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The Ultimate List of Epic Road Trip Books

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A great book has the power to not just take you along for the ride with the author but to instill in you the burning desire to hit the road yourself. This list of the best road trip books is sure to keep you busy for a while and will make you want to hand your boss your two-week notice and start packing your bags.

I put this list together as I get ready to launch my own road trip book, The Road Always Leads West , another one you should check out! 🙂 

While this is mostly for inspiration or entertainment, be sure to check out my road trip planning guide if you need more comprehensive and practical information about logistics and organization.

5 Best Road Trip Books

On the road by jack kerouac.

We might as well get this one out of the way first, it’s easily the most well-known road trip book ever written, a book which has inspired generations and countless imitations.

Kerouac’s classic book On the Road that details his travels with his friends as they travel across America. The book was heavily steeped in the jazz and poetry culture and is considered the defining work of the Beat Generation, which so influenced the counter culture movement of the 60s.

The book is available as it was first published or you can get the Original Scroll version which was released as written by Jack Kerouac on a continuous sheet of paper 120’ long and which features the real names of his friends, not pseudonyms.

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon

Heat-Moon set out to put the past behind him by setting out on the open road. The premise of the book is his travels along the smaller roads, marked blue on the map, and discover small-town America.

His travels to small-town America show a country on the verge of change with the increasing homogenization through fast-food culture and strip malls.

Heat-Moon does a great job featuring the lives of the people he meets along the way, a curious cast of characters who live in “those little towns that get on the map—if they get on at all—only because some cartographer has a blank space to fill.”

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck

In September of 1960 John Steinbeck, already a successful author, set out to rediscover an America that he worried he had lost touch with. According to Steinbeck’s son, the real reason for his journey was that he knew he was dying and he wanted to see the country one last time.

Steinbeck set out on a giant cross country journey from New York, up to Maine, across to the west coast, down to California then across the southern half of the states back east, before venturing back up the East Coast. Essentially completing a massive circular journey through America.

He had his French poodle Charley in tow throughout his journey through a “New America” that was on the cusp of some great upheaval.

Steinbeck was 58 when he set out on this journey alone (well, with a dog), which just goes to show that isn’t just for young, aimless, 20-somethings.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig

Part philosophical treatise and part motorcycle road trip across the northern stretch of the United States and then down to California.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance tells the story of a father and son motorcycle trip with a pair of friends but also delves into fundamental questions about how to live life and tries to reconcile science, religion and more.

A powerful read that will not only inspire you to hit the road but inspire you to examine your own perspectives on some of these central themes of life.

The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America by Mike McIntyre

Not a traditional road trip book where the driver is behind the wheel on the open road, but rather Mike decided to hitchhike across the country from San Francisco to Cape Fear, North Carolina, which would be challenging in and of itself. But Mike decided to do it without so much as a penny.

He would have to rely on the goodwill and help of complete strangers on the open road in order to find rides, eat, and have a place to sleep.

It’s an incredible journey and an even more incredible story which highlights the stories and generosity of the folks that he meets along the way.

Five books aren’t enough for you? Well, I’ve got another 10 awesome road trip books below and then a number of reader suggestions.

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10 More Great Books About Road Trips

The new american road trip mixtape by brendan leonard.

Brendan Leonard has become one of the leading modern voices for road trips and the transformative nature of nature and the great outdoors.

Post-breakup Brendan set out by himself to explore the American West as he lived in the back of his station wagon. This book tackles the American Dream and the call of the open road in Brendan’s humorous and unique style.

His most recent book, Sixty Meters to Anywhere , is another incredible read about overcoming alcoholism and finding himself through climbing.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Krakauer’s book is not strictly a road trip book, nor is it a first-person book about a road trip, but rather traces the incredible story of Chris McCandless and his nomadic wanderings.

After graduating college back east, Chris donated what remained of his college fund and drove west, eventually abandoning his car and hitchhiking across the west for a number of years. His travels led him to a Walden’s Pond type existence in the Alaskan bush where he was found dead.

The book has a sad end, but the story of his travels and Krakauer’s incredible writing will inspire you to hit the road in Chris’ footsteps undoubtedly. I know it did for me. This is one of my favorite books ever written.

The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is one of the best travel writers out there, able to turn the simplest or seemingly boring concepts into insightful, interesting, and often humorous reads.

After living abroad in the United Kingdom for many years, Bryson sets out to rediscover America by visiting its small towns.

Bryson’s book about hiking the Appalachian Trail, A Walk in the Woods , is still one of my favorites.

Drive Nacho Drive by Brad Van Orden

Drive Nacho Drive tells the story of Brad and his wife Sheena quitting their jobs, giving up the American Dream and driving south in their old beat-up Volkswagon Van named Nacho.

The road takes them through all of Central America, past the Darien Gap to South America and finally to the “end of the earth” in Patagonia where the Pan-American Highway finally ends.

A pretty incredible read that might just inspire you to think about taking your road trip internationally ( like we did ).

The Cruise of the Rolling Junk by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Another of America’s finest authors sets out on the open road, this time F. Scott Fitzgerald of Great Gatsby fame, who sets out with his wife Zelda on a drive from Connecticut to Alabama.

These serialized articles compiled into a book of their journey in a dilapidated car (the rolling junk) and tell the story of a younger America.

Killing Yourself to Live by Chuck Klosterman

Chuck Klosterman set out on a road trip exploring the deaths of famous musicians across America.

He covered nearly 7,000 miles as he visited the place where Buddy Holly’s plane crashed, where Kurt Cobain committed suicide, or Jeff Buckley drowned in a river.

An interesting basis for a road trip book, for sure, especially if you love music.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

A wild and drug-fueled road trip to Las Vegas by the one and only Hunter S. Thompson.

The book, beyond the manic drug-addled scenery, paints a different picture of Las Vegas, one that had not yet been taken over by the larger than life hotels and commercialization of the Strip.

Side Note: While Vegas isn’t necessarily my favorite place it is a great place to base yourself for some epic road trips from Las Vegas .

American Nomads by Richard Grant

Richard Grant spent more than 15 years wandering the American West alongside the hobos, truckers, retirees, and hippies, documenting the lives of those who wander the American West.

Grant examines the myths and realities of the often romanticized open road, while also examining the sedentary nature of the American Dream.

He contrasts the stories of modern wanderers with the historical characters, the frontiersmen and conquistadors, who set loose upon this same landscape centuries ago.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe

Neal Cassady, who also is featured prominently in Kerouac’s On the Road, set out to drive Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters’ bus across America in a psychedelic LSD-fueled mission that takes road “trip” to a whole new level.

The book offers a look into the hippy, counter-culture movement of the 1960s.

Jupiter’s Travels by Ted Simon

Ted Simon spent an astonishing four years driving around the world on the back of a motorcycle in the late 70s. I actually had the chance to meet Ted at the Overland Expo .

He set out from London for more than 63,000 miles through 45 countries in Africa, South America, Australia, Asia, before arriving back home.

An incredible journey in the days before cell phones and the internet, and all done solo with no support team or social media updates.

7 More Reader Suggestions for Best Road Trip Books

I reached out to friends, followers, and readers of this blog for a few of their favorite road trip books. Here’s what they recommended.

Traveling Music by Neil Peart

The drummer for Rush explores the inextricable link between road trips and music, how music is the soundtrack to our lives, by telling autobiographical stories based on music from a solo road trip.

Road Scholar by Andrew Codrescu

The Romanian-born writer sets out in the shadows of Kerouac as he discovers America behind the wheel.

One for the Road by Tony Horowitz

Tony set off on a 7,000-mile adventure through the Australian Outback.

Roads: Driving America’s Great Highways by Larry McMurtry

Larry has written an homage to the road itself, where the route is the destination and not just a means.

Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham

A journey by bicycle through Mexico, Japan and on to Vietnam as Andrew (born in Vietnam but raised in California) travels he also confronts issues of cultural identity, immigration, and more.

Ghost Rider by Neil Peart

Another book by the drummer from Rush, this time Neil hits the road soon after losing his wife and daughter within a year of one another.

A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins

More than 25 years ago Peter set out to walk from New York to New Orleans in the company of his trusty dog, not quite a traditional road trip, but definitely in the same spirit.

What road trip books would you add to this list? Sound off in the comments below.

The Road Always Leads West

Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention that you check out my book The Road Always Leads West if you love a good road trip story… 🙂  

More Book Recommendations

• 26 Books to Inspire Your Next Epic Summer Road Trip from Buzzfeed
• The Obsessively Detailed Map of American Literature’s Most Epic Road Trips
• Books to Inspire the Ultimate American Road Trip
• The 9 Best Road Trip Books from Adventure Journal
• Road Trip! 10 Books About Cross-Country Adventures
• 10 Must-Read Travel Books from Desk to Dirtbag

Tips to Book Your Trip Now & Save Money

Book Your Flight Book a cheap flight with Momondo , they’re my favorite search engine. Or better yet, start travel hacking so you can fly for free. Another great search engine is Skyscanner .

Book Your Accommodation Book cheap accommodation in advance. For hostels I recommend HostelWorld , for hotels I use Booking.com or Hotels.com , and for apartments or longer stays, I use Airbnb . I like to check reviews on TripAdvisor prior to reserving.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance This is easy to overlook but SO important. It will help protect yourself from illness, injury, and theft while traveling. VERY important. And be sure to read my article about international travel insurance for more details

• SafetyWing (best for digital nomads)
• World Nomads (most comprehensive)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my budget travel resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list all the ones I use and recommend to save money when I’m on the road.

Did you enjoy this article about the best road trip books? Please take a minute to share this article on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks!

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Hilarious story and travelogue about fulfilling a foolish bar bet – Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks

Great list. Could suggest a fictional road trip list: The Road – McCullers Grapes of Wrath – Steinbeck Cold Mountain – can’t remember

I am sure you have more. Steve

Wow. All books written by white men. Would love to see more diverse voices.

Please feel free to contribute any non-white men voices, I’m always looking for cool new road trip reads!

Like Nomadland by Jessica Bruder.

Oh yeah, Nomadland has been on my list to check out… Thanks for the reminder.

William Least Heat-Moon is native American. I would also add River-Horse by him as well.

The road narrative has historically been a white male thing. There aren’t a ton of other voices. I would recommend Valeria Luiselli, The Lost Children Archive. She does an admirable job Paying homage to previous road works. I loved it.

Thanks for the list. I read a lot while travelling. It’s very meditative and relaxing for me. A few of these I have read, but I plan on adding to my list with a few of these books. I always use my kindle too, as it’s much lighter and holds thousands of books.

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22 Best Road Trip Books To Spark Adventure

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Travel around the world with the best road trip books. These fiction and nonfiction books about road trips are sure to inspire your next adventure.

If you love jumping into the car, hopping on a road bike, and revving your motorcycle’s engine to see the world, this reading list is for you.

Drive or ride across the United States, Brazil, Iran, and Scotland on journeys of self-discovery. Meet unique and life-changing people.

Maybe you’ll find a new lease on life and answer some pressing questions. Or, maybe you’ll be left with even more reflections that are bigger than us.

Plus, uncover the best books about road trips with themes of finding love, reuniting families, and examining capitalism and corruption.

Many of these road trip novels will make you laugh aloud. Others will invoke nostalgia — Are we there yet?! — or make you hungry for the most mouthwatering croissant in town.

So, what are the best books about road trips to inspire and spark your own traveling adventure?

While ‘best’ is subjective, these are the top classic, LGBTQ+, fiction, memoirs, travelogues, and nonfiction road trip books that we and our contributing writers recommend.

We promise: these road trip books are sure to motivate and leave you craving the wide-open road, jaw-dropping mountain ranges, and laughs with best friends.

We’d love to know your favorite road trip book in the comments. Let’s get started!

Hitting the road soon? Don’t miss the best books to listen to while driving .

Grab the best road trip novels and memoirs here:

• Audible Plus : From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
• Book of the Month : Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
• Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
• Express VPN – Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allows you to view movies worldwide – and they help keep your information safe. Our writers couldn’t have such diverse film reviews without using a VPN.

Table of Contents

22 Best Road Trip Books

By Tori Curran with additions from Christine

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

What has since become an American classic and pillar of beatnik culture, On the Road was one of the first adventure books about road trips and searching for meaning on the open road.

In fact, it’s one of the most iconic books to come from the 1950s .

Inspired by Kerouac’s own cross-country road trips with Neal Cassidy, this classic chronicles the adventures of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, along with their free-spiritedness and naïveté.

Follow their quest for revelation from Manhattan, to Denver, Texas, Mexico, and beyond.

Set against the backdrop of drugs, jazz, and poetry, On the Road represents the American dream, home, and the quest for true freedom and experience.

On the Road is a great road trip novel for those wishing to read across America . Read On the Road : Amazon | Goodreads

The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary

Dylan and Addie fell in love four years ago in Provence, where Dylan was staying with his friend Cherry and Addie was working as a caretaker. Though their relationship ended two years ago, they haven’t spoken.

On the day before Cherry’s wedding, Dylan and Addie’s paths literally crash. Dylan wrecks his car by slamming right into the back of Addie’s.

Along with Dylan’s best friend, Addie’s sister, and a random guy they met on Facebook who needed a ride to the wedding, they set off to Scotland in a mini cooper for the wedding.

O’Leary seamlessly marries the awkwardness of the ex-lovers forced to spend time together trope with deeper themes of depression, heartbreak, and forgiveness.

Alternating between Dylan and Addie’s perspectives, and the past and present, each will be forced to come to terms with the choices that ended their relationship, and if it is truly what they wanted.

A summer 2021 book release, if you are looking for newer road trip novels, O’Leary’s The Road Trip will deliver. Read The Road Trip : Amazon | Goodreads

Mariam Sharma Hits the Road by Sheba Karim

Follow three Pakistani-American teenagers, each with their own burdens, across the country on a healing and transformative road trip.

Mariam, who recently ghosted her boyfriend, and Umar, struggling with being queer and religious, concoct a plan to rescue Ghaz. She is being punished by her parents for appearing in a billboard underwear ad.

What better escape plan than a road trip down to New Orleans?

With other friendship-centered road trip books being full of humor and antics, Karim doesn’t shy away from handling issues like anti-Muslim rhetoric, confederate propaganda, racist and anti-gay commentary, and parental shame that many experience across the US.

In fact, the author reminds us all that, quite often, the family you create is just as important as the one you were given. Read Mariam Sharma Hits the Road : Amazon | Goodreads

The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang

The Wangs vs. the World is a humorous and heartwarming riches to rags trope and one of the road trip novels perfect for fans of Crazy Rich Asians .

Successful immigrant businessman Charles Wang loses his entire cosmetics empire amidst a financial crisis.

Forced to pull two of his children from boarding school and college he can’t afford, they set off from Bel-Air in their only car not repossessed.

Along with their materialistic stepmother, the family heads for upstate New York where the eldest daughter lives on a farm retreat.

Chang ponders on what it means to belong in capitalist America, especially as an immigrant, and begs the question: is money really what makes us successful?

Travel from California to New York with these reading lists . Read The Wangs vs. the World : Amazon | Goodreads

Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West

Get ready for an upcoming contemporary YA road trip novel from popular teen author, Kasie West, set to publish at the end of May 2022 .

It’s been years since Norah has seen her childhood best friend Skyler. Their childhood friendship has since been reduced to liking one another’s social media posts.

Eager to reconnect with Skyler, Norah is excited about the RV trip the families have planned together. But when she sees Skyler, it seems like he’d rather be anywhere else.

What’s left of the friendship heads south.

A summer on the open road, however, marks the potential for new beginnings. Can their friendship blossom into something more, or should they close the chapter on one another forever? Read Places We’ve Never Been : Amazon | Goodreads

Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

Departing from the other humorous and quirky road trip novels, Lost Children Archive is a visceral story of a family road trip that collides with the immigration crisis at the southwest border.

A mother, father, and their two children set out from New York, where they were working on a documentary project, to Apacheria, Arizona, where the Apaches once called home.

A palpable rift between the parents grows clear, while the family road trips to music, plays games, and hears news of migrant children being detained at the border over the radio.

Both crises eventually intersect in a story of justice, equality, and humanity. Read Lost Children Archive : Amazon | Goodreads

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer

Popular YA author Joan Bauer takes readers on an open road adventure, as we discover the rules of the road, and of life.

Jenna Boller is an awkward 16-year-old employee at Gladstone Shoe Store.

To Jenna’s surprise, she is enlisted by company president, Madeline Gladstone, to drive her across the country to stop Elden Gladstone from seizing his mother’s company.

While we expect Madeline to impart her life lessons on Jenna and on the reader, Jenna’s character, who openly begins to share about life with her alcoholic father, delivers her share of wisdom, as well.

Rules of the Road is one of the older award-winning and award-nominated road trip books on this reading list. Read Rules of the Road : Amazon | Goodreads

We All Loved Cowboys by Carol Bensimon

For more best road trip books set abroad, head to Brazil in a heartfelt, coming-of-age queer love story.

Cora and Julia reunite after a falling out for a road trip through Brazil, but as the trip progresses, the rifts in their friendship become palpable again.

In what is hailed as one of the finest explorations of love, Bensimon beautifully illustrates identity, love, and how they are sometimes one and the same.

At the end of the road trip, the women must decide what their future together holds, or if it involves one another at all. Read We All Loved Cowboys : Amazon | Goodreads

Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

A 1960s travelogue and one of the classic modern books about road trips, Travels with Charley shares Steinbeck’s own road trip across America with his dog, Charley.

Compelled to see the country he writes about one more time, Steinbeck sets out from Long Island and embarks on a 10,000-mile road trip across the Northeast, Northwest, and finally down to California and across Texas.

Steinbeck shares not only the beauty of our country and the peace along our highways but also about the American way – both good and bad.

From racial hostility to loneliness and the kindness of strangers, he discovers that while so much has changed in America over the years, much still has not. Read Travels with Charley : Amazon | Goodreads

Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad

A New York Times Bestseller and one of the most poignant road trip books, Between Two Kingdoms highlights what it means to not just survive but to live.

After graduating college, Suleika Jaouad is living in Paris, on the brink of becoming a war correspondent.

A few weeks before her twenty-second birthday, though, she learns she has leukemia and only a one in three chance of surviving the diagnosis.

For four years, she undergoes chemo, transplants, and clinical trials, chronicling her fight from her hospital bed in a popular New York Times column, Life, Interrupted.

Walking out of the hospital, a survivor, Jaouad discovers she has no idea how to live and be part of the world again. How can she make up for lost time?

Along with her terrier mutt, Jaouad heads out on a 100-day transformative cross-country road trip to meet the strangers and fellow cancer patients who had written her in the hospital.

While she can never reclaim her old life, she learns quite a bit about what lies between the kingdoms of sick and well. Read Between Two Kingdoms : Amazon | Goodreads

Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway by Heidi Eliason

At the age of 45, Heidi Eliason makes a complete 180, determined to do what so many of us only dream of – get off the hamster wheel, quit her 9-5 job, and live life on her own terms.

Feeling depressed, lost, and suffocated by a life without joy, she sells her home, buys an RV, and sets out on a quest for self-discovery.

Not without a few bumps in the road, Eliason learns how to maintain her new motorhome, meets a new community of people, and encounters magnificent wildlife and nature.

In freeing herself from the chains, she discovers true freedom. Honest and self-aware, Eliason’s memoir is one of the best, but lesser-known, road trip books for anyone considering an alternative lifestyle. Read Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway : Amazon | Goodreads

Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon

The true American experience lies in each of us, even those who get lost on the map.

With so many travel memoirs focusing on National Parks, cross country highways, and epic adventures to see a nation before it’s too late, Blue Highways takes a different approach.

William Least Heat-Moon, with a need to put his past behind him and a desire to discover the lost towns that fill the gaps on a map, heads down the nation’s backroads.

From Remote, Oregon, to New Freedom, Pennsylvania, and more, he discovers incredible people and their experiences along the way, giving new meaning to forgotten, blue-collar America. Read Blue Highways : Amazon | Goodreads

Into the Wild by John Krakauer

In September 1992, Christopher McCandless’s lifeless body was found in an abandoned bus along the Stampede Trail in Alaska.

A few months prior, he had sold his belongings, shed his legal name, and hitchhiked his way into the Alaskan wilderness as “Alexander Supertramp.”

A few years later, Krakauer recounts McCandless’s steps, recalling his own experiences in the wilderness and those of others lost in the wild.

Sharing parts of McCandless’s own journal, Krakauer presents the heartbreaking true story of someone who simply wanted to discover enlightenment and self-solitude in nature.

While some controversy surrounds not only the book, and whether it’s entirely true, but the cause of death, Into the Wild still serves as one of the best road trip books of all time.

We can all appreciate McCandless’s desire to lead a life of appreciation, rather than materialism.

If you enjoy hiking books , Into The Wild is also for you – and you may wish to watch the movie .

Explore even more essential books from the 90s . Read Into the Wild : Amazon | Goodreads

The Lost Continent by Bill Bryson

Popular and humorous author of A Walk in the Woods , Bryson first took his adventures to the road.

Wishing to reclaim his youth, Bill Bryson leaves his hometown and sets out on an adventure across 38 states. While some places he adores, some he simply tolerates.

He discovers a nation cloaked in greed, riddled with pollution, and lost in its television sets.

With the humor and wit we’ve grown to love and expect from Bryson, discover a cynical portrayal of small-town America. Bryson is nothing if not honest. Read The Lost Continent : Amazon | Goodreads

American Nomads by Richard Grant

One of the most fascinating books about road trips in America, American Nomads infuses the fifteen years author Richard Grant spent traveling across the US with a history of the nomadic life in America.

Grant, intrigued by what lies beyond the horizon, spent more than a decade traversing the United States, never spending more than three weeks in one place.

He meets truckers, nomads, retirees living in their RVs, cowboys, and others, infusing his travelogue with their comedic and very real stories of life on the open road.

In contrast to the typical American dream, he chronicles the history of the “wanderer” from frontiersmen to the tradesmen of newly discovered America.

Beautifully narrated, Grant reminds us all that there is freedom in exploration. Read American Nomads : Amazon | Goodreads

If You Could Ask Everyone You Met Just One Question by Ty Sassaman

If you could ask everyone you met just one question, what question would you ask?

Ty Sassaman sets out across America asking that very question to strangers he meets along the way, hoping for a revelation about his own life.

From east coast to west coast, readers follow Sassaman’s cross country road trip and the wisdom he picks up from Americans along the way.

While his memoir is very much personal, it is clear that Sassaman is invested in the experiences, fears, and joys of everyone he meets.

The answers, from celebrities to strangers, will leave us all a bit more enlightened.

If You Could Ask Everyone … is one of these rare books about road trips that raises more questions than answers. Read If You Could Ask Everyone You Met Just One Question : Amazon | Goodreads

One More Croissant for the Road by Felicity Cloake

If you’re looking for more unique and alternative road trip books, One More Croissant for the Road will take you across France, via bicycle, in search of the country’s best culinary delicacies.

Cloake cycles 3,500 kilometers across France, trying various classic dishes – from bourguignon to quiche Lorraine – and, of course, looking for the best croissant.

As a self-proclaimed foodie and professional food writer, her quirky and alternative cross-country trip will make you feel nothing if not hungry!

