Your Ultimate Guide to 9 Best 10-Day US Road Trips
Routes, Highlights, and Insider Tips for the Best US Road Trips in 10 Days
If you have 10 days to hit the open road, you’re perfectly timed to explore some of the best US road trips that showcase iconic landscapes, charming towns, and hidden gems. Whether you crave jaw-dropping natural beauty, historic spots, or quirky Americana, these US road trips will guide your next adventure. Check out my post on how to plan your ultimate vacation itinerary.
If you are dreaming of sunshine but don’t have ten days to spare, check out my guide to Five US Warm Weekend Getaways that are Surprisingly Affordable.
Before diving into each route, here’s a quick guide to help you pick the perfect US road trip for your 10-day getaway:
Tip: If you are still not sure which is best for you, find the travel destination that’s perfect for you with my personality quiz.
Quick Guide to the Best 10-Day US Road Trips
| Trip Option | Best Season | Highlights | Starting/Ending Cities | Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado & Northern NM | Late spring to fall | Santa Fe art scene, Taos Pueblo, Great Sand Dunes | Albuquerque or Denver | Santa Fe’s blend of culture and food is unbeatable. |
| Southwest National Parks | Spring or fall | Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion | Las Vegas or Phoenix | Plan hikes early to avoid heat and crowds. |
| Yellowstone to Black Hills | Summer to early fall | Yellowstone geysers, Mount Rushmore, Badlands | Salt Lake City to Denver | Book Yellowstone lodging 6–12 months ahead. |
| New England Fall Colors | Late Sept–mid Oct | Niagara Falls, Quebec City, Vermont foliage, Maine coast | Buffalo to Boston | Don’t rush—the drive is as beautiful as the stops. |
| Pacific Northwest Wonders | Late spring to fall | Portland foodie scene, Oregon Coast, WA wine country | Portland to Seattle | Pack layers for varied weather. |
| Route 66 | Year-round | Vintage diners, neon signs, quirky roadside stops | Chicago to Los Angeles | 2026 marks Route 66’s 100th anniversary celebrations. |
| Arizona Desert to Red Rocks | Fall to spring | Saguaro NP, Tombstone, Sedona red rocks, Grand Canyon | Tucson to Flagstaff or Phoenix | Take it slow on the Apache Trail for the views. |
| California Coast | Spring or fall | San Diego beaches, Big Sur cliffs, wine country | San Diego to Crescent City | Allow time for photo stops along Big Sur. |
| Alaska by Road | Summer | Denali NP, Seward Highway, glacier views | Anchorage (loop) | Wildlife sightings like moose are common. |
Colorado & Northern New Mexico – Art, History, and Mountain Beauty
If you love a trip that blends cultural treasures with breathtaking scenery, this route is pure magic. I’ve always found Santa Fe to be one of those rare cities where history, art, and food are all equally compelling.
Santa Fe as Your Base: Spend a few days exploring its historic adobe buildings, unique cuisine, world-class museums, and colorful markets.
Don’t Miss These Day Trips:
- Taos, New Mexico – A haven for artists and home to the historic Taos Pueblo.
- Sanctuario de Chimayó – A peaceful pilgrimage site. 15 Santuario Dr, Chimayo, NM 87522
- Pecos National Historical Park – Pueblo ruins, a Spanish Mission Church, and Civil War history at Glorieta Pass. Pecos, NM 87552
- Los Alamos – Explore WWII history at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- The Official Santa fe Margarita Trail Tour
- Gourmet Brunch in Santa Fe with Chef Carolina
Crossing into Colorado:
From Santa Fe, head north to Southern Colorado where wildflowers bloom in late spring. Stop at Bent’s Old Fort for a glimpse of frontier life. If you’re visiting outside midsummer, add Great Sand Dunes National Park. You could also spend time in Durango, Gunnison Gorge, or Crested Butte, and end your trip in Colorado Springs, home to one of my favorite zoos, or take a sunrise balloon ride.
