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| Meta Title | US Road Trip Map: Hit the Nation's Best Landmarks According to Science |
| Meta Description | Need a perfect U.S. road trip itinerary that doesn’t miss any of our nation’s best landmarks? This map, created by science, will guide you. |
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| Boilerpipe Text | It is possible to curate the perfect road trip across the U.S. that won't miss any of our nation's best landmarks? Believe it or not, it is. And this map will show you how.
How Science Created the Perfect American Road Trip Map
swissmediavision via Getty Images
A few years ago,
Discovery News
blogger Tracy Staedter
sought to put an end to tedious roads trips after discovering a road map that claimed to route all of the nation's major landmarks. Staedter realized the map wasn't just inaccurate (more than a few states were missing), but it was also terribly inefficient.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a map that hit landmarks in every state and not only that?" she mused. "Wouldn't it be great if the map represented the optimal, most efficient route across the country?"
So to create a timeless, perfect road map across the United States, Staedter contacted Randy Olson, a Michigan State University doctoral student.
Olson used an algorithm
to generate the map, factoring in logistics for traffic, turns, and alternate routes. Even though the route isn't technically "perfect," it's about as close as the curious adventurer can get to the most efficient roadmap across America.
RELATED:Â
Road Trip Essentials to Have for a Smooth Journey
Science's Itinerary for the Perfect Road Trip Across the USA
Randy Olsen via Google Maps
All of the stops are in the continental United States, which is expected for
traveling by car
. The route can be started from any state and would total around 9.33 days worth of driving. But Olson also explains, in actuality, that the round trip should probably take around two- three months.
The data scientist handpicked all 50 stops ranging between national landmarks and historical sites, hoping to offer a "nice mix of history and natural wonder"- a seemingly perfect combination for the spirited traveler. And although you won't hit Alaska or Hawaii (for obvious reasons), you can't go without visiting our nation's capital or hitting at least two places in California.
So here is the perfect U.S. road trip itinerary according to science:
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Craters of the Moon, Idaho
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Pikes Peak, Colorado
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
The Alamo, Texas
The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma
Toltec Mounds, Arkansas
Elvis Presley's Graceland, Tennessee
Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
USS Alabama, Alabama
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia
Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
Lost World Caverns, West Virginia
Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina
Mount Vernon, Virginia
White House, Washington, DC
Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland
New Castle Historic District, Delaware
Cape May Historic District, New Jersey
Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania
Statue of Liberty, New York
The Mark Twain House & Museum, Connecticut
The Breakers, Rhode Island
USS Constitution, Massachusetts
Acadia National Park, Maine
Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire
Shelburne Farms, Vermont
Fox Theater, Detroit, Michigan
Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana
Abraham Lincoln's Home, Illinois
Gateway Arch, Missouri
C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas
Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion, Iowa
Taliesin, Wisconsin
Fort Snelling, Minnesota
Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota
Glacier National Park, Montana
Hanford Site, Washington
Columbia River Highway, Oregon
San Francisco Cable Cars, California
San Andreas Fault, California
Hoover Dam, Nevada
Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 22, 2019.
What're your favorite U.S. landmarks to stop by on a road trip? Share your experiences with us on our
Wide Open Roads Facebook
!
READ MORE:Â
Route 66: Here Are 20 Roadside Attractions For Your Next Trip
You Might Also Like |
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# Map Shows the Perfect U.S. Road Trip, According to Science
By [Aaron McDonnell](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/author/aaron-mcdonnell/) \|
May 31, 2022
It is possible to curate the perfect road trip across the U.S. that won't miss any of our nation's best landmarks? Believe it or not, it is. And this map will show you how.
## **How Science Created the Perfect American Road Trip Map**

