The Best West Coast Road Trip USA | Plus Grand Canyon

The Upper Peninsula, locally called the UP, is one of the least crowded scenic regions east of the Mississippi. It borders three of the five Great Lakes and offers some of the most unique places to visit in Michigan for travelers willing to drive a few hours north of Detroit. Although not a West Coast Road Trip USA, the Great Lakes are considered inland seas, so you will actually be on the west coast of Lake Michigan if you begin at one of the unique places to visit in Michigan.

Suggested route

Cross the Mackinac Bridge from Lower Michigan, then follow US-2 west along Lake Michigan before cutting north to the Lake Superior shore. A full loop is 700 to 900 miles depending on detours.

Don’t miss

• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: 42 miles of sandstone cliffs along Lake Superior. Best viewed by kayak or from the boat cruises leaving Munising.
• Tahquamenon Falls: the upper falls have a drop of 48 feet and a width of more than 200 feet, making them among the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi.
• Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: home to one of the largest old-growth hardwood forests in North America.
• Marquette: the largest city in the UP and a practical base with good restaurants and lodging.

When to go

Mid-June to mid-October. Fall color usually peaks in the last week of September through the first week of October.

Practical tips before hitting the road

A good route only works if the logistics behind it do. A few things worth sorting before you leave:

• Reserve national park campgrounds and in-park lodges months ahead, especially for Denali, Grand Canyon, and Crater Lake.
• Carry physical maps: cell coverage drops out in large stretches of Arizona, Alaska, and the UP.
• Check seasonal road closures on the relevant state DOT website before committing to a route.
• Build in buffer days: weather, wildfire smoke, and wildlife traffic jams (yes, really) can shift plans.
• Rent a vehicle appropriate to the terrain: a sedan handles 90% of these routes, but Alaska’s gravel highways and parts of Monument Valley are easier in an SUV.

Staying connected, in the US and beyond

Cell coverage on American road trips is patchy in remote areas. Download offline Google Maps regions and consider a paper atlas as backup. Many US road-trippers also extend these adventures internationally, driving the Icefields Parkway in Canada, the Ring Road in Iceland, or Route 66’s spiritual cousins in Australia and New Zealand. For those trips, an eSIM for international travel from a provider like Holafly saves the hassle of swapping physical SIMs at the airport and gives you data the moment you land, with country-specific and regional plans that activate by QR code.

FAQ: Best Road Trip Destinations in the USA

What is the best time of year for a road trip in the USA?

It depends on the region. Spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) work best for most southern and mid-latitude routes. Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are summer trips. The Upper Peninsula is at its best in late September for fall color.

How long should a USA road trip be?

For a single region, 7 to 10 days is the sweet spot. Coast-to-coast routes need at least 3 weeks to be enjoyable rather than exhausting.

What is the most scenic road in the USA?

There is no single answer, but the strongest contenders are the Seward Highway in Alaska, US-1 through Big Sur in California, the Beartooth Highway between Montana and Wyoming, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

Do I need a 4×4 for American road trips?

Almost never. Of the destinations above, only Monument Valley’s unpaved loop and a few backcountry roads in Alaska benefit from high clearance. A standard rental car handles the rest.

How much does an American road trip cost?

For a 10 day trip with mid-range lodging, expect $1,800 to $3,500 per person including car rental, fuel, food, and park entry. National Park entry fees average $35 per vehicle, or $80 for an annual America the Beautiful pass covering all federal sites.