New landscapes, music, and the feeling of driving are identified as the best parts of travel on the open road, highlights a poll of 2,000 Americans that cements the open road as the best way to travel when the goal is to embark on an adventure. For those who wish to create a truly memorable trip, however, Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway aren’t the only road trip routes out there. From unique events and picturesque locations to an exploration of the country’s lesser-travelled roads, there are plenty of ways to reinvent the classic American road trip for an experience like no other.
America’s small towns
Regardless as to what country you’re coming from, small town charm can be found throughout the United States, and can provide a unique and hyperlocal travel experience for those that add a town or two to the route. Localised travel itself is becoming more popular — Priceline’s ‘Where to Next?’ report based on traveller data with a custom US-based survey of adult travellers reveals the trends that are expected in 2025, with intentional travel and meaningful journeys identified as a prime interest. “Our data shows a trend toward domestic exploration and smaller-town destinations which goes beyond savings to include seeking authentic connections and feeling like a ‘local’ wherever they go,” says Lesley Klein, SVP, Strategy and Brand Marketing. One U.S. News and World Report article highlights several small towns throughout the country that are worthy of a visit. The list includes the Colorado town of Telluride that boasts picturesque scenery and Mountain Village (a European-style resort town) as well as California’s Monterey, which is known for its coastal views and 17-Mile Drive (in addition to great hiking spots like the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve).
From concerts to movie locations
The United States is a mecca for concerts and gigs — in fact, destination concert business is up more than 50%, led primarily by Taylor Swift, states Janel Carnero, a travel advisor at Embark Beyond. Whether your lifelong dream is to see your favourite artist in person or you’d like to see multiple entertainers on your trip, there’s no shortage of events to choose from. A road trip in the States can also highlight unique opportunities such as the chance to visit well-known landmarks from your favourite movies. From the Ohio State Reformatory that is featured in Shawshank Redemption to the World’s Fair Towers in New York from Men in Black Ⅱ, there are a plethora of destinations to consider.
A luxury car can elevate the experience even further, especially if your goal is to travel in style. However, it can be a challenge to choose the right one due to the variety that is available, not to mention the plethora of vehicle features that can help enhance your trip even further. Reviews can be a great way to successfully visualise the features of luxury models, especially when the goal is to determine which is best for a road trip. While luxury cars can come with a hefty price tag, reviews can solidify your decision to splurge on vacation via first-hand insight from consumers. This can be a great way to determine what others like and dislike about a specific vehicle and what features are available — for example, while the 2024 Lexus RX has optional equipment such as a sunroof and parking assist, optional equipment for a 2024 BMW X6 includes a backup camera, memory seat, and blind spot monitor, to highlight a few features.
An exploration of natural sites
Gas can get expensive, especially if your road trip route spans across the continent. However, there are many ways in which an all-American road trip can be made cost-effective, as the open road paves the way for a plethora of choices. Rather than embark on a multitude of expensive destinations like Miami or Los Angeles, you can opt for budget-friendly locations that are just as memorable. For example, the United States is home to an impressive 429 national park sites, though just 63 have the title of ‘National Park’ within their names, notes Travel and Leisure. In addition to popular national parks such as Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of other less visited options to explore as well, such as Acadia or Glacier Bay. National parks can present an ideal way to get active and experience the country’s natural beauty at the same time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the fact that physical activity can help you “immediately feel better, function better, and sleep better,” with immediate benefits that range from strengthened bones and muscles to weight management.
An all-American road trip presents the perfect way to visit a number of stops along a personalised route. While many may be quick to plan a classic road trip, the typical route can be transformed with considerations that range from small town visits to once-in-a-lifetime events that can create an intentional travel experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
