Top 5 American Road Trips-Travel America

America are on the road. Why fly to Bahamas when you can scour your own backyard with nothing but a full tank of gas? Gather your friends or family and pack up your essentials because you’re going to get a lot of tan behind that wheel. Below are the five best roadtrips you can take across America for 2010.
Big Sur, California

Route 1 is iconic enough, but this highway stretch still has its high and low points. The best part of Route 1 is through the Big Sur, California. This stretch is roughly 90 miles long, and goes through the central coast between San Simeon and Carmel. If you suspect that the beauty of the stretch is just a hype, think again. Imagine yourself zipping between the Pacific Sea and the Santa Lucia Mountains.
On one side, you’ll see groves of redwood trees, and on the other, you’ll be welcomed by sea lions playing on the rocky beaches of the Pacific. Good enough? We thought so. You’ll also enjoy the fact that this stretch is practically untouched. You can only reach it either through Route 1 or the Cabrillo Highway. To enjoy this road trip the most, we suggest you pack your bags over a long weekend.
To dodge the crowds, try to plan your trip on September or May. Begin your trip at San Jose (you can rent a car, if you’re flying in from another state), head to U.S. 101 down south, go on the merge with Route 156, and hit the fork for Route 1. You’ll be cruising through Carmel and Moterey before hitting Big Sur. You won’t spot any big towns as you drive by. Expect only small clusters of restaurants and stores.

Make sure that you head out with a full tank because there are also not many gas stations in this stretch. You’ll also be encountering extreme twists as you hug the cliffs, and you might want to stop for picnics, beachcombing, and hiking along the way. Jade Cove is a notable stop. This spot used to be considered a garden of Eden in the 60s by writers Kerouac and Miller.
If you’re willing to splurge money on this trip, a smart choice would be the Post Ranch Inn. For those on a tight budget, the Big Sur Campgrounds and Cabins are comfortable lodgings. You can choose from tent sites to more comfortable but also more expensive cabins with their own kitchens.

Blue Ridge Parkway

If you’re anywhere near Virginia and North Carolina, or if you’re visiting someone in the area, get or go rent your car. There’s a stretch of road here which must not be missed if you’re planning to catch the best sights this summer. We’re talking about the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a total of 469 miles, which is painfully long if you didn’t have wildflowers and rolling hills to look at.
With that backdrop, though, you’d want to go through the same stretch over and over again just to unwind. While you’re viewing the Appalachian Mountains, you may want to drop by one of the two national parks cut by the route. If you’re nearer Virginia, there’s the Shenandoah, and if you’re in North Carolina, drop by the Great Smokey Mountains. If you have the time, arrange your lodgings so you can explore the whole stretch.
The trip will take time, though, as some parts only allow you to drive at 45 miles per hour. To get the more compact version of this trip, begin at Asheville, NC, drive by the parkway to Boone (that should take about 2 hours), and you’re on your way. You won’t see any interstate crosses. Instead, you’ll be greeted by picnic areas and trails for hikers. Remember the old cliché cameo of gas stations and motels?

You won’t find that in this roadtrip, either. Instead, you’ll be traversing long stretches of untouched greenery. Make sure you fill up your gas tank before the trip. Bring an extra container, too, because this is a long stretch of red maples, tulips, and dogwood. The scene’s pretty, but you wouldn’t want to be stranded with a stalled car in the middle of nowhere.
If you’re willing to burn a lot of cash, the Westglow Resort and Spa near Boone is a palatial treat. For those on a tight budget, the Renaissance Asheville Hotel isn’t bad, either.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

Do you know how it feels to see a white tiger which is teetering on the brink of extinction? That’s the same sensation you’ll get when you drive through the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Montana. The climate’s changing, and everyone knows it’s only a matter of time before the glaciers of this area is gone forever. While they’re there, though, you should fill up your gas tank and take the time to see these natural wonders.
The roadtrip to the Glacier National Park is a pleasant and idyllic 50 miles. That means you’ll be driving for half the day just to reach the glaciers, but it doesn’t matter. The view from the road is still spectacular. While the park itself is open for the whole year, the best time for you to take this trip is early June. Days after Labor Day are also perfect if you want an easy tour of the backcountry.
July and August are the worst months for this trip because of the heavy congestion. By mid-September, some parts of this route are also closed off. What makes the route so pretty? The Sun Road, as locals refer to it these days, crosses the Continental Divide. You’ll be 6,646 feet high as you pass by the Jackson Glacier Overlook. Who knows, you might even encounter some mountain goats in the area. Bring a camera and take it all in.
It’s best if you don’t stay inside the park for lodgings, though. The Silverwolf Log Cabins are better options. Each cabin has its own fireplace and wifi access. The rates could be hefty, though.
For those who are on a budget, the Many Glacier Hotel is the best option. Although the lodge is rather old (95 years old, to be exact), they do serve great fondues in the afternoons. You’ll also get the best vantage point of the Swiftcurrent Lake.
Hana Highway, Hawaii

So, you think Hawaii has gone to commercial for comfort? You can get back a bit of the old Hawaii when you drive through the Hana Highway. Also called the Road to Hana, the stretch starts from Paia, goes east, and sprawls for about 60 miles along the coast. You’ll be enjoying the surf on one side of the road and the wild beauty of Hawaii’s untouched terrain on the other. Considering the distance, it only takes 3 hours to cover the entire stretch.
Travelers suggest that you spend the entire day just absorbing the rain forest in the backdrop, though. Of course, there’s also the traffic to worry about during peak seasons. The best car for this roadtrip is a convertible—after all, you’re in Hawaii. You might as well start working on that tan. Slather on your sunscreen and drive three to four hours before dawn. The sunrise is spectacular from this side of Hawaii.
Be prepared for some taxing stretches. According to records, there are at least 500 hairpin curves and more than 10 one-way bridges. Hire a good driver if you’re not that confident about your own driving skills. Despite the dangers of traversing this highway, though, the scene is rewarding enough.
On the way back from your sunrise viewing, you might also want to check out the Keanea Arboratoreum, the Waikani Falls, and the Ka’eleku Caverns. For your finish line, go to the peaceful town of Hana and visit the Halaekala National Park. You can also extend your trip and go camping there.
If you prefer hotels and have the money to spend for it, the Hotel Hana-Maui is always the most luxurious choice. For those who want to sleep in but are on a tight budget, the Hana Kai Maui Resort fronting the Hana Bay is a good alternative.
Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

The Wild West of the U.S. seems to just exist in the imagination of movie directors and playwrights, these days. That is until you reach U.S. 550 and you’re taken to the Million Dollar Highway. This is a quick escape from the busy and modern city of Telluride, which is just nearby. Despite the proximity, though, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world once you reach this road.
The Million Dollar Highway crosses the San Juan Mountains, connecting the old mining towns of Ouray and Silverton. You’ll be passing by the Uncompahgre Gorge, reach the summit of Red Mountain Pass, and take hairpin turns and vertical drops to a countryside leading to Silverton.
Aside from the mountain goats, deers, black bears, and wild flowers you’ll be seeing on the way, the town of Silverton and Ouray will grab your interest simply because they’ve preserved most of their Victorian buildings. They’ve managed to preserve the old mining era culture so well that Silverton has been named a National Historic Landmark.
For your lodgings, you may want to stay at the Inn at Lost Creek, in Telluride. The inn has 32 spacious suites with their own fireplaces. The rates can be stringent, though. Budget travelers would probably prefer the Teller House at Silverton. The Victorian bed and breakfast lodge has been impressively restored. It’s comfortable enough for a weekend getaway.
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