Anyone looking for a good laugh and that feel-good je ne sais quoi of a trip of a lifetime will adore Cloake’s journey across France. Explore even more books set in France . Read One More Croissant for the Road : Amazon | Goodreads

Don’t Make Me Pull Over by Richard Ratay

Have you even taken a family road trip if you didn’t hear yourself utter the dreaded words, “Don’t make me pull over? “This family travel writer has certainly heard the words fly out a couple of times.

Don’t Make Me Pull Over walks readers through the history of the dreaded but lovable family road trip.

From seatbelt-less cars to roadside attractions and paper maps, Ratay and readers relive the nostalgia of the family road trip.

Amidst cheap air travel and distracting technological gadgets, Ratay reminds us that convenience isn’t always what makes the best family memories – and a family road trip might just be what you need to reconnect.

For parents, this might be one of the most relatable books about road trips on this reading list. Read Don’t Make Me Pull Over : Amazon | Goodreads

The Art of Free Travel by Patrick Jones and Meg Ulman

If you’re looking for more road trip books set outside of North America, travel across Australia on a 6,000-kilometer cycling journey with the authors, two kids, and their Jack Russel Terrier.

Craving adventure, the happy Victoria-based family decides to embark on an epic road trip across their country’s east coast.

In keeping with their already established lifestyle, their main goal is simple: road trip sustainably.

Cycling, foraging, and bartering their way through Australia, Jones and Ulman poetically document how their desire to live a life consuming less, influences their travels.

Anyone intrigued by road trips and nomadic life for sustainability purposes will enjoy their unique angle. Explore more books set in and about Australia . Read The Art of Free Travel : Amazon | Goodreads

Going the Wrong Way by Chris Donaldson

Going the Wrong Way is the autobiographical story of a young man who flees Belfast in the 1970s on his motorcycle.

Hoping to make it to Australia, he documents the places, unique cultures, and landscapes he experiences along the way. 

Donaldson, however, doesn’t escape trouble entirely. He finds himself in very dangerous parts of the Middle East and Africa, gets extremely sick, and often finds himself mentally exhausted.

Still, he presses on, often due to the kindness of strangers, many of whom are living in poverty themselves.

Donaldson’s epic, and almost impossible, road trip will leave anyone accustomed to traveling with some sort of convenience, direction, and safety in awe.

For road trip books for young and new adults, Going the Wrong Way is engaging and humorous. Read Going the Wrong Way : Amazon | Goodreads

Revolutionary Ride by Lois Pryce

While many of the best books about road trips boast of self-discovery, Revolutionary Ride beautifully shares a different discovery: one of country and culture.

In 2011, at the height of the British-Iranian conflict, travel writer Lois Pryce discovers a note left outside the Iranian embassy in London.  … I wish that you will visit Iran so you will see for yourself about my country.

Against the judgment of others, Pryce embarks on a 3,000-mile journey from Tabriz to Shiraz, meeting the people of Iran, from housewives to drug addicts.

Revolutionary Ride is an eye-opening journey into the heart of a country and misunderstood group of people who, despite extreme Islamic rule, live a life full of appreciation. Read Revolutionary Ride : Amazon | Goodreads

More road trip novels from Christine

Off the Map by Trish Doller

TWs for aging and parental death (not a spoiler)

One of the newer 2023 road trip books that made us cry , if you are looking for romance, Off the Map will not disappoint.

Plus, who can resist a jaunt around the Irish countryside with a hunky date? Just know that this can be read as a standalone in a series.

Carla Black is heading to her best friend’s wedding, meeting up with the best man to take her there. However, Eamon is not what she is expecting, and they immediately hit it off.

We watch as Carla falls for Eamon along their road trip detours – including a tipsy bull, off-roading, and even surfing – but has to unlearn a few of the arbitrary rules engrained in her mind from childhood.

Not to mention that her dad is suffering from dementia, and Eamon’s family has always put immense pressure on his success – and their definition of it.

Find a story of overcoming loss, standing up for yourself, and lots of steamy lovemaking along the way.

Trish Doller is becoming an “always read” author for us with her themes of travel, living an authentic and honest life, and relationships – romantic and family.

You’ll champion Carla’s direct and fiery spirit along with her lessons learned along the way.

Discover even more books featuring Ireland .

Read Off the Map : Amazon | Goodreads

Save These Road Trip Novels & Memoirs For Later

Grab your favorite road trip books here:

Thank you to TUL contributor, Tori Curran from Explore With Tori

Tori (pronouns: she/her) is a children’s librarian and mom to two boys living in New York. She’s an avid traveler, nature enthusiast, and writer, encouraging families to get outside and start exploring the world. When she’s not hiking or traveling, you can find her lost in a historical fiction book, watching Bravo reruns, or obsessively decluttering her home.

What are the best books about road trips in America and around the globe that you love?

What is your favorite road trip novel and memoir? Let us know in the comments.

You May Also Love:

Books Across America Hiking Books Famous Travel Writers Books Featuring Train Travel Books Around Wine Country Hotel-Themed Books Best Movies Featuring Road Trips

These books about road trips are a part of our 2022 Uncorked Reading Challenge .

Tori Curran

Tori, I just happened upon your post during a Google search. Thank you so much for recommending my book, Confessions of a Middle-Aged Runaway! I’m thrilled to be among such esteemed company. What a great website–I’m following!

We are so glad! Thanks, Heidi! ~ Christine

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Kate Abroad

Ultimate 3 Week East Coast USA Itinerary (+ 2 and 4 week options)

The USA is not a small country so if you’re planning a trip it’s best to focus on one region and this 3 week East Coast USA itinerary is a great place to start.

This itinerary is really the highlights of the East Coast as it’s impossible to see the whole place in only 3 weeks. However, if you have a bit more time, there’s a 4 week East Coast variation that squeezes more in.

The itinerary is designed to start in New York, which is the easiest place to fly into and ends in Miami so you can choose to fly home from there or return via New York. If you have more time you could continue on cross country to Los Angeles (I did this in reverse on my second USA trip). 

3 week east coast road trip map

How to get around the East Coast on this itinerary

Even though the great American road trip is an iconic experience, and definitely the most flexible way to get around, this East Coast itinerary is designed to be doable by train using Amtrak. I’ve travelled the East Coast by both train and road and both options have their advantages. 

On the whole, trains are a lot cheaper and the rail infrastructure is really good on the East Coast so you won’t find the train schedule particularly limiting. However, if you decide to travel by train you will need to plan ahead as tickets increase in price closer to departure.

If you’re driving, I would recommend picking up your vehicle on the morning of day 4 when you leave New York. You won’t need a vehicle to get around New York and you can save money by not paying for those days, plus you’ll avoid the hassle of parking. 

Where to stay on your 3 week East Coast road trip or train trip

This itinerary doesn’t work very well for campervanning/taking an RV as it includes several big cities without central campsites so you’ll need to book accommodation for each night.

Unfortunately, accommodation on the East Coast of the USA is far from cheap but I have included hostel options where available. 

Affordable independent hotels can also be hard to find so you may want to commit to using one chain of hotels (Marriott or Hilton are the most widely available I found) throughout your trip so you at least end with some loyalty benefits. 

The 3 week East Coast USA road/train trip itinerary

Days 1-3: new york.

There’s no better place to start a USA road trip than the Big Apple, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of…. While you can (and I have) easily spend a week or more in NYC, 3 days is a good amount of time to see the highlights and get a taste.

I recommend structuring this first part of the East Coast itinerary as follows:

• Day 1 – Mid-town Manhattan
• Day 2 – Downtown Manhattan 
• Day 3 – Brooklyn and Uptown

On Day 1 you’ll knock off the big ticket items including Times Square and the Empire State Building . Take a walk around Central Park and window shop on Fifth Avenue.

Start the next day at the bottom of the island with a ferry trip to the Statue of Liberty, either the free Staten Island Ferry or the paid Statue Cruises (I’ve done both and the paid version is worth the money). Then stroll down Wall Street, touch the bull, visit the 9/11 Memorial and grab some noodles in Chinatown.

Finally, make your way across the Brooklyn Bridge, get your photos in DUMBO and eat your way through Time Out Market. Then spend the afternoon taking in thousands of years of art at The Met and seeing how the other half live on the Upper East Side.

To help save money on attractions, try a Go City pass . They have 2 and 3 day all-inclusive passes that would be perfect for this itinerary – click here to see how you can save .

Don’t forget to make time for plenty of pizza slices, lox bagels, pretzels and hot dogs!

• Luxury: Kixby
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo Downtown
• Budget: HI USA Hostel

Click here to compare NYC accommodation prices on Booking.com

Day 4-5: Boston

Drive: 220 miles – approx. 3.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Moynihan Train Hall – approx. 4 hours

After the craziness of New York, head up north for a dose of history in Boston. Take your time exploring Boston on foot, the city is super walkable and there are historical monuments almost on every corner. 

There are plenty of walking tours available but I’d recommend just downloading an audio guide for the Freedom Trail and going at your own pace. And don’t miss the Boston Public Library, it might not be on the Freedom Trail but it was my favourite spot.

Boston is no less a foodie city than New York. While you’re there make sure to try a lobster roll, chowder, Boston Cream Pie and of course some Italian food in the North End including one of the famous cannoli from Mike’s or Modern Pastry.

On your second day in Boston, head out to Cambridge to see the Harvard campus (students run walking tours ) and try some of the fun student bars.

If you have extra time, you can take the train out to Salem to explore the witchy museums and filming locations. It’s only a short ride from Boston’s North Station or you can take a day tour from Boston . 

• Luxury: The Liberty Hotel
• Mid-range: Revolution Hotel
• Budget: Found Boston Common

Click here to compare Boston accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 6-7: Providence/Newport

Drive: 50 miles – approx. 1 hour

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Back Bay or South Boston – approx. 1 hour

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the USA, might not be on every East Coast road trip plan but it’s very much worth a visit.  

Providence itself is quite a small town with a very compact city centre. The main things to do are to explore the Rhode Island State Capitol – unlike the one in DC, here you’re allowed to just wander around at will and see all the rooms – and the Brown University campus.

The number one reason for coming to Providence however is because it’s the gateway to Newport, which you’ll want to dedicate at least one whole day to seeing. 

Newport is a beautiful seaside town full of cute boutiques and restaurants, but its biggest draw is the Gilded Age mansions.  These homes are straight out of The Great Gatsby and it’s 100% worth spending a few hours touring 2-3 of the mansions, you’ll feel like you’re in a European palace! 

While you’re in Newport check out the Cliff Walk, a stunning (but windy) hike along the ocean. Warm up afterwards with a hot chocolate or some of the famous New England clam chowder.

• Luxury: The Beatrice
• Mid-range: Graduate Providence
• Budget: Courtyard by Marriott Providence Downtown

Click here to compare Providence accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 8-9: Philadelphia 

Drive: 300 miles – approx. 4.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Providence – approx. 5.5 hours

If you didn’t get enough American history in Boston then don’t worry, there’s plenty more to find in Philadelphia. 

Historic Philadelphia is quite pretty with its open squares and occasional cobblestone streets. The main attraction here is Independence Hall which you’ll have to be organised to get into as it books out well in advance (despite visiting Philly twice I haven’t managed to go inside yet). 

Even if you miss out on tickets though you can still line up to go see the Liberty Bell across the street and wander through the remains of George Washington’s house. We also really loved the Museum of the American Revolution which is full of Revolutionary memorabilia and well worth a few hours.

One of the best places to go during your Philly stay is Reading Terminal Market. It’s a foodie paradise full of stalls churning out the best local dishes. And if you want to try an infamous Philly Cheese Steak then there are some great ones sold here (just look for the queues).

For a different side of Philly, go tour the Eastern State Penitentiary , once the biggest prison in the US and now incredibly haunting.

• Luxury: The Franklin on Rittenhouse
• Mid-range: The Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square
• Budget: Apple Hostels of Philadelphia

Click here to compare Philly accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 10-11: Washington DC

Drive: 150 miles – approx. 2.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Northeast Regional from Philadelphia 30 th  Street – approx. 2 hours

By Day 10 it’s time for a trip to the nation’s capital. One of the best parts of visiting DC is how much you can do there for free. There are so many museums, galleries, monuments and historic buildings to see it’s hard to know where to start.

One piece of advice, make sure to plan and book ahead because many places will book out months in advance or require anyone without an advance booking to queue, sometimes for hours in the full sun. 

If you want to go inside the White House it’s a whole process and to my understanding, you have to be a USA resident (the website says foreigners can book through their embassy but our embassy said they weren’t taking bookings post-COVID).

Some must-dos in DC include a walk along the National Mall, taking in the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, a tour of The Capitol and seeing the Da Vinci painting in the National Gallery.

• Luxury: Eaton DC
• Mid-range: Lyle DC
• Budget: Hotel Harrington

Click here to compare DC accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 12-13: Charleston

Drive: 600 miles – approx. 9.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Silver Meteor from Washington Union Station– approx. 10 hours (can be overnight)

After DC it’s time to head south and there are few cities in America’s South prettier than Charleston. This coastal town is famous for it’s stunning antebellum architecture, especially the “Rainbow Row” of colourful mansions.

While you probably don’t need a full two days to see Charleston, the atmosphere of the South is to take things a bit slower, so enjoy having the time to stroll along the oceanfront and take in the views.

Charleston is also great for foodies so this stage of your 3 week East Coast vacation is a great point to try some popular Southern foods including barbecue, grits, biscuits and pies. If you’re wondering where to find these, the Charleston City market is a good place to start with both food and trinket stalls so you can do your souvenir shopping at the same time.

• Luxury: The Palmetto Hotel
• Mid-range: Francis Marion Hotel
• Budget: Holiday Inn Express DWTN

Click here to compare Charleston accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 14-15: Savannah

Drive: 120 miles – approx. 2 hours

Train: Amtrak Silver Meteor from Charleston – approx. 2 hours

If there’s one city that’s more beautiful than Charleston its Savannah, known for its countless squares lined with overhanging Spanish moss and full of graceful fountains and historic statues. 

Savannah is very walkable and the best way to discover it is on foot, popping into the cute boutiques down by the river (don’t miss River Street Sweets) and taking lots of photos. The classic Savannah photo is sitting on the bench from Forrest Gump where Forrest waits for his bus.

While it’s quite cliché and touristy, some fun Savannah activities include a river cruise or a trolley tour of the historic centre. 

You can also take day tours out to the surrounding plantations for a dose of history. Wormslow is the most popular for its photogenic tree-lined drive.

• Luxury: The Gastonian, Historic Inns of Savannah Collection
• Mid-range: Foley House Inn
• Budget: Springhill Suites by Marriott Savannah Downtown Historic District

Click here to compare Savannah accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 16-17: Orlando

Drive: 300 miles – approx. 4 hours

Train: Amtrak Silver Star or Silver Meteor from Savannah – approx. 6 hours

It’s theme park time! You’re not on an American vacation without a bit of Disney (or Universal Studios) magic. Orlando is really all about the parks, so pick two and spend a day at each or go all out on one park and work your way around as many rides as you can.

I’ve done Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando and loved them both, but if you’ve done Disneyland in California then maybe go for something different like SeaWorld.

Personally, I went for the budget accommodation and spent all my cash on park tickets but there are some very fancy resorts in town so you could take the opportunity to stay somewhere nice. You’ll definitely appreciate a nice pool in the Florida heat!

• Luxury: Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Mid-range: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Las Palmeras  
• Budget: The Delaney Hotel

Click here to compare Orlando accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 18-19: Miami

Drive: 240 miles- approx. 3.5 hours

Train: Amtrak Silver Meteor from Orlando – approx. 6 hours

Miami is such a unique place, it feels like a mix of Las Vegas and the Caribbean, it’s definitely somewhere you must experience on any East Coast vacation itinerary.

There are so many different sides to the city and you won’t get to see them all in two days but you can make a good start. I’d suggest staying in South Beach to immerse yourself in the beachy, glamorous side of the city but still be close to Downtown and Little Havana.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, make sure to visit the Wynwood Walls with their famous collection of murals and leave time to explore the greater Wynwood area as there is so much street art around that you don’t have to pay to see. 

Also on the arty side, there are some very cool digital art exhibits in Miami. We went to Artechouse in Miami Beach, which is free to visit with a Go City pass , but Superblue in Downtown Miami is also meant to be amazing.

While you’re in the mainland part of Miami, head to Little Havana for a taste of Cuban-American food and culture. Calle Ocho, the main street of Little Havana, is definitely touristy but it’s still fun to explore, whether you’re keen on joining a game in Domino Park or a dance in one of the Cuban bars.

Finally, Miami is built on the water, so you’ve got to get out in a boat of some kind to see it properly. I’ve tried both the sightseeing cruise option and the speedboat option and they’re both fun experiences in different ways, depending on whether you want an adrenalin-fuelled ride, or you’d rather take it slow and get more commentary on the sights you pass. Both will let you see some of the insane celebrity mansions lining the shores of Miami’s island.

• Luxury: The Betsy Hotel
• Mid-range: Avalon Hotel
• Budget: Freehand Hostel Miami Beach

Click here to compare Miami accommodation prices on Booking.com

Days 20-21: Florida Keys

Drive:  170 miles – approx. 3 hours

Bus (no train option): Grayline or Flix

Even though this East Coast in 3 weeks itinerary didn’t start at the top of the East Coast, it ends at the bottom, at the southernmost point of the USA in the Florida Keys.

While basically all of the Florida Keys are worth visiting, Key West is the best place to base yourself as it has the most accommodation and activity options. It’s a very fun place with a unique mix of chill beachy vibes and party atmosphere.

The drive there from Miami is incredibly scenic, so if you can take it slow and get heaps of photos. If you’re doing this East Coast trip without a car then you can book either a day trip or return transfers with several tour companies including Grayline who I’ve used in the past and can recommend.

While in the Keys, some of the fun things to do include snorkelling, diving, boat cruises and of course eating key lime pie!

• Luxury: Pier House Resort & Spa
• Mid-range: Opal Key Resort & Marina
• Budget: Southwinds Motel

Click here to compare Key West accommodation prices on Booking.com

Alternative: 2 week East Coast itinerary 

This shortened itinerary is very action-packed, suited to fast-paced travellers and those who want to see as much as possible in one trip. 

This is basically what I did on my first East Coast trip (but in reverse) and it definitely left me wanting to return and spend more time. 

• Philadelphia
• Washington DC

Alternative: 4 week East Coast itinerary 

This extended itinerary fits even more in, while also allowing some extra time in the top destinations for those who prefer to take things at a slower pace. 

• Providence/Newport
• Williamsburg
• Florida Keys

In Short: 3 Weeks on the East Coast of the USA

It’s hard to narrow down the best parts of the East Coast to a short itinerary as there’s so much to see and do and there’s no wrong way to see the USA. Hopefully, these East Coast itineraries give you some inspiration to get started.

P.S. Click here to find all of my USA trip-planning guides

Happy travelling!

USA Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Find tickets for attractions and awesome day tours on Viator
• Save $$$ on attractions in NYC, LA, Miami and more with a Go City Pass
• Compare prices on cars and campervans at RentalCars.com
• Sort your US dollars with a Wise currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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13 Best Books About Road Trips to Satisfy Your Summer Wanderlust

Grab your sunglasses and/or reading glasses.

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

For many who've had their vacation plans break down this summer, now might also be a perfect time to get on the open road to explore all the weird nooks and crannies this country has to offer. If you're planning to drive to a far-off destination, try listening to these road trip books on tape —between belting these classic car songs , of course.

Or, you know, you could just read one of these quintessential road trip novels from the comfort of your own home. Either way, the following 13 books—including a couple of comical romps, a pair of 1950s classics, a semi-surreal comic book, and more—will inspire you to put on your sunglasses, or your reading glasses, and leave your old world behind.

The Red Car by Marcy Dermansky

Tautly told and drolly smart, Dermansky's third novel centers on a woman in Queens locked in a loveless marriage . The key to her freedom, and to unlatching her sense of self, is the titular red car, bequeathed to her when her beloved mentor passes away. If you want an entire novel that captures the gleeful, devil-may-care liberation of Thelma and Louise driving off a cliff (and believe us, you really, really do) then this one's for you. 

I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest

Here's something you should know about Chloe Pierce: She's an excellent ballerina, and a terrible driver. Still, in an effort to get into the school of her dreams, Chloe breaks her mom's rule (whoops) and steals the car (double whoops) to drive to an audition in D.C. Her irritating neighbor, Eli, insists on hitching a ride. Kristina Forest's heart-warming YA debut captures a girl on the cusp of adulthood, pushing the limits of her independence—and dealing with the consequences. 

Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

In her review for O , acclaimed author Carmen Maria Machado said of Luisell's inventive novel: "Not since  Lolita  has a road trip so brilliantly captured the dark underbelly of the American dream, the gulf between its promise and reality." This story of a family traveling southwest in search of answers to our nation's troubling past and present was one of our favorite books of 2019 . 

NOS4A2 by Joe Hill

Beware—once you meet Charlie Manx, the immortal villain of  NOS4A2 , you'll forever fear seeing his haunted car drive by you on a quiet road. By then, it'll be too late.  NOS4A2 is a road trip novel, made sinister: Characters travel on roads that don't exist on any map.  Manx transports children in his car to "Christmasland," a place far more sinister than it sounds. On her magic bike, Vic McQueen is able to travel to Christmaslands and other realms, and is the one person who can stop him.  NOS4A2  comes with horror pedigree: Joe Hill, the author, is Stephen King's (very talented) son.

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

Highsmith's 1952 novel—originally published under a pseudonym—is perhaps most famously the basis for the film Carol , a queer modern classic starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. But saying that it's just a book that was turned into a movie would take away from the quietly revolutionary sumptuousness of the text itself. Highsmith's wintry tale of two women in mid-century America who drive across the country together to escape society's expectations is a must-read. 

We All Loved Cowboys by Carol Bensimon (translated by Beth Fowler)

More forbidden love on the run! Translated from Portuguese, this exquisite and wistful novel by Bensimon—named one of Granta's Best Young Brazilian novelists—follows former friends Julia and Cora on a car trip through Brazil as they attempt to mend their once-solid relationship. Complications arise when the pair realize they might not just be gal pals. 

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Soon to be a miniseries on HBO co-produced by Jordan Peele, Ruff's chilling thriller is set during the Jim Crow era and stars an army veteran whose father has disappeared. He drives from Chicago to New England alongside his uncle, the publisher of a guide on how to travel while Black. Much more Get Out than Green Book , the tale takes a turn toward terror when they arrive at a mansion owned by a family of former slave-holders. Also: ghosts. 

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Maybe you read this in high school, maybe you dated a boy like Jess from Gilmore Girls who referenced this book nonstop (guilty and guilty), but there's no denying: reading Kerouac's Beat Generation classic of aimless American wanderlust is basically a rite of passage. 

Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart

Speaking of On the Road , the Super Sad True Love Story author delivers a hilariously scathing romp through America starring a boorish hedge funder who, after a fight with his wife, hops on a Greyhound for an inspired journey into the country's heart—and his own. 

Find Me by Laura van den Berg

Short fiction scribe Laura van den Berg taps into her singular eeriness for her first novel, about a directionless young woman who discovers she's immune to the sudden sickness spreading across the country. Her epic yet intimate journey takes her from Kansas, where she's admitted as a hospital patient and subjected to myriad tests, to Florida, where she believes her birth mother might be. 

