15 BEST Family Road Trips in the USA

A family road trip is a classic American holiday, but it takes planning to make it great. Some places are better for road trips, while some are better treated as a single-focus destination. In addition to considering the sights and scenery, you need to factor in things like hotel costs and gas prices.

Planning the best family road trip in USA

How to make a family road trip in the USA a success? Keep the little ones occupied. Watch some great family road trip movies. Make up trivia questions on certain places of interest, when you are passing certain landmarks. Have you already played my National Parks Trivia Game? If not, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this article and I will add you to my newsletter subscription send it to you absolutely FREE!

Strive to keep the pit stops kid-friendly. You don’t have to get too “sophisticated or elaborate” at restaurants, but do give children an opportunity to sample – and learn from – the local flavors and culture. We recommend taking them to a location where they can try local things and have them relate to wherever they are.

Finally, be open to new experiences. Word-of-mouth recommendations are great, as are in-the-know tips from your trip advisor.

For more great tips on keeping sanity while road tripping with kids check out A Dozen Tips for Stress Free Travelling with Kids.

When on a trip with the whole family, safety is of high importance. Also, never drive without a license. For a safe drive, follow traffic laws and rules, and never forget what you’ve learned from the DMV written test. For more information, also check out my recent article What Makes a Good Driver.

Why are Family Vacations Important?

Taking a family vacation is not just about having fun. There are some great benefits to family holidays.

The Benefits of Taking Family Vacations:

• Getting away helps you take a break from a high-stress lifestyle.
• You can model successful problem-solving and planning for your kids while on holiday.
• Family vacations give a chance to learn new things.
• Traveling together can create a bond over shared experiences.
• You’ll create family memories that will last for many years.

How Much Does the Average Family Vacation Cost?

The expense of a family vacation varies based on many things. Are you taking a road trip or flying? Are you planning to attend many attractions with entrance fees or planning to do mainly free things? Where are you staying? A five-star hotel will obviously cost more than staying in a budget motel. 

According to American Express, the average cost of family vacation for a family of 4 is $4,580. Travel taxes can “eat” a lot of your travel budget. If you are taking a family road trip, you are, of course, saving money on air travel, which is a huge chunk.

For great ideas on saving money on travel, please, read my article How to Travel Cheap.

How Long Should a Family Holiday Last?

There are a couple of things that will decide how long a family vacation should be. Some studies have suggested that a vacation should be eight days long to capture the full advantages of your time away.

But for some families, you may be limited based on how many vacation days you have from school or work. Hotel and food can also add up quickly, so longer holidays will mean spending more money on the trip.

We typically like to plan our main family vacations for our household to be seven to eight days long, depending on travel time. If we’re flying the majority of the first day, then we might need an additional day to experience the destination.

I will be honest that by day seven, most of us are missing home and somewhat tired. You don’t need to be so busy on vacation that you feel like you need a vacation following your vacation!

Best Family Road Trips in USA

There might be no greater sense of freedom than the one felt while driving on an open road with a full tank of gas. Road trips are a fantastic vacation option for households, as you control every aspect of the trip: the route, space, the time spent in each place, where you are going to stop and when. You’ll save more and see more than you ever thought possible and avoid the hassle that is mixing kids and airplanes. Explore your home state, drive through the Southeast, lay your head in one of the National Parks or explore the whole nation – the possibilities are endless! Here is the list of 15 best family road trips in USA that every family should make.

Best Family Road Trip # 1: Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park is the 2nd most visited park in the USA., with roughly six million visitors annually. The canyon itself is 277 miles long, yet there are 1000 miles of road excursion possibilities that you can explore to understand and see the true beauty of this canyon.

That means that if you would like to take a short road trip or a long one, the Grand Canyon is the best spot to do it. Here is a detailed itinerary for you to make planning super easy: Arizona Road Trip Itinerary Phoenix to Grand Canyon.

Best Family Road Trip #2: Pacific Coast Highway, California

I highly recommend Pacific Coast Highway in California for your family road trip in USA if you could travel on just 1 highway. This road (HW 1 joining in places with U.S. 101) goes north through Oregon and Washington and offers some of the most amazing views you’ll ever see.

