Is it fun to travel by car in summer? Obviously. They were a blast—a true rite of passage. But there’s still a lot to be said for when the sweltering heat of summer begins to subside and is replaced by near-perfect 60- and -70-degree fall weather. In much of the United States, early fall weather is cool enough to enjoy rolling in a classic tune-up, windows-down setting, but not cold enough to worry about icy roads or snow. Ready to load up your car with delicious snacks and hit the road? First, we have to figure out where we are going.
If you need a little guidance in this department, don’t worry; a new study reveals some of the most popular road trips in the United States. The study, conducted by student travel company Rustic Pathways, analyzed average monthly searches for different road trip routes across the United States based on Google search volume. The research narrowed down the most popular road trips by cross-referencing route names with keywords such as “trip” and “road trip.”
So whether you’re looking for a great excuse to get the family out of the house for fall break fun or want to plan a getaway with your best mom friends, let these most-searched US road trips (countdown) 1) Be You need the flag to achieve this.
10. Lincoln Highway
If you’re feeling ambitious, try the tenth most searched route: the Lincoln Highway, which stretches 3,400 miles across 13 states from New York to San Francisco.
9. Beartooth Highway
You’ve always dreamed of visiting Yellowstone, so let this be the push you need. The Beartooth Highway averages over 15,000 searches per month, and for good reason—this particularly scenic route into Yellowstone National Park takes you across the stunning borders of Wyoming and Montana . bonus? The Beartooth Mountains include Montana’s highest point: Granite Peak, which rises to 12,800 feet.
8. South Pacific
The Pacific Coast Highway gets so much attention (more on that later), but don’t sleep on your South Pacific road trip. Ranked eighth with more than 22,000 searches per month, this route follows the old Southern Pacific Railroad, which spans 3,000 miles across seven states from California to Georgia. Highlights include the iconic Wild West town of Tombstone, Arizona, the alien-centric city of Roswell, New Mexico, and the Civil Rights Movement National Historic Trail in Alabama.
7. Oregon Trail
Don’t worry; no one will die of dysentery, and you won’t lose any cattle trying to wade in! What will happen on this historic route, however, is the tackling of arguably the longest and most complex American road trip. US-20 has a range of over 3,300 miles and will take you from the Columbia Gorge in Oregon to Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Along the way, you can enjoy famous sights such as Mount Rushmore, Field of Dreams, and Niagara Falls.
6. Road to the Sun
Not surprisingly, Montana’s Going-to-the-Sun Road averages more than 38,000 searches per month—a 50-mile route through Glacier National Park that features some of the most stunning scenery in the country.
5. Hana Expressway
Time to cash in some frequent flyer miles, since this route requires a trip to Maui, Hawaii, and, you know, a rental car (I recommend a Jeep!). If you love chasing waterfalls, the 64-mile stretch from Kahului to Hana will make you feel like you’re in heaven. You’ll even pass near Haleakala National Park’s Seven Sacred Pools or Pools of Oheo, a magical collection of 20 pools formed along the Palikea Stream.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway ranked fourth, with 112,000 searches per month. While some people overlook the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia because they lack the scale of the West Coast mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains can convince anyone of the beauty of the East Coast. In addition to stunning scenery and popular attractions like Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this route offers plenty of convenient hiking options for beginners and experts alike.
3. Big Sur
It’s hard to describe the magnificence of Big Sur – it’s one of those places that needs to be said, “You have to see it!” California’s 71-mile stretch of Highway 1, known for its stunning mountain and ocean views, receives an average of more than 172,000 searches each month from travelers who want to experience the magic of Big Sur first-hand.
2.Route 66
Our runner-up has over 191,000 Google searches per month and may sound familiar to you – Route 66 has been featured in movies, books, TV, and more. Although it originally spanned 2,400 miles and passed through eight states from Chicago to Santa Monica, it was removed from the U.S. highway system in the 1980s to make way for interstate highways. But you can still tour the rest of this historic route, including quirky stops like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California; incredible Natural attractions like Arizona’s Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon; and plenty of tacky restaurants, drive-ins, and roadside motels.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
Anyone who’s been on the Pacific Coast Highway will tell you that the 257,000 Google searches per month are well worth it. Our No. 1 road trip destination travels through California via Highway 1, with unparalleled coastal views.