Flaming Iguanas by Erika Lopez

Erika Lopez's "all-girl road novel thing" is a fierce amalgamation of words and images chronicling biker babe Tomato Rodriquez's wild cross-country motorcycle ride. It's as fun and freeing as having the wind blow through your hair. 

Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden

Want more illustrated cool-girl goodness? Combining dreamily gorgeous artwork and lyrical, sophisticated storytelling, Eisner award-winning graphic novelist Tillie Walden has emerged as a master of her craft. Here, she channels Murakami with a magical realist road trip starring two women and a mysterious cat. 

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

If you're seeking a family-friendly audiobook to listen to in the car, look no further than Sharon Creech's Newberry Award-winning classic. Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle journeys across the country with her grandparents. All the while, she entertains them with stories of a girl who's quite like herself—a girl who wants to be reunited with her mother.  Walk Two Moons  is a strange, funny book that will speak to children of all ages.

Michelle Hart is the Assistant Books Editor of O, the Oprah Magazine. Other writing of hers has appeared on the Millions, the Rumpus, and the New Yorker . Her fiction has appeared in Joyland and Electric Literature. She has been awarded a fiction fellowship by the New York State Writers Institute and was once profiled in her hometown newspaper for being in the process of writing a novel--a novel she is still in the process of writing.

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Our collection of more than 300 Extraordinary Places will take your trip to the next level. Look for the illustrations on our maps and read our takes on what make these places so special. We’ve been there, and we think you should go, too.

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Bar harbor, me.

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Point pleasant, wv.

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Liberty island, ny.

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Paradise, nv.

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The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA (Travel Guide) Paperback – October 20, 2020

There is a newer edition of this item:.

• Strategic lists and road trip options: Choose from lists of the best coastal drives, cross-country journeys, trips for kids, awe-inspiring views, and more
• Flexible itineraries: 50 different road trips organized by region gear you up for any adventure, from a weekend getaway to a cross-country trip
• Can't-miss stops from coast to coast: Leaf-peep along the Blue Ridge Parkway, look for wildflowers on Arizona's Apache Trail, or gaze at the mysterious Marfa Lights blinking over the West Texas desert. Snap selfies with kitschy roadside attractions along Route 66, cross the Continental Divide in Colorado, and fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves at your campsite in Big Sur
• The best local flavors: Eat your way through Vermont's farms, dairies, orchards, and maple houses or indulge in gulf shrimp and fried okra in the South. Sample oysters and craft beers in Oregon or stop for shave ice along the scenic Oahu Coastal Loop
• Expert advice from seasoned road-tripper Jessica Dunham
• Comprehensive planning resources: Easy-to-use maps, helpful info on things to do, lodging, and dining for every route, clear directions to each route's starting point, and tips for minimizing your environmental impact along the way
• Gorgeous, full-color photos and a fold-out map
• Essential tips for health and safety on the road, navigating weather conditions, strategies for road-tripping with kids and four-legged friends, and playlists and podcasts to soundtrack your adventure
• Print length 736 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Moon Travel
• Publication date October 20, 2020
• Dimensions 5.45 x 1.25 x 8.4 inches
• ISBN-10 164049930X
• ISBN-13 978-1640499300
• See all details

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Moon Travel; 1st edition (October 20, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 736 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 164049930X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1640499300
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.81 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 1.25 x 8.4 inches
• #345 in Road Travel Reference
• #478 in General Travel Reference
• #1,279 in Tourist Destinations & Museums Guides

About the author

Jessica dunham.

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Are you ready for a Road Trip? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.!

Pacific Coast

Border to Border

The Road to Nowhere

The Great River Road

Appalachian Trail

Atlantic Coast

The Great Northern

The Oregon Trail

The Loneliest Road

Southern Pacific

Classic American Road Trips

Pacific Coast Highway

Starting at the northwest tip of the United States at Washington’s Olympic National Park and remaining within sight of the ocean all the way south to sunny San Diego, this 1,650-mile, mostly two-lane road trip takes in everything from temperate rainforest to near-desert.

Highlights along the Pacific Coast Route: Olympic National Park (WA), Three Capes Loop (OR), Redwood National Park (CA)

Historic Route 66

The romance of traveling along historic Route 66 from where it starts in Chicago and ends in Los Angeles continues to captivate people around the world. If you’re looking for great displays of neon signs, rusty middle-of-nowhere truck stops, or kitschy Americana, do as the song says and “get your kicks on Route 66.”

Highlights along Route 66: Chicago (IL), Meramec Caverns (MO), Tucumcari (NM), Painted Desert (AZ), Santa Monica (CA)

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Running coast-to-coast from San Francisco to Ocean City, Maryland, “The Loneliest Road in America” is a 3,200-mile odyssey from sea to shining sea. US-50 passes through a dozen different states, four state capitals, and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

Highlights along the Loneliest Road: South Lake Tahoe (CA), Moab (UT), The Million Dollar Highway (CO), Washington D.C.

Following in the footsteps of pilgrims and pioneers, US‑20 takes in a little of everything during its two-lane trek from Oregon’s rugged coast to the glorious sea and sand of Cape Cod.

Highlights along the Oregon Trail: Cannon Beach (OR), Fort Boise (ID), Yellowstone National Park (WY), Mt Rushmore & Carhenge (NE)

Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US‑2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.

Highlights along the Great Northern: Tumwater Canyon (WA), Glacier National Park (MT), Lake Michigan (MI), Acadia National Park (ME)

The Appalachian Trail

This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.

Highlights along the Appalachian Trail: Mt. Washington (NH), The Poconos (PA), Shenandoah National Park (VA), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC)

Old Man River, Father of Waters, “body of a nation,” Big Muddy: By any name, the mighty Mississippi River cuts a mythic figure across the American landscape. Tag along from its headwaters in Minnesota to where it meets the sea in Louisiana via the GRR.

Highlights along the Great River Road: Main Street USA (WI), St. Louis (MO), Natchez Trace Parkway (MS), New Orleans (LA)

Starting at the Statue of Liberty and ending with a drive across the Overseas Highway to free-wheeling Key West, these almost 2,000 miles of roadway run within earshot—if not sight—of the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlights along the Atlantic Coast: The Statue of Liberty (NJ), Assateague Island National Seashore (MD), Savannah (GA), Cocoa Beach (FL)

Starting at Canada’s Jasper National Park, and winding down in the Sonora Desert, this route traverses some of the wildest and most rugged lands imaginable: mighty mountains, glaciated valleys, raging rivers, and two very different deserts.

Highlights along the Border to Border Route: Columbia Icefield (AB), Bitterroot Mountains (MT), The Extraterrestrial Highway (NV), Joshua Forest Parkway (AZ)

Once the only entirely paved route from Canada to “Old Mexico,” US‑83 cuts across America’s heartland and remains a must-do long-distance byway—transnavigating this broad, odd nation without once grazing a conventional tourist destination.

Highlights along the Road to Nowhere: Sitting Bull Memorial (SD), Nebraska Sand Hills (NE), Monument Rocks (KS), Paint Rock Pictographs (TX)

Following old US-80 and its contemporary equivalents takes you through more varied cultural and physical landscapes than you’ll find along any other cross-country route. From deserts to bayou swamps and Tex-Mex to barbecue, this route offers a full-flavored taste of America.

Highlights along Southern Pacific: The Desert View Tower (CA), Tombstone (AZ), Roswell (NM), Civil Rights Movement National Historic Trail (AL)

20 East Coast Road Trips (with Maps & 1-Week Itineraries)

The family road trip has made a comeback and with it, families are looking for even more road trip ideas. While plenty of East Coasters have made the road trip down 95 to Florida over the years, now families want to take time to stop and explore along the way. With so much to see, we have divided this part of the country up into 20 different East Coast road trips, each of which could be done in a one-week vacation.

Each of these mini East Coast road trip itineraries will give you ideas for new ways to explore sections of the East Coast of the U.S.A. Check off one at a time or string a few together for a longer vacation.

Not sure where to start? Here are my top picks:

• Best for nature fans: White & Green Mountains in NH and VT
• Best for history buffs : Colonial History Philadelphia to Williamsburg
• Best for beach lovers: Coastal Islands: Wilmington NC to Jacksonville FL
• Best for national park stampers: Blue Ridge Mountains
• Best for theme park fans: Daytona to Tampa
• Best iconic views: Florida Keys road trip

20 East Coast Road Trips

Each of these East Coast road trip ideas should take approximately 7 to 10 days to complete as outlined. My goal is to only require one week of vacation time from work, since that is the typical family vacation. I’ve linked to some more detailed road trip itineraries and included maps to give you an overview of the route.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

New England Coast: Boston to Bar Harbor, ME

The drive from Boston, Massachusetts up to Bar Harbor, Maine can be done in about four hours on the highway, but it is better to take the scenic route and explore Vacationland’s scenic coast along the way. One of the best East Coast road trips, this one is full of Maine foods like lobster rolls, blueberry soda, and whoopie pies; as well as lighthouses, rocky coasts, quaint small towns, and Acadia National Park .

Portland: spend 2 nights in Portland exploring the Old Port, maybe taking a lobster boat tour, climbing on the rocks by Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, or spending a day shopping at the L.L. Bean outlet up in Freeport. You could also visit some local breweries or take a day trip to Maine Wildlife Park in Gray to see some moose.

Where to stay: The Press Hotel , Inn by the Sea , or the Courtyard Marriott Waterfront

Boothbay Harbor: spend 1-2 nights in Boothbay Harbor . On your way, stop and enjoy the coastal towns, Giant’s Stairs in Harpswell, spend an afternoon soaking up the sun on Popham Beach, a rare sandy stretch of sand, and be sure to line up for lobster rolls at Red Eats.

The next day, get out on the water with one of Boothbay Harbor’s many sightseeing cruises to see puffins or whales, or rent a sea kayak to explore Muscongus Bay. Leave time to browse at the many boutiques in town.

Where to stay: Tugboat Inn , Fisherman’s Wharf Inn

Rockland: spend 1 night enjoying the artistic town of Rockland . Pop into the Center for Maine Contemporary Art or the Farnsworth Art Museum. If the outdoors holds more appeal, hop aboard a traditional Maine Windjammer for a short sail, walk along the Rockland Breakwater, or explore the trails at Camden Hills State Park. This arts city of Maine is such a delightful surprise!

Where to stay: 250 Main Hotel

Bar Harbor: finish up your road trip at the scenic town of Bar Harbor, just outside of Acadia National Park . You will want to spend 2 to 3 nights exploring the park. Try to catch a sunrise or sunset from the top of Cadillac Mountain, drive the Park Loop Road, relax on Sand Beach, stop to see the natural phenomenon at Thunder Hole, take in the view from Otter Cliffs, bike the Carriage Roads, and check out some of the popular hikes. Don’t forget to enjoy an authentic lobster pound before you take the fast route back to Portland. (See more things to do near Acadia National Park .)

Where to stay: Bar Harbor Grand Hotel , Hampton by Hilton Bar Harbor , or go glamping at the Terramor Outdoor Resort

Read more: Check out my full coastal Maine road trip itinerary

White & Green Mountains: Boston, MA to Burlington, VT

The drive from Boston to Burlington takes only about 4 hours, but use this New England road trip to spend time enjoying the beautiful scenery of the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountains of Vermont along the way, especially during fall foliage season.

Boston: if you haven’t been to Boston , plan on spending 2 nights enjoying this historic city. Don’t miss the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum , walk the Freedom Trail, enjoy a swan boat tour in Boston’s Public Garden, and taste your way through Boston’s Little Italy in the North End.

Where to stay: Fairmont Copley Plaza , Boston Harbor Hotel

Lincoln, NH: Lincoln can make a nice home base for 1-2 nights of exploring the White Mountains . Hike through the Flume Gorge, zip line, or hike at Loon Mountain, ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway, or drive the Mount Washington Auto Road. There are also plenty of hikes to try, rock climbing, a scenic drive on the Kancamagus Highway , and splashing in the waterfalls at Diana’s Baths.

Where to stay: Riverwalk Resort at Loon Mountain , Lumen Nature Retreat , Alpine Garden Glamping , or Huttopia

Stowe, VT: spend a couple of nights enjoying the Green Mountains from a home base in Stowe. On your drive from New Hampshire, you may want to stop at the Cabot cheese factory, Ben & Jerry’s Factory, and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. In Stowe, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and other resort activities.

Where to stay: TopNotch Resort , Stowe Mountain Resort

Burlington, VT: Finish your road trip with a night in the hip waterfront city of Burlington. There are so many things to do in Burlington, VT and you can check out nearby Shelburne Farm, and the ECHO museum. Or if you prefer lake life, finish with a few days on Lake Champlain at the Basin Harbor Hotel .

On your drive back to Boston, be sure to stop and stroll through the charming downtown of Woodstock.

Where to stay: Hotel Vermont , Courtyard Burlington Harbor

Read more: Vermont Route 100 road trip stops , things to do in the White Mountains

Southern New England COast: New York, NY to Provincetown, MA

You should be able to make the trip from New York to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod in 5 to 6 hours, but the traffic can be horrendous on summer weekends so try to travel midweek for this east coast road trip if you can.

Mystic, CT: Break up the trip with a night in Mystic. You will want to visit the historic Mystic Seaport, stroll through downtown, and maybe stop in at the Mystic Aquarium. You will find plenty of things to do in Mystic with kids.

Where to stay: Mystic KOA , Inn at Mystic

Newport, RI: spend a night in the yachting capital of the world . You can walk the Cliff Walk, fly a kite at Brenton Point State Park, visit some of the Newport Mansions, shop along Thames, and take a sail in the harbor.

Where to stay: Newport Marriott , The Vanderbilt

Providence, RI: instead of skipping over Rhode Island’s Creative Capital, spend a night to discover this little gem. Take a Rhode Island food tour, visit the RISD Museum, take a gondola or river boat ride, bike along the East Bay bike path, and, if you are lucky, take in Providence’s famous Waterfire .

Where to stay: The Graduate Providence , Aloft Providence Downtown

Falmouth, MA: stay the next 2 nights on the elbow of Cape Cod in Falmouth. Take time to relax on the beach and then hop the ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a day. You can also ride the Cape Cod bike trail or visit the Woods Hole Science Aquarium.

Where to stay: Sea Crest Beach Hotel or Autocamp Cape Cod

Provincetown, MA: finish your road trip with a couple of nights in the unique and vibrant town of Provincetown. You can shop, dine, take a tour of the sand dunes , go on a whale-watching tour, climb the lighthouse, or visit the Pirate Museum. The best part is searching the tide pools at low tide and watching the sunset.

Where to stay: Surfside Hotel & Suites

Read more: New York to Boston road trip itinerary, things to do in Providence

New York to Niagara Falls, NY

The drive from New York City to Niagara Falls can take 6 to 7 hours, but turn it into a road trip with a few days in the Finger Lakes region on the way and plenty of stops along the Western New York Upstate Eats Trail .

Watkins Glen: spend 2 nights in Watkins Glen, at the southern point of Seneca Lake. For fans of The Office, you may want to stop in Scranton, PA on your way for a self-driving tour of filming spots. Enjoy time on the lake, hike to the waterfalls in Watkins Glen State Park, or take a glider ride in Elmira, the Soaring Capital of the World.

Where to stay: Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel

Hammondsport: move over to Keuka Lake and spend a couple of nights in Hammondsport. You can enjoy water sports, wine tasting, and a day at the fascinating Corning Museum of Glass.

Where to stay: Keuka Lakeside Inn

Niagara Falls: you will want to spend 2 to 3 nights in Niagara to explore all the attractions including the Cave of the Winds, Maid of the Mist, Old Fort Niagara, jet boat tours, and hiking trails in Niagara Falls State Park.

Where to stay: Sheraton Niagara Falls , Hyatt Place Niagara Falls

Buffalo: on your return to New York, stop in for some food, history, and fun in Buffalo . This city is going through a renaissance and plenty of fun activities along the waterfront (in summer or winter). Make sure you try some of these must-eat foods in Buffalo too!

Where to stay: Buffalo Marriott LECOM Harborcenter

Cooperstown: on your return trip, be sure to stop in Seneca Falls and visit the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Then spend a night in Cooperstown and visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Where to stay: Otesaga Resort , Inn at Cooperstown

Read more: Things to do in Hammondsport, NY , New York road trips

PA Pitstops: Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, PA

Driving from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh takes about five hours, but going straight through means you will miss out on some many historic, scenic, and family-fun spots along the way.

Lancaster: start your trip with a night in Lancaster’s Pennsylvania Dutch Country. You will want to take a buggy ride, indulge at an Amish feast, or take in some of the historic sites. You can also take a tour of the Turkey Hill Ice Cream Experience.

Where to stay: Residence Inn by Marriott Lancaster

Hershey: next stop is the sweetest place on earth, Hershey . You can spend the day at Hersheypark, visit Hershey’s Chocolate World, or the Hershey Experience. History buffs will enjoy the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, a good introduction before you head to Gettysburg.

Where to stay: Hershey Lodge

Gettysburg: next up is the historic town of Gettysburg . I would highly recommend a guided tour of the Battlefield, but there are many other things to do in town as well.

Where to stay: Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg , Gettysburg Hotel

Laurel Highlands: the Laurel Highlands is a scenic mountainous region east of Pittsburgh offering spectacular natural scenery and outdoor recreation. You will want to spend 2 days rafting down the Ohiopyle, climbing through Pennsylvania’s largest cave at Laurel Caverns, and enjoying mountain resort activities including zip lining, rock climbing, summer tubing, and more.

Where to stay: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Pittsburgh: you can fit a lot into 1 day in Pittsburgh , but spend 2 nights if you can spare it. See the view from Mount Washington from the Duquesne Incline, visit the Heinz History Center, explore the Carnegie Science Center, and don’t miss the Tribute to Children statue of Fred Rogers near the Allegheny River. There is also the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Andy Warhol Museum. And if the Pirates are in town, try to catch a baseball game.

Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh , Omni William Penn Hotel

COlonial History: Philadelphia, PA to Williamsburg, VA

The drive from Philadelphia to Williamsburg takes about five hours but why not turn it into a learning experience with an American history road trip?

Valley Forge, PA: if you have already explored the historical sites of Philadelphia like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, you may want to venture out of the city for a visit to the Valley Forge National Historical Park .

Baltimore, MD: spend 2 nights in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, where you can easily visit Fort McHenry, visit the National Aquarium, stroll through the cobblestone streets of Fells Point, and enjoy the other Inner Harbor attractions.

Where to stay: Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor , Pier 5 Hotel Baltimore

Washington D.C.: you will want to spend at least 2 to 3 days exploring the nation’s capital. There are so many museums and monuments to explore, you may want to use our DC itinerary. Just remember if you want to visit the White House, you will need to make reservations in advance.

Where to stay: Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Georgetown

Williamsburg, VA : finish your road trip in Colonial Williamsburg. You will need 2 to 3 days to enjoy the sites, including a full day in Colonial Williamsburg , a visit to Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown, and Busch Gardens or Water Country USA .

Where to stay: Kingsmill Resort , Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

Read more: Northeast road trip for history lovers

Mid-atlantic Gems: Cape May, NJ to Chincoteague, VA

If you want to stick to the Mid-Atlantic coast, this road trip will bring you through cute Victorian towns, beautiful beaches, and nature preserves.

Cape May, NJ: start off your journey in Cape May. This quaint town isn’t like the rest of the Jersey Shore. Enjoy the gourmet restaurants, charming boutiques, and gingerbread-style Victorian homes.

Where to stay : Congress Hall

Lewes, DE: take the ferry across to Lewes, Delaware, another Victorian town full of history, cute cafes, and shops. You must stay a night so that you can take a sunset cruise past the lighthouse and if you get lucky, you may see some dolphins on the way.

Where to stay : Inn at Canal Square

Bethany Beach, DE: as you continue down to the beaches of Southern Delaware, you may also want to stop and check out some of the local breweries and wineries in this region. If you are seeking a boardwalk, combined with bike trails, and great restaurants, you may prefer Rehoboth Beach . Dewey Beach is full of seaside hotels and beach bars, along with gorgeous state beaches. But if you are seeking quiet for a few days at the beach, I would recommend Bethany Beach.

Where to stay: Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott

Chincoteague, VA: on your way to Assateague Island National Seashore to see the wild ponies , stop in the cute small town of Berlin, MD or for a stroll on the Ocean City boardwalk. To get up close to the wild horses, I would recommend taking a boat tour with Captain Dan from Chincoteague. Afterward, get some marsh mud ice cream at Island Creamery.

Where to stay: Hampton Inn and Suites Chincoteague Waterfront

Eastern Shore: Baltimore, MD to Virginia Beach, VA

Swing through Maryland and Virginia’s Eastern Shore on your way down to Virginia Beach. You can then take the highway back to Baltimore, with a stop in Norfolk or Williamsburg on your return trip.

Annapolis, MD: start off with a night in Annapolis. Spend the day exploring some of Annapolis’ historic sites, including the State House and the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as the boutiques and galleries downtown. Don’t leave town without enjoying some crab cakes!

Where to stay: Graduate Annapolis

St. Michaels, MD: spend a night enjoying the Chesapeake side of the Eastern Shore. The charming town of St. Michaels offers up plenty of retail therapy options, but also cultural attractions like the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Nearby you can go tasting at local wineries and breweries, or get out on the water with a kayak or paddle board.

Where to stay: St. Michaels Harbour Inn

Chincoteague, VA : the kids will then enjoy a night on the other side of the peninsula, finding the wild ponies at Chincoteague or exploring the Assateague National Seashore. Be sure to stop for ice cream at the Island Creamery!

Virginia Beach, VA: there are so many things to do in Virginia Beach that you will want to spend a few days enjoying the wide sand beaches and exploring. Also, check out my friend Brianna’s guide to where to eat in Virginia Beach . If you want to take a day trip, pop over to Hampton to explore some early history or visit the Virginia Air and Space Museum.

Where to stay: Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Wi lliamsburg, VA: finish your road trip in Colonial Williamsburg. Plan on a full day in Colonial Williamsburg , and if you have more time, include a visit to Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown, Busch Gardens, or Water Country USA .

Skyline Drive: Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA

This road trip will bring you through Shenandoah National Park for a mix of outdoor adventures and historic landmarks. We covered this ground during part of a more extensive Virginia road trip a few years back.

Woodstock, VA : spend 2 nights in Woodstock, exploring nearby Shenandoah Caverns, climbing the Woodstock Tower, tubing on the Shenandoah River, enjoying summer sports at Bryce Resort, and hiking in Shenandoah National Park.

Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Woodstock

Harrisonburg, VA: spend the day exploring Shenandoah National Park and driving the Skyline Drive before arriving in Harrisonburg for the night. This is a great road trip for a college tour because James Madison University is also located here. Be sure to also stop at Kline’s Dairy Bar for its famous custard-style ice cream.

Where to stay: Residence Inn Harrisonburg

Charlottesville, VA: plan on spending 2 nights in Charlottesville . Stroll and shop downtown and then enjoy a traditional, Colonial-style luncheon at the historic Michie Tavern, followed by a visit to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate.

In the evening, head up to Carter Mountain Orchard to catch a sunset and some live music. On your second day, you can either explore more history at President James Monroe’s home, do some local wine tasting, tour the campus of the University of Virginia, or kayak along the James River.

