Road trips play on the American craving for a sense of freedom and adventure. They are therapeutic in a way, with the focus being on the journey rather than the destination. There’s no pressure to make it to a predetermined final stop and one has the freedom to take their time and linger where they choose. The spring is arguably the best time to hop in the car for the open road as the country sheds the snow and cold for green landscapes and blossoming flowers.

There is really no “best” overall road trip as everyone has a different list of points they want to hit, but here are some suggestions to help get you started on planning the your best road trip for this spring.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is well known for its scenic routes. A trip down the iconic stretch of road will lead you through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. On your trip, you can learn about the culture of Appalachia and the history of the Cherokee in the area. You can also stop at stunning water scenes such as Whitewater Falls and Linville Gorge.

This route will take you through many iconic national parks such as Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain, as well as old boomtowns, the Grand Tetons, and Fairmont hot springs. If you start traveling in June, you can catch Denver’s Chalk Art Festival. This route will take you over the continental divide and along Going to the Sun Road, one of the most scenic roads in the country and, seemingly, most appropriately named. 

    

Another example of how interesting and telling street names can be, the Loneliest Road is the nickname given to Nevada’s US Highway 50, known for passing through barren, mostly uninhabited landscape. This route will take you through some of the iconic natural landmarks that fill the Western United States.

    

If the other routes didn’t seem to have enough wilderness for your taste, this may be the trip for you. There are plenty of hiking opportunities and you can visit Hoh Rainforest. You can also explore abandoned fishing villages and the coastline’s intriguingly named Cape Disappointment State Park. 

Route 66 is quite possibly the most iconic stretch of road in America. Travelling down the historic highway, you can visit many old towns and vintage gas stations. You can also make side trips to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.

America is filled with stunning sights and there are innumerable routes you can take to them. Wherever the wind blows you this spring, appreciate the journey and don’t get tethered too tightly to your original plan--you never know what new discoveries you will make once you let loose.