There’s a reason the American road trip has become a bucket-list staple for international travelers. The sheer scale of the country means you can drive from red desert canyons to Pacific coastline, from jazz-soaked Southern cities to glacier-carved national parks – sometimes within the same week. Before you pick up the keys, make sure your entry paperwork is sorted.
But, hold on, travelers visiting on a US visa should check their evus USA status before departure to avoid any issues at the border. Once that’s confirmed, the open road is yours.
Route 66 (Chicago to Los Angeles)
No list of US road trips is complete without it. Stretching nearly 4,000km from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 is less a single experience and more a cross-section of American life across eight states.
The interstate has mostly replaced it for locals, but that’s what makes the original highway so good for travelers – the diners, motels, road side shacks, and small towns are the best a traveller can get.
Key stops include St. Louis (the Gateway Arch alone justifies a half-day), Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, the eerie quiet of the New Mexico desert, and Flagstaff as a base for visiting the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. End in Santa Monica, walk the pier, and put your feet in the Pacific.
The Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles
If Route 66 is about Americana, the Pacific Coast Highway is about landscape. Highway 1 running south from San Francisco hugs cliffs above the ocean for the better part of 600km, with viewpoints that stop you every few miles, whether you planned to or not.
Drive Highway 1 through Big Sur to Hearst Castle and down into Los Angeles via Malibu – give it at least three days to truly take it in. Don’t rush it.
The Deep South of New Orleans to Nashville
If you’re the kind of traveller who plans days around meals and music as much as landmarks, this stretch of road won’t disappoint. Start in New Orleans and don’t rush it—two full days is the bare minimum.
Take your time in the French Quarter and see where the day leads. Stop in on Frenchmen Street if you hear something good, and don’t rush the food – grab beignets with powdered sugar all over your hands, order a bowl of gumbo somewhere that looks busy, and share a plate of chargrilled oysters. New Orleans isn’t a city you power through; after a couple of days, you start to settle into its pace without really noticing.
Then head north through Mississippi and break the drive in Natchez. The old houses and river views in Natchez make it clear this area has been around a long time. After that, carry on to Nashville, where there’s always music playing somewhere, hot chicken on nearly every menu, and bars that stay busy late into the night. The drive between the two doesn’t feel empty – music shows up in small towns, local stations, and unplanned stops along the way.
Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley
If you’re on this strip, this road trip is going to be epic and the most dramatic one that you’ll ever experience. It starts from Las Vegas, where you’ll find all the cheap rental cars and easy to get international flights. You can easily find some of the most beautiful landscapes within a four to five-day trip.
Explore Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Monument Valley for surreal rock formations and epic desert drives – start early and savor the journey as much as the stops.
Practical Notes for International Travelers
Rent a car: During summers, book in advance. An automatic transmission is standard in the US and strongly recommended if you’re not used to driving on the right. Most rentals require a credit card rather than a debit card.
Distances: American distances are genuinely large. Think about the driving time beforehand, because maps are not always accurate.
Budget: Petrol is usually cheap by international standards, and food on the road ranges from USD $12 a plate to roadside fast food if you’re covering ground fast. Need more details to GLOBAL TRAVEL MAG visit.
If you’re a road tripper, the US rewards those who come without a fixed plan. Pick your region, point the car in a direction, and enjoy!
