So here we are again! Round 2 of our top American road trips. This week we’re going to look at the southern States via the Mexican Gulf and the ultimate west coast tour. So get your road maps out and start planning your trip!
Gulf of Mexico Route
Fly to: Orlando International (MCO)
Return to: Orlando International (MCO)
Route type: Circular
Total driving time: 33hrs
Total driving distance: 2,198miles
Good for: Tropical wetlands, white sand beaches, waterfalls & lakes
Top sights: Everglades, New Orleans French Quarter, Appalachian foothills, Amicalola Falls
From Orlando International, head south on US Route 192 towards West Palm Beach and down through Miami to Homestead. From here take one of the many tours into the Everglades to explore this amazing tropical wetland. Home to crocodiles, alligators, Florida kingsnakes, boa constrictors, various turtles, deer, bears, panthers, and much more, the Everglades are a truly unique experience.
Head back on the road north on US 997 and join US 41 West towards Naples. Continue north on Interstate 75 up to Lake City before heading west on Interstate 10 to Tallahassee. Continue on Interstate 10 through Mobile and Biloxi and down to New Orleans. There are some wonderful beaches along the coast around Mobile so keep an eye out for somewhere to stop for a stroll.
If you’re in New Orleans for Mardi Gras or the Jazz & Heritage Music Festival, be prepared for crowds. Be sure to head to The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt or the revolving Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter to soak up both some alcohol and the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Make your way to the Garden District to see some of the more spectacular homes and visit some boutique shops and jewellers.
If you fancy exploring some of Louisiana’s countryside, take a day trip out to Lake Pontchatrain or down the Mississippi River towards Bohemia and Buras Triumph.
When you’re ready, get back on Interstate 10 and head back north. Join Interstate 59 and take this past Hattiesburg and onto Birmingham. The centre of the civil rights movement in the mid-20th century, Birmingham has much to offer those interested in African-American History with museums such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
From Birmingham, head east on Interstate 20 across the state line into Georgia. Continue on to Atlanta, birthplace of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Continue your research into the Civil Rights movement and explore the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site or head out on a day trip.
The Appalachian foothills and Amicalola Falls lie to the north of the city and are home to some beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and spectacular panoramas. If you want to see some greenery in the city, make your way to the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
From Atlanta, take US 401 south east out of the city towards Macon. Continue on Interstate 16 towards Savannah and join Interstate 95. Head south down the coast to Jacksonville and Daytona Beach and back to the Airport. If you have some more time to kill, take a trip to the Kennedy Space Centre or Ocala National Forest.
California Coast Route
Fly to: Los Angeles (LAX)
Return to: Seattle (SEA)
Route type: One way
Total driving time: 23hrs
Total driving distance: 1,303miles
Good for: Pacific Ocean, stunning coastal scenery, amazing bridges
Top sights: Pacific Coast Highway, Bixby Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge
Get out of LA as soon as you can by taking Interstate 405 north from the airport past Beverley Hills and up to US 101 where you want to head west to Ventura. Head towards San Buenaventura State Beach for a walk through the dunes before you start the real driving.
Head north on US 1 – better known as the Pacific Coast Highway – up to Santa Barbara before heading slightly inland through Santa Maria and onto Morro Bay. Here you re-join the coast again properly and you’re in for a treat as you drive along the shoreline up to Ragged Point.
Continue on to Big Sur and get your camera ready for Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges on the Pacific coast. It’s also one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world and was used as film location in Play Misty for Me. Which brings us neatly onto the next stopping point, Carmel. This is Clint Eastwood territory, he lives inland in the Carmel Valley but was Mayor of Carmel between 1986 and 1988.
Anyway, back to the road. Keep heading north and you start to drift inland as you near Gilroy and the San Francisco city limits. Bypass San Jose on US 85 and join Interstate 280, this will take you through Daly City. From here, head into town to your hotel, motel or whatever.
Make sure you visit Golden Gate Park before you leave but for now, let’s go to Alcatraz! But how to get there? If you’re west of Leavenworth Street, make a beeline for Lombard Street and negotiate your way down this famous hairpin road. Continue past Pioneer Park to the water and on to the Alcatraz cruise area. If you’re a Dirty Harry fan, there are a number of tours to take in the filming locations which will also show you a lot of the city.
When ready to leave San Fran, head onto US 1, turn north and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Carry on up the coast to Eureka where you should visit Sequoia Park Garden and Humboldt Bay. Back on the road, when you reach Crescent City take US 199 to Grant’s Pass where you join Interstate 5. This will take you up to Portland where you should catch a Portland Trail Blazers game. Whilst not the most successful team in NBA history, they have some great players and it’ll be an experience to remember.
From Portland, head towards Tacoma and make your way into Seattle. Pay a visit to the Space Needle, Kerry Park, and Lake Union before exploring some of the cities excellent galleries and museums such as the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and the Seattle Art Museum.
Stay in touch
If you do head out on one of these road trips, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch below or send a postcard! In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter below and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest travel tips and news.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Want our blogs emailed direct to you? Sign up below to get updates featuring our blogs and car hire top tips. Receive the best deals on car hire straight to your inbox.
