Though the higher price of gasoline makes it a little more difficult, there is still something about going on a road trip that captures the imagination and excitement of the traveling public. Though many people do fly to their vacation destinations these days, road trips are still popular with many people. The simple truth is that road trips offer many different and unique opportunities for fun that cannot be had when other travel arrangements are made.
Road trips offer the opportunity to see many things that would be otherwise bypassed if a different mode of travel had been chosen. While a flight in an airplane allows for the traveler to reach their destination earlier, people that choose that method of travel also miss out on the many roadside historical sites and other attractions. Another thing that a road trip allows you to see is the small towns and local hotspots that are both great in terms of their uniqueness, as well as often overlooked. A good road trip allows for the traveler to experience many things that most travelers never ever get to. With that in mind, here are five great American road trips.
1. El Paso to Marathon, Texas - Few places can match the desert beauty of the more than 200 mile road trip from El Paso to Marathon. Among the many attractions to be enjoyed along the way are the art museums and galleries of Marfa, Big Bend National Park, antique stores, and more.
2. Key Largo to Key West, Florida - Truly one of the more unique road trip opportunities, the road trip from Key Largo to Key West, never fails to provide more than enough sight seeing opportunities for everyone in the vehicle. Very few people ever get to see a series of islands connected only by a state highway. Beautiful ocean views can be seen from any where on this drive, something no traveler will soon forget.
3. United States Route 101, California - One of the more popular road trip destinations in the entire country is US Route 101 along the California Coast. The highway actually provides for a number of different road trips and it’s different sections and regions are distinctly unique. The southern section of US Route 101 that stretches from Los Angeles to Ventura is both beautiful as well as extremely well traveled. From Ventura to San Francisco is what is known as the Central Coast section of US Route 101, in this section such popular areas as Santa Barbara, Gaviota State Park, the Salinas Valley, San Luis Obispo, the Salinas River Valley, and more. The next section of California’s US Route 101 is centered around the city of San Francisco. The scenic highway travels from the San Jose area to San Francisco and in different areas provides beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and the city of San Francisco. The highway passes over world famous Golden Gate Bridge and continues north into the northernmost stretch of the historic highway. This section eventually becomes the least traveled, and some say most beautiful, section of the roadway as it gains more and more distance away from the highly populated Bay Area. The small towns of Northern California that dot US Route 101 are packed with charm and are a great draw to road trip fans from all walks of life.
4. The Cascade Loop, Washington - The Cascade Loop crosses the Cascade Mountain Range in Northern Washington in two different places. As it is a loop, it can be traveled in either direction and is best done over a long weekend. Traveling west-to-east, the loop leaves the greater Seattle area and heads over Stevens Pass on Highway 2 through the Bavarian village of Leavenworth and to the Apple Capital of the World, Wenatchee. The route then turns north to the city of Chelan that sits on the shore of beautiful Lake Chelan; a great side trip at this point is the long boat ride up the 50 mile lake to the community of Stehekin which is one of the few cities left in the United States that is not connected to the outside world by roads. After short trip north, the route then turns west for it’s return trip across the mountains, this time through the North Cascades. This section of highway is only open during the warmer months of the year due to the heavy snowfall and contains some of the highest peaks in the lower forty-eight states. Back on the west side of the mountains, the route then heads south again to where it all began.
5. The Seaway Trail, New York - The Seaway Trail of New York packs more than enough attractions and diversions to satisfy almost any traveler. Starting at Lake Ontario, the route follows the shoreline and eventually leads the traveler to world famous Niagara Falls, Boldt’s Castle, many lighthouses, and a number of other attractions including both historical ones and recreational ones alike.
Another benefit that a road trip has applies directly to the health and well being of a family. With standard air travel, people in a group or family are often separated or under a good deal of stress as they navigate the complicated traveling process. Then once the family arrives at their destination, people often split up somewhat to pursue the things in that area that interest them the most. When a family participates in a road trip, they are placing themselves in a situation where they must communicate with each other. This communication and bonding that occurs often brings families closer together.
When you combine the bonding opportunities that a family or group can benefit from with the many chances that there is to see some incredible historical and unique sites, it is easy to see why taking a road trip is still one of the more popular forms of vacations there is. A road trip can truly supply a group or family with the opportunity for the vacation of a lifetime; the type of vacation that will provide incredible memories that will last the rest of their lives.
Best part of Highway 1 is the area around San Simeon. Love to watch the elephant seals at Piedras Blancas snooze on the beach.
Comment by Ling — September 7, 2008 @ 10:18 am