Southwest National Parks Loop – Grand Scenery & Red Rock Wonders
For travelers who can’t get enough of dramatic landscapes, this loop strings together some of the Southwest’s most iconic national parks.
Start in Las Vegas or Phoenix, then make your way to:
- Grand Canyon – Visit the West site and Hoover Dam
- Lake Powell – Take a kayak tour to see hidden coves and towering cliffs.
- Bryce Canyon – Marvel at its famous hoodoo formations.
- Zion National Park – Go early to beat the heat on popular trails or take an ATV tour.
If you’ve got the stamina for extra driving, consider adding Moab for Arches and Canyonlands — but know that you’ll be trading relaxed mornings for more miles behind the wheel.
Yellowstone to the Black Hills – Geysers, Wildlife & Wild West Icons
This one’s for anyone who wants a road trip with both epic landscapes and a dose of Americana.
Begin in Salt Lake City and take the scenic route north through Craters of the Moon in Idaho and EBR-I, the first nuclear power plant. Once in Yellowstone, be ready for geysers, waterfalls, and bison sightings. You might also enjoy an 8-mile rafting tour!
Heading east, stop at Devils Tower before continuing into South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the surreal landscapes of Badlands National Park.
Wrap up in Denver — and if you take this trip, book your Yellowstone lodging as early as possible.
New England Fall Colors – Charming Towns & Coastal Beauty
If autumn is your favorite season, New England in October will steal your heart.
Fly into Buffalo for a quick visit to Niagara Falls, then wind your way into Quebec City for a taste of Old World charm. Meander through the Lake Champlain region into Vermont, where the hills explode with color.
Continue to Maine’s rocky coast, indulging in lobster rolls before finishing in Boston with a walk along the Freedom Trail or a trip out to Martha’s Vineyard. I enjoyed the short trip up to Salem to learn about the witch trials.
This is a trip where you want to take your time — the drive itself is just as beautiful as the destinations.
Pacific Northwest Wonders – Rainforests, Coastlines & Wine
If you like variety in your travels, the Pacific Northwest delivers it in spades.
Begin in Portland, where you can sip world-class coffee and explore the city’s food truck scene. One of my favorite trips is to see Multnomah Falls or you can take a trip up to see Mt. Hood. From there, drive the Oregon Coast, stopping for lighthouses, tide pools, and dramatic ocean views. Be sure and take a day trip out to Cannon Beach and spend sunrise or sunset at Haystack Rock. The kids will love the tide pools there!
Continue north for wine tasting and a trip to Snoqualmie falls in Washington Wine Country (where I live), then end in Seattle with a visit to Pike Place Market. If you’ve got a couple of extra days, detour to Olympic National Park for mossy rainforests and alpine lakes. Or my personal favorite, drive up to Mt. Rainier and visit Tipsoo Lake, the most photographed lake in Washington. A great view of the mountain reflected in the lake, it’s also an easy family hike around with wildflowers in bloom in August. Tipsoo is how I named my photography side hustle where I share landscape images, a lot from Washington State. (@tipsoomemories).
Route 66 – A True Americana Experience
For a road trip that’s as much about the journey as the stops, Route 66 is unbeatable.
Starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles, you’ll pass through small towns, retro diners, neon-lit motels, and roadside oddities. Here are a few suggestions along the way.
- Grand Canyon National Park, Hoover Dam
- Wild Animal Nature Park
- Scenic Desert Wine Distillery Brewery Route 66 Tour
- Las Vegas Ghost Town Tour
With 2026 marking the 100th anniversary of Route 66, expect even more celebrations, festivals, and restoration projects along the way.
Arizona Desert to Red Rocks – Old West Meets Natural Wonders
Tucson has long been one of my favorite desert cities, and it’s the perfect starting point for this journey.
Spend time in Saguaro National Park and visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, then head to Tombstone for a walk through Wild West history and check out a Gunfight Show. From there, see the ancient ruins at Casa Grande, drive the winding Apache Trail, and stop in Tortilla Flat or take a Happy Cactus Tour.
