of the drive – and the back road nature of the route (and the small towns and villages along the way) make it more than worthy of inclusion on this list. Oh, and just over the western ridge is [Sonoma County](https:\/\/sonomawine.com\/), *ANOTHER* excellent wine region\\!\n- [Russian River Valley](https:\/\/russianrivervalley.org\/): Most widely known as an excellent [wine](https:\/\/russianrivervalley.org\/vineyards) and [beer](https:\/\/www.russianrivergetaways.com\/things-to-do\/wine-beer-food\/sonoma-county-beer-savoring) region, driving through the Russian River Valley makes me absolutely swoon. The scenery, driving west from US-101 along River Road, is absurdly diverse and dynamic in a relatively short stretch of miles…. and it will leave you gawking nearly the entire way. I’m building a full-length post specifically devoted to this drive, but I’ll say this – it’s the only place in the half-million or so miles I’ve driven where you can experience palm trees, vineyards, dense redwood forests, a deep winding river, rolling hills and mountains, adorable bohemian villages, AND a gorgeous ocean coastline … all contained within a [less-than-30-mile drive](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ij3vik5dWdxGYF6XA).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![back road route bridge stretches across New Melones Lake in the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada mountains](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-New-Melones-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C290&ssl=1)\n\nCA route 49 near Angels Camp CA\n\n![A curving back road arches towards a panoramic view of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-route-89-Monitor-Pass-eastern-Sierra-Nevada.jpg?fit=723%2C262&ssl=1)\n\nCA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada\n\n![A back road route stretches straight across the flat desert valley floor towards the towering eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/California-back-road-Route-120-Mono-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C480&ssl=1)\n\nMono Lake CA\n\n![The Pacific Coast Highway weaves a twisting course across the coastal hills lining California\\&\\#039;s pacific coastline](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Russian-Gulch-beach.jpg?fit=723%2C328&ssl=1)\n\n![The Pacific Coast Highway bends around the top left corner of a scene otherwise dominated by the towering cliffs of the California coastline](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Pacific-Coast-Highway.jpg?fit=723%2C481&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes Across California\n- [CA State Route 4](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/California_State_Route_4) – Twisting and winding its way across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA-4 starts near the state’s eastern border at [Topaz Lake](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6), and terminates near the western coast at [San Pablo Bay](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/TbxFN94hEEX24vd7A). In the interim, you’ll cross mountain passes, desert floor, dense forest, the scorched expanse of the Central Valley, and the dense congestion of East Bay.\n- [CA State Route 120](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/California_State_Route_120) – Though CA-120 barely makes it halfway across the state, terminating at I-5 in the middle of the Central Valley, it more than makes up for its short distance with its stunning scenery. Starting near the bone-dry border with Nevada, 120 will quickly leave you gasping as you make your way past Mono Lake and into the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras. Before long, the alpine beauty of [Tuolumne Meadows](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1y4TgCjTVY4oP4w17) is whizzing past, and you’ve found yourself crossing the heart of Yosemite National Park. Wind your way down the foothills of the Western Sierras, across Don Pedro Reservoir, and into the spartan beauty of the Valley.\n- [CA State Route 89](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/California_State_Route_89) – Yeesh! Another north-south route, AND another state route! I’ll be honest – the US Routes aren’t great options for east-west crossings of California. They are often multi-lane highways that cut quickly across the less-scenic areas of the state, and don’t make for enjoyable driving. I digress. CA-89 is a mountain lovers paradise! Towering mountains line nearly all of this route as it winds north from [Topaz Lake](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6) along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range. The road is just loaded with some of the most [stunning mountain vistas](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CHnkrhhhWMo\/) I’ve ever seen in my life. You’ll pass through a handful of kitschy mountain towns, along the eastern edge of [Lake Tahoe](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j9pjCwaULeZZvA8s6), [Donner Pass](http:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=503), across [Plumas National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/a9CpYKLVs8TTTg2Z9), and into the [Cascade Mountains](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cascade_Range). Don’t forget to stop at Lassen Volcanic [National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/lavo\/index.htm) and [National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tdN7weyKqHFmxtA36). The route terminates at the base of [Mount Shasta](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/r9MpFuF8nTq6zVRq5).\n- [US Route 395](https:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/articles\/california-hwy-395-road-trip) – Like US Route 95 in Nevada, [US 395](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/395north\/) deserves mention here because it connects so many of the beautiful places in California. It threads its way up the eastern edge of the state and the [Sierra Nevada range](https:\/\/californiahighsierra.com\/), connecting one scenic spot after another like a spine holding the body together. In addition to connecting so many beautiful spots, 395 itself is a rather fantastic drive even without stopping. Start out at the bottom, just north of the [Angeles](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/angeles) and [San Bernardino](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/sbnf\/) National Forests, and roll nearly straight north through the arid valley that makes up [one of my favorite back roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#395) in the country.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n## Driving East: the Northern Cross Country Route\nHeading home, I was finally able to hit up several northern states I’d never explored before. My primary goals for the return drive were to explore Idaho, experience Yellowstone, and drive [Beartooth Pass](http:\/\/beartoothhighway.com\/) – all of which I was able to do! **NOTE:** Though we drove across the northwestern corner of Nevada and had our first campsite in Paradise Valley, there’s no point in duplicating the state in the list. Instead, I’m going to start the list in Oregon, a state which rivals California in many ways, and would also make a great starting point for a east-bound cross country road trip\\!\n\n### Oregon\nOfficially the start of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon rivals its southern neighbor in biodiversity and geographic landscapes. Though not as large, and often not as sunny and warm as California, Oregon is still an absolutely beautiful, enchanting and unique state to visit: dense, lush forests grow right up to the very edge of the jagged Pacific Coastline, and the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountains separates the coast from a surprisingly vast and arid desert in the southeastern corner of the state. National Forests abound, and there’s even a pretty excellent wine region\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![The surreal blue water of Crater Lake pops out against the greens of the forest and greys of the surrounding cliffs](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-Crater-Lake.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1)\n\n![The dark smoke of a distant wildfire obscures the snow-covered peak of Mount Bachelor near Bend Oregon](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-Mount-Bachelor.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1)\n\n![Vibrant hues of red and orange of the painted hills in Oregon\\&\\#039;s eastern bad lands territory pop out in the foreground, sandwiched between red evergreen trees and distant sandstone peaks](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-painted-hills-badlands.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1)\n#### Places to go in Oregon\n- [Three Sisters](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/CwswesCNHRn28eq18): Three 10,000+ foot [volcanic peaks](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Three_Sisters_\$Oregon\$) (plus the nearby [Broken Top peak](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oA7ds8moCHc6PHP8A)), laden with glacial ice and alpine lakes, all located within less than five miles of each other? What more could an outdoor adventure explorer ask for?\n- [Oregon Redwoods Trail](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ij3YHYiLqZbkBxE69): Located less than a mile from the California border and less than five miles from the coast, this hiking area makes for a beautiful place to walk amongst the towering coastal redwood trees.\n- [The Rugged Volcanic Peaks of the Cascade Range](https:\/\/www.peakbagger.com\/list.aspx?lid=21317): Running from south to north, and loaded with year-round outdoor activity options, this list includes some of the most prominent and well-known peaks in the west: [Mount McLoughlin](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Tv8w1Sm8YkZu8fTZ6), [Mount Scott](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/V3Jh56SVwwcS7dzK7) & [Crater Lake](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/q6s2n3gMZ5oNq5Ew7), [Mount Thielsen](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/j3QAUvppxx7NUTcn8), [Mount Bachelor](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JuxzakfPDymQg7RH9), The Three Sisters, [Mount Washington](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yc82JRphQRQ33H7V7), [Mount Jefferson](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1tZNTjnPxjMoc5aU7), and [Mount Hood](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4vNdWCai7XUMT1T87).\n- [Smith Rock State Park](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PFq96xD1yEE6bVJ57): What this park lacks in overall size, it more than makes up for with its stunning natural beauty. Though primarily known as a [rock climbing destination](https:\/\/stateparks.oregon.gov\/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=36), the park also has abundant hiking trails and primitive campsites.\n- An abundance of [State Forests](https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/odf\/working\/pages\/stateforests.aspx) and [National Forests](https:\/\/www.fs.fed.us\/sopa\/state-level.php?or)\n- [Willamette Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fETXD4RvdFcoYYBw6): a world-class wine region, on par with the more widely known Napa and Sonoma valleys, lining the [Willamette River](https:\/\/www.willamettewines.com\/) and primarily centered in the region between [Portland](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hZXRzsushZns2QLn7) and [Salem](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9qvwh1Pi1XR6B8mM9).\n\n[![The gritty hot pavement of a two lane back road twists across the parched hills of eastern Oregon desert](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C409&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Oregon-back-road.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n#### Back Road Routes Across Oregon\n- [US Route 20](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/20.html) – Starting at the Pacific Coast at Route 101 in [Newport](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7wDtxXrt3zHbV3DP9), Route 20 winds its way east through the heavily wooded hills of the Oregon Coast Range and the southern end of the Willamette Valley. After passing through [the city of Bend](https:\/\/www.visitbend.com\/), Route 20 crosses the surprisingly desolate and remarkably flat expanse of eastern Oregon before joining US Route 26 near the Idaho border.\n- [US Route 26](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/26.html) – Like Route 20, US Route 26 starts near the Pacific Coast at Route 101. After a brief pass through the dense coastal woods, Route 26 cuts across the heart of [Portland](https:\/\/www.visitportland.com\/) before heading east. From Portland, the route passes in the shadow of [Mt Hood](https:\/\/www.mthoodterritory.com\/) and cuts nearly straight south past two [remarkable](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) state [parks](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/t4ME7Wo2gsoCkETA6), then across a rolling scenic valley between [Ochoco National Forest](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/activity\/ochoco) and [John Day Fossil Bed](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) before uniting with US 20. Because the two routes run in parallel and join together at the eastern edge of the state, if you are making your way across Oregon, US 26 is clearly the better choice for an enjoyable drive.\n- [OR State Route 140](https:\/\/www.milebymile.com\/main\/highway-1224.html) – Though the route does not cut the entire way across the state, it does cut a very scenic path across the southern edge of Oregon. Running east from [Medford](https:\/\/www.travelmedford.org\/) to roughly halfway between US Route 395 and 95 in the desolate southeastern corner of the state, the route’s scenery ranges from the [Cascade Mountains](https:\/\/www.oregonencyclopedia.org\/articles\/cascade_mountain_range\/), the waterways and woodlands of the [Klamath Falls area](https:\/\/traveloregon.com\/places-to-go\/cities\/klamath-falls\/), and into the desolate desert east of [Goose Lake](https:\/\/stateparks.oregon.gov\/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=1).\n- US Route 395 – Though not quite as beautiful as its counterpart in California, US 395 in Oregon similarly cuts through the arid, desolate beauty in central Oregon. Winding a north-south course across the entire state, the route passes near or through several National Forests along the way.\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A man standing near a black Ford F150 stares out over an enormous desert valley in central Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-panorama.jpg?fit=723%2C361&ssl=1)\n\nA traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID\n\n![A man walks through the middle of an enormous desert valley in Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-valley.jpg?fit=723%2C357&ssl=1)\n### Idaho\nIdaho is definitely the next-most intimidating state to write about on this list, after California. That might seem a bit ostentatious for a state most widely known as the home of the lowly potato. Merely brushing Idaho off as a bunch of boring farmland, however, would be to miss one of the most jaw-dropping states in America. I had never really given Idaho much thought as a state worth visiting, and I almost wonder if that’s how they want it to be. There’s really not much of a tourism vibe in the state, and I wonder if they want to keep their natural splendor a guarded secret. I quite unexpectedly tripped over the allure of Idaho while working on a [road trip plan](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) for someone back in 2019, and the more I looked into it, the stronger my desire to explore the state became. Even with a ton of build-up and seriously high expectations, the rugged mountains of Idaho did not disappoint! Like California, picking which pictures to share – especially from the back road drone shots – was incredibly challenging.\n\n[![A colorful sunset warms up streaks of fluffy clouds over distant mountains in Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-sunset.jpg?resize=534%2C382&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-sunset.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n#### Places to go in Idaho\n- [Sun Valley](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/2FwwsmWyTPqUW29v5): Technically considered a town, Sun Valley is more of a place or a geographic area… but who really cares what it is, aside from the fact that it’s jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful! Near the top of the list of my favorite things we saw in Idaho.\n- [Coeur d’Alene](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/S2VgLsyWMvwEEnZ47): Apparently some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho are known by the names of the town that’s nearby? Either way, if you’re venturing this far up north, this mountains and lakes area can’t be missed\\!\n- [Snake River](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uicQw6omHRQZ19MU7): OK so given that the Snake River runs roughly 1\/3 of the length of the western border of the state AND THEN meanders its way across the state over to Wyoming, it’s hard to pick a single place to link to here. We cut across the river several times during our drive across the state, and it always provided us with gorgeous sightlines and panoramic views… and if you’re a fisherman, this one is gold\\!\n- [Payette River](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QnzqyNEAWN7v8caR8): Since my Places for Idaho weren’t weird enough already, let’s toss another river into the mix! Consisting of a North & South Fork that merge at ID-55 just north of [Banks](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/iaY3JA6PUuB7tcRj8), the Payette River runs through some of the most beautiful, rugged parts of the state, making long stretches of its raging waters ideal for white-water rafting\\!\n- [Sawtooth Mountains and National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Ncj2DEUdt249Zqss8): – OK, so I know that geographically this encompasses a pretty huge area, but between Sawtooth & the neighboring [Salmon Challis NF](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MSPKxttH6bMXDuRo6), you could spend a full year exploring its beautiful mountains and dense evergreen forests without seeing everything the area has to offer.\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A two lane back road by a raging river divides two drastically different landscapes - smooth rolling sage-covered hills on the left, and jagged granite cliffs on the right](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Idaho-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C299&ssl=1)\n\nSteep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID\n\n![A narrow dirt road runs along the side of one of several mountains creating the boundary around Sun Valley Idaho](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Sun-Valley-Idaho.jpg?fit=723%2C340&ssl=1)\n\nA back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID\n#### Back Road Routes Across Idaho\n- [US Route 12](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/us12.cfm) – As an oddly shaped state that’s much “taller” than it is “wide,” finding East-West back road routes across the state is surprisingly difficult. That said, US 12 is an amazing option to consider, cutting an incredibly scenic path across the rugged northern third of the state. Lewiston is the “biggest” city along the sparsely populated route, which eventually cuts through [Nez Perce National Forest](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/dZvP3f6D1MzX4Khx6) along the [Lochsa River Valley](https:\/\/www.americanwhitewater.org\/content\/River\/view\/river-detail\/570\/main), adjacent to countless natural hot springs.\n- [ID State Routes 17, 21 and 75](https:\/\/visitidaho.org\/things-to-do\/road-trips\/ponderosa-pine-scenic-byway\/) – This is a bit of a tough one to weave together, since it doesn’t follow any of the routes completely, and it’s not the full [Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/Internet\/FSE_DOCUMENTS\/stelprd3803819.pdf) either. This route, however, starting from where the two forks of the Payette merge and running east to west along the Southern Fork for most of the way, cuts through some of the most stunning canyon and mountain driving I’ve ever done. The route is lined with abundant opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, natural hot springs, [dispersed camping](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/) and much more… and offers you options to drop into additional outdoor activity havens like Sun Valley.\n- [US Route 20](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/longest.cfm) (and 26) – Eventually merging with US Route 26, US Route 20 cuts a long, often flat, often straight line across the southern tier of the state. Running from I-84 south of Boise all the way up to the Wyoming border and into [Yellowstone](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/index.htm), US 20 is actually quite reminiscent of driving across [Nevada](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#95): vast open valleys (with stick-straight driving) surrounded by gorgeous jagged mountain peaks along the way. You’ll also pass right by [Craters of the Moon National Monument](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/crmo\/index.htm).\n- [ID State Route 55](https:\/\/itdprojects.org\/projects\/id55smithsferry\/) and US Route 95 – Running North and South from Boise to the Canadian border, this route will wind you through some of the most stunning open landscapes in the state. Much of the route runs parallel to the Northern Fork of the Payette River, from the outlets on the southern edges of [Payette Lake](https:\/\/parksandrecreation.idaho.gov\/parks\/ponderosa\/) and [Lake Cascade](https:\/\/parksandrecreation.idaho.gov\/parks\/lake-cascade\/) all the way down to Boise. Continue further north across a [handful of National Forests](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/main\/ipnf\/maps-pubs), Coeur D’Alene, and the fabulous [Lake Pend](https:\/\/visitnorthidaho.com\/activity\/lake-pend-oreille\/) before hitting the Canadian border.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![Snow capped granite mountain peaks tower over TA Moulton old barn in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nIs there a more iconic Wyoming view?\n### Wyoming\nDear Western United States: Please stop having so many absolutely gorgeous states. Sincerely, no one ever. Honestly, though, it’s a real coin-flip, choosing whether to head from Idaho into Montana or Wyoming. Both states have long stretches of absolutely gorgeous mountain driving, and both also have long stretches of teeth-grindingly boring open plains to cross. What sealed the deal for us was the opportunity to finally check [Grand Teton](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grte\/index.htm) and [Yellowstone](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/index.htm) National Parks off the list, so we headed a little south into Wyoming and had our minds blown by all of the gorgeous rugged scenery the state has to offer. The fact that we could shoot briefly up into Montana on [Beartooth Pass](https:\/\/youtu.be\/-TKLM0uxiiY) definitely helped! Although back road options are somewhat limited in this vast state, I’ve definitely enjoyed every time I’ve driven across it\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![An expansive landscape rolls out away from the viewer, displaying a small resort community surrounded by mountain peaks under a fluffy cloud lined blue sky](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-landscape.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![The towering granite peaks of Grand Teton mountain range soar towards an ice blue sky over Jackson Lake](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-mountain-lake.jpg?fit=723%2C446&ssl=1)\n\nThe stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP\n#### Places to go in Wyoming\n- [Yellowstone and Grand Teton](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2017\/12\/12\/national-parks-yellowstone-and-grand-teton\/): OK look, I know that I said that I wasn’t going to hit the most widely known tourist destinations in each state, but honestly, how can I write about Wyoming and not include [Yellowstone](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/planyourvisit\/index.htm) and [Grand Teton](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/grte\/planyourvisit\/index.htm)? Aside from taking up like 15% of the state’s total area, the [mountains](https:\/\/youtu.be\/J594k-Nkdwc) and hot springs in both parks just simply define the state. Just don’t get caught in the traffic on US-191 (like we did) travelling from one park to the other.\n- [Medicine Bow National Forest](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/attmain\/mbr\/specialplaces): Absolutely stunning mountains surround deep blue alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests at this northern edge of the Rocky Mountain chain. Often snowed-in well into the late spring and beginning again in early fall, the area can be difficult to access at times, and has a surprising lack of ski resorts. That said, the gorgeous mountain vistas along many of the hiking trails are worth the extra effort.\n- [Beartooth Highway](http:\/\/beartoothhighway.com\/): Though it does briefly cross over into Montana at the northern edge of Yellowstone, the vast majority of Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass traverses the northern edge of Wyoming. Crossing a vast brigade of mountain peaks and National Forests, this twisting road will take you on some of the most stunning cliff’s edge driving this side of the Million Dollar Highway! Though it’s primarily about the drive – and the panoramic vista points at the pull-offs – there are a handful of drop-dead gorgeous [dispersed campsites](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/) to be had… [if you can find them](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/02\/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp\/)\\!\n- [Palisades Reservoir](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/ctnf\/recarea\/?recid=54449): Surrounded by mountains and straddling the border between Wyoming and Idaho, this stunning man-made reservoir is situated just ten miles south of Jackson on the Snake River… and if that sweet alliteration doesn’t convince you to go check it out, maybe [my drone video](https:\/\/youtu.be\/UZFYEUpcA0A) from there will\\!\n- [Big Horn National Forest](https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/attmain\/bighorn\/specialplaces): An absolutely sprawling park, filled with more mountain peaks, alpine lakes, densely wooded trails, and a boatload of other outdoor activities. If you’re making your way across from Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills, this is a great place to break up the drive and spend a day.\n- [Curt Gowdy State Park](https:\/\/wyoparks.wyo.gov\/index.php\/activities-amenities-curt-gowdy): Both little-known and little in size, what this park lacks in stature, it makes up for in scenery and activities. With spectacular rock formations, fantastic hikes, boating & fishing, horseback riding, an archery range, a waterfall, and a lot more, this park has something for everyone\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![Drone shot of a back road in Wyoming near Buffalo Bill state park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-back-road-drone.jpg?fit=723%2C291&ssl=1)\n\n![Back road view of a lake and mountains in Wyoming](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Wyoming-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C329&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes Across Wyoming\n- [US Route 14](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/14.html) – Starting in Chicago and terminating in Yellowstone, this historic route weaves a drunken path meandering from one side of the state to the other. Running parallel (and now concurrent) with I-90 for a stretch from the South Dakota border, it heaves north of the interstate twice (including around Big Horn) before levelling out on its way into [Cody](https:\/\/www.codyyellowstone.org\/see-do\/) and towards the eastern gate of Yellowstone.\n- [US Route 26](https:\/\/www.aaroads.com\/west\/us-026_wy.html) – Roughly following the original path of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River across the desolate central plains of the state, US-26 comes into the state in the southeastern corner near Fort Laramie, then slowly meanders its way northwest toward Grand Teton and the Idaho border.\n\n[![A pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles enter Doane Robinson Tunnel, with the faces on Mount Rushmore clearly visible under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?resize=663%2C416&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n### South Dakota\nComing from the west, central South Dakota is where the Great Plains really begin in earnest. Once you’ve made your way across the twisting maze of granite and pine that make up the Black Hills, the landscape flattens out rapidly. The Missouri River cuts a massive gash down the middle of the state, looking almost like a piece of paper that’s been ripped in two. Interestingly (at least to me), the Black Hills is the first – and only – place I’ve witnessed a mountain lion in the wild. On the plus side, hey, at least it’s not North Dakota. I kid, I kid\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![The painted sandy hills of the South Dakota badlands glow in the setting sun at golden hour](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Badlands-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![Wall drug signs are lit up under the falling darkness at dusk](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Wall-Drug-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n#### Places to go in South Dakota\n- [Custer State Park](https:\/\/gfp.sd.gov\/parks\/detail\/custer-state-park\/): Full of towering otherworldly granite formations and gnarly winding roads, this large park is a great place for outdoor activities, bikers, and sports car enthusiasts\\!\n- [International Vinegar Museum](https:\/\/www.internationalvinegarmuseum.com\/visit.html): OK, so this is one of those little oddball places that I love to discover. Admittedly, I’ve not been there, and it looks relatively small, but if you happen to be in this relatively distant and obscure corner of South Dakota, it’ll certainly break up the monotony\\!\n- [Badlands National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/badl\/index.htm): Yes, I know, another tourist destination. But the jagged ridgelines and brilliant orange and red colors of the geological formations here seem starkly out of place in an otherwise green, pastoral state. Loaded with wonderful hiking trails and insane scenic overlooks, the Badlands definitely feels like they were plucked out of Utah and dropped into South Dakota by some “[Wizard of Oz](https:\/\/youtu.be\/awL4PJRrp9Q?t=131)” like tornado.\n- [Ingalls Homestead](https:\/\/discoverlaura.org\/visit): There are several different [Laura Ingalls Wilder related locations](https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/laura+ingalls+wilder+sites\/@44.2797775,-96.0893894,7.29z\/data=!4m2!2m1!6e1) spread throughout the Midwest, but quite a few of them are located in and around [De Smet, SD](https:\/\/www.ingallshomestead.com\/de-smet-info).\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A dirt road bounces along the dusty rolling hills in badlands territory of South Dakota](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/South-Dakota-back-road-2.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1)\n\n![A two lane back road stretches out towards the jagged hills of South Dakota\\&\\#039;s badlands national park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/South-Dakota-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C338&ssl=1)\n\n![A single lane dirt road sweeps past a small sandstone feature in the badlands region of South Dakota](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/South-Dakota-dirt-road-badlands.jpg?fit=723%2C407&ssl=1)\n#### Back Road Routes Across South Dakota\n- US Routes 14 – Though the last 40-50 miles of the western portion of the route merges with I-90 near the town of Wall (home of the kitschy [Wall Drug](https:\/\/www.walldrug.com\/)), it winds its way east to west across the majority of the state. In addition to Wall, US-14 also passes through the capital city of [Pierre](https:\/\/pierre.org\/visit-pierre-south-dakota\/) and the aforementioned De Smet.\n- [State Route 44](https:\/\/605magazine.com\/2018\/04\/30\/605-road-trip-highway-44\/) – Running nearly the full east to west length of the state and cutting across the Badlands and Black Hills, Route 44 is a great option for avoiding the highway on a cross country road trip\\!\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![Golden hour at Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2018\/03\/03\/minnesota-beauty-split-rock-lighthouse-and-gooseberry-falls\/)\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Minnesota\nYou’ve now solidly entered the heart of the Great Plains, kids… the rugged aura of the wild west is a long distant memory in the rear view mirror. While the pastoral miles of America’s breadbasket have a peaceful beauty to them, I recommend downloading a few interesting podcasts for each day’s drive to keep your mind active as the road stretches endlessly towards the horizon in front of you. The [Land of 10,000 Lakes](https:\/\/www.exploreminnesota.com\/list\/5-ways-to-enjoy-minnesotas-10000-lakes) (nearly 12,000, actually) is a [nature lover’s paradise](https:\/\/www.exploreminnesota.com\/article\/outdoor-adventures-await-minnesota) in many ways though, and is also home to the [headwaters of the Mississippi River](https:\/\/www.mississippiheadwaters.org\/history.asp#:~:text=The%20Mississippi%20River%20begins%20as,one-half%20of%20the%20nation.).\n\n#### Places to go in Minnesota\n- [Gooseberry Falls](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00172#homepage): One of a long list of excellent parks on the western shore of Lake Superior (several of which are featured here), this relatively small park has a number of hikes, shoreline trails, and of course, a pretty gnarly set of cascading waterfalls.\n- [Split Rock Lighthouse State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00266#homepage): Like Gooseberry Falls, what this Lake Superior shoreline park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in stunning natural beauty. Featuring its namesake historic cliffside lighthouse, the park also has lots of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore.\n- [Tettegouche State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00269#homepage): Can’t get enough of Lake Superior yet? Who can blame you! The largest of the Great Lakes shows its glacial history in its numerous lakeside cliffs, and Tettegouche State Park boasts some of the most stunning cliffs in the state. As with most of the local parks, Tettegouche features a plethora of hikes, waterfalls, fishing opportunities, and even rock climbing.\n- [Voyageurs National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/voya\/index.htm): If you’re venturing towards the northern end of the state and the Canadian border, a stop at this large and secluded National Park is well worth your time. The park features sprawling, often-interconnected water features and is a boating fanatic’s wonderland. Be sure to stop and check out the rock sculptures at [Ellsworth Rock Garden](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/176CegyAybgQYCAp9).\n- [Kabetogama State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_forests\/forest.html?id=sft00027#homepage): This park is paradise for fishing, snowmobiling\/ATV riding, hiking, boating and kayaking. It’s a great place for slowly paddling your way northwards through the interconnected waterways, meandering towards the southern boundary of Voyageurs NP.\n\n[![A two lane Minnesota back road stretches out towards the horizon under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nMinnesota might not have the most captivating landscapes, but the pastoral beauty of its back roads still make for a pleasant and peaceful road trip\\!\n#### Back Road Routes Across Minnesota\n- [State Route 61](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#westernm) – I can’t mention all of those glorious shoreline parks on Lake Superior without also mentioning the fabulously [scenic lakeshore drive](https:\/\/northshorevisitor.com\/communities\/scenic-61\/), can I? Though the majority of Route 61 runs north to south, the section of the route running parallel to the lake takes a more southwest to northeast course… and while it terminates at the Canadian border, the stunning scenery along the way makes the detour well worth your time. After all, it wouldn’t be one of the [best back roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state) if it wasn’t\\!\n- [State Route 210](https:\/\/roadnow.com\/us\/mn\/mn-210.html) – Given that this east to west route runs across the heart of Lake Country and through several state parks and state forests, finally terminating after weaving across [Jay Cooke SP](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/park.html?id=spk00187#homepage) south of Duluth, I was shocked by the dearth of tourist information about the route online.\n- US Route 14 – For those who aren’t interested – or don’t have time – for a northern adventure, US-14 offers a good option for meandering across the southern end of this tall state. The route passes through a handful of farming towns and villages, small cities, and passes near the stunning [Minneopa State Park](https:\/\/www.dnr.state.mn.us\/state_parks\/minneopa\/minneopa_itinerary.html).\n### [![A red wheel of Wisconsin Cheese sits on a decorative wooden cutting block in front of shelving full of other Wisconsin products](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?resize=663%2C387&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?ssl=1)\n### Wisconsin\nCheese! As the home to plentiful cheese & dairy products, as well as the state where [Harley-Davidson](https:\/\/www.insurance.harley-davidson.com\/the-open-road\/profiles\/founders-of-harley-davidson) and [OshKosh B’Gosh](https:\/\/www.oshkosh.com\/oshkosh\/okbg-story.html?id=oshkosh) started, you’ll definitely find plenty to do in this gorgeous northern plains state. And because it’s the first state you’ll encounter after crossing the Mississippi River, it’s the “beginning of the end” of your cross country trip. You’re now starting back into the [eastern side of the country](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/02\/03\/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state\/#topeast).\n\n#### Places to go in Wisconsin\n- [The Dells (Wisconsin Dells)](https:\/\/www.wisdells.com\/wisconsin-dells-attraction\/tours.htm): These fascinating riverside rock formations can only be accessed by boat, so make sure to review your trip options and choose your tour carefully\\!\n- [Rocky Arbor State Park](https:\/\/dnr.wisconsin.gov\/topic\/parks\/rockyarbor\/recreation): Not far from the aforementioned riverside rocks is Rocky Arbor, this peaceful park is loaded with campsites and hiking trails. You can explore the woods, or hike down for a few views of the sandstone cliffs.\n- [Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum](https:\/\/www.lauraingallspepin.com\/): The world-famous author bounced around quite a bit during her prolific life and writing career, setting up camp in several locations across the Midwest. This museum, near the Mississippi River in Pepin, is located at her birthplace.\n- [Five Mile Bluff Prairie](https:\/\/dnr.wi.gov\/topic\/Lands\/naturalareas\/index.asp?SNA=76): Located near Pepin along the Chippewa River, Five Mile Bluff offers hikers several sweeping panoramas of both rivers and nearly uninterrupted natural vistas.\n- [Taliesin Estate](https:\/\/www.taliesinpreservation.org\/tours\/): Located in the southeastern corner of the state is one of [Frank Lloyd Wright](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/10\/11\/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania\/)‘s architectural masterpieces, and was his long-term home and studio. The site of a brutal multiple-homicide and arson attack, Wright quickly re-designed and re-built his destroyed estate before his own death. Don’t forget to stop at the quirky [Romeo & Juliet windmill](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fY6bH3me3SCj5ocC9) while you’re there.\n- [The House on the Rock](https:\/\/www.thehouseontherock.com\/): Speaking of quirky buildings, the House on the Rock is a must-see attraction while you’re in the Spring Green area. With a cantilevered section of the home extending more than 200 feet out over the valley floor below it, it’s an architectural masterpiece that you have to see in order to believe! Sadly, both Taliesin and House on the Rock were closed due to COVID restrictions during our drives, or I would have more photos of each to share\\!\n- [Apostle Island National Lakeshore](https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Apostle+Islands+National+Lakeshore\/@46.9302046,-90.6333321,3a,75y,90t\/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4000!8i3000!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88074f57372daee1:0x972160075cd0cdaa!2sThe+Dells!3b1!8m2!3d43.6416457!4d-89.783458!3m4!1s0x52a8fea6288e5235:0x4772c8f9b80b5a3!8m2!3d46.9302046!4d-90.6333321): A water-lover’s paradise, this chain of sandstone islands features plenty of stunning landscapes and rock formations, as well as a number of historic lighthouses. While the islands are best experienced from the seat of a kayak, a sea kayak is the only [safe\/recommended method](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/apis\/planyourvisit\/kayaking.htm) to explore the area.\n\n[![Kayakers stare up at fire red stone cliffs from the water surrounding Apostle Islands](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Apostle-Islands.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Apostle-Islands.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https:\/\/wanderlustphotosblog.com\/2019\/07\/16\/apostle-islands-visitor-guide\/)\n#### Back Road Routes Across Wisconsin\n- US Route 14 – Running northwest to southeast across the southern portion of the state, US-14 cuts across the capital city of Madison and Spring Green, but mostly runs across the scenic rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland.\n- [US Route 18](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/18.html) – Heading nearly straight east to west from Milwaukee, US-18 runs across the southern tier of the state towards Iowa and South Dakota. Route 18 also cuts across Madison, then diverts along a more southern and rural track.\n- [US Route 10](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/10.html) – As one of only two US historic routes that includes a designated ferry as part of the actual route, US-10 starts on the eastern edge of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan. Running along a more northern track, there are several short detours from US-10 to enjoy cities like Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire while also relishing the diverse natural scenery.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Illinois\nAnd here we finally meet the states that were a bit more difficult to get excited about. I’ll be the first to admit it: I bag on the flyover states, and that’s not fair. The midwestern states have plenty of interesting destinations to offer. My feeling comes from the sense that the vast majority of the land is open, flat, and tends not to inspire words like “stunning” or “breath-taking” or “awe-inspiring.” I digress. The land of Lincoln does have it’s fair share of enjoyable back road drives, and several rather unique features worth finding and exploring\\!\n\n![](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/jetpack\/modules\/shortcodes\/img\/slideshow-loader.gif)\n\n![A wide natural arch frames a hiker walking through the fallen leaves at Starved Rock State Park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Starved-Rock-1.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1)\n\n![Walkers stare up at steep cliff faces lining a narrow canyon at Starved Rock State Park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Starved-Rock-2.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1)\n###### Images courtesy of [Illinois DNR](https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/StarvedRock.aspx)\n#### Places to go in Illinois\n- [Starved Rock State Park \/ Nature Preserve](https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/StarvedRock.aspx): This long, narrow park and adjoining preserve along the southern shore of the Illinois River is loaded with excellent natural features to explore. With a handful of elevated river overlooks, a bunch of waterfalls and hikes, and more canyons than Arizona, this small park packs a punch\\!\n- [Matthiessen State Park](https:\/\/www2.illinois.gov\/dnr\/Parks\/Pages\/Matthiessen.aspx): Literally right down the road from Starved Rock is another small State Park that is full of natural beauty worth exploring. With multiple bridges and waterfalls, you could easily spend a couple hours hiking the park and … soaking … in all the scenery! (Dad jokes are free for those who’ve made it this far!)\n- Peru IL: I haven’t included virtually any “indoor” sights on this post, but the city of Peru has two that are worth exploring. The [Westclox Museum](https:\/\/www.westcloxmuseum.com\/) looks like it will be a fascinating place to spend a few hours perusing the displays (especially if, like me, you love old clocks). A few blocks down the road is the absolutely jaw-dropping [Hegeler Carus Mansion](https:\/\/hegelercarus.org\/). Given that Peru is just across the river from the two aforementioned state parks, you could easily spend a couple days exploring everything this part of Illinois has to offer\\!\n- [Villa Katherine](https:\/\/www.quincyparkdistrict.com\/parks-and-facilities\/villa-kathrine-park\/): Speaking of absolutely stunning architecture, perched on the banks overlooking the Mississippi River near Quincy is the incredible Moorish-style Villa Katherine. The building is currently used as the city’s tourist information center, and guided tours of the structure can be taken on an appointment basis. Make sure to explore the city’s [historic district](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/F8Zmba9ZUjVheB1z8) and [Log Cabin Village](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Upr5LE3UJZe2yPQ57).\n- [Lincoln Home](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/liho\/learn\/historyculture\/the-lincoln-home.htm): As the first and only home that [President Lincoln](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/liho\/learn\/historyculture\/links.htm) ever owned, this memorial site is a must-visit spot for any history buff in your group\\!\n#### Back Road Routes Across Illinois\n- [US Route 6](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/infrastructure\/us6.cfm) – America’s longest contiguous historic route runs nearly cross country (coast to coast), and is now mirrored by Interstate 80 in many states. Cutting across the northern portion of the state into Chicago, Route 6 also runs through several of the highlighted locations above\\!\n- [US Route 24](https:\/\/www.listchallenges.com\/us-route-24) – One of America’s original federal routes, dating back to the start of the US highway system in 1926, runs the heart of the auto manufacturing corridor in Michigan west to central Colorado. Heading west to east, the route crosses the Mississippi into the state at Quincy and heads northeast along the Illinois River to Peoria, where it makes a sharp turn to head directly east into Indiana.\n- US Route 50 – After leaving St Louis and hooking a left at O’Fallon, US-50 quickly opens up to become a mostly straight shot across the rural flatlands of Illinois corn country.\n\n[![Sugar Creek runs through Turkey Run State Park in Indiana](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nImage courtesy of [Daniel Schwen & Wikipedia](https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=4008314)\n### Indiana\nThe [Hoosier](https:\/\/youtu.be\/C2ILSuQOmEg) state, like it’s eastern and western neighbors, is primarily known to travelers as being home to millions of acres of corn fields. However, like all of the midwestern states, Indiana is home to a handful of hidden gems for travelers to unearth. One merely needs to know where and how to find them\\!\n\n#### Places to go in Indiana\n- [Turkey Run State Park](https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/state-parks\/parks-lakes\/turkey-run-state-park\/): Though less than half a mile square, this tiny park is absolutely packed with diverse natural beauty. Canyons, creeks, a covered bridge, camping, horseback riding and historical sites abound, with plenty of relatively easy hikes to explore throughout the park.\n- [Shades State Park](https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/state-parks\/parks-lakes\/shades-state-park\/): Just a few miles up the road, also along the meandering path of Sugar Creek, Shades State Park is another fantastic location filled with natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sandstone cliffs set the scene for most of the hiking and water sports in the park, and it too sports a historic covered bridge.\n- [Circus Hall of Fame](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/U4PfqSnYYxcQXZZr8): This one is pretty self-explanatory! Make sure to also check out the surprising [Miami County Museum](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/DZRYdww9QNCsEW8T6) in nearby Peru.\n- [Salamonie River State Park](https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dnr\/forestry\/properties\/salamonie-river-state-forest\/): Another very small park located about 20 miles east of Peru, the real highlight of the park is the hike to the wide drop of [Kissing Falls](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Bb5D3nHU1ZxEW5LF7). Make sure to also check out [Hanging Rock National Landmark](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ZJBHsfRv6GYRWiWu5) while you’re there.\n- [Studebaker Museum](https:\/\/www.studebakermuseum.org\/): Located in the heart of South Bend – home of the glorious campus of [Notre Dame University](https:\/\/www.nd.edu\/) – the Studebaker Museum houses three floors of displays featuring the historic cars manufactured there, as well as American car culture in general.\n#### Back Road Routes Across Indiana\n- US Route 24 – Cutting a similar path across Indiana as it did in neighboring Illinois, US-24 parallels the Wabash River across much of the state, and will drop you close to several of the parks listed above.\n- [US Route 36](https:\/\/www.usends.com\/36.html) – Like US-24, US-36 was one of the original federal highways commissioned in 1926. Running mostly straight east to west across the most rural stretches of the state, it also brings travelers close to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks before crossing downtown [Indianapolis](https:\/\/www.visitindy.com\/indianapolis-things-to-do).\n- US Route 50 – The southern option for crossing the state on a historical federal route, US-50 runs through largely rural and relatively isolated areas of the state, eventually bearing northeast towards Cincinnati.\n\n[![Upper falls under a stone arch bridge near old man's cave in hocking hills ohio](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/img_5767.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/img_5767.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nThe Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n### Ohio\nBecause most of my cross-country drives begin and end in Pennsylvania, the Buckeye State will be the final stop in this cross country road trip itinerary. Ohio is a relatively interesting state on the East Coast, made up of an unusual mix of large swaths of flat open farmland to the north and west, and thick forests and rolling hills to the south and east. When looking at a satellite image of the state, it’s almost as if there’s a slash running diagonally across the state, separating the two different geographies contained within.\n\n#### Places to go in Ohio\n- [Cuyahoga Falls National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/cuva\/index.htm): The only National Park in the state, Cuyahoga Falls is a relatively new, absolutely gorgeous place to stop smack in the middle between Cleveland and Akron. The long and narrow park, centered around the Cuyahoga River, features numerous hiking trails and is most widely known for the cascading [Brandywine Falls](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1VWWM1kScsHyqweK7).\n- [May 4th Memorial](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hwY3nt9yStjovxn58): Though the Kent State shooting in 1970 might be widely known, it’s absolutely worth seeing the memorial and learning more about the history of the four students murdered and nine more injured by the US National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War.\n- [The Ohio State Reformatory](https:\/\/www.mrps.org\/): Most obviously known as the site where the vast majority of [Shawshank Redemption](https:\/\/www.mrps.org\/shawshank) was filmed, the prison is also home to [paranormal activities\/ghost hunting](https:\/\/www.mrps.org\/paranormal), events, and other tours. Make sure to check out the [Shawshank Tree](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/PvBc2X5thL1VqGPk8) (on private property, only view from the road!) and [Shawshank Woodshop](https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/QxLLcsPu3EGLK9g76).\n- [Mohican State Park](https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/wps\/portal\/gov\/odnr\/discover-and-learn\/safety-conservation\/about-odnr\/division-parks-watercraft) \/ [State Forest](https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/wps\/portal\/gov\/odnr\/go-and-do\/plan-a-visit\/find-a-property\/mohicanmemorial-state-forest): This large park area is host to a number of excellent hiking & biking opportunities, a large river gorge, sizable woodlands, camping, and a massive covered bridge.\n- [Hocking Hills State Park](https:\/\/ohiodnr.gov\/wps\/portal\/gov\/odnr\/go-and-do\/plan-a-visit\/find-a-property\/hocking-hills-state-park): One of the state’s largest and most beautiful parks – if you ask me, it should’ve become the state’s National Park over Cuyahoga Falls – Hocking Hills features absolutely stunning rock formations, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wooded areas, camping, hiking, gorges and a boatload of other incredible outdoor activities. This absolute gem of a park was definitely overlooked when the time came to nominate a National Park for Ohio.\n- [Historic Roscoe Village](https:\/\/roscoevillage.com\/): An entire historic town, preserved in time, features guided tours by costumed “villagers,” plus preserved buildings, old-timey shops, and boat rides on the canal.\n#### Back Road Routes Across Ohio\n- US Route 36 – US-36 weaves and winds its way across central Ohio, passing through a handful of historic farming towns and villages, while also completely circumnavigating the insanity that can be downtown Columbus traffic.\n- State Route 32 – Starting at the outskirts of Cincinnati and twisting its way east, OH-32 quickly transforms from its urban start to a very rural, very scenic way to cross southern Ohio.\n- US Route 250 – US-250 cuts a diagonal path across the state, starting at the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky (home of the sprawling [Cedar Point](https:\/\/www.cedarpoint.com\/) amusement park) and taking a rather scenic track across rural Ohio farmland before hitting the foothills of West Virginia\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n## Another Option for Driving East: the Southern Cross Country Route\n### California\nYes, I’m writing about my adopted home state twice. Yes, I’m biased. But more importantly, as the third-largest state by land mass and (in my less-than-humble opinion) most beautiful state in the country, it is definitely deserving of another nod here. For most cross country road trips, route plans are very likely going to start or stop in the Golden State… and with good reason. Though very different from climate and terrain perspectives, the southern half of California is just as loaded with things to see as the northern half.\n\n#### Places to go in Southern California\n- [Tar Pits Park](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/kuionnisfz9rKvtB7) – Though not as famous as [La Brea Tar Pits](https:\/\/tarpits.org\/), these naturally occurring asphalt deposits have the distinct advantage of providing a double-whammy: it’s also a great place to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast.\n- [Trona Pinnacles](https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yuMdsAxKLKF4EtsE7) – Like the Tufa Towers near Mono Lake in Northern California, these geological abnormalities are stone spires poking through the earth’s crust. And, like their cousins to the north, they’re located in an intensely dry and potentially formidable desert, so proceed with caution.\n- [Mojave National Preserve](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/moja\/index.htm) – Though not as well-known as its neighbor to the North ([Death Valley](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/deva\/index.htm)), the Mojave Desert and National Preserve offers visitors fantastic opportunities to hike, bike, and off-road through some of America’s most otherworldly geography. As one of the hottest and driest places in the country, though, I STRONGLY recommend additional research and significant caution when visiting. However, the desert often greatly rewards those patient and brave enough to visit her.\n- [Joshua Tree National Park](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/jotr\/index.htm) – I’m including JTNP on this list not for the obvious reasons that draw in the vast majority of the Park’s visitors. Instead, I’m listing it for the sections that most people don’t explore: the unpaved trails that zig-zag their way throughout the majority of the park. Bring your 4WD vehicle and plenty of provisions (plus a [good GPS locator](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3yEp7m2)) in case you get lost or stuck, and bank an extra day or two to wander through the desert for a while\\!\n- [Anza Borrego State Park](https:\/\/www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=638) – As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, much of the natural beauty in Southern California is in the desert. Anza Borrego is a state park dedicated to highlighting some of the most beautiful features of the desert, and in the springtime, is home to some of California’s most surprising and breathtaking displays of [wildflower super-blooms](https:\/\/theabf.org\/experience-anza-borrego\/wildflowers\/) you’ll ever experience! **BE MINDFUL AND TREAD LIGHTLY** – please do not EVER stand, walk in, or take home any of the blooms you witness\\!\n#### Back Road Routes Across Southern California\n- [State Route 2](https:\/\/angelescrestscenichighway.com\/) – Also known as the Angeles Crest Scenic Highway, this stunning drive twists and winds across the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest heading east from Pasadena. Both fun to drive and loaded with scenery, the route is a great alternative for leaving Los Angeles before heading out into the desert or finding Route 66.\n- [Route 66](https:\/\/www.route66ca.org\/) – Feels like an obvious option to include, but depending on which direction you’re heading, [Santa Monica Pier](https:\/\/www.santamonicapier.org\/) in LA is either the beginning or end of one of the most famous back road routes in the world. Much of the legendary route has been lost to modernization, but there’s still plenty to experience along what’s left\\!\n- [State Route 62](https:\/\/www.thearmchairexplorer.com\/california\/twentynine-palms-highway.php) – Known as [Twentynine Palms](https:\/\/www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us\/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) Highway, the route runs east to west between Palm Springs and Parker AZ. The mostly straight road runs across the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and provides plenty of desert scenery for your eyes to feast on.\n- [State Route 58](https:\/\/www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us\/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) – For those travelling a bit north of LA, CA-58 provides an often stunning drive the almost the whole way across the state. Starting just north of the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo, CA-58 weaves across the coastal range before dropping down into the Central Valley and Bakersfield area. You’ll cross the Tehachapi Range next (be sure to check out the [Railway Loop](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tehachapi_Loop)!) before dropping into the Mojave Desert.\n### Arizona\nMuch like it’s red-rock desert neighboring state to the north, Arizona is home to stunning natural scenery, otherworldly geological formations, and some of [my favorite back roads](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/). It’s also home to several very cool cities, several different deserts, a handful of National Forests, and my all-time favorite National Park. Oh… and it’s also home to one of the coolest stretches of Route 66\\!\n\n#### Places to go in Arizona\n- [Flagstaff](https:\/\/www.flagstaffarizona.org\/) \/ [Sedona](https:\/\/visitsedona.com\/) – Yeah, I’ll admit it, listing these two places this way, and first, is a bit of a cop-out. But here’s the truth: this area is probably my second-favorite place in the country. Both towns are incredible in their own ways: unique architecture, vibrant art scenes, plenty of food, and friendly locals. The area is rich with natural beauty to explore. Hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, skiing, off-roading, camping, and on and on and on. AND THOSE RED ROCKS! \\*\\*swoon\\*\\* (Did I mention it’s loaded with great back roads?)\n- [Canyon de Chelly](https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/cach\/index.htm) – I’m a sucker for red rock formations, in case you hadn’t already figured that out. And this park is loaded with them.\n- [Superstition Mountains](https:\/\/www.visitphoenix.com\/sonoran-desert\/parks\/superstition-mountains\/) – Your outdoor activity of choice will help drive the best way for you to enjoy the expansive stunning wilderness about an hour east of Phoenix. There’s a lot to see and do in this area – and the weather can be blistering – so be sure to do research and plan ahead.\n#### Back Road Routes Across Arizona\n- [Route 66](https:\/\/www.visitarizona.com\/plan\/road-trips\/arizonas-route-66\/) – Arizona doesn’t have a wide variety of east-west back road routes to choose from, but one major standout is Route 66. Arizona contains the longest unbroken stretch of 66 in the US, and also has what I would consider to be one of [the coolest stretches of the Mother Road](https:\/\/www.historic66az.com\/route66roadtrip.html). The stretch between Oatman and Kingman is likely to be the most “kitschy” area still remaining on 66… it’s rife with retro roadside attractions, and the town of Oatman looks and feels like walking onto an old western movie set. I will say, fair warning, a lot of what Arizona is calling Route 66 is actually now just Interstate 40 paved over top of the original route… but there’s still several really cool parts of the old route as well.\n- [State Route 89 \/ 89A](https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Arizona_State_Route_89) – In addition to touting the title of one of my “[Favorite Back Roads in America](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/09\/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america\/#sedona),” this northeast-to-southwest route connects a number of really cool towns and incredibly scenic natural areas.\n## [![A beautiful vibrant sunset glows over a back road where there is a silhouette of two kids sit taking a selfie](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-sunset.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-sunset.jpg?ssl=1)\n## When to Take a Cross Country Road Trip\nThe question of when to take a cross country road trip can be a very tricky one. In addition to the amount of time required to drive cross country, one also has to factor in things like climate, elevation, and local weather extremes. It is especially challenging due to the fact that the climate in areas along the way can vary drastically during the exact same months. Toss in the fact that most of the highlighted places will be very busy during the summer months, and picking a time to take this trip can be an unenviable task\\!\n\n### How long does it take to drive cross country?\nThe first step in the process of choosing when to travel is determining how long you have! Driving cross country can take as long or as short as you want, based upon how much time you have to take it slowly and explore. In April of 2021, I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Sonoma CA – almost 2,600 miles – in 63 hours, completely by myself. I had virtually no time to get the drive done, so I spent no time stopping and enjoying the trip. On my very first cross country road trip, however, after my best friend Dietmar and I graduated from High School, we took over five weeks to drive a loop across the middle & southern parts of the country\\!\n\nMy point here is that how long you need for your road trip depends entirely upon how much time your schedule will allow. Once you’ve determined this most crucial fact, you can start to build your itinerary around this knowledge. For example, if you are retired and have no time constraints, you can take as long as you want, drive as slowly as you want, and stop as frequently – and for as long at each destination – as your heart desires. Conversely, if you still work full time and have two kids in school, your trip is going to be a lot shorter and more constrained by your time off work.\n\nWhat I personally advise **people who are working with limited time** is the following process:\n\n1. Get together with whoever you are travelling with and pick your top 3-5 most important destinations or priorities – the absolute must-see locations along the way. Allot these top priorities more time in each day to explore, with as little driving time on those days as possible.\n2. Pick secondary priority destinations – places you are interested in seeing, but won’t be devastated if you don’t get much time to explore them. Allot these secondary priorities less time on location, with more driving time on these days.\n3. For the rest of the trip, which doesn’t matter to you and doesn’t involve destinations of great interest, these can be the days where you do the bulk of your driving. If possible, what you can do on these days is try to pick a scenic route that allows you to pass through interesting areas without stopping to explore. Seeing it through the windows of your car is good enough.\n\nOnce you’ve completed this rough outline of your trip, I’d recommend the following driving times for each of the three “levels” or categories of destination:\n\n1. Top priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to less than four hours per day.\n2. Secondary priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to approximately 6-8 hours per day.\n3. Unimportant areas – drive as much during these days as you are physically capable; for most people, this should be at least 8-10 hours of driving per day.\n\n[![A distant car drives up a back road as it weaves its way up a distant hillside](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?ssl=1)\n\n**A few thoughts on drivin****g** **time****:** I advise all of my road trip planning customers that when I say driving time, I mean butts in seats, behind the wheel actually driving time. This does NOT include time sleeping, eating, getting fuel, using the restrooms, etc. **My personal rule of thumb is that you should factor in 30-60 minutes of non-travel time for each four hours of actual driving**. So if I say 8 hours of actual driving, you should anticipate approximately 9-10 hours of travel time. If it’s 12 hours of driving, anticipate 14-15 hours of actual travel time. **You absolutely should give yourself at least 8 hours of rest each night.**\n\nThe other driving time factor to consider here is that driving on back roads is substantially slower than driving on the interstate. In my experience, **when driving strictly back roads, you are going to average approximately 40 miles for each hour of driving time**. That is a rough estimate, but again, in my many years and many thousands of miles of driving experience, it has consistently been very close to exactly correct. **So if you are planning to drive 200 miles on back roads, anticipate it’s going to take you approximately 5 hours of driving**.\n\n***LONG STORY SHORT (TL\/DR):*** If you are planning on driving cross country and back, or round trip, you should allow yourself at least 20 total days for your trip. For a 6,000 mile trip, that means you’ll average 300 miles per day. That’s a lot, but if you break it up well, it’s absolutely manageable.\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![A man and his dog walk slowly under the brutal heat of the midday sun at Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nDo yourself a favor and don’t go to the desert in the heat of summer\\!\n### What time of year should you drive cross country?\nBecause the weather can vary so dramatically in different regions of the country, this too can be a very tricky question to answer. This will be an especially important consideration if you are [camping](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/camping\/): when you’re sleeping outdoors, the weather conditions you’ll likely encounter become a critical part of your planning process. If you’re going to be sleeping indoors, weather becomes less important, but still worth considering.\n\n**If you are travelling with children**, you’re immediately limited to the summer months for your trip. It’s the only time of year that your kids will be out of school long enough to enjoyably complete a journey of this type. **If you are not travelling with children**, you have a lot more flexibility, and quite frankly, should strongly consider avoiding the summer months if possible. The summer months are going to be crowded by the aforementioned families with kids, and more importantly, are likely going to be unpleasantly hot in the vast majority of the country.\n\nSo when *should* you travel if you’re not going in the summer? My personal favorite times to travel are **late spring** **and mid-fall**. Most destinations will have the least amount of visitors in these timeframes, and generally speaking, they are the best times of year weather-wise. Daytime temperatures in most of the country are pleasantly mild, and in most places, it does not get terribly cold overnight. To be even more specific, if possible, you should try to plan your trip for either **the middle of May or the middle of September.**\n\nA word of warning about these travel times: You’re going to have to be careful when travelling in high elevations, or at the northern edge of the country at these times of year. I’ve experienced severe snowstorms in the High Sierra in May, and I’ve experienced freezing rain and snow in Idaho in late August (granted, we were ALSO at a higher elevation when that happened, but still). So if you know that you’re going far north, or up high in altitude, *be prepared for a little bit of cold weather.*  **If you’re camping,** **you absolutely must be prepared to spend the night in below-freezing temperatures.**\n\n##### Aside from those two caveats, though, late spring and mid-fall are the best times of year to drive cross country\\!\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![A drone photo captures the setting sun glows behind the towering granite peaks of Grand Teton national park](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?resize=723%2C258&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nOur campsite at Grand Teton National Park wasn’t too shabby\\!\n## Where should you stay on a cross country road trip?\nYou have a couple basic options to choose from for overnight stays on a cross country road trip:\n\n- - Hotels\/motels\n  - Camping\n  - Bed n Breakfasts (actual BNBs)\n  - AirBNB\/VRBO\n  - Friends and family\n\nI’ve utilized all of the options over the years, and in some cases, a blend of more than one at a time. Frankly, if you are flexible and can mix and match the options, based upon weather and financial considerations, that’s going to usually be your best option. I give brief thoughts on each option below.\n\n#### Hotel\/Motel\nA hotel or motel is most likely going to be the easiest and most comfortable option for you. In most places, there are a number of options to choose from. If you pay for a nicer hotel, you’ll get a clean room and comfortable bed, with a hot breakfast in the morning. The biggest downside is the cost, and the inability to prepare meals unless you really pony up and get a suite with kitchen. My personal favorite affordable chain hotels are [Holiday Inn](https:\/\/www.holidayinn.com\/hotels\/us\/en\/reservation) and [Best Western](https:\/\/www.bestwestern.com\/en_US.html).\n\n#### Camping\nCamping is the second cheapest option, and if you are willing to find [dispersed or wild campsites](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/02\/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp\/) like I typically do, will often provide you with some extraordinary scenery and surroundings. I’ve written a couple posts about [how to find excellent campsites](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/camping\/) already, so I won’t rehash that here. The biggest downsides are the exposure to weather, and the fact that finding a campsite during daylight hours really limits how far you can drive each day.\n\n#### Bed n Breakfasts\nThis is the option I’ve utilized the least, but it is one that I should probably start doing far more often. True BNB’s were once a dying breed, though they’ve experienced a [resurgence in popularity](https:\/\/www.odysys.com\/blog\/study-the-state-of-bbs-in-the-u-s\/) recently. BNB’s are typically unique and enjoyable experiences, especially when you have a great host. They are often found in historic buildings with incredible architecture, and many include one or more hot meals. The biggest downside is that they are often the most expensive option per night.\n\n#### AirBNB\/VRBO\nA modernized version of the old BNB system, [AirBNB](https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/) and [VRBO](https:\/\/www.vrbo.com\/) are websites where property owners can offer up their homes – or a portion of their home – for rent to travelers. There is an unfathomable amount of variety and diversity in the types of places and the types of amenities available to travelers, from the most bare bones single bedroom in the owner’s house to some of the most [elaborate](https:\/\/www.myglobalviewpoint.com\/airbnb-penthouses-for-rent\/) and [unusual](https:\/\/www.airbnb.com\/associates\/99216?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_11&a4ptk=18309_0_11_99216&af=115) overnight accommodations I’ve ever seen. Prices for places to stay can also vary dramatically, giving travelers a great deal of control over budget, amenities and quality. The biggest downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of skill and experience needed to find and figure out how to choose the right places to fit your needs. We’ve stayed in some real stinkers over the years, but we’ve mostly had really incredible experiences.\n\n#### Friends and Family\nStaying with friends or family members is, of course, **the lowest cost option** for overnight accommodations. Not only will F\\&F not charge you (I should hope!), many will often also provide you with meals and – critically important on a long trip – a place to wash your clothing! My very first cross country road trip, all the way back in 1999, was primarily spent staying with friends & family. Even with paying for hotels and meals in quite a few locations, that particular trip – 5 weeks, 9,000 miles – only cost my friend and I around \\$900 each\\!\n\nYou should try to mix in at least one or two F\\&F stops spread out over the course of your trip for this exact reason, unless you have the space or interest in packing enough clothing for 2-3 weeks of travel. F\\&F will **also** be able to provide you with **excellent insights about local places** you should check out, from restaurants and shopping to parks, museums, and other activities. The biggest “downside” of staying with F\\&F is the logistical restrictions of basing a trip around where your friends and family live… and when they are available and can host you\\!\n\n[Back to Top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n## [![A man stands in the middle of a back road in the desert of eastern California with the towering Sierra Nevada mountains in the background](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?resize=723%2C290&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?ssl=1)\n## What should you pack for a cross country road trip?\nThis might just be the toughest section to tackle. In addition to being heavily dependent upon the time of year that you’re travelling, how long your trip will be, and the destinations you’ll be exploring, it will also vary wildly based upon the size and storage of your vehicle, where you’ll be sleeping each night, who is travelling with you, etc. As such, **my suggestions are going to be fairly generic in nature.** Though I do have a couple posts dedicated to [gear for camping trips](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/), my intent here is to provide you with a **basic must-have list** suitable for virtually any trip.\n\nWhat I would recommend is start by working with a handful of categories, and working your way from there:\n\n- Clothing – pack enough for a full week of outfits, plus at least one or two “extreme weather” options\n- Shoes – spend a lot of time walking and hiking in your current boots and shoes before your trip to determine if they’re comfortable – on the road is not when you want to realize you need better footwear\n- Food\/Food Storage – this is addressed in detail in my [camping posts](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/camping\/), but you’re going to want water-tight and long-lasting food storage options\n- Safety\/Medical gear – though I list this fourth, having a [medical kit](https:\/\/amzn.to\/34FPBoe), [fire extinguisher](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LlG0nq), [flashlight](https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Vbl5ey) [Fix-A-Flat](https:\/\/amzn.to\/34wQiAp), [jumper cables](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3JcoqjO), and other safety items easily accessible should be your first priority\n- Camera gear – in addition to the gear you’ll need for [night sky photography](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/08\/28\/night-sky-photography-gear\/), I also recommend having a nice zoom lens on hand for taking [incredible landscape photographs](https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CZN5VHVLlrY\/) – I use a [Nikon 55-300mm](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3HF68aC) lens\n- Tools – addressed in depth in my [camping gear](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/10\/14\/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping\/#tools) and [motorcycle gear](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2020\/04\/14\/motorcycle-camping-tools-equipment-and-gear-every-biker-needs-to-have\/) posts, just a few simple hand tools will get you through a lot of potentially unpleasant situations\n- Music\/Entertainment\/books – the drive and various attractions are going to be amazing, but I’d be lying if I said you’re not going to also have long and boring stretches of time to kill on your trip. Having various forms of entertainment – especially if you’re traveling with family – will be crucial. I recommend having books, magazines, playing cards, and a couple [travel-size board games](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Lm14tP) on hand. Oh, and don’t forget your [playlist](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2019\/07\/08\/road-trip-playlist-driving-and-travel-songs\/)\\!\n## Road trip tips, suggestions, and other travel advice\nIn addition to my own advice for taking a cross country road trip, I’ve gathered insights and suggestions from dozens of other road trippers over the last year\n\nin anticipation of creating this post. Though I’ve taken dozens of road trips and driven countless thousands of miles over the last 25 years, I certainly haven’t experienced everything. I reached out to other travelers and collected their suggestions for taking long road trips. One thing I’ve learned about people who travel a lot – they love to help other people get out on the road\\!\n\n*I’m going to start off with one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned in all my years of taking road trips.*\n\n**Download offline** **maps** – [LINK](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838) (make sure to click on [Android](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0) or [iPhone](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=0) at the top) – I cannot stress the importance of this step strongly enough. One of the very first recommendations I make to every [road trip planning](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/) client I’ve worked with is to download [offline Google maps](https:\/\/support.google.com\/maps\/answer\/6291838). Every cross country road trip will include driving in areas with no cell service. If you’ve not prepared ahead of time by downloading offline maps for those areas, you might lose your route plans at the worst time possible. If you aren’t sure where your cell providers don’t have coverage, start with this [FCC Map](https:\/\/www.fcc.gov\/BroadbandData\/MobileMaps\/mobile-map), downloading maps in areas where no service is available.\n\n[![A drone shot of a u-shaped two lane back road winds through the pine trees in eastern California's High Sierra region](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C452&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nUS Route 50 winds through several valleys on its way across the High Sierra in Eastern California\n### Road Trip Advice\n- Have a general plan, but allow for spontaneity & choices along the way\n- Pack items that can serve multiple purposes\n- Get a [car power adapter](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3B77gkI) (turns your car’s cigarette lighter into an outlet with USB ports)\n- Bring reusable items (water bottles, coffee mugs) instead of disposable ones\n- Bring a [water bottle with filter](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Je6sxl), or a [filter straw](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3rBKGgW)\n- Build in time for stops at local shops, farmers markets, antique stores and other ways to incorporate local culture\n- Opt for healthy snacks (trail mix, triscuits) and avoid soda and candy\n- Bring your recreational wheels along: MTB, bicycle, scooter, rollerblades etc\n- Visit more than just National Parks! State and county parks often provide excellent natural scenery and local history.\n- Hang a [shoe rack](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3JdorE1) behind your seats for convenient and organized access to your stuff\n- Buy a [camp toilet](https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LorKKL) and keep TP in your vehicle\n- Utilize a small “grab bag” with a couple days’ of clothing & supplies so you’re not hauling your suitcases in at every stop, rotating stuff in or out as needed\n- Be sure to hydrate & consume electrolytes, especially in the desert\n- If camping, be sure to practice setting up your tent at night using only your headlamp, just in case\n- Drive less than 12 hours per day – 7-8 hours is OK, but 4-5 hours is ideal if possible\n- Buy a [national parks pass](https:\/\/store.usgs.gov\/pass\/index.html) before you leave\\!\n- Always stop to visit friends and family whenever they will be near your route\n- Ask older bikers where the prettiest local drives are\n- Don’t drive long distances at night – it’s not worth the risk, and you miss out on the scenery\\!\n- Eat your meals somewhere scenic whenever possible, whether by a window or at a picnic table or on an overlook\n- Get and maintain roadside assistance – AAA or some other similar service\n- Freeze bottles of water to use as ice packs and to give you something cold to drink\n- Search for weird local destinations on [Atlas Obscura](https:\/\/www.atlasobscura.com\/) \/ [Roadside America](https:\/\/www.roadsideamerica.com\/) \/ [Factory Tours](https:\/\/factorytoursusa.com\/)\n- Be aware that there will be remote areas in the western states with no gas stations for 30-50 miles in any direction and plan accordingly – as old bikers say, don’t pass gas on a road trip\\!\n- Always double-check the weather conditions at the next day’s destination when you’re stopped at night\n- [Watch for road closures](https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/trafficinfo\/) and plan alternative routes if needed\n- Open a credit card a month or two before you leave, only use that card, then cancel it at the end of your trip to prevent fraud \/ identity theft\n- Be flexible – plans can change quickly due to unforeseen emergencies like a wildfire (or pandemic!)\n- Maximize your bathroom stops – get gas, walk the dog, buy fresh supplies, etc\n- Start your day early – beat rush hour traffic, maximize sunlight hours, etc\n\n**[*Check out our tips & tricks for back roads travel\\!*](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2018\/11\/20\/how-to-take-back-roads\/#tips)**\n\nDon’t forget that there’s [an entire category](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/category\/road-trips\/) on our website dedicated solely to road trips\\!\n\nAnd, if all else fails, you can always [ask us for help](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/plan-your-road-trip\/).\n\n[Back to top](https:\/\/takebackroads.com\/2022\/05\/05\/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary\/#top)\n\n[![A drone shot of a back road winding down a hill towards the Pacific Coast in California](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?resize=723%2C285&ssl=1)](https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/takebackroads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?ssl=1)\n\nEnjoy your trip from coast to coast\\!","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country
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Boilerpipe Text	I’ve taken a handful of cross country road trips over the years. However, there are still a few cross country road trip ideas that remain on my bucket list: riding a motorcycle cross country, taking one of America’s historic highways the whole way from coast to coast (US-50 is the most likely candidate), driving cross country on one of the northern routes (done! Just need to finish that post!) and driving a back roads loop around the country. During the summers of 2020 & 2021 – in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic! – I managed to cross the latter two items off my list. Well, sort of… While the majority of those trips were on back roads, I must admit up front that we did also do a fair share of interstate driving across the Midwest. With my sincerest apologies to residents of the flyover states , the time constraints for these trips forced us to take the highway across some of the center of the country, leaving very little time for sight-seeing. Like our time in Las Vegas , we were going to have to prioritize. It’s time to get out there and explore! A Round Trip Itinerary for a Cross Country Road Trip The Round Trip Road Trip Technically, I’ve only done one truly coast-to-coast cross country road trip, and that was when I graduated from high school (1999! It feels gross to even think how long ago that was…). That was my first cross country road trip, and my first round trip road trip. That experience will make for an excellent post, actually: taking cross country road trips to celebrate graduation is now a three-generation family tradition. My father took cross country trips to celebrate his high school and college graduations, in 1966 and 1970. I took a round trip road trip to celebrate high school graduation in 1999. And now, I’ve taken my daughter on two cross country road trips as well, celebrating her high school & college graduations. Alas… that will have to remain a different post to be written a different day. All of my other cross country road trips have either started or ended in my former home state: Pennsylvania (instead of the Atlantic coast). While there is no formal definition for what qualifies as a cross country road trip, I feel confident that a trip covering 2,600 miles and all but one of the states that span from coast to coast definitely fits the bill! In fact, on our drive heading west, we zig-zagged our way across nearly 8,000 miles during just one road trip! This post is going to examine routes to consider, destinations to include, and a few other great pieces of cross country road trip advice… so buckle up, because it’s going to be a long ride! Generally speaking, there are three main routes to drive cross country: northern, central, and southern. Mostly self-explanatory, the northern route stays on a path across the northern states like New York, Minnesota, Montana, or Idaho. The central route follows a path across the middle states, like Kansas and Colorado. The southern route stays mostly south, crossing states like Georgia, Texas, or Arizona. Fair warning – This post is currently being updated The Southern Route is being put together as quickly as I can. However, because I cannot save drafts of edits being made to published posts, I will have to publish things mid-creation. It’s not ideal, so please bear with me! As you can see on the map above, I am reviewing two of the three major routes to drive cross country. It’s taken two years, but it’s finally occurred to me how absurd it is to not include more information on the southern route. When I first published this post, like on my trips in 2020, I wrote about the central route heading west and then a northern route heading east. For the southern option, I’m going to roughly follow the west-to-east route I took in 2019 when I drove cross-country in an antique Porsche. I write about these cross country routes using the orientation I traveled when I took them. I hope it’s clear that you can use these options when heading either direction. Driving West: the Central Route Driving East: the Northern Route When to Travel (including insights on how long your road trip should be) Where to Stay Along the Way What to Take With You Additional Insights, tips, and road trip advice Plan a Cross Country Road Trip As you might imagine, when planning a road trip that’s going to encompass approximately 6,000 miles, you’re going to need a significant amount of time to travel. Even in a situation like ours, where the first or last 1,000 miles or so are on the interstate, you should anticipate at least 125 hours of time behind the wheel. If you’ve never taken a long road trip – or even if you have – that’s a lot of time to be driving . When creating road trip plans for travelers, I suggest limiting actual driving time (“butts in seats” time) to 6 hours a day. This allows you to still explore things you find along the way… and won’t completely burn you out to the experience of driving. In my mind, there are two main categories of road trips : trips in which you immerse yourself deeply into one region, and trips in which you experience a lot of different regions at once. In the first category, immersing yourself deeply into one region, you spend your entire trip exploring all of the various things you can see in do in that particular region. You delve into the intimate nuances which make that region unique, spending hours or even days exploring single areas. A cross country road trip, by its very nature, is going to fall under the second category. Instead of spending the majority (or entirety) of your trip exploring a single area, you are going to spend a little bit of time experiencing multiple different areas. I like to call it an appetizer adventure : you experience a proverbial sampler platter of a number of different regions of the country, getting a small taste of what that area has to offer. Think of your cross country drive as a scouting trip of sorts; you’re going to find areas where you’ll have a powerful desire to return and explore in greater depth. You’ll also discover that other areas are places where you have no interesting in returning. Do no go into the process of planning a cross country road trip expecting to explore many areas in depth. Unless you are retired and/or have all the time in the world, you are going to find yourself disappointed if you go into your trip with this mindset! As you might imagine, prioritizing the places you want to see is crucial to this process. The very first part of your planning process should be spent talking this over with your travel partner(s). Discuss the places you absolutely must see, the places you’d like to visit if there’s time, and the places you’re not particularly interested in visiting. This will lay the groundwork for planning your route, and if you’re lucky, might actually make the process very simple. Last thought: While this itinerary will mostly follow my own recent trips, it will not be an exact match. As I already mentioned, we had some time constraints that forced us to limit our itinerary a bit. I’m going to add in a few destinations that we simply did not have time to explore, and let you decide what best fits your priorities! As always, you can email me directly if you have additional questions! Head for the sunset! Driving West: the Central Cross Country Route In case you missed it, our trip started in Pennsylvania , so that’s where this itinerary will start as well. From there, we drove nearly straight west across the middle of the country and then dipped south. Pennsylvania There are many things that I could recommend for you to see and do in my home state, and it’s highly dependent upon what your interests are. Because I’ve dedicated a number of posts to the things you can do here, I’m going to focus on just a few broad highlights and options to consider. Places to go in Pennsylvania Philadelphia : America’s first capital city is LOADED with historical experiences to explore Pittsburgh : One of America’s original industrial cities, my hometown has undergone a complete makeover, and is now loaded with fascinating things to see and do Allegheny National Forest : One of several outdoor enthusiast meccas in PA, ANF has a dynamic range of activities available year round… with plenty more nearby! Laurel Highlands : Another outdoor enthusiast mecca, the Laurel Highlands is ALSO home to a number of homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Back Road Routes across Pennsylvania US Route 6 – a storied transcontinental route which cuts across the heart of the PA Wilds, you could take Route 6 the whole way to California if you so desire! US Route 30 – one of America’s most famous historical cross country highways, the Lincoln Highway takes travelers from New York City to San Francisco West Virginia America’s primary coal-mining state is well-known for its numerous mines and heavily wooded mountainous terrain. Chock full of natural scenery, sweeping hilltop vistas, and twisting back roads, West Virginia is a great state to include on your route! Places to go in WV Morgantown : As the home of WVU , Morgantown is likely the most well-known city in the state, and offers plenty of places worth checking out Monongahela National Forest : A MASSIVE National Forest that encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of rugged mountain terrain, including… Dolly Sods Wilderness area : A rocky and isolated wilderness area with plenty of places to hike and camp The Talon : A twisting and winding mountain back road , especially popular with motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts Back Road Routes across WV US Route 50 – Another historic cross country highway, Route 50 cuts across the northern woods of West Virginia US Route 250 – A zig-zagging route that runs diagonally across West Virginia, Route 250 cuts you through the heart of some of the wildest places in the state US Route 19 – Though it runs north to south, this historical route cuts across some of the most beautiful parts of the state, including the rock climbers’ heaven, New River Gorge Photo Credit: The Talon Back to Top Kentucky The Bourbon State. The Bluegrass State. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Another major coal mining state. No matter what description you use, the bottom line here is that Kentucky is one of my favorite states on the East Coast, and is home to some absolutely gorgeous back roads. Places to go in Kentucky Bourbon Trail : a conglomeration of destinations, Kentucky’s bourbon trail is an easy way to visit any number of distilleries creating the state’s most famous export. My favorites (to visit, not necessarily to drink): Maker’s Mark , Woodford, and Buffalo Trace Louisville : Kentucky’s largest city is home to the Kentucky Derby , the world’s most famous baseball bats , and much more Daniel Boone National Forest : Like MNF In WV, DBNF is home to dense woods, rugged terrain, rock climbing, cliffs, and plenty of places to hike Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area – a narrow strip of wilderness located between two lakes, full of hiking, camping, and water-based activities Natural Arch Scenic Area At Parkers Lake Kentucky In The Daniel Boone – image courtesy of US Forest Service Back Road Routes across Kentucky US Route 62 – a diagonal shot across the state, Route 62 cuts across the gorgeous heart of bourbon country and the well-groomed thoroughbred territory Kentucky Route 80 – Cutting across the southern edge of the state, KY-80 is filled with scenic beauty and plentiful options for exploration Missouri Missouri is widely known as the Gateway to the West . It’s largest city is home to the Gateway Arch, and because it sits centrally on the western banks of the Mississippi River, Missouri is often the first “western” state road trippers encounter. Places to go in Missouri St Louis : the state’s most famous city sits on the banks of the mighty Mississippi and features numerous tourist destinations: Gateway Arch , Budweiser Brewery , and the National Transportation Museum are a few highlights. This will also be the first place you’ll cross Route 66 on your trip west. Branson : one of the cheesiest cities in the country, Branson is home to countless country and other live music venues, wax museums, and other various & sundry attractions. Oh, and it sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountain wilderness. Dogwood Canyon & Hickory Canyon State Parks: relatively small but jaw-droppingly gorgeous (see what I did there?), these two parks offer lots to see and do for the lover of natural scenery Mark Twain National Forest : much larger than the previous parks, MTNF is home to thousands of acres of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and densely wooded rolling hills Cedar Lodge at Dogwood Canyon Falls – image courtesy of Cedar Lodge Back Road Routes across Missouri US Route 160 – Running along the very southern edge of the state, Route 160 (who we’ll be seeing again..!) winds its way across the rolling foothills of the Ozarks US Route 60 – Only a couple dozen miles north of Route 160, Route 60 also cuts you across the hills of southern Missouri, albeit in a slightly more “refined” fashion: Less rugged, fewer hills, and more open panoramas… but still a far more interesting and relaxing option than US Route 50, which cuts across several metro areas and long stretches of open plains Kansas No sense in candy-coating the truth here: Kansas is going to be one of the most boring, difficult states on this adventure. That’s going to be nearly unavoidable, though, as it’s next to impossible to drive cross country without crossing one of the flat central plains states. Image courtesy of National Parks Conservation Association Places to go in Kansas Kansas City : Located partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas, America’s most confusing city spans the Missouri River, Kansas River, the state border, and significant BBQ-based disputes ! Little House on the Prairie Museum : A replica of the tiny cabin where Laura Ingalls Wilder & her family lived Dodge City : One of America’s most famous cowboy towns boasts a couple of excellent museums and a handful of old school taverns & saloons (plus its fair share of casinos) Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve : some of the last natural tallgrass prairie acreage left in America Back Road Routes across Kansas US Route 50 – If you really feel inclined and/or dedicated to do the entirety of your cross country trip on back roads, US 50 is probably your best option – especially if you’re stopping in Kansas City for some BBQ! US Route 400 – If you would rather have a rural route, US 400 takes you across the southern portion of the state, and connects with Route 50 in Dodge City Back to Top Though it was still early – only around 10AM – the sand was too hot for precious puppy feet! Shocking to realize that this was in Colorado. No, your screen isn’t dirty – those are people, climbing the tallest sand dunes in America, found in … Colorado?? (EDITOR’S NOTE: The highlight lists from Colorado and beyond will not include the most obvious tourist destinations that people are already aware of) Colorado Things are about to get really, really incredible… well, eventually, once you’ve crossed over the 100 miles or so of Eastern Colorado that looks a whole lot like Kansas! Once you hit the mountains, though, the scenery is simply remarkable. Colorado is easily in my top five for most jaw-dropping back roads in the country (bear in mind, I’ve not been to Alaska or Hawaii yet). The state is just absolutely loaded with incredible scenery… more than I could ever hope to capture or describe. S electing only a handful of places to highlight (or roads to choose from) is going to be challenging from here going forward! Places to go in Colorado Pike’s Peak : one of Colorado’s highest peaks also features some of Colorado’s best mountaintop driving… and it’s very close to one of my favorite cities in the state… Colorado Springs : an awesome mountain city that is surrounded by utterly jaw-dropping natural beauty. It also features several natural attractions in or near the city, and an awesome bohemian shopping district . Great Sand Dunes National Park : an unusual and lesser known National Park (I hadn’t heard of it until Wanderlust Photography published their blog about it) centrally located in the southern tier of the state, Great Sand Dunes offers the unusual combination of desert and mountain scenery. The San Juan Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tallest sand dunes in North America. Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP : I hesitated about whether to include Black Canyon on this list. Though the view from the North Rim was both impressive and uncrowded (we were the only ones there), and the drive to get there on CO-92 was genuinely stunning… the place felt somehow menacing to us. The winds whipped and howled through the canyon, and the steep drop-offs were dizzying to behold. The drive back to the North Rim also featured several unmarked & unfenced drop-offs, and was confusing and poorly marked. It added at least 90 minutes each way to get there. So if you’re going to go see it, I recommend the South Rim , which offers similar perspectives and is much closer and more easily accessible. Million Dollar Highway and Telluride : I considered including the Million Dollar Highway as a route across the state, but the truth is, it’s one of the few places in America where the drive actually is the destination. The scenic vistas are simply jaw-dropping – miles and miles of rugged mountain peaks and dense forests stretch in every direction – and the drive itself is thoroughly enjoyable, if perhaps a bit white-knuckle at times… There are also the historic mining towns of Ouray (pronounced “YOUR-ray”), Silverton , Durango , and Telluride, with their adorable downtown shopping districts surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. I could spend weeks exploring here. Back Road Routes across Colorado US Route 50 – Cutting a consistently scenic path across the central portion of the state, Route 50 provides convenient access to many of the best destinations in Colorado while also providing a natural boundary of sorts between the Rocky Mountains to the North and San Juan Mountains to the South. US Route 160 – As prefaced in Missouri, it’s back on US-160 again for an incredibly scenic way to drive across Colorado, providing easy access to Great Sand Dunes NP, a handful of destinations in the San Juan mountains, the Million Dollar Highway, and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument… plus is a great way to head towards Monument Valley. Utah As is the case with Colorado, it’s critical to remember that this trip is the sampler platter, not the full entrée. There is so much natural beauty to witness in Utah that you couldn’t see it all in a week or more. The state’s most familiar features are its red rock desert formations, Canyons and Arches, and of course the massive salt flats . The scenery is ethereal and often otherworldly, and can often spring up at you out of nowhere. Be prepared to stop often, and often stop unexpectedly as you traverse the Beehive State . Monument Valley As beautiful as this view was, what captivated me the most while sitting here and drinking it all in was the complete lack of manmade sound. It was the first time in my life I ever experienced that. Monument Valley Zion National Park Near Zion National Park Places to go in Utah Monument Valley : One of a handful of “bucket list” locations that I finally crossed off my list on this trip is Monument Valley. I feel, to be completely honest, like we need to come back and explore the area more to get a better appreciation for it. The stone pillars were incredibly neat to see, but it felt like it was over fast – I think we might’ve missed some? Zion National Park : I said I wasn’t going to include obvious tourist destinations, and here I am, a mere two states later including obvious tourist destinations. But Zion is without question in my top five favorite National Parks in the country. It will completely blow your mind the first time you drive through it. If I had a nickel for every time my wife breathlessly exclaimed “Whoooaaaa…” as we weaved our way across the park, I could pay for someone to write this post for me! Glen Canyon National Rec Area : An absolutely massive park that stretches south across the border into Arizona, Glen Canyon has over a million acres of stunning desert landscapes and water features to explore. The twisting shores of Lake Powell carve jaw-dropping curves into the brilliant orange rocks, and the iconic Rainbow Bridge is nearby as well. Grand Staircase-Escalante : Immediately adjacent to, and nearly double the size of Glen Canyon, Grand Staircase is yet another collection of diverse and awe-inspiring arid landscapes. With arches, pillars, dunes, slot canyons, and a number of other features to discover, you could easily spend a week hiking across the depths of this enormous National Monument. Little Sahara Rec Area : In a state that is world-famous for its off-roading opportunities , the Little Sahara rec area is a hidden gem of sorts for thrashing your UTV or SXS. Hiking and fat biking trails are also available, as are places to camp. Lower Calf Creek Falls (and trailhead ): Not to overuse a cliche or anything, but the Falls are just absurdly stunning, and the moderate hike to get there ain’t shabby either! Kanab : One of several renowned outdoor adventurist towns in Utah, Kanab is a great place for launching a plethora of desert-based activities. It’s also home to the BLM visitors center where you can attempt to get walk-in permits for The Wave in Arizona. The town itself is really cool, with a handful of unique shops, restaurants, marketplaces, and museums. Utah State Route 12, western terminus Back Road Routes across Utah US Route 89 – Utah’s intensely rugged and deeply carved geography make it particularly challenging to traverse east to west using strictly back roads. US-89 weaves an unusual course into the state from Arizona, then heads east-west for a stretch near Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase, before turning north again. US Route 6 – The aforementioned storied east to west transcontinental route winds its way across Utah, intermingling with several other well-known US Routes along the way. US Routes 40 & 50 – I mention both in the same breath here because they run similar courses not far from each other across the state… though both will try to run you along the interstate for a stretch if you’re not careful! Utah Route 12 – It’s not included in the list of The Best Back Roads in America for no reason! Though short, Utah’s State Route 12 carves a panoramic path across some of the most rugged, mind-bending rock formations and desert geography that I’ve ever witnessed. Back to Top Nevada It was hard to skip over one of my favorite states in the country – Arizona – but again, for the sake of miles on a trip of this size, you have to make cuts somewhere . Nevada is one of the most imposingly beautiful states you’ll ever visit. It’s also contains some of the most desolate places you’ll ever visit – certainly some of the most remote places in the lower 48. The landscape is often severely harsh and inhospitable, and will provide you with the longest “human-free” stretches of driving on your journey …. so make sure you have plenty of gas , and fill up whenever you have the opportunity! But fear not, because those same imposing and inhospitable landscapes will also provide you with countless uninterrupted natural panoramas, stretching as far as the eye can see without a single man-made structure in sight. It truly is a wonder to behold, and if you’re open to it, it might just change your perspective on humanity . Great Basin National Park Sand dune races near Loneliest Road Places to go in Nevada Valley of Fire State Park : Intense reds and oranges will fill your vision as you make your way into and around Valley of Fire. The sandstone formations jut out of the ground in unusual angles all around you, and there is plenty of petrified wood to discover. With an incredible Off-Road Park feeding into the northern edge of the state park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here. Nelson Ghost Town and Nelson’s Landing : I found these gems by sheer happenstance while looking for outdoor activities for our adventure in Las Vegas a few years ago, and we absolutely fell in love. The ghost town is super cool, populated by ancient-looking wooden structures, and the landscape is littered with old cars. There is an old abandoned mine, and even an airplane… and let’s not forget about cliff jumping into the Colorado River at Nelson’s Landing! An all-around amazing day trip! Goldfield : Speaking of old mining towns, Goldfield is another great historical destination in the desert. For such a small town, it has a surprising amount of things worth seeing – historic saloons, museums, shops, and even a car forest ! Being fairly isolated in the sparsely populated center of the state, and surrounded by stark natural beauty, the area around Goldfield is also prime real estate for stargazing . The Loneliest Road in America : In addition to being one of the most direct ways to drive east-west across the state, US Route 50 in Nevada also sports the rather depressing moniker of being the loneliest road in the country. It’s true in a lot of ways: there isn’t much life in any direction at any point on Route 50, human or otherwise. Once you leave Ely, none of the few small towns you’ll come across in the next 250+ miles heading west have more than 500 residents. But, as I’ve already mentioned above, there’s incredible beauty in all of that loneliness. Great Basin National Park : One of the smaller, more remote – and maybe most underappreciated and unknown – National Parks in the lower 48, Great Basin sports some absolutely stunning mountain peaks and desert valleys. Sitting at the eastern end of the Loneliest Road in America, Great Basin offers plenty of hiking trails, scenic drives, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Make sure to swing southeast from there to pick up Utah Route 12 across Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capitol Reef! Black Rock Desert : In addition to being the home of Burning Man every August, the BRD is also a place to find incredible natural scenery. Loaded with abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping, this area is known as being one of the darkest – and best – stargazing spots in the whole country. Paradise Valley : Located smack in the middle of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest – a bit of a misnomer, as we didn’t see any trees until we drove up over the mountain pass – Paradise Valley is indeed an arid wonderland. In addition to being a good spot for hunting out abandoned buildings, the desert valley is partially ringed to the North & West by a string of jagged mountain peaks. The rugged terrain is perfect for dispersed camping opportunities, though the isolated nature of the area forces me to only suggest this for experienced campers. Back Road Routes across Nevada US Route 50 – as mentioned above, Route 50 offers one of the simplest ways of driving east to west across this arid state. I would be remiss if I did not repeat my advice: MAKE SURE you always have gas in your vehicle. There are countless places where you are going to be 30-50 miles or more from the nearest gas station, and it’s entirely plausible you could wait several hours before seeing another human. US Route 6 – coming into the state joined with Route 50 from Utah, the two routes diverge in Ely, with 50 heading on a more northerly course towards Lake Tahoe, and Route 6 cutting south towards Tonopah and Mono County CA. Nearly as lonely as Route 50, Route 6 is another place to not mess around with being safe – an overabundance of caution with regards to maintaining your vehicle and fuel is crucial. US Route 95 – As with Route 19 in West Virginia, Route 95 deserves mention in spite of being a north-south route. As one of my favorite back roads in the country, 95 is chock full of natural scenery, and it connects you with several of the best destinations in the state. One of the most epic views – Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park (Half Dome in the distance) – in our nation’s most epic state California California is easily the most intimidating state on this entire list to try to tackle. As the third largest state in the country, superlatives are abundant in my favorite state for back road driving. I described California to my wife as having similar natural features as other states in the country – forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, etc – but on grander, exaggerated scale. The state’s terrain takes on mythical proportions: the mountains are more dramatic, the deserts more dry, the coastline totally defies description, and the trees tower above you in startling size. California has been lionized in American mythology, and with good reason. I’m not even going to attempt to scratch the surface of everything there is to see and do – not to mention the countless amazing back roads to explore. I’m only going to address a handful of things we saw and did on our cross country adventure, and leave the rest for you to fill in the blanks! Places to go in Northern California Mono Lake & Tufa Reserve : Looking like an eyeball on the map, Mono Lake appears to stare back at you as you ogle open-mouthed at its mountain-lined shores. In addition to its striking panoramas, Mono Lake also features a number of otherworldly Tufa Towers along its shorelines. Mountain Gate Park : Small and seemingly uninteresting on its face, this “park” – in reality, more of a rest area than a park – is a fantastic place for the hot and road-weary traveler to stop and refresh themselves in the frigid rush of the West Walker River. Surrounded by steep and arid canyon walls, the melt-water river is shallow, clear, and crisp, its bottom lined with countless smooth stones for walking across. Whether you sit on the shoreline and dunk your feet, or go whole hog and cross into its “depths,” it’s a relaxing place to rest up before continuing on your journey. Monitor Pass : This white-knuckle mountain pass winds its way east across the Sierra Nevada chain, providing countless dynamic panoramic vistas … for the passengers! Drivers beware: This road, while gorgeous, is dangerously distracting. Keep your eyes on the road, and use the numerous pull-offs to do your viewing. The Lake Alpine area in particular is gorgeous, and loaded with outdoor activities to explore! Calaveras Big Trees State Park : Calaveras Big Trees is just one of many, many places in California where you can walk among towering sequoia and redwood trees. We appreciated the approachability and relaxed nature of the park, and found plenty of things to see and explore while we were there. The campgrounds were affordable, clean, spacious, and provided easy access to numerous scenic hikes, and the sky was dark enough at night to make viewing the Milky Way easy. Yosemite National Park : I know, I’m breaking my own rule about obvious tourist destinations, but come on! How can I not include one of the most dramatic scenic drives in America and one of the most dramatic back road vista points in America, all within a park that is laden with a plethora of both? I could spend at least a week there, finding new angles to capture the natural beauty of the landscapes, and I would strongly recommend you do the same. If nothing else, make sure to do the drive through Yosemite Valley , and the drive up to Glacier Point . Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, it’ll take you about an hour to drive from one to the other! Napa Valley : More specifically, I suggest you drive the loop around Napa Valley . Though a very short drive, you could easily spend a couple days meandering your way from winery to winery – the route is lined with several dozen excellent ones – and it’s ringed on all sides by absolutely stunning natural splendor. The diversity of the scenery alone – the flat valley floor, surrounded by rugged green and sand mountain peaks, rows and rows of grape arbors capped at each end with gnarled prickly pear cacti, all lined by lush evergreen and palm forests – makes this drive worthwhile… And of course, it’s easily America’s most celebrated wine region. Again, I’m breaking my own rule a bit by including a fairly touristy destination, but the beauty of the drive – and the back road nature of the route (and the small towns and villages along the way) make it more than worthy of inclusion on this list. Oh, and just over the western ridge is Sonoma County , ANOTHER excellent wine region! Russian River Valley : Most widely known as an excellent wine and beer region, driving through the Russian River Valley makes me absolutely swoon. The scenery, driving west from US-101 along River Road, is absurdly diverse and dynamic in a relatively short stretch of miles…. and it will leave you gawking nearly the entire way. I’m building a full-length post specifically devoted to this drive, but I’ll say this – it’s the only place in the half-million or so miles I’ve driven where you can experience palm trees, vineyards, dense redwood forests, a deep winding river, rolling hills and mountains, adorable bohemian villages, AND a gorgeous ocean coastline … all contained within a less-than-30-mile drive . CA route 49 near Angels Camp CA CA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mono Lake CA Back Road Routes Across California CA State Route 4 – Twisting and winding its way across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA-4 starts near the state’s eastern border at Topaz Lake , and terminates near the western coast at San Pablo Bay . In the interim, you’ll cross mountain passes, desert floor, dense forest, the scorched expanse of the Central Valley, and the dense congestion of East Bay. CA State Route 120 – Though CA-120 barely makes it halfway across the state, terminating at I-5 in the middle of the Central Valley, it more than makes up for its short distance with its stunning scenery. Starting near the bone-dry border with Nevada, 120 will quickly leave you gasping as you make your way past Mono Lake and into the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras. Before long, the alpine beauty of Tuolumne Meadows is whizzing past, and you’ve found yourself crossing the heart of Yosemite National Park. Wind your way down the foothills of the Western Sierras, across Don Pedro Reservoir, and into the spartan beauty of the Valley. CA State Route 89 – Yeesh! Another north-south route, AND another state route! I’ll be honest – the US Routes aren’t great options for east-west crossings of California. They are often multi-lane highways that cut quickly across the less-scenic areas of the state, and don’t make for enjoyable driving. I digress. CA-89 is a mountain lovers paradise! Towering mountains line nearly all of this route as it winds north from Topaz Lake along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range. The road is just loaded with some of the most stunning mountain vistas I’ve ever seen in my life. You’ll pass through a handful of kitschy mountain towns, along the eastern edge of Lake Tahoe , Donner Pass , across Plumas National Forest , and into the Cascade Mountains . Don’t forget to stop at Lassen Volcanic National Park and National Forest . The route terminates at the base of Mount Shasta . US Route 395 – Like US Route 95 in Nevada, US 395 deserves mention here because it connects so many of the beautiful places in California. It threads its way up the eastern edge of the state and the Sierra Nevada range , connecting one scenic spot after another like a spine holding the body together. In addition to connecting so many beautiful spots, 395 itself is a rather fantastic drive even without stopping. Start out at the bottom, just north of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests, and roll nearly straight north through the arid valley that makes up one of my favorite back roads in the country. Back to Top Driving East: the Northern Cross Country Route Heading home, I was finally able to hit up several northern states I’d never explored before. My primary goals for the return drive were to explore Idaho, experience Yellowstone, and drive Beartooth Pass – all of which I was able to do! NOTE : Though we drove across the northwestern corner of Nevada and had our first campsite in Paradise Valley, there’s no point in duplicating the state in the list. Instead, I’m going to start the list in Oregon, a state which rivals California in many ways, and would also make a great starting point for a east-bound cross country road trip! Oregon Officially the start of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon rivals its southern neighbor in biodiversity and geographic landscapes. Though not as large, and often not as sunny and warm as California, Oregon is still an absolutely beautiful, enchanting and unique state to visit: dense, lush forests grow right up to the very edge of the jagged Pacific Coastline, and the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountains separates the coast from a surprisingly vast and arid desert in the southeastern corner of the state. National Forests abound, and there’s even a pretty excellent wine region! Places to go in Oregon Three Sisters : Three 10,000+ foot volcanic peaks (plus the nearby Broken Top peak ), laden with glacial ice and alpine lakes, all located within less than five miles of each other? What more could an outdoor adventure explorer ask for? Oregon Redwoods Trail : Located less than a mile from the California border and less than five miles from the coast, this hiking area makes for a beautiful place to walk amongst the towering coastal redwood trees. The Rugged Volcanic Peaks of the Cascade Range : Running from south to north, and loaded with year-round outdoor activity options, this list includes some of the most prominent and well-known peaks in the west: Mount McLoughlin , Mount Scott & Crater Lake , Mount Thielsen , Mount Bachelor , The Three Sisters, Mount Washington , Mount Jefferson , and Mount Hood . Smith Rock State Park : What this park lacks in overall size, it more than makes up for with its stunning natural beauty. Though primarily known as a rock climbing destination , the park also has abundant hiking trails and primitive campsites. An abundance of State Forests and National Forests Willamette Valley : a world-class wine region, on par with the more widely known Napa and Sonoma valleys, lining the Willamette River and primarily centered in the region between Portland and Salem . Back Road Routes Across Oregon US Route 20 – Starting at the Pacific Coast at Route 101 in Newport , Route 20 winds its way east through the heavily wooded hills of the Oregon Coast Range and the southern end of the Willamette Valley. After passing through the city of Bend , Route 20 crosses the surprisingly desolate and remarkably flat expanse of eastern Oregon before joining US Route 26 near the Idaho border. US Route 26 – Like Route 20, US Route 26 starts near the Pacific Coast at Route 101. After a brief pass through the dense coastal woods, Route 26 cuts across the heart of Portland before heading east. From Portland, the route passes in the shadow of Mt Hood and cuts nearly straight south past two remarkable state parks , then across a rolling scenic valley between Ochoco National Forest and John Day Fossil Bed before uniting with US 20. Because the two routes run in parallel and join together at the eastern edge of the state, if you are making your way across Oregon, US 26 is clearly the better choice for an enjoyable drive. OR State Route 140 – Though the route does not cut the entire way across the state, it does cut a very scenic path across the southern edge of Oregon. Running east from Medford to roughly halfway between US Route 395 and 95 in the desolate southeastern corner of the state, the route’s scenery ranges from the Cascade Mountains , the waterways and woodlands of the Klamath Falls area , and into the desolate desert east of Goose Lake . US Route 395 – Though not quite as beautiful as its counterpart in California, US 395 in Oregon similarly cuts through the arid, desolate beauty in central Oregon. Winding a north-south course across the entire state, the route passes near or through several National Forests along the way. A traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID Idaho Idaho is definitely the next-most intimidating state to write about on this list, after California. That might seem a bit ostentatious for a state most widely known as the home of the lowly potato. Merely brushing Idaho off as a bunch of boring farmland, however, would be to miss one of the most jaw-dropping states in America. I had never really given Idaho much thought as a state worth visiting, and I almost wonder if that’s how they want it to be. There’s really not much of a tourism vibe in the state, and I wonder if they want to keep their natural splendor a guarded secret. I quite unexpectedly tripped over the allure of Idaho while working on a road trip plan for someone back in 2019, and the more I looked into it, the stronger my desire to explore the state became. Even with a ton of build-up and seriously high expectations, the rugged mountains of Idaho did not disappoint! Like California, picking which pictures to share – especially from the back road drone shots – was incredibly challenging. Places to go in Idaho Sun Valley : Technically considered a town, Sun Valley is more of a place or a geographic area… but who really cares what it is, aside from the fact that it’s jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful! Near the top of the list of my favorite things we saw in Idaho. Coeur d’Alene : Apparently some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho are known by the names of the town that’s nearby? Either way, if you’re venturing this far up north, this mountains and lakes area can’t be missed! Snake River : OK so given that the Snake River runs roughly 1/3 of the length of the western border of the state AND THEN meanders its way across the state over to Wyoming, it’s hard to pick a single place to link to here. We cut across the river several times during our drive across the state, and it always provided us with gorgeous sightlines and panoramic views… and if you’re a fisherman, this one is gold! Payette River : Since my Places for Idaho weren’t weird enough already, let’s toss another river into the mix! Consisting of a North & South Fork that merge at ID-55 just north of Banks , the Payette River runs through some of the most beautiful, rugged parts of the state, making long stretches of its raging waters ideal for white-water rafting! Sawtooth Mountains and National Forest : – OK, so I know that geographically this encompasses a pretty huge area, but between Sawtooth & the neighboring Salmon Challis NF , you could spend a full year exploring its beautiful mountains and dense evergreen forests without seeing everything the area has to offer. Steep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID A back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID Back Road Routes Across Idaho US Route 12 – As an oddly shaped state that’s much “taller” than it is “wide,” finding East-West back road routes across the state is surprisingly difficult. That said, US 12 is an amazing option to consider, cutting an incredibly scenic path across the rugged northern third of the state. Lewiston is the “biggest” city along the sparsely populated route, which eventually cuts through Nez Perce National Forest along the Lochsa River Valley , adjacent to countless natural hot springs. ID State Routes 17, 21 and 75 – This is a bit of a tough one to weave together, since it doesn’t follow any of the routes completely, and it’s not the full Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway either. This route, however, starting from where the two forks of the Payette merge and running east to west along the Southern Fork for most of the way, cuts through some of the most stunning canyon and mountain driving I’ve ever done. The route is lined with abundant opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, natural hot springs, dispersed camping and much more… and offers you options to drop into additional outdoor activity havens like Sun Valley. US Route 20 (and 26) – Eventually merging with US Route 26, US Route 20 cuts a long, often flat, often straight line across the southern tier of the state. Running from I-84 south of Boise all the way up to the Wyoming border and into Yellowstone , US 20 is actually quite reminiscent of driving across Nevada : vast open valleys (with stick-straight driving) surrounded by gorgeous jagged mountain peaks along the way. You’ll also pass right by Craters of the Moon National Monument . ID State Route 55 and US Route 95 – Running North and South from Boise to the Canadian border, this route will wind you through some of the most stunning open landscapes in the state. Much of the route runs parallel to the Northern Fork of the Payette River, from the outlets on the southern edges of Payette Lake and Lake Cascade all the way down to Boise. Continue further north across a handful of National Forests , Coeur D’Alene, and the fabulous Lake Pend before hitting the Canadian border. Back to Top Is there a more iconic Wyoming view? Wyoming Dear Western United States: Please stop having so many absolutely gorgeous states. Sincerely, no one ever. Honestly, though, it’s a real coin-flip, choosing whether to head from Idaho into Montana or Wyoming. Both states have long stretches of absolutely gorgeous mountain driving, and both also have long stretches of teeth-grindingly boring open plains to cross. What sealed the deal for us was the opportunity to finally check Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks off the list, so we headed a little south into Wyoming and had our minds blown by all of the gorgeous rugged scenery the state has to offer. The fact that we could shoot briefly up into Montana on Beartooth Pass definitely helped! Although back road options are somewhat limited in this vast state, I’ve definitely enjoyed every time I’ve driven across it! The stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP Places to go in Wyoming Yellowstone and Grand Teton : OK look, I know that I said that I wasn’t going to hit the most widely known tourist destinations in each state, but honestly, how can I write about Wyoming and not include Yellowstone and Grand Teton ? Aside from taking up like 15% of the state’s total area, the mountains and hot springs in both parks just simply define the state. Just don’t get caught in the traffic on US-191 (like we did) travelling from one park to the other. Medicine Bow National Forest : Absolutely stunning mountains surround deep blue alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests at this northern edge of the Rocky Mountain chain. Often snowed-in well into the late spring and beginning again in early fall, the area can be difficult to access at times, and has a surprising lack of ski resorts. That said, the gorgeous mountain vistas along many of the hiking trails are worth the extra effort. Beartooth Highway : Though it does briefly cross over into Montana at the northern edge of Yellowstone, the vast majority of Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass traverses the northern edge of Wyoming. Crossing a vast brigade of mountain peaks and National Forests, this twisting road will take you on some of the most stunning cliff’s edge driving this side of the Million Dollar Highway! Though it’s primarily about the drive – and the panoramic vista points at the pull-offs – there are a handful of drop-dead gorgeous dispersed campsites to be had… if you can find them ! Palisades Reservoir : Surrounded by mountains and straddling the border between Wyoming and Idaho, this stunning man-made reservoir is situated just ten miles south of Jackson on the Snake River… and if that sweet alliteration doesn’t convince you to go check it out, maybe my drone video from there will! Big Horn National Forest : An absolutely sprawling park, filled with more mountain peaks, alpine lakes, densely wooded trails, and a boatload of other outdoor activities. If you’re making your way across from Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills, this is a great place to break up the drive and spend a day. Curt Gowdy State Park : Both little-known and little in size, what this park lacks in stature, it makes up for in scenery and activities. With spectacular rock formations, fantastic hikes, boating & fishing, horseback riding, an archery range, a waterfall, and a lot more, this park has something for everyone! Back Road Routes Across Wyoming US Route 14 – Starting in Chicago and terminating in Yellowstone, this historic route weaves a drunken path meandering from one side of the state to the other. Running parallel (and now concurrent) with I-90 for a stretch from the South Dakota border, it heaves north of the interstate twice (including around Big Horn) before levelling out on its way into Cody and towards the eastern gate of Yellowstone. US Route 26 – Roughly following the original path of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River across the desolate central plains of the state, US-26 comes into the state in the southeastern corner near Fort Laramie, then slowly meanders its way northwest toward Grand Teton and the Idaho border. South Dakota Coming from the west, central South Dakota is where the Great Plains really begin in earnest. Once you’ve made your way across the twisting maze of granite and pine that make up the Black Hills, the landscape flattens out rapidly. The Missouri River cuts a massive gash down the middle of the state, looking almost like a piece of paper that’s been ripped in two. Interestingly (at least to me), the Black Hills is the first – and only – place I’ve witnessed a mountain lion in the wild. On the plus side, hey, at least it’s not North Dakota. I kid, I kid! Places to go in South Dakota Custer State Park : Full of towering otherworldly granite formations and gnarly winding roads, this large park is a great place for outdoor activities, bikers, and sports car enthusiasts! International Vinegar Museum : OK, so this is one of those little oddball places that I love to discover. Admittedly, I’ve not been there, and it looks relatively small, but if you happen to be in this relatively distant and obscure corner of South Dakota, it’ll certainly break up the monotony! Badlands National Park : Yes, I know, another tourist destination. But the jagged ridgelines and brilliant orange and red colors of the geological formations here seem starkly out of place in an otherwise green, pastoral state. Loaded with wonderful hiking trails and insane scenic overlooks, the Badlands definitely feels like they were plucked out of Utah and dropped into South Dakota by some “ Wizard of Oz ” like tornado. Ingalls Homestead : There are several different Laura Ingalls Wilder related locations spread throughout the Midwest, but quite a few of them are located in and around De Smet, SD . Back Road Routes Across South Dakota US Routes 14 – Though the last 40-50 miles of the western portion of the route merges with I-90 near the town of Wall (home of the kitschy Wall Drug ), it winds its way east to west across the majority of the state. In addition to Wall, US-14 also passes through the capital city of Pierre and the aforementioned De Smet. State Route 44 – Running nearly the full east to west length of the state and cutting across the Badlands and Black Hills, Route 44 is a great option for avoiding the highway on a cross country road trip! Back to Top Image courtesy of Wanderlust Travel Photography Back to Top Minnesota You’ve now solidly entered the heart of the Great Plains, kids… the rugged aura of the wild west is a long distant memory in the rear view mirror. While the pastoral miles of America’s breadbasket have a peaceful beauty to them, I recommend downloading a few interesting podcasts for each day’s drive to keep your mind active as the road stretches endlessly towards the horizon in front of you. The Land of 10,000 Lakes (nearly 12,000, actually) is a nature lover’s paradise in many ways though, and is also home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River . Places to go in Minnesota Gooseberry Falls : One of a long list of excellent parks on the western shore of Lake Superior (several of which are featured here), this relatively small park has a number of hikes, shoreline trails, and of course, a pretty gnarly set of cascading waterfalls. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park : Like Gooseberry Falls, what this Lake Superior shoreline park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in stunning natural beauty. Featuring its namesake historic cliffside lighthouse, the park also has lots of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore. Tettegouche State Park : Can’t get enough of Lake Superior yet? Who can blame you! The largest of the Great Lakes shows its glacial history in its numerous lakeside cliffs, and Tettegouche State Park boasts some of the most stunning cliffs in the state. As with most of the local parks, Tettegouche features a plethora of hikes, waterfalls, fishing opportunities, and even rock climbing. Voyageurs National Park : If you’re venturing towards the northern end of the state and the Canadian border, a stop at this large and secluded National Park is well worth your time. The park features sprawling, often-interconnected water features and is a boating fanatic’s wonderland. Be sure to stop and check out the rock sculptures at Ellsworth Rock Garden . Kabetogama State Park : This park is paradise for fishing, snowmobiling/ATV riding, hiking, boating and kayaking. It’s a great place for slowly paddling your way northwards through the interconnected waterways, meandering towards the southern boundary of Voyageurs NP. Minnesota might not have the most captivating landscapes, but the pastoral beauty of its back roads still make for a pleasant and peaceful road trip! Back Road Routes Across Minnesota State Route 61 – I can’t mention all of those glorious shoreline parks on Lake Superior without also mentioning the fabulously scenic lakeshore drive , can I? Though the majority of Route 61 runs north to south, the section of the route running parallel to the lake takes a more southwest to northeast course… and while it terminates at the Canadian border, the stunning scenery along the way makes the detour well worth your time. After all, it wouldn’t be one of the best back roads in America if it wasn’t! State Route 210 – Given that this east to west route runs across the heart of Lake Country and through several state parks and state forests, finally terminating after weaving across Jay Cooke SP south of Duluth, I was shocked by the dearth of tourist information about the route online. US Route 14 – For those who aren’t interested – or don’t have time – for a northern adventure, US-14 offers a good option for meandering across the southern end of this tall state. The route passes through a handful of farming towns and villages, small cities, and passes near the stunning Minneopa State Park . Wisconsin Cheese! As the home to plentiful cheese & dairy products, as well as the state where Harley-Davidson and OshKosh B’Gosh started, you’ll definitely find plenty to do in this gorgeous northern plains state. And because it’s the first state you’ll encounter after crossing the Mississippi River, it’s the “beginning of the end” of your cross country trip. You’re now starting back into the eastern side of the country . Places to go in Wisconsin The Dells (Wisconsin Dells) : These fascinating riverside rock formations can only be accessed by boat, so make sure to review your trip options and choose your tour carefully! Rocky Arbor State Park : Not far from the aforementioned riverside rocks is Rocky Arbor, this peaceful park is loaded with campsites and hiking trails. You can explore the woods, or hike down for a few views of the sandstone cliffs. Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum : The world-famous author bounced around quite a bit during her prolific life and writing career, setting up camp in several locations across the Midwest. This museum, near the Mississippi River in Pepin, is located at her birthplace. Five Mile Bluff Prairie : Located near Pepin along the Chippewa River, Five Mile Bluff offers hikers several sweeping panoramas of both rivers and nearly uninterrupted natural vistas. Taliesin Estate : Located in the southeastern corner of the state is one of Frank Lloyd Wright ‘s architectural masterpieces, and was his long-term home and studio. The site of a brutal multiple-homicide and arson attack, Wright quickly re-designed and re-built his destroyed estate before his own death. Don’t forget to stop at the quirky Romeo & Juliet windmill while you’re there. The House on the Rock : Speaking of quirky buildings, the House on the Rock is a must-see attraction while you’re in the Spring Green area. With a cantilevered section of the home extending more than 200 feet out over the valley floor below it, it’s an architectural masterpiece that you have to see in order to believe! Sadly, both Taliesin and House on the Rock were closed due to COVID restrictions during our drives, or I would have more photos of each to share! Apostle Island National Lakeshore : A water-lover’s paradise, this chain of sandstone islands features plenty of stunning landscapes and rock formations, as well as a number of historic lighthouses. While the islands are best experienced from the seat of a kayak, a sea kayak is the only safe/recommended method to explore the area. Image courtesy of Wanderlust Travel Photography Back Road Routes Across Wisconsin US Route 14 – Running northwest to southeast across the southern portion of the state, US-14 cuts across the capital city of Madison and Spring Green, but mostly runs across the scenic rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland. US Route 18 – Heading nearly straight east to west from Milwaukee, US-18 runs across the southern tier of the state towards Iowa and South Dakota. Route 18 also cuts across Madison, then diverts along a more southern and rural track. US Route 10 – As one of only two US historic routes that includes a designated ferry as part of the actual route, US-10 starts on the eastern edge of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan. Running along a more northern track, there are several short detours from US-10 to enjoy cities like Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire while also relishing the diverse natural scenery. Back to Top Illinois And here we finally meet the states that were a bit more difficult to get excited about. I’ll be the first to admit it: I bag on the flyover states, and that’s not fair. The midwestern states have plenty of interesting destinations to offer. My feeling comes from the sense that the vast majority of the land is open, flat, and tends not to inspire words like “stunning” or “breath-taking” or “awe-inspiring.” I digress. The land of Lincoln does have it’s fair share of enjoyable back road drives, and several rather unique features worth finding and exploring! Images courtesy of Illinois DNR Places to go in Illinois Starved Rock State Park / Nature Preserve : This long, narrow park and adjoining preserve along the southern shore of the Illinois River is loaded with excellent natural features to explore. With a handful of elevated river overlooks, a bunch of waterfalls and hikes, and more canyons than Arizona, this small park packs a punch! Matthiessen State Park : Literally right down the road from Starved Rock is another small State Park that is full of natural beauty worth exploring. With multiple bridges and waterfalls, you could easily spend a couple hours hiking the park and … soaking … in all the scenery! (Dad jokes are free for those who’ve made it this far!) Peru IL: I haven’t included virtually any “indoor” sights on this post, but the city of Peru has two that are worth exploring. The Westclox Museum looks like it will be a fascinating place to spend a few hours perusing the displays (especially if, like me, you love old clocks). A few blocks down the road is the absolutely jaw-dropping Hegeler Carus Mansion . Given that Peru is just across the river from the two aforementioned state parks, you could easily spend a couple days exploring everything this part of Illinois has to offer! Villa Katherine : Speaking of absolutely stunning architecture, perched on the banks overlooking the Mississippi River near Quincy is the incredible Moorish-style Villa Katherine. The building is currently used as the city’s tourist information center, and guided tours of the structure can be taken on an appointment basis. Make sure to explore the city’s historic district and Log Cabin Village . Lincoln Home : As the first and only home that President Lincoln ever owned, this memorial site is a must-visit spot for any history buff in your group! Back Road Routes Across Illinois US Route 6 – America’s longest contiguous historic route runs nearly cross country (coast to coast), and is now mirrored by Interstate 80 in many states. Cutting across the northern portion of the state into Chicago, Route 6 also runs through several of the highlighted locations above! US Route 24 – One of America’s original federal routes, dating back to the start of the US highway system in 1926, runs the heart of the auto manufacturing corridor in Michigan west to central Colorado. Heading west to east, the route crosses the Mississippi into the state at Quincy and heads northeast along the Illinois River to Peoria, where it makes a sharp turn to head directly east into Indiana. US Route 50 – After leaving St Louis and hooking a left at O’Fallon, US-50 quickly opens up to become a mostly straight shot across the rural flatlands of Illinois corn country. Image courtesy of Daniel Schwen & Wikipedia Indiana The Hoosier state, like it’s eastern and western neighbors, is primarily known to travelers as being home to millions of acres of corn fields. However, like all of the midwestern states, Indiana is home to a handful of hidden gems for travelers to unearth. One merely needs to know where and how to find them! Places to go in Indiana Turkey Run State Park : Though less than half a mile square, this tiny park is absolutely packed with diverse natural beauty. Canyons, creeks, a covered bridge, camping, horseback riding and historical sites abound, with plenty of relatively easy hikes to explore throughout the park. Shades State Park : Just a few miles up the road, also along the meandering path of Sugar Creek, Shades State Park is another fantastic location filled with natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sandstone cliffs set the scene for most of the hiking and water sports in the park, and it too sports a historic covered bridge. Circus Hall of Fame : This one is pretty self-explanatory! Make sure to also check out the surprising Miami County Museum in nearby Peru. Salamonie River State Park : Another very small park located about 20 miles east of Peru, the real highlight of the park is the hike to the wide drop of Kissing Falls . Make sure to also check out Hanging Rock National Landmark while you’re there. Studebaker Museum : Located in the heart of South Bend – home of the glorious campus of Notre Dame University – the Studebaker Museum houses three floors of displays featuring the historic cars manufactured there, as well as American car culture in general. Back Road Routes Across Indiana US Route 24 – Cutting a similar path across Indiana as it did in neighboring Illinois, US-24 parallels the Wabash River across much of the state, and will drop you close to several of the parks listed above. US Route 36 – Like US-24, US-36 was one of the original federal highways commissioned in 1926. Running mostly straight east to west across the most rural stretches of the state, it also brings travelers close to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks before crossing downtown Indianapolis . US Route 50 – The southern option for crossing the state on a historical federal route, US-50 runs through largely rural and relatively isolated areas of the state, eventually bearing northeast towards Cincinnati. The Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills Back to Top Ohio Because most of my cross-country drives begin and end in Pennsylvania, the Buckeye State will be the final stop in this cross country road trip itinerary. Ohio is a relatively interesting state on the East Coast, made up of an unusual mix of large swaths of flat open farmland to the north and west, and thick forests and rolling hills to the south and east. When looking at a satellite image of the state, it’s almost as if there’s a slash running diagonally across the state, separating the two different geographies contained within. Places to go in Ohio Cuyahoga Falls National Park : The only National Park in the state, Cuyahoga Falls is a relatively new, absolutely gorgeous place to stop smack in the middle between Cleveland and Akron. The long and narrow park, centered around the Cuyahoga River, features numerous hiking trails and is most widely known for the cascading Brandywine Falls . May 4th Memorial : Though the Kent State shooting in 1970 might be widely known, it’s absolutely worth seeing the memorial and learning more about the history of the four students murdered and nine more injured by the US National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War. The Ohio State Reformatory : Most obviously known as the site where the vast majority of Shawshank Redemption was filmed, the prison is also home to paranormal activities/ghost hunting , events, and other tours. Make sure to check out the Shawshank Tree (on private property, only view from the road!) and Shawshank Woodshop . Mohican State Park / State Forest : This large park area is host to a number of excellent hiking & biking opportunities, a large river gorge, sizable woodlands, camping, and a massive covered bridge. Hocking Hills State Park : One of the state’s largest and most beautiful parks – if you ask me, it should’ve become the state’s National Park over Cuyahoga Falls – Hocking Hills features absolutely stunning rock formations, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wooded areas, camping, hiking, gorges and a boatload of other incredible outdoor activities. This absolute gem of a park was definitely overlooked when the time came to nominate a National Park for Ohio. Historic Roscoe Village : An entire historic town, preserved in time, features guided tours by costumed “villagers,” plus preserved buildings, old-timey shops, and boat rides on the canal. Back Road Routes Across Ohio US Route 36 – US-36 weaves and winds its way across central Ohio, passing through a handful of historic farming towns and villages, while also completely circumnavigating the insanity that can be downtown Columbus traffic. State Route 32 – Starting at the outskirts of Cincinnati and twisting its way east, OH-32 quickly transforms from its urban start to a very rural, very scenic way to cross southern Ohio. US Route 250 – US-250 cuts a diagonal path across the state, starting at the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky (home of the sprawling Cedar Point amusement park) and taking a rather scenic track across rural Ohio farmland before hitting the foothills of West Virginia Back to Top Another Option for Driving East: the Southern Cross Country Route California Yes, I’m writing about my adopted home state twice. Yes, I’m biased. But more importantly, as the third-largest state by land mass and (in my less-than-humble opinion) most beautiful state in the country, it is definitely deserving of another nod here. For most cross country road trips, route plans are very likely going to start or stop in the Golden State… and with good reason. Though very different from climate and terrain perspectives, the southern half of California is just as loaded with things to see as the northern half. Places to go in Southern California Tar Pits Park – Though not as famous as La Brea Tar Pits , these naturally occurring asphalt deposits have the distinct advantage of providing a double-whammy: it’s also a great place to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast. Trona Pinnacles – Like the Tufa Towers near Mono Lake in Northern California, these geological abnormalities are stone spires poking through the earth’s crust. And, like their cousins to the north, they’re located in an intensely dry and potentially formidable desert, so proceed with caution. Mojave National Preserve – Though not as well-known as its neighbor to the North ( Death Valley ), the Mojave Desert and National Preserve offers visitors fantastic opportunities to hike, bike, and off-road through some of America’s most otherworldly geography. As one of the hottest and driest places in the country, though, I STRONGLY recommend additional research and significant caution when visiting. However, the desert often greatly rewards those patient and brave enough to visit her. Joshua Tree National Park – I’m including JTNP on this list not for the obvious reasons that draw in the vast majority of the Park’s visitors. Instead, I’m listing it for the sections that most people don’t explore: the unpaved trails that zig-zag their way throughout the majority of the park. Bring your 4WD vehicle and plenty of provisions (plus a good GPS locator ) in case you get lost or stuck, and bank an extra day or two to wander through the desert for a while! Anza Borrego State Park – As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, much of the natural beauty in Southern California is in the desert. Anza Borrego is a state park dedicated to highlighting some of the most beautiful features of the desert, and in the springtime, is home to some of California’s most surprising and breathtaking displays of wildflower super-blooms you’ll ever experience! BE MINDFUL AND TREAD LIGHTLY – please do not EVER stand, walk in, or take home any of the blooms you witness! Back Road Routes Across Southern California State Route 2 – Also known as the Angeles Crest Scenic Highway, this stunning drive twists and winds across the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest heading east from Pasadena. Both fun to drive and loaded with scenery, the route is a great alternative for leaving Los Angeles before heading out into the desert or finding Route 66. Route 66 – Feels like an obvious option to include, but depending on which direction you’re heading, Santa Monica Pier in LA is either the beginning or end of one of the most famous back road routes in the world. Much of the legendary route has been lost to modernization, but there’s still plenty to experience along what’s left! State Route 62 – Known as Twentynine Palms Highway, the route runs east to west between Palm Springs and Parker AZ. The mostly straight road runs across the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and provides plenty of desert scenery for your eyes to feast on. State Route 58 – For those travelling a bit north of LA, CA-58 provides an often stunning drive the almost the whole way across the state. Starting just north of the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo, CA-58 weaves across the coastal range before dropping down into the Central Valley and Bakersfield area. You’ll cross the Tehachapi Range next (be sure to check out the Railway Loop !) before dropping into the Mojave Desert. Arizona Much like it’s red-rock desert neighboring state to the north, Arizona is home to stunning natural scenery, otherworldly geological formations, and some of my favorite back roads . It’s also home to several very cool cities, several different deserts, a handful of National Forests, and my all-time favorite National Park. Oh… and it’s also home to one of the coolest stretches of Route 66! Places to go in Arizona Flagstaff / Sedona – Yeah, I’ll admit it, listing these two places this way, and first, is a bit of a cop-out. But here’s the truth: this area is probably my second-favorite place in the country. Both towns are incredible in their own ways: unique architecture, vibrant art scenes, plenty of food, and friendly locals. The area is rich with natural beauty to explore. Hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, skiing, off-roading, camping, and on and on and on. AND THOSE RED ROCKS! swoon (Did I mention it’s loaded with great back roads?) Canyon de Chelly – I’m a sucker for red rock formations, in case you hadn’t already figured that out. And this park is loaded with them. Superstition Mountains – Your outdoor activity of choice will help drive the best way for you to enjoy the expansive stunning wilderness about an hour east of Phoenix. There’s a lot to see and do in this area – and the weather can be blistering – so be sure to do research and plan ahead. Back Road Routes Across Arizona Route 66 – Arizona doesn’t have a wide variety of east-west back road routes to choose from, but one major standout is Route 66. Arizona contains the longest unbroken stretch of 66 in the US, and also has what I would consider to be one of the coolest stretches of the Mother Road . The stretch between Oatman and Kingman is likely to be the most “kitschy” area still remaining on 66… it’s rife with retro roadside attractions, and the town of Oatman looks and feels like walking onto an old western movie set. I will say, fair warning, a lot of what Arizona is calling Route 66 is actually now just Interstate 40 paved over top of the original route… but there’s still several really cool parts of the old route as well. State Route 89 / 89A – In addition to touting the title of one of my “ Favorite Back Roads in America ,” this northeast-to-southwest route connects a number of really cool towns and incredibly scenic natural areas. When to Take a Cross Country Road Trip The question of when to take a cross country road trip can be a very tricky one. In addition to the amount of time required to drive cross country, one also has to factor in things like climate, elevation, and local weather extremes. It is especially challenging due to the fact that the climate in areas along the way can vary drastically during the exact same months. Toss in the fact that most of the highlighted places will be very busy during the summer months, and picking a time to take this trip can be an unenviable task! How long does it take to drive cross country? The first step in the process of choosing when to travel is determining how long you have! Driving cross country can take as long or as short as you want, based upon how much time you have to take it slowly and explore. In April of 2021, I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Sonoma CA – almost 2,600 miles – in 63 hours, completely by myself. I had virtually no time to get the drive done, so I spent no time stopping and enjoying the trip. On my very first cross country road trip, however, after my best friend Dietmar and I graduated from High School, we took over five weeks to drive a loop across the middle & southern parts of the country! My point here is that how long you need for your road trip depends entirely upon how much time your schedule will allow. Once you’ve determined this most crucial fact, you can start to build your itinerary around this knowledge. For example, if you are retired and have no time constraints, you can take as long as you want, drive as slowly as you want, and stop as frequently – and for as long at each destination – as your heart desires. Conversely, if you still work full time and have two kids in school, your trip is going to be a lot shorter and more constrained by your time off work. What I personally advise people who are working with limited time is the following process: Get together with whoever you are travelling with and pick your top 3-5 most important destinations or priorities – the absolute must-see locations along the way. Allot these top priorities more time in each day to explore, with as little driving time on those days as possible. Pick secondary priority destinations – places you are interested in seeing, but won’t be devastated if you don’t get much time to explore them. Allot these secondary priorities less time on location, with more driving time on these days. For the rest of the trip, which doesn’t matter to you and doesn’t involve destinations of great interest, these can be the days where you do the bulk of your driving. If possible, what you can do on these days is try to pick a scenic route that allows you to pass through interesting areas without stopping to explore. Seeing it through the windows of your car is good enough. Once you’ve completed this rough outline of your trip, I’d recommend the following driving times for each of the three “levels” or categories of destination: Top priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to less than four hours per day. Secondary priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to approximately 6-8 hours per day. Unimportant areas – drive as much during these days as you are physically capable; for most people, this should be at least 8-10 hours of driving per day. A few thoughts on drivin g time : I advise all of my road trip planning customers that when I say driving time, I mean butts in seats, behind the wheel actually driving time . This does NOT include time sleeping, eating, getting fuel, using the restrooms, etc. My personal rule of thumb is that you should factor in 30-60 minutes of non-travel time for each four hours of actual driving . So if I say 8 hours of actual driving, you should anticipate approximately 9-10 hours of travel time. If it’s 12 hours of driving, anticipate 14-15 hours of actual travel time. You absolutely should give yourself at least 8 hours of rest each night. The other driving time factor to consider here is that driving on back roads is substantially slower than driving on the interstate. In my experience, when driving strictly back roads, you are going to average approximately 40 miles for each hour of driving time . That is a rough estimate, but again, in my many years and many thousands of miles of driving experience, it has consistently been very close to exactly correct. So if you are planning to drive 200 miles on back roads, anticipate it’s going to take you approximately 5 hours of driving . LONG STORY SHORT (TL/DR): If you are planning on driving cross country and back, or round trip, you should allow yourself at least 20 total days for your trip. For a 6,000 mile trip, that means you’ll average 300 miles per day. That’s a lot, but if you break it up well, it’s absolutely manageable. Back to Top Do yourself a favor and don’t go to the desert in the heat of summer! What time of year should you drive cross country? Because the weather can vary so dramatically in different regions of the country, this too can be a very tricky question to answer. This will be an especially important consideration if you are camping : when you’re sleeping outdoors, the weather conditions you’ll likely encounter become a critical part of your planning process. If you’re going to be sleeping indoors, weather becomes less important, but still worth considering. If you are travelling with children , you’re immediately limited to the summer months for your trip. It’s the only time of year that your kids will be out of school long enough to enjoyably complete a journey of this type. If you are not travelling with children , you have a lot more flexibility, and quite frankly, should strongly consider avoiding the summer months if possible. The summer months are going to be crowded by the aforementioned families with kids, and more importantly, are likely going to be unpleasantly hot in the vast majority of the country. So when should you travel if you’re not going in the summer? My personal favorite times to travel are late spring and mid-fall . Most destinations will have the least amount of visitors in these timeframes, and generally speaking, they are the best times of year weather-wise. Daytime temperatures in most of the country are pleasantly mild, and in most places, it does not get terribly cold overnight. To be even more specific, if possible, you should try to plan your trip for either the middle of May or the middle of September. A word of warning about these travel times : You’re going to have to be careful when travelling in high elevations, or at the northern edge of the country at these times of year. I’ve experienced severe snowstorms in the High Sierra in May, and I’ve experienced freezing rain and snow in Idaho in late August (granted, we were ALSO at a higher elevation when that happened, but still). So if you know that you’re going far north, or up high in altitude, be prepared for a little bit of cold weather. If you’re camping, you absolutely must be prepared to spend the night in below-freezing temperatures. Aside from those two caveats, though, late spring and mid-fall are the best times of year to drive cross country! Back to Top Our campsite at Grand Teton National Park wasn’t too shabby! Where should you stay on a cross country road trip? You have a couple basic options to choose from for overnight stays on a cross country road trip: Hotels/motels Camping Bed n Breakfasts (actual BNBs) AirBNB/VRBO Friends and family I’ve utilized all of the options over the years, and in some cases, a blend of more than one at a time. Frankly, if you are flexible and can mix and match the options, based upon weather and financial considerations, that’s going to usually be your best option. I give brief thoughts on each option below. Hotel/Motel A hotel or motel is most likely going to be the easiest and most comfortable option for you. In most places, there are a number of options to choose from. If you pay for a nicer hotel, you’ll get a clean room and comfortable bed, with a hot breakfast in the morning. The biggest downside is the cost, and the inability to prepare meals unless you really pony up and get a suite with kitchen. My personal favorite affordable chain hotels are Holiday Inn and Best Western . Camping Camping is the second cheapest option, and if you are willing to find dispersed or wild campsites like I typically do, will often provide you with some extraordinary scenery and surroundings. I’ve written a couple posts about how to find excellent campsites already, so I won’t rehash that here. The biggest downsides are the exposure to weather, and the fact that finding a campsite during daylight hours really limits how far you can drive each day. Bed n Breakfasts This is the option I’ve utilized the least, but it is one that I should probably start doing far more often. True BNB’s were once a dying breed, though they’ve experienced a resurgence in popularity recently. BNB’s are typically unique and enjoyable experiences, especially when you have a great host. They are often found in historic buildings with incredible architecture, and many include one or more hot meals. The biggest downside is that they are often the most expensive option per night. AirBNB/VRBO A modernized version of the old BNB system, AirBNB and VRBO are websites where property owners can offer up their homes – or a portion of their home – for rent to travelers. There is an unfathomable amount of variety and diversity in the types of places and the types of amenities available to travelers, from the most bare bones single bedroom in the owner’s house to some of the most elaborate and unusual overnight accommodations I’ve ever seen. Prices for places to stay can also vary dramatically, giving travelers a great deal of control over budget, amenities and quality. The biggest downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of skill and experience needed to find and figure out how to choose the right places to fit your needs. We’ve stayed in some real stinkers over the years, but we’ve mostly had really incredible experiences. Friends and Family Staying with friends or family members is, of course, the lowest cost option for overnight accommodations. Not only will F&F not charge you (I should hope!), many will often also provide you with meals and – critically important on a long trip – a place to wash your clothing! My very first cross country road trip, all the way back in 1999, was primarily spent staying with friends & family. Even with paying for hotels and meals in quite a few locations, that particular trip – 5 weeks, 9,000 miles – only cost my friend and I around $900 each! You should try to mix in at least one or two F&F stops spread out over the course of your trip for this exact reason, unless you have the space or interest in packing enough clothing for 2-3 weeks of travel. F&F will also be able to provide you with excellent insights about local places you should check out, from restaurants and shopping to parks, museums, and other activities. The biggest “downside” of staying with F&F is the logistical restrictions of basing a trip around where your friends and family live… and when they are available and can host you! Back to Top What should you pack for a cross country road trip? This might just be the toughest section to tackle. In addition to being heavily dependent upon the time of year that you’re travelling, how long your trip will be, and the destinations you’ll be exploring, it will also vary wildly based upon the size and storage of your vehicle, where you’ll be sleeping each night, who is travelling with you, etc. As such, my suggestions are going to be fairly generic in nature. Though I do have a couple posts dedicated to gear for camping trips , my intent here is to provide you with a basic must-have list suitable for virtually any trip. What I would recommend is start by working with a handful of categories, and working your way from there: Clothing – pack enough for a full week of outfits, plus at least one or two “extreme weather” options Shoes – spend a lot of time walking and hiking in your current boots and shoes before your trip to determine if they’re comfortable – on the road is not when you want to realize you need better footwear Food/Food Storage – this is addressed in detail in my camping posts , but you’re going to want water-tight and long-lasting food storage options Safety/Medical gear – though I list this fourth, having a medical kit , fire extinguisher , flashlight Fix-A-Flat , jumper cables , and other safety items easily accessible should be your first priority Camera gear – in addition to the gear you’ll need for night sky photography , I also recommend having a nice zoom lens on hand for taking incredible landscape photographs – I use a Nikon 55-300mm lens Tools – addressed in depth in my camping gear and motorcycle gear posts, just a few simple hand tools will get you through a lot of potentially unpleasant situations Music/Entertainment/books – the drive and various attractions are going to be amazing, but I’d be lying if I said you’re not going to also have long and boring stretches of time to kill on your trip. Having various forms of entertainment – especially if you’re traveling with family – will be crucial. I recommend having books, magazines, playing cards, and a couple travel-size board games on hand. Oh, and don’t forget your playlist ! Road trip tips, suggestions, and other travel advice In addition to my own advice for taking a cross country road trip, I’ve gathered insights and suggestions from dozens of other road trippers over the last year in anticipation of creating this post. Though I’ve taken dozens of road trips and driven countless thousands of miles over the last 25 years, I certainly haven’t experienced everything. I reached out to other travelers and collected their suggestions for taking long road trips. One thing I’ve learned about people who travel a lot – they love to help other people get out on the road! I’m going to start off with one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned in all my years of taking road trips. Download offline maps – LINK (make sure to click on Android or iPhone at the top) – I cannot stress the importance of this step strongly enough. One of the very first recommendations I make to every road trip planning client I’ve worked with is to download offline Google maps . Every cross country road trip will include driving in areas with no cell service. If you’ve not prepared ahead of time by downloading offline maps for those areas, you might lose your route plans at the worst time possible. If you aren’t sure where your cell providers don’t have coverage, start with this FCC Map , downloading maps in areas where no service is available. US Route 50 winds through several valleys on its way across the High Sierra in Eastern California Road Trip Advice Have a general plan, but allow for spontaneity & choices along the way Pack items that can serve multiple purposes Get a car power adapter (turns your car’s cigarette lighter into an outlet with USB ports) Bring reusable items (water bottles, coffee mugs) instead of disposable ones Bring a water bottle with filter , or a filter straw Build in time for stops at local shops, farmers markets, antique stores and other ways to incorporate local culture Opt for healthy snacks (trail mix, triscuits) and avoid soda and candy Bring your recreational wheels along: MTB, bicycle, scooter, rollerblades etc Visit more than just National Parks! State and county parks often provide excellent natural scenery and local history. Hang a shoe rack behind your seats for convenient and organized access to your stuff Buy a camp toilet and keep TP in your vehicle Utilize a small “grab bag” with a couple days’ of clothing & supplies so you’re not hauling your suitcases in at every stop, rotating stuff in or out as needed Be sure to hydrate & consume electrolytes, especially in the desert If camping, be sure to practice setting up your tent at night using only your headlamp, just in case Drive less than 12 hours per day – 7-8 hours is OK, but 4-5 hours is ideal if possible Buy a national parks pass before you leave! Always stop to visit friends and family whenever they will be near your route Ask older bikers where the prettiest local drives are Don’t drive long distances at night – it’s not worth the risk, and you miss out on the scenery! Eat your meals somewhere scenic whenever possible, whether by a window or at a picnic table or on an overlook Get and maintain roadside assistance – AAA or some other similar service Freeze bottles of water to use as ice packs and to give you something cold to drink Search for weird local destinations on Atlas Obscura / Roadside America / Factory Tours Be aware that there will be remote areas in the western states with no gas stations for 30-50 miles in any direction and plan accordingly – as old bikers say, don’t pass gas on a road trip! Always double-check the weather conditions at the next day’s destination when you’re stopped at night Watch for road closures and plan alternative routes if needed Open a credit card a month or two before you leave, only use that card, then cancel it at the end of your trip to prevent fraud / identity theft Be flexible – plans can change quickly due to unforeseen emergencies like a wildfire (or pandemic!) Maximize your bathroom stops – get gas, walk the dog, buy fresh supplies, etc Start your day early – beat rush hour traffic, maximize sunlight hours, etc Check out our tips & tricks for back roads travel! Don’t forget that there’s an entire category on our website dedicated solely to road trips! And, if all else fails, you can always ask us for help . Back to top Enjoy your trip from coast to coast!
