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Visit New York, Washington DC, Blue Ridge Parkway, Nashville, Memphis, Route 66, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Zion NP, Las Vegas & Los Angeles
Travel Trans America, across the entire United States, from New York on the Atlantic Coast to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast. Spend four fantastic weeks exploring many of America’s premier destinations and landscapes. This incredible road trip is perfect if you’re adventurous and have a month or more to travel. What a story you’ll have to tell for the rest of your days.
Key road trip highlights:
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We’ll suggest properties to match your preferred budget, be it low-cost, mid-range or high-end luxury that you’re looking for. We can also mix it up so you’ll experience a range of standards and experiences along your road trip.
All of our American road trips can be tailored to meet your requirements. Do you have more or less than 28 days for your road trip? No problem, we can bolt on extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.
After arriving in The Big Apple and checking into your chosen New York hotel, we highly recommend visiting one of the city’s numerous skyscraper viewing platforms, which include The Summit, Top of the Rock and the most famous… The Empire State Building. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat and then hit the sack; you have four amazing but fast-paced weeks ahead of you.
Downtown stretches to Battery Park at Manhattan’s southern tip, where ferries leave to the legendary Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The Financial District is anchored by Wall St, home to the New York Stock Exchange and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Surrounding neighbourhoods offer a great contrast to this commercial hub – Soho, Greenwich, Tribeca and the Meatpacking District are crammed with cool bars, shops and restaurants.
Explore Midtown Manhattan today; highlights include shopping on 5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, Times Square, and the Rockefeller Centre. During the evening, consider catching one of the legendary shows on Broadway or getting out on the water by taking a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise from Pier 83 on 43rd Street.
Manhattan’s Central Park offers a break from the stresses of city life, watch joggers and dog walkers stretch their legs amongst more than 800 acres of well-maintained lawns, boating ponds and even a castle and a zoo. While in uptown Manhattan, you can visit the world-renowned Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side, or if art is more your thing, head to the Upper East Side’s Met and Guggenheim Museums.
You can travel to Philadelphia and then Washington by either car or train if you prefer – just let us know your preference. Should it be by car, then you can collect your wheels in Downtown Manhattan or start your drive from Newark Airport in New Jersey. Either way, you’ll head south to the “Birthplace of America”, Philadelphia. Known as Philly to locals, you’ll have an evening and the following morning to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (pictured) and climb the Rocky Steps outside the Museum of Art. Consider using one of the open bus tour companies to make the most of your time here. If you want a second day in Philly, just let us know.
Your detailed Road Trip Pack will be the perfect companion to explore Washington, DC and all the other destinations along this route. You may want to begin by taking a self-guided tour of some of Washington’s iconic buildings. The White House, Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Memorial are just some of the key buildings that can be visited. Arlington lies across the Potomac River, a must-see for history and military enthusiasts.
You may want to dip into some of the famous Smithsonian Museums today, and there are many to choose from. The most notable, the Air & Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History, are on the National Mall, in the city’s heart. Best of all, they’re free to visit. Our favourite is probably the Newseum, which has impressive artefacts chronicling how ‘news’ has changed over the last 100 years.
Cruise beside the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia on your way to Mountain Lake Lodge; this hotel was used to film the iconic 1980s film Dirty Dancing. Visiting here is like stepping back to the 1960s for a night. If this doesn’t appeal, then we can place you in nearby Roanoke or have you visit New River Gorge National Park, should you prefer the great outdoors.
Onwards to Great Smoky Mountains National Park today, where you’ll find ridge upon ridge of forest straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The fabulous Dollywood Theme Park is located on the west side of this National Park, so you can enjoy a fun and kitch-filled afternoon and evening here before getting your nature fix the following day.
Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited National Park, so a second day to scour its gorgeous landscape for wildlife and vista points is essential. Look out for furry residents roaming the region; these include black bears, bobcats, racoons and elk. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year; however, during autumn, the trees put on a dazzling show of colour for hikers and road-trippers to enjoy.
Nashville is the home of Country Music, and it’s so very proud of it. Music City boasts about its musical heritage at every turn, no more so than in the fantastic Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s not all about country music, though. This fast-growing city also has a rich blues history, along with current-day singers and songwriters from every other musical genre who call ‘Music City’ their home.