Finish in Sedona for red rock vistas and a Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure, then head north to Grand Canyon National Park or east to the Petrified Forest.
California Coast – Beaches, Wine & Rugged Cliffs
If I had to pick one route that feels like a movie road trip, this would be it.
Start in San Diego and make your way up the coast, stopping in Santa Barbara wine country, driving the cliffs of Big Sur, exploring San Francisco, and ending among the towering redwoods of Northern California. So many things to see and do along the way.
- Sea World, San Diego –
500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109 - San Diego Zoo – 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
- Day Trip to Tijuana
- Lego Land, San Diego – One Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Trolley Tour, Santa Barbara
- Wine Tour, Santa Barbara
- Alcatraz Visit, San Francisco
- Day Trip to Yosemite, San Francisco
Alaska by Road – Wild Beauty at the Edge of the World
Everyone forgets Alaska is nearly a quarter of the United States — and nothing else in the country feels quite like it. I grew up there for about 12 years in Wasilla, and I can honestly say it is one of the most gorgeous states. Be sure and rent an RV for at least 7 days, you will do a lot of driving.
Base yourself in Anchorage, then drive the Seward Highway along dramatic coastline, explore Denali National Park, and visit small fishing towns like Homer. If you don’t want to drive, take the train up to Denali. Many small towns have gold panning for the kids and other sites. Be sure and see the Kenai Fjords and take a whale cruise. One of the best places to see the Northern Lights is from Fairbanks.
And keep your eyes open —wildlife is everywhere. Be sure and do the Denali Sightseeing Tour while you are there, or my personal bucket list item, a Denali Photography Excursion.
Explore Activities & Highlights on These US Road Trips
Each of these US road trips offers unique experiences to make your journey unforgettable. If your road trip starts with a flight, these airport hacks from seasoned travelers will save you time and money before you even hit the road. Don’t pack until you have read my 15 Travel Essentials you didn’t know you needed.
- Colorado & Northern New Mexico: Explore Santa Fe’s historic adobe architecture, sample southwestern cuisine on a walking food tour, and visit Taos Pueblo—a cultural treasure. Don’t miss the Great Sand Dunes for some sandboarding adventure.
- Southwest National Parks Loop: Hike iconic trails in Zion, take a boat cruise on Lake Powell, and marvel at Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos. For a thrill, try canyoneering or guided hikes.
- Yellowstone to Black Hills: Join wildlife safaris to spot bison and bears, tour Old Faithful’s geysers, and visit Mount Rushmore’s monumental sculptures.
- New England Fall Colors: Cruise Niagara Falls, stroll Quebec City’s historic streets, and savor lobster rolls along Maine’s scenic coast.
- Pacific Northwest Wonders: Sample wines in Washington’s wine country, walk the Oregon Coast’s tide pools, and discover the mossy Olympic rainforests.
And that’s just a taste of the activities waiting for you on these amazing US road trips!
Essential Gear for Your US Road Trips
Packing right is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience on any of these US road trips. Here’s what I recommend bringing for your 10-day adventure:
- Portable Power Bank: Keep your devices charged between stops.
- Insulated Water Bottle: Stay hydrated with cold or hot drinks all day.
- Packing Cubes: Organize your gear for hassle-free unpacking.
- Lightweight Rain Jacket: Weather can change quickly on many US road trips—be prepared!
- National Parks Annual Pass: Save on entry fees if your trip includes multiple parks.
- Collapsible Cooler Bag: Perfect for fresh snacks and drinks on the road.
- Travel Camera: Capture scenic moments without bulky equipment.
- Hiking Daypack: Great for day hikes and short trails on your route.
- First Aid Kit: Always good to have for peace of mind during your travels.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will earn commission if you purchase from my links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps me continue creating free and valuable content. Thank you!
Final Tip for the Best US Road Trips
Whether you choose the towering redwoods of the California Coast or the vibrant fall foliage of New England, balancing long driving days with slower sightseeing stops will turn your trip from good to unforgettable. Planning ahead and packing these essentials will help you fully enjoy the freedom and adventure of these top US road trips.