Markdown	[![Take Back Roads](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/TBR-profile-RMBG.png?fit=474%2C474&ssl=1)](https://takebackroads.com/) # [Take Back Roads](https://takebackroads.com/) ## Seeking authentic travel experiences, one back road at a time [Menu]() [Skip to content](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#content) - [Travel Posts, by Region](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/) expand child menu - [Northeast](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/) expand child menu - [Delaware and Maryland](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/delaware-and-maryland/) - [New York & New Jersey](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/new-york-new-jersey/) - [Pennsylvania](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/pennsylvania/) - [Southeast (coastal)](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southeast-coastal/) expand child menu - [The Carolinas](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southeast-coastal/the-carolinas/) - [The Virginias](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southeast-coastal/the-virginias/) - [Midwest](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/midwest/) expand child menu - [Kentucky](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/midwest/kentucky/) - [Tennessee](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/midwest/tennessee/) - [Northwest](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northwest/) expand child menu - [Oregon, Washington, & Idaho](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northwest/oregon-washington-idaho/) - [Southwest](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southwest/) expand child menu - [Arizona and New Mexico](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southwest/arizona-and-new-mexico/) - [California](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southwest/california/) - [Nevada and Utah](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southwest/nevada-and-utah/) - [International Travel](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/international-travel/) - [Plan Your Next Road Trip](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) - [Road Trip Resources](https://takebackroads.com/category/road-trips/) expand child menu - [Camping](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/) - [Great American Road Trips](https://takebackroads.com/category/great-american-road-trips/) - [Ride Back Roads](https://takebackroads.com/category/ride-back-roads/) - [Shop](https://takebackroads.com/shop/) - [Other Resources](https://takebackroads.com/category/life-liberty-and-non-travel-stories/) expand child menu - [Photography](https://takebackroads.com/category/photography/) expand child menu - [Astrophotography – shots of the night sky & Milky Way](https://takebackroads.com/category/photography/photo-prints-available-for-purchase/astrophotography-shots-of-the-night-sky-milky-way/) - [Back Road Beauties](https://takebackroads.com/category/photography/photo-prints-available-for-purchase/back-road-beauties/) - [Pictures of Pittsburgh](https://takebackroads.com/category/photography/photo-prints-available-for-purchase/pictures-of-pittsburgh/) - [Who We Are](https://takebackroads.com/home) - [About TBR](https://takebackroads.com/about/) [May 5, 2022October 22, 2025](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/) [Scott](https://takebackroads.com/author/berneysm80/) # The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country I’ve taken a handful of [cross country road trips](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/14/cheap-cross-country-road-trip/) over the years. However, there are still a few [cross country](https://takebackroads.com/2020/02/16/solo-travel-is-it-possible-to-drive-cross-country-by-yourself/) [road trip](https://takebackroads.com/category/road-trips/) ideas that remain on my bucket list: riding a motorcycle cross country, taking one of America’s [historic highways](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) the whole way from coast to coast (US-50 is the most likely candidate), ~~driving cross country on one of the northern routes~~ (done! Just need to finish that post!) and driving a back roads loop around the country. During the summers of 2020 & 2021 – in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic! – I managed to cross the latter two items off my list. Well, sort of… While the majority of those trips were on back roads, I must admit up front that we did also do a fair share of interstate driving across the Midwest. With my sincerest apologies to residents of the [flyover states](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fly-over%20state), the time constraints for these trips forced us to take the highway across some of the center of the country, leaving very little time for sight-seeing. Like our time in [Las Vegas](https://takebackroads.com/2017/08/04/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert/), we were going to have to prioritize. [![Twisty back road surrounded by mountains](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C497&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?ssl=1) It’s time to get out there and explore\! ## A Round Trip Itinerary for a Cross Country Road Trip #### The Round Trip Road Trip Technically, I’ve only done one truly coast-to-coast cross country road trip, and that was when I graduated from high school (1999! It feels gross to even think how long ago that was…). That was my first cross country road trip, and my first round trip road trip. That experience will make for an excellent post, actually: taking cross country road trips to celebrate graduation is now a three-generation family tradition. My father took cross country trips to celebrate his high school and college graduations, in 1966 and 1970. I took a round trip road trip to celebrate high school graduation in 1999. And now, I’ve taken my daughter on two cross country road trips as well, celebrating her high school & college graduations. Alas… that will have to remain a different post to be written a different day. All of my other cross country road trips have either started or ended in my former home state: [Pennsylvania](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/pennsylvania/) (instead of the Atlantic coast). While there is no formal definition for what qualifies as a cross country road trip, I feel confident that a trip covering 2,600 miles and all but one of the states that span from coast to coast definitely fits the bill! In fact, on our drive heading west, we zig-zagged our way across nearly 8,000 miles during just one road trip\! This post is going to examine routes to consider, destinations to include, and a few other great pieces of cross country road trip advice… so buckle up, because it’s going to be a long ride\! Trip map created using [Wanderlog, for making itineraries](https://wanderlog.com/) on [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wanderlog/id1476732439) and [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wanderlog.android) Generally speaking, there are three main routes to drive cross country: northern, central, and southern. Mostly self-explanatory, the northern route stays on a path across the northern states like New York, Minnesota, Montana, or Idaho. The central route follows a path across the middle states, like Kansas and Colorado. The southern route stays mostly south, crossing states like Georgia, Texas, or Arizona. *Fair warning – This post is currently being updated* *The Southern Route is being put together as quickly as I can.* *However, because I cannot save drafts of edits being made to published posts,* *I will have to publish things mid-creation. It’s not ideal, so please bear with me\!* ~~As you can see on the map above, I am reviewing two of the three major routes to drive cross country.~~ It’s taken two years, but it’s finally occurred to me how absurd it is to not include more information on the southern route. When I first published this post, like on my trips in 2020, I wrote about the central route heading west and then a northern route heading east. For the southern option, I’m going to roughly follow the west-to-east route I took in 2019 when I drove cross-country [in an antique Porsche.](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) #### I write about these cross country routes using the orientation I traveled when I took them. #### I hope it’s clear that you can use these options when heading either direction. 1. [Driving West: the Central Route](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#west) 2. [Driving East: the Northern Route](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#east) 3. [When to Travel](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#when) (including insights on how long your road trip should be) 4. [Where to Stay Along the Way](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#where) 5. [What to Take With You](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#pack) 6. [Additional Insights, tips, and road trip advice](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#advice) ### [![Monument Valley back road](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?resize=663%2C419&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?ssl=1) ### Plan a Cross Country Road Trip As you might imagine, when [planning a road trip](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) that’s going to encompass approximately 6,000 miles, you’re going to need a significant amount of time to travel. Even in a situation like ours, where the first or last 1,000 miles or so are on the interstate, you should anticipate at least 125 hours of time behind the wheel. If you’ve never taken a long road trip – or even if you have – that’s a lot of time to be driving. When [creating road trip plans](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) for travelers, I suggest limiting actual driving time (“butts in seats” time) to 6 hours a day. This allows you to still explore things you find along the way… and won’t completely burn you out to the experience of driving. In my mind, there are two main categories of [road trips](https://takebackroads.com/2018/11/20/how-to-take-back-roads/#vacation): trips in which you immerse yourself deeply into one region, and trips in which you experience a lot of different regions at once. In the first category, immersing yourself deeply into one region, you spend your entire trip exploring all of the various things you can see in do in that particular region. You delve into the intimate nuances which make that region unique, spending hours or even days exploring single areas. A cross country road trip, by its very nature, is going to fall under the second category. Instead of spending the majority (or entirety) of your trip exploring a single area, you are going to spend a little bit of time experiencing multiple different areas. I like to call it an appetizer adventure: you experience a proverbial sampler platter of a number of different regions of the country, getting a small taste of what that area has to offer. Think of your cross country drive as a scouting trip of sorts; you’re going to find areas where you’ll have a powerful desire to return and explore in greater depth. You’ll also discover that other areas are places where you have no interesting in returning. Do no go into the process of planning a cross country road trip expecting to explore many areas in depth. Unless you are retired and/or have all the time in the world, you are going to find yourself disappointed if you go into your trip with this mindset\! As you might imagine, prioritizing the places you want to see is crucial to this process. The very first part of your planning process should be spent talking this over with your travel partner(s). Discuss the places you absolutely must see, the places you’d like to visit if there’s time, and the places you’re not particularly interested in visiting. This will lay the groundwork for planning your route, and if you’re lucky, might actually make the process very simple. *Last thought: While this itinerary will mostly follow my own recent trips, it will not be an exact match.* As I already mentioned, we had some time constraints that forced us to limit our itinerary a bit. I’m going to add in a few destinations that we simply did not have time to explore, and let you decide what best fits your priorities! As always, you can [email me directly](mailto:scott@takebackroads.com) if you have additional questions\! [![RV bus driving west on a back road](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/road-trip-west-2.jpg?resize=663%2C462&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/road-trip-west-2.jpg?ssl=1) Head for the sunset\! ## Driving West: the Central Cross Country Route In case you missed it, our trip started in [Pennsylvania](https://takebackroads.com/2019/05/09/thirteen-back-road-adventures-pennsylvania-virginia-delaware-road-trips/#PAroadtrip), so that’s where this itinerary will start as well. From there, we drove nearly straight west across the middle of the country and then dipped south. ### Pennsylvania There are many things that I could recommend for you to see and do in my home state, and it’s highly dependent upon what your interests are. Because I’ve dedicated [a number of posts](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/pennsylvania/) to the things you can do here, I’m going to focus on just a few broad highlights and options to consider. #### Places to go in Pennsylvania - [Philadelphia](https://goo.gl/maps/Gnk7GqY8F9hma5kf7): America’s first capital city is LOADED with [historical experiences](https://uncoveringpa.com/philadelphia-region) to explore - [Pittsburgh](https://goo.gl/maps/V9zcuKhDpe16ndtZ7): One of America’s original industrial cities, my hometown has undergone a complete makeover, and is now loaded with fascinating [things to see and do](https://www.discovertheburgh.com/things-to-do-in-pittsburgh/) - [Allegheny National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/EP1sqhnmPkNZE1fB7): One of several outdoor enthusiast meccas in PA, ANF has a [dynamic range of activities](https://pawilds.com/landscape/allegheny-national-forest-surrounds/#!directory/map/ord=rnd) available year round… with [plenty more](https://pawilds.com/journey/) nearby\! - [Laurel Highlands](https://goo.gl/maps/K74Tg2S7nSopZzyz7): Another outdoor enthusiast mecca, the [Laurel Highlands](https://www.laurelhighlands.org/) is ALSO home to a number of homes designed by [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://takebackroads.com/2018/10/11/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania/) [![Fallingwater house Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?resize=663%2C542&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes across Pennsylvania - [US Route 6](https://pawilds.com/journey/scenic-route-6/#!directory/map/ord=rnd) – a [storied transcontinental route](https://www.paroute6.com/history) which cuts across the heart of the PA Wilds, you could take Route 6 the whole way to California if you so desire\! - [US Route 30](https://www.pahighways.com/us/US30.html) – one of America’s most famous historical cross country highways, [the Lincoln Highway](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/longest.cfm) takes travelers from New York City to San Francisco ### West Virginia America’s primary coal-mining state is well-known for its numerous mines and heavily wooded mountainous terrain. Chock full of natural scenery, sweeping hilltop vistas, and twisting back roads, West Virginia is a great state to include on your route\! #### Places to go in WV - [Morgantown](https://goo.gl/maps/Zfip7An8RCcjmwSX6): As the home of [WVU](https://www.wvu.edu/), Morgantown is likely the most well-known city in the state, and offers plenty of [places worth checking out](https://wvtourism.com/morgantown-things-to-do/) - [Monongahela National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/Ns2f97UGMtL3QL6N6): A MASSIVE National Forest that encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of rugged mountain terrain, including… - [Dolly Sods Wilderness area](https://goo.gl/maps/kXprqrBiXPeakVSF9): A rocky and isolated wilderness area with plenty of places to hike and camp - [The Talon](https://www.facebook.com/BackRoadsWV): A twisting and winding [mountain back road](https://backroadswv.com/the-talon/), especially popular with motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts #### Back Road Routes across WV - [US Route 50](https://www.route50.com/) – Another historic cross country highway, Route 50 cuts across the northern woods of West Virginia - [US Route 250](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#250) – A zig-zagging route that runs diagonally across West Virginia, Route 250 cuts you through the heart of some of the wildest places in the state - [US Route 19](https://scenicusa.net/121812.html) – Though it runs north to south, this historical route cuts across some of the most beautiful parts of the state, including the rock climbers’ heaven, [New River Gorge](https://goo.gl/maps/sHdb6uY3cZYNfNip8) [![The Talon back road in West Virginia](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Talon-WV.jpg?resize=723%2C413&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Talon-WV.jpg?ssl=1) Photo Credit: [The Talon](http://www.backroadswv.com/) [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Kentucky The Bourbon State. The Bluegrass State. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Another major coal mining state. No matter what description you use, the bottom line here is that Kentucky is one of my favorite states on the East Coast, and is home to some absolutely gorgeous back roads. #### Places to go in Kentucky - [Bourbon Trail](https://kybourbontrail.com/): a conglomeration of destinations, Kentucky’s bourbon trail is an [easy way to visit](https://kybourbontrail.com/plan-your-trip/) any number of distilleries creating the state’s most famous export. My favorites (to visit, not necessarily to drink): [Maker’s Mark](https://takebackroads.com/2016/10/04/road-trip-nashville/), Woodford, and Buffalo Trace - [Louisville](https://goo.gl/maps/9gigESM6cGj6mep36): Kentucky’s largest city is home to the [Kentucky Derby](https://goo.gl/maps/QuQpnssF6pWMcB3Q7), the world’s most famous [baseball bats](https://goo.gl/maps/kVvTXqX3Xg7AGUCn6), and much more - [Daniel Boone National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/rdvVJkKWuFSBMgoT7): Like MNF In WV, DBNF is home to dense woods, rugged terrain, rock climbing, cliffs, and plenty of places to hike - [Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area](https://goo.gl/maps/eTJiWvriiNgrJKHu9) – a narrow strip of wilderness located between two lakes, full of hiking, camping, and water-based activities [![](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?resize=520%2C280&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?ssl=1) Natural Arch Scenic Area At Parkers Lake Kentucky In The Daniel Boone – image courtesy of [US Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39726) #### Back Road Routes across Kentucky - [US Route 62](https://www.usends.com/62.html) – a diagonal shot across the state, Route 62 cuts across the gorgeous heart of bourbon country and the well-groomed [thoroughbred territory](https://www.khorse.com/list_of_horse_race_farms_in_kentucky.htm) - [Kentucky Route 80](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#eastik) – Cutting across the southern edge of the state, KY-80 is filled with scenic beauty and plentiful options for exploration ### Missouri Missouri is widely known as the [Gateway to the West](https://www.gatewayarch.com/). It’s largest city is home to the Gateway Arch, and because it sits centrally on the western banks of the Mississippi River, Missouri is often the first “western” state road trippers encounter. #### Places to go in Missouri - [St Louis](https://goo.gl/maps/j8hT22MTwjLr3Fxg7): the state’s most famous city sits on the banks of the mighty Mississippi and features numerous tourist destinations: [Gateway Arch](https://goo.gl/maps/tc689GWSXAi5eqgJ8), [Budweiser Brewery](https://goo.gl/maps/GJ5oQqMPJR4PQ9fp7), and the [National Transportation Museum](https://g.page/TNMOT?share) are a few highlights. This will also be the first place you’ll cross [Route 66](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) on your trip west. - [Branson](https://goo.gl/maps/7XWtVJ6hvx3Yv7sn6): one of the cheesiest cities in the country, Branson is home to countless country and other live music venues, wax museums, and other various & sundry attractions. Oh, and it sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountain wilderness. - [Dogwood Canyon](https://goo.gl/maps/vrczfcVRNRm2KUb99) & [Hickory Canyon](https://goo.gl/maps/JH1ow2Z4jmtTtUmN9) State Parks: relatively small but jaw-droppingly gorgeous (see what I did there?), these two parks offer lots to see and do for the lover of natural scenery - [Mark Twain National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/LMo5WbhrgEk48NXd9): much larger than the previous parks, MTNF is home to thousands of acres of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and densely wooded rolling hills [![A waterfall runs down a cliff face into a green pool of water, with an enclosed stone bridge across it, leading to a matching stone lodge](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?ssl=1) Cedar Lodge at Dogwood Canyon Falls – image courtesy of [Cedar Lodge](https://bigcedar.com/attractions/dogwood-canyon/) #### Back Road Routes across Missouri - [US Route 160](https://interstate411.us/ushighways/us160/) – Running along the very southern edge of the state, Route 160 (who we’ll be seeing again..!) winds its way across the rolling foothills of the Ozarks - [US Route 60](https://www.usends.com/60.html) – Only a couple dozen miles north of Route 160, Route 60 also cuts you across the hills of southern Missouri, albeit in a slightly more “refined” fashion: Less rugged, fewer hills, and more open panoramas… but still a far more interesting and relaxing option than US Route 50, which cuts across several metro areas and long stretches of open plains ### Kansas No sense in candy-coating the truth here: Kansas is going to be one of the most boring, difficult states on this adventure. That’s going to be nearly unavoidable, though, as it’s next to impossible to drive cross country without crossing one of the flat central plains states. [![A hill slopes gently down towards a grove of trees under the setting sun in Tallgrass Prairie in Kansas](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [National Parks Conservation Association](https://www.npca.org/parks/tallgrass-prairie-national-preserve) #### Places to go in Kansas - [Kansas City](https://goo.gl/maps/jwRzAcsrgG7bTQyZ9): Located partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas, America’s most confusing city spans the Missouri River, Kansas River, the state border, and significant [BBQ-based disputes](https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/is-kansas-city-bbq-really-the-best)\! - [Little House on the Prairie Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/PhkiTJtC6UEgTV6Q9): A replica of the tiny cabin where Laura Ingalls Wilder & her family lived - [Dodge City](https://goo.gl/maps/YNVKKDE3pgpUvCkW7): One of America’s most famous cowboy towns boasts a couple of [excellent museums](https://g.page/BootHillMuseum?share) and a handful of old school taverns & saloons (plus its fair share of casinos) - [Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve](https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm): some of the last natural tallgrass prairie acreage left in America #### Back Road Routes across Kansas - US Route 50 – If you really feel inclined and/or dedicated to do the entirety of your cross country trip on back roads, US 50 is probably your best option – especially if you’re stopping in Kansas City for some BBQ\! - [US Route 400](https://www.usends.com/400.html) – If you would rather have a rural route, US 400 takes you across the southern portion of the state, and connects with Route 50 in Dodge City [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A young girl carrying a dog across hot sand with tall sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Great-Sand-Dunes-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Though it was still early – only around 10AM – the sand was too hot for precious puppy feet! Shocking to realize that this was in Colorado. ![Tall tan sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Great-Sand-Dune-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) No, your screen isn’t dirty – those are people, climbing the tallest sand dunes in America, found in … Colorado?? (EDITOR’S NOTE: The highlight lists from Colorado and beyond will not include the most obvious tourist destinations that people are already aware of) ### Colorado Things are about to get really, really incredible… well, eventually, once you’ve crossed over the 100 miles or so of Eastern Colorado that looks a whole lot like Kansas! Once you hit the mountains, though, the scenery is simply remarkable. [Colorado](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#westernc) is easily in my top five for most jaw-dropping back roads in the country (bear in mind, I’ve not been to Alaska or Hawaii yet). The state is just absolutely loaded with incredible scenery… more than I could ever hope to capture or describe. Selecting only a handful of places to highlight (or roads to choose from) is going to be challenging from here going forward\! #### Places to go in Colorado - [Pike’s Peak](https://goo.gl/maps/DKAyskZ7EtfxZ22R9): one of Colorado’s highest peaks also features some of Colorado’s best mountaintop driving… and it’s very close to one of my favorite cities in the state… - [Colorado Springs](https://goo.gl/maps/7PfrkniY6dxG2vJy5): an awesome mountain city that is surrounded by utterly jaw-dropping natural beauty. It also features several [natural attractions](https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/outdoors/) in or near the city, and an [awesome bohemian shopping district](https://goo.gl/maps/76CjbjVipcB1j16B9). - [Great Sand Dunes National Park](https://goo.gl/maps/LgA4kCqeu4xFGnj87): an unusual and lesser known [National Park](https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm) (I hadn’t heard of it until [Wanderlust Photography](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/) published [their blog](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2020/07/07/travel-journal-7-11-2020-exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park/) about it) centrally located in the southern tier of the state, Great Sand Dunes offers the unusual combination of desert and mountain scenery. The San Juan Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tallest sand dunes in North America. - [Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP](https://goo.gl/maps/tqd4fLNoDvq8kDkv8): I hesitated about whether to include Black Canyon on this list. Though the view from the [North Rim](https://goo.gl/maps/LWN7pnBV4betpzCv6) was both impressive and uncrowded (we were the only ones there), and the drive to get there on CO-92 was genuinely stunning… the place felt somehow menacing to us. The winds whipped and howled through the canyon, and the steep drop-offs were dizzying to behold. The drive back to the North Rim also featured several unmarked & unfenced drop-offs, and was confusing and poorly marked. It added at least 90 minutes each way to get there. So if you’re going to go see it, I recommend the [South Rim](https://goo.gl/maps/X85QYcK4g3ThM7NW6), which offers similar perspectives and is much closer and more easily accessible. - [Million Dollar Highway](https://goo.gl/maps/cJbQjmabVy85dFEc9) and [Telluride](https://goo.gl/maps/vM9XDcSHhjhEwed68): I considered including the Million Dollar Highway as a route across the state, but the truth is, it’s one of the few places in [America](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/) where the drive actually is the destination. The scenic vistas are simply jaw-dropping – miles and miles of rugged mountain peaks and dense forests stretch in every direction – and the drive itself is thoroughly enjoyable, if perhaps [a bit white-knuckle](https://youtu.be/gd5SYDzXKKY) at times… There are also the historic mining towns of [Ouray](https://goo.gl/maps/PvnTrF4W2VcLqJyz5) (pronounced “YOUR-ray”), [Silverton](https://goo.gl/maps/6BeK5YaWwjPMfbN77), [Durango](https://goo.gl/maps/VGD9BRjBzDNvXTkt7), and Telluride, with their adorable downtown shopping districts surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. I could spend weeks exploring here. #### Back Road Routes across Colorado - [US Route 50](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) – Cutting a consistently scenic path across the central portion of the state, Route 50 provides convenient access to many of the best destinations in Colorado while also providing a natural boundary of sorts between the Rocky Mountains to the North and San Juan Mountains to the South. - [US Route 160](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_160#Colorado) – As prefaced in Missouri, it’s back on US-160 again for an incredibly scenic way to drive across Colorado, providing easy access to Great Sand Dunes NP, a handful of destinations in the San Juan mountains, the Million Dollar Highway, and [Canyons of the Ancients](https://goo.gl/maps/4xm7cybLWcHaFPXM7) National Monument… plus is a great way to head towards Monument Valley. ### Utah As is the case with Colorado, it’s critical to remember that this trip is the sampler platter, not the full entrée. There is so much natural beauty to witness in Utah that you couldn’t see it all in a week or more. The state’s most familiar features are its red rock desert formations, Canyons and Arches, and of course the [massive salt flats](https://utah.com/bonneville-salt-flats). The scenery is ethereal and often otherworldly, and can often spring up at you out of nowhere. Be prepared to stop often, and often stop unexpectedly as you traverse the [Beehive State](https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/behind-the-beehive/). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![two cars drive away on a two lane road stretches towards the distant horizon, lined by tall rock spires in Monument Valley](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-Monument-Valley.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Monument Valley ![A red dirt road leading to the rocky hills of Zion National Park. Learn how to find red dirt roads off the beaten path.](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/back-road-zion.jpg?fit=723%2C542&ssl=1) As beautiful as this view was, what captivated me the most while sitting here and drinking it all in was the complete lack of manmade sound. It was the first time in my life I ever experienced that. ![monument valley rock formations are blurred behind a crisp and defined barbed wire fence](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-Monument-Valley-barbed-wire.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Monument Valley ![Tall red rock formations in Utah feature white and tan horizontal stripes](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-Zion-rock-formation.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Zion National Park ![varying rock and desert land features create multi-colored layers in the desert near Zion National Park utah](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-desert-layers.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Near Zion National Park #### Places to go in Utah - [Monument Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/AAzTiAbURjWYNarP6): One of a handful of “bucket list” locations that I finally crossed off my list on this trip is Monument Valley. I feel, to be completely honest, like we need to come back and explore the area more to get a better appreciation for it. The stone pillars were incredibly neat to see, but it felt like it was over fast – I think we might’ve missed some? - [Zion National Park](https://goo.gl/maps/B4U3VpRy8Ht1Gs936): I said I wasn’t going to include obvious tourist destinations, and here I am, a mere two states later including obvious tourist destinations. But Zion is without question in my top five favorite National Parks in the country. It will completely blow your mind the first time you drive through it. If I had a nickel for every time my wife breathlessly exclaimed “Whoooaaaa…” as we weaved our way across the park, I could pay for someone to write this post for me\! - [Glen Canyon National Rec Area](https://goo.gl/maps/9wct9dxLTQWeVf4P6): An absolutely massive park that stretches south across the border into Arizona, Glen Canyon has over a million acres of stunning desert landscapes and water features to explore. The twisting shores of Lake Powell carve jaw-dropping curves into the brilliant orange rocks, and the iconic [Rainbow Bridge](https://goo.gl/maps/4cg7oJepJoCWWEYy7) is nearby as well. - [Grand Staircase-Escalante](https://goo.gl/maps/MwnDziwRXwgZ23pk7): Immediately adjacent to, and nearly double the size of Glen Canyon, Grand Staircase is yet another collection of diverse and awe-inspiring arid landscapes. With arches, pillars, dunes, slot canyons, and a number of other features to discover, you could easily spend a week hiking across the depths of this enormous National Monument. - [Little Sahara Rec Area](https://goo.gl/maps/SvBqfXkSxhZAHymA8): In a state that is world-famous for its [off-roading opportunities](https://www.discovermoab.com/), the Little Sahara rec area is a hidden gem of sorts for thrashing your UTV or SXS. Hiking and fat biking trails are also available, as are places to camp. - [Lower Calf Creek Falls](https://goo.gl/maps/Zn7gFEDM2EGfPHhy7) (and [trailhead](https://goo.gl/maps/8gR4hTpXe5Hqp4W99)): Not to overuse a cliche or anything, but the Falls are just absurdly stunning, and the moderate hike to get there ain’t shabby either\! - [Kanab](https://goo.gl/maps/kGfB2iRMTwEfz8er7): One of several renowned outdoor adventurist towns in Utah, Kanab is a great place for launching a plethora of desert-based activities. It’s also home to the [BLM visitors center](https://g.page/blm-kanab-visitor-center?share) where you can attempt to get walk-in permits for [The Wave](https://www.thewave.info/) in Arizona. The town itself is really cool, with a handful of unique shops, restaurants, marketplaces, and museums. [![Utah State Route 12 east sign dominates a disorganized cluster of road signs and billboards at the western end of the route](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?ssl=1) Utah State Route 12, western terminus #### Back Road Routes across Utah - [US Route 89](https://www.usends.com/89.html) – Utah’s intensely rugged and deeply carved geography make it particularly challenging to traverse east to west using strictly back roads. US-89 weaves an unusual course into the state from Arizona, then heads east-west for a stretch near Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase, before turning north again. - US Route 6 – The aforementioned storied east to west transcontinental route winds its way across Utah, intermingling with several other well-known US Routes along the way. - US Routes 40 & 50 – I mention both in the same breath here because they run similar courses not far from each other across the state… though both will try to run you along the interstate for a stretch if you’re not careful\! - [Utah Route 12](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#westerntu) – It’s not included in the list of [The Best Back Roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/) for no reason! Though short, Utah’s State Route 12 carves a panoramic path across some of the most rugged, mind-bending rock formations and desert geography that I’ve ever witnessed. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Nevada It was hard to skip over one of my favorite states in the country – Arizona – but again, for the sake of miles on a trip of this size, you have to make cuts somewhere. Nevada is one of the most imposingly beautiful states you’ll ever visit. It’s also contains some of the most desolate places you’ll ever visit – certainly some of the most remote places in the lower 48. The landscape is often severely harsh and inhospitable, and will provide you with the longest “human-free” stretches of driving on your journey …. so make sure you have plenty of gas, and fill up whenever you have the opportunity! But fear not, because those same imposing and inhospitable landscapes will also provide you with countless uninterrupted natural panoramas, stretching as far as the eye can see without a single man-made structure in sight. It truly is a wonder to behold, and if you’re open to it, it might just change your [perspective on humanity](https://takebackroads.com/2017/10/29/where-the-pavement-ends-camping-california/). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![Crisp fluffy white clouds and a brilliant blue sky top the towering snow capped peak of Wheeler Mountain in Great Basin National Park Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nevada-Great-Basin-National-Park.jpg?fit=723%2C454&ssl=1) Great Basin National Park ![A side by side dune buggy races up a monster sand dune in Nevada along the Loneliest Road](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nevada-sand-dune-racing.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Sand dune races near Loneliest Road #### Places to go in Nevada - [Valley of Fire State Park](https://goo.gl/maps/UnRkcjNvQB91EphB9): Intense reds and oranges will fill your vision as you make your way into and around Valley of Fire. The sandstone formations jut out of the ground in unusual angles all around you, and there is plenty of petrified wood to discover. With an incredible [Off-Road Park](https://goo.gl/maps/nicGu1ZdZKb8Q2RL8) feeding into the northern edge of the state park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here. - [Nelson Ghost Town](https://goo.gl/maps/aSQ1Pz3LzqPRkNjM9) and [Nelson’s Landing](https://goo.gl/maps/rNNo52A69STyJS6r7): I found these gems by sheer happenstance while looking for outdoor activities for our [adventure in Las Vegas](https://takebackroads.com/2017/08/04/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert/) a few years ago, and we absolutely fell in love. The ghost town is super cool, populated by ancient-looking wooden structures, and the landscape is littered with old cars. There is an old abandoned mine, and even an airplane… and let’s not forget about cliff jumping into the Colorado River at Nelson’s Landing! An all-around amazing day trip\! - [Goldfield](https://goo.gl/maps/uQ6DQqpySXcLqdd68): Speaking of old mining towns, Goldfield is another great historical destination in the desert. For such a small town, it has a surprising amount of things worth seeing – historic saloons, museums, shops, and even a [car forest](https://goo.gl/maps/BFqTsnjks6jjA5388)! Being fairly isolated in the sparsely populated center of the state, and surrounded by stark natural beauty, the area around Goldfield is also prime real estate for [stargazing](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/28/milky-way-night-sky-photography/). - [The Loneliest Road in America](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/nevada/pictures-loneliest-road-america-route-50/): In addition to being one of the most direct ways to drive east-west across the state, US Route 50 in Nevada also sports the rather depressing moniker of being the loneliest road in the country. It’s true in a lot of ways: there isn’t much life in any direction at any point on Route 50, human or otherwise. Once you leave Ely, none of the few small towns you’ll come across in the next 250+ miles heading west have more than 500 residents. But, as I’ve already mentioned above, there’s incredible beauty in all of that loneliness. - [Great Basin National Park](https://www.nps.gov/grba/index.htm): One of the smaller, more remote – and maybe most underappreciated and unknown – National Parks in the lower 48, Great Basin sports some absolutely stunning mountain peaks and desert valleys. Sitting at the eastern end of the Loneliest Road in America, Great Basin offers plenty of hiking trails, scenic drives, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Make sure to swing southeast from there to pick up Utah Route 12 across Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capitol Reef\! - [Black Rock Desert](https://goo.gl/maps/masQpsqsu2NuxwnEA): In addition to being the home of [Burning Man](https://burningman.org/) every August, the BRD is also a place to find incredible natural scenery. Loaded with abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping, this area is known as being one of the darkest – and best – stargazing spots in the whole country. - [Paradise Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/c4VezUdyaGXhkjWf6): Located smack in the middle of [Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/ExTv6YoSroPrdqxe6) – a bit of a misnomer, as we didn’t see any trees until we drove up over [the mountain pass](https://goo.gl/maps/PyhPUoc9Uuac113i7) – Paradise Valley is indeed an arid wonderland. In addition to being a good spot for hunting out abandoned buildings, the desert valley is partially ringed to the North & West by a string of jagged mountain peaks. The rugged terrain is perfect for [dispersed camping](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/02/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp/) opportunities, though the isolated nature of the area forces me to only suggest this for experienced campers. ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A US Route 6 road sign dominates the foreground, as a two lane back road stretches off towards distant cloud covered mountains in Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nevada-US-Route-6.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![Back Road US route 6 stretches towards distant desert mountains in Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC_0325.jpg?fit=723%2C450&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes across Nevada - US Route 50 – as mentioned above, Route 50 offers one of the simplest ways of driving east to west across this arid state. I would be remiss if I did not repeat my advice: MAKE SURE you always have gas in your vehicle. There are countless places where you are going to be 30-50 miles or more from the nearest gas station, and it’s entirely plausible you could wait several hours before seeing another human. - US Route 6 – coming into the state joined with Route 50 from Utah, the two routes diverge in Ely, with 50 heading on a more northerly course towards Lake Tahoe, and Route 6 cutting south towards Tonopah and Mono County CA. Nearly as lonely as Route 50, Route 6 is another place to not mess around with being safe – an overabundance of caution with regards to maintaining your vehicle and fuel is crucial. - [US Route 95](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/) – As with Route 19 in West Virginia, Route 95 deserves mention in spite of being a north-south route. As one of my favorite back roads in the country, 95 is chock full of natural scenery, and it connects you with several of the best destinations in the state. [![A winding back road in Yosemite leads the eye to the towering grey granite Half Dome mountain formation in the background](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C408&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?ssl=1) One of the most epic views – Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park (Half Dome in the distance) – in our nation’s most epic state ### California California is easily the most intimidating state on this entire list to try to tackle. As the third largest state in the country, superlatives are abundant in my favorite state for back road driving. I described California to my wife as having similar natural features as other states in the country – forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, etc – but on grander, exaggerated scale. The state’s terrain takes on mythical proportions: the mountains are more dramatic, the deserts more dry, the coastline totally defies description, and the trees tower above you in startling size. California has been lionized in American mythology, and with good reason. I’m not even going to attempt to scratch the surface of everything there is to see and do – not to mention the countless amazing back roads to explore. I’m only going to address a handful of things we saw and did on our cross country adventure, and leave the rest for you to fill in the blanks\! #### Places to go in Northern California - [Mono Lake & Tufa Reserve](https://goo.gl/maps/LYRnE3N1PfAAVv4N9): Looking like an eyeball on the map, Mono Lake appears to stare back at you as you ogle open-mouthed at its mountain-lined shores. In addition to its striking panoramas, Mono Lake also features a number of otherworldly [Tufa Towers](http://www.monolake.org/about/geotufa) along its shorelines. - [Mountain Gate Park](https://goo.gl/maps/39FzgNS3gnwq33Zj8): Small and seemingly uninteresting on its face, this “park” – in reality, more of a rest area than a park – is a fantastic place for the hot and road-weary traveler to stop and refresh themselves in the frigid rush of the West Walker River. Surrounded by steep and arid canyon walls, the melt-water river is shallow, clear, and crisp, its bottom lined with countless smooth stones for walking across. Whether you sit on the shoreline and dunk your feet, or go whole hog and cross into its “depths,” it’s a relaxing place to rest up before continuing on your journey. - [Monitor Pass](https://goo.gl/maps/c5Vb3LVmHGpN8uqn6): This white-knuckle mountain pass winds its way east across the Sierra Nevada chain, providing countless dynamic panoramic vistas … for the passengers! Drivers beware: This road, while gorgeous, is dangerously distracting. Keep your eyes on the road, and use the numerous pull-offs to do your viewing. The [Lake Alpine](https://goo.gl/maps/PamVK5jVGWjsjoHH9) area in particular is gorgeous, and loaded with outdoor activities to explore\! - [Calaveras Big Trees State Park](https://goo.gl/maps/VF8EzbQ7XLNrbzDGA): [Calaveras Big Trees](http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551) is just one of many, many places in California where you can walk among towering sequoia and redwood trees. We appreciated the approachability and relaxed nature of the park, and found plenty of things to see and explore while we were there. The campgrounds were affordable, clean, spacious, and provided easy access to numerous scenic hikes, and the sky was dark enough at night to make [viewing the Milky Way](https://www.instagram.com/p/CJcKVteh9Ed/) easy. - [Yosemite National Park](https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm): I know, I’m breaking my own rule about obvious tourist destinations, but come on! How can I not include one of the [most dramatic scenic drives](https://youtu.be/YDpjxagr6s4) in America and one of the [most dramatic back road vista points](https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1rr5fBL9s/) in America, all within a park that is laden with a plethora of both? I could spend at least a week there, finding new angles to capture the natural beauty of the landscapes, and I would strongly recommend you do the same. If nothing else, make sure to do the drive through [Yosemite Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/Zc3gDsL6yR8Ez9Vd9), and the drive up to [Glacier Point](https://goo.gl/maps/dCwABC8K3nPSo74a8). Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, it’ll take you about an hour to drive from one to the other\! - [Napa Valley](https://www.visitnapavalley.com/): More specifically, I suggest you drive [the loop around Napa Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/GAzapN9jVtWYZoGw6). Though a very short drive, you could easily spend a couple days meandering your way from [winery](https://www.visitnapavalley.com/wineries/) to [winery](https://www.napavalley.com/wineries/) – the route is lined with several dozen excellent ones – and it’s ringed on all sides by absolutely stunning natural splendor. The diversity of the scenery alone – the flat valley floor, surrounded by rugged green and sand mountain peaks, rows and rows of grape arbors capped at each end with gnarled prickly pear cacti, all lined by lush evergreen and palm forests – makes this drive worthwhile… And of course, it’s easily America’s most celebrated wine region. Again, I’m breaking my own rule a bit by including a fairly touristy destination, but the beauty of the drive – and the back road nature of the route (and the small towns and villages along the way) make it more than worthy of inclusion on this list. Oh, and just over the western ridge is [Sonoma County](https://sonomawine.com/), ANOTHER excellent wine region\! - [Russian River Valley](https://russianrivervalley.org/): Most widely known as an excellent [wine](https://russianrivervalley.org/vineyards) and [beer](https://www.russianrivergetaways.com/things-to-do/wine-beer-food/sonoma-county-beer-savoring) region, driving through the Russian River Valley makes me absolutely swoon. The scenery, driving west from US-101 along River Road, is absurdly diverse and dynamic in a relatively short stretch of miles…. and it will leave you gawking nearly the entire way. I’m building a full-length post specifically devoted to this drive, but I’ll say this – it’s the only place in the half-million or so miles I’ve driven where you can experience palm trees, vineyards, dense redwood forests, a deep winding river, rolling hills and mountains, adorable bohemian villages, AND a gorgeous ocean coastline … all contained within a [less-than-30-mile drive](https://goo.gl/maps/ij3vik5dWdxGYF6XA). