So, you want to road trip across America? You and thousands of other people! It’s one of those things that’s on a lot of people’s travel bucket list because America is just so vast and so, filled with attractions to suit every taste from the world’s largest roadside attractions to some of the biggest breakfasts you’ve ever sampled. But how do you do it right and make sure your American road trip adventure is a big success?
Step One: Accept the Chaos (And Embrace the Weird)
Okay, so America isn’t just big, it’s ridiculously big, and this means that there’s going to be a lot to see and do along the way from small “one horse” towns where everyone will want to shake your hand and ask you where you’re from, before they show you the giant ball of twine their so proud of, to huge bustling metropolitan areas like New York where it;s easy to get overwhelmed.
Want to experience the real country? Take the scenic roads sometimes, not just the interstates. Yes, you’ll add time, but you’ll also add stories. And the whole point of this trip is to collect stories.
Pack Like a Road-Trip Pro
Packing for so many different places might seem like you need to include everything including the kitchen sink, but packing light is actually a better option. Comfy layers? Yes. Phone charger? Several. Car snacks? Obviously. But just enough to get you by. Oh, and an emergency playlist for when you can’t stand another true-crime podcast? Essential.
Oh, and a travel pillow. You’ll thank me when you’re mid-Kansas cornfield nap.
Cities, Cornfields, and Coastlines
One of the best parts of driving across the U.S. is watching the landscape change like a movie montage. One minute you’re staring at the Atlantic, the next you’re winding through mountain passes, and suddenly you’re cruising past cacti in the Southwest wondering if you’re in a cowboy film.
Don’t rush the big stops, from New York’s skyline to Chicago’s deep dish to L.A.’s beaches, you want to soak them in. And don’t overlook the underrated gems:
- Asheville’s artsy mountain magic
- Santa Fe’s dreamy adobe charm
- Nashville’s toe-tapping live music
- South Dakota’s wild-west energy
And yes, you can eat your way across the country. It’s practically a requirement.
Sleep Like You Mean It
If you want to make the most of your road trip, then you need to make sure that you have lots of nice, comfy places to sleep along the way because the more rest you have, the more you will be able to appreciate the sights and sounds.
Part of the fun is mixing up where you stay: quirky motels, cozy cabins, fancy hotels when you feel like being a road-trip royalty for a night. If your route rolls through Maryland, treat yourself and book the best Baltimore hotel – The Ivy Hotel – because sometimes road-tripping means luxurious bubble baths and room-service waffles in a historic mansion. Balance, right?
So go. Drive. Snack. Sing badly. Get lost a little. And let America surprise you because you know what? It always does.
Last Updated on June 1, 2026
