I've been thinking about this for a while. I've finally graduated highschool and am transitioning between jobs, and have no responsibilities right now. Due to the nature of my next (and hopefully last) job, I may not get a decent amount of vacation time for at least 5 years, so it's time I get out and see the USA (and maybe parts of canada). I have no idea what I'd see or do, but I'd want to hit every region of the US. The appalachians, the midwest, the west, the pacific northwest, the west, and everything in between. I probably won't have the time or money to do it all, so some sacrifices would have to be made. Just me, my car, and the open road for a few weeks. So, what's your dream roadtrip look like? Any specific stops you'd make, or certain cars you'd like to drive? I'd love to know what you want to do.
The U.S.A has some seriously great places to drive. I'm in no position to go on a long road trip anytime soon, but I want to see it all one day as well. Are you looking for good driving roads to take your car on, or do you just want to observe the scenery and be less involved in the driving? I've been to a couple places around the country, but I don't really think I have much that's worthwhile to share. I might as well list a few random things that you might consider helpful. •If you've never been to the area, driving through Utah and Nevada is absolutely stunning. The desert and rocky hills combined with straight highways and 80 MPH speed limits makes for an awesome experience. I've gone from Vegas to Zion and Bryce (national parks), but there are plenty more national parks that way that I'm sure are just as amazing as those two. Seriously, looking into the canyons in Bryce is just incredible. It's late and I don't have any DSLR photos with me, so here's one I took with my phone. •South Dakota actually has some amazing driving roads. I have family that live in the Black Hills in Rapid City, and there are some fantastic roads just around the corner. Some of my family actually lives up a great twisty road in the hills. So far I've only gotten to enjoy them in a few non-sporty cars, but they're still great if you like driving. Mount Rushmore is cool if you've never seen it too. •California has plenty of nice roads as well. Also, it's California, so you could do plenty of other stuff there as well. I live in the midwest, and there's not a ton to see here, so I can't really come up with any recommendations at the moment. But I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you enjoy yourself and find some great places. I'm mainly replying here because I want to do the same thing one day.
Agreed. The only thing that stands out even slightly in the midwest for me is in the hills around Eastern and Southern Missouri/Northern Arkansas. Most of the rest is pretty flat, which is great for convenience, but lousy for aesthetics. One thing I will say is that the greatest killer in terms of experiences is the Interstate Highway. Eisenhower's road of the future bypasses a rich variety of quaint little towns and small to-do's off the beaten path, to say nothing of the views. Most roadside attractions are probably going to be corny, but all probably memorable. In the last five years, I've been to Pennsylvania, Inland Oregon, Texas, Chicago, and all throughout Florida. But I still yearn to get New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southwest off of my list. Most especially, the lonely stretch of highway that cuts through the Navaho Mecca of Monument Valley.
I'm looking for everything. I plan to stay off the interstates both to experience the curving and straight roads, and so I can get better vistas and stop whenever I feel like it to take pictures or just enjoy the air. I'd also be looking for trails, as I have a decent truck that can handle some terrain, and I'd love to use it for that purpose. That sounds awesome. I have quite the need for speed, so maybe I could also visit the bonneville salt flats? Are you kidding? The midwest is one of my favorite areas in the states! I just love the wide open fields, long, flat stretches of roads, and the small towns scattered across the plains. Whenever I'm passing through Ohio on my yearly trip to new york, I just love the fields and the trees in the distance. I just want to get out in a small town with fields stretching around me for miles and miles and hear a train horn off in the distance. That right there is heaven on earth for me. I have such a fascination with the midwest, and I love it.
Haha, sorry. It was late and I wasn't really thinking straight. If I was, I probably would have said something along the lines of that, because I completely agree with you there. Especially the small town thing. I live near Kansas City, but we own a farm that's about a two hour drive away in much more rural Kansas. I love the drive there and back, since I get to see the wide open fields for miles around, and go through a couple nice little towns. I really like it out there. Like you said, there's something about all the wide open fields around you that makes it feel like a nice place to be. Oh yeah, northern Arkansas/southern Missouri is cool. I was there last fall for a school trip, and took a bus right down that way. The trees on the hills were beautiful with all the leaves changing colors.
Dream roadtrip for me would be a long ride across the coast of my birth country, Brazil... With these 3 amazing cars! (Starting from the bottom)
Clearly we live in completely different areas then! I find flat terrain nice for a change, but quite boring. I love the mountaineous terrain of BC and Washington, etc. I can even see this view from my driveway... (Looks like it was actually taken within 3-4km of my house...) As for a roadtrip... I'd love to drive through the cascades in Washington, and go to Banff and Jasper again. (Been there before but was too young to remember much) I've gone through Red Rock Canyon Park in Nevada before as well. Very beautiful rocks... I'd recommend you to go through the cascades, BC's coast, (even Vancouver Island if you have time; very nice places on the ocean there) and Banff/Jasper National Parks are a must-see. Wells Gray Park is also nice. (Went there a couple years back.) Those national parks also have tons of unspoiled remote wilderness with zero road access. You said you'd like trails too. I know there are many off-road trails in the Coquihalla area. And there are always remote logging roads everywhere. You could take a logging road somewhere in the Coquihalla (I think) and go all the way to whistler with it. That would take ages though. There's also the Sea-to-Sky Highway that starts in Vancouver and goes to Squamish and Whistler. If you're willing to spend $500-$1,300, this would be amazing: http://scenicrush.com (a Sea-to-Sky Highway drive/tour, and you get to drive supercars... It would be amazing.) Also, if you like more dry, and desert-like areas, go to the Okanagan region. It's a sub-desert, and the driest place in Canada. You could drive on Highway 1 along the Fraser Canyon as well: Overall, if you plan to go to Canada, at least go to Banff and Jasper. I mean, no one can resist sights like these... : Otherwise, if you could afford that scenic rush thing... It would be awesome.
I went up to banff this spring, did some skiing and sightseeing. overall, it was a beautiful place. Only downside was that moraine lake was closed when I went. Sadly, I start my new job soon and it seems like I won't be able to go on any more road trips.
My dream trip is drive all the world in a classic V8 Manual Muscle Car, Maybe a Shellby GT500, or a Cadillac o something like this
i would get an old 70s led sled station wagon (country squire 1977) and go from PHX to somewhere in michigan and back.
Nice! Except Moraine Lake being closed... Skiing is awesome. I enjoy it. Whistler is a very good place to ski. More on topic... : Another place I'd like to have a roadtrip is have a long drive through Europe. There would be many things to see.
Moab is great! I'm 2h 50mins from there. definitely worth the drive every time. Go to Goblin valley too! Or take the Blackhole hike. 8 hours but very fun. The dunes are great and lake powell. all kinds of awesome or go to sundance, (close to where I am)
I just want to go to New York City for a day or two. It's only 2.5-3.5 hours away. I love architecture.
All around 'Straya in a hypercar is my dream. Melbourne - Canberra - Sydney (Hi HadACoolName) - New Castle - Gold Coast - Brisbane - Up to Port Douglas - Cross to Darwin - Down the coast (or as close as I can get) to Perth - Adelaide - Back in Victoria, Warnambool - Great Ocean Road back to Lorne - Melbourne. That is the dream.
my dream roadtrip is coast to coast, stopping in every state along the way. the car? well i would have to say any american muscle car
anywhere not in england - - - Updated - - - thats the same as mine but i would take a old wagon or truck
