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.
Need a car or SUV or family minivan to make your family road trip a reality? Check out these discount car rental rates from Discovercars.com
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.)
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
Good morning,
I wanted to give you some feedback…. We went to your site to determine what documentation was needed for my grandson to travel with me to Canada, and printed out two forms. We had one of the forms notarized as suggested, and set out on our trip the next day. When we arrived at the border, I was told we did not have proper identification! The page we had been working from on your site did not say anything about a birth certificate or photo ID, which they said I should have had. PLEASE amend that page to say something like… “In addition to a birth certificate and photo ID, these other documents are recommended…”
Thank you so much for your responsiveness. You may mention this on other pages on your site, but it really should also be on the documentation page.
Janet Gill
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Does Australia require a PERMISSION TO TRAVEL letter?
Oahu is famous for its surfing beach at Waikiki, and that’s where many tourists take their first lesson. There’s calmer water as well as huge waves (if you know how to catch them) and there are many, more popular schools right there on the sand.
You don’t have to stay at a fancy hotel ot take lessons even though some schools are affilated with them; any surf guide will take you to other parts of the island and practice safe surfing with you.
My apologies, Michelangelo's David is not in the Uffizi, but in the Gallery of the Accademia. We did not travel to the Uffizi; the Gallery is the museum which houses David, and all of Michelangelo's bound slave statues.
Happy Travels!
Like you’re going to see any tourists riding the Banzai
What about tourist friendly surf spots?
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Just for clarification, it doesn't matter if a certain casino is the largest/smallest, the thing is that gamblers all over the world could play casino games they've wanted. As long as all types of games such as pokers, slot machines, etc. are available, then it's the type of casino we've always wanted in the first place. Well, we can't deny the fact that there's a lot of larger casinos in Netherlands…. 🙂
Usually it's better to confront your fears. If you choose to do so, as a parent you can start prepping your child with a couple of weeks before the flight. Try taking him to an adventure park where there are similar crafts to airplanes. And step by step you will get him used to flying. Otherwise, if you start drugging him since a child, as you said no good doctor can recommend it. I'm not sure if you would like to take him to rehab because he'll be getting to used to taking too many drugs all the time.
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My family and I recently visited Morocco.
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These are really good places to go on a family eco friendly vacation. Very beautiful with amazing nature. Eco vacations are getting more and more popuar nowaday and it is good that people appreciate the nature.
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Thanks ….Family Travel Forum's guide to the best family attractions, parks, museums, and events in New York, I bookmark this site.
your link for disney land does not lead you to disneyland, it goes to Catalina Island info
Thanks for the heads-up, we fixed the link and hope you were able to find what you needed about Disneyland.
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Going to the theme parks without the kids is FUN FUN FUN 🙂
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Olive Restaurant
Olive Restaurant is the first terrace restaurant in the old town Istanbul. Olive Restaurant is a part of YaÅŸmak Hotels which has the experience of hospitality since 1955. At Olive Restaurant, you can feel the past and present together. You will pursue the trace of history just by looking at the Panoramic view of Istanbul Peninsula. The amazing view of St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Bosphorus lays out in front of you with an amazing harmony together. On the other side, welcomes you the Golden Horn which is a heritage from Genoeses while you are enjoying various delicious tastes of Turkish and International cuisine.
The 3-star Hotel Olimpiyat Istanbul offers comfortable accommodation in a fantastic location, just steps from the most famous symbols of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the bustling Grand Bazaar!
Olimpiyat Hotel is a modern three star hotel built in 1955 and fully renovated in 2006. It is located in the old town of Istanbul and in a walking distance to major attractions as well as the port and famous train station Orient Express!
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Don't forget Bob Megraw's Blueberry Patch in Kent! They always have the sweetest selection! Check out this other list I found for u-pick spots around Seattle:
http://www.redtri.com/seattle/5-natural-blueberry-u-picks-near-seattle
any idea about what time leaves turn? thanks, lmccutch@aol.com
We are hosting our first exchange student this year with EF Foundation for Foreign Study! Our family can't wait until he arrives!
I only wish I could host 3 students instead of two! Love EF
My family did this a few years ago and had a great experience. Highly recommended!
Scottsdale, Arizona is known as ‘The West’s Most Western Town’. With average of 300 sunshine days Scottsdale is fast becoming a popular tourist destination. There is plenty to do in this beautiful resort town.
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Hosting an exchange student is a life changing experience for both students and host families! There is so much we have to learn from each other. Getting to know more about a new culture is exciting at ANY age.
As the Director of International Programs in a private school, I have worked with recruiting & placing foreign exchange students in host families. The bonds between host and student become cemented over time and even after the official host experience ends, families continue to be involved. If you are considering becoming a host, I recommend talking with an experienced host family to get the good, the bad and the ugly. Somehow, the good always dominates the experience.
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That was great!
Awesome job! Sounds like a fun trip!
I like how you described sights you saw. and how much fun you had. I enjoyed reading
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