10 of the Best U.S. Road Trips for Families

These family road trips feature stunning scenery, unique landmarks, and more.

Speeding down an Arizona freeway in Sedona
Photo: Michael Watz/Getty Images

A road trip is a classic American vacation, but it takes planning to make it great — especially when little ones are involved. To help you plan your family's next journey, we've rounded up some of the best road trips around the United States for kids and families, from quick, single-day jaunts to journeys that can take over a week. With stops the whole crew will enjoy, these drives are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia
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Explore two popular southern cities on one trip with this short-distance getaway. The drive from Charleston straight to Savannah takes just under two hours, but we'd recommend taking a few days for this itinerary so you can stop to enjoy the outstanding hotels and beaches along the way. You can stay at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island just an hour south of Charleston, or fill up the tank for a beach day at Hilton Head, which is only an hour further. Once you've passed through Savannah, drive one more hour south for a stay at The Cloister at Sea Island. This five-star resort is another good option for families, with plenty of swimming, fishing, and nature walks.

San Diego to Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California
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At right around two hours, this drive is easy for parents and just long enough to be exciting for the kids. San Diego, Los Angeles, and the stretch of coast in between them are packed with beaches and attractions the family will love, like the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, and Disneyland, which is located just outside L.A. in Anaheim.

New York City or Boston to Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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Whether you choose to stay in a shingled cottage or beachfront apartment, your kids will fall hard for the Cape. Wellfleet is a particularly great destination for families, reachable in two hours from Boston or or five hours from New York City. You'll want to stop in other charming towns along the way, like Falmouth and Chatham, before settling in the sands of the Outer Cape. Once you're there, no trip is complete without a visit to Mac's on the Pier, where you can gaze out at the harbor and feast on whole belly clams. Exploring one of the Cape's kettle ponds, which families often have all to themselves, is also a must, as is checking out the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, home to five miles of trails and salt marshes.

Pacific Coast Highway, California

Pacific Coast Highway
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Beginning in Orange County's Dana Point and reaching north to San Francisco, this popular drive can be completed in under eight hours. But why keep it short? With many major stops — from sprawling Los Angeles to Carmel-by-the-Sea — you could make this road trip last for days. Driving from the south to the north, head to the top of the Topanga Lookout in Malibu for incredible views of the San Fernando Valley. Then, a few hours north in Santa Ynez wine country, relax with a glass of vino as you plot your visit to Hearst Castle, where the kids can marvel at the mansion's many fountains and statues.

New York City to Philadelphia to the Poconos

Poconos, Pennsylvania
Courtesy of Woodloch Resort

At Woodloch Resort in the Pocono Mountains, you'll feel like you're back at summer camp — in a good way. On and off the property, there's plenty to do, including golf, paintball, fishing, and more. There are a variety of accommodation options available, too, perfect for families of any size. Whether or not you're headed to the Woodloch, though, the Poconos are an easy getaway for East Coasters. New York City is about a two-hour drive and Philadelphia is about three hours; the two cities can easily be combined with a Poconos visit for a fun multi-day adventure.

Boston, Massachusetts, to Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, Vermont
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Stowe, Vermont, is a great destination in all seasons for families road tripping within New England. Just three hours from Boston, the town offers some of the East Coast's best skiing in wintertime and an abundance of outdoor adventure in summer. On your warm-weather visit, cool off with the kids at the Waterbury Reservoir in Waterbury Center State Park, or enjoy the fresh mountain air with a hiking or biking excursion.

Route 66

A car on Highway 66 from above, California
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There are few roads as iconic as Route 66, so why not take your kids on this classic American trip? Whether you embark on the full journey from Chicago to Los Angeles or opt for a smaller portion of the road, you're bound have a memorable time. Little ones will love the route's kitschy roadside attractions (world's biggest ketchup bottle, anyone?), while adults will be wowed by the scenery, from the wide-open spaces of west Texas to the mountains of Santa Fe.

Tucson to the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon at dusk

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Take in some of the country's best views on a multiday road trip through Arizona. Start in Tucson and visit Saguaro National Park to see the namesake cacti before heading to Scottsdale. Next up, drive to the stunning, red rock-surrounded town of Sedona. Finally, continue north to Grand Canyon National Park for a couple of days in the great outdoors, soaking in this massive natural wonder of the world.

Rocky Mountain Loop from Denver

Road Trip in Rocky mountain national park
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If you'd like to swap red rocks for snowy mountaintops, set off on a Colorado road trip through some of the state's incredible national parks and charming small towns. From Denver, head northwest to Boulder and Estes Park, a perfect home base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. Drive further into the mountains to check out towns like Glenwood Springs, Telluride, and Durango, all located in the western part of the state. Spend a day at Mesa Verde National Park, home to ancient Native cave dwellings that will fascinate both kids and grown-ups, before turning back east. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Colorado Springs are great stops en route back to Denver.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Aerial view of the Linn cove viaduct on the Blue ridge Parkway, North Carolina
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Beautiful year-round but especially colorful in spring and fall, the Blue Ridge Parkway makes for an excellent family road trip. Connecting Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers scenic mountain and foliage views across the Appalachian landscapes of Virginia and North Carolina. Plus, there are plenty of great hikes for all skill levels and places to camp along the parkway if you want to spend a few nights under the stars.

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