There are few places on earth that provide an opportunity to explore as extensively as in America. This vast country has so much to offer travellers of all ages that it’s virtually impossible to find enough time to discover its countless cities, coasts and national parks in just one USA road trip!
The beauty of an American coast to coast adventure lies in the ability to enjoy an eclectic range of holiday experiences and to appreciate the diversity of this fascinating nation. For an authentic taste of America and a chance to journey from New York on the east coast to Los Angeles on the west, indulge in a coast to coast tour which treats you to multiple once in a lifetime experiences.
Check out our ‘don’t miss spots’ below:
There’s no better place to start a tour of America than the Big Apple itself. New York is a frenetic metropolis providing an idyllic base for visitors who are keen to immerse themselves in the cultural scene and see the sights that adorn the covers of guidebooks.
There’s a tremendous amount of attractions on offer here, so choose wisely if time is of the essence. Highlights include the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Grand Central Station, Wall Street, Broadway, Times Square and Ground Zero.
For the best views of the city, a trip to Top of the Rock comes highly recommended. Visit at sunrise to appreciate the sheer scale and size of the city and enjoy an eerie tranquility that pre-empts the morning rush hour.
Visitors wishing to see the Statue of Liberty can jump aboard the free Staten Island ferry, but it’s also worth taking a tour so incorporate a visit to Ellis Island with the Ellis Island & Liberty Cruise. The museum provides a fascinating insight into the history of immigration in the US.
From New York, you can travel to Philadelphia, where movie fans can pose on the iconic steps featured in the Rocky movies, and history enthusiasts can admire the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
Next stop is the home of the White House, Washington DC. Washington is an intriguing city that offers visitors the chance to learn more about the political landscape and the social and cultural heritage of the US. Travelling by bike is a great way to get around and avoid rush hour traffic.
In addition to the White House, tourists can enjoy the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall and the United States Capitol.
Heading south on this USA road trip will take you away from the busy city streets to the rolling plantation lands and meadows of North Carolina. The scenery is spectacular, and it’s not hard to find an idyllic base to camp out and take in the views.
From sedate al fresco adventures in North Carolina, travel to lively Charleston, the oldest city in the state of South Carolina. This is a city famed for its warm hospitality and its affinity with traditional southern fayre. Classic dishes include the ‘nasty biscuit’, a chicken flavoured savoury cake, which is smothered in gravy.
Away from the heart of the city, visitors can relax and unwind on the coast. The Morris Island lighthouse is a special spot to take a rest and enjoy the panoramic vistas.
USA holidays from Freedom Destinations.
Chicago | St. Louis | Springfield | Oklahoma City | Amarillo | Albuquerque | Grand Canyon | Las Vegas | Los Angeles
New York | Philadelphia | Washington D.C. | Asheville | Charleston | Savannah | St. Augustine | Orlando | Miami
Miami | Key West | Key Largo | Everglades | Fort Myers | Clearwater | Orlando | Fort Lauderdale
Chicago | St. Louis | Springfield | Oklahoma City | Amarillo | Albuquerque | Grand Canyon | Las Vegas | Los Angeles
New York | Philadelphia | Washington D.C. | Asheville | Charleston | Savannah | St. Augustine | Orlando | Miami
Miami | Key West | Key Largo | Everglades | Fort Myers | Clearwater | Orlando | Fort Lauderdale
The sunshine state is a happy medium between warm sunny beaches and a bustling collection of cities. Florida offers everything from city slicking in achingly cool Miami to serious R&R in the spectacular setting of the Keys.
Starting in Miami, travellers can live the high life in South Beach, marvel at the quirky Art Deco architecture and enjoy the thrills and spills of theme parks including Jungle Island. Miami is a beautiful city, which lies on the water, and is blessed with an enviable climate. The pace of life can be frantic, but that’s part of the appeal.
A Key West Tour offers a change in gear, a stunning oasis at the tip of the state, this is the place to go for sun-drenched days at the beach and snorkelling adventures on the reef. Many people choose to combine sunbathing with sightseeing, taking in attractions like Ernest Hemingway’s house.
From Key West, it’s time for another change of pace provided by the playground that never sleeps, Orlando. Home to a dazzling array of theme parks, this is a location that sets pulses racing and makes dreams come true. Disney World attracts more than 19 million visitors every year.
A new day brings fresh opportunities to explore another region of the US. New Orleans is a unique city that lives and breathes southern charm. Bourbon Street is a hive of activity, especially as the sun falls, and nobody should leave without enjoying an impromptu live jazz gig.
Jazz provides the soundtrack to any New Orleans visit, and there’s no shortage of places to grab a drink with trumpeters and saxophonists for company. It is possible to explore this area on foot, or opt for a Memphis to New Orleans River Cruise as an excellent alternative.
A gem in Texas’ crown, Austin is a forward-thinking city, which combines modern architecture with a free-spirited soul. There’s a vibrant cultural scene here and live music is available most nights. Upon leaving the city, visitors encounter a different side to the Lone Star state, as prairies dotted with ranches and cacti appear on the horizon.
From the plains to the mountain peaks, a coast to coast USA road trip really has it all. Colorado is famed for its rugged landscapes, and the Rockies provide the ideal base for hiking, mountain biking and skiing in the winter months.
The Grand Canyon is one of the USA’s most popular tourist attractions, with more than 6 million visitors per year. As the largest canyon in the world, it stretches more than 440 km in length and measures up to 18 miles in width and in some places is a mile deep.
The vast canyon is an iconic natural wonder, which never fails to impress, no matter how many pictures or Instagram posts visitors have seen. There are different tours available and most people head to the South Rim or West Rim, which offers the skywalk experience.
Grand Canyon tours from Vegas often offer a stop-off at the Hoover Dam too.
Utah’s most precious gem, Zion National Park is a feast for the senses. The landscape is wildly dramatic and the park looks different from every angle. This is such a vast area of natural beauty that most people don’t have time to devote to exploring every nook and cranny.
For shorter itineraries, highlights include Angel’s Landing viewpoint, The Narrows, Zion Canyon and Cathedral Mountain. Zion also offers a plethora of activities, from star gazing and canyoning to climbing, hiking and horseback riding.
As the end of this epic USA road trip draws near, it’s time for revellers to bask in the bright lights of Las Vegas. A captivating city that is focused purely on having fun and letting loose, this is a location that people visit and never forget.
The casinos are a major draw, but there are plenty of other activities and attractions on offer, including super clubs and pool parties, live music and variety shows, shopping, drinking and dining.
The iconic Strip is home to landmarks that will set Instagram alight, and it’s well worth exploring in style, taking in the views from the comfort of a stretch limo. From sprawling casinos, opulent hotels and wedding chapels to reconstructions of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Venice’s famous waterways, Vegas really does have it all.
The City of Angels provides the perfect backdrop to round off an East to West Coast US tour in style. Los Angeles is a hugely diverse city, which boasts trendy downtown districts, cool seaside haunts and exclusive areas where the rich and famous roam free.
No trip is complete without a visit to the famous Hollywood sign and Hollywood’s walk of fame, but it’s also worth heading out to Venice Beach and Santa Monica to embrace the energy and ambience of downtown LA.
America is such an interesting and engaging country, and sometimes it feels like a nation made up of a scintillating collection of mini kingdoms! A tour from East to West treats visitors to an experience that is made up of unique adventures and the chance to enjoy the best the US has to offer.
From prairies, canyons and mountains ranges to beaches and skyscrapers, this is a truly remarkable country and undeniably best explored by road. Discover these top spots and more on an America road trip of your own.
