By Mitch Rice
Being a student means living on a budget and traveling cannot always be factored in, so road trips might be the best way out. Road trips provide you with flexibility, independence, and a timetable tailored to your needs. While going on a road trip you can choose perfect destinations and make stops in any location that seems suitable for you. Besides, if some locations failed to meet your expectations, you can pick up and go off to the next stop in your itinerary. Here you can find some ideas for a drive in the USA that you are bound to enjoy.
Pacific Coast Highway
What can be more romantic than driving along the Pacific coast? It goes along some of the best beaches on the Pacific Coast and keeps you mesmerized by the stunning views of the ocean. Starting in San Diego and going all the way to San Francisco, this route takes you through some of the best parts of California. And also there are plenty of interesting places on the way. Prior to the trip, you should check the minimum age to rent a car, as car rental for under 25 may involve some extra requirements and fees. If you start your trip in San Diego, you should devote some time to visit some of the attractions there. You ought to include San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Seaworld San Diego. Do some shopping in the Old Town San Diego and have some fun in Legoland and Belmont Park before setting out on your journey.
If you have enough time visit Los Angeles, Hearst Castle, and Big Sur. Plan your trip carefully to take everything that might be of use and a rental car for those under 25 can be filled with all your supplies to save up a lot on your drive. Once in San Francisco, make sure to visit the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. San Francisco is perfect as the final destination, as there are lots of fun activities to do.
Olympic Peninsula – Washington
If you do not have much time, but would like to get away from your routine, you should embark on a road trip around the Olympic Peninsula. It is a relatively small route of about 500 kilometers that circles the peninsula. Once you have used car rental for those under 25, you might embark on this quaint little journey along the shores through the small towns admiring the unbelievable views of the waterfalls and mountain tops. Make sure to go hiking there and maybe even do some camping, as these are some of the prettiest places in the country. You can both start and finish the trip in Seattle and if you get the chance make sure to spend some time there as well.
Red Rock Country-Arizona
It is a relatively short drive of about 20 minutes but the Red Rock Country – Arizona gives you a truly surreal experience. Follow Interstate 17 with a detour along Route 179 to admire unique landscapes of rock formations rising to the skies. It is definitely a change from the usual lush green forests that we normally encounter while driving. It can be as a part of another bigger journey, or a small weekend getaway to enjoy the fresh air and vast open spaces.
Route 66
Once legendary, Route 66 still attracts crowds of tourists, even though the road is not so widely used. Originally the route from Chicago to California was the first road built from east to west, and it was the symbol of hope for many people looking for a better life. It represents the spirit of real America, with a bunch of old towns that used to be bustling with life and at times some desolate areas that were once quite popular. Route 66 has been replaced by the network of highways to make driving faster, but do take your time and enjoy traveling along the legend.
Outer Banks -North Carolina
The east coast of the USA is quite contrasting to the west one, so to experience the country to its fullest be sure to go on the road trip along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. You can have a pleasant drive starting in the Outer Banks in North Carolina. From there you can choose to go north or south, either way, you will encounter some fishing villages on your way, as well as small towns and multiple places tailored to tourists. You will surely enjoy the ride and marvel at the wonderful views of the countryside.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway drive is on a longer side as it is more than 700 kilometers long. It connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It is the trip to take once you have a rental car and are ready to go on an adventure. There are no advertisements on billboards so nothing can take away from the spectacular scenic landscapes. Besides, there are no commercial towns on the way and you will not find commercial heavy traffic there. This road provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy nature while driving slowly along the winding road. Beware that the speed is limited to 45mph and due to that this road is frequented by drivers, which can cause further slowdowns.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road starts at either route 2 or route 86 and circles the Glacier National Park in Montana. It goes through the forests beaming with wildlife and vegetation, and through the valleys just at the bottom of spectacular glacial mountains. It is a real treat for the eyes and provides an extraordinary experience. It is not that long, but at a one-hour drive, it gives you plenty of opportunities to marvel at the wonders of nature.
Any Road is an adventure
Basically, any road or highway can be a start to a great adventure. Every highway and route leads you to some unique places and locations, you can always find something to your taste on the map. Usually the trip is most impacted by the company rather than the destination. So, you can choose any road or any state and set out exploring with your trusted friends.
Overall, a road trip is a fun experience, but be sure to plan ahead and get all the supplies you might need. Besides, get planning ahead of time, because even though spontaneous trips can be fun, just a small bit of preparation can make them that much more enjoyable.