Enjoy a full day in Nashville. Head to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (colloquially known in Nashville as the ‘Pedestrian Bridge’), which spans the Cumberland River. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better view of the expanding Nashville skyline anywhere. Tonight, for the complete tourist experience, head down to lively Broadway and stop by a honky tonk or two for a one-of-a-kind night on the town.
Continue west through Tennessee to find Memphis. Second only to The White House, Elvis Presley’s Graceland is arguably the most iconic home in America. Memphis has plenty more to offer visitors, including the legendary Sun Records Studios and the moving National Civil Rights Museum.
Spend a second day visiting the sights of Memphis and enjoying the delicious soul food on offer. Memphis is arguably the Barbecue Capital of America, so if you’re not a vegetarian, make sure you try a rib joint or two whilst in town. Lastly, Beale Street is an amazing place to socialise with locals and other visitors from around the US and beyond.
Leave Memphis behind you and head west to Arkansas, known as “The Natural State”. Stop for lunch in Little Rock, we hear great things about both “House” and “Acadia” restaurants. During the afternoon, you’ll continue on to find Hot Springs National Park, where you can soak away any stress in one of the bathhouses. This area was frequented by New York mobsters back in the day, so if this aspect interests you, then you should make time to visit the Gangster Museum of America before leaving town.
Today, you’ll drive through Ouachita National Forest and into the Stae of Oklahoma on your way to Oklahoma City. Upon arrival, we highly recommend visiting the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Stockyards City. Enjoy an evening meal at one of Bricktown’s numerous restaurants. Lastly, before turning in for the evening, consider visiting the Oklahoma City National Memorial, which remembers the victims and survivors of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. This perfectly executed dedication is especially moving at night.
If you have the energy, then the daring amongst you should check out the activities at Riversport Adventure Park before leaving Oklahoma City. Our excellent Road Trip Pack will then show you the way to Amarillo. You’ll pass some fantastic Route 66 museums along the way, packed with nostalgic Americana, classic cars and more. Once you hit Amarillo, there’s only one place for any true road-tripper to go for dinner. The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery (pictured) is simply a must, just make sure you arrive hungry, as the portions are enormous.
Today’s drive is packed with classic Route 66 attractions like Cadillac Ranch (pictured), The Midpoint Cafe and the Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa. You can finish the day with an overnight stop in either Albuquerque or Santa Fe. We’ll talk you through the pluses of both options when you request a quote from us. Santa Fe lies on the old or original Route 66 route, offering an upmarket spa town feel. Albuquerque lies on the newer, more direct route and is famous for the Sandia Peak Tramway and “Breaking Bad” filming locations.
Wild West scenery today as you continue west to the magical landscape of Monument Valley, which sits on the border between Arizona and Utah. It’s a long drive today, but it’s a scenic cruise for most of the route. At its conclusion, you’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring sight as you witness the sunset over the proud and majestic “Mittens” of Monument Valley. This is another chance to prove your photography skills, as the landscape and sky turn to every shade of orange and red.
The world’s biggest and most famous geological wonder is just staggering. Two billion years in the making, the Colorado River has forged a mile deep, 18 miles wide and 277 mile long gouge into northern Arizona. Tonight, you’ll stay in the heart of this incredible National Park, close to the canyon’s rim. Our Road Trip Experts will help you decide whether the North or South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the best overnight stop for your party.
Zion National Park is stunningly beautiful. Emerald-coloured pools, lush green trees, and rust-red canyon walls are all on show in this dramatic valley. This combination of colours is a visual delight, and the park’s trails offer the chance to explore nature at its finest. The brave and athletic among you may wish to tackle the epic Angel’s Landing trail, culminating at a lofty perch boasting magnificent 360-degree views over the valley below. Alternatively, walk the famous ‘Narrows’, often knee-deep in water. Tonight, enjoy a meal at Zion Lodge or in the neighbouring town of Springdale, which has plenty of local options.
