There’s nothing like a classic road trip for exploring the United States. It’s an all-American vacation option for good reason, offering an affordable way for the whole family to visit amazing natural wonders, vibrant cities, small towns, and everything in between. And as I’ve learned by taking countless road trips over the years, if you choose your destination wisely, it’s something you can embark on almost any time of year.
Gas up the car and hit the road in search of adventure. You can even bring the family pooch along if you want. And with kid-friendly lodging options all over the country, from the beach to the lake and beyond, it’s easy to find a good place to rest your head when you’re done driving for the day. Sure, you could opt for a classic road trip route like California’s Highway 1, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia, or the iconic multi-state Route 66. But if you’re looking to go beyond the most popular road trips, check out my list of lesser known, but just as appealing, routes for a memorable family getaway.
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1. Bold Coast National Scenic Byway
Maine
This route along the coastline of Downeast Maine that begins not far from Acadia National Park helps travelers appreciate the natural beauty and history of this part of the state. Along the way you’ll encounter public conservation lands, working waterfronts, blueberry barrens, and historic villages just waiting to be wandered.
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Notable sites on the byway include Quoddy Head State Park in Lubec, home to a historic red-and-white-striped lighthouse and the easternmost point of the contiguous United States; and the pedestrian-only Narraguagus River Bridge on the Down East Sunrise Trail. Shackford Head State Park is another good place to stretch your legs along the way, and I also recommend the towns of Machais (site of the first naval battle of the American Revolution) and Eastport.
Where to stay along the way
Blueberry Patch Motel & Cottages is a well-reviewed family-and pet-friendly option in Jonesboro. The Margaretta Inn (run by lifelong locals) and Inn at Schoppee Farm are good choices in Machias, and Peacock House is a much-loved bed-and-breakfast stay in Lubec.
2. Great Lakes Seaway Trail
New York
Stretching for hundreds of miles along New York’s northern border, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail travels along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers. It was one of the first roads in America to be designated as a National Scenic Byway, and the route is dotted with more than two dozen lighthouses.
Sites along the drive include the Frederic Remington Art Museum, Jacques Cartier State Park, Sodus Bay Lighthouse, and Niagara Falls State Park, along with cities like Oswego, Buffalo, and Rochester. Postcard-worthy views abound, and historic landmarks and charming towns add to the appeal.
Where to stay along the way
Buffalo Marriott at LECOM Harborcenter and Sheraton Niagara Falls are good family-friendly choices at that end of the route. Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown is right near the city’s Strong National Museum of Play.
3. Gold Rush Scenic Byway
Nebraska
Take this road trip on U.S. Highway 385 from the Nebraska/South Dakota state line to the Nebraska/Colorado state line and you’ll see the magic of this Great Plains state. Back in the late 1800s more than $200,000 worth of gold traveled this historic route daily, and sites like Dobby’s Frontier Town help take modern visitors back to the area’s past.
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You’ll encounter stunning scenery as you drive the route, like the buttes and canyons surrounding Chadron State Park (Nebraska’s first state park), the Nebraska Sand Hills (the largest and best developed sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere) and the distinctive Courthouse and Jail Rocks. Carhenge is also a must-see, a replica of Stonehenge made from 39 vintage American cars.
Where to stay along the way
Reserve a cabin or campsite at Chadron State Park for an outdoorsy adventure. Or opt for one the reliable chain hotels located along the route, like Holiday Inn & Suites Express Chadron and Hampton Inn Sidney.
4. Great River Road
Illinois
At more than 500 miles long, Great River Road travels along the Mississippi River, running almost the entire western length of the state of Illinois. The National Scenic Byway combines outdoor adventure with U.S. history, with spots like the Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site, Mississippi Palisades State Park, and Fort Defiance State Park located along the route.
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Kids will love Chestnut Mountain’s alpine slide and zipline in Galena and Grafton Sky Tour’s bird’s-eye view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. And the Popeye Character Trail in Chester is fun for the whole family.
