Our Top 10 Family Road Trips USA awards go to the original family vacation: the road trip by car. Nearly 80% of Americans have said they consider road trips “a rite of passage” for their children, probably because they did them with their parents. While families looking for relaxation today may choose the beach to kick back and refuel, others will venture onto hiking or biking trails, mountain slopes, roller coasters or cruise ship decks in pursuit of their ideal vacation.
Most of us will, at some time, pack the car and hit the highway for a traditional American road trip. We may go because the country is diverse and beautiful and “getting there” adds to the memories… or simply because driving is the easiest way to reach a favorite beach, wilderness area, mountain or themepark. So, despite sky-high gas prices, browse our list below.
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These top 10 driving itineraries are the most popular ones among family travelers, and we celebrate them by taking a new look at what each has to offer.
Family Road Trips Northeast
Did you know that Americans surveyed say the ideal road trip includes 13 total hours of driving?
An American History Tour Through Pennsylvania
Leaf Peeking in New England
Family Road Trips Southeast
We also learned that most people think five days is plenty for a family road trip.
The Blue Ridge Parkway From Virginia To Tennessee
Florida US1 From Jacksonville To Key West
Family Road Trip Mountain States
When you’re thinking about how to travel with, keep in mind that most drivers say the way to go is with a total of four passengers in a roomy SUV or Crossover vehicle.
Great Sights Of The West – Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone And The Grand Tetons
Family Road Trips Southwest
Our kids don’t like to sit still for very long, so we’ve broken down all these itineraries into several manageable days. Expect to keep under a few hours’ driving time per day.
The Grand Canyon From Phoenix To Las Vegas
Exploring The Diverse Cultures Of New Mexico
Family Road Trips West
Some of the most legendary Western road trips are the longest distances. Of course, you can pick and choose among the many suggested stops and detours, and stay for as long as you’d like in any one place. Make them your own.
The Pacific Coast Highway From San Francisco To Los Angeles
Around and About The Big Island Of Hawaii
The Pacific Northwest From Portland To The Olympic Peninsula
Here’s the video done by team member Jillian Ryan when we first rolled out our picks for the Top 10 Roadtrips. Although gas prices were 28% lower back then, it’s still a fun and brief look at what these trips have to offer.
Planning the Top Family Road Trip Journey on Your List
Today, more than two-thirds of Amerians surveyed say they plan to go on more road trips than prior to the pandemic. Please try out a few of our itineraries.
We offer all the resources you’ll need to download a map so the kids can learn to read one, and your navigator can find a place to stay each night.
Find discount family-friendly hotels for your next family vacation road trip here.
Make sure to have snacks and amusements on hand for the backseat set. And don’t forget to play some of our favorite backseat games en route. We hope that frequent stops, amazing sights, and colorful detours will help you avoid too many muttered “Are we there yets?”
Prefer a vacation rental or condo for your stay? Check-out options from VRBO.com.
Drive safe (here are some safety tips) and have a wonderful adventure! (And leave comments about favorite stops you’ve found so others can follow the fun.)
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11 Replies to “Top 10 Family Road Trips USA”
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Hi, we just booked a week at a resort/hotel in Myrtle Beach in mid Aug for a week. We are leaving from Burlington, Ontario (one hour from the Fort Erie/Buffalo NY Border), so we will be in Buffalo by Thursday or Friday morning (we can take two or nights to get to Myrtle Beach. What I am interested in are the following
Bangor Maine 1 week road trip any suggestions on where to go from there. Some hiking some leisure and to the coast
We just published this great article about a road trip that starts in Bangor Maine and works its way up through New England to New Brunswick in Canada. There are a lot of things to see, and lots of activities that might interest your kids, with stops for hiking and swimming and offbeat museums.
check it out: http://www.myfamilytravels.com/content/47397-two-nation-road-trip-maine-new-brunswick
The road trips are always a good experince. In road trips we not only enjoy holiday destinations but the journey is also an amazing experince. I think the roadtrip with kids teach them various things around them.
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I know this is an older post, but I just saw it. My kids are 6, 7 and 15 and old pros at road trips. I LOVE road trips and have been known to take "road trip" vacations in which no video games/dvds/electronics are allowed and we pack the tent (to save money on hotels) and just drive to random spots and camp out along the way. If you pack a cooler it can be an affordable vacation if you only pay for gas, food from the supermarket and a few odds and ends. Historic landmarks, national parks, or places like Washington D.C. are full of fun cheap spots to bring the kids! My kids love this and handle being in a car forever very well, we play games, sing, talk, etc. Plus we aren't afraid to take deters and go see things like the worlds biggest chair! It's a bunch of fun!
Sounds like you know how to have fun, and like your kids really get along well. that's the biggest challenge we find in a long trip with a crowded backseat. When everyone starts to 'express' themselves it can get hairy!I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
thanks for sharing your experiences very inspiring!
When my son was 10 we went on a road trip for the first time of many, we took his friend along for company for him and never had one moan out of either of the kids during all the hours we spent on the road, we all played road games, and even learned all the words to a Patsy Cline CD, singing along to it on the top of our voices lol. They laughed and played together even when it took 8 hours to drive through the Smokey Mtns. They didn't have video games just a pack of cards, but we kept them entertained and had plenty of stops at places of interest along the way. Our last trip with the family was when my son was 16 and he didn't want to go away with us anymore. I know that he and the friends we took along with him enjoyed every moment, and we still laugh at the Patsy Cline singing.
I REALLY NEED A HOLIDAY.
Went to Florida last year and driving around was amazing. Would love to go back. The problem is its the kind of holiday where you need a holiday when you get back!
Will def check your suggestions and would love to travel to the US again.
Goodness these people haven't lived, you may as well be teaching them how to become really good couch potatoes & stay @ home with them feeding them snacks & watching dvd's. Teach them about life outside the windows include them in games get them to come up with ideas for games to include you in, or is it really you who does not look forward to travelling with children? People have been travelling with children for hundreds of years & survived, the children have more often than not come away better educated about the wide world around them. Learn something about the area you are travelling together before you go & see how many of these special things you can cover on your trip. Get them to help organise an itinerary with you & take turns on each day doing something each person would like to see or do. Go on get out there & live & be prepared to get down to their level at times, you know you may even enjoy it too!
Kids never "get it". You have to drag them away from the video games and immerse them in travel and culture then hope by the time they're your age they will at least remember something. It's your only chance