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![back road route bridge stretches across New Melones Lake in the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada mountains](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/California-back-road-New-Melones-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C290&ssl=1) CA route 49 near Angels Camp CA ![A curving back road arches towards a panoramic view of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/California-back-road-route-89-Monitor-Pass-eastern-Sierra-Nevada.jpg?fit=723%2C262&ssl=1) CA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada ![A back road route stretches straight across the flat desert valley floor towards the towering eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/California-back-road-Route-120-Mono-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C480&ssl=1) Mono Lake CA ![The Pacific Coast Highway weaves a twisting course across the coastal hills lining California\&\#039;s pacific coastline](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Russian-Gulch-beach.jpg?fit=723%2C328&ssl=1) ![The Pacific Coast Highway bends around the top left corner of a scene otherwise dominated by the towering cliffs of the California coastline](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Pacific-Coast-Highway.jpg?fit=723%2C481&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across California - [CA State Route 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_4) – Twisting and winding its way across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA-4 starts near the state’s eastern border at [Topaz Lake](https://goo.gl/maps/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6), and terminates near the western coast at [San Pablo Bay](https://goo.gl/maps/TbxFN94hEEX24vd7A). In the interim, you’ll cross mountain passes, desert floor, dense forest, the scorched expanse of the Central Valley, and the dense congestion of East Bay. - [CA State Route 120](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_120) – Though CA-120 barely makes it halfway across the state, terminating at I-5 in the middle of the Central Valley, it more than makes up for its short distance with its stunning scenery. Starting near the bone-dry border with Nevada, 120 will quickly leave you gasping as you make your way past Mono Lake and into the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras. Before long, the alpine beauty of [Tuolumne Meadows](https://goo.gl/maps/1y4TgCjTVY4oP4w17) is whizzing past, and you’ve found yourself crossing the heart of Yosemite National Park. Wind your way down the foothills of the Western Sierras, across Don Pedro Reservoir, and into the spartan beauty of the Valley. - [CA State Route 89](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_89) – Yeesh! Another north-south route, AND another state route! I’ll be honest – the US Routes aren’t great options for east-west crossings of California. They are often multi-lane highways that cut quickly across the less-scenic areas of the state, and don’t make for enjoyable driving. I digress. CA-89 is a mountain lovers paradise! Towering mountains line nearly all of this route as it winds north from [Topaz Lake](https://goo.gl/maps/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6) along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range. The road is just loaded with some of the most [stunning mountain vistas](https://www.instagram.com/p/CHnkrhhhWMo/) I’ve ever seen in my life. You’ll pass through a handful of kitschy mountain towns, along the eastern edge of [Lake Tahoe](https://goo.gl/maps/j9pjCwaULeZZvA8s6), [Donner Pass](http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=503), across [Plumas National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/a9CpYKLVs8TTTg2Z9), and into the [Cascade Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Range). Don’t forget to stop at Lassen Volcanic [National Park](https://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm) and [National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/tdN7weyKqHFmxtA36). The route terminates at the base of [Mount Shasta](https://goo.gl/maps/r9MpFuF8nTq6zVRq5). - [US Route 395](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/california-hwy-395-road-trip) – Like US Route 95 in Nevada, [US 395](https://www.instagram.com/395north/) deserves mention here because it connects so many of the beautiful places in California. It threads its way up the eastern edge of the state and the [Sierra Nevada range](https://californiahighsierra.com/), connecting one scenic spot after another like a spine holding the body together. In addition to connecting so many beautiful spots, 395 itself is a rather fantastic drive even without stopping. Start out at the bottom, just north of the [Angeles](https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles) and [San Bernardino](https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf/) National Forests, and roll nearly straight north through the arid valley that makes up [one of my favorite back roads](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#395) in the country. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ## Driving East: the Northern Cross Country Route Heading home, I was finally able to hit up several northern states I’d never explored before. My primary goals for the return drive were to explore Idaho, experience Yellowstone, and drive [Beartooth Pass](http://beartoothhighway.com/) – all of which I was able to do! NOTE: Though we drove across the northwestern corner of Nevada and had our first campsite in Paradise Valley, there’s no point in duplicating the state in the list. Instead, I’m going to start the list in Oregon, a state which rivals California in many ways, and would also make a great starting point for a east-bound cross country road trip\! ### Oregon Officially the start of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon rivals its southern neighbor in biodiversity and geographic landscapes. Though not as large, and often not as sunny and warm as California, Oregon is still an absolutely beautiful, enchanting and unique state to visit: dense, lush forests grow right up to the very edge of the jagged Pacific Coastline, and the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountains separates the coast from a surprisingly vast and arid desert in the southeastern corner of the state. National Forests abound, and there’s even a pretty excellent wine region\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![The surreal blue water of Crater Lake pops out against the greens of the forest and greys of the surrounding cliffs](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-Crater-Lake.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1) ![The dark smoke of a distant wildfire obscures the snow-covered peak of Mount Bachelor near Bend Oregon](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-Mount-Bachelor.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1) ![Vibrant hues of red and orange of the painted hills in Oregon\&\#039;s eastern bad lands territory pop out in the foreground, sandwiched between red evergreen trees and distant sandstone peaks](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-painted-hills-badlands.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1) #### Places to go in Oregon - [Three Sisters](https://goo.gl/maps/CwswesCNHRn28eq18): Three 10,000+ foot [volcanic peaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_$Oregon$) (plus the nearby [Broken Top peak](https://goo.gl/maps/oA7ds8moCHc6PHP8A)), laden with glacial ice and alpine lakes, all located within less than five miles of each other? What more could an outdoor adventure explorer ask for? - [Oregon Redwoods Trail](https://goo.gl/maps/ij3YHYiLqZbkBxE69): Located less than a mile from the California border and less than five miles from the coast, this hiking area makes for a beautiful place to walk amongst the towering coastal redwood trees. - [The Rugged Volcanic Peaks of the Cascade Range](https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=21317): Running from south to north, and loaded with year-round outdoor activity options, this list includes some of the most prominent and well-known peaks in the west: [Mount McLoughlin](https://goo.gl/maps/Tv8w1Sm8YkZu8fTZ6), [Mount Scott](https://goo.gl/maps/V3Jh56SVwwcS7dzK7) & [Crater Lake](https://goo.gl/maps/q6s2n3gMZ5oNq5Ew7), [Mount Thielsen](https://goo.gl/maps/j3QAUvppxx7NUTcn8), [Mount Bachelor](https://goo.gl/maps/JuxzakfPDymQg7RH9), The Three Sisters, [Mount Washington](https://goo.gl/maps/yc82JRphQRQ33H7V7), [Mount Jefferson](https://goo.gl/maps/1tZNTjnPxjMoc5aU7), and [Mount Hood](https://goo.gl/maps/4vNdWCai7XUMT1T87). - [Smith Rock State Park](https://goo.gl/maps/PFq96xD1yEE6bVJ57): What this park lacks in overall size, it more than makes up for with its stunning natural beauty. Though primarily known as a [rock climbing destination](https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=36), the park also has abundant hiking trails and primitive campsites. - An abundance of [State Forests](https://www.oregon.gov/odf/working/pages/stateforests.aspx) and [National Forests](https://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/state-level.php?or) - [Willamette Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/fETXD4RvdFcoYYBw6): a world-class wine region, on par with the more widely known Napa and Sonoma valleys, lining the [Willamette River](https://www.willamettewines.com/) and primarily centered in the region between [Portland](https://goo.gl/maps/hZXRzsushZns2QLn7) and [Salem](https://goo.gl/maps/9qvwh1Pi1XR6B8mM9). [![The gritty hot pavement of a two lane back road twists across the parched hills of eastern Oregon desert](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C409&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-back-road.jpg?ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across Oregon - [US Route 20](https://www.usends.com/20.html) – Starting at the Pacific Coast at Route 101 in [Newport](https://goo.gl/maps/7wDtxXrt3zHbV3DP9), Route 20 winds its way east through the heavily wooded hills of the Oregon Coast Range and the southern end of the Willamette Valley. After passing through [the city of Bend](https://www.visitbend.com/), Route 20 crosses the surprisingly desolate and remarkably flat expanse of eastern Oregon before joining US Route 26 near the Idaho border. - [US Route 26](https://www.usends.com/26.html) – Like Route 20, US Route 26 starts near the Pacific Coast at Route 101. After a brief pass through the dense coastal woods, Route 26 cuts across the heart of [Portland](https://www.visitportland.com/) before heading east. From Portland, the route passes in the shadow of [Mt Hood](https://www.mthoodterritory.com/) and cuts nearly straight south past two [remarkable](https://goo.gl/maps/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) state [parks](https://goo.gl/maps/t4ME7Wo2gsoCkETA6), then across a rolling scenic valley between [Ochoco National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ochoco) and [John Day Fossil Bed](https://goo.gl/maps/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) before uniting with US 20. Because the two routes run in parallel and join together at the eastern edge of the state, if you are making your way across Oregon, US 26 is clearly the better choice for an enjoyable drive. - [OR State Route 140](https://www.milebymile.com/main/highway-1224.html) – Though the route does not cut the entire way across the state, it does cut a very scenic path across the southern edge of Oregon. Running east from [Medford](https://www.travelmedford.org/) to roughly halfway between US Route 395 and 95 in the desolate southeastern corner of the state, the route’s scenery ranges from the [Cascade Mountains](https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cascade_mountain_range/), the waterways and woodlands of the [Klamath Falls area](https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/klamath-falls/), and into the desolate desert east of [Goose Lake](https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=1). - US Route 395 – Though not quite as beautiful as its counterpart in California, US 395 in Oregon similarly cuts through the arid, desolate beauty in central Oregon. Winding a north-south course across the entire state, the route passes near or through several National Forests along the way. ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A man standing near a black Ford F150 stares out over an enormous desert valley in central Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-panorama.jpg?fit=723%2C361&ssl=1) A traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID ![A man walks through the middle of an enormous desert valley in Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-valley.jpg?fit=723%2C357&ssl=1) ### Idaho Idaho is definitely the next-most intimidating state to write about on this list, after California. That might seem a bit ostentatious for a state most widely known as the home of the lowly potato. Merely brushing Idaho off as a bunch of boring farmland, however, would be to miss one of the most jaw-dropping states in America. I had never really given Idaho much thought as a state worth visiting, and I almost wonder if that’s how they want it to be. There’s really not much of a tourism vibe in the state, and I wonder if they want to keep their natural splendor a guarded secret. I quite unexpectedly tripped over the allure of Idaho while working on a [road trip plan](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) for someone back in 2019, and the more I looked into it, the stronger my desire to explore the state became. Even with a ton of build-up and seriously high expectations, the rugged mountains of Idaho did not disappoint! Like California, picking which pictures to share – especially from the back road drone shots – was incredibly challenging. [![A colorful sunset warms up streaks of fluffy clouds over distant mountains in Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-sunset.jpg?resize=534%2C382&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-sunset.jpg?ssl=1) #### Places to go in Idaho - [Sun Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/2FwwsmWyTPqUW29v5): Technically considered a town, Sun Valley is more of a place or a geographic area… but who really cares what it is, aside from the fact that it’s jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful! Near the top of the list of my favorite things we saw in Idaho. - [Coeur d’Alene](https://goo.gl/maps/S2VgLsyWMvwEEnZ47): Apparently some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho are known by the names of the town that’s nearby? Either way, if you’re venturing this far up north, this mountains and lakes area can’t be missed\! - [Snake River](https://goo.gl/maps/uicQw6omHRQZ19MU7): OK so given that the Snake River runs roughly 1/3 of the length of the western border of the state AND THEN meanders its way across the state over to Wyoming, it’s hard to pick a single place to link to here. We cut across the river several times during our drive across the state, and it always provided us with gorgeous sightlines and panoramic views… and if you’re a fisherman, this one is gold\! - [Payette River](https://goo.gl/maps/QnzqyNEAWN7v8caR8): Since my Places for Idaho weren’t weird enough already, let’s toss another river into the mix! Consisting of a North & South Fork that merge at ID-55 just north of [Banks](https://goo.gl/maps/iaY3JA6PUuB7tcRj8), the Payette River runs through some of the most beautiful, rugged parts of the state, making long stretches of its raging waters ideal for white-water rafting\! - [Sawtooth Mountains and National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/Ncj2DEUdt249Zqss8): – OK, so I know that geographically this encompasses a pretty huge area, but between Sawtooth & the neighboring [Salmon Challis NF](https://goo.gl/maps/MSPKxttH6bMXDuRo6), you could spend a full year exploring its beautiful mountains and dense evergreen forests without seeing everything the area has to offer. ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A two lane back road by a raging river divides two drastically different landscapes - smooth rolling sage-covered hills on the left, and jagged granite cliffs on the right](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C299&ssl=1) Steep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID ![A narrow dirt road runs along the side of one of several mountains creating the boundary around Sun Valley Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sun-Valley-Idaho.jpg?fit=723%2C340&ssl=1) A back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID #### Back Road Routes Across Idaho - [US Route 12](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us12.cfm) – As an oddly shaped state that’s much “taller” than it is “wide,” finding East-West back road routes across the state is surprisingly difficult. That said, US 12 is an amazing option to consider, cutting an incredibly scenic path across the rugged northern third of the state. Lewiston is the “biggest” city along the sparsely populated route, which eventually cuts through [Nez Perce National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/dZvP3f6D1MzX4Khx6) along the [Lochsa River Valley](https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/570/main), adjacent to countless natural hot springs. - [ID State Routes 17, 21 and 75](https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/road-trips/ponderosa-pine-scenic-byway/) – This is a bit of a tough one to weave together, since it doesn’t follow any of the routes completely, and it’s not the full [Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3803819.pdf) either. This route, however, starting from where the two forks of the Payette merge and running east to west along the Southern Fork for most of the way, cuts through some of the most stunning canyon and mountain driving I’ve ever done. The route is lined with abundant opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, natural hot springs, [dispersed camping](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/) and much more… and offers you options to drop into additional outdoor activity havens like Sun Valley. - [US Route 20](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/longest.cfm) (and 26) – Eventually merging with US Route 26, US Route 20 cuts a long, often flat, often straight line across the southern tier of the state. Running from I-84 south of Boise all the way up to the Wyoming border and into [Yellowstone](https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm), US 20 is actually quite reminiscent of driving across [Nevada](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#95): vast open valleys (with stick-straight driving) surrounded by gorgeous jagged mountain peaks along the way. You’ll also pass right by [Craters of the Moon National Monument](https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm). - [ID State Route 55](https://itdprojects.org/projects/id55smithsferry/) and US Route 95 – Running North and South from Boise to the Canadian border, this route will wind you through some of the most stunning open landscapes in the state. Much of the route runs parallel to the Northern Fork of the Payette River, from the outlets on the southern edges of [Payette Lake](https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/ponderosa/) and [Lake Cascade](https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/lake-cascade/) all the way down to Boise. Continue further north across a [handful of National Forests](https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ipnf/maps-pubs), Coeur D’Alene, and the fabulous [Lake Pend](https://visitnorthidaho.com/activity/lake-pend-oreille/) before hitting the Canadian border. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![Snow capped granite mountain peaks tower over TA Moulton old barn in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?ssl=1) Is there a more iconic Wyoming view? ### Wyoming Dear Western United States: Please stop having so many absolutely gorgeous states. Sincerely, no one ever. Honestly, though, it’s a real coin-flip, choosing whether to head from Idaho into Montana or Wyoming. Both states have long stretches of absolutely gorgeous mountain driving, and both also have long stretches of teeth-grindingly boring open plains to cross. What sealed the deal for us was the opportunity to finally check [Grand Teton](https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm) and [Yellowstone](https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm) National Parks off the list, so we headed a little south into Wyoming and had our minds blown by all of the gorgeous rugged scenery the state has to offer. The fact that we could shoot briefly up into Montana on [Beartooth Pass](https://youtu.be/-TKLM0uxiiY) definitely helped! Although back road options are somewhat limited in this vast state, I’ve definitely enjoyed every time I’ve driven across it\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![An expansive landscape rolls out away from the viewer, displaying a small resort community surrounded by mountain peaks under a fluffy cloud lined blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-landscape.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![The towering granite peaks of Grand Teton mountain range soar towards an ice blue sky over Jackson Lake](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-mountain-lake.jpg?fit=723%2C446&ssl=1) The stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP #### Places to go in Wyoming - [Yellowstone and Grand Teton](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2017/12/12/national-parks-yellowstone-and-grand-teton/): OK look, I know that I said that I wasn’t going to hit the most widely known tourist destinations in each state, but honestly, how can I write about Wyoming and not include [Yellowstone](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm) and [Grand Teton](https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/index.htm)? Aside from taking up like 15% of the state’s total area, the [mountains](https://youtu.be/J594k-Nkdwc) and hot springs in both parks just simply define the state. Just don’t get caught in the traffic on US-191 (like we did) travelling from one park to the other. - [Medicine Bow National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/mbr/specialplaces): Absolutely stunning mountains surround deep blue alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests at this northern edge of the Rocky Mountain chain. Often snowed-in well into the late spring and beginning again in early fall, the area can be difficult to access at times, and has a surprising lack of ski resorts. That said, the gorgeous mountain vistas along many of the hiking trails are worth the extra effort. - [Beartooth Highway](http://beartoothhighway.com/): Though it does briefly cross over into Montana at the northern edge of Yellowstone, the vast majority of Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass traverses the northern edge of Wyoming. Crossing a vast brigade of mountain peaks and National Forests, this twisting road will take you on some of the most stunning cliff’s edge driving this side of the Million Dollar Highway! Though it’s primarily about the drive – and the panoramic vista points at the pull-offs – there are a handful of drop-dead gorgeous [dispersed campsites](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/) to be had… [if you can find them](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/02/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp/)\! - [Palisades Reservoir](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ctnf/recarea/?recid=54449): Surrounded by mountains and straddling the border between Wyoming and Idaho, this stunning man-made reservoir is situated just ten miles south of Jackson on the Snake River… and if that sweet alliteration doesn’t convince you to go check it out, maybe [my drone video](https://youtu.be/UZFYEUpcA0A) from there will\! - [Big Horn National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/bighorn/specialplaces): An absolutely sprawling park, filled with more mountain peaks, alpine lakes, densely wooded trails, and a boatload of other outdoor activities. If you’re making your way across from Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills, this is a great place to break up the drive and spend a day. - [Curt Gowdy State Park](https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/activities-amenities-curt-gowdy): Both little-known and little in size, what this park lacks in stature, it makes up for in scenery and activities. With spectacular rock formations, fantastic hikes, boating & fishing, horseback riding, an archery range, a waterfall, and a lot more, this park has something for everyone\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![Drone shot of a back road in Wyoming near Buffalo Bill state park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-back-road-drone.jpg?fit=723%2C291&ssl=1) ![Back road view of a lake and mountains in Wyoming](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C329&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across Wyoming - [US Route 14](https://www.usends.com/14.html) – Starting in Chicago and terminating in Yellowstone, this historic route weaves a drunken path meandering from one side of the state to the other. Running parallel (and now concurrent) with I-90 for a stretch from the South Dakota border, it heaves north of the interstate twice (including around Big Horn) before levelling out on its way into [Cody](https://www.codyyellowstone.org/see-do/) and towards the eastern gate of Yellowstone. - [US Route 26](https://www.aaroads.com/west/us-026_wy.html) – Roughly following the original path of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River across the desolate central plains of the state, US-26 comes into the state in the southeastern corner near Fort Laramie, then slowly meanders its way northwest toward Grand Teton and the Idaho border. [![A pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles enter Doane Robinson Tunnel, with the faces on Mount Rushmore clearly visible under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?resize=663%2C416&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?ssl=1) ### South Dakota Coming from the west, central South Dakota is where the Great Plains really begin in earnest. Once you’ve made your way across the twisting maze of granite and pine that make up the Black Hills, the landscape flattens out rapidly. The Missouri River cuts a massive gash down the middle of the state, looking almost like a piece of paper that’s been ripped in two. Interestingly (at least to me), the Black Hills is the first – and only – place I’ve witnessed a mountain lion in the wild. On the plus side, hey, at least it’s not North Dakota. I kid, I kid\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![The painted sandy hills of the South Dakota badlands glow in the setting sun at golden hour](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Badlands-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![Wall drug signs are lit up under the falling darkness at dusk](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wall-Drug-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) #### Places to go in South Dakota - [Custer State Park](https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/): Full of towering otherworldly granite formations and gnarly winding roads, this large park is a great place for outdoor activities, bikers, and sports car enthusiasts\! - [International Vinegar Museum](https://www.internationalvinegarmuseum.com/visit.html): OK, so this is one of those little oddball places that I love to discover. Admittedly, I’ve not been there, and it looks relatively small, but if you happen to be in this relatively distant and obscure corner of South Dakota, it’ll certainly break up the monotony\! - [Badlands National Park](https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm): Yes, I know, another tourist destination. But the jagged ridgelines and brilliant orange and red colors of the geological formations here seem starkly out of place in an otherwise green, pastoral state. Loaded with wonderful hiking trails and insane scenic overlooks, the Badlands definitely feels like they were plucked out of Utah and dropped into South Dakota by some “[Wizard of Oz](https://youtu.be/awL4PJRrp9Q?t=131)” like tornado. - [Ingalls Homestead](https://discoverlaura.org/visit): There are several different [Laura Ingalls Wilder related locations](https://www.google.com/maps/search/laura+ingalls+wilder+sites/@44.2797775,-96.0893894,7.29z/data=!4m2!2m1!6e1) spread throughout the Midwest, but quite a few of them are located in and around [De Smet, SD](https://www.ingallshomestead.com/de-smet-info). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A dirt road bounces along the dusty rolling hills in badlands territory of South Dakota](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/South-Dakota-back-road-2.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![A two lane back road stretches out towards the jagged hills of South Dakota\&\#039;s badlands national park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/South-Dakota-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C338&ssl=1) ![A single lane dirt road sweeps past a small sandstone feature in the badlands region of South Dakota](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/South-Dakota-dirt-road-badlands.jpg?fit=723%2C407&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across South Dakota - US Routes 14 – Though the last 40-50 miles of the western portion of the route merges with I-90 near the town of Wall (home of the kitschy [Wall Drug](https://www.walldrug.com/)), it winds its way east to west across the majority of the state. In addition to Wall, US-14 also passes through the capital city of [Pierre](https://pierre.org/visit-pierre-south-dakota/) and the aforementioned De Smet. - [State Route 44](https://605magazine.com/2018/04/30/605-road-trip-highway-44/) – Running nearly the full east to west length of the state and cutting across the Badlands and Black Hills, Route 44 is a great option for avoiding the highway on a cross country road trip\! [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![Golden hour at Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2018/03/03/minnesota-beauty-split-rock-lighthouse-and-gooseberry-falls/) [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Minnesota You’ve now solidly entered the heart of the Great Plains, kids… the rugged aura of the wild west is a long distant memory in the rear view mirror. While the pastoral miles of America’s breadbasket have a peaceful beauty to them, I recommend downloading a few interesting podcasts for each day’s drive to keep your mind active as the road stretches endlessly towards the horizon in front of you. The [Land of 10,000 Lakes](https://www.exploreminnesota.com/list/5-ways-to-enjoy-minnesotas-10000-lakes) (nearly 12,000, actually) is a [nature lover’s paradise](https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/outdoor-adventures-await-minnesota) in many ways though, and is also home to the [headwaters of the Mississippi River](https://www.mississippiheadwaters.org/history.asp#:~:text=The%20Mississippi%20River%20begins%20as,one-half%20of%20the%20nation.). #### Places to go in Minnesota - [Gooseberry Falls](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00172#homepage): One of a long list of excellent parks on the western shore of Lake Superior (several of which are featured here), this relatively small park has a number of hikes, shoreline trails, and of course, a pretty gnarly set of cascading waterfalls. - [Split Rock Lighthouse State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00266#homepage): Like Gooseberry Falls, what this Lake Superior shoreline park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in stunning natural beauty. Featuring its namesake historic cliffside lighthouse, the park also has lots of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore. - [Tettegouche State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00269#homepage): Can’t get enough of Lake Superior yet? Who can blame you! The largest of the Great Lakes shows its glacial history in its numerous lakeside cliffs, and Tettegouche State Park boasts some of the most stunning cliffs in the state. As with most of the local parks, Tettegouche features a plethora of hikes, waterfalls, fishing opportunities, and even rock climbing. - [Voyageurs National Park](https://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm): If you’re venturing towards the northern end of the state and the Canadian border, a stop at this large and secluded National Park is well worth your time. The park features sprawling, often-interconnected water features and is a boating fanatic’s wonderland. Be sure to stop and check out the rock sculptures at [Ellsworth Rock Garden](https://goo.gl/maps/176CegyAybgQYCAp9). - [Kabetogama State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/forest.html?id=sft00027#homepage): This park is paradise for fishing, snowmobiling/ATV riding, hiking, boating and kayaking. It’s a great place for slowly paddling your way northwards through the interconnected waterways, meandering towards the southern boundary of Voyageurs NP. [![A two lane Minnesota back road stretches out towards the horizon under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?ssl=1) Minnesota might not have the most captivating landscapes, but the pastoral beauty of its back roads still make for a pleasant and peaceful road trip\! #### Back Road Routes Across Minnesota - [State Route 61](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#westernm) – I can’t mention all of those glorious shoreline parks on Lake Superior without also mentioning the fabulously [scenic lakeshore drive](https://northshorevisitor.com/communities/scenic-61/), can I? Though the majority of Route 61 runs north to south, the section of the route running parallel to the lake takes a more southwest to northeast course… and while it terminates at the Canadian border, the stunning scenery along the way makes the detour well worth your time. After all, it wouldn’t be one of the [best back roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state) if it wasn’t\! - [State Route 210](https://roadnow.com/us/mn/mn-210.html) – Given that this east to west route runs across the heart of Lake Country and through several state parks and state forests, finally terminating after weaving across [Jay Cooke SP](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00187#homepage) south of Duluth, I was shocked by the dearth of tourist information about the route online. - US Route 14 – For those who aren’t interested – or don’t have time – for a northern adventure, US-14 offers a good option for meandering across the southern end of this tall state. The route passes through a handful of farming towns and villages, small cities, and passes near the stunning [Minneopa State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/minneopa_itinerary.html). ### [![A red wheel of Wisconsin Cheese sits on a decorative wooden cutting block in front of shelving full of other Wisconsin products](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?resize=663%2C387&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?ssl=1) ### Wisconsin Cheese! As the home to plentiful cheese & dairy products, as well as the state where [Harley-Davidson](https://www.insurance.harley-davidson.com/the-open-road/profiles/founders-of-harley-davidson) and [OshKosh B’Gosh](https://www.oshkosh.com/oshkosh/okbg-story.html?id=oshkosh) started, you’ll definitely find plenty to do in this gorgeous northern plains state. And because it’s the first state you’ll encounter after crossing the Mississippi River, it’s the “beginning of the end” of your cross country trip. You’re now starting back into the [eastern side of the country](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#topeast). #### Places to go in Wisconsin - [The Dells (Wisconsin Dells)](https://www.wisdells.com/wisconsin-dells-attraction/tours.htm): These fascinating riverside rock formations can only be accessed by boat, so make sure to review your trip options and choose your tour carefully\! - [Rocky Arbor State Park](https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rockyarbor/recreation): Not far from the aforementioned riverside rocks is Rocky Arbor, this peaceful park is loaded with campsites and hiking trails. You can explore the woods, or hike down for a few views of the sandstone cliffs. - [Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum](https://www.lauraingallspepin.com/): The world-famous author bounced around quite a bit during her prolific life and writing career, setting up camp in several locations across the Midwest. This museum, near the Mississippi River in Pepin, is located at her birthplace. - [Five Mile Bluff Prairie](https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=76): Located near Pepin along the Chippewa River, Five Mile Bluff offers hikers several sweeping panoramas of both rivers and nearly uninterrupted natural vistas. - [Taliesin Estate](https://www.taliesinpreservation.org/tours/): Located in the southeastern corner of the state is one of [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://takebackroads.com/2018/10/11/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania/)‘s architectural masterpieces, and was his long-term home and studio. The site of a brutal multiple-homicide and arson attack, Wright quickly re-designed and re-built his destroyed estate before his own death. Don’t forget to stop at the quirky [Romeo & Juliet windmill](https://goo.gl/maps/fY6bH3me3SCj5ocC9) while you’re there. - [The House on the Rock](https://www.thehouseontherock.com/): Speaking of quirky buildings, the House on the Rock is a must-see attraction while you’re in the Spring Green area. With a cantilevered section of the home extending more than 200 feet out over the valley floor below it, it’s an architectural masterpiece that you have to see in order to believe! Sadly, both Taliesin and House on the Rock were closed due to COVID restrictions during our drives, or I would have more photos of each to share\! - [Apostle Island National Lakeshore](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Apostle+Islands+National+Lakeshore/@46.9302046,-90.6333321,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4000!8i3000!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88074f57372daee1:0x972160075cd0cdaa!2sThe+Dells!3b1!8m2!3d43.6416457!4d-89.783458!3m4!1s0x52a8fea6288e5235:0x4772c8f9b80b5a3!8m2!3d46.9302046!4d-90.6333321): A water-lover’s paradise, this chain of sandstone islands features plenty of stunning landscapes and rock formations, as well as a number of historic lighthouses. While the islands are best experienced from the seat of a kayak, a sea kayak is the only [safe/recommended method](https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/kayaking.htm) to explore the area. [![Kayakers stare up at fire red stone cliffs from the water surrounding Apostle Islands](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Apostle-Islands.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Apostle-Islands.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2019/07/16/apostle-islands-visitor-guide/) #### Back Road Routes Across Wisconsin - US Route 14 – Running northwest to southeast across the southern portion of the state, US-14 cuts across the capital city of Madison and Spring Green, but mostly runs across the scenic rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland. - [US Route 18](https://www.usends.com/18.html) – Heading nearly straight east to west from Milwaukee, US-18 runs across the southern tier of the state towards Iowa and South Dakota. Route 18 also cuts across Madison, then diverts along a more southern and rural track. - [US Route 10](https://www.usends.com/10.html) – As one of only two US historic routes that includes a designated ferry as part of the actual route, US-10 starts on the eastern edge of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan. Running along a more northern track, there are several short detours from US-10 to enjoy cities like Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire while also relishing the diverse natural scenery. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Illinois And here we finally meet the states that were a bit more difficult to get excited about. I’ll be the first to admit it: I bag on the flyover states, and that’s not fair. The midwestern states have plenty of interesting destinations to offer. My feeling comes from the sense that the vast majority of the land is open, flat, and tends not to inspire words like “stunning” or “breath-taking” or “awe-inspiring.” I digress. The land of Lincoln does have it’s fair share of enjoyable back road drives, and several rather unique features worth finding and exploring\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A wide natural arch frames a hiker walking through the fallen leaves at Starved Rock State Park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Starved-Rock-1.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1) ![Walkers stare up at steep cliff faces lining a narrow canyon at Starved Rock State Park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Starved-Rock-2.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1) ###### Images courtesy of [Illinois DNR](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx) #### Places to go in Illinois - [Starved Rock State Park / Nature Preserve](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx): This long, narrow park and adjoining preserve along the southern shore of the Illinois River is loaded with excellent natural features to explore. With a handful of elevated river overlooks, a bunch of waterfalls and hikes, and more canyons than Arizona, this small park packs a punch\! - [Matthiessen State Park](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/Matthiessen.aspx): Literally right down the road from Starved Rock is another small State Park that is full of natural beauty worth exploring. With multiple bridges and waterfalls, you could easily spend a couple hours hiking the park and … soaking … in all the scenery! (Dad jokes are free for those who’ve made it this far!) - Peru IL: I haven’t included virtually any “indoor” sights on this post, but the city of Peru has two that are worth exploring. The [Westclox Museum](https://www.westcloxmuseum.com/) looks like it will be a fascinating place to spend a few hours perusing the displays (especially if, like me, you love old clocks). A few blocks down the road is the absolutely jaw-dropping [Hegeler Carus Mansion](https://hegelercarus.org/). Given that Peru is just across the river from the two aforementioned state parks, you could easily spend a couple days exploring everything this part of Illinois has to offer\! - [Villa Katherine](https://www.quincyparkdistrict.com/parks-and-facilities/villa-kathrine-park/): Speaking of absolutely stunning architecture, perched on the banks overlooking the Mississippi River near Quincy is the incredible Moorish-style Villa Katherine. The building is currently used as the city’s tourist information center, and guided tours of the structure can be taken on an appointment basis. Make sure to explore the city’s [historic district](https://goo.gl/maps/F8Zmba9ZUjVheB1z8) and [Log Cabin Village](https://goo.gl/maps/Upr5LE3UJZe2yPQ57). - [Lincoln Home](https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/the-lincoln-home.htm): As the first and only home that [President Lincoln](https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/links.htm) ever owned, this memorial site is a must-visit spot for any history buff in your group\! #### Back Road Routes Across Illinois - [US Route 6](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us6.cfm) – America’s longest contiguous historic route runs nearly cross country (coast to coast), and is now mirrored by Interstate 80 in many states. Cutting across the northern portion of the state into Chicago, Route 6 also runs through several of the highlighted locations above\! - [US Route 24](https://www.listchallenges.com/us-route-24) – One of America’s original federal routes, dating back to the start of the US highway system in 1926, runs the heart of the auto manufacturing corridor in Michigan west to central Colorado. Heading west to east, the route crosses the Mississippi into the state at Quincy and heads northeast along the Illinois River to Peoria, where it makes a sharp turn to head directly east into Indiana. - US Route 50 – After leaving St Louis and hooking a left at O’Fallon, US-50 quickly opens up to become a mostly straight shot across the rural flatlands of Illinois corn country. [![Sugar Creek runs through Turkey Run State Park in Indiana](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [Daniel Schwen & Wikipedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4008314) ### Indiana The [Hoosier](https://youtu.be/C2ILSuQOmEg) state, like it’s eastern and western neighbors, is primarily known to travelers as being home to millions of acres of corn fields. However, like all of the midwestern states, Indiana is home to a handful of hidden gems for travelers to unearth. One merely needs to know where and how to find them\! #### Places to go in Indiana - [Turkey Run State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/turkey-run-state-park/): Though less than half a mile square, this tiny park is absolutely packed with diverse natural beauty. Canyons, creeks, a covered bridge, camping, horseback riding and historical sites abound, with plenty of relatively easy hikes to explore throughout the park. - [Shades State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/shades-state-park/): Just a few miles up the road, also along the meandering path of Sugar Creek, Shades State Park is another fantastic location filled with natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sandstone cliffs set the scene for most of the hiking and water sports in the park, and it too sports a historic covered bridge. - [Circus Hall of Fame](https://goo.gl/maps/U4PfqSnYYxcQXZZr8): This one is pretty self-explanatory! Make sure to also check out the surprising [Miami County Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/DZRYdww9QNCsEW8T6) in nearby Peru. - [Salamonie River State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/salamonie-river-state-forest/): Another very small park located about 20 miles east of Peru, the real highlight of the park is the hike to the wide drop of [Kissing Falls](https://goo.gl/maps/Bb5D3nHU1ZxEW5LF7). Make sure to also check out [Hanging Rock National Landmark](https://goo.gl/maps/ZJBHsfRv6GYRWiWu5) while you’re there. - [Studebaker Museum](https://www.studebakermuseum.org/): Located in the heart of South Bend – home of the glorious campus of [Notre Dame University](https://www.nd.edu/) – the Studebaker Museum houses three floors of displays featuring the historic cars manufactured there, as well as American car culture in general. #### Back Road Routes Across Indiana - US Route 24 – Cutting a similar path across Indiana as it did in neighboring Illinois, US-24 parallels the Wabash River across much of the state, and will drop you close to several of the parks listed above. - [US Route 36](https://www.usends.com/36.html) – Like US-24, US-36 was one of the original federal highways commissioned in 1926. Running mostly straight east to west across the most rural stretches of the state, it also brings travelers close to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks before crossing downtown [Indianapolis](https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-things-to-do). - US Route 50 – The southern option for crossing the state on a historical federal route, US-50 runs through largely rural and relatively isolated areas of the state, eventually bearing northeast towards Cincinnati. [![Upper falls under a stone arch bridge near old man's cave in hocking hills ohio](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/img_5767.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/img_5767.jpg?ssl=1) The Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Ohio Because most of my cross-country drives begin and end in Pennsylvania, the Buckeye State will be the final stop in this cross country road trip itinerary. Ohio is a relatively interesting state on the East Coast, made up of an unusual mix of large swaths of flat open farmland to the north and west, and thick forests and rolling hills to the south and east. When looking at a satellite image of the state, it’s almost as if there’s a slash running diagonally across the state, separating the two different geographies contained within. #### Places to go in Ohio - [Cuyahoga Falls National Park](https://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm): The only National Park in the state, Cuyahoga Falls is a relatively new, absolutely gorgeous place to stop smack in the middle between Cleveland and Akron. The long and narrow park, centered around the Cuyahoga River, features numerous hiking trails and is most widely known for the cascading [Brandywine Falls](https://goo.gl/maps/1VWWM1kScsHyqweK7). - [May 4th Memorial](https://goo.gl/maps/hwY3nt9yStjovxn58): Though the Kent State shooting in 1970 might be widely known, it’s absolutely worth seeing the memorial and learning more about the history of the four students murdered and nine more injured by the US National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War. - [The Ohio State Reformatory](https://www.mrps.org/): Most obviously known as the site where the vast majority of [Shawshank Redemption](https://www.mrps.org/shawshank) was filmed, the prison is also home to [paranormal activities/ghost hunting](https://www.mrps.org/paranormal), events, and other tours. Make sure to check out the [Shawshank Tree](https://goo.gl/maps/PvBc2X5thL1VqGPk8) (on private property, only view from the road!) and [Shawshank Woodshop](https://goo.gl/maps/QxLLcsPu3EGLK9g76). - [Mohican State Park](https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/division-parks-watercraft) / [State Forest](https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/mohicanmemorial-state-forest): This large park area is host to a number of excellent hiking & biking opportunities, a large river gorge, sizable woodlands, camping, and a massive covered bridge. - [Hocking Hills State Park](https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park): One of the state’s largest and most beautiful parks – if you ask me, it should’ve become the state’s National Park over Cuyahoga Falls – Hocking Hills features absolutely stunning rock formations, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wooded areas, camping, hiking, gorges and a boatload of other incredible outdoor activities. This absolute gem of a park was definitely overlooked when the time came to nominate a National Park for Ohio. - [Historic Roscoe Village](https://roscoevillage.com/): An entire historic town, preserved in time, features guided tours by costumed “villagers,” plus preserved buildings, old-timey shops, and boat rides on the canal. #### Back Road Routes Across Ohio - US Route 36 – US-36 weaves and winds its way across central Ohio, passing through a handful of historic farming towns and villages, while also completely circumnavigating the insanity that can be downtown Columbus traffic. - State Route 32 – Starting at the outskirts of Cincinnati and twisting its way east, OH-32 quickly transforms from its urban start to a very rural, very scenic way to cross southern Ohio. - US Route 250 – US-250 cuts a diagonal path across the state, starting at the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky (home of the sprawling [Cedar Point](https://www.cedarpoint.com/) amusement park) and taking a rather scenic track across rural Ohio farmland before hitting the foothills of West Virginia [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ## ## Another Option for Driving East: the Southern Cross Country Route ### California Yes, I’m writing about my adopted home state twice. Yes, I’m biased. But more importantly, as the third-largest state by land mass and (in my less-than-humble opinion) most beautiful state in the country, it is definitely deserving of another nod here. For most cross country road trips, route plans are very likely going to start or stop in the Golden State… and with good reason. Though very different from climate and terrain perspectives, the southern half of California is just as loaded with things to see as the northern half. #### Places to go in Southern California - [Tar Pits Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kuionnisfz9rKvtB7) – Though not as famous as [La Brea Tar Pits](https://tarpits.org/), these naturally occurring asphalt deposits have the distinct advantage of providing a double-whammy: it’s also a great place to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast. - [Trona Pinnacles](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yuMdsAxKLKF4EtsE7) – Like the Tufa Towers near Mono Lake in Northern California, these geological abnormalities are stone spires poking through the earth’s crust. And, like their cousins to the north, they’re located in an intensely dry and potentially formidable desert, so proceed with caution. - [Mojave National Preserve](https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm) – Though not as well-known as its neighbor to the North ([Death Valley](https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm)), the Mojave Desert and National Preserve offers visitors fantastic opportunities to hike, bike, and off-road through some of America’s most otherworldly geography. As one of the hottest and driest places in the country, though, I STRONGLY recommend additional research and significant caution when visiting. However, the desert often greatly rewards those patient and brave enough to visit her. - [Joshua Tree National Park](https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm) – I’m including JTNP on this list not for the obvious reasons that draw in the vast majority of the Park’s visitors. Instead, I’m listing it for the sections that most people don’t explore: the unpaved trails that zig-zag their way throughout the majority of the park. Bring your 4WD vehicle and plenty of provisions (plus a [good GPS locator](https://amzn.to/3yEp7m2)) in case you get lost or stuck, and bank an extra day or two to wander through the desert for a while\! - [Anza Borrego State Park](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638) – As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, much of the natural beauty in Southern California is in the desert. Anza Borrego is a state park dedicated to highlighting some of the most beautiful features of the desert, and in the springtime, is home to some of California’s most surprising and breathtaking displays of [wildflower super-blooms](https://theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/wildflowers/) you’ll ever experience! BE MINDFUL AND TREAD LIGHTLY – please do not EVER stand, walk in, or take home any of the blooms you witness\! #### Back Road Routes Across Southern California - [State Route 2](https://angelescrestscenichighway.com/) – Also known as the Angeles Crest Scenic Highway, this stunning drive twists and winds across the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest heading east from Pasadena. Both fun to drive and loaded with scenery, the route is a great alternative for leaving Los Angeles before heading out into the desert or finding Route 66. - [Route 66](https://www.route66ca.org/) – Feels like an obvious option to include, but depending on which direction you’re heading, [Santa Monica Pier](https://www.santamonicapier.org/) in LA is either the beginning or end of one of the most famous back road routes in the world. Much of the legendary route has been lost to modernization, but there’s still plenty to experience along what’s left\! - [State Route 62](https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/california/twentynine-palms-highway.php) – Known as [Twentynine Palms](https://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) Highway, the route runs east to west between Palm Springs and Parker AZ. The mostly straight road runs across the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and provides plenty of desert scenery for your eyes to feast on. - [State Route 58](https://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) – For those travelling a bit north of LA, CA-58 provides an often stunning drive the almost the whole way across the state. Starting just north of the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo, CA-58 weaves across the coastal range before dropping down into the Central Valley and Bakersfield area. You’ll cross the Tehachapi Range next (be sure to check out the [Railway Loop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehachapi_Loop)!) before dropping into the Mojave Desert. ### Arizona Much like it’s red-rock desert neighboring state to the north, Arizona is home to stunning natural scenery, otherworldly geological formations, and some of [my favorite back roads](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/). It’s also home to several very cool cities, several different deserts, a handful of National Forests, and my all-time favorite National Park. Oh… and it’s also home to one of the coolest stretches of Route 66\! #### Places to go in Arizona - [Flagstaff](https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/) / [Sedona](https://visitsedona.com/) – Yeah, I’ll admit it, listing these two places this way, and first, is a bit of a cop-out. But here’s the truth: this area is probably my second-favorite place in the country. Both towns are incredible in their own ways: unique architecture, vibrant art scenes, plenty of food, and friendly locals. The area is rich with natural beauty to explore. Hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, skiing, off-roading, camping, and on and on and on. AND THOSE RED ROCKS! \\swoon\\ (Did I mention it’s loaded with great back roads?) - [Canyon de Chelly](https://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm) – I’m a sucker for red rock formations, in case you hadn’t already figured that out. And this park is loaded with them. - [Superstition Mountains](https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/parks/superstition-mountains/) – Your outdoor activity of choice will help drive the best way for you to enjoy the expansive stunning wilderness about an hour east of Phoenix. There’s a lot to see and do in this area – and the weather can be blistering – so be sure to do research and plan ahead. #### Back Road Routes Across Arizona - [Route 66](https://www.visitarizona.com/plan/road-trips/arizonas-route-66/) – Arizona doesn’t have a wide variety of east-west back road routes to choose from, but one major standout is Route 66. Arizona contains the longest unbroken stretch of 66 in the US, and also has what I would consider to be one of [the coolest stretches of the Mother Road](https://www.historic66az.com/route66roadtrip.html). The stretch between Oatman and Kingman is likely to be the most “kitschy” area still remaining on 66… it’s rife with retro roadside attractions, and the town of Oatman looks and feels like walking onto an old western movie set. I will say, fair warning, a lot of what Arizona is calling Route 66 is actually now just Interstate 40 paved over top of the original route… but there’s still several really cool parts of the old route as well. - [State Route 89 / 89A](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_State_Route_89) – In addition to touting the title of one of my “[Favorite Back Roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#sedona),” this northeast-to-southwest route connects a number of really cool towns and incredibly scenic natural areas. ## [![A beautiful vibrant sunset glows over a back road where there is a silhouette of two kids sit taking a selfie](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-sunset.