Where to stay along the way
Hotel Galena offers family- and pet-friendly rooms in a walkable downtown location. Rent a cabin at Seven Eagles Resort & Campground in Savanna for an outdoorsy stay without roughing it, or book a room at the historic Pere Marquette Lodge for easy access to Pere Marquette State Park and amenities like a pool and on-site winery.
5. Journey Through Time Scenic Byway
Oregon
Wending across northeastern Oregon, the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway lives up to its name. The route begins at Biggs along the Columbia River, the traditional fishing grounds for generations of Native Americans. It then takes travelers to the three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, where interpretive trails wind past easy-to-spot fossils exposed in the rock and the Painted Hills will have you reaching for a camera.
There’s also an actual town called Fossil, where visitors can dig for fossils behind the local high school. The byway continues on through spots like Prairie City, set against the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, and then joins with the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway to make its way to Baker City, known as the “Queen City of the Mines” and home to the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
Where to stay along the way
Stay at a working cattle and hay ranch near Fossil at Wilson Ranches Retreat Bed & Breakfast. Best Western Sunridge Inn & Conference Center is a good option in Baker City
6. Georgia Grown Trail 37
Georgia
This 157-mile route with a focus on agritourism travels between Homerville and Fort Gaines in South Georgia. Adults can sip on locally made wine and spirits at spots like Horse Creek Winery and Still Pond Winery & Distillers, while the whole family can enjoy a tour of working ranch White Oak Pastures.
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The Honey Shack in Homerville is the retail arm of Bruce’s Nut-N-Honey Farm, and Southern Grace Farms in Enigma offers different U-pick opportunities throughout the year, along with homemade ice cream and a playground for the kids. Moultrie in Colquitt County is an action-packed stop, with several farms, a brewery, and a splash pad where the little ones can cool off. Or fish and picnic at Walter F. George Lake in Fort Gaines.
Where to stay along the way
Hampton Inn Moultrie has an outdoor pool, free daily hot breakfast, and suites with kitchenettes. White Oak Pastures has pet-friendly cabin rentals done up in rustic style.
7. Highway 36 — The Way of American Genius
Missouri
On this stretch between Hannibal and St. Joseph, this route celebrates American innovation with stops that include the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum and the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, whose downtown served as the model for Main Street USA at his Disney theme parks. In Chillicothe, you can learn about the first company in the world to sell commercially sliced loaves of bread, while the nearby Pony Express National Museum tells the story of the unique mail service.
When you need a break from museums, you can add to your life list at birding hotspots Swan Lake National Refuge and Lewis and Clark State Park or check out the longest surviving covered bridge in Missouri. The 26-mile St. Joseph Parkway is a great option for walking or biking.
Where to stay along the way
Best Western on the River offers easy access to Hannibal’s many attractions. Holiday Inn Express & Suites is a well-reviewed chain option in St. Joseph. There are also a number of appealing bed-and-breakfasts along the route for adult travelers.
8. Bighorn Scenic Byway
Wyoming
Embrace your inner cowboy with a drive along the Bighorn Scenic Byway, which takes you over the crest of the Big Horn Mountains and to spots like the city of Sheridan, where New West meets Old West in the historic downtown. Stop in at King Ropes to check out cowboy memorabilia in its museum, and visit the Trail End Historic Site to tour the Flemish Revival–style home of former Wyoming Governor and United States Senator John B. Kendrick.
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Natural beauty can also be found along the scenic byway, like the 120-foot Shell Falls and the rock formations of Devil’s Kitchen. Bighorn National Forest offers hiking and biking trails as well as wildlife watching opportunities. Extend the trip by linking up with the Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway, along which you might spot deer and elk.
Where to stay along the way
Travel back in time with a stay at the Sheridan Inn, BW Signature Collection, where “Buffalo Bill” Cody lived from 1894 to 1902. Eatons’ Ranch offers an all-inclusive dude ranch experience with a children’s program during peak season.
