Summertime is just around the block, and that means it’s time to start planning some fun road trips to embark upon! While it’s definitely fun to just get out and hang around your neck of the woods or nearby states, it’s never a bad idea to get outside of your comfort zone and visit far-off locations off the beaten path to enjoy everything that nature has to behold.
For your summertime road-tripping enjoyment, we proudly present to you 6 amazing summertime road-trips that should be a must on everyone’s bucket list. Check them out below!
Acadia National Park – The coast of Maine is always a gorgeous scene to behold, no matter what time of year, but with its swimming holes, beautiful lighthouses, and refreshing tide pools, it’s probably the best in the summer. This year, make it a point to check out the first national park east of the Mississippi River – Acadia.
You’ll begin your journey by taking ME-3 from Ellsworth (near Bangor) toward Bar Harbor, a quaint, fun little place seaside of the Atlantic Ocean and located on the eastern portion of Mount Desert Island. The road in Acadia is essentially one large loop that spans the whole park and parts in-between, including Jordan Pond and the ever-beautiful Cadillac Mountains. Don’t forget to sample their decadent lobster and very popular (and very delicious) popovers!
The Outer Banks of North Carolina – When the summer sun is high in the sky and the heat bears down, you know it’s time to head for the beach! North Carolina’s beautiful Barrier Islands are rich in human culture and feature stunning sandy beaches and dazzling water.
To reach this beautiful destination, simply start at the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau office in Manteo, N.C., and travel south on Route 158, then jump onto NC-12 to make your way through the Cape Hatteras National Seashore past friendly towns and villages, historic sites such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and many jaw-dropping beaches.
Lake Superior North Shore in Minnesota – Perhaps one of the most overlooked spot on the map, the drive past Lake Superior is one of the most beautiful. On the way, you will see gorgeous lighthouses, stunning lakeshore views, refreshing forests, and small, friendly towns. To make the most of it, remember to take your bike or your kayak along with you!
Start your journey from the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota and make your way northbound on MN-61, a road that hugs the shore of the Great Lake the entire time! Feel free to stop by Grand Portage National Monument or hop on a boat to the rugged, gorgeous, untamed Isle Royale National Park in the middle of Lake Superior, an experience of a lifetime. If you want to continue your journey around beautiful Lake Superior, be sure to take your passport along with you to cross the Canada/U.S. border.
Highway 12 in Utah – Looking for a route that takes you through five of the most amazing national parks, including low-elevation desert and high alpine landscape? Then Highway 12 is for you!
From one end to the other, UT-12 takes you past two national parks – Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. You will be treated to viewpoints of pine and aspen-covered hillsides and glorious vistas stretching toward Capitol Reef, Henry Mountains, and Lake Powell.
To embark on this amazing journey, jump on UT-14 from Cedar City to US-89 to UT-12. Check out Bryce Canyon and take a few fun hikes along the way. You can find plenty of places to stay the night near the national parks. To see gorgeous red-rock landscapes, head south on Highway 95.
Glacier National Park in Montana – Known for its beautiful peaks and refreshing snowfields, the Glacier National Park in Montana is definitely a must-see. Be sure to check out Going-to-the-Sun Road in the United States or take along your passport and explore the parkways in Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. Many other gorgeous mountain roads flank the park as well.
Though it is quite easy to reach Glacier National Park via the Interstate, it’s very much advised to take the road less traveled through the forests and mountains. Instead of taking I-2 the entire way, consider jumping off at Sandpoint in northern Idaho and taking MT-200 through friendly small towns to Highway 93 south of the national park.
The Oregon Coast – Oregon is certainly a very beautiful state, and its coastline deserves to be enjoyed in its entirety. Take Highway 101, which runs north to south, hugging Oregon’s coast nearly the entire way. Filled with amazing, beautiful state parks, this route gives travelers several opportunities for hiking, enjoying giant trees and sandy beaches, and usually surfing as well. Along the way, be sure to enjoy many small and medium-sized cities featuring restaurants, shopping, and great places to stay.
If you have a say in the matter, choose to travel north to south so that you’re closest to the shore and can pull off to the side easily along the way to enjoy your surroundings!
The list of amazing road trips could go on for, well, miles, but we feel that these lesser-known yet stunning road-trip destinations are the best! Remember, when embarking on your road-trip, remember to plan out at least the major ideas of your trip and to have a map along with you so you can relax and enjoy the view. After all, road trips are all about the journey and not the destination!
If you’re looking for the perfect vehicle to take you on your amazing road trip this summer, be sure to stop by Jack Schmitt Chevrolet Wood River! We have all that you’re looking for when it comes to great cars, and so much more! Stop by to visit us here in the heart of Wood River, call us up at (618) 216-5057, or visit us online at www.schmittchevrolet.com! Happy trails!
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