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URLhttps://www.wideopenspaces.com/map-shows-perfect-u-s-road-trip-according-science/
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Meta TitleUS Road Trip Map: Hit the Nation's Best Landmarks According to Science
Meta DescriptionNeed 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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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:  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:  Route 66: Here Are 20 Roadside Attractions For Your Next Trip You Might Also Like
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[Adventure](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/) [Hiking](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/hiking/) [Camping](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/camping/) [Travel](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/travel/) [Pets](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/pets/) [Foraging](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/foraging/) [In the Wild](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/wild-animals/) [Fishing](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/fishing/) [Bait & Tackle](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/fishing/baits-lures-flies/) [Fly Fishing](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/fishing/fly-fishing/) [Freshwater](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/fishing/freshwater/) [Saltwater](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/fishing/saltwater/) [Game](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/) [Big Game](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/hunting-big-game/) [Deer](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/deer/) [Turkey](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/turkey/) [Waterfowl](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/waterfowl/) [Recipes](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/wild-game-recipes/) [Gear](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/) [Hiking](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/hiking-gear/) [Camping](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/camping-gear/) [Outdoors](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/outdoors/) [Fishing](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/fishing-gear/) [Hunting](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/hunting-gear/) [Conservation](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/conservation/) [Wildlife](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/conservation/wildlife/) [Public Lands & Water](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/conservation/public-lands-water/) [Permits & Policy](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/conservation/permits-policy/) [Our Team](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/about-us/) [![Wide Open Spaces](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/themes/spaces23/assets/static/WOS_Desktop_Logo.svg)](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/) - [Adventure](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/adventure/) - [Fishing](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/fishing/) - [Game](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/hunting/) - [Gear](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/gear/) - [Conservation](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/conservation/) - [Our Team](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/about-us/) [Exploration](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/exploration/) ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/us-road-trip-map-1.jpg?fit=1056%2C704) [Exploration](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/exploration/) # 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** ![Young man outside car looking at road map for directions exploring national parks and nature ready for adventure](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/GettyImages-1159668049.jpg?resize=840%2C560) 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** ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/roads-optimalroadtrip.jpg?resize=840%2C454) 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 ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/ftd-rds-besthighwaysus.jpg?resize=193,128&crop=1) ### [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) ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/Best-US-Destinations-for-Solo-Travelers.jpg?resize=193,128&crop=1) ### [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) ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/08/Last-Minute-Summer-Vacation-Ideas.jpg?resize=193,128&crop=1) ### [Places](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/places/) ### [Incredible (And Easy) Ideas for a Last-Minute Summer Vacation](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/last-minute-summer-vacation-ideas/?utm_medium=recirc-module&utm_campaign=recirc&itm_source=parsely-api&utm_source=recommended-grid) ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/08/Backpacking-USA.jpg?resize=193,128&crop=1) ### [Trip Planning](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/category/trip-planning/) ### [How to Plan a Backpacking Trip Across the United States](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/backpacking-usa/?utm_medium=recirc-module&utm_campaign=recirc&itm_source=parsely-api&utm_source=recommended-grid) [![Wide Open Spaces](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/themes/spaces23/assets/static/WOS_Footer_Logo.svg)](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/about-us/) - [Ad Choices](https://optout.privacyrights.info/) - [Advertise with Us](https://www.wideopenmediagroup.com/advertise/) - [Corrections Policy](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/corrections-policy/) © COPYRIGHT 2026, Savage Music, LLC. 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Readable Markdown
![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/us-road-trip-map-1.jpg?fit=1056%2C704) 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** ![Young man outside car looking at road map for directions exploring national parks and nature ready for adventure](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/GettyImages-1159668049.jpg?resize=840%2C560) 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** ![](https://www.wideopenspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/08/roads-optimalroadtrip.jpg?resize=840%2C454) 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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