Iconic American Road Trip: Top 10 Road Trip Ideas in the Western United States
As a native Californian and a long-time Coloradan, I have a deep passion for the western United States. The diversity in landscapes is so extraordinary that I personally feel it is unmatched by other areas of the US. There are so many reasons to take a road trip through the western United States!
Why take a road trip in the West?
Natural beauty
The western United States is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and the Rocky Mountains. A road trip is a perfect way to see all of these stunning places up close and in person.
Cultural diversity
The western United States is home to a wide variety of cultures, including Native American, Mexican, and Spanish. A road trip through the region is a great way to experience the unique cultures and traditions of these communities.
Adventure
Whether you're into hiking, biking, rock climbing, or just exploring, the western United States has something for everyone. From the majestic mountains of Colorado to the desert landscapes of Arizona, there are endless opportunities for adventure.
Flexibility
One of the best things about taking a road trip is the flexibility it offers. You can go at your own pace and make spontaneous stops along the way. This allows you to really tailor your trip to your own interests and preferences.
Cost savings
While air travel can be convenient, it can also be expensive. A road trip is often a more cost-effective way to see a large region, especially if you're traveling with a group.
Here are 10 top road trips in the western United States
The Pacific Coast Highway: This scenic drive runs along the coast of California and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Plan as many days as possible to stop along the way. If you must choose stops, make sure San Luis Obispo and Big Sur are at the top of your list. Take along a tour guide!
The Grand Canyon: This iconic national park is located in Arizona and is known for its stunning natural beauty. I personally prefer the south rim of the canyon, but the north rim is enjoyable as well, though pricier. Grand Canyon tour essential.
The Yellowstone Loop: This road trip takes you through Yellowstone National Park and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. For more on planning your Yellowstone trip click HERE.
The Utah Scenic Byway: This scenic drive takes you through the red rock landscape of southern Utah and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, and biking. We traveled this byway last fall and we still talk about the beauty quite regularly! I highly recommend this book before you go!! It is rich with information and wonderful illustrations. And this tour guide!
The Las Vegas Strip: This iconic road trip destination is known for its casinos, shows, and nightlife. We love Vegas! What’s not to love? If you need a great hotel recommendation you can’t go wrong with Aria - it’s our favorite. But if budget matters, we also like Treasure Island. And the best spot for happy hour is Cabo Wabo Cantina - grab an outside table for great views of the Bellagio fountains.
The Oregon Coast: This scenic drive takes you along the coast of Oregon and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
The California Wine Country: This road trip takes you through the vineyards of California's wine country and offers a variety of wine-tasting opportunities. The best all-around information I have found on wine country is via Visit California and their subsequent podcast. For a sample itinerary check here.
Highway 101: This scenic drive takes you along the coast of the Pacific Northwest and offers stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape. Tip: PCH and Hwy 101 are often confused to be the same, but 101 takes you beyond California.
Yosemite National Park: This national park is located in California and is known for its stunning natural beauty, including waterfalls and towering cliffs. Bring along a tour guide!
The Monument Valley: This iconic landmark is located in Arizona and is known for its stunning red rock formations. Be sure to stop and take your iconic Forrest Gump picture! After Monument Valley we highly recommend continuing north to Moab - you can visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Overall, the western United States offers a wide variety of road trips, each with its own unique attractions and activities. I hope these reasons give you some ideas of why a road trip through the western United States could be a great experience!
Bring Along Autio - The Perfect Road Trip Companion
Autio is the perfect road trip companion that everyone needs to have on their next trip because it offers a network of stories told by master storytellers that bring the landscape, its people, and its history alive as you pass through it. The audio vignettes are professionally edited and narrated and provide answers to questions that you might have about the places you are passing through. Story subjects include history, sports, culture, music, geology, and more. Autio offers an invitation to discover and connect with the sum of our experience, to enrich our lives with the stories of today, and inspire the great storytellers yet to come. With Autio, you can start your next journey with a richer and more meaningful experience. Download it for iOS here.
We have had Autio on our own phones since 2021 and we love it so much we wanted to share it with others. So we are now Autio affiliates - which means we earn a small commission when you subscribe with zero additional cost to you. Your support means a lot to us. Thank you!!
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