Where to stay: Graduate Charlottesville

Richmond, VA: finish up your road trip with a couple of days in Richmond . While it was once the capital of the Confederate South, today the state capital is finding a new identity with plenty of street art, craft beer, and fun dining options. You may want to check out the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, or the Institute of Contemporary Art before heading back to DC.

Where to stay: Graduate Richmond

Carolina Coast: Washington DC to Wilmington, NC

If you are ready to escape the city for the coast, it is time for a road trip down to Wilmington , North Carolina and Wrightsville Beach. The six-hour drive is long but then there is plenty to do on the Carolina coast once you arrive and this road trip gives you a chance to figure out your favorite beach.

Emerald Isle, NC: Emerald Isle is on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, or the “southern” Outer Banks. This area attracts visitors who have returned for decades for the simple beach pleasures of a family vacation. Emerald Isle offers 12 miles of pristine shoreline and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and Bogue Inlet. Spend a few days enjoying watersports, fishing, or simply sitting on the sand and enjoying the sound of the waves rolling in.

Where to stay: Inn at Pine Knoll Shores , Islander Hotel & Resort

Surf City, NC: stay a couple of days in Surf City, the center of Topsail Island. The relaxing and uncrowded beaches are what some call “the way the beach used to be.” You can also enjoy kayaking, fishing, and boating on the Intercoastal.

Wrightsville Beach, NC: once you have arrived in Wrightsville Beach set up your home base for the next few days to explore. You will want to spend some time in the historic downtown of Wilmington, take a food tour in Kure Beach, stroll the grounds of Airlie Gardens, take a hike in Carolina State Park, or enjoy some beach time. Don’t miss a stop at Britt’s Donuts — the best on the east coast!

Where to stay : Blockade Runner Beach Resort

Low Country: Raleigh, NC to Savannah, GA

You can make the drive from Raleigh to Savannah in about five hours, but it pays to take the coastal route and make some stops along the way.

Myrtle Beach, SC : how long you spend in Myrtle Beach depends on the vibe of a beach town that you enjoy. If you enjoy a boardwalk, arcades, family attractions, and plenty of kitsch — then you will enjoy a classic family vacation to Myrtle Beach. But you can also get away from the crowds by kayaking through the salt marshes, strolling through Brookgreen Gardens, or paddle boarding.

Where to stay: Island Vista

Charleston, SC: for a complete change of pace, spend a night or two in the historic city of Charleston. Start off with a carriage tour through the downtown, visit some of the historic homes and gardens, and discover why Charleston is a foodie destination.

Where to stay: The Mills House Wyndham Grand

Beaufort, SC: spend a day exploring Beaufort, the upcoming-and-coming “next” Charleston or Savannah. Explore its antebellum mansions and downtown historic district. You can also enjoy the low country marshlands and waterways.

Where to stay: Anchorage 1770 Inn

Savannah, GA: finish up this east coast road trip in Savannah. Wander through the city’s many squares lined with oaks dripping in Spanish moss in Savannah’s historic district . Check out the Prohibition Museum, and then enjoy Savannah’s vibrant dining and craft cocktail scene. Stroll down touristy river street, take a ghost tour, visit some of the historic homes, or spend a day out on the beach at Tybee Island. See my friend Rob’s (who has an Airbnb there) favorite things to do in Savannah and my friend Karen has great suggestions on the best family restaurants in Savannah .

Where to stay: Perry Lane Hotel

Blue Ridge Mountains: Charlotte, NC to Gatlinburg, TN

If lakes and mountains are calling you, head towards the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains National Park — with a few stops along the way.

Lake Lure, NC: the backdrop to Dirty Dancing, Lake Lure is a favorite family vacation destination. You will need a couple of days to explore Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, Chimney Rock State Park, and Chimney Rock Village which has plenty of shops and dining options, along with a scenic riverwalk next to the creek that kids will enjoy playing in on a warm sunny day. Plus you have to leave time to enjoy the lake, by boat or beach.

Where to stay: Lake Lure Inn & Spa

Asheville, NC: located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville has many fun things to do with kids . Take the Blue Ridge Highway to Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, and other hiking trails. Swing from the treetops at the Adventure Center of Asheville, play some games at the Asheville Pinball Museum, visit the Biltmore Estate , one of the most popular things to do in North Carolina , or sample some local craft brews. If you have more time to road trip, be sure to explore these Blue Ridge Parkway stops .

Where to stay: Aloft Asheville Downtown

Gatlinburg, NC: use Gatlinburg as your base for exploring parts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (don’t miss Cades Cove Loop ) and Pigeon Forge as well. You can go hiking, bike through the park, spend a day at Dollywood, go zip lining, see the view from Clingmans Dome, go horseback riding, or see a show.

Where to stay: Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

Coastal Islands: Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville, FL

Another coastal road trip, this one bypasses the cities in favor of luxury beach destinations and brings you from Wilmington, NC all the way down to Jacksonville, Florida. A 6.5-hour drive by highway, you can spend a week or more exploring the coast. This trip brings you to some of the best beaches in the USA .

Kiawah Island: start off your road trip in luxury at the Kiawah Resort. This private residential island and resort is famous for its acclaimed golf course, but families can also enjoy 5-Star accommodations and 10 miles of private sandy shoreline.

Where to stay: The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Resort

Hilton Head Island: spend a couple of days enjoying the beaches of Hilton Head Island. You can also golf, take a guided dolphin or kayak tour, or enjoy some low-country cuisine. You won’t find tacky souvenir shops or neon signs. HHI has a quieter, more relaxed way of life.

Where to stay: Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Amelia Island: finish this luxe road trip at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Relax and enjoy the resort, search for shark teeth, star gaze from the beach, go shopping in downtown Fernandina Beach, take a kayaking tour, or hop a ferry for a day trip to Cumberland Island to see the wild horses.

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Civil Rights Trail: Atlanta, GA to Memphis, TN

It is a six-hour drive from Atlanta to Memphis, and I recommend turning it into a Civil Rights road trip .

Atlanta: starting off in Atlanta , if you haven’t already visited I would recommend spending a couple of days visiting some of the important Civil Rights sites including the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Another fun way of exploring some history is through a food tour with Atlanta Food Walks.

Where to stay: Loews Atlanta Hotel

Montgomery, AL: plan on spending a full day in Montgomery visiting the Rosa Parks Museum, the Freedom Rides Museum, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which honors victims of lynchings. On your way to Birmingham, you can make a detour to Selma to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and visit other Civil Rights sites.

Where to stay : Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa

Birmingham, AL: if you stop in Selma, you may want to plan on spending 2 nights in Birmingham so you don’t have to rush. Be sure to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, and the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Take some time to enjoy Birmingham’s up-and-coming neighborhoods and food scene too.

Where to stay: Westin Birmingham

Memphis, TN: it is easy to spend at least 3 days in Memphis , more if you want to do a day trip to Graceland. You will need a half-day to take in the sobering exhibits at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (the place where MLK Jr. was assassinated.) Also visit Slave Haven, Sun Studios and STAX Museum of American Soul Museum. Just leave time to enjoy some great BBQ and soul food .

Where to stay: The Peabody Memphis

Read more: Plan a civil rights road trip

Golden Isles: Savannah, GA to St. Augustine, FL

This coastal road trip from Savannah to St. Augustine, Florida stops at many of Georgia’s Islands along the way.

Little St. Simons Island: spend a few days on this private island nature preserve with just 32 other guests and 7 miles of pristine beach to explore. Take advantage of twice-daily naturalist-led expeditions, kayak through the marshes to go bird watching, bike to the beach, or track some of the property’s resident armadillos.

Where to stay: Little St. Simons Resort

Jekyll Island: plan on spending at least 2-3 days on Jekyll Island, another of Georgia’s Golden Isles. You will want to visit Driftwood Beach, check out the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, picnic at South Dunes Beach Park, relax on one of the many Jekyll Island beaches or even enjoy a day at the waterpark.

Where to stay: Jekyll Island Club Resort

St. Augustine, FL: finish your road trip with a visit to historic St. Augustine — the country’s oldest continuously occupied city. You can stay on the beach or in town but be sure to check out both. You can visit the Fountain of Youth, walk the ramparts at Castillo St. Marcos, take a trolley tour, take a food tour to discover some of the town’s best places to eat , take a ghost tour, climb a lighthouse, or explore these other fun things to do with kids .

Where to stay: Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach

Florida Coast: St. Augustine to Miami, FL

Driving the east coast of Florida from Jacksonville to Miami can be done in five hours, but why miss all the great beaches, history, and fun attractions on the way?

Jacksonville / St. Augustine: you can fly into Jacksonville or start off in St. Augustine. In addition to all the historic town of St. Augustine has to offer (see above), Jacksonville offers plenty for kids too with the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Museum of Science and History, Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop, TopGolf, and more.

Where to stay: The Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach

Cocoa Beach, FL: spend 2 to 3 days enjoying the area near Cocoa Beach, including a full day at Kennedy Space Center . You can also kayak past the giraffes at nearby Brevard Zoo in nearby Melbourne or learn to surf at Cocoa Beach, the East Coast surf capital.

Where to stay: Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach

Hollywood, FL: next you can stay a couple of nights in Hollywood, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Enjoy strolling along the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, ArtsPark at Young Circle, the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, and the Anne Kolb Nature Center, with mangrove trails and an aquarium.

Where to stay: Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort

Miami, FL: if you have had enough beach time, you can focus on Miami’s neighborhoods and cultural attractions including Wynwood Walls, Little Haiti, Little Havana, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Even plan a day trip to the Everglades for an alligator airboat tour! Of course, you can’t leave town without at least checking out Miami Beach.

Where to stay: Eden Roc Beach Hotel or The Diplomat Beach Resort

Florida Keys: Miami to Key West, FL

Driving from Miami to Key West is a classic American road trip. The trip can take a good five hours, but you need to leave plenty of time depending on traffic. It gives you the time to get into “island mode.”

Key Largo: it is best to break up the trip by staying a few days in the upper keys, since every key has its own personality. From here you can explore most of what Key Largo and Islamorada have to offer including John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkeling or other watersports at Robbie’s, or glass-bottom boat tours of the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.

Where to stay: Baker’s Cay Resort

Duck Key: Hawk’s Cay at Duck Key is a great spot for families to stop and relax for a few days, enjoying all the activities on this family-friendly resort.

Where to stay: Hawks Cay Resort

Key West: on your way to Key West , you will want to stop at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon and Bahia Honda State Park. Once in town, don’t miss out on the famous Sunset Celebration. You may also want to take a snorkel cruise or sunset catamaran. You can explore Key West’s vibrant food scene with a food tour — plus find out where to get the best Key Lime pie . Don’t forget to take a picture at the Southernmost Point.

Where to stay : Margaritaville Key West

Read more: Plan a Florida Keys road trip

Southwest Florida: Miami to Tampa, FL

Cross Alligator Alley from Miami to Southwest Florida to explore the beauty of the Paradise Coast. Each town has its own personality so you will want to do a little beach hopping on your way up Florida’s Gulf Coast .

Marco Island: the wide, white sand beaches of Marco Island will entice you to stay for a few days. On the way, you should stop at Everglades National Park and take one of the many airboat tours available. You may also enjoy a dolphin watch tour, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, parasailing, and even jet skiing. A nature walk in Big Cypress Nature Preserve will introduce you to the area’s plant and wildlife.

Where to stay: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

Captiva Island: shelling fans will find their paradise on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. With much of the islands kept as a nature preserve, you are bound to spot dolphins, manatees, and abundant birdlife.

Where to stay: Seven Seas Island Resort

Clearwater Beach: just west of Tampa, the sugar-soft white sand of Clearwater has long been recognized as one of the best beaches in the U.S. In addition to beach time and water sports, families enjoy visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. You can also explore the cultural attractions and family attractions of Tampa, including Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, the Museum of Science and Industry, and more.

Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Clearwater

Central Florida: Daytona to Clearwater, FL

The shortest road trip may be across Florida from Daytona Beach to Clearwater. Yet there is so much to do in Orlando and Central Florida that you can easily spend a week or more getting the best of all worlds from the beach to the theme park.

Orlando: before leaving Daytona Beach, make sure you spend a day at the Kennedy Space Center , especially if you are lucky enough to be around to launch day. Of course in Orlando you can spend weeks in Disney , Universal , Legoland , and SeaWorld, plus all the water parks like Volcano Bay and H2O Live. But there are so many off-the-beaten-path Orlando attractions too from kayaking through the wetlands to visiting nearby natural springs.

Where to stay: Margaritaville Orlando

Clearwater Beach: before arriving in Clearwater Beach , you may want to hit up some of the attractions in Tampa, like Busch Gardens or ZooTampa. Then take time to relax on the sugar-soft white sand beaches of Clearwater. Take a pirate cruise, enjoy movies in the park, and visit Winter the Dolphin (famous from the movie A Dolphin’s Tale) and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Where to stay: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach

Panhandle: Orlando, FL to Orange Beach, AL

When you are ready to escape Central Florida for the gorgeous beaches of the Panhandle, head north on this Florida road trip.

Tallahassee: the drive from Orlando to Tallahassee takes about 4 hours, but there are plenty of natural springs, like Crystal River or Rainbow Springs, to stop at along the way. Or, turn it into a college trip and visit the University of Florida in Gainesville. In Tallahassee, you will find trees lined with trees dripping in moss instead of the palm trees of South Florida. Kids will also enjoy the Tallahassee Museum, Challenger Learning Center, Mission San Luis, and the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab.

Where to stay: aLoft Tallahassee Downtown

Destin: get ready for a few days of beach life in Destin on the Panhandle’s Emerald Coast. There are a ton of things to do with kids including the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Indian Mound Museum, Big Kahuna’s water park, banana boat rides, parasailing, and more.

Where to stay: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort

Orange Beach, AL: one of our favorite beaches, you can compare the Florida versus Alabama Gulf coast experience. In addition to relaxing on the sugar-soft sands of Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, there is so much else to do from biking in Gulf State Park, zip lining at The Wharf, sunset cruises with Sail Wildhearts, dolphin cruises, and of course, chowing down on amazing food !

Where to stay: Turquoise Place

Time to grab your road trip essentials and hit the road! If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can also take a New York to Florida road trip .

I hope this East Coast road trip planner was helpful. If you still need more inspiration, see more East Coast vacation ideas or things to do in New England .

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 19, 2023

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TravelAwaits

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21 Best Audiobooks For Road Trips | Perfect Way to Make Your Long Drives Even More Enjoyable

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Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

As I cruised the long, lonely stretches of Nevada’s Highway 93, I was transported to the 18th- and 19th-century streets of New York City, Albany, and Washington, D.C., alongside United States Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

And as I gazed at the marvels of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, a part of me was in the Highlands of Scotland, right in the midst of a crew of feisty wizards and witches.

Such is the beauty of audiobooks – those wonderful creations that allow you to listen as a narrator reads a book. For me, they offer an unbeatable opportunity to make the most out of road trips with good planning .

As an avid road tripper, I have long turned to audiobooks as a means of battling the boredom of long drives. When I recently looked back at my audiobook history for the past year, I found that I had listened to 40 audiobooks, mostly while I was driving along desert, coastal or mountain scenery .

I’ve listened to hundreds and through my many years of experience, I have compiled a list of the best audiobooks for multigenerational family road trips — some fairly new, others older — to lighten your future road trips. Here are 11 of them.

A word of caution: While listening to audiobooks in a busy urban traffic environment, people react more slowly to hazards while emersed in listening. Conversely, and in a simpler environment of country roads or long interstate drives, drivers react more quickly while listening to audiobooks.

The crucial balance is to engage in listening to a level that keeps your cognitive thinking alert but doesn’t present too much of a cognitive challenge to prevent quick reactions while you are driving.

A note to our readers: De gustibus non disputandum est . This is a remarkable Latin phrase meaning “Of taste, there is no disputing.” It goes for tastes in books, too. Even if you don’t find a book you like here, don’t worry; 70,000-80,000 audiobooks are published every year. You’re bound to find the right book for every road trip!

Best Audiobooks For Road Trips

1. best audiobooks for kids – knight owl.

Christopher Denise’s Knight Owl is an amazing book meant for preschoolers. The puns and references are witty, and the message is relevant, but above everything else, this is a beautiful story about dreaming big no matter what size you are and how everyone can change the world for the better and find friends and happiness. It would certainly make a lovely bedtime listening.

2. Best Audiobooks For Teens – The Hunger Games

Suzanne Collins’s Hunger Games series is a compelling choice for fantasy lovers. It takes place in a near-future dystopian state where the sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen struggles to support her mother and sister. It is a well-written story and the pacing is good, while Tatiana Maslany’s narration heightens the drama and dread and will certainly keep you captivated while on the road.

Despite any second thoughts you may have about the series, whether it’s the movies or the follow-up books, its first installment is an enjoyable read that fits in the young adult category.

3. Best Audiobooks For Women – The Woman in Me, by Britney Spears

Britney Spears’s Woman in Me is her account of her own life, from the days of early fame to her involuntary placing under a conservatorship, and all the highs and lows in between. Fans everywhere have been waiting for Britney to reveal her side of the story, and finally, it is here, told with remarkable honesty and humor. It is the bestselling memoir everyone is talking about.

Moreover, it’s the first time the public gets to hear how fame and generational trauma have impacted the famous woman’s life. At five hours and 31 minutes, The Woman in Me is a short book for such an eventful career, but it gives you something to think about.

4. Best Audiobooks For Men – King: A Life

Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is a deeply satisfying biography depicting the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr . Narrator Dion Graham does an excellent job with King’s voice and the book itself is well written.

It covers most key events and people during the civil rights era and it shines a light on how the FBI and other high-ranking officials hounded King. It’s accurate to a fantastic degree because, unlike biographers before Eig who were denied access, Eig was able to go through the recently released FBI files.

5. Best Audiobooks For Families – The One and Only Ivan

Inspired by a true story, The One and Only Ivan is a gorgeous tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A perfect mixture of humor and poignancy, Katherine Applegate’s realistic writing is perfect if you want your kids to grow up to be decent and loving individuals and learn a few precious life lessons along the way.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope in the rich vein of similar classic books such as Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little. It simply has to be one of the best animal fiction books for tweens and adults.

6. The Great Alone

Alaska has been on my travel must-list for years, and I had toyed with taking a trip there in 2020. That didn’t happen, but I was able to “travel” there anyway through The Great Alone , Kristin Hannah’s wonderful 2017 novel that is part coming-of-age story, part fictional travelogue for the area near Homer, Alaska that makes this inspiring story one of the best audiobooks.

I see The Great Alone as a way to transport to the wilds of Alaska, even if you’re stuck driving to spots in your own backyard. Or, if you’re lucky enough to be road-tripping through Alaska, the book would be a great introduction or accompaniment.

7. The Boys In The Boat

I love a nonfiction book that makes me think, “Why didn’t I know this?” That was the case with Daniel James Brown’s 2013 true story The Boys in the Boat , which chronicles a team of young rowers from the University of Washington on a quest for a gold medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

The rowing saga is compelling, but I also enjoyed the backstories — especially of team member Joe Rantz’s amazing odyssey as he moved around the states of Washington and Idaho while dealing with the trials of the Great Depression. It made me want to check out the backroads in the Northwestern U.S.

8. The Flight Attendant

With HBO’s series bringing attention to Chris Bohjalian’s suspenseful 2018 novel The Flight Attendant , I decided to listen to the book before watching the series.

Without giving any spoilers, I’ll say that the series departs quite a bit from the book. For one thing, the main setting is Dubai rather than Bangkok. I especially relished the book’s focus on flight travel, as well as its later locations such as Rome.

9. Kitchen Confidential

Although I had long been a fan of the late Anthony Bourdain’s TV series No Reservations , The Layover, and Parts Unknown , I had never read the book that started it all, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly .

I finally got around to it in 2020. I found the audiobook highly entertaining, especially its descriptions of Bourdain’s early culinary adventures in Normandy, France, Cape Cod, and Massachusetts. A special treat with the audiobook is that Bourdain narrated it himself. The book is a perfect accompaniment to a foodie-focused journey.

10. The Dutch House

#3 on our list of the best audiobooks for road trips is Author Ann Patchett’s 2019 novel The Dutch House offers an enthralling story centering on family dynamics, wealth, and poverty, and how a magical house can make a life-long impression. I also loved the story’s settings in the suburban area around Philadelphia and the Columbia University area. It would make a great introduction to an East Coast road trip.

An added bonus: Movie star Tom Hanks narrates this powerful story.

11. Harry Potter

For some reason, I never read J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series when it became a worldwide sensation in the early 2000s and became synonymous with pop culture. I made up for the omission in 2020, listening to the entire series narrated by the incomparable Jim Dale who helps make it great for a family road trip. With 7 long books it’s perfect for a long trip for the entire family.

Along with offering a fun and exciting adventure story, the books wonderfully transport you to the sights and sounds of the Scottish Highlands. I’m late to this party, but I would love to take a road trip through places like Glencoe and Steall Falls, Scotland. The fourth book is hands down one of my favorite audiobooks.

12. Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood

Trevor Noah, the host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show , recounts his remarkable early childhood and young adulthood in his 2016 book Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood .

For me, the insights into the waning years of South Africa’s apartheid and the first years of democratic rule were eye-opening in this young adult novel. Along with the serious topic, comedian Noah and his familiar voice offers a wild and engaging look at growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa. Noah narrates this wonderful road trip audiobook.

13. The Alice Network

I love a good spy story, and Kate Quinn’s 2017 novel The Alice Network serves that up brilliantly in a historical dual-timeline story during and after World War II.

I always know that a book is a hit with me if I do online searches for the story’s settings. That was the case with The Alice Network’s haunting descriptions of Nancy, Grasse, and Oradour-sur-Glane, France. This is one of the shorter options on this fantastic look making it a solid option for short road trips.

14. Alexander Hamilton

I’ll admit that I had tried to read Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton a few years back but didn’t get through the 818-page tome.

After watching the hugely entertaining Hamilton production on Disney Plus in summer 2020, I decided to give the book another go as an audiobook. I found it a fascinating and enjoyable deep dive into early-American history, with great descriptions of locations throughout the US such as New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.

At almost 36 hours, however, this perfect audiobook is no joke and may be hard to hold the concentration of a whole family!

15. Becoming

Along with the extraordinary life story that takes Michelle Obama from her time as a young girl in her childhood in the South Side of Chicago to eight years of living in the White House, the former First Lady’s 2018 memoir Becoming also offers a captivating look at her extensive world travels — from Kenya to England to India.

In addition, the book offers insights into travels across the United States during the election campaigns of President Barack Obama. The audiobook is especially enjoyable because Michelle Obama narrates it herself.

16. Where The Crawdads Sing

Every now and then, the descriptions in a book are so captivating that you feel like you’re there, smelling the sea air, feeling the sand between your toes, and hearing the calls of the marsh birds. That was the case with Delia Owens’ 2018 novel Where the Crawdads Sing .

Along with being an edge-of-your-seat story, the audiobook also offers a lovely depiction of North Carolina’s marshlands — a great option for your next road trip.

17. The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Rick Riordan’s The Lighting Thief inaugurated the series revolving around the life of a regular 12-year-old boy, Percy who finds out he is the son of a Greek god. The whole series is an excellent read for anyone, and a safe pick for parents who are looking for exciting, fun, books for both boys and girls to read. The author’s sense of humor appeals to older grade and middle school children, and there won’t be many who will not enjoy these light, fast-paced reads. 