swissmediavision via Getty Images
A few years ago, [***Discovery News* blogger Tracy Staedter**](https://web.archive.org/web/20160520074021/http://news.discovery.com:80/tech/gear-and-gadgets/how-to-really-drive-across-the-us-hitting-all-major-landmarks-150309.htm) sought to put an end to tedious roads trips after discovering a road map that claimed to route all of the nation's major landmarks. Staedter realized the map wasn't just inaccurate (more than a few states were missing), but it was also terribly inefficient.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a map that hit landmarks in every state and not only that?" she mused. "Wouldn't it be great if the map represented the optimal, most efficient route across the country?"
So to create a timeless, perfect road map across the United States, Staedter contacted Randy Olson, a Michigan State University doctoral student. [**Olson used an algorithm**](https://web.archive.org/web/20160520133416/http://www.randalolson.com/2015/03/08/computing-the-optimal-road-trip-across-the-u-s) to generate the map, factoring in logistics for traffic, turns, and alternate routes. Even though the route isn't technically "perfect," it's about as close as the curious adventurer can get to the most efficient roadmap across America.
**RELATED: [Road Trip Essentials to Have for a Smooth Journey](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/road-trip-checklist/)**
## **Science's Itinerary for the Perfect Road Trip Across the USA**

Randy Olsen via Google Maps
All of the stops are in the continental United States, which is expected for [**traveling by car**](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/road-trip-hacks/). The route can be started from any state and would total around 9.33 days worth of driving. But Olson also explains, in actuality, that the round trip should probably take around two- three months.
The data scientist handpicked all 50 stops ranging between national landmarks and historical sites, hoping to offer a "nice mix of history and natural wonder"- a seemingly perfect combination for the spirited traveler. And although you won't hit Alaska or Hawaii (for obvious reasons), you can't go without visiting our nation's capital or hitting at least two places in California.
So here is the perfect U.S. road trip itinerary according to science:
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona
2. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
3. Craters of the Moon, Idaho
4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
5. Pikes Peak, Colorado
6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
7. The Alamo, Texas
8. The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma
9. Toltec Mounds, Arkansas
10. Elvis Presley's Graceland, Tennessee
11. Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
12. French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
13. USS Alabama, Alabama
14. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
15. Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia
16. Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
17. Lost World Caverns, West Virginia
18. Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina
19. Mount Vernon, Virginia
20. White House, Washington, DC
21. Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland
22. New Castle Historic District, Delaware
23. Cape May Historic District, New Jersey
24. Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania
25. Statue of Liberty, New York
26. The Mark Twain House & Museum, Connecticut
27. The Breakers, Rhode Island
28. USS Constitution, Massachusetts
29. Acadia National Park, Maine
30. Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire
31. Shelburne Farms, Vermont
32. Fox Theater, Detroit, Michigan
33. Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio
34. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
35. West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana
36. Abraham Lincoln's Home, Illinois
37. Gateway Arch, Missouri
38. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas
39. Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion, Iowa
40. Taliesin, Wisconsin
41. Fort Snelling, Minnesota
42. Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska
43. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
44. Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota
45. Glacier National Park, Montana
46. Hanford Site, Washington
47. Columbia River Highway, Oregon
48. San Francisco Cable Cars, California
49. San Andreas Fault, California
50. Hoover Dam, Nevada
*Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 22, 2019.*
*What're your favorite U.S. landmarks to stop by on a road trip? Share your experiences with us on our [**Wide Open Roads Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/wideopenroads)\!*
**READ MORE: [Route 66: Here Are 20 Roadside Attractions For Your Next Trip](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/route-66-attractions/)**
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### [Cars](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/cars/)
### [Texas Is the Best State for a Road Trip. These 4 Are Good, Too](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/5-best-states-great-driving/?utm_medium=recirc-module&utm_campaign=recirc&itm_source=parsely-api&utm_source=recommended-grid)

### [Activities](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/activities/)
### [The 15 Best U.S. Destinations You Can Travel to Alone](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/best-us-destinations-for-solo-travelers/?utm_medium=recirc-module&utm_campaign=recirc&itm_source=parsely-api&utm_source=recommended-grid)