The highway follows the Pacific Ocean, so your drive through The Golden State will be much more than only a drive. It is an experience of a lifetime. All of its 656 miles have something fantastic to offer. Here are some top highlights that you should not miss: Big Sur and Redwoods State and National Parks.

Best Family Road Trip #3: Niagara Falls, Ontario/ New York

Are you thinking of a Niagara Falls family road trip? Making your way through New York to the main attraction can in itself be enjoyable. Some stops along the way can make your journey amazing! These always popular attractions include; Cooperstown, Letchworth State Park, and the Erie Canal, among other excellent attractions.

If you want the authentic Niagara Falls Experience, be sure to pack your passport because the most famous view of Niagara Falls is on the Canadian side. In addition, there are lots of hotels, attractions, and restaurants on the Canadian side also!

Once on the Canadian side of the falls, be sure to fit time in to travel on the Niagara Parkway and pay a visit to the famous town of Niagara on the Lake that’s full of shops and other terrific places to visit.

Best Family Road Trip #4: Yosemite National Park, California

The great thing about choosing a road trip to Yosemite National Park is the drive itself is half the fun! There are countless routes that you could take here.

A lot will depend upon whether you want to drive and get to the park, stop in fun places along the way, or even if you want to enjoy beautiful panoramic views across the way.

This is one of the most beautiful national parks I have visited with my family. But please, note that Yosemite goes way beyond the most popular Yosemite Valley. Check out all the driving routes which generally are less crowded than the Valley. But if your heart is set on it, I have a detailed article with a road trip itinerary to the Yosemite Valley.

If you have time add Sequoia National Park to this road trip, which is located about 130 miles South of Yosemite.

Best Family Road Trip #5: Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Want a break from the bright lights of Las Vegas? A road trip to Valley of Fire State Park should be on your itinerary! It is just an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, and it’s one of those places you need to go to and take your camera as well. It’s extremely kid-friendly, with plenty of hikes fit for everyone.

The drive through Valley of Fire is easily one of the most breathtaking drives you’ll ever take. The orange, red, clay-colored, and pink sandstone rocks create the most amazing vistas.

You can spot landmarks like The Beehives and Elephant Rock without even getting out of your car – although you want to get out and catch some photos.

Best Family Road Trip #6: Zion National Park, Utah

Zion is very centrally situated, which means it makes a great road trip destination for many! Many people don’t realize this, but it’s just 2 hours outside of Vegas, making it a perfect road trip in the Las Vegas area.

If you’re new to exploring Utah, you will be amazed to learn that this state is home to 5 of the country’s most beautiful National Parks, Zion being the most popular of them.

With its beautiful expansive canyon, amazing hiking opportunities, natural stone arches, and spectacular views, it’s no wonder why.

I have a detailed article for you with more fantastic ideas on top road trips from Las Vegas which also has information in Zion and The Valley of Fire mentioned above.

Best Family Road Trip # 7: Hana Coastline, Hawaii

When you start looking for the best family road trips in the U.S., you will always find the Hana Coastline on the listing. This road trip is taken by tens of thousands of tourists every day and for a good reason.

With 35 winding miles of awe-inspiring views of the coastline, sights of classic Hawaiian farms, and much more, this is a drive that is well worth it!

You can find the information on some of the best Road to Hana highlights and stops in my article Classic Maui Itinerary 6 Days Perfect for Families.

Best Family Road Trip #8: Florida Keys, Florida

Looking for a relaxed family road trip in USA? Then head down Overseas Highway – U.S. 1 to the Florida Keys. This drive is approximately 100-miles each way and lets you drive down the Florida Keys to experience sandy beaches and amazing seafood.

Strategize to make a few stops along the way before you reach Key West, where you’ll find the Southernmost point of the U.S. that’s also just 90 miles to Cuba. Can you believe that?

If you want to explore Florida Keys, definitely check out my article Things to Do in Key Largo with Kids.