18. The Downstairs Girl

Stacey Lee’s Downstairs Girl is a captivating, engaging, and heartfelt story for young adult readers, fans of historical fiction and diverse reads, and those who are looking for stories of determined and inspirational young women. Expect numerous twists and turns as Jo Kuan takes on fixed ideas about race and gender. Set in a time of great social upheaval, it depicts the lives of those on the margins. Historical fiction buffs will also be rewarded with an extraordinary plot twist and a gratifying ending.

19. Hello Beautiful: A Novel

Ann Napolitano’s follow-up to Dear Edward is a profoundly moving novel about the deepest connections of family and love, trauma, and healing. It follows the closely-knit Padavano sisters contending with life and loss, love, death, and forgiveness at their Chicago home. The story is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, and it successfully gives us a deeply moving idea of what is possible when we choose to love someone not despite who they are, but because of it.

20. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Alfred Lansing’s Endurance is one of the greatest adventure stories of the modern age and will make you fall in love with audiobooks if you haven’t already. Nothing will prepare you for this harrowing account of British explorer Ernest Shackleton’s fateful trip to the South Pole.

Half a continent away from its intended base, the ship Endurance was trapped in the ice and finally crushed, leaving Sir Ernest Shackleton and his men to drift over a frozen, desolated landscape of one of the most inhospitable regions of the world. The story of the voyage that has defined heroism for the modern age should make anyone who thinks non-fiction audiobooks are dull change their mind.

21. The Penderwicks 

Jeanne Birdsall’s book is a modern classic series about the delightful Penderwick family. The Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy is the first novel in a series about the Penderwick girls and the story is as breezy and carefree as a summer day – the four Penderwick sisters are spending a three-week vacation with their father and dog Hound.

It is the best fit for kids aged 8 to 12 as it covers the themes of friendship, growing up, and family. Under the simple premise of the family vacation, we are told a wonderful story about following your dreams.

How To Access Audiobooks

There are many ways to access audiobooks, but I like to use my local library’s selection. With a library card, and through the Overdrive or Libby apps on smartphones or tablets, many public libraries provide free access to a huge selection of audiobooks.

I use Overdrive, and I have worked out a system of always having a handful of books on my “hold” list. That means that when the book becomes available for borrowing, I get an email notification that I can download it. Because libraries have only a limited number of each title available for checkout, you often cannot get your chosen book immediately but need to get in line. If you keep your hold list stocked with titles, though, chances are you will always have something to listen to when you hit the road.

But if getting your selection immediately is important, there are a number of options for payment services that will allow you to get what you want when you want it.

From science fiction to romance, to history novels, to light humor to fairy tale fantasy, Audible, an Amazon company , offers the world’s largest selection of digital audiobooks and spoken word content. With Audible, customers can listen anytime and anywhere to professionally-narrated audiobooks across a wide range of genres. Amazon Prime also offers subscriptions that will enable you to access a limited number of audiobooks per month. Both services offer free 30-day trials.

I like connecting my phone to my car-play option and listening through the car’s stereo system, although I have also listened on an iPad.

Just like the radio or a podcast, listening to audiobooks can be a bit distracting while driving. I recommend only listening while you are on long stretches of interstate highway or when you’re driving through stretches of rural highways. I routinely turn off my audiobooks in city traffic.

I often travel solo on my road trips, so I have only myself to please when it comes to book selections. Although I think all of my selections would be good for anyone, couples might especially like Noah’s Born a Crime or Brown’s The Boys in the Boat . Also, history-loving couples setting out on a long road trip might want to tackle Alexander Hamilton together. Obviously, for families, the Harry Potter series can’t be beaten. And there is always the option of using headphones.

Finally, here’s an alternative list of audiobooks for you to consider (no spoilers from me): A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire – George R. R. Martin One by One – Ruth Ware American Gods – Neil Gaiman A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid Bossypants -Tina Fey His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass – Philip Pullman It – Stephen King Dread Nation – Justina Ireland The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern The Fifth Season – N. K. Jemisin The Green Book – Jill Paton Walsh To Sleep in a Sea of Stars – Christopher Paulini

Related Reading:

• 27 Tips For Planning The Perfect Road Trip
• Our Most Popular Road Trips From 2020 To Fuel Your Next Journey
• California PCH Road Trip: 9 Amazing Must-Stop Spots
• British Columbia Road Trip: Vancouver To Victoria

What Can You Listen To In The Car Besides Music?

As this article has clearly stated, besides music, an audiobook is the best way to pass the time during a long drive. While it is ultimately your preference on what type of book you’d like to read, or hear, audiobooks are a great outlet for getting in a good read quickly.

What Is A Good Book To Listen To In The Car?

Are you a fan of shows and movies like Game of Thrones and Dune ? These two fantasy epics would be the perfect books to bang out during a long road trip. Use your audiobooks to kill time and fit in that read that you never had the chance to before.

What Is the Average Audiobook Price on Audible?

The average audiobook price on Amazon’s Audible ranges from $10 to $25. If you listen to audiobooks regularly, my advice is to sign up for Audible’s subscription monthly plan starting at $7.95.

What Are the 3 Best Audiobooks for a Family Road Trip?

Depending on the age of your kids, a variety of books could be best for you, including A Wrinkle in Time, Where’d You Go, Bernadette: A Novel, and The Hobbit. Of course, there are hundreds of thousands of audiobooks available for any age so you are bound to find the right ones for your family road trips.

Are There Family Audiobooks With Multiple Narrators?

Yes, there are family audiobooks with multiple narrators also called “full cast” audiobooks. They offer an immersive and engaging experience owing to the multiple voices which are especially appreciated by kids. Sometimes the production of these audiobooks includes sound effects for even more fun and excitement while listening.

Where Can I Find Free Audiobooks?

You can find free audiobooks at Digitalbook.io, LibriVox, OverDrive, Loyal Books, Storynory, Light Up Your Brain, Lit2Go, Loyal Books, Mind Webs, Open Culture, Libby by Overdrive, and Podiobooks. With a little search, you’ll find even more sources of free audiobooks on the internet.

Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. Her blog, NearandFarAZ gives readers an insider's view of the wonders of the U.S. Southwest, and a traveler's take on far-off locales from Panama to Hong Kong to the Czech Republic. Regardless of the destination, her goal is to find the perfect scenic hike, city walk, beach stroll, or road-trip jaunt, and bring it to life in her blog. Cindy's articles about outdoor adventures have appeared in numerous regional and national publications.

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Home » North America » USA » New England

EPIC New England Road Trip Itineraries (2024)

Going on a New England road trip  has to be one of the best ways to experience the region! With your own vehicle, you’ll be able to go wherever you want, stay where you like, and see whatever you fancy.

New England has been charming visitors for a long time. Of all of the regions in the USA, New England has some the richest history (being the birthplace of the nation and all), some of the most exciting locals, and best seafood, period.

And the fall foliage in New England? What more can be said about this phenomenon that hasn’t be said by dozens of movies – it’s simply one of the most romantic sights in the USA.

New England is by no means cheap nor easy to travel without some guidance. In order to see the best of New England, and not drop a fortune while doing so, you’re going to need a little assistance.

Don’t worry – we have the insider information you need for an EPIC journey. So what are we waiting for?! Let’s get the ball rolling on your New England road trip itinerary!

Best Time of Year to Road Trip New England

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With something always going on, a road trip to New England is possible at any time of the year! In New England, summers are for beach trips, fall is for the foliage, winter is for skiing, and spring is for festivals.

If you can stand the occasional poor weather – the blinding snow and sometimes uncomfortable humidity – then you’ll do just fine in New England.

The climate in New England isn’t always agreeable, a fact that many residents will remind you of when you’re there. Winters are long and can be bitter cold and summers feel unfairly humid and short.

The weather in New England has a habit of being bipolar as well, appearing beautiful one moment only to turn to shit in a moment.

This doesn’t stop New Englanders from having a good time though as they seem to have something to do 365 days of the year. They take the weather with a grain of salt, as they should, and simply say, “if the weather’s no good, just wait 15 minutes (and it’ll be better).”

Outside of the mountainous regions, which can have Arctic qualities, there are no huge climatic swings in New England. Overall, temperatures are relatively cool and precipitation is spread throughout the year.

What makes New England feel so cold is the Canadian winds that come down and wreak havoc. These winds penetrate to the bone and can really ruin your day.

A thermometer may read 30 Fahrenheit but with the wind chill, it could feel like 0. Be sure to bring lots of layers and a windbreaker in the winter.

Fall in New England means changing foliage, the astounding beauty of which attracts every Joe Schmoe and his family to visit. If you’re on a road trip during this time, expect much higher prices and much less availability. Having said that, it’s one of the best places in the world to visit in September and October, so it’s worth it!

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Booking.com is quickly becoming our go-to for accommodation. From cheap hostels to stylish homestays and nice hotels, they’ve got it all!

Below is a list of sample New England road trip routes, from East Coast budget adventures to more comprehensive trips that cost a bit more. Varying from 4 to 14 days in length, they cover many of the top destinations in New England. Each itinerary provides day-by-day highlights, which are meant to give you some good New England road trip ideas.

The USA is  blisteringly beautiful. It’s also blisteringly expensive! Visiting two national parks in day can run you $70+ in entry fees.

Orrrr… you kick those entry fees to the curb, buy an annual ‘America the Beautiful Pass’ for $79.99,  and get unlimited access to ALL 2000+ federally managed sites in the States totally FREE!

You do the math. 😉

4-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary: Boston and the Cape

4 Days: Boston and the Cape

Arrive in Boston via Logan International Airport or by other means. Once you’re checked into your lodge and settled in, get ready to see the town!

Our  Boston itinerary  includes a visit to downtown Boston to see:

• Fenway Park
• The Freedom Trail
• Acorn Street
• Trinity Church
• Boston Commons

After that, head to bed because the next day we start again!

Today you’ll be getting off the beaten path in Boston.

• Southend for an authentic Bostonian experience
• Cambridge for Harvard and MIT
• East Boston for good food and views
• Walden Pond for transcendental fans
• Bunker Hill for history

Today we’re officially starting the drive, so have your car organized for a road trip to Cape Cod. Start driving on Highway 6 and then transfer to Highway 3 prior to the Cape Cod Canal. Once you’ve arrived, find your Cape Cod lodge/campsite and get set up.

Next, we’ll explore the Cape. Activities include:

• Lighthouses
• Charming settlements
• Trinket shopping
• Historical landmarks
• Biking and hiking
• Cape Cod Rail Trail

This is the last day of your short road trip from Boston. You can opt for a few different choices today.

Either consider visiting Nantucket Island or Martha’s Vineyard via the ferry. If not though, you can continue exploring the island and seeing what’s around.

When all is said and done, pack your things for a late flight in the evening or a flight the next day.

7 Day New England Road Trip Itinerary: New England’s Best Fall Foliage

7 Days: New England’s Best Fall Foliage

• Arrive at Logan International and organize your car; skip this if you’re coming by road from elsewhere.
• Hit the road immediately and head west on the I-90 and I-84 for Hartford, CT.
• Pass Hartford and continue onto the Litchfield Hills in West Connecticut.
• Spend the night in Kent, Cromwell or elsewhere.
• Admire the foliage.
• Depart from your lodge and head north on I-7 through the Housatonic Valley; red and gold foliage in abundance.
• Arrive at the junction between I-7 and Highway 2 near Williamstown.
• Highway 2 is colloquially referred to the Mohawk Trail, which offers some of the best of New England as well as excellent fall colors.
• Stay nearby and drive along the 2 to your heart’s desire.
• Drive on the Mohawk Trail if you haven’t already.
• When ready, head for Green Mountain National Forest of Vermont via I-7 again.
• Drive through the Green Mountains until Burlington.
• Grab a beer and chill for the night.

Today is a long but rewarding day.

• Depart from Burlington and head for Cambridge, VT.
• Hit the 108 and Smuggler’s Notch for excellent mountain views and foliage.
• Make your way east towards Bath, New Hampshire.
• Turn onto Highway 112 before Bath, which is the beginning of the Kancamagus Highway.
• Continue onto Lincoln, admiring the scenery along the way.
• Find a Lincoln Airbnb or stay in North Conway or elsewhere in the White Mountains.
• Finish the Kancamagus Highway (112), which terminates at Conway.
• Head north upon reaching Conway on Highway 16.
• Enjoy Mt Washington and White Mountain National Forest, which is particularly fantastic in fall.
• Turn onto I-2 and then again onto 113 to reach Evans Notch.
• Finish up and head south towards Portland for the night.
• Drive to Acadia National Park , which is one of the best places for fall foliage in New England.
• Make a tour around Mt Desert Island and get a full dose of autumn splendor and coastline.
• Spend the night around Acadia or back in Portland.
• Consider spending the night in Camden as there is excellent foliage here.
• Pack up and head back to Boston.
• Spend the day exploring the city.
• Get ready to depart that evening or the next day.

14-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary: Ultimate New England

14 Days: Ultimate New England Road Trip

Follow the first East Coast itinerary listed here  except  instead of returning to Boston at the end of day 4, relax and stay the night in Cape Cod. We’ll be moving on from there the next day…

• Depart from Cape Cod and hit I-6, which will take you all the way to Providence, Rhode Island.
• Explore the city and its architecture.
• Be sure to drop by one of the many breweries and brewpubs.
• Spend the night in or around Providence.
• Wake up and head directly for Newport via Highway 114.
• Spend the day exploring the opulent town.
• Be sure to visit the many mansions and estates as well as Fort Adams in the south.
• Depart when you’re ready.
• Drop by Narragansett for some beach time if you have time.
• Stop in Old Saybrook for the night or continue onto New Haven.
• Depart from your lodge and make your way north.
• Head to the state capital Hartford.
• Wadsworth Falls
• Buttermilk Falls
• Settle in Hartford for some culture and good partying or…
• Head to Litchfield Hills for a quieter night.
• Make your way up Knowledge Corridor or Housatonic Valley towards Vermont.
• Be sure to drop by the Mohawk Trail in Northwest Massachusetts for some scenery and history.
• Hit highway 7 and make the long drive to Burlington.
• Reward your hard work today with a beer.
• Spend the day exploring the Green Mountains of Vermont.
• Climbing the  Camel’s Hump .
• Hiking around  Mt Mansfield .
• Check out  Smuggler’s Notch .
• Rafting on the  Mad River .
• Spend the night in Burlington again.
• Depart from Burlington and head east towards Lincoln, New Hampshire via I-89.
• Arrive in the White Mountains and settle into whatever lodge/campground you have booked.
• Spend the remainder of the day in the mountains.
• Flume Gorge
• Mt Washington
• Franconia Notch
• Arethusa Falls
• Lonesome Lake
• If you arrived early enough, considering overnighting in a backcountry campsite.
• Wake up and knock off any remaining activities.
• Consider doing the full-day Presidential Traverse but, full-warning, it’s quite arduous.
• Lay your head down for the night, preferably around a campfire with a drink.
• Depart from the White Mountains and travel on Highway 302 to Portland, Maine.
• If you stay in Portland, visit the many maritime landmarks, trinket shops, and breweries.
• Spend the day exploring Acadia National Park.
• Taking a road trip around  Mt Desert Island .
• Climbing  Cadillac Mountain .
• Visiting  Jordan Pond .
• Relaxing on  Sand Beach .
• Walking around  Bar Harbor .
• Head to your lodge for the night.

Below is a list of the best road trip destinations in New England. Study them well and decide which ones you like the most.

Road Trip to Boston

Boston is the largest city in New England and, honestly, one of the coolest cities in the entire United States. With gorgeous architecture, some of America’s most important history, and hugely diverse demographics, there’s little chance you’ll run out of things to do in Boston .

Downtown Boston – the area with all the skyscrapers – is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s attractions. Notable points of interest in Boston Downtown include Fenway Park , the Trinity Church, Boston Commons, Acorn Hill , and the North End. You could easily hit all of these places in a few hours by walking.

North across the Charles River is Cambridge , home to the famously exclusive Harvard College and MIT . Both campuses are worth visiting – the former for traditional architecture and the latter for ultra-modern. The whole of Cambridge is pretty affluent, being inhabited by students and leaders in tech, but thankfully doesn’t suffer from too much snootiness.

South Boston is the home of the “southies” aka those people that sound like Matt Damon from Good Will Hunting . Aside from the impressive JFK Library, there isn’t a whole lot to do here besides people watch, which is, admittedly, awesome.

Finally, across the Boston Channel and next to Logan International is East Boston, which is where most of the immigrants live. These means this is one of the best places in Boston to grab food! The views ain’t bad either.

While you’re travelling around Boston , be sure to also get outside of the city of as well! The historical city of Concord , as well as the hallowed Walden Pond , are both worth a day trip.

Road Trip to Cape Cod and the Islands

Cape Cod is a large, prominent peninsula located south of Boston. It is an immensely popular getaway destination due in part to its extensive coastline and profuseness of quaint coastal towns.

Combined with the ever-enchanting Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island , both located nearby, and you have an assembly of some of the best of New England.

Cape Cod is a very large region, surprisingly so, and is broken into several districts. Because of its size, history, and prosperity, Cape Codians are very proud of their home and consider it more than just a tourist destination. There are loads of great places to stay in Cape Cod , if you fancy extending your trip!

There are several charming towns on Cape Cod that are worth visiting. Hyannis is most notable for the Kennedy Compound , which served as the holiday home for JFK and his family, as well the enormous Beech Tree on Main Street .

Fans of Kurt Vonnegut may also be interested in nearby Barnstable as it was his home for several decades. Affluent Chatham has one of the best lighthouses and local baseball teams on the Cape (Cape Codians are crazy for the sport).

Finally, Provincetown is famous for its artsy and expressive LGBT community.

Most everyone comes to Cape Cod to play in the sea as the peninsula has some of the best beaches in New England. Make no mistake, there are a lot of them too.

Stunning stretches of sand can be found at Nauset Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Sandy Neck Beach, Mayflower Beach, and pretty anywhere else along the Cape Cod National Shoreline Park . You may get lucky and even see a migrating humpback whale!

No road trip to Cape Cod is complete without a trip to Nantucket Island or Martha’s Vineyard – both are among the most desirable places to visit in New England, during summer especially so.

Martha’s Vineyard is full of grand residences for the rich as well as picturesque beaches. Nantucket is similar to Martha’s Vineyard but smaller and quieter. You can catch a ferry to either at Hyannis.

Road Trip to Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a little bit of everything. The largest city, Providence , is often considered a good alternative to Boston, and the surrounding state offers quintessential scenery including rugged coastline, quaint townships, and, of course, the fall foliage New England is so beloved for.

Providence is the third largest city in New England. For a long time, Providence had a bad reputation for being sketchy, crime-ridden, and corrupt but, following massive economic pushes, is currently undergoing an urban renaissance. It’s now a very appealing city thanks to its history with a bustling college scene, solid nightlife, and heaps of stuff to do .

Providence is a small city so getting around on a foot is a very reasonable task. Walk around and take note of the diverse architecture. Be sure to see the State House, the eclectic Brown University, the restored Arcade, and the First Baptist Church , among others, for a lesson in American architectural history.

For a languid afternoon, try visiting one of the many museums and/or parks in Providence. Certain neighborhoods, like Federal Hill, College Hill, and Downcity all offer nice urban panoramas as well. End your day at one of the many breweries in the city.

Rhode Island’s other noteworthy city is Newport . An opulent town, full of mansions and elegant avenues, Newport is a prime example of New England decadence. Rosecliff estate served as a setting in the recent Great Gatsby film and its neighbors – The Beakers and Marble House – are equally grandiose.

There is a thriving art scene in Newport and jazz, in particular, is praised here. There is an awesome jazz festival at Fort Adams. Festival or not, Fort Adams is worth seeing because it is one of the most important historical structures in New England.

Newport has many beautiful city beaches including Bailey’s, Easton, and Gooseberry. To see some real contenders for “best beaches in New England,” head across the Jamestown Verrazano Bridge to Narragansett . If you’re ever wondering where to stay in Newport, you should definitely consider staying in one of the more historic bed and breakfasts in Rhode Island there.

Coastal Connecticut Road Trip

Connecticut is an eclectic state visited often by both New Englanders and New Yorkers, the latter of which only live a short train ride away. It is a popular getaway for city folk who need a break from the grind and some time in rural New England.

With a lovely coastline, romantic countryside, and a number of dynamic cities, Connecticut is a great stop along any New England road trip route USA.

Connecticut can be broken down roughly into three parts: the coast, the “Knowledge Corridor,” and the countryside. This section will cover coastal Connecticut , which is a part of Southern New England.

Driving west along Highway 95 from Rhode Island, you’ll pass by some of the most beautiful beach towns in New England. Stonington is a good place to learn about the maritime history of the state – particularly at the Old Lighthouse Museum .

Old Saybrook is one of the prettiest coastal towns in Connecticut and is also a stone’s throw away from Gillette Castle . On the way to New Haven is Hammonasset Beach , which is the longest and busiest beach in the state. Make sure to stay in one of the stunning cabins in Connecticut to make the most out of all this natural scenery.

New Haven marks the beginning of a long stretch of urban development that spans all the way to New York state.

New Haven is most famous for Yale University , which is arguably the top attraction in the city. Being a college town, New Haven has a great art scene and nightlife. The pizza is also particularly good in this town.

As we continue further west along 95, we’ll pass by many more beautiful New England towns. There’s quiet Milford , which has a great beach called Silver Sands .

Next, you’ll pass through industrial Bridgeport . After that is upscale Stamford , glorified dockyard for millionaires from New York (there are some good beaches as well).

Finally, you’ll end up in Greenwich , which is one of the most admired towns in New England, due in part to its beauty and close proximity to New York.

There are a ton of awesome B&Bs in Connecticut where you can stay in a historical building and enjoy that welcoming East Coast hospitality.

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Road Trip through Connecticut and Massachusetts

The interior of Connecticut is dominated by the Knowledge Corridor , which hosts one of the densest collections of higher learning institutions, not to mention one of the largest populations in New England.

Travel outside this packed area and you’ll find some of some of the best of New England pastoralism including traditional townships, rolling hills, and a distinctive tranquility. Visiting either on a New England road trip provides excellent insight into the region.

Let’s start with the quieter section – the western part of Connecticut referred to as the Litchfield Hills. This part of the state is very rural with few inhabitants and even fewer visitors.

There are a number of beautiful New England towns here, including Kent , Cornwall , and New Milford , as well some lovely natural attractions like Kent Falls, Burr Pond, Candlewood Lake, and Mohawk Mountain . These are also some of the best places to visit in New England in the fall.

Moving along to our main destination, we first make for Hartford , Connecticut’s state capital and the beginning of the Knowledge Corridor. Hartford is considered one of the great culture capitals of the region.

There are several libraries and art collections dedicated to various historical figures, including Mark Twain, spread throughout the city. Reportedly, West Hartford also has a fairly active nightlife.

Outside of Hartford are a number of parks worth visiting. Examples include Enders State Forest/Falls, Buttermilk Falls , and Wadsworth Falls .

We continue our New England road trip north on Highway 91 through the Connecticut River Valley. This is the heart of the Knowledge Corridor, a title that refers to the huge concentration of colleges and universities in the area. This corridor runs all the way into Massachusetts and terminates in Springfield.