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-sunset.jpg?ssl=1) ## When to Take a Cross Country Road Trip The question of when to take a cross country road trip can be a very tricky one. In addition to the amount of time required to drive cross country, one also has to factor in things like climate, elevation, and local weather extremes. It is especially challenging due to the fact that the climate in areas along the way can vary drastically during the exact same months. Toss in the fact that most of the highlighted places will be very busy during the summer months, and picking a time to take this trip can be an unenviable task\! ### How long does it take to drive cross country? The first step in the process of choosing when to travel is determining how long you have! Driving cross country can take as long or as short as you want, based upon how much time you have to take it slowly and explore. In April of 2021, I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Sonoma CA – almost 2,600 miles – in 63 hours, completely by myself. I had virtually no time to get the drive done, so I spent no time stopping and enjoying the trip. On my very first cross country road trip, however, after my best friend Dietmar and I graduated from High School, we took over five weeks to drive a loop across the middle & southern parts of the country\! My point here is that how long you need for your road trip depends entirely upon how much time your schedule will allow. Once you’ve determined this most crucial fact, you can start to build your itinerary around this knowledge. For example, if you are retired and have no time constraints, you can take as long as you want, drive as slowly as you want, and stop as frequently – and for as long at each destination – as your heart desires. Conversely, if you still work full time and have two kids in school, your trip is going to be a lot shorter and more constrained by your time off work. What I personally advise people who are working with limited time is the following process: 1. Get together with whoever you are travelling with and pick your top 3-5 most important destinations or priorities – the absolute must-see locations along the way. Allot these top priorities more time in each day to explore, with as little driving time on those days as possible. 2. Pick secondary priority destinations – places you are interested in seeing, but won’t be devastated if you don’t get much time to explore them. Allot these secondary priorities less time on location, with more driving time on these days. 3. For the rest of the trip, which doesn’t matter to you and doesn’t involve destinations of great interest, these can be the days where you do the bulk of your driving. If possible, what you can do on these days is try to pick a scenic route that allows you to pass through interesting areas without stopping to explore. Seeing it through the windows of your car is good enough. Once you’ve completed this rough outline of your trip, I’d recommend the following driving times for each of the three “levels” or categories of destination: 1. Top priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to less than four hours per day. 2. Secondary priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to approximately 6-8 hours per day. 3. Unimportant areas – drive as much during these days as you are physically capable; for most people, this should be at least 8-10 hours of driving per day. [![A distant car drives up a back road as it weaves its way up a distant hillside](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?ssl=1) A few thoughts on driving time: I advise all of my road trip planning customers that when I say driving time, I mean butts in seats, behind the wheel actually driving time. This does NOT include time sleeping, eating, getting fuel, using the restrooms, etc. My personal rule of thumb is that you should factor in 30-60 minutes of non-travel time for each four hours of actual driving. So if I say 8 hours of actual driving, you should anticipate approximately 9-10 hours of travel time. If it’s 12 hours of driving, anticipate 14-15 hours of actual travel time. You absolutely should give yourself at least 8 hours of rest each night. The other driving time factor to consider here is that driving on back roads is substantially slower than driving on the interstate. In my experience, when driving strictly back roads, you are going to average approximately 40 miles for each hour of driving time. That is a rough estimate, but again, in my many years and many thousands of miles of driving experience, it has consistently been very close to exactly correct. So if you are planning to drive 200 miles on back roads, anticipate it’s going to take you approximately 5 hours of driving. *LONG STORY SHORT (TL/DR):* If you are planning on driving cross country and back, or round trip, you should allow yourself at least 20 total days for your trip. For a 6,000 mile trip, that means you’ll average 300 miles per day. That’s a lot, but if you break it up well, it’s absolutely manageable. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![A man and his dog walk slowly under the brutal heat of the midday sun at Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1) Do yourself a favor and don’t go to the desert in the heat of summer\! ### What time of year should you drive cross country? Because the weather can vary so dramatically in different regions of the country, this too can be a very tricky question to answer. This will be an especially important consideration if you are [camping](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/): when you’re sleeping outdoors, the weather conditions you’ll likely encounter become a critical part of your planning process. If you’re going to be sleeping indoors, weather becomes less important, but still worth considering. If you are travelling with children, you’re immediately limited to the summer months for your trip. It’s the only time of year that your kids will be out of school long enough to enjoyably complete a journey of this type. If you are not travelling with children, you have a lot more flexibility, and quite frankly, should strongly consider avoiding the summer months if possible. The summer months are going to be crowded by the aforementioned families with kids, and more importantly, are likely going to be unpleasantly hot in the vast majority of the country. So when should you travel if you’re not going in the summer? My personal favorite times to travel are late spring and mid-fall. Most destinations will have the least amount of visitors in these timeframes, and generally speaking, they are the best times of year weather-wise. Daytime temperatures in most of the country are pleasantly mild, and in most places, it does not get terribly cold overnight. To be even more specific, if possible, you should try to plan your trip for either the middle of May or the middle of September. A word of warning about these travel times: You’re going to have to be careful when travelling in high elevations, or at the northern edge of the country at these times of year. I’ve experienced severe snowstorms in the High Sierra in May, and I’ve experienced freezing rain and snow in Idaho in late August (granted, we were ALSO at a higher elevation when that happened, but still). So if you know that you’re going far north, or up high in altitude, be prepared for a little bit of cold weather. If you’re camping, you absolutely must be prepared to spend the night in below-freezing temperatures. ##### Aside from those two caveats, though, late spring and mid-fall are the best times of year to drive cross country\! [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![A drone photo captures the setting sun glows behind the towering granite peaks of Grand Teton national park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?resize=723%2C258&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1) Our campsite at Grand Teton National Park wasn’t too shabby\! ## Where should you stay on a cross country road trip? You have a couple basic options to choose from for overnight stays on a cross country road trip: - - Hotels/motels - Camping - Bed n Breakfasts (actual BNBs) - AirBNB/VRBO - Friends and family I’ve utilized all of the options over the years, and in some cases, a blend of more than one at a time. Frankly, if you are flexible and can mix and match the options, based upon weather and financial considerations, that’s going to usually be your best option. I give brief thoughts on each option below. #### Hotel/Motel A hotel or motel is most likely going to be the easiest and most comfortable option for you. In most places, there are a number of options to choose from. If you pay for a nicer hotel, you’ll get a clean room and comfortable bed, with a hot breakfast in the morning. The biggest downside is the cost, and the inability to prepare meals unless you really pony up and get a suite with kitchen. My personal favorite affordable chain hotels are [Holiday Inn](https://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/reservation) and [Best Western](https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.html). #### Camping Camping is the second cheapest option, and if you are willing to find [dispersed or wild campsites](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/02/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp/) like I typically do, will often provide you with some extraordinary scenery and surroundings. I’ve written a couple posts about [how to find excellent campsites](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/) already, so I won’t rehash that here. The biggest downsides are the exposure to weather, and the fact that finding a campsite during daylight hours really limits how far you can drive each day. #### Bed n Breakfasts This is the option I’ve utilized the least, but it is one that I should probably start doing far more often. True BNB’s were once a dying breed, though they’ve experienced a [resurgence in popularity](https://www.odysys.com/blog/study-the-state-of-bbs-in-the-u-s/) recently. BNB’s are typically unique and enjoyable experiences, especially when you have a great host. They are often found in historic buildings with incredible architecture, and many include one or more hot meals. The biggest downside is that they are often the most expensive option per night. #### AirBNB/VRBO A modernized version of the old BNB system, [AirBNB](https://www.airbnb.com/) and [VRBO](https://www.vrbo.com/) are websites where property owners can offer up their homes – or a portion of their home – for rent to travelers. There is an unfathomable amount of variety and diversity in the types of places and the types of amenities available to travelers, from the most bare bones single bedroom in the owner’s house to some of the most [elaborate](https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/airbnb-penthouses-for-rent/) and [unusual](https://www.airbnb.com/associates/99216?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_11&a4ptk=18309_0_11_99216&af=115) overnight accommodations I’ve ever seen. Prices for places to stay can also vary dramatically, giving travelers a great deal of control over budget, amenities and quality. The biggest downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of skill and experience needed to find and figure out how to choose the right places to fit your needs. We’ve stayed in some real stinkers over the years, but we’ve mostly had really incredible experiences. #### Friends and Family Staying with friends or family members is, of course, the lowest cost option for overnight accommodations. Not only will F\&F not charge you (I should hope!), many will often also provide you with meals and – critically important on a long trip – a place to wash your clothing! My very first cross country road trip, all the way back in 1999, was primarily spent staying with friends & family. Even with paying for hotels and meals in quite a few locations, that particular trip – 5 weeks, 9,000 miles – only cost my friend and I around \$900 each\! You should try to mix in at least one or two F\&F stops spread out over the course of your trip for this exact reason, unless you have the space or interest in packing enough clothing for 2-3 weeks of travel. F\&F will also be able to provide you with excellent insights about local places you should check out, from restaurants and shopping to parks, museums, and other activities. The biggest “downside” of staying with F\&F is the logistical restrictions of basing a trip around where your friends and family live… and when they are available and can host you\! [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ## [![A man stands in the middle of a back road in the desert of eastern California with the towering Sierra Nevada mountains in the background](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?resize=723%2C290&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?ssl=1) ## What should you pack for a cross country road trip? This might just be the toughest section to tackle. In addition to being heavily dependent upon the time of year that you’re travelling, how long your trip will be, and the destinations you’ll be exploring, it will also vary wildly based upon the size and storage of your vehicle, where you’ll be sleeping each night, who is travelling with you, etc. As such, my suggestions are going to be fairly generic in nature. Though I do have a couple posts dedicated to [gear for camping trips](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/), my intent here is to provide you with a basic must-have list suitable for virtually any trip. What I would recommend is start by working with a handful of categories, and working your way from there: - Clothing – pack enough for a full week of outfits, plus at least one or two “extreme weather” options - Shoes – spend a lot of time walking and hiking in your current boots and shoes before your trip to determine if they’re comfortable – on the road is not when you want to realize you need better footwear - Food/Food Storage – this is addressed in detail in my [camping posts](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/), but you’re going to want water-tight and long-lasting food storage options - Safety/Medical gear – though I list this fourth, having a [medical kit](https://amzn.to/34FPBoe), [fire extinguisher](https://amzn.to/3LlG0nq), [flashlight](https://amzn.to/2Vbl5ey) [Fix-A-Flat](https://amzn.to/34wQiAp), [jumper cables](https://amzn.to/3JcoqjO), and other safety items easily accessible should be your first priority - Camera gear – in addition to the gear you’ll need for [night sky photography](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/28/night-sky-photography-gear/), I also recommend having a nice zoom lens on hand for taking [incredible landscape photographs](https://www.instagram.com/p/CZN5VHVLlrY/) – I use a [Nikon 55-300mm](https://amzn.to/3HF68aC) lens - Tools – addressed in depth in my [camping gear](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/#tools) and [motorcycle gear](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/14/motorcycle-camping-tools-equipment-and-gear-every-biker-needs-to-have/) posts, just a few simple hand tools will get you through a lot of potentially unpleasant situations - Music/Entertainment/books – the drive and various attractions are going to be amazing, but I’d be lying if I said you’re not going to also have long and boring stretches of time to kill on your trip. Having various forms of entertainment – especially if you’re traveling with family – will be crucial. I recommend having books, magazines, playing cards, and a couple [travel-size board games](https://amzn.to/3Lm14tP) on hand. Oh, and don’t forget your [playlist](https://takebackroads.com/2019/07/08/road-trip-playlist-driving-and-travel-songs/)\! ## Road trip tips, suggestions, and other travel advice In addition to my own advice for taking a cross country road trip, I’ve gathered insights and suggestions from dozens of other road trippers over the last year in anticipation of creating this post. Though I’ve taken dozens of road trips and driven countless thousands of miles over the last 25 years, I certainly haven’t experienced everything. I reached out to other travelers and collected their suggestions for taking long road trips. One thing I’ve learned about people who travel a lot – they love to help other people get out on the road\! I’m going to start off with one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned in all my years of taking road trips. Download offline maps – [LINK](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838) (make sure to click on [Android](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0) or [iPhone](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=0) at the top) – I cannot stress the importance of this step strongly enough. One of the very first recommendations I make to every [road trip planning](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) client I’ve worked with is to download [offline Google maps](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838). Every cross country road trip will include driving in areas with no cell service. If you’ve not prepared ahead of time by downloading offline maps for those areas, you might lose your route plans at the worst time possible. If you aren’t sure where your cell providers don’t have coverage, start with this [FCC Map](https://www.fcc.gov/BroadbandData/MobileMaps/mobile-map), downloading maps in areas where no service is available. [![A drone shot of a u-shaped two lane back road winds through the pine trees in eastern California's High Sierra region](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C452&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?ssl=1) US Route 50 winds through several valleys on its way across the High Sierra in Eastern California ### Road Trip Advice - Have a general plan, but allow for spontaneity & choices along the way - Pack items that can serve multiple purposes - Get a [car power adapter](https://amzn.to/3B77gkI) (turns your car’s cigarette lighter into an outlet with USB ports) - Bring reusable items (water bottles, coffee mugs) instead of disposable ones - Bring a [water bottle with filter](https://amzn.to/3Je6sxl), or a [filter straw](https://amzn.to/3rBKGgW) - Build in time for stops at local shops, farmers markets, antique stores and other ways to incorporate local culture - Opt for healthy snacks (trail mix, triscuits) and avoid soda and candy - Bring your recreational wheels along: MTB, bicycle, scooter, rollerblades etc - Visit more than just National Parks! State and county parks often provide excellent natural scenery and local history. - Hang a [shoe rack](https://amzn.to/3JdorE1) behind your seats for convenient and organized access to your stuff - Buy a [camp toilet](https://amzn.to/3LorKKL) and keep TP in your vehicle - Utilize a small “grab bag” with a couple days’ of clothing & supplies so you’re not hauling your suitcases in at every stop, rotating stuff in or out as needed - Be sure to hydrate & consume electrolytes, especially in the desert - If camping, be sure to practice setting up your tent at night using only your headlamp, just in case - Drive less than 12 hours per day – 7-8 hours is OK, but 4-5 hours is ideal if possible - Buy a [national parks pass](https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html) before you leave\! - Always stop to visit friends and family whenever they will be near your route - Ask older bikers where the prettiest local drives are - Don’t drive long distances at night – it’s not worth the risk, and you miss out on the scenery\! - Eat your meals somewhere scenic whenever possible, whether by a window or at a picnic table or on an overlook - Get and maintain roadside assistance – AAA or some other similar service - Freeze bottles of water to use as ice packs and to give you something cold to drink - Search for weird local destinations on [Atlas Obscura](https://www.atlasobscura.com/) / [Roadside America](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/) / [Factory Tours](https://factorytoursusa.com/) - Be aware that there will be remote areas in the western states with no gas stations for 30-50 miles in any direction and plan accordingly – as old bikers say, don’t pass gas on a road trip\! - Always double-check the weather conditions at the next day’s destination when you’re stopped at night - [Watch for road closures](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/) and plan alternative routes if needed - Open a credit card a month or two before you leave, only use that card, then cancel it at the end of your trip to prevent fraud / identity theft - Be flexible – plans can change quickly due to unforeseen emergencies like a wildfire (or pandemic!) - Maximize your bathroom stops – get gas, walk the dog, buy fresh supplies, etc - Start your day early – beat rush hour traffic, maximize sunlight hours, etc *[Check out our tips & tricks for back roads travel\!](https://takebackroads.com/2018/11/20/how-to-take-back-roads/#tips)* Don’t forget that there’s [an entire category](https://takebackroads.com/category/road-trips/) on our website dedicated solely to road trips\! And, if all else fails, you can always [ask us for help](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/). [Back to top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![A drone shot of a back road winding down a hill towards the Pacific Coast in California](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?resize=723%2C285&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?ssl=1) Enjoy your trip from coast to coast\! ### Share this: - [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/?share=facebook&nb=1) - [Share on X (Opens in new window) X](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/?share=twitter&nb=1) - [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/?share=pinterest&nb=1) - [Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email](mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20The%20Great%20American%20Road%20Trip%3A%20%20an%20Itinerary%20for%20Driving%20Cross%20Country&body=https%3A%2F%2Ftakebackroads.com%2F2022%2F05%2F05%2Fcross-country-road-trip-itinerary%2F&share=email&nb=1) - [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/?share=reddit&nb=1) - [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1) - [More](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/) - [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/?share=linkedin&nb=1) ### Like this: Like Loading... ### Related [![A man in a white t-shirt reading ](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_4720.jpg?fit=1200%2C898&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200)](https://takebackroads.com/2025/10/02/cross-country-road-trip-to-celebrate-graduation/ "Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation: A Three-Generation Tradition") #### [Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation: A Three-Generation Tradition](https://takebackroads.com/2025/10/02/cross-country-road-trip-to-celebrate-graduation/ "Taking Cross Country Road Trips to Celebrate Graduation: A Three-Generation Tradition") Celebratory Adventures: Three Generations of Cross Country Road Trips To tell this road trip story appropriately, I'm enlisting two other authors: my father (who now goes by "Grandpop") and my daughter (who I call "kiddo"). Together, we three make up the crew who took cross country road trips to celebrate… October 2, 2025 In "California" [![A wide open back road spreads out off into the distance under desert mountains and a cloudy blue sky in Nevada on our cross country road trip](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Open-Road-Blue-Sky.jpg?fit=1080%2C720&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200)](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/14/cheap-cross-country-road-trip/ "How to Take a Cross Country Road Trip for less than $100") #### [How to Take a Cross Country Road Trip for less than \$100](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/14/cheap-cross-country-road-trip/ "How to Take a Cross Country Road Trip for less than $100") Take Back Roads presents our comprehensive guide on how to take an excellent cross country road trip on a tight budget\! August 14, 2019 In "Camping" [![The snow-capped peak of Mt Grant looms in the distance over US route 95 in Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Walker-Lake-and-Mt-Grant.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200)](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/ "Great American Road Trips, Part 2: My Favorite Back Roads in America") #### [Great American Road Trips, Part 2: My Favorite Back Roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/ "Great American Road Trips, Part 2: My Favorite Back Roads in America") Last year, I collaborated with roughly 40 travel bloggers to put together the first installment of the Great American Road Trip series. That behemoth of a post looked at the best back roads on a state-by-state basis. While it's a very comprehensive look at some of the best road trips… April 9, 2020 In "Arizona and New Mexico" - [Back Road Beauties](https://takebackroads.com/category/photography/photo-prints-available-for-purchase/back-road-beauties/) - [Great American Road Trips](https://takebackroads.com/category/great-american-road-trips/) - [Midwest](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/midwest/) - [Northeast](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/) - [Northwest](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northwest/) - [Photography](https://takebackroads.com/category/photography/) - [Ride Back Roads](https://takebackroads.com/category/ride-back-roads/) - [Road Trip Resources](https://takebackroads.com/category/road-trips/) - [Southeast (coastal)](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southeast-coastal/) - [Southwest](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/southwest/) - [Travel Blogs, organized by region](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/) - [America](https://takebackroads.com/tag/america/) - [cross country](https://takebackroads.com/tag/cross-country/) - [road trip](https://takebackroads.com/tag/road-trip/) ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/83d6db8011701b1c3193e18369caa5a79c530d82ccb417db873507cdc5fc7ec3?s=125&d=identicon&r=g) ## Published by Scott A writer who travels... a traveler who writes... I'm just a guy who seeks adventure, authenticity, and to promote intelligence and maturity in these wild and crazy times. [View all posts by Scott](https://takebackroads.com/author/berneysm80/) ## Post navigation [Previous Finding Quirky Roadside Attractions Across America](https://takebackroads.com/2020/10/15/finding-quirky-roadside-attractions-across-america/) [Next Chen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https://takebackroads.com/2022/08/04/chen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/) ## 82 comments # Comment navigation [« Older Comments](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-1/#comments) 1. [canyon lake wedding venue](https://stayatcanyonlake.com/blog/2024/12/10/canyon-lake-wedding-venue/) says: [December 18, 2024 at 8:02 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5048) \[…\] Lake has a great location, situated between major cities like Austin and San Antonio. This makes it easy for both local and \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5048) 2. [Lugar de bodas en Canyon Lake: Un destino de ensueño en Texas Hill Country](https://stayatcanyonlake.com/blog/2024/12/18/lugar-de-bodas-en-canyon-lake-un-destino-de-ensueo-en-texas-hill-country/) says: [December 18, 2024 at 8:26 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5049) \[…\] Lake tiene una excelente ubicación, situada entre ciudades importantes como Austin y San Antonio. Esto facilita el viaje tanto a los \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5049) 3. [40 New Year's Resolutions for Couples \\| Goals for Couples](https://www.beforeamore.com/advice/new-years-resolutions-for-couples/) says: [December 19, 2024 at 8:28 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5051) \[…\] and plan it! Pick an unforgettable experience that you can work toward together to achieve, like a cross-country road trip, a tropical bucket-list destination, or anything else that you both are champing at the bit to \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5051) 4. [Things to keep in mind when preparing for a road trip. - best food travel](https://bestfoodtravel.online/things-keep-mind-when-preparing-road-trip/) says: [December 27, 2024 at 5:09 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5059) \[…\] unexpected problems and missed opportunities along the way, whether you’re heading out on a weekend or a cross-country trip. But before doing so, what should be considered? Here is an excellent and detailed guide for \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5059) 5. [20 Ultimate Road Trip Routes Across the USA - Travelhapyhob](https://travelhapyhob.com/20-ultimate-road-trip-routes-across-the-usa/) says: [December 28, 2024 at 4:49 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5061) \[…\] Planning a road trip? Wondering what makes it unforgettable? It’s the scenic views, historic sites, or the freedom to go where you want. The USA has many scenic drives, from California’s coast to New England’s history-lined roads. These routes offer travel tips for an unforgettable journey1. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5061) 6. [Weekend Getaways by Car: Best Destinations for a Quick Escape - Travel fast now](https://mohammedalsayed.com/weekend-getaways-by-car-best-destinations-for-a-quick-escape/) says: [January 2, 2025 at 11:18 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5063) \[…\] Places like Idaho’s Craters of the Moon or Maine’s Cadillac Mountain offer unique landscapes. They provide opportunities to explore volcanic craters or see breathtaking sunrises. These spots add variety to driving vacation spots, giving both adventure and peace9. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5063) 7. [How to Plan a Cheap Road Trip: Budget Tips for 2024 – For Explore](https://forexplore.com/how-to-plan-a-cheap-road-trip-budget-tips-for-2024-2/) says: [January 10, 2025 at 11:37 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5071) \[…\] Traveling cheaply cuts costs and boosts the fun. Families learn to focus on one area or visit several, making the most of their time and money. With apps like GasBuddy for finding cheap gas, and staying in places like campsites, they save even more. Packing smart, eating high-protein snacks, and keeping clean keeps everyone energized on the road. As they travel, the bond between friends and family grows stronger. While the urge to explore new paths is strong, being ready makes every trip unforgettable in the story of road trip culture234. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5071) 8. [Lincoln Highway: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s First Coast - Travel fast now](https://mohammedalsayed.com/lincoln-highway-a-comprehensive-guide-to-americas-first-coast/) says: [January 11, 2025 at 3:35 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5074) \[…\] The Lincoln Highway is a stunning journey filled with amazing sights and iconic spots. It’s America’s first coast-to-coast road, covering about 3,000 miles. It connects big cities and beautiful landscapes, making it a memorable drive910. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5074) 9. [13 Must-Know Road Trip Tips for Every American Explorer – Country Adventures](https://www.countryadventures.net/13-must-know-road-trip-tips-for-every-american-explorer/) says: [January 23, 2025 at 12:48 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5084) \[…\] Engage with your travel companions, take in the scenery, and savor the moments of freedom and adventure. Road trips offer a unique opportunity to connect with people and places in a way that other forms of travel don’t. Embrace the spontaneity and joy of the open road. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5084) 10. [USA Road Trip Itinerary: Embark on an Unforgettable Journey – passports and paradise](https://passportsandparadise.blog/usa-road-trip-itinerary-embark-on-an-unforgettable-journey/) says: [February 2, 2025 at 7:23 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5095) \[…\] Planning a road trip involves several key steps. First, pick the right vehicle for your trip. Think about fuel efficiency, comfort, and reliability. The average coast-to-coast trip is about 3,000 miles, so choose wisely2. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5095) 11. [Getting to Sunriver, Oregon – A Travel Guide – Direct2](https://direct2wordpress.surfairdev.com/getting-to-sunriver-oregon-a-travel-guide/) says: [February 9, 2025 at 3:53 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5104) \[…\] The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country – https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/ \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5104) 12. [36 Hours in Portland: A Perfect Weekend Getaway Guide – Direct2](https://direct2wordpress.surfairdev.com/36-hours-in-portland-a-perfect-weekend-getaway-guide/) says: [February 9, 2025 at 4:23 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5105) \[…\] The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country – https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/ \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5105) 13. [Best Weekend Getaways in Florida for Nature Lovers ![🌿](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/svg/1f33f.svg) (10 Must-Visit Spots in 2025) - Florida Getaways](https://www.floridagetaways.org/what-are-the-best-weekend-getaways-in-florida-for-outdoor-enthusiasts-and-nature-lovers/) says: [March 5, 2025 at 12:20 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5128) \[…\] Take Back Roads – The Great American Road Trip: an Itinerary for Driving Cross Country \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5128) 14. [Ultimate Dating Guide for Singles in Red Chute, Louisiana](https://www.folkd.com/ultimate-dating-guide-for-singles-in-red-chute-louisiana/) says: [March 27, 2025 at 11:59 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5158) \[…\] Exploring these nearby cities can enhance your dating experience. Each location offers something special, making it easier to find the right person for you. For more tips on planning your journey, check out this road trip guide. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5158) 15. [Your Fun-Centric Complete Travel Guide to the USA: From Coast to Coast - flyworldexplore.com](https://flyworldexplore.com/your-fun-centric-complete-travel-guide-to-the-usa-from-coast-to-coast/) says: [July 29, 2025 at 3:28 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5348) \[…\] Need ideas? The Great American Road Trip guide has some wacky off-the-wall stops. If you’re dreaming even bigger, here’s an RVers Bible to take your adventure up a notch or even a Pacific Coast RV itinerary for the ultimate drive. If you want planning tips you don’t see everywhere, peek at these coast to coast road trip tips—and don’t forget to look at inspiration from other countries, like Australia’s east coast. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5348) 16. [Before the Crowds: What Visiting National Parks Was Like in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s - Back in Time Today](https://backintimetoday.com/before-the-crowds-what-visiting-national-parks-was-like-in-the-60s-70s-and-80s/) says: [September 12, 2025 at 10:56 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5441) \[…\] © Take Back Roads \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5441) 17. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f29ecd996ef3dea52e580662a7fb284adefa1e32cafd078f5fd8e49d87e9bbca?s=120&d=identicon&r=g) [20 US Dollars](https://billsnbills.com/) says: [September 23, 2025 at 8:08 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5471) This is an amazing piece of content. Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5471) - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/83d6db8011701b1c3193e18369caa5a79c530d82ccb417db873507cdc5fc7ec3?s=120&d=identicon&r=g) [Scott](http://www.takebackroads.com/) says: [October 22, 2025 at 8:35 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5540) Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words\! Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5540) 18. [The Ultimate Family Road Trip: 7 U.S. Destinations That Make Driving Worth It - Top Travel Guides](https://travellersguides.com/ultimate-family-road-trip-7-worthwhile-us-destinations/) says: [October 19, 2025 at 5:26 pm](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5530) \[…\] <https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/> \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5530) 19. [Where the Pavement Ends - Take Back Roads](https://takebackroads.com/2017/10/29/where-the-pavement-ends-camping-california/) says: [October 22, 2025 at 8:59 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5538) \[…\] Most important of all, this road trip was the pivotal moment in my life that resulted in me uprooting everything and moving from Pennsylvania to California. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5538) 20. [Best Roadside Stops and Routes for Vintage Cars Lovers - Curious Roads](https://curiousroads.com/best-roadside-stops-for-vintage-car-enthusiasts/) says: [November 15, 2025 at 6:59 am](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-2/#comment-5582) \[…\] Historic highways for car lovers like Route 66 have been a fundamental part of American road trip culture since the 1930s. During this time, the National Park Service started recognizing these stretches of road as important cultural landmarks. The Mother Road and its counterparts weren’t just ways to get from one place to another—they were vital connections for small towns in America, filled with family-owned garages, brightly lit motor courts with neon signs, and diners where mechanics and travelers shared stories over cups of coffee. \[…\] Loading... [Reply](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#comment-5582) # Comment navigation [« Older Comments](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/comment-page-1/#comments) ### Got something to say? 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Readable Markdown	I’ve taken a handful of [cross country road trips](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/14/cheap-cross-country-road-trip/) over the years. However, there are still a few [cross country](https://takebackroads.com/2020/02/16/solo-travel-is-it-possible-to-drive-cross-country-by-yourself/) [road trip](https://takebackroads.com/category/road-trips/) ideas that remain on my bucket list: riding a motorcycle cross country, taking one of America’s [historic highways](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) the whole way from coast to coast (US-50 is the most likely candidate), ~~driving cross country on one of the northern routes~~ (done! Just need to finish that post!) and driving a back roads loop around the country. During the summers of 2020 & 2021 – in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic! – I managed to cross the latter two items off my list. Well, sort of… While the majority of those trips were on back roads, I must admit up front that we did also do a fair share of interstate driving across the Midwest. With my sincerest apologies to residents of the [flyover states](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fly-over%20state), the time constraints for these trips forced us to take the highway across some of the center of the country, leaving very little time for sight-seeing. Like our time in [Las Vegas](https://takebackroads.com/2017/08/04/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert/), we were going to have to prioritize. [![Twisty back road surrounded by mountains](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C497&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mountain-back-road-2.jpg?ssl=1) It’s time to get out there and explore\! ## A Round Trip Itinerary for a Cross Country Road Trip #### The Round Trip Road Trip Technically, I’ve only done one truly coast-to-coast cross country road trip, and that was when I graduated from high school (1999! It feels gross to even think how long ago that was…). That was my first cross country road trip, and my first round trip road trip. That experience will make for an excellent post, actually: taking cross country road trips to celebrate graduation is now a three-generation family tradition. My father took cross country trips to celebrate his high school and college graduations, in 1966 and 1970. I took a round trip road trip to celebrate high school graduation in 1999. And now, I’ve taken my daughter on two cross country road trips as well, celebrating her high school & college graduations. Alas… that will have to remain a different post to be written a different day. All of my other cross country road trips have either started or ended in my former home state: [Pennsylvania](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/pennsylvania/) (instead of the Atlantic coast). While there is no formal definition for what qualifies as a cross country road trip, I feel confident that a trip covering 2,600 miles and all but one of the states that span from coast to coast definitely fits the bill! In fact, on our drive heading west, we zig-zagged our way across nearly 8,000 miles during just one road trip\! This post is going to examine routes to consider, destinations to include, and a few other great pieces of cross country road trip advice… so buckle up, because it’s going to be a long ride\! Generally speaking, there are three main routes to drive cross country: northern, central, and southern. Mostly self-explanatory, the northern route stays on a path across the northern states like New York, Minnesota, Montana, or Idaho. The central route follows a path across the middle states, like Kansas and Colorado. The southern route stays mostly south, crossing states like Georgia, Texas, or Arizona. *Fair warning – This post is currently being updated* *The Southern Route is being put together as quickly as I can.* *However, because I cannot save drafts of edits being made to published posts,* *I will have to publish things mid-creation. It’s not ideal, so please bear with me\!* ~~As you can see on the map above, I am reviewing two of the three major routes to drive cross country.~~ It’s taken two years, but it’s finally occurred to me how absurd it is to not include more information on the southern route. When I first published this post, like on my trips in 2020, I wrote about the central route heading west and then a northern route heading east. For the southern option, I’m going to roughly follow the west-to-east route I took in 2019 when I drove cross-country [in an antique Porsche.](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) #### I write about these cross country routes using the orientation I traveled when I took them. #### I hope it’s clear that you can use these options when heading either direction. 1. [Driving West: the Central Route](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#west) 2. [Driving East: the Northern Route](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#east) 3. [When to Travel](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#when) (including insights on how long your road trip should be) 4. [Where to Stay Along the Way](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#where) 5. [What to Take With You](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#pack) 6. [Additional Insights, tips, and road trip advice](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#advice) ### [![Monument Valley back road](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?resize=663%2C419&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Monument-Valley-road-trip-2.jpg?ssl=1) ### Plan a Cross Country Road Trip As you might imagine, when [planning a road trip](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) that’s going to encompass approximately 6,000 miles, you’re going to need a significant amount of time to travel. Even in a situation like ours, where the first or last 1,000 miles or so are on the interstate, you should anticipate at least 125 hours of time behind the wheel. If you’ve never taken a long road trip – or even if you have – that’s a lot of time to be driving. When [creating road trip plans](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) for travelers, I suggest limiting actual driving time (“butts in seats” time) to 6 hours a day. This allows you to still explore things you find along the way… and won’t completely burn you out to the experience of driving. In my mind, there are two main categories of [road trips](https://takebackroads.com/2018/11/20/how-to-take-back-roads/#vacation): trips in which you immerse yourself deeply into one region, and trips in which you experience a lot of different regions at once. In the first category, immersing yourself deeply into one region, you spend your entire trip exploring all of the various things you can see in do in that particular region. You delve into the intimate nuances which make that region unique, spending hours or even days exploring single areas. A cross country road trip, by its very nature, is going to fall under the second category. Instead of spending the majority (or entirety) of your trip exploring a single area, you are going to spend a little bit of time experiencing multiple different areas. I like to call it an appetizer adventure: you experience a proverbial sampler platter of a number of different regions of the country, getting a small taste of what that area has to offer. Think of your cross country drive as a scouting trip of sorts; you’re going to find areas where you’ll have a powerful desire to return and explore in greater depth. You’ll also discover that other areas are places where you have no interesting in returning. Do no go into the process of planning a cross country road trip expecting to explore many areas in depth. Unless you are retired and/or have all the time in the world, you are going to find yourself disappointed if you go into your trip with this mindset\! As you might imagine, prioritizing the places you want to see is crucial to this process. The very first part of your planning process should be spent talking this over with your travel partner(s). Discuss the places you absolutely must see, the places you’d like to visit if there’s time, and the places you’re not particularly interested in visiting. This will lay the groundwork for planning your route, and if you’re lucky, might actually make the process very simple. *Last thought: While this itinerary will mostly follow my own recent trips, it will not be an exact match.* As I already mentioned, we had some time constraints that forced us to limit our itinerary a bit. I’m going to add in a few destinations that we simply did not have time to explore, and let you decide what best fits your priorities! As always, you can [email me directly](mailto:scott@takebackroads.com) if you have additional questions\! [![RV bus driving west on a back road](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/road-trip-west-2.jpg?resize=663%2C462&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/road-trip-west-2.jpg?ssl=1) Head for the sunset\! ## Driving West: the Central Cross Country Route In case you missed it, our trip started in [Pennsylvania](https://takebackroads.com/2019/05/09/thirteen-back-road-adventures-pennsylvania-virginia-delaware-road-trips/#PAroadtrip), so that’s where this itinerary will start as well. From there, we drove nearly straight west across the middle of the country and then dipped south. ### Pennsylvania There are many things that I could recommend for you to see and do in my home state, and it’s highly dependent upon what your interests are. Because I’ve dedicated [a number of posts](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/northeast/pennsylvania/) to the things you can do here, I’m going to focus on just a few broad highlights and options to consider. #### Places to go in Pennsylvania - [Philadelphia](https://goo.gl/maps/Gnk7GqY8F9hma5kf7): America’s first capital city is LOADED with [historical experiences](https://uncoveringpa.com/philadelphia-region) to explore - [Pittsburgh](https://goo.gl/maps/V9zcuKhDpe16ndtZ7): One of America’s original industrial cities, my hometown has undergone a complete makeover, and is now loaded with fascinating [things to see and do](https://www.discovertheburgh.com/things-to-do-in-pittsburgh/) - [Allegheny National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/EP1sqhnmPkNZE1fB7): One of several outdoor enthusiast meccas in PA, ANF has a [dynamic range of activities](https://pawilds.com/landscape/allegheny-national-forest-surrounds/#!directory/map/ord=rnd) available year round… with [plenty more](https://pawilds.com/journey/) nearby\! - [Laurel Highlands](https://goo.gl/maps/K74Tg2S7nSopZzyz7): Another outdoor enthusiast mecca, the [Laurel Highlands](https://www.laurelhighlands.org/) is ALSO home to a number of homes designed by [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://takebackroads.com/2018/10/11/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania/) [![Fallingwater house Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?resize=663%2C542&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Laurel-Highlands-Visitors-Bureau-Frank-Lloyd-Wrights-Fallingwater-2.jpg?ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes across Pennsylvania - [US Route 6](https://pawilds.com/journey/scenic-route-6/#!directory/map/ord=rnd) – a [storied transcontinental route](https://www.paroute6.com/history) which cuts across the heart of the PA Wilds, you could take Route 6 the whole way to California if you so desire\! - [US Route 30](https://www.pahighways.com/us/US30.html) – one of America’s most famous historical cross country highways, [the Lincoln Highway](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/longest.cfm) takes travelers from New York City to San Francisco ### West Virginia America’s primary coal-mining state is well-known for its numerous mines and heavily wooded mountainous terrain. Chock full of natural scenery, sweeping hilltop vistas, and twisting back roads, West Virginia is a great state to include on your route\! #### Places to go in WV - [Morgantown](https://goo.gl/maps/Zfip7An8RCcjmwSX6): As the home of [WVU](https://www.wvu.edu/), Morgantown is likely the most well-known city in the state, and offers plenty of [places worth checking out](https://wvtourism.com/morgantown-things-to-do/) - [Monongahela National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/Ns2f97UGMtL3QL6N6): A MASSIVE National Forest that encompasses hundreds of thousands of acres of rugged mountain terrain, including… - [Dolly Sods Wilderness area](https://goo.gl/maps/kXprqrBiXPeakVSF9): A rocky and isolated wilderness area with plenty of places to hike and camp - [The Talon](https://www.facebook.com/BackRoadsWV): A twisting and winding [mountain back road](https://backroadswv.com/the-talon/), especially popular with motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts #### Back Road Routes across WV - [US Route 50](https://www.route50.com/) – Another historic cross country highway, Route 50 cuts across the northern woods of West Virginia - [US Route 250](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#250) – A zig-zagging route that runs diagonally across West Virginia, Route 250 cuts you through the heart of some of the wildest places in the state - [US Route 19](https://scenicusa.net/121812.html) – Though it runs north to south, this historical route cuts across some of the most beautiful parts of the state, including the rock climbers’ heaven, [New River Gorge](https://goo.gl/maps/sHdb6uY3cZYNfNip8) [![The Talon back road in West Virginia](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Talon-WV.jpg?resize=723%2C413&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Talon-WV.jpg?ssl=1) Photo Credit: [The Talon](http://www.backroadswv.com/) [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Kentucky The Bourbon State. The Bluegrass State. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Another major coal mining state. No matter what description you use, the bottom line here is that Kentucky is one of my favorite states on the East Coast, and is home to some absolutely gorgeous back roads. #### Places to go in Kentucky - [Bourbon Trail](https://kybourbontrail.com/): a conglomeration of destinations, Kentucky’s bourbon trail is an [easy way to visit](https://kybourbontrail.com/plan-your-trip/) any number of distilleries creating the state’s most famous export. My favorites (to visit, not necessarily to drink): [Maker’s Mark](https://takebackroads.com/2016/10/04/road-trip-nashville/), Woodford, and Buffalo Trace - [Louisville](https://goo.gl/maps/9gigESM6cGj6mep36): Kentucky’s largest city is home to the [Kentucky Derby](https://goo.gl/maps/QuQpnssF6pWMcB3Q7), the world’s most famous [baseball bats](https://goo.gl/maps/kVvTXqX3Xg7AGUCn6), and much more - [Daniel Boone National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/rdvVJkKWuFSBMgoT7): Like MNF In WV, DBNF is home to dense woods, rugged terrain, rock climbing, cliffs, and plenty of places to hike - [Land Between the Lakes National Rec Area](https://goo.gl/maps/eTJiWvriiNgrJKHu9) – a narrow strip of wilderness located between two lakes, full of hiking, camping, and water-based activities [![](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?resize=520%2C280&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Natural-Arch-Daniel-Boone-National-Forest.jpg?ssl=1) Natural Arch Scenic Area At Parkers Lake Kentucky In The Daniel Boone – image courtesy of [US Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39726) #### Back Road Routes across Kentucky - [US Route 62](https://www.usends.com/62.html) – a diagonal shot across the state, Route 62 cuts across the gorgeous heart of bourbon country and the well-groomed [thoroughbred territory](https://www.khorse.com/list_of_horse_race_farms_in_kentucky.htm) - [Kentucky Route 80](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#eastik) – Cutting across the southern edge of the state, KY-80 is filled with scenic beauty and plentiful options for exploration ### Missouri Missouri is widely known as the [Gateway to the West](https://www.gatewayarch.com/). It’s largest city is home to the Gateway Arch, and because it sits centrally on the western banks of the Mississippi River, Missouri is often the first “western” state road trippers encounter. #### Places to go in Missouri - [St Louis](https://goo.gl/maps/j8hT22MTwjLr3Fxg7): the state’s most famous city sits on the banks of the mighty Mississippi and features numerous tourist destinations: [Gateway Arch](https://goo.gl/maps/tc689GWSXAi5eqgJ8), [Budweiser Brewery](https://goo.gl/maps/GJ5oQqMPJR4PQ9fp7), and the [National Transportation Museum](https://g.page/TNMOT?share) are a few highlights. This will also be the first place you’ll cross [Route 66](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) on your trip west. - [Branson](https://goo.gl/maps/7XWtVJ6hvx3Yv7sn6): one of the cheesiest cities in the country, Branson is home to countless country and other live music venues, wax museums, and other various & sundry attractions. Oh, and it sits at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountain wilderness. - [Dogwood Canyon](https://goo.gl/maps/vrczfcVRNRm2KUb99) & [Hickory Canyon](https://goo.gl/maps/JH1ow2Z4jmtTtUmN9) State Parks: relatively small but jaw-droppingly gorgeous (see what I did there?), these two parks offer lots to see and do for the lover of natural scenery - [Mark Twain National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/LMo5WbhrgEk48NXd9): much larger than the previous parks, MTNF is home to thousands of acres of hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and densely wooded rolling hills [![A waterfall runs down a cliff face into a green pool of water, with an enclosed stone bridge across it, leading to a matching stone lodge](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dogwood-canyon-falls-museum.jpg?ssl=1) Cedar Lodge at Dogwood Canyon Falls – image courtesy of [Cedar Lodge](https://bigcedar.com/attractions/dogwood-canyon/) #### Back Road Routes across Missouri - [US Route 160](https://interstate411.us/ushighways/us160/) – Running along the very southern edge of the state, Route 160 (who we’ll be seeing again..!) winds its way across the rolling foothills of the Ozarks - [US Route 60](https://www.usends.com/60.html) – Only a couple dozen miles north of Route 160, Route 60 also cuts you across the hills of southern Missouri, albeit in a slightly more “refined” fashion: Less rugged, fewer hills, and more open panoramas… but still a far more interesting and relaxing option than US Route 50, which cuts across several metro areas and long stretches of open plains ### Kansas No sense in candy-coating the truth here: Kansas is going to be one of the most boring, difficult states on this adventure. That’s going to be nearly unavoidable, though, as it’s next to impossible to drive cross country without crossing one of the flat central plains states. [![A hill slopes gently down towards a grove of trees under the setting sun in Tallgrass Prairie in Kansas](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Tallgrass-Prairie-Kansan.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [National Parks Conservation Association](https://www.npca.org/parks/tallgrass-prairie-national-preserve) #### Places to go in Kansas - [Kansas City](https://goo.gl/maps/jwRzAcsrgG7bTQyZ9): Located partially in Missouri and partially in Kansas, America’s most confusing city spans the Missouri River, Kansas River, the state border, and significant [BBQ-based disputes](https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/is-kansas-city-bbq-really-the-best)\! - [Little House on the Prairie Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/PhkiTJtC6UEgTV6Q9): A replica of the tiny cabin where Laura Ingalls Wilder & her family lived - [Dodge City](https://goo.gl/maps/YNVKKDE3pgpUvCkW7): One of America’s most famous cowboy towns boasts a couple of [excellent museums](https://g.page/BootHillMuseum?share) and a handful of old school taverns & saloons (plus its fair share of casinos) - [Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve](https://www.nps.gov/tapr/index.htm): some of the last natural tallgrass prairie acreage left in America #### Back Road Routes across Kansas - US Route 50 – If you really feel inclined and/or dedicated to do the entirety of your cross country trip on back roads, US 50 is probably your best option – especially if you’re stopping in Kansas City for some BBQ\! - [US Route 400](https://www.usends.com/400.html) – If you would rather have a rural route, US 400 takes you across the southern portion of the state, and connects with Route 50 in Dodge City [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A young girl carrying a dog across hot sand with tall sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Great-Sand-Dunes-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Though it was still early – only around 10AM – the sand was too hot for precious puppy feet! Shocking to realize that this was in Colorado. ![Tall tan sand dunes dominate the scene, towering in layers under a brilliant blue sky in Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Great-Sand-Dune-Colorado.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) No, your screen isn’t dirty – those are people, climbing the tallest sand dunes in America, found in … Colorado?? (EDITOR’S NOTE: The highlight lists from Colorado and beyond will not include the most obvious tourist destinations that people are already aware of) ### Colorado Things are about to get really, really incredible… well, eventually, once you’ve crossed over the 100 miles or so of Eastern Colorado that looks a whole lot like Kansas! Once you hit the mountains, though, the scenery is simply remarkable. [Colorado](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#westernc) is easily in my top five for most jaw-dropping back roads in the country (bear in mind, I’ve not been to Alaska or Hawaii yet). The state is just absolutely loaded with incredible scenery… more than I could ever hope to capture or describe. Selecting only a handful of places to highlight (or roads to choose from) is going to be challenging from here going forward\! #### Places to go in Colorado - [Pike’s Peak](https://goo.gl/maps/DKAyskZ7EtfxZ22R9): one of Colorado’s highest peaks also features some of Colorado’s best mountaintop driving… and it’s very close to one of my favorite cities in the state… - [Colorado Springs](https://goo.gl/maps/7PfrkniY6dxG2vJy5): an awesome mountain city that is surrounded by utterly jaw-dropping natural beauty. It also features several [natural attractions](https://www.visitcos.com/things-to-do/outdoors/) in or near the city, and an [awesome bohemian shopping district](https://goo.gl/maps/76CjbjVipcB1j16B9). - [Great Sand Dunes National Park](https://goo.gl/maps/LgA4kCqeu4xFGnj87): an unusual and lesser known [National Park](https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm) (I hadn’t heard of it until [Wanderlust Photography](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/) published [their blog](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2020/07/07/travel-journal-7-11-2020-exploring-great-sand-dunes-national-park/) about it) centrally located in the southern tier of the state, Great Sand Dunes offers the unusual combination of desert and mountain scenery. The San Juan Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tallest sand dunes in North America. - [Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP](https://goo.gl/maps/tqd4fLNoDvq8kDkv8): I hesitated about whether to include Black Canyon on this list. Though the view from the [North Rim](https://goo.gl/maps/LWN7pnBV4betpzCv6) was both impressive and uncrowded (we were the only ones there), and the drive to get there on CO-92 was genuinely stunning… the place felt somehow menacing to us. The winds whipped and howled through the canyon, and the steep drop-offs were dizzying to behold. The drive back to the North Rim also featured several unmarked & unfenced drop-offs, and was confusing and poorly marked. It added at least 90 minutes each way to get there. So if you’re going to go see it, I recommend the [South Rim](https://goo.gl/maps/X85QYcK4g3ThM7NW6), which offers similar perspectives and is much closer and more easily accessible. - [Million Dollar Highway](https://goo.gl/maps/cJbQjmabVy85dFEc9) and [Telluride](https://goo.gl/maps/vM9XDcSHhjhEwed68): I considered including the Million Dollar Highway as a route across the state, but the truth is, it’s one of the few places in [America](https://takebackroads.com/category/travel-blogs-organized-by-region/) where the drive actually is the destination. The scenic vistas are simply jaw-dropping – miles and miles of rugged mountain peaks and dense forests stretch in every direction – and the drive itself is thoroughly enjoyable, if perhaps [a bit white-knuckle](https://youtu.be/gd5SYDzXKKY) at times… There are also the historic mining towns of [Ouray](https://goo.gl/maps/PvnTrF4W2VcLqJyz5) (pronounced “YOUR-ray”), [Silverton](https://goo.gl/maps/6BeK5YaWwjPMfbN77), [Durango](https://goo.gl/maps/VGD9BRjBzDNvXTkt7), and Telluride, with their adorable downtown shopping districts surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. I could spend weeks exploring here. #### Back Road Routes across Colorado - [US Route 50](https://takebackroads.com/2020/06/29/america-scenic-byway-road-trip/) – Cutting a consistently scenic path across the central portion of the state, Route 50 provides convenient access to many of the best destinations in Colorado while also providing a natural boundary of sorts between the Rocky Mountains to the North and San Juan Mountains to the South. - [US Route 160](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_160#Colorado) – As prefaced in Missouri, it’s back on US-160 again for an incredibly scenic way to drive across Colorado, providing easy access to Great Sand Dunes NP, a handful of destinations in the San Juan mountains, the Million Dollar Highway, and [Canyons of the Ancients](https://goo.gl/maps/4xm7cybLWcHaFPXM7) National Monument… plus is a great way to head towards Monument Valley. ### Utah As is the case with Colorado, it’s critical to remember that this trip is the sampler platter, not the full entrée. There is so much natural beauty to witness in Utah that you couldn’t see it all in a week or more. The state’s most familiar features are its red rock desert formations, Canyons and Arches, and of course the [massive salt flats](https://utah.com/bonneville-salt-flats). The scenery is ethereal and often otherworldly, and can often spring up at you out of nowhere. Be prepared to stop often, and often stop unexpectedly as you traverse the [Beehive State](https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/behind-the-beehive/). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![two cars drive away on a two lane road stretches towards the distant horizon, lined by tall rock spires in Monument Valley](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-Monument-Valley.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Monument Valley ![A red dirt road leading to the rocky hills of Zion National Park. Learn how to find red dirt roads off the beaten path.](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/back-road-zion.jpg?fit=723%2C542&ssl=1) As beautiful as this view was, what captivated me the most while sitting here and drinking it all in was the complete lack of manmade sound. It was the first time in my life I ever experienced that. ![monument valley rock formations are blurred behind a crisp and defined barbed wire fence](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-Monument-Valley-barbed-wire.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Monument Valley ![Tall red rock formations in Utah feature white and tan horizontal stripes](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-Zion-rock-formation.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Zion National Park ![varying rock and desert land features create multi-colored layers in the desert near Zion National Park utah](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-desert-layers.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Near Zion National Park #### Places to go in Utah - [Monument Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/AAzTiAbURjWYNarP6): One of a handful of “bucket list” locations that I finally crossed off my list on this trip is Monument Valley. I feel, to be completely honest, like we need to come back and explore the area more to get a better appreciation for it. The stone pillars were incredibly neat to see, but it felt like it was over fast – I think we might’ve missed some? - [Zion National Park](https://goo.gl/maps/B4U3VpRy8Ht1Gs936): I said I wasn’t going to include obvious tourist destinations, and here I am, a mere two states later including obvious tourist destinations. But Zion is without question in my top five favorite National Parks in the country. It will completely blow your mind the first time you drive through it. If I had a nickel for every time my wife breathlessly exclaimed “Whoooaaaa…” as we weaved our way across the park, I could pay for someone to write this post for me\! - [Glen Canyon National Rec Area](https://goo.gl/maps/9wct9dxLTQWeVf4P6): An absolutely massive park that stretches south across the border into Arizona, Glen Canyon has over a million acres of stunning desert landscapes and water features to explore. The twisting shores of Lake Powell carve jaw-dropping curves into the brilliant orange rocks, and the iconic [Rainbow Bridge](https://goo.gl/maps/4cg7oJepJoCWWEYy7) is nearby as well. - [Grand Staircase-Escalante](https://goo.gl/maps/MwnDziwRXwgZ23pk7): Immediately adjacent to, and nearly double the size of Glen Canyon, Grand Staircase is yet another collection of diverse and awe-inspiring arid landscapes. With arches, pillars, dunes, slot canyons, and a number of other features to discover, you could easily spend a week hiking across the depths of this enormous National Monument. - [Little Sahara Rec Area](https://goo.gl/maps/SvBqfXkSxhZAHymA8): In a state that is world-famous for its [off-roading opportunities](https://www.discovermoab.com/), the Little Sahara rec area is a hidden gem of sorts for thrashing your UTV or SXS. Hiking and fat biking trails are also available, as are places to camp. - [Lower Calf Creek Falls](https://goo.gl/maps/Zn7gFEDM2EGfPHhy7) (and [trailhead](https://goo.gl/maps/8gR4hTpXe5Hqp4W99)): Not to overuse a cliche or anything, but the Falls are just absurdly stunning, and the moderate hike to get there ain’t shabby either\! - [Kanab](https://goo.gl/maps/kGfB2iRMTwEfz8er7): One of several renowned outdoor adventurist towns in Utah, Kanab is a great place for launching a plethora of desert-based activities. It’s also home to the [BLM visitors center](https://g.page/blm-kanab-visitor-center?share) where you can attempt to get walk-in permits for [The Wave](https://www.thewave.info/) in Arizona. The town itself is really cool, with a handful of unique shops, restaurants, marketplaces, and museums. [![Utah State Route 12 east sign dominates a disorganized cluster of road signs and billboards at the western end of the route](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Utah-state-route-12.jpg?ssl=1) Utah State Route 12, western terminus #### Back Road Routes across Utah - [US Route 89](https://www.usends.com/89.html) – Utah’s intensely rugged and deeply carved geography make it particularly challenging to traverse east to west using strictly back roads. US-89 weaves an unusual course into the state from Arizona, then heads east-west for a stretch near Glen Canyon and Grand Staircase, before turning north again. - US Route 6 – The aforementioned storied east to west transcontinental route winds its way across Utah, intermingling with several other well-known US Routes along the way. - US Routes 40 & 50 – I mention both in the same breath here because they run similar courses not far from each other across the state… though both will try to run you along the interstate for a stretch if you’re not careful\! - [Utah Route 12](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#westerntu) – It’s not included in the list of [The Best Back Roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/) for no reason! Though short, Utah’s State Route 12 carves a panoramic path across some of the most rugged, mind-bending rock formations and desert geography that I’ve ever witnessed. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Nevada It was hard to skip over one of my favorite states in the country – Arizona – but again, for the sake of miles on a trip of this size, you have to make cuts somewhere. Nevada is one of the most imposingly beautiful states you’ll ever visit. It’s also contains some of the most desolate places you’ll ever visit – certainly some of the most remote places in the lower 48. The landscape is often severely harsh and inhospitable, and will provide you with the longest “human-free” stretches of driving on your journey …. so make sure you have plenty of gas, and fill up whenever you have the opportunity! But fear not, because those same imposing and inhospitable landscapes will also provide you with countless uninterrupted natural panoramas, stretching as far as the eye can see without a single man-made structure in sight. It truly is a wonder to behold, and if you’re open to it, it might just change your [perspective on humanity](https://takebackroads.com/2017/10/29/where-the-pavement-ends-camping-california/). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![Crisp fluffy white clouds and a brilliant blue sky top the towering snow capped peak of Wheeler Mountain in Great Basin National Park Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nevada-Great-Basin-National-Park.jpg?fit=723%2C454&ssl=1) Great Basin National Park ![A side by side dune buggy races up a monster sand dune in Nevada along the Loneliest Road](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nevada-sand-dune-racing.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) Sand dune races near Loneliest Road #### Places to go in Nevada - [Valley of Fire State Park](https://goo.gl/maps/UnRkcjNvQB91EphB9): Intense reds and oranges will fill your vision as you make your way into and around Valley of Fire. The sandstone formations jut out of the ground in unusual angles all around you, and there is plenty of petrified wood to discover. With an incredible [Off-Road Park](https://goo.gl/maps/nicGu1ZdZKb8Q2RL8) feeding into the northern edge of the state park, there’s no shortage of things to see and do here. - [Nelson Ghost Town](https://goo.gl/maps/aSQ1Pz3LzqPRkNjM9) and [Nelson’s Landing](https://goo.gl/maps/rNNo52A69STyJS6r7): I found these gems by sheer happenstance while looking for outdoor activities for our [adventure in Las Vegas](https://takebackroads.com/2017/08/04/adventure-near-las-vegas-dead-bodies-in-the-desert/) a few years ago, and we absolutely fell in love. The ghost town is super cool, populated by ancient-looking wooden structures, and the landscape is littered with old cars. There is an old abandoned mine, and even an airplane… and let’s not forget about cliff jumping into the Colorado River at Nelson’s Landing! An all-around amazing day trip\! - [Goldfield](https://goo.gl/maps/uQ6DQqpySXcLqdd68): Speaking of old mining towns, Goldfield is another great historical destination in the desert. For such a small town, it has a surprising amount of things worth seeing – historic saloons, museums, shops, and even a [car forest](https://goo.gl/maps/BFqTsnjks6jjA5388)! Being fairly isolated in the sparsely populated center of the state, and surrounded by stark natural beauty, the area around Goldfield is also prime real estate for [stargazing](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/28/milky-way-night-sky-photography/). - [The Loneliest Road in America](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/nevada/pictures-loneliest-road-america-route-50/): In addition to being one of the most direct ways to drive east-west across the state, US Route 50 in Nevada also sports the rather depressing moniker of being the loneliest road in the country. It’s true in a lot of ways: there isn’t much life in any direction at any point on Route 50, human or otherwise. Once you leave Ely, none of the few small towns you’ll come across in the next 250+ miles heading west have more than 500 residents. But, as I’ve already mentioned above, there’s incredible beauty in all of that loneliness. - [Great Basin National Park](https://www.nps.gov/grba/index.htm): One of the smaller, more remote – and maybe most underappreciated and unknown – National Parks in the lower 48, Great Basin sports some absolutely stunning mountain peaks and desert valleys. Sitting at the eastern end of the Loneliest Road in America, Great Basin offers plenty of hiking trails, scenic drives, and snow-capped mountain peaks. Make sure to swing southeast from there to pick up Utah Route 12 across Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase, Escalante, and Capitol Reef\! - [Black Rock Desert](https://goo.gl/maps/masQpsqsu2NuxwnEA): In addition to being the home of [Burning Man](https://burningman.org/) every August, the BRD is also a place to find incredible natural scenery. Loaded with abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping, this area is known as being one of the darkest – and best – stargazing spots in the whole country. - [Paradise Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/c4VezUdyaGXhkjWf6): Located smack in the middle of [Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/ExTv6YoSroPrdqxe6) – a bit of a misnomer, as we didn’t see any trees until we drove up over [the mountain pass](https://goo.gl/maps/PyhPUoc9Uuac113i7) – Paradise Valley is indeed an arid wonderland. In addition to being a good spot for hunting out abandoned buildings, the desert valley is partially ringed to the North & West by a string of jagged mountain peaks. The rugged terrain is perfect for [dispersed camping](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/02/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp/) opportunities, though the isolated nature of the area forces me to only suggest this for experienced campers. ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A US Route 6 road sign dominates the foreground, as a two lane back road stretches off towards distant cloud covered mountains in Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Nevada-US-Route-6.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![Back Road US route 6 stretches towards distant desert mountains in Nevada](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC_0325.jpg?fit=723%2C450&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes across Nevada - US Route 50 – as mentioned above, Route 50 offers one of the simplest ways of driving east to west across this arid state. I would be remiss if I did not repeat my advice: MAKE SURE you always have gas in your vehicle. There are countless places where you are going to be 30-50 miles or more from the nearest gas station, and it’s entirely plausible you could wait several hours before seeing another human. - US Route 6 – coming into the state joined with Route 50 from Utah, the two routes diverge in Ely, with 50 heading on a more northerly course towards Lake Tahoe, and Route 6 cutting south towards Tonopah and Mono County CA. Nearly as lonely as Route 50, Route 6 is another place to not mess around with being safe – an overabundance of caution with regards to maintaining your vehicle and fuel is crucial. - [US Route 95](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/) – As with Route 19 in West Virginia, Route 95 deserves mention in spite of being a north-south route. As one of my favorite back roads in the country, 95 is chock full of natural scenery, and it connects you with several of the best destinations in the state. [![A winding back road in Yosemite leads the eye to the towering grey granite Half Dome mountain formation in the background](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?resize=663%2C408&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Yosemite-Glacier-Point-Road-2.jpg?ssl=1) One of the most epic views – Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park (Half Dome in the distance) – in our nation’s most epic state ### California California is easily the most intimidating state on this entire list to try to tackle. As the third largest state in the country, superlatives are abundant in my favorite state for back road driving. I described California to my wife as having similar natural features as other states in the country – forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, the ocean, etc – but on grander, exaggerated scale. The state’s terrain takes on mythical proportions: the mountains are more dramatic, the deserts more dry, the coastline totally defies description, and the trees tower above you in startling size. California has been lionized in American mythology, and with good reason. I’m not even going to attempt to scratch the surface of everything there is to see and do – not to mention the countless amazing back roads to explore. I’m only going to address a handful of things we saw and did on our cross country adventure, and leave the rest for you to fill in the blanks\! #### Places to go in Northern California - [Mono Lake & Tufa Reserve](https://goo.gl/maps/LYRnE3N1PfAAVv4N9): Looking like an eyeball on the map, Mono Lake appears to stare back at you as you ogle open-mouthed at its mountain-lined shores. In addition to its striking panoramas, Mono Lake also features a number of otherworldly [Tufa Towers](http://www.monolake.org/about/geotufa) along its shorelines. - [Mountain Gate Park](https://goo.gl/maps/39FzgNS3gnwq33Zj8): Small and seemingly uninteresting on its face, this “park” – in reality, more of a rest area than a park – is a fantastic place for the hot and road-weary traveler to stop and refresh themselves in the frigid rush of the West Walker River. Surrounded by steep and arid canyon walls, the melt-water river is shallow, clear, and crisp, its bottom lined with countless smooth stones for walking across. Whether you sit on the shoreline and dunk your feet, or go whole hog and cross into its “depths,” it’s a relaxing place to rest up before continuing on your journey. - [Monitor Pass](https://goo.gl/maps/c5Vb3LVmHGpN8uqn6): This white-knuckle mountain pass winds its way east across the Sierra Nevada chain, providing countless dynamic panoramic vistas … for the passengers! Drivers beware: This road, while gorgeous, is dangerously distracting. Keep your eyes on the road, and use the numerous pull-offs to do your viewing. The [Lake Alpine](https://goo.gl/maps/PamVK5jVGWjsjoHH9) area in particular is gorgeous, and loaded with outdoor activities to explore\! - [Calaveras Big Trees State Park](https://goo.gl/maps/VF8EzbQ7XLNrbzDGA): [Calaveras Big Trees](http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=551) is just one of many, many places in California where you can walk among towering sequoia and redwood trees. We appreciated the approachability and relaxed nature of the park, and found plenty of things to see and explore while we were there. The campgrounds were affordable, clean, spacious, and provided easy access to numerous scenic hikes, and the sky was dark enough at night to make [viewing the Milky Way](https://www.instagram.com/p/CJcKVteh9Ed/) easy. - [Yosemite National Park](https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm): I know, I’m breaking my own rule about obvious tourist destinations, but come on! How can I not include one of the [most dramatic scenic drives](https://youtu.be/YDpjxagr6s4) in America and one of the [most dramatic back road vista points](https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1rr5fBL9s/) in America, all within a park that is laden with a plethora of both? I could spend at least a week there, finding new angles to capture the natural beauty of the landscapes, and I would strongly recommend you do the same. If nothing else, make sure to do the drive through [Yosemite Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/Zc3gDsL6yR8Ez9Vd9), and the drive up to [Glacier Point](https://goo.gl/maps/dCwABC8K3nPSo74a8). Though they are less than a mile apart as the crow flies, it’ll take you about an hour to drive from one to the other\! - [Napa Valley](https://www.visitnapavalley.com/): More specifically, I suggest you drive [the loop around Napa Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/GAzapN9jVtWYZoGw6). Though a very short drive, you could easily spend a couple days meandering your way from [winery](https://www.visitnapavalley.com/wineries/) to [winery](https://www.napavalley.com/wineries/) – the route is lined with several dozen excellent ones – and it’s ringed on all sides by absolutely stunning natural splendor. The diversity of the scenery alone – the flat valley floor, surrounded by rugged green and sand mountain peaks, rows and rows of grape arbors capped at each end with gnarled prickly pear cacti, all lined by lush evergreen and palm forests – makes this drive worthwhile… And of course, it’s easily America’s most celebrated wine region. Again, I’m breaking my own rule a bit by including a fairly touristy destination, but the beauty of the drive – and the back road nature of the route (and the small towns and villages along the way) make it more than worthy of inclusion on this list. Oh, and just over the western ridge is [Sonoma County](https://sonomawine.com/), ANOTHER excellent wine region\! - [Russian River Valley](https://russianrivervalley.org/): Most widely known as an excellent [wine](https://russianrivervalley.org/vineyards) and [beer](https://www.russianrivergetaways.com/things-to-do/wine-beer-food/sonoma-county-beer-savoring) region, driving through the Russian River Valley makes me absolutely swoon. The scenery, driving west from US-101 along River Road, is absurdly diverse and dynamic in a relatively short stretch of miles…. and it will leave you gawking nearly the entire way. I’m building a full-length post specifically devoted to this drive, but I’ll say this – it’s the only place in the half-million or so miles I’ve driven where you can experience palm trees, vineyards, dense redwood forests, a deep winding river, rolling hills and mountains, adorable bohemian villages, AND a gorgeous ocean coastline … all contained within a [less-than-30-mile drive](https://goo.gl/maps/ij3vik5dWdxGYF6XA). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![back road route bridge stretches across New Melones Lake in the foothills of the western Sierra Nevada mountains](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/California-back-road-New-Melones-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C290&ssl=1) CA route 49 near Angels Camp CA ![A curving back road arches towards a panoramic view of the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in eastern California](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/California-back-road-route-89-Monitor-Pass-eastern-Sierra-Nevada.jpg?fit=723%2C262&ssl=1) CA route 89 in the Eastern Sierra Nevada ![A back road route stretches straight across the flat desert valley floor towards the towering eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/California-back-road-Route-120-Mono-Lake.jpg?fit=723%2C480&ssl=1) Mono Lake CA ![The Pacific Coast Highway weaves a twisting course across the coastal hills lining California\&\#039;s pacific coastline](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Russian-Gulch-beach.jpg?fit=723%2C328&ssl=1) ![The Pacific Coast Highway bends around the top left corner of a scene otherwise dominated by the towering cliffs of the California coastline](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Pacific-Coast-Highway.jpg?fit=723%2C481&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across California - [CA State Route 4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_4) – Twisting and winding its way across the Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA-4 starts near the state’s eastern border at [Topaz Lake](https://goo.gl/maps/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6), and terminates near the western coast at [San Pablo Bay](https://goo.gl/maps/TbxFN94hEEX24vd7A). In the interim, you’ll cross mountain passes, desert floor, dense forest, the scorched expanse of the Central Valley, and the dense congestion of East Bay. - [CA State Route 120](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_120) – Though CA-120 barely makes it halfway across the state, terminating at I-5 in the middle of the Central Valley, it more than makes up for its short distance with its stunning scenery. Starting near the bone-dry border with Nevada, 120 will quickly leave you gasping as you make your way past Mono Lake and into the jagged peaks of the Eastern Sierras. Before long, the alpine beauty of [Tuolumne Meadows](https://goo.gl/maps/1y4TgCjTVY4oP4w17) is whizzing past, and you’ve found yourself crossing the heart of Yosemite National Park. Wind your way down the foothills of the Western Sierras, across Don Pedro Reservoir, and into the spartan beauty of the Valley. - [CA State Route 89](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_Route_89) – Yeesh! Another north-south route, AND another state route! I’ll be honest – the US Routes aren’t great options for east-west crossings of California. They are often multi-lane highways that cut quickly across the less-scenic areas of the state, and don’t make for enjoyable driving. I digress. CA-89 is a mountain lovers paradise! Towering mountains line nearly all of this route as it winds north from [Topaz Lake](https://goo.gl/maps/sgt6hT6PGbVLKpbr6) along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada range. The road is just loaded with some of the most [stunning mountain vistas](https://www.instagram.com/p/CHnkrhhhWMo/) I’ve ever seen in my life. You’ll pass through a handful of kitschy mountain towns, along the eastern edge of [Lake Tahoe](https://goo.gl/maps/j9pjCwaULeZZvA8s6), [Donner Pass](http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=503), across [Plumas National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/a9CpYKLVs8TTTg2Z9), and into the [Cascade Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Range). Don’t forget to stop at Lassen Volcanic [National Park](https://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm) and [National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/tdN7weyKqHFmxtA36). The route terminates at the base of [Mount Shasta](https://goo.gl/maps/r9MpFuF8nTq6zVRq5). - [US Route 395](https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/california-hwy-395-road-trip) – Like US Route 95 in Nevada, [US 395](https://www.instagram.com/395north/) deserves mention here because it connects so many of the beautiful places in California. It threads its way up the eastern edge of the state and the [Sierra Nevada range](https://californiahighsierra.com/), connecting one scenic spot after another like a spine holding the body together. In addition to connecting so many beautiful spots, 395 itself is a rather fantastic drive even without stopping. Start out at the bottom, just north of the [Angeles](https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles) and [San Bernardino](https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf/) National Forests, and roll nearly straight north through the arid valley that makes up [one of my favorite back roads](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#395) in the country. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ## Driving East: the Northern Cross Country Route Heading home, I was finally able to hit up several northern states I’d never explored before. My primary goals for the return drive were to explore Idaho, experience Yellowstone, and drive [Beartooth Pass](http://beartoothhighway.com/) – all of which I was able to do! NOTE: Though we drove across the northwestern corner of Nevada and had our first campsite in Paradise Valley, there’s no point in duplicating the state in the list. Instead, I’m going to start the list in Oregon, a state which rivals California in many ways, and would also make a great starting point for a east-bound cross country road trip\! ### Oregon Officially the start of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon rivals its southern neighbor in biodiversity and geographic landscapes. Though not as large, and often not as sunny and warm as California, Oregon is still an absolutely beautiful, enchanting and unique state to visit: dense, lush forests grow right up to the very edge of the jagged Pacific Coastline, and the towering peaks of the Cascade Mountains separates the coast from a surprisingly vast and arid desert in the southeastern corner of the state. National Forests abound, and there’s even a pretty excellent wine region\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![The surreal blue water of Crater Lake pops out against the greens of the forest and greys of the surrounding cliffs](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-Crater-Lake.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1) ![The dark smoke of a distant wildfire obscures the snow-covered peak of Mount Bachelor near Bend Oregon](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-Mount-Bachelor.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1) ![Vibrant hues of red and orange of the painted hills in Oregon\&\#039;s eastern bad lands territory pop out in the foreground, sandwiched between red evergreen trees and distant sandstone peaks](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-painted-hills-badlands.jpg?fit=6000%2C4000&ssl=1) #### Places to go in Oregon - [Three Sisters](https://goo.gl/maps/CwswesCNHRn28eq18): Three 10,000+ foot [volcanic peaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_$Oregon$) (plus the nearby [Broken Top peak](https://goo.gl/maps/oA7ds8moCHc6PHP8A)), laden with glacial ice and alpine lakes, all located within less than five miles of each other? What more could an outdoor adventure explorer ask for? - [Oregon Redwoods Trail](https://goo.gl/maps/ij3YHYiLqZbkBxE69): Located less than a mile from the California border and less than five miles from the coast, this hiking area makes for a beautiful place to walk amongst the towering coastal redwood trees. - [The Rugged Volcanic Peaks of the Cascade Range](https://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=21317): Running from south to north, and loaded with year-round outdoor activity options, this list includes some of the most prominent and well-known peaks in the west: [Mount McLoughlin](https://goo.gl/maps/Tv8w1Sm8YkZu8fTZ6), [Mount Scott](https://goo.gl/maps/V3Jh56SVwwcS7dzK7) & [Crater Lake](https://goo.gl/maps/q6s2n3gMZ5oNq5Ew7), [Mount Thielsen](https://goo.gl/maps/j3QAUvppxx7NUTcn8), [Mount Bachelor](https://goo.gl/maps/JuxzakfPDymQg7RH9), The Three Sisters, [Mount Washington](https://goo.gl/maps/yc82JRphQRQ33H7V7), [Mount Jefferson](https://goo.gl/maps/1tZNTjnPxjMoc5aU7), and [Mount Hood](https://goo.gl/maps/4vNdWCai7XUMT1T87). - [Smith Rock State Park](https://goo.gl/maps/PFq96xD1yEE6bVJ57): What this park lacks in overall size, it more than makes up for with its stunning natural beauty. Though primarily known as a [rock climbing destination](https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=36), the park also has abundant hiking trails and primitive campsites. - An abundance of [State Forests](https://www.oregon.gov/odf/working/pages/stateforests.aspx) and [National Forests](https://www.fs.fed.us/sopa/state-level.php?or) - [Willamette Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/fETXD4RvdFcoYYBw6): a world-class wine region, on par with the more widely known Napa and Sonoma valleys, lining the [Willamette River](https://www.willamettewines.com/) and primarily centered in the region between [Portland](https://goo.gl/maps/hZXRzsushZns2QLn7) and [Salem](https://goo.gl/maps/9qvwh1Pi1XR6B8mM9). [![The gritty hot pavement of a two lane back road twists across the parched hills of eastern Oregon desert](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C409&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Oregon-back-road.jpg?ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across Oregon - [US Route 20](https://www.usends.com/20.html) – Starting at the Pacific Coast at Route 101 in [Newport](https://goo.gl/maps/7wDtxXrt3zHbV3DP9), Route 20 winds its way east through the heavily wooded hills of the Oregon Coast Range and the southern end of the Willamette Valley. After passing through [the city of Bend](https://www.visitbend.com/), Route 20 crosses the surprisingly desolate and remarkably flat expanse of eastern Oregon before joining US Route 26 near the Idaho border. - [US Route 26](https://www.usends.com/26.html) – Like Route 20, US Route 26 starts near the Pacific Coast at Route 101. After a brief pass through the dense coastal woods, Route 26 cuts across the heart of [Portland](https://www.visitportland.com/) before heading east. From Portland, the route passes in the shadow of [Mt Hood](https://www.mthoodterritory.com/) and cuts nearly straight south past two [remarkable](https://goo.gl/maps/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) state [parks](https://goo.gl/maps/t4ME7Wo2gsoCkETA6), then across a rolling scenic valley between [Ochoco National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ochoco) and [John Day Fossil Bed](https://goo.gl/maps/kMBxaUfdv2U51VzMA) before uniting with US 20. Because the two routes run in parallel and join together at the eastern edge of the state, if you are making your way across Oregon, US 26 is clearly the better choice for an enjoyable drive. - [OR State Route 140](https://www.milebymile.com/main/highway-1224.html) – Though the route does not cut the entire way across the state, it does cut a very scenic path across the southern edge of Oregon. Running east from [Medford](https://www.travelmedford.org/) to roughly halfway between US Route 395 and 95 in the desolate southeastern corner of the state, the route’s scenery ranges from the [Cascade Mountains](https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cascade_mountain_range/), the waterways and woodlands of the [Klamath Falls area](https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/klamath-falls/), and into the desolate desert east of [Goose Lake](https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=1). - US Route 395 – Though not quite as beautiful as its counterpart in California, US 395 in Oregon similarly cuts through the arid, desolate beauty in central Oregon. Winding a north-south course across the entire state, the route passes near or through several National Forests along the way. ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A man standing near a black Ford F150 stares out over an enormous desert valley in central Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-panorama.jpg?fit=723%2C361&ssl=1) A traveler surveys the landscapes of central ID ![A man walks through the middle of an enormous desert valley in Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-valley.jpg?fit=723%2C357&ssl=1) ### Idaho Idaho is definitely the next-most intimidating state to write about on this list, after California. That might seem a bit ostentatious for a state most widely known as the home of the lowly potato. Merely brushing Idaho off as a bunch of boring farmland, however, would be to miss one of the most jaw-dropping states in America. I had never really given Idaho much thought as a state worth visiting, and I almost wonder if that’s how they want it to be. There’s really not much of a tourism vibe in the state, and I wonder if they want to keep their natural splendor a guarded secret. I quite unexpectedly tripped over the allure of Idaho while working on a [road trip plan](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) for someone back in 2019, and the more I looked into it, the stronger my desire to explore the state became. Even with a ton of build-up and seriously high expectations, the rugged mountains of Idaho did not disappoint! Like California, picking which pictures to share – especially from the back road drone shots – was incredibly challenging. [![A colorful sunset warms up streaks of fluffy clouds over distant mountains in Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-sunset.jpg?resize=534%2C382&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-sunset.jpg?ssl=1) #### Places to go in Idaho - [Sun Valley](https://goo.gl/maps/2FwwsmWyTPqUW29v5): Technically considered a town, Sun Valley is more of a place or a geographic area… but who really cares what it is, aside from the fact that it’s jaw-droppingly, heart-stoppingly beautiful! Near the top of the list of my favorite things we saw in Idaho. - [Coeur d’Alene](https://goo.gl/maps/S2VgLsyWMvwEEnZ47): Apparently some of the most beautiful parts of Idaho are known by the names of the town that’s nearby? Either way, if you’re venturing this far up north, this mountains and lakes area can’t be missed\! - [Snake River](https://goo.gl/maps/uicQw6omHRQZ19MU7): OK so given that the Snake River runs roughly 1/3 of the length of the western border of the state AND THEN meanders its way across the state over to Wyoming, it’s hard to pick a single place to link to here. We cut across the river several times during our drive across the state, and it always provided us with gorgeous sightlines and panoramic views… and if you’re a fisherman, this one is gold\! - [Payette River](https://goo.gl/maps/QnzqyNEAWN7v8caR8): Since my Places for Idaho weren’t weird enough already, let’s toss another river into the mix! Consisting of a North & South Fork that merge at ID-55 just north of [Banks](https://goo.gl/maps/iaY3JA6PUuB7tcRj8), the Payette River runs through some of the most beautiful, rugged parts of the state, making long stretches of its raging waters ideal for white-water rafting\! - [Sawtooth Mountains and National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/Ncj2DEUdt249Zqss8): – OK, so I know that geographically this encompasses a pretty huge area, but between Sawtooth & the neighboring [Salmon Challis NF](https://goo.gl/maps/MSPKxttH6bMXDuRo6), you could spend a full year exploring its beautiful mountains and dense evergreen forests without seeing everything the area has to offer. ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A two lane back road by a raging river divides two drastically different landscapes - smooth rolling sage-covered hills on the left, and jagged granite cliffs on the right](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Idaho-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C299&ssl=1) Steep canyon walls carved by the Payette River in ID ![A narrow dirt road runs along the side of one of several mountains creating the boundary around Sun Valley Idaho](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sun-Valley-Idaho.jpg?fit=723%2C340&ssl=1) A back road heads into the mountains surrounding Sun Valley ID #### Back Road Routes Across Idaho - [US Route 12](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us12.cfm) – As an oddly shaped state that’s much “taller” than it is “wide,” finding East-West back road routes across the state is surprisingly difficult. That said, US 12 is an amazing option to consider, cutting an incredibly scenic path across the rugged northern third of the state. Lewiston is the “biggest” city along the sparsely populated route, which eventually cuts through [Nez Perce National Forest](https://goo.gl/maps/dZvP3f6D1MzX4Khx6) along the [Lochsa River Valley](https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/570/main), adjacent to countless natural hot springs. - [ID State Routes 17, 21 and 75](https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/road-trips/ponderosa-pine-scenic-byway/) – This is a bit of a tough one to weave together, since it doesn’t follow any of the routes completely, and it’s not the full [Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3803819.pdf) either. This route, however, starting from where the two forks of the Payette merge and running east to west along the Southern Fork for most of the way, cuts through some of the most stunning canyon and mountain driving I’ve ever done. The route is lined with abundant opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, natural hot springs, [dispersed camping](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/) and much more… and offers you options to drop into additional outdoor activity havens like Sun Valley. - [US Route 20](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/longest.cfm) (and 26) – Eventually merging with US Route 26, US Route 20 cuts a long, often flat, often straight line across the southern tier of the state. Running from I-84 south of Boise all the way up to the Wyoming border and into [Yellowstone](https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm), US 20 is actually quite reminiscent of driving across [Nevada](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#95): vast open valleys (with stick-straight driving) surrounded by gorgeous jagged mountain peaks along the way. You’ll also pass right by [Craters of the Moon National Monument](https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm). - [ID State Route 55](https://itdprojects.org/projects/id55smithsferry/) and US Route 95 – Running North and South from Boise to the Canadian border, this route will wind you through some of the most stunning open landscapes in the state. Much of the route runs parallel to the Northern Fork of the Payette River, from the outlets on the southern edges of [Payette Lake](https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/ponderosa/) and [Lake Cascade](https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/lake-cascade/) all the way down to Boise. Continue further north across a [handful of National Forests](https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ipnf/maps-pubs), Coeur D’Alene, and the fabulous [Lake Pend](https://visitnorthidaho.com/activity/lake-pend-oreille/) before hitting the Canadian border. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![Snow capped granite mountain peaks tower over TA Moulton old barn in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-mountains.jpg?ssl=1) Is there a more iconic Wyoming view? ### Wyoming Dear Western United States: Please stop having so many absolutely gorgeous states. Sincerely, no one ever. Honestly, though, it’s a real coin-flip, choosing whether to head from Idaho into Montana or Wyoming. Both states have long stretches of absolutely gorgeous mountain driving, and both also have long stretches of teeth-grindingly boring open plains to cross. What sealed the deal for us was the opportunity to finally check [Grand Teton](https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm) and [Yellowstone](https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm) National Parks off the list, so we headed a little south into Wyoming and had our minds blown by all of the gorgeous rugged scenery the state has to offer. The fact that we could shoot briefly up into Montana on [Beartooth Pass](https://youtu.be/-TKLM0uxiiY) definitely helped! Although back road options are somewhat limited in this vast state, I’ve definitely enjoyed every time I’ve driven across it\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![An expansive landscape rolls out away from the viewer, displaying a small resort community surrounded by mountain peaks under a fluffy cloud lined blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-landscape.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![The towering granite peaks of Grand Teton mountain range soar towards an ice blue sky over Jackson Lake](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-mountain-lake.jpg?fit=723%2C446&ssl=1) The stunning peaks of Grand Teton NP #### Places to go in Wyoming - [Yellowstone and Grand Teton](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2017/12/12/national-parks-yellowstone-and-grand-teton/): OK look, I know that I said that I wasn’t going to hit the most widely known tourist destinations in each state, but honestly, how can I write about Wyoming and not include [Yellowstone](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm) and [Grand Teton](https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/index.htm)? Aside from taking up like 15% of the state’s total area, the [mountains](https://youtu.be/J594k-Nkdwc) and hot springs in both parks just simply define the state. Just don’t get caught in the traffic on US-191 (like we did) travelling from one park to the other. - [Medicine Bow National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/mbr/specialplaces): Absolutely stunning mountains surround deep blue alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests at this northern edge of the Rocky Mountain chain. Often snowed-in well into the late spring and beginning again in early fall, the area can be difficult to access at times, and has a surprising lack of ski resorts. That said, the gorgeous mountain vistas along many of the hiking trails are worth the extra effort. - [Beartooth Highway](http://beartoothhighway.com/): Though it does briefly cross over into Montana at the northern edge of Yellowstone, the vast majority of Beartooth Highway and Beartooth Pass traverses the northern edge of Wyoming. Crossing a vast brigade of mountain peaks and National Forests, this twisting road will take you on some of the most stunning cliff’s edge driving this side of the Million Dollar Highway! Though it’s primarily about the drive – and the panoramic vista points at the pull-offs – there are a handful of drop-dead gorgeous [dispersed campsites](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/) to be had… [if you can find them](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/02/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp/)\! - [Palisades Reservoir](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ctnf/recarea/?recid=54449): Surrounded by mountains and straddling the border between Wyoming and Idaho, this stunning man-made reservoir is situated just ten miles south of Jackson on the Snake River… and if that sweet alliteration doesn’t convince you to go check it out, maybe [my drone video](https://youtu.be/UZFYEUpcA0A) from there will\! - [Big Horn National Forest](https://www.fs.usda.gov/attmain/bighorn/specialplaces): An absolutely sprawling park, filled with more mountain peaks, alpine lakes, densely wooded trails, and a boatload of other outdoor activities. If you’re making your way across from Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and the Black Hills, this is a great place to break up the drive and spend a day. - [Curt Gowdy State Park](https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/activities-amenities-curt-gowdy): Both little-known and little in size, what this park lacks in stature, it makes up for in scenery and activities. With spectacular rock formations, fantastic hikes, boating & fishing, horseback riding, an archery range, a waterfall, and a lot more, this park has something for everyone\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![Drone shot of a back road in Wyoming near Buffalo Bill state park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-back-road-drone.jpg?fit=723%2C291&ssl=1) ![Back road view of a lake and mountains in Wyoming](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wyoming-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C329&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across Wyoming - [US Route 14](https://www.usends.com/14.html) – Starting in Chicago and terminating in Yellowstone, this historic route weaves a drunken path meandering from one side of the state to the other. Running parallel (and now concurrent) with I-90 for a stretch from the South Dakota border, it heaves north of the interstate twice (including around Big Horn) before levelling out on its way into [Cody](https://www.codyyellowstone.org/see-do/) and towards the eastern gate of Yellowstone. - [US Route 26](https://www.aaroads.com/west/us-026_wy.html) – Roughly following the original path of the Oregon Trail and North Platte River across the desolate central plains of the state, US-26 comes into the state in the southeastern corner near Fort Laramie, then slowly meanders its way northwest toward Grand Teton and the Idaho border. [![A pair of Harley Davidson motorcycles enter Doane Robinson Tunnel, with the faces on Mount Rushmore clearly visible under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?resize=663%2C416&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mount-Rushmore-harley.jpg?ssl=1) ### South Dakota Coming from the west, central South Dakota is where the Great Plains really begin in earnest. Once you’ve made your way across the twisting maze of granite and pine that make up the Black Hills, the landscape flattens out rapidly. The Missouri River cuts a massive gash down the middle of the state, looking almost like a piece of paper that’s been ripped in two. Interestingly (at least to me), the Black Hills is the first – and only – place I’ve witnessed a mountain lion in the wild. On the plus side, hey, at least it’s not North Dakota. I kid, I kid\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![The painted sandy hills of the South Dakota badlands glow in the setting sun at golden hour](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Badlands-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![Wall drug signs are lit up under the falling darkness at dusk](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wall-Drug-South-Dakota.