Best Family Road Trip #9: Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia & North Carolina

Whether you are looking for a one-day drive or a multi-day experience family road trip in USA, you should think about a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile long road that weaves through Virginia and North Carolina.

The cultural experiences here are like no other and will introduce you to Southern Appalachian history, Cherokee history, and more.

Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway you can also find the most popular National Park in the U.S. – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is worth a trip on its own.

Best Family Road Trip #10: Route 66, Illinois to California

I don’t think there is any family road trip more popular than Route 66. This road trip has been very instrumental to pop culture. To do the entire Route 66 road trip, it is stated that you need a solid two weeks, but that does not mean that you can’t enjoy part of Route 66 with less time.

Route 66 begins in Chicago and officially ends at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. Despite being removed from the U.S. Highway System in the mid-80s, this road trip route has maintained its popularity.

We explored Route 66 in Arizona and it was an unforgettable experience! Here is our fun video below to give you the taste of it:

 Best Family Road Trip #11: Estes Park, Colorado

Whether Estes Park is the destination, or you happen to be passing through on your way to the Rocky Mountain National Park, this is a must-stop place for a Colorado road trip.

The views seem like they come straight from a postcard or a nature photography book. They are that amazing.

A road trip through Estes Park means you will be treated to amazing mountain views while driving through areas surrounded by sheer granite walls. Another bonus is that this family road trip can easily be enjoyed whatever the time of year!

 Best Family Road Trip #12: Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is a great place for a road trip! From awesome tourist attractions such as Stone Mountain Park (the country’s number 1 attraction), The Jimmy Carter Museum, and much more, you are going to find a lot to do!

Atlanta is also recognized as the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr! The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a must.

If you wish to get away from town for a bit, then add Athens to your family road trip, which has been named” The # 1 College Music Scene in America” by Rolling Stone Magazine. If you’re a music enthusiast, this is a perfect stop on any Atlanta road trip since it is the birthplace of these iconic groups as Widespread Panic, The B-52s, and R.E.M.

For the most unique experience, drive 89 miles to Helen GA where you can experience… Germany! Helen is one of the best Germantowns in the U.S. and is a top highlight on my list of International Experiences in the U.S.

Best Family Road Trip #13: Portland, Oregon

A Pacific Northwest road trip truly is an unforgettable experience you will want to relive over and over. While there is an infinite number of awesome places throughout the Pacific Northwest, Portland, Oregon should be on your family road trip list. From a beautiful botanical garden to an amazing Columbia River Gorge, Portland has it all.

With a couple of additional hours, you can even go to the Oregon Coast or the beautiful high desert region of Central Oregon. Portland is a road trip destination that warrants at least a week so you can get a real feel for the beauty of the country itself!

Best Family Road Trip #14: Door County, Wisconsin

If you’re road tripping with kids, then a road trip through Door County is going to be a hit! Not only will you get treated to a number of the most beautiful scenic drives (especially in the fall), but the attractions along the way make for a wonderful family vacation!

These attractions include such quirky things as Pinkie the Elephant in DeForest, the World’s Largest Six Pack in La Crosse, the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, and much more!

I personally adore this Midwest gem, so much so that I creates a stand along guide to best family vacations in Wisconsin.

Best Family Road Trip #15: Portland, Maine

On a Portland, Maine road trip, you’ll be lucky enough to experience the quaint coastal towns, rocky coastline views, delicious lobster rolls, and much more.

Late summer is always a wonderful time to go to, though a road trip like this is wonderful any time of year. Stopping by to see all the gorgeous lighthouses are a must. And autumn is the time to enjoy the fabulous New England fall colors.

In case you have enough time, be sure to drive to Acadia National Park. The drive down there and the beauty of the national park is completely worth it.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you a couple of ideas, and you can begin planning your family road trip in USA. The goal is to use these destinations above as the main point of your road trip and then add other stops along the way. Take your time, don’t rush, make frequent stops and enjoy everything a road trip has to offer. And then do it again next vacation!

I would like to thank DMV Written Test for their collaboration on this article. They provided lots of useful information on these 15 best family road trips in the USA and especially on those that are still on my family road trips “dream list”.

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