Springfield is a great city full of Victorian architecture and some of the coolest museums in New England. Be sure to visit the NBA Hall of Fame , if you’re interested in sports, as well as the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Museum , if you had a childhood.

Vermont Road Trip

True to its nickname, Vermont aka The Green Mountain State is a wild wonderland and a favorite playground for New England outdoors people. With some awesome skiing and hiking in addition to several fall foliage drives, which are among the best in New England, Vermont is a great escape from the more developed CT, MA, and RI. Here is the best opportunity to stay in a cabin in Vermont for a truly off-the-grid experience.

Starting in the south of Vermont, you’ll first arrive at the mountains from which the state gets its name, the Green Mountains . A subrange of the Appalachia, the Green Mountains are home to the state’s highest peaks as well as the best mountain activities.

Some of the best ski resorts in Vermont are Sugarbush, Stowe Mountain, Killington, Mount Snow , and Jay Peak. Though the slopes aren’t as epic as say those in Colorado or Oregon, they still get dumped on with snow and have decent runs.

If skiing isn’t your bag, why not try portions of the Green Mountain Long Trail ? This extension of the Appalachian Trail is noteworthy for hitting all the range’s highest peaks but is, for this reason, difficult at times.

Casual hikers and campers can also take advantage of the many free backcountry campsites and quaint bed and breakfasts in Vermont .

Other natural attractions worth visiting in Vermont are the Mad River, Quechee Gorge, Camel’s Hump , and the many gorgeous lakes – most notably Lake Willoughby and Lake Champlain.

Montpellier is the state capital of Vermont though Burlington is the largest and most exciting in the state.

Burlington is famous for being a hippy town as well as drop dead gorgeous because it lies on the banks of Lake Champlain. Burlington makes for an excellent base for exploring Vermont’s outdoor spaces with many quality bike paths for cycling enthusiasts.

Like any good liberal college town, Burlington has plenty of bars, and the breweries, in particular, are excellent. You ca check out Airbnbs in Vermont for cozy and comfortable stays.

Road Trip to New Hampshire

New Hampshire is very similar to Vermont in that it’s mostly visited for its epic settings and free-spirited culture. With the highest peak in all of New England, Mount Washington , as well as the beautiful White Mountains , New Hampshire is another great New England road trip destination for adventurous travelers.

If you’re on a summer New England road trip, then you’ll obviously want to hit the trails in New Hampshire. This state has some of the best hikes in New England in addition to some decent summits.

As previously mentioned, Mt Washington is the highest peak in New England and can be summitted in a day either by foot or by cog train (that’s cheating though). Be mindful of foul weather.

New Hampshire’s Mt Monadnock is argued to be the second most climbed peak in the world next to Mt Fuji, but many don’t count Monadnock because it has no glacier. (Mt Hood in Oregon is the second most climbed glaciated peak in the world.)

Another rewarding and arduous hike is the Presidential Traverse where you navigate across 11 of the state’s highest peaks. Also consider visiting Lake Winnipesaukee , Franconia Notch, Arethusa Falls, Lonesome Lake , and the Flume Gorge .

Those on a winter or spring New England road trip will be happy to hear the skiing is also quite good in New Hampshire. Popular ski resorts include Loon Mountain, Bretton Woods, Cannon Mountain , and Waterville Valley .

New Hampshire is pretty sparsely populated and there aren’t too many bustling urban centers here. There are a couple of little towns worth stopping in still.

Hanover is home to the famous Dartmouth University and is gorgeous in its own right. Jackson is a gorgeous place to stay in the White Mountains and makes for a great base. Finally, Portsmouth is one of the most historically significant towns in New England and, more importantly, has great breweries.

Road Trip on the Maine Coast

Maine will be a highlight for any New England Coast road trip! With epic seascapes and even more epic seafood, Maine has a lot to offer.

Many people have fallen in love with Maine’s coastline, too many perhaps. Coastal Maine isn’t exactly hidden these days and so anyone on a summer road trip in New England will have to deal with large crowds.

You can definitely get off the beaten path in Maine but that is a topic that we will be discussing in the next section .

Driving from Portsmouth, NH, you’ll head north on the 95 to Portland , Maine, catching glimpses of the shoreline along the way. You’ll pass by several of Maine’s best beaches and towns including York, Ogunquit, Cape Elizabeth , and Goose Rocks . Upon arriving in Portland, you may think that it’s a small coastal town but is, in fact, the largest “city” in the state.

Portland is one of the best places in New England, ridiculously charming and full of quaint little attractions. You’ll learn a lot about its maritime history at the Old Port and also be afforded the opportunity to shop for artisanal souvenirs. The seafood is obviously excellent in Portland and the beer is especially delicious if not abundant.

Moving on from Portland, we continue our New England coast road trip deeper into the state. Driving on the 1 you’ll have lots of opportunities to visit the coast. Boothbay is an elegant destination, Camden is gorgeous, and Popham Beach is arguably one of the best beaches in New England.

Our ultimate destination is Acadia National Park , the only national park in New England. It is a superlative place with some astounding scenery, not to mention some of the best hikes in New England.

Spend the night in the charming seaside town of Bar Harbour , where you’ll get to try Maine’s famous cold lobster roll. You’ll find some epic Maine B&Bs here run by friendly locals.

Then go for a drive around Mt Desert Island , the island on which Acadia is located, and then explore local sites like Jordan Pond and Sand Beach . Note that you’ll have to pay an entry fee for Acadia.

Below is an overview of the Great North Woods of New England, arguably the wildest place in the Northeast. Those with the will and proper transport will be rewarded with virgin woods, pristine rivers, and an abundance of local wildlife.

Great North Woods

The Great North Woods is one of the quietest, most underdeveloped, and most beautiful places in New England. It refers to the extremely wild and untouched woodlands of northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine that separate New England from Canada.

With little, if any tourist infrastructure, the Great North Woods should be an awesome adventure for anyone looking for a proper USA backcountry experience on their New England road trip.

There are a fair bit of activities in the New Hampshire part of the Great North Woods. Many of New England’s best waterfalls are in this region including the spectacular Beaver Brook Falls . There’s a very complex and thorough network of trails here as well that penetrates deep into the woods.

You can drive to Great North Woods in Maine from New Hampshire via Highway 16 and pass some excellent scenery along the way. This area is one of the best places to visit in New England in the fall because of the spectacular foliage. Be careful of moose though! These giants will run into the road sometimes and seriously ruin your car.

Maine’s North Woods is expansive and is probably the most remote part of New England. It is, in fact, so out-there that certain counties like Aroostook are not even officially incorporated into the state and so have no “official populations.”

Stories of the wood’s frightful and fantastic inhabitants still circulate to this day as well, like that of the vengeful wendigo or of the murderous ding-balls.

Interior locations like Baxter State Park and Mt Katahdin are the most “accessible” places in Maine’s North Woods. Surrounding these is 100 Mile Wilderness , which is often visited by ACT hikers. If you want to travel further than these locations you may need a 4×4 as paved roads are no longer guaranteed.

If you can make it, the Allagash Wilderness is one of the great river adventures in America. Navigable only by canoe or raft, there is nothing out here besides moose, fish, and untouched landscapes.

A road trip through New England ain’t going to be cheap, folks. With the high costs of living and high demand, New England has some of the steepest hotel rates and dining prices in the USA.

That’s no reason not to visit New England in the first place though! You have us, after all. 🙂

We at The Broke Backpacker are constantly looking for new ways to save on travel and have a whole repertoire of useful tips to share with y’all. Even if we are unable to travel for $10/day like in our favorite countries (let’s be real here), we can at least help you minimize expenses to the utmost degree.

The average daily budget for a New England road trip is between $200-$250 – this includes gas, a rental car, lodging, food, drink, and entry fees.

On any road trip, New England or otherwise, the largest cost will be gas . This expense will always sneak up on you because it can be difficult to properly gauge how much you will actually use.

Lodging is also expensive in New England. Try and camp out as much as possible to lower your daily budget significantly. Take advantage of the cheaper public campsites and occasional backcountry site, which are sometimes free. Stay in hostels as well – they’re not so bad in New England.

Food costs are something you can control as you will have the option of cooking cheaply at home or the campsite. Dining is expensive in New England so be picky about how many lobsters you eat and clam bakes you attend.

Below is a breakdown of the average costs of a road trip in New England.

Average Costs of a New England Road Trip

Rental car : $50-$150

RV rental :  $100-$300

Gallon of gas:  $2.74

Private AirBnB home:  $140

Hotel room:  $150

Hostel:  $25-$35

Campground:  $10-30 (sometimes free!)

Sandwich:  $6-$9

Beer at a bar:  $5-$8

Coffee:  $3-$4

Bottle of Whiskey from the market:  $25

Dinner for two:  $35-$60

Best Places to Stay in New England on a Budget

Camping in new england.

Camping in New England is either done on public land, private land or in the backcountry . Each type offers different sorts of amenities and at different prices.

Private campgrounds usually have more amenities and can accommodate more types of campers. RV parks, hookup sites, and other sorts of demanding camping (we hesitate to use the word “glamping”) are usually found at private camps.

Private camps usually have lots of communal facilities like a kitchen and showers. Because of their greater comfort, private campgrounds are usually more expensive.

Camping on public land, run either by the state or the feds, is usually more basic. Electricity is possible as is the occasional shower but don’t expect the resort-like services that private campgrounds have. Fortunately, prices are far more reasonable at public campgrounds.

Both public and private campsites fill up quickly in the fall. Many take reservations though and we suggest you do this if you’re going on a fall foliage road trip in New England.

Backcountry campsites, being located on either private or public land, are harder to access but have the benefit of being extremely cheap if not totally free . These campgrounds usually require a hike or maybe a water taxi to reach, which makes them difficult and unattractive for the average camper.

The backcountry campgrounds are also very primitive, often with no restrooms and maybe running water. For the intrepid, these campgrounds can be very ideal as they’re super quiet, wild, and, as previously mentioned, usually free!

Backcountry campsites are usually found in the mountains, around the lakes, and on the remote islands of New England. Use this search engine for a compendium of free camping in New England .

Always have of plenty of powerful bug spray and mosquito repellent on you. Mosquitoes are a plague in the summer. Be sure to also wear long clothing to protect yourself from ticks when hiking in the backcountry. Local ticks often carry Lyme Disease, which is an autoimmune disorder with no cure.

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Renting a Car or Campervan in New England

Renting a car is the most popular way of getting around New England. There are a myriad of car rental agencies here that offer varying deals and varying models.

To find the best rental car deal in the USA, use search engines that compare the prices from individual companies. We personally like using rentalcars.com as they’ve never failed to give us a great price.

You can also rent and travel in a campervan , which means you don’t have to worry about packing camping gear. You will have to empty and refill the various wascampete and water tanks though, which will require a visit to the proper facilities. RVs also cost more to rent, use more gas, and demand higher prices at campgrounds. We suggest booking a campervan with Outdoorsy as they usually have a good selection and good prices.

Make sure you also purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

The roads in the Northeast are generally very good and a sedan or economy car should deliver you to most of New England’s top destinations. Only in the most remote portions of the Great North Woods, will the roads be so bad that you need 4×4 or at least high clearance.

If you’re on a road trip in New England during the winter and want to go to the mountains, you will definitely need all-wheel or 4-wheel drive.

Getting Insured for a Road Trip through New England

Concerned about staying safe in the USA? Well don’t be! Just make sure you’re insured, and you drive carefully.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

New England is no doubt one of the most idyllic regions of the US. Quaint coastal towns and some of the best foliage in the country are but two reasons to take a road trip here–but there are so many more.

Hopefully, you now feel more prepared on where to go and what to do on YOUR New England road trip.

But rest assured that regardless of which spots you’re bound to find beauty, history and a whole lot of delicious seafood.

So what are you waiting for? The open, rural roads of New England awaits!

Updated February 2023 by Samantha Shea

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Wow! great article and suggestions.

thank you for all of the advinces it helps, can t wait to visit New England Vermont Maine, xxx

Lake placid in the Adirondack Mountains also a try while stop. There are several private and New York State campgrounds nearby.

Thank you for mapping this all out. I live in New England and would love to visit many of these places.

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17 Books to Inspire Your Next American Road Trip

With most international borders closed to Americans for 2020, there is no time like the present to plan a Great American Road Trip!

The options of beautiful places to visit on a Great American Road Trip are endless but what is the most scenic drive in the United States?

Well, that depends on what you’re looking for — mountains, ocean, desert, lakes, or farmland.

From East Coast to West Coast to Cross-Country Road Trips, here are 17 American Road Trip Books filled with ideas to inspire your next adventure!

Table of Contents

List of American Road Trip Books

1. 50 states 500 state parks: an essential guide to america’s best places to visit.

By Publications International Ltd.

National Parks seem to dominate bucket lists these days but did you know there are over 500 State Parks across all 50 states ? From beaches to mountains, wildlife reserves to historic sites, this book will give you some American road trip ideas for planning your next domestic adventure.

2. 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

By Joe Yogerst , National Geographic

The travel experts at National Geographic have put together a comprehensive, illustrated book filled with 5,000 ideas on places to visit in all 50 states , plus every province in Canada. From well-known famous sights to relatively undiscovered hidden gems, there is bound to be something for every type of traveler on this list.

3. 100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See

By Joe Yogerst, National Geographic

Another great read from National Geographic, this sequel to 50 States, 5,000 Ideas gives readers inspiration for 5,000 places to visit on 100 different drives from Alaska to Hawaii and the 48 contiguous states, plus 10 Canadian provinces!

4. 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die

By Patricia Schultz

You’ve probably heard of the famous 1,000 Places To See Before You Die book, but why not start off your quest with these regional 1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die ? The title is a bit morbid but the suggestions in the book are anything but.

5. Lonely Planet USA’s Best Trips

By Simon Richmond, Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet has taken the hassle out of planning road trips with their book about the 51 best road trips in the USA ! This beautifully-photographed tome also includes planning advice, itineraries from 2 days to 2 weeks, detailed maps and directions, and other essential information to make your road trip dreams a reality.

6. National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways: The 300 Best Drives in the U.S.

By National Geographic

The folks at National Geographic have compiled practical planning tips and information on 300 of the best drives in the good ‘ole U S of A, from day trips to multiple week-long adventures in all 4 corners of the United States and everywhere in between.

7. NYT. 36 Hours. USA & Canada.

By Barbara Ireland

This is the perfect book for the full-time working wanderluster. The New York Times has compiled entries from its 20-years-old “36 Hours” column to bring us weekend itineraries spanning, you guessed it, 36 hours in 150 destinations across the USA and Canada.

8. Off the Beaten Path: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting

By Reader’s Digest

A book after my own heart! I’m a lover of hidden gems and relatively undiscovered places so Reader’s Digest’s compilation of 1,000 off the beaten path places is right up my alley! Sure, the Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge are obviously worth visiting but have you ever thought about following the dinosaur trails through Colorado?

9. Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways

By Jamie Jensen

This author traversed nearly 400,000 of two-lane highways in order to narrow down a collection of 35,000 miles of the best stretches of pavement for would-be road trippers. The book includes hundreds of possible itinerary combinations and over 125 detailed driving maps to make your next road trip a breeze.

10. Roadfood: An Eater’s Guide to More Than 1,000 of the Best Local Hot Spots and Hidden Gems Across America

By Jane Stern

The best part of traveling is the food, amiright? The Roadfood eater’s guide provides over 1,000 unique options for travelers who are tired of repetitive roadside chain restaurants. The legendary chef James Beard said that “this is a book that you should carry with you, no matter where you are going in these United States.” SOLD.

1 1. Route 66: The Mother Road 75th Anniversary Edition

By Michael Wallis

Can you even call it a Great American Road Trip if you don’t traverse “America’s Main Street,” Route 66? The 75th Anniversary Edition of Route 66: The Mother Road pays homage to the people and places along this iconic stretch of pavement that has been traveled by road warriors over the past eight decades.

12. Secret Route 66: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

By Jim Ross & Shellee Graham

For road trippers who have “been there, done that” and seen the main sights of America’s Main Street or who gravitate towards hidden gems in their travels, Secret Route 66 is the perfect remedy. This tribute to the Mother Road highlights 90 places along Route 66 that, as the name implies, are weird, wonderful, and obscure.

13. The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips

By Editors of Reader’s Digest

This recently revised and updated book is the perfect coffee table book for anyone who enjoys landscape eye-candy. The editors at Reader’s Digest have put together 120 of the most scenic drives in America and is great for active road trippers and armchair travelers alike.

14. The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA

By Jessica Dunham

Part of the notable Moon travel guides family, The Open Road is a collection of 50 of the best road trips in these great united states. Whether you’re looking to travel coast-to-coast or just get away for the weekend, there is bound to be an itinerary that fits the bill.

15. The Ultimate Pet-Friendly Road Trip

By Amy Burkert

Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you need to leave Fido behind. In fact, I’d argue road trips are the best type of travel for pet owners. This book offers up the ultimate pet-friendly road trip bucket list of 49 attractions across the country so you don’t need to leave your furry companion at home when you hit the road.

16. Unique America – Strange, Unusual, and Just Plain Fun: A Trip Through America

Are you the type of traveler that looks to the Atlas Obscura website first for ideas for your next trip? If so, then Unique America is for you. Get ready to see the world’s largest ball of twine, a floating bridge, or a ginormous artichoke the size of your car.

17. Where To Go When the Americas

By DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are my go-to choice when I have an upcoming trip. I love the balance between visual representation and easy-to-digest information about the places they cover. Where To Go When is only last on this list because it’s in alphabetical order, haha. But if you’re looking for seasonal inspiration for your next American road trip, look no further.

Have any of these American Road Trip books inspired your next adventure?!?!

More Wanderlust-Filled Book Recommendations

17 books that will inspire you to visit america’s national parks.

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About Laura

Laura is an avid traveler who aspires to live a life filled with adventure and a dash of luxury and hopes to inspire others to do the same. She seems to consistently be drawn to lesser-traveled hidden "pearls" and loves to give these under-the-radar places the credit they are due. Laura can often be found on the ski slopes in the winter and is obsessed with all activities involving water...and mac and cheese...and Golden Retrievers.

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• Where to go

What to eat

• Ultimate itinerary
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America's East Coast

The ultimate East Coast road trip

The east coast covers 14 states from maine in the north to florida in the south, and on a road trip you’ll have the freedom to explore them. here, we travel on a northeast section for revolutionary remnants, world-class waterfalls and seafood fresh from the atlantic., why visit the east coast.

This is a region that’s difficult, if not impossible, to define in a few words. It’s buttery lobster rolls in Boston, hallowed museums in DC and neck-cricking skyscrapers in New York, shifting to the glamorously faded mansions and southern drawls of Charleston and the gator swamps of the Everglades. And it’s this variety, more than anything, that’ll make you want to return.

A road trip is the ideal way to get around, not least because you can cover enormous distances and tick off key sights – whether it’s the raging torrents of Niagara Falls or the Amish markets of rural Pennsylvania – as and when you please. If the idea of driving doesn’t appeal, book an organised tour instead.

Top 5 places to go

Beantown, The Cradle of Liberty, The Athens of America: Boston goes by many names. It’s one of the oldest cities in the United States, and it’s here that the rumblings of the Revolutionary War first erupted. Today the key sights are commemorated on the Freedom Trail , and you’ll find its lantern-lit cobblestone streets merging with incongruous districts of skyscrapers. Seafood is a big deal here, as are the World-Series-winning Red Sox .

Washington DC

Washington DC plays its role as capital well. First, there are the monuments and memorials – Lincoln looming over the Reflecting Pool, Washington over the National Mall – as well as the White House and Capitol Building, arguably among the most iconic structures in America. And then there are the Smithsonian museums and galleries: 19 institutions packed to the rafters with artefacts – and all free of charge to visit. 

The southern belle of the southeast, Charleston is the “best-mannered city in America”. It’s a city steeped in history, where you’ll find horse-drawn carriages trotting past weathered antebellum mansions and a full rainbow of pastel-coloured homes. Much of its wealth was built by enslaved peoples, and the city is still coming to terms with its upsetting past – many of its former plantations and markets now serve as fascinating, albeit unsettling, open-air museums.

New York needs no introduction: its big lights have inspired for generations. By now the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Times Square have all grown into firm household names, as instantly recognisable as the yellow taxis that ply the city’s streets and the neon billboards that burn coldly long into the night. A visit here is an assault on the senses – maybe that’s why New Yorkers love Central Park.

Florida Keys

A hundred-mile chain of “Floribbean” isles on the southeast coast, the Florida Keys are closer to Cuba than Miami. As barmy as they are balmy, they were once the preserve of pirates, smugglers and wreckers, but now maintain a reputation for their copious water sports and good-humoured eccentricity. Time your visit with Key West’s Fantasyfest in October for pet masquerades and fancy-dress parades – previous themes include “Habitat for Insanity”.

Read more:  Check out what to do on a south Florida road trip here

Lobster roll

No food is more associated with the East Coast than the lobster roll, a hot dog-style snack prepared with heaps of steamed lobster, warm drawn butter and a dash of black pepper and lemon. Variants include celery and mayonnaise, but with lobster this fresh there’s really no need to dress it up.

Clam chowder

Continuing the seafood theme, clam chowder is a comforting staple found on many an East Coast menu, particularly the farther north you go. This thick, creamy broth comes fully loaded with briny clams and chunks of salty bacon, and pairs well with homemade biscuits or an extravagant side of oysters.

Read more: America's most magical RV road trips

Cheesesteak

Rooted in Philadelphia, this drippy dish tops a hoagie roll with a delicious scrambled mess of steak, onions and melted cheese (usually Cheez Whiz, provolone or American). There’s no elegant way to eat it, so don’t bother trying.

With over 1,600 miles between Augusta, Maine and Miami, Florida, it would be tricky to tackle the entire East Coast in a single trip. For an easier introduction try this seven-day jaunt along the northeast, which ticks off many of the big-hitting sights while keeping costs to a minimum through camping bookended with hostel stays.

Day 1 – New York City

Wake up: early at HI New York City , a well-kept hostel set within a looming Gothic building just two blocks from Central Park. 

Go for a wander: across Central Park’s rolling lawns for a browse of the artworks in the Guggenheim or the Metropolitan Museum of Art . The walk should take half an hour, but budget extra time to peer at the manicured flower gardens and watch the boats bobbing on the lake.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by The Met (@metmuseum) on Nov 12, 2019 at 3:16pm PST

Have lunch at: Grand Central Oyster Bar , based (you guessed it) under the iconic arches of Grand Central Station. By the time you’ve filled up on briny morsels, the crowds will have thinned at the top of the Empire State Building and you can spend an hour absorbing one of Earth’s great cityscapes.

Next head for: the neon-lit billboards of Times Square and the Theatre District to watch a Broadway show . Make a pit stop at Joe’s Pizza for the quintessential New York slice before catching the subway back to the hostel. Tomorrow, the road trip begins.

Day 2 – Philadelphia

Drive: two hours southwest to Philadelphia, a red-bricked bastion of US history thanks to its role in the American Revolutionary War. Now it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Kick off: with a trip to Independence Hall , the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. When you’re finished, hop over the road to view the iconic cracked shell of the Liberty Bell , which tolled during the Declaration’s first public reading. 

