A Perfect 9- Day Road Trip Itinerary Around the US
If you’ve ever imagined hopping in your car, throwing on some tunes, and just driving until the road runs out, then a road trip is calling your name. But if you’re looking for more of an adventure than just a joyride, you’re going to need a plan.
For those who love the open road and want to discover some of the best locations around the United States, keep reading because we’ve got you covered! Here are seven amazing road trips that are bound to create memories of a lifetime.
The eastern half of the United States is packed with historic landmarks, natural wonders and popular tourist attractions, making it the perfect road trip destination. But with so much to see and do, planning a road trip itinerary can be overwhelming.
To help you plan your next US road trip, here’s a 7-day sample itinerary for the best places to visit in America:
Day 1: New York City
We kick things off in New York City, one of the most vibrant cities in the world and home to some truly amazing attractions such as Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Station and many more. Here are some of our must do activities in NYC:
- Take a walk across Brooklyn Bridge
- Explore Central Park
- Visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Day 2: Philadelphia
After spending a day in New York, head down to Philly for another full day of sightseeing. This is where I went to school and it’s definitely one of my favorite cities in America. You can hit all the major attractions in a matter of hours and still have plenty of time left over to explore some less touristy areas. Some highlights include the Liberty Bell, Rocky Steps at Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philly Magic Gardens, and Independence Hall. If you have extra time spend it at Reading Terminal Market eating everything in sight!
Day 3: Washington D.C.
The capital of the United States is also home to many important monuments, memorials and museums worth visiting such as The White House, Lincoln Memorial and The Smithsonian Museum. DC is also known for having many areas with beautiful cherry blossom trees during springtime!
Day 4: Shenandoah Valley
Today, you'll be driving down the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, a gorgeous river valley with lots of hiking and biking trails, wineries and historic landmarks. On the way, make sure to stop at Luray Caverns, a series of underground caves that feature ancient formations. Then, take a hike around the Appalachian Trail at Skyline Drive. This is an incredibly popular spot for hiking enthusiasts since it's part of the trail's 2,000-mile northbound trek. In the afternoon, head over to Front Royal for some kayaking and canoeing on the beautiful Shenandoah River.
Day 5: Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Ridge Parkway is a great place to take a road trip. This parkway is located on a ridge that runs from north to south and is considered one of the most scenic areas in the world. The parkway is 469 miles long and has many points of interest along the way. It takes you through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park, as well as through Virginia's rolling hills and North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains.
The parkway follows the Appalachian Trail for about 100 miles during its course as it winds its way through mountains, valleys and forests. It also has several tunnels that you can drive through and enjoy some great views along the way.
The best time to visit this parkway is in spring when temperatures are mild, but you may find it busy with tourists as well. In late fall, the leaves change color and make for some great photos if you are interested in taking pictures while you are on your road trip around Blue Ridge Parkway.
Day 6: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Sharing a border with North Carolina, Tennessee is home to the most visited national park in the US, and it's a beauty. The park is famous for its spectacular views and mountain vistas, but also its abundant wildlife. Black bears are common here, so don't forget to keep your food out of reach at night.
Heading north from Asheville, you'll hit the entrance gate to the park at Gatlinburg. This town is a tourist hotspot, with lots of shops and restaurants for those of us who can't live without a caffeine fix or a decent burger. It's also home to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area.
There are no lodges inside the park itself, so if you'd prefer not to camp out you'll need to find accommodation nearby instead. Try Gatlinburg, or head north to Pigeon Forge or Knoxville.
Keep an eye out for elk and deer as you drive through Cades Cove at sunrise or sunset. The loop road will take you right through the heart of this beautiful valley, where you can also spot wild turkeys on the hunt for their breakfast in the early morning light.
Day 7: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge is all about the fun. Jump aboard a real steam engine, and take a trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which winds through the lush countryside. The Dollywood theme park is an homage to country music star Dolly Parton, who was born in the area, and it's also one of the most-visited parks in the U.S. For a dose of culture, visit the Titanic Museum Attraction to pay your respects to those who lost their lives when the “unsinkable” ship sank on its maiden voyage 100 years ago.
Any road trip, no matter the duration, is full of adventure. Although there are innumerable routes and places you could go in the United States, we’ve compiled this list to make sure you don’t miss anything. Whether you decide on a 7- or 8- day itinerary, consider hitting all four corners of the country and some of our nation’s most famous landmarks.
Day 8: Nashville
Take it easy your last day and enjoy some Southern comfort. Start the day with a walk around the old-timey shops and eateries at The Factory in Franklin, then head to nearby Leiper's Fork for lunch at Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant. From there, head back to Nashville and spend some time exploring Music City's historic downtown area before enjoying a final dinner at City House.
If you're into live music, stop by the Bluebird Cafe while you're in town — many of country music's biggest names got their start playing on this small stage. If you want to see famous faces, take a stroll down Lower Broadway and try not to get starstruck!
Day 9:Graceland
After your time in Nashville, it's time to hit the road for Graceland. Not sure what that is? Well, Elvis Presley is the only person to have four number-one albums in the same year — 1956. He also won three Grammys and had 18 number one singles. As well as this, he was the first rock star inductee into the U.S. Army where he served from 1958 until 1960.
He was truly talented and performed a variety of music types such as gospel, blues, pop and rock ‘n roll. He was also a great actor and appeared in 33 films, which included Jailhouse Rock and King Creole. In 2006, he was named one of the most influential musicians of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Elvis Presley has left a legacy that will forever be remembered by people around the world. So it comes to no surprise that his former home has become a tourist attraction filled with fans eager to learn more about this legendary musician and actor.
The house itself is now a museum but you can still see many of its original features including the billiards room, music room, kitchen and formal living room.
Want to travel the US? Want to do it quickly and efficiently, but you can't decide where to go? This itinerary is for you. It's nine stops, each a few days long, across the country, designed to keep you moving while also allowing you to see plenty of each region. With this road trip schedule, we hope you will discover a new passion for the diversity this country offers–and we hope it will inspire you to create your own itineraries in the future!