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) #### Places to go in South Dakota - [Custer State Park](https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/): Full of towering otherworldly granite formations and gnarly winding roads, this large park is a great place for outdoor activities, bikers, and sports car enthusiasts\! - [International Vinegar Museum](https://www.internationalvinegarmuseum.com/visit.html): OK, so this is one of those little oddball places that I love to discover. Admittedly, I’ve not been there, and it looks relatively small, but if you happen to be in this relatively distant and obscure corner of South Dakota, it’ll certainly break up the monotony\! - [Badlands National Park](https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm): Yes, I know, another tourist destination. But the jagged ridgelines and brilliant orange and red colors of the geological formations here seem starkly out of place in an otherwise green, pastoral state. Loaded with wonderful hiking trails and insane scenic overlooks, the Badlands definitely feels like they were plucked out of Utah and dropped into South Dakota by some “[Wizard of Oz](https://youtu.be/awL4PJRrp9Q?t=131)” like tornado. - [Ingalls Homestead](https://discoverlaura.org/visit): There are several different [Laura Ingalls Wilder related locations](https://www.google.com/maps/search/laura+ingalls+wilder+sites/@44.2797775,-96.0893894,7.29z/data=!4m2!2m1!6e1) spread throughout the Midwest, but quite a few of them are located in and around [De Smet, SD](https://www.ingallshomestead.com/de-smet-info). ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A dirt road bounces along the dusty rolling hills in badlands territory of South Dakota](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/South-Dakota-back-road-2.jpg?fit=723%2C482&ssl=1) ![A two lane back road stretches out towards the jagged hills of South Dakota\&\#039;s badlands national park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/South-Dakota-back-road.jpg?fit=723%2C338&ssl=1) ![A single lane dirt road sweeps past a small sandstone feature in the badlands region of South Dakota](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/South-Dakota-dirt-road-badlands.jpg?fit=723%2C407&ssl=1) #### Back Road Routes Across South Dakota - US Routes 14 – Though the last 40-50 miles of the western portion of the route merges with I-90 near the town of Wall (home of the kitschy [Wall Drug](https://www.walldrug.com/)), it winds its way east to west across the majority of the state. In addition to Wall, US-14 also passes through the capital city of [Pierre](https://pierre.org/visit-pierre-south-dakota/) and the aforementioned De Smet. - [State Route 44](https://605magazine.com/2018/04/30/605-road-trip-highway-44/) – Running nearly the full east to west length of the state and cutting across the Badlands and Black Hills, Route 44 is a great option for avoiding the highway on a cross country road trip\! [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![Golden hour at Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/gooseberry-falls-state-park.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2018/03/03/minnesota-beauty-split-rock-lighthouse-and-gooseberry-falls/) [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Minnesota You’ve now solidly entered the heart of the Great Plains, kids… the rugged aura of the wild west is a long distant memory in the rear view mirror. While the pastoral miles of America’s breadbasket have a peaceful beauty to them, I recommend downloading a few interesting podcasts for each day’s drive to keep your mind active as the road stretches endlessly towards the horizon in front of you. The [Land of 10,000 Lakes](https://www.exploreminnesota.com/list/5-ways-to-enjoy-minnesotas-10000-lakes) (nearly 12,000, actually) is a [nature lover’s paradise](https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/outdoor-adventures-await-minnesota) in many ways though, and is also home to the [headwaters of the Mississippi River](https://www.mississippiheadwaters.org/history.asp#:~:text=The%20Mississippi%20River%20begins%20as,one-half%20of%20the%20nation.). #### Places to go in Minnesota - [Gooseberry Falls](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00172#homepage): One of a long list of excellent parks on the western shore of Lake Superior (several of which are featured here), this relatively small park has a number of hikes, shoreline trails, and of course, a pretty gnarly set of cascading waterfalls. - [Split Rock Lighthouse State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00266#homepage): Like Gooseberry Falls, what this Lake Superior shoreline park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in stunning natural beauty. Featuring its namesake historic cliffside lighthouse, the park also has lots of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore. - [Tettegouche State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00269#homepage): Can’t get enough of Lake Superior yet? Who can blame you! The largest of the Great Lakes shows its glacial history in its numerous lakeside cliffs, and Tettegouche State Park boasts some of the most stunning cliffs in the state. As with most of the local parks, Tettegouche features a plethora of hikes, waterfalls, fishing opportunities, and even rock climbing. - [Voyageurs National Park](https://www.nps.gov/voya/index.htm): If you’re venturing towards the northern end of the state and the Canadian border, a stop at this large and secluded National Park is well worth your time. The park features sprawling, often-interconnected water features and is a boating fanatic’s wonderland. Be sure to stop and check out the rock sculptures at [Ellsworth Rock Garden](https://goo.gl/maps/176CegyAybgQYCAp9). - [Kabetogama State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/forest.html?id=sft00027#homepage): This park is paradise for fishing, snowmobiling/ATV riding, hiking, boating and kayaking. It’s a great place for slowly paddling your way northwards through the interconnected waterways, meandering towards the southern boundary of Voyageurs NP. [![A two lane Minnesota back road stretches out towards the horizon under fluffy clouds in a blue sky](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?resize=663%2C373&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Minnesota-back-road-1.jpg?ssl=1) Minnesota might not have the most captivating landscapes, but the pastoral beauty of its back roads still make for a pleasant and peaceful road trip\! #### Back Road Routes Across Minnesota - [State Route 61](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#westernm) – I can’t mention all of those glorious shoreline parks on Lake Superior without also mentioning the fabulously [scenic lakeshore drive](https://northshorevisitor.com/communities/scenic-61/), can I? Though the majority of Route 61 runs north to south, the section of the route running parallel to the lake takes a more southwest to northeast course… and while it terminates at the Canadian border, the stunning scenery along the way makes the detour well worth your time. After all, it wouldn’t be one of the [best back roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state) if it wasn’t\! - [State Route 210](https://roadnow.com/us/mn/mn-210.html) – Given that this east to west route runs across the heart of Lake Country and through several state parks and state forests, finally terminating after weaving across [Jay Cooke SP](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00187#homepage) south of Duluth, I was shocked by the dearth of tourist information about the route online. - US Route 14 – For those who aren’t interested – or don’t have time – for a northern adventure, US-14 offers a good option for meandering across the southern end of this tall state. The route passes through a handful of farming towns and villages, small cities, and passes near the stunning [Minneopa State Park](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/minneopa_itinerary.html). ### [![A red wheel of Wisconsin Cheese sits on a decorative wooden cutting block in front of shelving full of other Wisconsin products](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?resize=663%2C387&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Wisconsin-cheese.jpg?ssl=1) ### Wisconsin Cheese! As the home to plentiful cheese & dairy products, as well as the state where [Harley-Davidson](https://www.insurance.harley-davidson.com/the-open-road/profiles/founders-of-harley-davidson) and [OshKosh B’Gosh](https://www.oshkosh.com/oshkosh/okbg-story.html?id=oshkosh) started, you’ll definitely find plenty to do in this gorgeous northern plains state. And because it’s the first state you’ll encounter after crossing the Mississippi River, it’s the “beginning of the end” of your cross country trip. You’re now starting back into the [eastern side of the country](https://takebackroads.com/2019/02/03/great-american-road-trips-the-best-back-road-by-state/#topeast). #### Places to go in Wisconsin - [The Dells (Wisconsin Dells)](https://www.wisdells.com/wisconsin-dells-attraction/tours.htm): These fascinating riverside rock formations can only be accessed by boat, so make sure to review your trip options and choose your tour carefully\! - [Rocky Arbor State Park](https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rockyarbor/recreation): Not far from the aforementioned riverside rocks is Rocky Arbor, this peaceful park is loaded with campsites and hiking trails. You can explore the woods, or hike down for a few views of the sandstone cliffs. - [Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum](https://www.lauraingallspepin.com/): The world-famous author bounced around quite a bit during her prolific life and writing career, setting up camp in several locations across the Midwest. This museum, near the Mississippi River in Pepin, is located at her birthplace. - [Five Mile Bluff Prairie](https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=76): Located near Pepin along the Chippewa River, Five Mile Bluff offers hikers several sweeping panoramas of both rivers and nearly uninterrupted natural vistas. - [Taliesin Estate](https://www.taliesinpreservation.org/tours/): Located in the southeastern corner of the state is one of [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://takebackroads.com/2018/10/11/frank-lloyd-wright-house-tour-pennsylvania/)‘s architectural masterpieces, and was his long-term home and studio. The site of a brutal multiple-homicide and arson attack, Wright quickly re-designed and re-built his destroyed estate before his own death. Don’t forget to stop at the quirky [Romeo & Juliet windmill](https://goo.gl/maps/fY6bH3me3SCj5ocC9) while you’re there. - [The House on the Rock](https://www.thehouseontherock.com/): Speaking of quirky buildings, the House on the Rock is a must-see attraction while you’re in the Spring Green area. With a cantilevered section of the home extending more than 200 feet out over the valley floor below it, it’s an architectural masterpiece that you have to see in order to believe! Sadly, both Taliesin and House on the Rock were closed due to COVID restrictions during our drives, or I would have more photos of each to share\! - [Apostle Island National Lakeshore](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Apostle+Islands+National+Lakeshore/@46.9302046,-90.6333321,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipN7aRYtuXj5GBKdGFt7BF5b2NRqjTnUD4NzX8jz%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4000!8i3000!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88074f57372daee1:0x972160075cd0cdaa!2sThe+Dells!3b1!8m2!3d43.6416457!4d-89.783458!3m4!1s0x52a8fea6288e5235:0x4772c8f9b80b5a3!8m2!3d46.9302046!4d-90.6333321): A water-lover’s paradise, this chain of sandstone islands features plenty of stunning landscapes and rock formations, as well as a number of historic lighthouses. While the islands are best experienced from the seat of a kayak, a sea kayak is the only [safe/recommended method](https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/kayaking.htm) to explore the area. [![Kayakers stare up at fire red stone cliffs from the water surrounding Apostle Islands](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Apostle-Islands.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Apostle-Islands.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [Wanderlust Travel Photography](https://wanderlustphotosblog.com/2019/07/16/apostle-islands-visitor-guide/) #### Back Road Routes Across Wisconsin - US Route 14 – Running northwest to southeast across the southern portion of the state, US-14 cuts across the capital city of Madison and Spring Green, but mostly runs across the scenic rolling hills of Wisconsin farmland. - [US Route 18](https://www.usends.com/18.html) – Heading nearly straight east to west from Milwaukee, US-18 runs across the southern tier of the state towards Iowa and South Dakota. Route 18 also cuts across Madison, then diverts along a more southern and rural track. - [US Route 10](https://www.usends.com/10.html) – As one of only two US historic routes that includes a designated ferry as part of the actual route, US-10 starts on the eastern edge of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan. Running along a more northern track, there are several short detours from US-10 to enjoy cities like Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire while also relishing the diverse natural scenery. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Illinois And here we finally meet the states that were a bit more difficult to get excited about. I’ll be the first to admit it: I bag on the flyover states, and that’s not fair. The midwestern states have plenty of interesting destinations to offer. My feeling comes from the sense that the vast majority of the land is open, flat, and tends not to inspire words like “stunning” or “breath-taking” or “awe-inspiring.” I digress. The land of Lincoln does have it’s fair share of enjoyable back road drives, and several rather unique features worth finding and exploring\! ![](https://takebackroads.com/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/shortcodes/img/slideshow-loader.gif) ![A wide natural arch frames a hiker walking through the fallen leaves at Starved Rock State Park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Starved-Rock-1.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1) ![Walkers stare up at steep cliff faces lining a narrow canyon at Starved Rock State Park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Starved-Rock-2.jpg?fit=600%2C360&ssl=1) ###### Images courtesy of [Illinois DNR](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx) #### Places to go in Illinois - [Starved Rock State Park / Nature Preserve](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx): This long, narrow park and adjoining preserve along the southern shore of the Illinois River is loaded with excellent natural features to explore. With a handful of elevated river overlooks, a bunch of waterfalls and hikes, and more canyons than Arizona, this small park packs a punch\! - [Matthiessen State Park](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/Matthiessen.aspx): Literally right down the road from Starved Rock is another small State Park that is full of natural beauty worth exploring. With multiple bridges and waterfalls, you could easily spend a couple hours hiking the park and … soaking … in all the scenery! (Dad jokes are free for those who’ve made it this far!) - Peru IL: I haven’t included virtually any “indoor” sights on this post, but the city of Peru has two that are worth exploring. The [Westclox Museum](https://www.westcloxmuseum.com/) looks like it will be a fascinating place to spend a few hours perusing the displays (especially if, like me, you love old clocks). A few blocks down the road is the absolutely jaw-dropping [Hegeler Carus Mansion](https://hegelercarus.org/). Given that Peru is just across the river from the two aforementioned state parks, you could easily spend a couple days exploring everything this part of Illinois has to offer\! - [Villa Katherine](https://www.quincyparkdistrict.com/parks-and-facilities/villa-kathrine-park/): Speaking of absolutely stunning architecture, perched on the banks overlooking the Mississippi River near Quincy is the incredible Moorish-style Villa Katherine. The building is currently used as the city’s tourist information center, and guided tours of the structure can be taken on an appointment basis. Make sure to explore the city’s [historic district](https://goo.gl/maps/F8Zmba9ZUjVheB1z8) and [Log Cabin Village](https://goo.gl/maps/Upr5LE3UJZe2yPQ57). - [Lincoln Home](https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/the-lincoln-home.htm): As the first and only home that [President Lincoln](https://www.nps.gov/liho/learn/historyculture/links.htm) ever owned, this memorial site is a must-visit spot for any history buff in your group\! #### Back Road Routes Across Illinois - [US Route 6](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us6.cfm) – America’s longest contiguous historic route runs nearly cross country (coast to coast), and is now mirrored by Interstate 80 in many states. Cutting across the northern portion of the state into Chicago, Route 6 also runs through several of the highlighted locations above\! - [US Route 24](https://www.listchallenges.com/us-route-24) – One of America’s original federal routes, dating back to the start of the US highway system in 1926, runs the heart of the auto manufacturing corridor in Michigan west to central Colorado. Heading west to east, the route crosses the Mississippi into the state at Quincy and heads northeast along the Illinois River to Peoria, where it makes a sharp turn to head directly east into Indiana. - US Route 50 – After leaving St Louis and hooking a left at O’Fallon, US-50 quickly opens up to become a mostly straight shot across the rural flatlands of Illinois corn country. [![Sugar Creek runs through Turkey Run State Park in Indiana](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sugar_Creek_Turkey_Run_SP_IN_2.jpg?ssl=1) Image courtesy of [Daniel Schwen & Wikipedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4008314) ### Indiana The [Hoosier](https://youtu.be/C2ILSuQOmEg) state, like it’s eastern and western neighbors, is primarily known to travelers as being home to millions of acres of corn fields. However, like all of the midwestern states, Indiana is home to a handful of hidden gems for travelers to unearth. One merely needs to know where and how to find them\! #### Places to go in Indiana - [Turkey Run State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/turkey-run-state-park/): Though less than half a mile square, this tiny park is absolutely packed with diverse natural beauty. Canyons, creeks, a covered bridge, camping, horseback riding and historical sites abound, with plenty of relatively easy hikes to explore throughout the park. - [Shades State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/shades-state-park/): Just a few miles up the road, also along the meandering path of Sugar Creek, Shades State Park is another fantastic location filled with natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sandstone cliffs set the scene for most of the hiking and water sports in the park, and it too sports a historic covered bridge. - [Circus Hall of Fame](https://goo.gl/maps/U4PfqSnYYxcQXZZr8): This one is pretty self-explanatory! Make sure to also check out the surprising [Miami County Museum](https://goo.gl/maps/DZRYdww9QNCsEW8T6) in nearby Peru. - [Salamonie River State Park](https://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/properties/salamonie-river-state-forest/): Another very small park located about 20 miles east of Peru, the real highlight of the park is the hike to the wide drop of [Kissing Falls](https://goo.gl/maps/Bb5D3nHU1ZxEW5LF7). Make sure to also check out [Hanging Rock National Landmark](https://goo.gl/maps/ZJBHsfRv6GYRWiWu5) while you’re there. - [Studebaker Museum](https://www.studebakermuseum.org/): Located in the heart of South Bend – home of the glorious campus of [Notre Dame University](https://www.nd.edu/) – the Studebaker Museum houses three floors of displays featuring the historic cars manufactured there, as well as American car culture in general. #### Back Road Routes Across Indiana - US Route 24 – Cutting a similar path across Indiana as it did in neighboring Illinois, US-24 parallels the Wabash River across much of the state, and will drop you close to several of the parks listed above. - [US Route 36](https://www.usends.com/36.html) – Like US-24, US-36 was one of the original federal highways commissioned in 1926. Running mostly straight east to west across the most rural stretches of the state, it also brings travelers close to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks before crossing downtown [Indianapolis](https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-things-to-do). - US Route 50 – The southern option for crossing the state on a historical federal route, US-50 runs through largely rural and relatively isolated areas of the state, eventually bearing northeast towards Cincinnati. [![Upper falls under a stone arch bridge near old man's cave in hocking hills ohio](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/img_5767.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/img_5767.jpg?ssl=1) The Upper Falls at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ### Ohio Because most of my cross-country drives begin and end in Pennsylvania, the Buckeye State will be the final stop in this cross country road trip itinerary. Ohio is a relatively interesting state on the East Coast, made up of an unusual mix of large swaths of flat open farmland to the north and west, and thick forests and rolling hills to the south and east. When looking at a satellite image of the state, it’s almost as if there’s a slash running diagonally across the state, separating the two different geographies contained within. #### Places to go in Ohio - [Cuyahoga Falls National Park](https://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm): The only National Park in the state, Cuyahoga Falls is a relatively new, absolutely gorgeous place to stop smack in the middle between Cleveland and Akron. The long and narrow park, centered around the Cuyahoga River, features numerous hiking trails and is most widely known for the cascading [Brandywine Falls](https://goo.gl/maps/1VWWM1kScsHyqweK7). - [May 4th Memorial](https://goo.gl/maps/hwY3nt9yStjovxn58): Though the Kent State shooting in 1970 might be widely known, it’s absolutely worth seeing the memorial and learning more about the history of the four students murdered and nine more injured by the US National Guard during protests against the Vietnam War. - [The Ohio State Reformatory](https://www.mrps.org/): Most obviously known as the site where the vast majority of [Shawshank Redemption](https://www.mrps.org/shawshank) was filmed, the prison is also home to [paranormal activities/ghost hunting](https://www.mrps.org/paranormal), events, and other tours. Make sure to check out the [Shawshank Tree](https://goo.gl/maps/PvBc2X5thL1VqGPk8) (on private property, only view from the road!) and [Shawshank Woodshop](https://goo.gl/maps/QxLLcsPu3EGLK9g76). - [Mohican State Park](https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-odnr/division-parks-watercraft) / [State Forest](https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/mohicanmemorial-state-forest): This large park area is host to a number of excellent hiking & biking opportunities, a large river gorge, sizable woodlands, camping, and a massive covered bridge. - [Hocking Hills State Park](https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/hocking-hills-state-park): One of the state’s largest and most beautiful parks – if you ask me, it should’ve become the state’s National Park over Cuyahoga Falls – Hocking Hills features absolutely stunning rock formations, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wooded areas, camping, hiking, gorges and a boatload of other incredible outdoor activities. This absolute gem of a park was definitely overlooked when the time came to nominate a National Park for Ohio. - [Historic Roscoe Village](https://roscoevillage.com/): An entire historic town, preserved in time, features guided tours by costumed “villagers,” plus preserved buildings, old-timey shops, and boat rides on the canal. #### Back Road Routes Across Ohio - US Route 36 – US-36 weaves and winds its way across central Ohio, passing through a handful of historic farming towns and villages, while also completely circumnavigating the insanity that can be downtown Columbus traffic. - State Route 32 – Starting at the outskirts of Cincinnati and twisting its way east, OH-32 quickly transforms from its urban start to a very rural, very scenic way to cross southern Ohio. - US Route 250 – US-250 cuts a diagonal path across the state, starting at the shores of Lake Erie at Sandusky (home of the sprawling [Cedar Point](https://www.cedarpoint.com/) amusement park) and taking a rather scenic track across rural Ohio farmland before hitting the foothills of West Virginia [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ## Another Option for Driving East: the Southern Cross Country Route ### California Yes, I’m writing about my adopted home state twice. Yes, I’m biased. But more importantly, as the third-largest state by land mass and (in my less-than-humble opinion) most beautiful state in the country, it is definitely deserving of another nod here. For most cross country road trips, route plans are very likely going to start or stop in the Golden State… and with good reason. Though very different from climate and terrain perspectives, the southern half of California is just as loaded with things to see as the northern half. #### Places to go in Southern California - [Tar Pits Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kuionnisfz9rKvtB7) – Though not as famous as [La Brea Tar Pits](https://tarpits.org/), these naturally occurring asphalt deposits have the distinct advantage of providing a double-whammy: it’s also a great place to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast. - [Trona Pinnacles](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yuMdsAxKLKF4EtsE7) – Like the Tufa Towers near Mono Lake in Northern California, these geological abnormalities are stone spires poking through the earth’s crust. And, like their cousins to the north, they’re located in an intensely dry and potentially formidable desert, so proceed with caution. - [Mojave National Preserve](https://www.nps.gov/moja/index.htm) – Though not as well-known as its neighbor to the North ([Death Valley](https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm)), the Mojave Desert and National Preserve offers visitors fantastic opportunities to hike, bike, and off-road through some of America’s most otherworldly geography. As one of the hottest and driest places in the country, though, I STRONGLY recommend additional research and significant caution when visiting. However, the desert often greatly rewards those patient and brave enough to visit her. - [Joshua Tree National Park](https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm) – I’m including JTNP on this list not for the obvious reasons that draw in the vast majority of the Park’s visitors. Instead, I’m listing it for the sections that most people don’t explore: the unpaved trails that zig-zag their way throughout the majority of the park. Bring your 4WD vehicle and plenty of provisions (plus a [good GPS locator](https://amzn.to/3yEp7m2)) in case you get lost or stuck, and bank an extra day or two to wander through the desert for a while\! - [Anza Borrego State Park](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638) – As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, much of the natural beauty in Southern California is in the desert. Anza Borrego is a state park dedicated to highlighting some of the most beautiful features of the desert, and in the springtime, is home to some of California’s most surprising and breathtaking displays of [wildflower super-blooms](https://theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/wildflowers/) you’ll ever experience! BE MINDFUL AND TREAD LIGHTLY – please do not EVER stand, walk in, or take home any of the blooms you witness\! #### Back Road Routes Across Southern California - [State Route 2](https://angelescrestscenichighway.com/) – Also known as the Angeles Crest Scenic Highway, this stunning drive twists and winds across the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest heading east from Pasadena. Both fun to drive and loaded with scenery, the route is a great alternative for leaving Los Angeles before heading out into the desert or finding Route 66. - [Route 66](https://www.route66ca.org/) – Feels like an obvious option to include, but depending on which direction you’re heading, [Santa Monica Pier](https://www.santamonicapier.org/) in LA is either the beginning or end of one of the most famous back road routes in the world. Much of the legendary route has been lost to modernization, but there’s still plenty to experience along what’s left\! - [State Route 62](https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/california/twentynine-palms-highway.php) – Known as [Twentynine Palms](https://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) Highway, the route runs east to west between Palm Springs and Parker AZ. The mostly straight road runs across the northern boundary of Joshua Tree National Park, and provides plenty of desert scenery for your eyes to feast on. - [State Route 58](https://www.ci.twentynine-palms.ca.us/about#:~:text=The%20area%20was%20then%20generally,palm%20trees%20surrounding%20the%20Oasis.) – For those travelling a bit north of LA, CA-58 provides an often stunning drive the almost the whole way across the state. Starting just north of the Pacific Coast Highway in San Luis Obispo, CA-58 weaves across the coastal range before dropping down into the Central Valley and Bakersfield area. You’ll cross the Tehachapi Range next (be sure to check out the [Railway Loop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehachapi_Loop)!) before dropping into the Mojave Desert. ### Arizona Much like it’s red-rock desert neighboring state to the north, Arizona is home to stunning natural scenery, otherworldly geological formations, and some of [my favorite back roads](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/). It’s also home to several very cool cities, several different deserts, a handful of National Forests, and my all-time favorite National Park. Oh… and it’s also home to one of the coolest stretches of Route 66\! #### Places to go in Arizona - [Flagstaff](https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/) / [Sedona](https://visitsedona.com/) – Yeah, I’ll admit it, listing these two places this way, and first, is a bit of a cop-out. But here’s the truth: this area is probably my second-favorite place in the country. Both towns are incredible in their own ways: unique architecture, vibrant art scenes, plenty of food, and friendly locals. The area is rich with natural beauty to explore. Hiking, biking, swimming, rafting, skiing, off-roading, camping, and on and on and on. AND THOSE RED ROCKS! \\swoon\\ (Did I mention it’s loaded with great back roads?) - [Canyon de Chelly](https://www.nps.gov/cach/index.htm) – I’m a sucker for red rock formations, in case you hadn’t already figured that out. And this park is loaded with them. - [Superstition Mountains](https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/parks/superstition-mountains/) – Your outdoor activity of choice will help drive the best way for you to enjoy the expansive stunning wilderness about an hour east of Phoenix. There’s a lot to see and do in this area – and the weather can be blistering – so be sure to do research and plan ahead. #### Back Road Routes Across Arizona - [Route 66](https://www.visitarizona.com/plan/road-trips/arizonas-route-66/) – Arizona doesn’t have a wide variety of east-west back road routes to choose from, but one major standout is Route 66. Arizona contains the longest unbroken stretch of 66 in the US, and also has what I would consider to be one of [the coolest stretches of the Mother Road](https://www.historic66az.com/route66roadtrip.html). The stretch between Oatman and Kingman is likely to be the most “kitschy” area still remaining on 66… it’s rife with retro roadside attractions, and the town of Oatman looks and feels like walking onto an old western movie set. I will say, fair warning, a lot of what Arizona is calling Route 66 is actually now just Interstate 40 paved over top of the original route… but there’s still several really cool parts of the old route as well. - [State Route 89 / 89A](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_State_Route_89) – In addition to touting the title of one of my “[Favorite Back Roads in America](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/09/great-american-road-trips-favorite-back-roads-in-america/#sedona),” this northeast-to-southwest route connects a number of really cool towns and incredibly scenic natural areas. ## [![A beautiful vibrant sunset glows over a back road where there is a silhouette of two kids sit taking a selfie](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-sunset.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-sunset.jpg?ssl=1) ## When to Take a Cross Country Road Trip The question of when to take a cross country road trip can be a very tricky one. In addition to the amount of time required to drive cross country, one also has to factor in things like climate, elevation, and local weather extremes. It is especially challenging due to the fact that the climate in areas along the way can vary drastically during the exact same months. Toss in the fact that most of the highlighted places will be very busy during the summer months, and picking a time to take this trip can be an unenviable task\! ### How long does it take to drive cross country? The first step in the process of choosing when to travel is determining how long you have! Driving cross country can take as long or as short as you want, based upon how much time you have to take it slowly and explore. In April of 2021, I drove from Pittsburgh PA to Sonoma CA – almost 2,600 miles – in 63 hours, completely by myself. I had virtually no time to get the drive done, so I spent no time stopping and enjoying the trip. On my very first cross country road trip, however, after my best friend Dietmar and I graduated from High School, we took over five weeks to drive a loop across the middle & southern parts of the country\! My point here is that how long you need for your road trip depends entirely upon how much time your schedule will allow. Once you’ve determined this most crucial fact, you can start to build your itinerary around this knowledge. For example, if you are retired and have no time constraints, you can take as long as you want, drive as slowly as you want, and stop as frequently – and for as long at each destination – as your heart desires. Conversely, if you still work full time and have two kids in school, your trip is going to be a lot shorter and more constrained by your time off work. What I personally advise people who are working with limited time is the following process: 1. Get together with whoever you are travelling with and pick your top 3-5 most important destinations or priorities – the absolute must-see locations along the way. Allot these top priorities more time in each day to explore, with as little driving time on those days as possible. 2. Pick secondary priority destinations – places you are interested in seeing, but won’t be devastated if you don’t get much time to explore them. Allot these secondary priorities less time on location, with more driving time on these days. 3. For the rest of the trip, which doesn’t matter to you and doesn’t involve destinations of great interest, these can be the days where you do the bulk of your driving. If possible, what you can do on these days is try to pick a scenic route that allows you to pass through interesting areas without stopping to explore. Seeing it through the windows of your car is good enough. Once you’ve completed this rough outline of your trip, I’d recommend the following driving times for each of the three “levels” or categories of destination: 1. Top priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to less than four hours per day. 2. Secondary priority destinations – limit your driving time on these days to approximately 6-8 hours per day. 3. Unimportant areas – drive as much during these days as you are physically capable; for most people, this should be at least 8-10 hours of driving per day. [![A distant car drives up a back road as it weaves its way up a distant hillside](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/back-road-mountain-twisty.jpg?ssl=1) A few thoughts on driving time: I advise all of my road trip planning customers that when I say driving time, I mean butts in seats, behind the wheel actually driving time. This does NOT include time sleeping, eating, getting fuel, using the restrooms, etc. My personal rule of thumb is that you should factor in 30-60 minutes of non-travel time for each four hours of actual driving. So if I say 8 hours of actual driving, you should anticipate approximately 9-10 hours of travel time. If it’s 12 hours of driving, anticipate 14-15 hours of actual travel time. You absolutely should give yourself at least 8 hours of rest each night. The other driving time factor to consider here is that driving on back roads is substantially slower than driving on the interstate. In my experience, when driving strictly back roads, you are going to average approximately 40 miles for each hour of driving time. That is a rough estimate, but again, in my many years and many thousands of miles of driving experience, it has consistently been very close to exactly correct. So if you are planning to drive 200 miles on back roads, anticipate it’s going to take you approximately 5 hours of driving. *LONG STORY SHORT (TL/DR):* If you are planning on driving cross country and back, or round trip, you should allow yourself at least 20 total days for your trip. For a 6,000 mile trip, that means you’ll average 300 miles per day. That’s a lot, but if you break it up well, it’s absolutely manageable. [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![A man and his dog walk slowly under the brutal heat of the midday sun at Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?resize=663%2C442&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/dusty-hot-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1) Do yourself a favor and don’t go to the desert in the heat of summer\! ### What time of year should you drive cross country? Because the weather can vary so dramatically in different regions of the country, this too can be a very tricky question to answer. This will be an especially important consideration if you are [camping](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/): when you’re sleeping outdoors, the weather conditions you’ll likely encounter become a critical part of your planning process. If you’re going to be sleeping indoors, weather becomes less important, but still worth considering. If you are travelling with children, you’re immediately limited to the summer months for your trip. It’s the only time of year that your kids will be out of school long enough to enjoyably complete a journey of this type. If you are not travelling with children, you have a lot more flexibility, and quite frankly, should strongly consider avoiding the summer months if possible. The summer months are going to be crowded by the aforementioned families with kids, and more importantly, are likely going to be unpleasantly hot in the vast majority of the country. So when should you travel if you’re not going in the summer? My personal favorite times to travel are late spring and mid-fall. Most destinations will have the least amount of visitors in these timeframes, and generally speaking, they are the best times of year weather-wise. Daytime temperatures in most of the country are pleasantly mild, and in most places, it does not get terribly cold overnight. To be even more specific, if possible, you should try to plan your trip for either the middle of May or the middle of September. A word of warning about these travel times: You’re going to have to be careful when travelling in high elevations, or at the northern edge of the country at these times of year. I’ve experienced severe snowstorms in the High Sierra in May, and I’ve experienced freezing rain and snow in Idaho in late August (granted, we were ALSO at a higher elevation when that happened, but still). So if you know that you’re going far north, or up high in altitude, be prepared for a little bit of cold weather. If you’re camping, you absolutely must be prepared to spend the night in below-freezing temperatures. ##### Aside from those two caveats, though, late spring and mid-fall are the best times of year to drive cross country\! [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![A drone photo captures the setting sun glows behind the towering granite peaks of Grand Teton national park](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?resize=723%2C258&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/campground-Grand-Teton-National-Park.jpg?ssl=1) Our campsite at Grand Teton National Park wasn’t too shabby\! ## Where should you stay on a cross country road trip? You have a couple basic options to choose from for overnight stays on a cross country road trip: - - Hotels/motels - Camping - Bed n Breakfasts (actual BNBs) - AirBNB/VRBO - Friends and family I’ve utilized all of the options over the years, and in some cases, a blend of more than one at a time. Frankly, if you are flexible and can mix and match the options, based upon weather and financial considerations, that’s going to usually be your best option. I give brief thoughts on each option below. #### Hotel/Motel A hotel or motel is most likely going to be the easiest and most comfortable option for you. In most places, there are a number of options to choose from. If you pay for a nicer hotel, you’ll get a clean room and comfortable bed, with a hot breakfast in the morning. The biggest downside is the cost, and the inability to prepare meals unless you really pony up and get a suite with kitchen. My personal favorite affordable chain hotels are [Holiday Inn](https://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/reservation) and [Best Western](https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.html). #### Camping Camping is the second cheapest option, and if you are willing to find [dispersed or wild campsites](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/02/how-to-camp-for-free-where-to-wild-camp/) like I typically do, will often provide you with some extraordinary scenery and surroundings. I’ve written a couple posts about [how to find excellent campsites](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/) already, so I won’t rehash that here. The biggest downsides are the exposure to weather, and the fact that finding a campsite during daylight hours really limits how far you can drive each day. #### Bed n Breakfasts This is the option I’ve utilized the least, but it is one that I should probably start doing far more often. True BNB’s were once a dying breed, though they’ve experienced a [resurgence in popularity](https://www.odysys.com/blog/study-the-state-of-bbs-in-the-u-s/) recently. BNB’s are typically unique and enjoyable experiences, especially when you have a great host. They are often found in historic buildings with incredible architecture, and many include one or more hot meals. The biggest downside is that they are often the most expensive option per night. #### AirBNB/VRBO A modernized version of the old BNB system, [AirBNB](https://www.airbnb.com/) and [VRBO](https://www.vrbo.com/) are websites where property owners can offer up their homes – or a portion of their home – for rent to travelers. There is an unfathomable amount of variety and diversity in the types of places and the types of amenities available to travelers, from the most bare bones single bedroom in the owner’s house to some of the most [elaborate](https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/airbnb-penthouses-for-rent/) and [unusual](https://www.airbnb.com/associates/99216?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_11&a4ptk=18309_0_11_99216&af=115) overnight accommodations I’ve ever seen. Prices for places to stay can also vary dramatically, giving travelers a great deal of control over budget, amenities and quality. The biggest downside, if you can call it that, is the amount of skill and experience needed to find and figure out how to choose the right places to fit your needs. We’ve stayed in some real stinkers over the years, but we’ve mostly had really incredible experiences. #### Friends and Family Staying with friends or family members is, of course, the lowest cost option for overnight accommodations. Not only will F\&F not charge you (I should hope!), many will often also provide you with meals and – critically important on a long trip – a place to wash your clothing! My very first cross country road trip, all the way back in 1999, was primarily spent staying with friends & family. Even with paying for hotels and meals in quite a few locations, that particular trip – 5 weeks, 9,000 miles – only cost my friend and I around \$900 each\! You should try to mix in at least one or two F\&F stops spread out over the course of your trip for this exact reason, unless you have the space or interest in packing enough clothing for 2-3 weeks of travel. F\&F will also be able to provide you with excellent insights about local places you should check out, from restaurants and shopping to parks, museums, and other activities. The biggest “downside” of staying with F\&F is the logistical restrictions of basing a trip around where your friends and family live… and when they are available and can host you\! [Back to Top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) ## [![A man stands in the middle of a back road in the desert of eastern California with the towering Sierra Nevada mountains in the background](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?resize=723%2C290&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-back-road-drone-shot.jpg?ssl=1) ## What should you pack for a cross country road trip? This might just be the toughest section to tackle. In addition to being heavily dependent upon the time of year that you’re travelling, how long your trip will be, and the destinations you’ll be exploring, it will also vary wildly based upon the size and storage of your vehicle, where you’ll be sleeping each night, who is travelling with you, etc. As such, my suggestions are going to be fairly generic in nature. Though I do have a couple posts dedicated to [gear for camping trips](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/), my intent here is to provide you with a basic must-have list suitable for virtually any trip. What I would recommend is start by working with a handful of categories, and working your way from there: - Clothing – pack enough for a full week of outfits, plus at least one or two “extreme weather” options - Shoes – spend a lot of time walking and hiking in your current boots and shoes before your trip to determine if they’re comfortable – on the road is not when you want to realize you need better footwear - Food/Food Storage – this is addressed in detail in my [camping posts](https://takebackroads.com/category/camping/), but you’re going to want water-tight and long-lasting food storage options - Safety/Medical gear – though I list this fourth, having a [medical kit](https://amzn.to/34FPBoe), [fire extinguisher](https://amzn.to/3LlG0nq), [flashlight](https://amzn.to/2Vbl5ey) [Fix-A-Flat](https://amzn.to/34wQiAp), [jumper cables](https://amzn.to/3JcoqjO), and other safety items easily accessible should be your first priority - Camera gear – in addition to the gear you’ll need for [night sky photography](https://takebackroads.com/2019/08/28/night-sky-photography-gear/), I also recommend having a nice zoom lens on hand for taking [incredible landscape photographs](https://www.instagram.com/p/CZN5VHVLlrY/) – I use a [Nikon 55-300mm](https://amzn.to/3HF68aC) lens - Tools – addressed in depth in my [camping gear](https://takebackroads.com/2019/10/14/how-to-camp-for-free-essential-gear-for-wild-camping/#tools) and [motorcycle gear](https://takebackroads.com/2020/04/14/motorcycle-camping-tools-equipment-and-gear-every-biker-needs-to-have/) posts, just a few simple hand tools will get you through a lot of potentially unpleasant situations - Music/Entertainment/books – the drive and various attractions are going to be amazing, but I’d be lying if I said you’re not going to also have long and boring stretches of time to kill on your trip. Having various forms of entertainment – especially if you’re traveling with family – will be crucial. I recommend having books, magazines, playing cards, and a couple [travel-size board games](https://amzn.to/3Lm14tP) on hand. Oh, and don’t forget your [playlist](https://takebackroads.com/2019/07/08/road-trip-playlist-driving-and-travel-songs/)\! ## Road trip tips, suggestions, and other travel advice In addition to my own advice for taking a cross country road trip, I’ve gathered insights and suggestions from dozens of other road trippers over the last year in anticipation of creating this post. Though I’ve taken dozens of road trips and driven countless thousands of miles over the last 25 years, I certainly haven’t experienced everything. I reached out to other travelers and collected their suggestions for taking long road trips. One thing I’ve learned about people who travel a lot – they love to help other people get out on the road\! I’m going to start off with one of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned in all my years of taking road trips. Download offline maps – [LINK](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838) (make sure to click on [Android](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0) or [iPhone](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=0) at the top) – I cannot stress the importance of this step strongly enough. One of the very first recommendations I make to every [road trip planning](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/) client I’ve worked with is to download [offline Google maps](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838). Every cross country road trip will include driving in areas with no cell service. If you’ve not prepared ahead of time by downloading offline maps for those areas, you might lose your route plans at the worst time possible. If you aren’t sure where your cell providers don’t have coverage, start with this [FCC Map](https://www.fcc.gov/BroadbandData/MobileMaps/mobile-map), downloading maps in areas where no service is available. [![A drone shot of a u-shaped two lane back road winds through the pine trees in eastern California's High Sierra region](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?resize=663%2C452&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/US-Route-50-south-lake-tahoe-back-road.jpg?ssl=1) US Route 50 winds through several valleys on its way across the High Sierra in Eastern California ### Road Trip Advice - Have a general plan, but allow for spontaneity & choices along the way - Pack items that can serve multiple purposes - Get a [car power adapter](https://amzn.to/3B77gkI) (turns your car’s cigarette lighter into an outlet with USB ports) - Bring reusable items (water bottles, coffee mugs) instead of disposable ones - Bring a [water bottle with filter](https://amzn.to/3Je6sxl), or a [filter straw](https://amzn.to/3rBKGgW) - Build in time for stops at local shops, farmers markets, antique stores and other ways to incorporate local culture - Opt for healthy snacks (trail mix, triscuits) and avoid soda and candy - Bring your recreational wheels along: MTB, bicycle, scooter, rollerblades etc - Visit more than just National Parks! State and county parks often provide excellent natural scenery and local history. - Hang a [shoe rack](https://amzn.to/3JdorE1) behind your seats for convenient and organized access to your stuff - Buy a [camp toilet](https://amzn.to/3LorKKL) and keep TP in your vehicle - Utilize a small “grab bag” with a couple days’ of clothing & supplies so you’re not hauling your suitcases in at every stop, rotating stuff in or out as needed - Be sure to hydrate & consume electrolytes, especially in the desert - If camping, be sure to practice setting up your tent at night using only your headlamp, just in case - Drive less than 12 hours per day – 7-8 hours is OK, but 4-5 hours is ideal if possible - Buy a [national parks pass](https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html) before you leave\! - Always stop to visit friends and family whenever they will be near your route - Ask older bikers where the prettiest local drives are - Don’t drive long distances at night – it’s not worth the risk, and you miss out on the scenery\! - Eat your meals somewhere scenic whenever possible, whether by a window or at a picnic table or on an overlook - Get and maintain roadside assistance – AAA or some other similar service - Freeze bottles of water to use as ice packs and to give you something cold to drink - Search for weird local destinations on [Atlas Obscura](https://www.atlasobscura.com/) / [Roadside America](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/) / [Factory Tours](https://factorytoursusa.com/) - Be aware that there will be remote areas in the western states with no gas stations for 30-50 miles in any direction and plan accordingly – as old bikers say, don’t pass gas on a road trip\! - Always double-check the weather conditions at the next day’s destination when you’re stopped at night - [Watch for road closures](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/) and plan alternative routes if needed - Open a credit card a month or two before you leave, only use that card, then cancel it at the end of your trip to prevent fraud / identity theft - Be flexible – plans can change quickly due to unforeseen emergencies like a wildfire (or pandemic!) - Maximize your bathroom stops – get gas, walk the dog, buy fresh supplies, etc - Start your day early – beat rush hour traffic, maximize sunlight hours, etc *[Check out our tips & tricks for back roads travel\!](https://takebackroads.com/2018/11/20/how-to-take-back-roads/#tips)* Don’t forget that there’s [an entire category](https://takebackroads.com/category/road-trips/) on our website dedicated solely to road trips\! And, if all else fails, you can always [ask us for help](https://takebackroads.com/plan-your-road-trip/). [Back to top](https://takebackroads.com/2022/05/05/cross-country-road-trip-itinerary/#top) [![A drone shot of a back road winding down a hill towards the Pacific Coast in California](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?resize=723%2C285&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/takebackroads.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/California-coastline-pacific-coast-highway.jpg?ssl=1) Enjoy your trip from coast to coast\!
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