Next strike a pose: on the steps fronting the Museum of Art , where fictional boxer Rocky Balboa famously lifted his arms in celebration after a vigorous training montage . Keep an eye out for the statue of him at the bottom.

For lunch: don’t miss your chance for an authentic Philly cheesesteak. The best restaurants are marked out by the queues snaking beyond their doors – Jim’s Steaks on South Street is a favourite.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Jim's South Street (@jimssouthstreet) on Jul 18, 2018 at 10:02am PDT

Finish up: with the two-hour drive to pitch your tent at Cherry Hill Park , a pretty, serviced campground 12 miles outside Washington DC.

Day 3 – Washington DC

Rise early: and head for a day exploring the capital’s iconic museums and monuments. While Washington is certainly walkable, distances between sights can be great and you’ll have a more enjoyable time if you rent some wheels – a bike or electric scooter .

Spend the morning: ticking off the major monuments – the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial – before making a beeline for the Capitol Building and the White House.

When you’re finished: fill up on your pick from the food trucks that trundle around town. BBQ Bus specialises in slow-smoked pork and brisket, while Puddin’ has po’boys aplenty. 

Next it’s time for: the museums. There are 19  Smithsonian museums and galleries in all, showcasing everything from the Wright brothers’ original aircraft in the Air and Space Museum to the (supposedly cursed) Hope Diamond in the Museum of Natural History . You won’t have time to visit them all, but try your best to pop your head in a few – entry is free. 

Day 4 – Lancaster 

Welcome to: Amish Country, PA. You’ll arrive after a 2.5-hour road trip from DC, which gradually transitions from towering landmarks to horse-drawn wagons via glorious views of rolling countryside.

For a taste of Amish life: stop for a buggy ride around Plain & Fancy farm. You’ll trundle the backroads with an Amish guide, passing herds of horses and locals ploughing their fields, with a pit stop at a working dairy.

Continue: up the road to the town of Intercourse (really), where you can sample a practically obscene spread of local chutneys, cured meats and cheeses in the twee Kitchen Kettle Village . Visit Jam & Relish Kitchen to try habanero mango jam and snag a few jars to take home.

Your home for the evening: is the wooded Koa campground , a 2.5-hour drive away in Bellefonte.

Day 5 – Niagara Falls 

Onwards to: Niagara Falls, a four-hour drive north to the border between the US and Canada. You’ll see great plumes of mist rising before you spot the falls themselves.

Hop on board: a fun Maid of the Mist cruise, which will float you out into the maelstrom. Make sure you wear the souvenir poncho – you’ll get a good soaking close to the falls. 

Your next stop: is the evocatively named Rainbow Bridge, which crosses the river (and the international border) to Ontario, Canada for a better view of the falls. You’ll need to bring your passport and follow the usual visa requirements. 

Pop into: Smoke’s Poutinerie to try poutine, the archetypal Canadian junk food with fries smothered in squeaky cheese curds and meaty gravy.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Smoke's Poutinerie (@smokes_poutinerie) on Apr 11, 2019 at 9:29am PDT

As night falls: return to the US and drive 20 minutes to Four Mile Creek State Park where you can camp on the shore of Lake Ontario. Look out for the twinkling lights of Toronto far across the water.

Day 6 – To Boston

Buckle up: for a true American experience – an all-day road trip. Your destination is Boston, 480 miles to the east. 

Arrive late: and drop your bags at HI Boston , a comfortable, clean gem of a hostel two blocks south of Boston Common. Dinner is at the Park Plaza branch of Legal Sea Foods , an upscale local institution that’s worth every cent. Don’t miss the New England clam chowder.

Day 7 – Boston

Today: you’ll tackle the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail and explore the city in the process. Start by strolling 10 minutes to the visitor centre on Boston Common, where you can pick up a copy of the thorough self-guided tour.

Next follow: the red stripe on the sidewalk marking the way to the impressive gold dome of the Massachusetts State House, and proceed to the Granary Burial Ground (which is filled with revolutionary heroes), Old State House (the site of the Boston Massacre) and Faneuil Hall (an old favourite for rousing speeches).

For lunch: leave the trail for one of Boston’s best lobster rolls. Row 34 sits in the nearby Seaport District and serves the iconic dish two ways: chilled with a creamy, celery-heavy sauce or warm and buttered – we recommend the latter.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Row 34 (@row34) on Sep 8, 2018 at 7:25am PDT

Head back: to the trail and follow it across the Charles River. Along the way you’ll pass the Old North Church (where lanterns were famously lit to warn of British troops), the spire of the Bunker Hill Monument and the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat. Hop on board for a wander between the cannons.

Finish up: with a water taxi ride back downtown.

How to get to and around the East Coast

There are major airports right along the East Coast, but for the itinerary above it’s best to book return flights to New York. Alternatively, book an open-jaw ticket and fly into New York and out of Boston.

Once you arrive, the best way to get around the East Coast is by rental car or organised tour, as distances are enormous and public transport is occasionally thin on the ground. 

We travelled with road-trip specialist, TrekAmerica on the seven-day Freedom Trail tour. The tour costs from £879 per person and price includes four nights camping including camping fees and equipment (excluding sleeping bag), two nights budget lodging, services of a TrekAmerica tour leader and private transportation throughout with free WI-FI.  

Got the bug for road tripping now? Next try northern Wyoming

Our handy map of the East Coast

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A Bookish Coastal U.S. Road Trip: I-95

Melissa Baron

Melissa is the author of TWICE IN A LIFETIME from Alcove Press and represented by Laura Cameron at Transatlantic Agency. She lives in Chicago and works as a technical writer to pay the bills. She is a former English major, and has never met a semicolon she didn’t accidentally abuse in some fashion. In her spare time, she explores Chicago, writes a lot, and hangs out with her fiancé and two cats. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @melissabaronwrites.

View All posts by Melissa Baron

Welcome to the third installment in our cross-country bookish road trip series! So far, we’ve traveled coast-to-coast along I-90 , crossed mountains and rivers in the heart of the country on I-70 , and now we’re taking you down the east coast using interstate 95. This is the perfect road to travel during the fall months, because not only will you get some gorgeous fall foliage in the northeastern portion of the trip, you’ll get to see some chilling, creepy bookish sights along the way.

As always, we’ll keep you along I-95 and all suggested detours will only take you one hour (one way) or less from the main route. This is not an exhaustive list; goodness knows there’s more literary goodness than you can shake a stick at along the eastern coast. Consider this list the highlights reel, and add bookish destinations to your itinerary as you please!

This route begins in Maine and runs all the way down to the very tip of Florida. That’s over 1,700 miles of highway across 13 states. You’ll notice that I-95 goes by a few different names along the way, but it’s the same road from Bangor to the Florida Keys. Travelers, this is going to be a good one. Buckle up, grab some snacks for the road, and let’s see what literary destinations I-95 has in store for us.

Bangor, Maine

Stephen king’s house.

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Oh yeah. You knew we were coming here. Our first stop is 47 West Broadway, at the king of horror’s house. Bangor is synonymous with Stephen King, and his home is everything you would expect from a horror writer: an old, red Victorian beauty with a wrought iron fence decorated with spiders and bats. Since King actually lives here, you can’t tour it, but you can definitely take a peek at the exterior and let its creepy ambiance set the tone for your fall road trip.

Thomas Hill Standpipe

But Mel, why would I want to visit a water standpipe, you ask? Because it’s the standpipe. The It standpipe where Stan first meets Pennywise. Derry, after all, is modeled after Bangor. The standpipe tower is also a local historic landmark, built in 1897 to provide water storage for firefighters and regulate water pressure in Bangor.

Corner of Jackson and Union Street

Head down the street from the standpipe and look for an old, rusty grate in the road. That’s where Georgie’s paper sailboat slid into the drain, and where Pennywise offered him a balloon. Don’t get too close, and definitely don’t accept any balloons from strange clowns.

Gerald Winters & Son

If you love horror, and based on almost every bookish stop on the trip so far we hope you do, Gerald Winters & Son in downtown Bangor is the bookstore for you. Home to every iteration of any Stephen King book you can find, as well as other rare and out-of-print findings from Tolkien and other horror writers, this bookstore is a treasure trove for a King or horror fan.

The Briar Patch Bookshop

Swing by the Briar Patch just down the road to find some books, unique toys, and stuffed animals for the littles in your life. This cute little bookshop specializes in children’s books, but also carries grownup books, too.

Bangor Public Library

Take a five minute walk across the Kenduskeag Stream to get to the Bangor Public Library , a beautiful building with a lovely old dome that used to be made entirely of copper, before it was replaced in 2014 and the copper was repurposed into jewelry that the library sold. And if you think you could get away from Pennywise here, think again. He made an appearance in the library, when a young Ben seeks refuge from his bullies (the scene was even filmed here in the 2017 remake), and Mike grows up to be the town librarian in the library’s Derry version.

Brunswick, Maine

Harriet beecher-stowe house.

An hour and a half’s drive from Bangor and 30 miles off of your main route, you’ll find the town of Brunswick. Harriet Beecher Stowe lived at 63 Federal Street in downtown Brunswick from 1850 to 1852, when she wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin . Her writing room is open to the public for tours, and the building itself is a National Historic Landmark and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site; Stowe sheltered John Andrew Jackson for a night on his way to Canada in 1850.

Twice Told Tales

Half a mile from Stowe’s former house is Twice Told Tales Quality Used Books , a local gem located in an old house full of used books. It’s run entirely by volunteers, and the proceeds go to benefit the Curtis Memorial Library.

Gulf of Maine Books

If you walk five minutes north of Twice Told Tales, you’ll find Gulf of Maine Books , another well-loved independent bookstore. Enjoy the cozy space and the wide variety the offer, including a robust regional author section, a First Nations section, and international offerings as well.

Portland, Maine

Carlson turner antiquarian books & bookbindery.

Portland is only a 30-minute drive from Brunswick, and your first stop in this charming port city is one of the most unique bookstores in the state. Carlson Turner Books is housed in a Victorian era brick shop in the East End, and features antiquated, scholarly, and used books. They also specialize in bookbinding and offer repair services. Bonus: If you’re looking for a place to stay, the owners rent out rooms above the bookshop via Airbnb.

Portland Public Library

Walk half a mile down Congress Street and visit the state’s largest public library downtown. The Portland Public Library is a beautiful building that, addition to books, features an art gallery and special collections containing rare books from 19th and 20th century Portland publishers. Time your visit right and you just might catch a Literary Lunch, the public library’s free monthly series where they interview authors from New England. Since it takes place during the lunch hour, attendees can bring their lunch, and the library provides the coffee.

Longfellow Books

Walk across the street from the library and take a peek at Longfellow Books , one of Portland’s most well known independent bookstores. Get some great recommendations and enjoy their wide selection; you’re bound to find something to your liking.

Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow House

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Head back to Congress, walk past Monument Square and look for the big red brick building at 489 Congress Street. Poet Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow grew up here in the 1800s, and his childhood home opened to the public in 1901, when the Maine Historical Society took it over. Almost everything inside is original and belonged to the family, so a visit here will transport you to Portland in the 1800s. Take a leisurely stroll through the Longfellow Garden on the property, and if you walk ten minutes further down Congress to the corner of State, you’ll see the Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow monument.

Nonesuch Books

Hop back in the car and drive across the Casco Bay Bridge for the Knightville neighborhood. Nonesuch Books features both new and used books, and you can also pick up some unique stationery and other gifts while you’re here.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth’s book & bar.

An hour south of Portland puts you in New Hampshire’s premiere port city. Stop in Portsmouth’s Book & Bar for some lunch, and peruse their bookshelves after you’ve eaten your fill. The food looks delicious, and their book selection has a little something for everyone!

RiverRun Bookstore

Walk right around the corner and pop into RiverRun Bookstore , an independent bookstore selling new and used books. Get a recommendation from their friendly staff!

Derry, New Hampshire

Robert frost farm state historic site.

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If you branch off from I-95 in Amesbury and head west for Derry, you’re in for a treat: Robert Frost’s farm is in these parts. One of America’s most celebrated poets, Frost lived here from 1900 to 1911, and the farm was a huge inspiration for many of his poems. Tour the farmhouse, walk the nature trail around the property, and if you come at the right time, enjoy a poetry reading at the barn.

Salem, Massachusetts

Wicked good books.

In under an hour, you’ll be in the most haunted city in the United States: Salem . Steeped in rich and utterly chilling history, autumn is perhaps the most appropriate time to visit. Your first stop will be Wicked Good Books , an independent bookstore that offers much more than your standard fare; you’ll find books on Salem history, tarot decks, and a selection of unique gifts on top of of their book stacks.

Crow Haven Corner

A short walk down Essex Street from Wicked Good Books will bring you to Crow Haven Corner , the oldest witch shop in Salem. In addition to the gifts, candles, herbs, and other witch-related items, they have a collection of occult and metaphysical books that you probably won’t find anywhere else.

Nathaniel’s Restaurant

Head across the street and have brunch or dinner at Nathaniel’s Restaurant , nestled inside the Hawthorne Hotel. This 96-year-old hotel is named after author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who grew up in Salem (and whose ancestor was a Salem witch trial judge). Stay at the hotel during your time in Salem and enjoy the Sunday Jazz brunch for some great music and tastier food.

Salem Witch Museum

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Now that you’ve eaten, walk around the corner and visit the Salem Witch Museum , housed in an imposing castle-like structure. The exhibits and tours are based on documents from the trials, which include life-sized stage sets and a historical look at the European witch trials that preceded Salem’s. The museum also has a bookstore featuring books about the trials, as well as other souvenirs and gifts.

The House of the Seven Gables

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Half a mile east of downtown Salem is Hawthorne Central. Right next to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birthplace is the dark and brooding mansion that inspired Hawthorne to write a novel named after it: The House of Seven Gables . Built in 1668 and owned then by his cousin Susanna, you can tour the house where a tragic gothic romance took place.

Concord, Massachusetts

Louisa may alcott’s orchard house.

Just six miles west of I-95 puts you in another bookish haven. Concord was home to an untold number of literary greats, and the first author on our stop in this historic, cozy town is Louisa May Alcott’s childhood home. Orchard House was built in 1650, and Louisa May Alcott wrote and set Little Women here. The house tours are part reenactment of the Alcott family, and 80% of the belongings in the house now belonged to the Alcotts. You can even still see some of her sister Abigail’s illustrations on the walls of her old bedroom.

Ralph Waldo Emerson House

Just down the road is the house Transcendentalist, essayist, and abolitionist Ralph Waldo Emerson and his activist wife Lidian lived in from 1835 until his death in 1882. Almost everything in the house belonged to him and his family, so as in Orchard House, walking through here is like walking back through time to when Concord was bustling with great American writers and poets.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

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On the edge of town, you’ll find Sleepy Hollow Cemetery , a beautiful, serene, and very old resting place for many Concord inhabitants. Take a pleasant fall walk along its paths, and follow the signs for Authors Ridge, where you’ll find the graves for the entire Alcott family, the Emersons, the Hawthornes, and Henry David Thoreau.

This 1770 home overlooks North Bridge, where the battle of April 19, 1775 took place, where Ralph Waldo Emerson lived for a year in 1834, then where Nathaniel Hawthorne lived with his new wife Sophia for three years. You can still see the poems they etched to each other in the upstairs windows, using Sophia’s diamond wedding ring. Henry David Thoreau planted a vegetable garden out front as a gift to the couple, and the garden is still there.

Walden Pond

Drive two miles out of town and meander through the woods and their dazzling array of autumn colors. Soon you’ll come across a pond, made famous by Henry David Thoreau during his stay in a cabin by its banks for two years, which inspired his book Walden . The foundations of the cabin are still there. If you’re so inclined, bring a rock with you to the site and leave a note on it. Dozens of others before you have left messages written in stone; add yours to the collection.

Boston, Massachusetts

Trident booksellers.

A short 30-minute drive from Concord puts you in  Boston . We’ve covered Boston in another bookish road trip journey; it’s the final stop along the I-90 route . Your first bookstore on this trip will be  Trident Booksellers , where you can grab brunch in addition to browsing their extensive book collection  and  catching a literary event (or even a fun trivia night!).

Bukowski Tavern

Walk a mere .2 miles from Trident Booksellers and stop by  Bukowski Tavern  for a pint, named after the famous American poet.

Boston Public Library (Copley Square)

Reserve the rest of afternoon to wander Boston’s gorgeous  central public library , built in 1895 and featuring jaw-dropping architecture both inside and out. Look up to view the painted ceilings, peruse the galleries of rare books and art, sit awhile in the Bates Reading Room, and relax in the courtyard garden. The library also offers free tours seven days a week.

Brattle Bookshop

Your next bookshop is three stories of literary goodness, and one of the country’s oldest and largest independent bookstores.  Brattle Bookshop ‘s first two floors have your standard bookish fare, but the third floor is dedicated to rare and antique books. Be sure to check out the outside sale lot!

Old Corner Bookstore

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Although the building now houses a Chipotle, the  Old Corner Bookstore  building is worth a drop by simply for its unreal literary history. It sits on top of Anne Hutchinson’s 17th century home, which went on to become a number of booksellers and publishing houses including Ticknor and Fields, which published the likes of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, and Thoreau. The first American editions of Charles Dickens’s novels were also published out of this building.

Omni Parker House Hotel

Secure a room at the  Omni Parker House , where Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Saturday Club used to meet. Edith Wharton also used this hotel as a meeting location in her novel  The Age of Innocence .

Boston Athenæum

A bookish road trip wouldn’t do without visiting one of the oldest  independent libraries  in the U.S. This membership library boasts a long history of notable author members that include the usual suspects: Emerson, Alcott, Hawthorne, Fuller, and more. The first floor is open to the public to tour, and they routinely have exhibits and art on display.

Beacon Hill

Take a stroll through the Beacon Hill neighborhood, where a wealth of writers used to live. Begin your walk on Pickney Street, where Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Peabody, Thoreau, and Louise Imogen Guiney used to live. Turn onto Mt. Vernon Street to where Henry James and Robert Frost lived, then on to Willow Street where Sylvia Plath resided.

Providence, Rhode Island

Swan point cemetery.

A mere hour on the highway takes you to our next stop: Providence. This historic city is rich with history of all kinds, and that’s why we’re visiting a cemetery first. (This is the October road trip; expect no less.) H.P. Lovecraft spent most of his life in Providence, and the horror writer is buried at this cemetery. You’ll find his grave in the Phillips family plot, at the intersection of Pond Avenue and Avenue B. You can also visit his last residence at 65 Prospect Street, where he wrote Haunter in the Dark ; the city has walking tours where you can see the other homes and haunts of Lovecraft.

Books on the Square

Two miles south of the cemetery is independent bookstore Books on the Square . They have a wide selection to choose from, with a friendly staff ready to give a book recommendation, and they regularly host book launches and author events.

Providence Athenæum

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You’ll find a historical gem by Brown University in the form of the Providence Athenæum . Its history stretches back to 1753, and you’ll find some excellent collections and artwork inside its walls: early and rare editions of Walt Whitman and Louisa May Alcott, pamphlets from the 19th century, and a bust of H.P. Lovecraft. Edgar Allan Poe also visited here, and poet Sarah Helen Whitman broke off her engagement to Poe at the library.

Cellar Stories

Cross the Providence River and get lost in the narrow stacks of Cellar Stories Book Store . You’ll find rows upon rows of used and rare books, and they specialize in carrying books about local history, architecture, math, and poetry. You will no doubt find something unique here!

Providence Public Library

Walk down the street from the bookstore and check out the Providence Public Library , built in 1875. Take your time soaking in the gorgeous Venetian Renaissance–style architecture, and be sure to check out the exhibitions before you go.

Riffraff Bookstore and Bar

Enjoy your final stop in Providence with a glass of wine or a pint. At Riffraff Bookstore and Bar , you can peruse their bookish offerings, order a drink at the bar, and sit in a cozy spot to read away the evening. They’re also currently offering surprise book care packages with three curated selections based on your recent favorite books.

New Haven, Connecticut

Beinecke rare book and manuscript library.

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In just over an hour and a half, you’ll reach New Haven, the home of libraries the likes of which you and I have only dreamed of. Park your car by Yale University and stretch your legs, because these bookish spots are all clustered together. Begin with one of the world’s largest rare book collection centers: the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library . You’ll find 13th century copies of Arthurian romances, 17th century grammar books for children, and collections from the likes of Claude McKay, Edith Wharton, Leslie Marmon Silko, and Zora Neale Hurston.

The Sterling Memorial Library

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Right next door is the Sterling Memorial Library , Yale’s largest library. Take your time with this stunner, because it houses over 2.5 million books across 14 floors. If it reminds you of a cathedral, that was the intent: the architectural style is Collegiate Gothic, complete with side chapels and stained glass windows.

Atticus Bookstore Cafe

Head down the street from Yale and grab some lunch at the bright and airy Atticus Bookstore Cafe , where they serve breakfast all day (as is right and proper) and provide some delicious looking sandwiches. Then, check out their vast selection of books and bookish swag.

The Book Trader Cafe

Walk across York Street, because your next bookstore is practically next door: The Book Trader Cafe is a used bookstore that specializes in academic and art books, but you can find a lot more while you’re here. Grab a coffee at their cafe and a baked good while you’re at it!

New York City, New York

In just under two hours, you’ll be in New York City, and reader, I hope you’ve allocated enough time to really soak in the literary history here. Get ready for some book nerdery shenanigans that I can’t even map out successfully because there’s so many of them. Naturally, I can’t list every amazing bookish place NYC has to offer , and I’ve intentionally left off The Strand because it’s a cultural institution at this point and a given for a visit. Let’s look at some other amazing bookish places in NYC!

The Lit. Bar

Come to the Bronx’s only independent bookstore for a glass of wine and a long sit down with a good book. The Lit. Bar is owned by Black and Puerto Rican Bronx native Noëlle Santos, and carries a wide selection of Black and diverse author selections across genres and reading ages.

Literary Walk in Central Park

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Ahh, now you can really stretch your legs and walk off all those hours in the car. Central Park in the fall will be a stunner, and if you walk to the south end of the Promenade, you’ll find Literary Walk , where there are statues of Fitz-Greene Halleck, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and William Shakespeare. You should also head to the northern end of the Conservatory Water to see the Alice in Wonderland bronze statue.

Alice’s Tea Cup

All that walking probably worked up an appetite. Just outside of Central Park is the perfect opportunity for an afternoon tea; Alice’s Tea Cup will transport you to wonderland while you enjoy brunch and a cuppa. The decor is also whimsical and fun.

Argosy Bookstore

This family-owned six-story bookstore not far from Central Park has old timey library vibes, with classic green reading lamps and sturdy wooden bookcases. Argosy specializes in carrying antique and out-of-print books, so you’re sure to find some rare beauties on those shelves.

The Morgan Library and Museum

This is the library of your dreams, I promise you. The Morgan Library Museum was built by Pierpont Morgan in 1906, and the entire building is an architectural wonder that has to be seen in person. The library showcases rare editions and original manuscripts, as well as autographed and annotated musical scores from the likes of Beethoven and Chopin.

The New York Public Library

You owe it to yourself to see how beautiful the New York Public Library main branch is in person. The Rose Main Reading Room is outrageously gorgeous, the architecture is as stately and elegant as you’d imagine, and the artwork and historical collections are always a treat (the library shop swag? Also amazing). Don’t forget to look up at the ceilings while you’re wandering, and when you leave, walk down Library Way and check out the bronze plaques in the sidewalk that showcase bookish quotes.