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 |
| Readable Markdown | 
It is possible to curate the perfect road trip across the U.S. that won't miss any of our nation's best landmarks? Believe it or not, it is. And this map will show you how.
## **How Science Created the Perfect American Road Trip Map**

swissmediavision via Getty Images
A few years ago, [***Discovery News* blogger Tracy Staedter**](https://web.archive.org/web/20160520074021/http://news.discovery.com:80/tech/gear-and-gadgets/how-to-really-drive-across-the-us-hitting-all-major-landmarks-150309.htm) sought to put an end to tedious roads trips after discovering a road map that claimed to route all of the nation's major landmarks. Staedter realized the map wasn't just inaccurate (more than a few states were missing), but it was also terribly inefficient.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a map that hit landmarks in every state and not only that?" she mused. "Wouldn't it be great if the map represented the optimal, most efficient route across the country?"
So to create a timeless, perfect road map across the United States, Staedter contacted Randy Olson, a Michigan State University doctoral student. [**Olson used an algorithm**](https://web.archive.org/web/20160520133416/http://www.randalolson.com/2015/03/08/computing-the-optimal-road-trip-across-the-u-s) to generate the map, factoring in logistics for traffic, turns, and alternate routes. Even though the route isn't technically "perfect," it's about as close as the curious adventurer can get to the most efficient roadmap across America.
**RELATED: [Road Trip Essentials to Have for a Smooth Journey](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/road-trip-checklist/)**
## **Science's Itinerary for the Perfect Road Trip Across the USA**

Randy Olsen via Google Maps
All of the stops are in the continental United States, which is expected for [**traveling by car**](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/road-trip-hacks/). The route can be started from any state and would total around 9.33 days worth of driving. But Olson also explains, in actuality, that the round trip should probably take around two- three months.
The data scientist handpicked all 50 stops ranging between national landmarks and historical sites, hoping to offer a "nice mix of history and natural wonder"- a seemingly perfect combination for the spirited traveler. And although you won't hit Alaska or Hawaii (for obvious reasons), you can't go without visiting our nation's capital or hitting at least two places in California.
So here is the perfect U.S. road trip itinerary according to science:
1. Grand Canyon, Arizona
2. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
3. Craters of the Moon, Idaho
4. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
5. Pikes Peak, Colorado
6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
7. The Alamo, Texas
8. The Platt Historic District, Oklahoma
9. Toltec Mounds, Arkansas
10. Elvis Presley's Graceland, Tennessee
11. Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
12. French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
13. USS Alabama, Alabama
14. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
15. Okefenokee Swamp Park, Georgia
16. Fort Sumter National Monument, South Carolina
17. Lost World Caverns, West Virginia
18. Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center, North Carolina
19. Mount Vernon, Virginia
20. White House, Washington, DC
21. Colonial Annapolis Historic District, Maryland
22. New Castle Historic District, Delaware
23. Cape May Historic District, New Jersey
24. Liberty Bell, Pennsylvania
25. Statue of Liberty, New York
26. The Mark Twain House & Museum, Connecticut
27. The Breakers, Rhode Island
28. USS Constitution, Massachusetts
29. Acadia National Park, Maine
30. Mount Washington Hotel, New Hampshire
31. Shelburne Farms, Vermont
32. Fox Theater, Detroit, Michigan
33. Spring Grove Cemetery, Ohio
34. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
35. West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana
36. Abraham Lincoln's Home, Illinois
37. Gateway Arch, Missouri
38. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, Kansas
39. Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion, Iowa
40. Taliesin, Wisconsin
41. Fort Snelling, Minnesota
42. Ashfall Fossil Bed, Nebraska
43. Mount Rushmore, South Dakota
44. Fort Union Trading Post, North Dakota
45. Glacier National Park, Montana
46. Hanford Site, Washington
47. Columbia River Highway, Oregon
48. San Francisco Cable Cars, California
49. San Andreas Fault, California
50. Hoover Dam, Nevada
*Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 22, 2019.*
*What're your favorite U.S. landmarks to stop by on a road trip? Share your experiences with us on our [**Wide Open Roads Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/wideopenroads)\!*
**READ MORE: [Route 66: Here Are 20 Roadside Attractions For Your Next Trip](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/route-66-attractions/)**
You Might Also Like |
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