Today, you’ll head to the bright lights of Las Vegas. However, your personalised Road Trip Pack will advise you to take in one last area of outstanding beauty en route. Valley of Fire State Park offers a super scenic loop drive off the I-15 interstate, so if you can cope with yet more beautiful landscapes, then this is well worth a detour on your way to Las Vegas. Try to arrive in Vegas after the sun has set and the lights of the world-famous Strip are turned on. This will be a breath-taking moment after the numerous dark-sky places you’ve visited during the last eleven nights.
It’s glitzy, tacky and wrong on so many levels… but we love it! Firstly, it’s unique, and secondly, it’s indulgence at its very finest. First-class hotels, classy and generous restaurants and show-stopping entertainment are all located in the middle of a desert landscape, miles from anywhere. Oh, and if you like to gamble, then Las Vegas is the place to be. If your head hurts from the night before, then relax by one of the giant pools that adorn every hotel. If not, walk the legendary Strip, book tickets to one of the world-class shows or shop till you drop – the choice is yours. As for food, we recommend visiting one of the mega buffets available. Ensure you are hungry when you go; you won’t need to eat again for a week!
Death Valley has an extreme climate and geology, so start early or late to avoid the mid-day heat. This National Park’s roads are superb, dipping and leaning around curves before straightening out as you dip down to 85m below sea level in the salt flats of Badwater. You’ll then climb to finish your drive by the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a drive you’ll never forget as the landscape is so very different from back home.
California has two famously scenic roads. Highway 1 along the coast, and Highway 395, which you’ll enjoy today. The 395 has vast desert to the east and immense snow-capped mountains to the west. Once you reach the weird and wonderful Mono Lake, you can turn west and cruise over the Tioga Pass (June-October) and into the majestic Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite National Park is nature at its absolute best. The most popular area of this epic National Park is the main “Valley” area with its gigantic rock faces, crystal clear waters and staggering vista points. Be sure to leave enough time to marvel at the giant redwood trees in Mariposa Grove to the south and then drive up to Glacier Point (pictured) for sunset – possibly the best view of the entire road trip.
Spanning the headlands between Marin County and San Francisco is one of the world’s most beautiful bridges, a delightful experience whether you walk, bike or drive across. You can enjoy stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco beyond it by driving up Conzelman Road on the north side of the Bay. Once you hit town, you can explore San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and make an eerie evening visit to Alcatraz.
After the morning fog lifts, one of the USA’s favourite cities will be revealed. Ride the iconic cable cars from one visitor attraction to the next; highlights include Coit Tower, Lombard Street (pictured) and shopping in Union Square. Packed with Victorian charm and famous movie locations, your essential Road Trip Pack will help you prioritise San Francisco’s visitor attractions. After a full day of exploring San Fran, consider finishing the trip with dinner in Chinatown, one of the oldest in the USA.
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You’ll find answers to most of your questions right here. If you still need assistance, Feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be sure to get back to you promptly!
Not a problem. If you are lucky enough to have extra time to explore more places or add more rest days, then just let us know and we’ll adjust your trip to match your preferred timescale.
We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday to cover you against medical expenses, theft and other financial costs. Should you need to cancel before travelling, some insurance policies may pay out for any loss of funds that have been paid to us and which cannot be refunded under our cancellation policy.
Many of our trips have a different end destination than the starting point, so this is not a problem. Please note a fee sometimes applies for one-way rentals between other regions or states, which will be paid to the supplier directly when collecting the vehicle. We’ll endeavour to inform you of this charge within your quote.
No, far from it. We work with a range of properties from 3* to 5*, so we can adapt the trip to match most budgets. We have access to rooms in more than 800 hotels, motels, lodges and B&Bs across North America.
The minimum age to rent a car is 21 in the United States or Canada, although, in addition, any drivers under 25 years of age will generally incur a surcharge.
Please use the form below to request a quote from our team. Fields marked with an * are mandatory. Please note that we currently only serve customers based in the UK & The EU.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Get in touch to discuss your Bespoke Road Trip plans, or check out these similar road trip itineraries…
ARTCo customers can be confident that we only work with the very best service providers, such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Alamo. Any payments made to us are fully protected via the government’s ATOL scheme (Flight packages) or Financial Failure Insurance (Non-Flight Packages).