If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into the cozy den of some fancy ski resort with a crackling fire somewhere nearby, come to Rizzoli , right by Madison Square Park. It’s so dang pretty. Take your sweet time meandering through this bookstore and its massive selection, then pick a few reads, find a comfy chair, and get the full experience.

Forbidden Planet

If you love comics and graphic novels, this is the place for you. Forbidden Planet has literally everything your beating nerd heart could ever want. On top of comics and graphic novels and manga, they have pop culture swag, action figures, collectibles, games, books — I could go on. Do not leave Manhattan without seeking out this treasure of a store (which is right by The Strand).

Minetta Tavern

Enjoy a nice dinner of French cuisine at Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village. This tavern was a local haunt for the likes of Hemingway, Ezra Pound, and E.E. Cummings to name a few, and combines beautifully plated dishes with an old world, vintage charm.

Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe

Housing Works in Soho is another simply beautiful bookstore with statuesque roman columns and vaulted ceilings that still manage to feel cozy and intimate. The bookstore is staffed entirely by volunteers, and all their profits go toward the life-saving services they provide for unhoused and low-income New Yorkers affected by AIDS/HIV.

The Mysterious Bookshop

Thriller, crime, and mystery novel lovers: your time has come. The Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca is solely dedicated to the mystery genre and all its delightfully wicked sub-genres, supplying you with new, used, and rare crime and suspense novels.

Bluestockings Cooperative

Head to the Lower East Side and visit Bluestockings Cooperative, the only LGBTQ, trans, and sex worker bookstore in NYC, and it’s completely worker-owned. Bluestockings is a community-forward safe space with a wide range of LGBTQ and feminist selections across multiple genres.

Cafe con Libros

Your final NYC stop is in Brooklyn, at intersectional feminist Black-owned bookstore Cafe con Libros . Their primary focus is promoting women authors, especially women of color. Order a coffee from their cafe, enjoy their lovely space and book selection, and let’s hit the road.

Newark, New Jersey

Newark public library.

Drive an hour west, because we’re headed across the bay to Newark! Your first stop is the main branch of the Newark Public Library . It was built in 1899, and this beautiful old building houses some interesting special collections of rare books, fine prints, historical poster designs, and even historical postcards from the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Fortress of Solitude

A block over from the library is comic book haven Fortress of Solitude . They have an extensive collection of comics that they’ve made available to the Newark community for years, and the staff is always ready with a recommendation.

Source of Knowledge Bookstore

Drive down Broad Street and take a peek at Source of Knowledge Bookstore , an African-Caribbean family-owned bookstore. They carry a huge collection of books written by and about people of African descent, and they also sell African art and other gifts.

Gomel Chesed Cemetery

Find the cemetery next to the Newark Airport, for you will also find the grave of Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. He grew up in Newark, before going to Columbia and meeting who would become the Beat generation of poets and writers, himself included. Ginsberg is buried in his family’s plot.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Uncle bobbie’s coffee & books.

An hour and a half on the road will bring you to Philadelphia . Before going downtown, find your way to the heart of Germantown and stay awhile at Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books , where the coffee is top notch and the books are, well, bookish. Uncle Bobbie’s opened in 2017 by owner Marc Lamont Hill with the goal of providing a Black bookish community space for an underserved community. The atmosphere is inviting, the art is beautiful, and there’s always a free author event happening. And also, sweet potato pie.

Harriet’s Bookshop

This newer Black-owned bookstore in the Fishtown neighborhood pays homage to Harriet Tubman in the shop’s name, and carries a large collection of women authors. Harriet’s Bookshop is a gorgeous space that will encourage you to stay awhile, and the staff is always ready with a recommendation for your next read.

Edgar Allan Poe House

While Poe lived in a few different places during his time in Philadelphia, the house at 532 N. 7th Street in the Spring Garden neighborhood is the only one left standing to visit. He lived here for six years and published The Black Cat during that time. Tour the home , get some Poe swag from the gift shop, and imagine how inspirational the house must have been for Poe to write some of his most chilling work within its walls.

Joseph Fox Bookshop

Downtown, you’ll find a 70-year-old bookstore that is a local favorite. Joseph Fox Bookshop is a quaint, quiet haven for book lovers, and has a wide selection of literary fiction, nonfiction, small press offerings, children’s books, and more that you will only discover if you stop in for a visit.

Rosenbach Museum & Library

Walk half a mile south from the bookstore, past Rittenhouse Square, and look for a pretty brownstone townhouse. It houses the Rosenbach Museum & Library , which is filled to the brim with the personal collection of 19th century art and literature dealers the Rosenbach brothers. A few of their gems: A 1664 Shakespeare folio, hundreds of Lewis Carroll paraphernalia, William Blake’s original drawings, and James Joyce’s Ulysses manuscript.

Fisher Fine Arts Library

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You’d like to visit a castle, right? Of course you would. Head to the Fisher Fine Arts Library at the University of Pennsylvania to feel like you’ve stumbled upon the Beast’s castle in the French countryside, and peruse their special collections, which have a heavy emphasis on art and architecture, urban design, and photography. For other gorgeous libraries, be sure to check out the Romanesque Parkway Central Library of Philadelphia’s vast library system.

House of Our Own

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It is a house of books. Your final stop in this historic city is a bookstore that is quite literally a gorgeous old house filled with books, even along the staircase, in the hall, everywhere you look. House of Our Own is right along the edge of the UPenn campus in an old Victorian house, and they carry new and used fiction and nonfiction, as well as an impressive collection of scholarly books.

Baltimore, Maryland

A mere hour and a half drive puts you in Baltimore, which we’ve also explored in the I-70 bookish road trip route . Since your first stop here will be at a Poe-themed brewery (that is, if you drink alcohol), it’s only right for you to spend at least one night in Baltimore after trying out RavenBeer’s  Edgar Allan Poe series , which includes an Annabelle Lee White, a Pendulum Pilsner, and a Tell Tale Heart IPA. Safety first! But seriously, it’s a really cool brewery with Poe swag, and RavenBeer is also a sponsor of The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre.

Annabel Lee Tavern

You must be hungry now, so it’s time to head over to the Canton area of Baltimore for a tasty meal at the  Annabel Lee Tavern . They have a wide array of pub food and Poe-themed drinks and desserts for you to sample, all in a very cool space, both inside and out.

Greedy Reads

Your first bookstore stop in Baltimore will be at  Greedy Reads  in the Fells Point neighborhood. The corner store’s bank of windows lets in a lot of natural light, so you can freely browse their collection. They also offer an opportunity to bring a “curated” bag of goodies home as a souvenir or to give to someone you care about; just tell the staff your three favorite books and how you’re currently feeling, and they’ll hand select book recs for you to take home.

Atomic Books

Venture to the Hampden neighborhood to fully embrace your book nerd status, for  Atomic Books  specializes in comic books and small press offerings. Time your visit right and you can partake in some karaoke, which they host on the last Friday of each month.

The George Peabody Library

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Arguably one of the most gorgeous libraries in the United States, wandering through the  George Peabody Library  is a must while you’re here. The cathedral-like space houses over 300,000 books, visible across six tiers of cast-iron balconies in the main library space. If there ever was a library to make you feel like Belle in the Beast’s castle, this is it. View some priceless first editions in their collection before you leave, such as Darwin’s  Origin of the Species , works by Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville, and even some natural history folios.

Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum

You can’t leave Baltimore without visiting the father of American gothic fiction’s  house . Edgar Allan Poe lived at 203 North Amity in the Poppleton neighborhood from 1833 to 1835. The house has some of the original fabric from when he lived there, and although it’s not furnished, it contains some keepsakes of his, including his writing desk and chair.

Washington, D.C.

Home of frederick douglass.

In a little under an hour, you’ll be in the nation’s capitol . Your first stop is in the Anacostia neighborhood: look for the gorgeous estate at 1411 W Street, SE. Activist, abolitionist, and author Frederick Douglass lived here for the last 17 years of his life. The house itself was built in the 1850s, and Douglass bought it in 1877. The house, which is open for tours , still contains many items that belonged to him and his family, including his entire library and his diary from 1871.

Capitol Hill Books

Drive across the river for two miles and enjoy three floors of used and new books at Capitol Hill Books , which lives in a row house, and every room is dedicated to more books (they are literally overflowing with books). Lose yourself in this house of books and its many rooms, and leave with another book or two; perhaps even one of their grab bags of mysteriously curated content, which they’re currently offering for patrons.

The Folger Shakespeare Library

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The world’s largest collection of Shakespeare stuff and things, you say? Sign us up. The Folger Shakespeare Library is a research library that contains 260,000 printed books, 60,000 manuscripts (dating back to the 13th century) and 9,000 prints, drawings, and photographs. In addition to Shakespeare memorabilia, they also carry historical performance history items like playbooks and costumes. Oh, and they put on Shakespeare plays. Don’t forget to stroll the library’s gardens and take a moment to enjoy the very pretty architecture.

Library of Congress

Walk to the building literally right next to the Shakespeare Library to have your mind blown again. The Library of Congress contains over 40 million books (in 470 languages!) in its absurdly beautiful building, and although it wouldn’t be humanly possible to see them all, know that you will be in a location with the largest concentration of books in the entire world. Sit awhile in the reading rooms, visit the library shop for some Big Library Swag, and check out their exhibits, which include an original Gutenberg Bible and a Benjamin Franklin collection.

This bookstore in DuPont Circle is a D.C. institution, so it’s a must stop; it was the first bookstore/cafe in D.C., after all. Kramers will feed your mind and your stomach, because it also has a restaurant and bar with a wide array of breakfast and dinner options. If you visit on a Sunday, stay long enough to enjoy some live jazz music.

Politics and Prose

Drive about 15 minutes north to visit one of D.C.’s own favorite bookstores, Politics and Prose . Both spacious and welcoming, there’s always something going on at this bookstore, with an author event of some kind happening every day. Couple that with a robust book selection (and a heavy emphasis on political offerings), and you’re bound to have a great time here.

Richmond, Virginia

Black swan books.

Two more hours on I-95 will put you in Richmond, Virginia . Come to Black Swan Books on the north side of the city for your rare, unusual, and unique books. This bookstore also specializes in carrying prints, maps, and ephemera, as well as antiquarian and scholarly books. (Unrelated, their logo is also pretty excellent).

Fountain Bookstore

Now check out Fountain Bookstore, the downtown bookstore that has all the charm and coziness you could want, with a wide selection for you to peruse. Look to the staff for a great recommendation, and be on the lookout for an author event to attend while you’re in town.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum

This guy moved around quite a bit, didn’t he? I should have named this the Edgar Allan Poe road trip. Although he never actually lived in this super cute cottage just half a mile down Main Street from the bookstore, he did live in various other homes in Richmond, and the town dedicated the oldest standing house in the city to the Gothic author (built in 1754). The Edgar Allan Poe Museum boasts the largest collection of all things Poe, including first editions, manuscripts, furniture owned by him, clothing, statues, letters, and more.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

City center gallery & books.

Welcome to Fayetteville! It took you three hours to get here, and you need a break from driving. While you’re exploring their historic downtown, stop in City Center Gallery & Books , the only independent bookstore in the historic downtown area. This intimate bookstore with the aesthetically pleasing storefront is bound to have something for you, and they also carry artwork by local artists for purchase.

Dragon’s Lair Comics

If you head about 15 minutes northwest of downtown, you can check out one of Fayetteville’s favorite comic book stores, which boasts a robust back issue selection and a knowledgeable, friendly staff. Dragon’s Lair Comics also carries a selection of collectibles and figurines, and there’s always a deal of some kind going on to take advantage of.

Savannah, Georgia

The book lady.

It’s been four hours on the road, but now you’ve reached lovely Savannah, Georgia . Your first stop is The Book Lady Bookstore , which provides new, used, and rare books, including first editions of older, well known books. You’ll love wandering the stacks in this quaint and inviting bookstore.

E. Shaver Booksellers

Walk two streets over and visit the bookstore with the adorable storefront. You will find a treasure trove of books and cats to pet, which are two of the greatest things you could find under one roof. Find a book and park yourself in one of their comfortable chairs to read for a spell, because you won’t want to rush your visit at E. Shaver Booksellers .

Flannery O’Connor’s Childhood Home

In Lafayette Square, you’ll find the charming old home where Southern Gothic author Flannery O’Connor grew up. She lived there from her birth in 1925 to 1938, and the house has been furnished to look like it did during the Depression era. Take a tour and learn more about O’Connor’s life and work (which should include the more unsavory aspects; it is worth noting that O’Connor, like Lovecraft, has a history of racism that’s shown up in personal letters and in her writing).

Mercer Williams House Museum

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The Mercer House , owned by the Mercer family (which includes songwriter Johnny Mercer), shows up on this road trip because it’s heavily featured in John Berendt’s novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , which tells the true story of a Savannah antique dealer who allegedly murdered someone on the Mercer House property. It’s also a really, really pretty house, and touring it would be worth it for the architecture alone.

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville public library.

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You’ve made it to Florida! Jacksonville is your first city, and the main public library branch is your first stop; it is a beauty. You may recognize the architectural style as one you’ve seen before in our other cross-country road trips: this is an Andrew Carnegie funded library. The inside is open, airy, brightly lit, and the back of the library has a lovely outdoor space worth a look.

Chamblin Bookmine

Ever dreamed of getting absolutely lost in a bookstore? This is your dream come true. Chamblin Bookmine is about seven miles west of downtown and is deceptively plain on the outside, but folks…this new/used bookstore is like Mary Poppins’s bag. You’ll just keep pulling more and more books out, because it is bottomless, and you’ll find so many books on more topics than you knew even existed. Go on. Get lost. We’ll see you next week.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Broward county main library.

Let Fort Lauderdale wow you with the Broward County Main Library , a glass and concrete beauty with floating staircases, a huge atrium, and step-like outdoor balconies bursting with greenery. The library also boasts a few galleries for exhibits, which include a NASA moon rock on the sixth floor.

Bob’s News and Bookstore

Drive down S Andres Ave for a little over a mile and look for the big Bob’s News sign. This bookstore that’s more than a bookstore is a unique one, with newspapers and magazines from all over the globe and an eclectic mix of books. You can even load up on snacks here before you get back on the road.

Old Florida Bookshop

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Ten minutes west of downtown Fort Lauderdale lies Old Florida Bookshop , which may not look like much from the outside…but wait until you see the inside. This bookstore transports you to a different world with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, bookshelf ladders, stained glass lamps, and other old timey knick knacks. You’re bound to find some rare/antique books just as unique as the bookstore itself.

Miami, Florida

Altamira libros.

A short 30 minutes puts you in Miami. You may have left the fall colors long behind, but the warm Florida sun has probably been pretty nice! Head to Altamira Libros , a cool and funky space with a massive Spanish language book collection, which includes Latin American classics, translations of classics in other languages, children’s titles, and new releases. The bookstore’s aim is to provide and promote Spanish reading materials to the local communities, and it is truly a local gem.

Books & Books

Don’t miss the most well-known independent bookstore in southern Florida. Books & Books has been a Miami mainstay since 1982, and although they have multiple locations, the one closest to the first original location is in Coral Gables. They’re constantly having author events, and carry a wide range of books. Don’t forget to grab some lunch at their cafe and enjoy it in their courtyard.

A&M Comics

Visit Florida’s oldest comic book store for all your comic and graphic novel needs. They also carry vintage toys and other collectibles that you’ll find among their stacks upon stacks of comics. You may just get lost trying to find what you’re looking for, but there are worse things than getting lost in a comic store.

Key West, Florida

Tennessee williams key west exhibit.

Well, friends, we’ve taken you as far as you can go along the eastern coast of the US. You better believe there’s still literary stops to be had. Playwright Tennessee Williams visited and lived in Key West for over 30 years, and now you can visit a museum dedicated to him. View photographs, first editions of his plays, one of the typewriters he used, and learn about his life in the keys. And if you need a place to stay for this last leg of the trip, make it the Crowne Plaza La Concha: Williams stayed here before he permanently moved into the area, and it’s believed he wrote A Streetcar Named Desire at this hotel.

The Hemingway Home & Museum

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Walk down the street and see where Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West during the 1930s. He wrote a number of his most famous works here, and many of his belongings are still in the house. While you’re touring this gorgeous property , keep an eye out for Hemingway’s cats: a good 60 of them are six-toed (polydactyl), direct descendants of a white six-toed cat that a ship’s captain gifted to Hemingway.

Sloppy Joe’s

Celebrate the end of your bookish road trip with a drink. The bar that was born the day Prohibition ended, Sloppy Joe’s was originally called the Blind Pig — that is, until a patron named Hemingway suggested a name change. Hemingway was good friends with the bar owner, and often frequented Sloppy Joe’s and brought other literary friends with him.

You made it! You traveled from Bangor, Maine, all the way down to Key West, Florida. You’ve experienced fall and summer temperatures, visited more Edgar Allan Poe houses than you even knew existed, and spent a lot of time in cemeteries. Even if you only tackled half of this behemoth of a road trip, you would see so many cool things. Happy travels, my bookish road trippers.

Don’t forget to check out the other bookish road trips to plan your next one!

Take A Scenic Drive Along The East Coast On This Must-Do US Road Trip Route

O ne of the beautiful things about exploring the United States is that you can hop in a car and go wherever the wind takes you. A road trip is the perfect way to travel , and driving around the sprawling country has become one of the ultimate expressions of freedom and adventure. The Great American Road Trip has been immortalized time and time again by writers like Steinbeck and Kerouac.

If you've been dreaming about hopping behind the wheel and hitting the open highway, consider planning a trip along the United States East Coast from New York City to Key West, Florida. The scenic drive along the Eastern Seaboard will take you along scenic coastal roads bordering the Atlantic Ocean, with opportunities to stop in some of America's coolest cities and funky beach towns. You'll cover over 1,600 miles with a total driving time of around 33 hours, so it's best to budget a whole week or more for this trip and give yourself plenty of time to stop for sightseeing along the way.

Whether you're a first-time visitor to the United States or a veteran road tripper looking to experience a new region of the country, grab your road atlas, make an epic playlist, and get ready for the ultimate East Coast road trip.

Read more: Things Every American Should Do In The US In Their Lifetime

New York City To Atlantic City (The Jersey Shore)

New York City is the perfect place to begin your road trip along the Atlantic Coast. Aside from being an iconic destination all on its own, it's greater metropolitan area has no fewer than three major international airports, so finding a flight from anywhere in the world should be no trouble. If you're renting a car, there are dozens of rental locations in the city.

Driving around New York City can be stressful — there's a lot of congestion on the roads, and parking can be costly. If you're renting a car for your road trip, it's best to wait until you're ready to leave the city. Until then, you can explore New York's unique neighborhoods, museums , nightlife, and food scenes by taking the city's excellent public transportation system. Budget at least a day or two in New York to see  iconic sites like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. With more time, wander around neighborhoods like Soho, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, and Chelsea. Whatever you do, don't forget to try a slice of pizza before hitting the road.

The drive from New York to Atlantic City on the Jersey Shore takes just over two hours, so it's a nice way to start your road trip. Spend a night in Atlantic City exploring the famous boardwalk and trying your luck at some glittering casinos.

Ocracoke, North Carolina

After the hustle and bustle of New York and Atlantic City, you'll be ready for a change of scenery — and Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina is the perfect off-the-beaten-path beach destination along the Atlantic Coast. The trip from Atlantic City to Ocracoke Island will take around 10 hours, including a one-hour ferry ride to the island. So, if you want to break it up, consider stopping halfway in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Somehow, Ocracoke Island remains one of the best kept secrets on the East Coast. The entire island is only 16 miles long and 3 miles wide and was once a favorite hideout of the notorious pirate Blackbeard and his men in the early 1700s. During your stay; you'll have the opportunity to take in historical landmarks and learn plenty of local legends associated with pirate life. Make sure to visit Springer's Point, which was once the location of unhinged pirate parties but now serves as a beautiful nature preserve.

Ocracoke Village is tiny and picturesque, with a variety of tasty restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and some cute shops with local artisan goods, and many of the local restaurants and bars have live music in the evenings. Locals and tourists alike enjoy spending the days sprawled out on the island's spacious white sand beaches, swimming in the Atlantic, riding bikes, and taking scenic boat rides around the island.

Charleston, South Carolina

After spending a few days enjoying the surf and sun on Ocracoke Island, hop back in the car and drive for about nine hours until you reach Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is one of the most picturesque cities in the southeastern United States, and you should add it to your travel list immediately .

Charleston is known for its historic architecture, cobblestone streets, and laid-back Southern vibes. You can explore art museums and galleries here, catch a theatrical performance, and chow down on delicious Southern cuisine. For excellent shopping and people-watching, stroll down King Street or head to City Market to pick up some souvenirs from local artists and craftspeople. If you're looking for more beach time and less urban exploration, head to nearby Folly Beach, an adorable beach just over 20 minutes from downtown Charleston.

While Charleston is beautiful, it also has a complicated and disturbing history as a former hub of the North American slave trade. There is no denying that the city's wealth and prosperity were due to the exploitation of enslaved Africans and their descendants. While the horrors of that time can never be erased or forgotten, in recent years, the city of Charleston has attempted to preserve Black history with various tours, museum exhibits, and events where you can learn about the many ways African-American culture impacted the city and the American South as a whole.

Savannah, Georgia

After you've enjoyed the city of Charleston and its nearby beaches for a few days, hop back in the car for a short two-hour drive to Savannah, Georgia, which tourists often call  the most friendly destination in the U.S.   With streets draped in Spanish moss, beautiful architecture, and a thriving arts scene, Savannah makes an excellent stop along your East Coast road trip.

The city is home to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), one of the top-rated art schools in the United States, so it's no surprise that the city has developed a reputation for artistic expression and creativity. As you explore, you'll find plenty of art galleries, music venues, and theaters scattered among historic buildings and cobblestone streets.

With a day or two to spend in Savannah, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. To cover the most ground, consider taking a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour, which will take you by all of the significant landmarks. For a spooky and unforgettable evening, book the Ghosts and Gravestones tour offered by Old Town Trolley Tours — Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in the United States.

Afterward, walk down its famous River Street, located along the waterfront, and admire the views before enjoying some mouthwatering seafood and a delicious cocktail at one of the many restaurants.

Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida, is the southernmost tip of the continental United States, and the drive from Savannah is about 10 hours. If you have time, break up the long stretch in the car with stops in either St. Augustine or West Palm Beach. Key West is one of the most enchanting beach communities in the United States, and there are many adventurous things to do during your visit. The tiny island is made of sand and coral and measures 4 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. To get there, you'll drive along the famous Overseas Highway, a 113-mile stretch with tons of bridges over the ocean and incredible views the entire way.

During your stay in Key West, leave plenty of time to kick back, relax on white sand beaches, and swim in shallow, turquoise waters. If you're an ocean lover, make sure you book one of the snorkeling excursions offered by various tour companies so that you can explore the only barrier reef in the United States. Back in town, you can enjoy excellent seafood restaurants, colorful architecture, and historic sites including the home where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote many of his most iconic books throughout the 1930s.

If you rent a car for your road trip, you can choose to drop it off in Key West or head back to Miami, where you'll find a major international airport with plenty of options for flights home.

Read the original article on Explore .