The Resties: The 30 Best Road Trip Stops Across the U.S.

Editor's Pick: A must-stop if you're traveling on I-93 in New England. This homey welcome center (on both the northbound and southbound directions) has Wi-Fi, a general store, bathrooms, gas, charging stations, and a variety of homemade food options.

A cherished landmark for those traveling along I-35, this rest stop offers exceptional baked goods from its family-run bakery, like kolaches, buttermilk pie, strudels, and more. Don't be discouraged by a long wait—by all accounts, the food here is worth it! Plus, it has gas and family-friendly restrooms.

This Maine roadside stop is known for its hearty New England fare and 24-7 service. Don't miss the famous whoopie pies and fresh-baked fruit pies, or if you're in the mood for something savory, the signature dishes are lobster stew and corned beef hash. For service amenities, there are showers, tire service, a car/truck wash, and lots of parking.

Stuckey's is a long-standing Southeast franchise (mostly known for its famous pecan log rolls) with a few of its original locations still in operation. One of those is the Mappsville, Virginia location, which is worth a stop if you're traveling around the Chesapeake Bay. The store is stocked with candy, Virginia-smoked hams, and plenty of kitschy souvenirs. You can fill your car up on gas and fill yourself with food at the Southern Grille, serving up local "scrapple" breakfast, sandwiches, and more.

This massive travel center offers road-trippers and truckers plenty of food and comfort options, including a grill, lounge, movie theater, deli, driver lounge, massage spa, and even an inn. Plus, there are service amenities like private showers (pay an additional fee for a jacuzzi tub!), barbershop, dog wash, laundry, and more.

The name pretty much sums this rest stop up, but expect loads of amenities including multiple restaurants, a huge convenience store, a museum (dedicated to trucking nonetheless), showers, laundry, a barber shop, a movie theater, and a chiropractor if you need some adjustments mid-trip.

Editor's Pick: Situated just a short drive from Joshua Tree National Park, this women-owned and operated establishment has transformed a former gun shop into a vibrant community hub. The menu at The Tiny Pony is as diverse as its clientele, featuring everything from hearty smash burgers and duck confit nachos to vegan-friendly options like house-made veggie burgers with tempeh bacon. For weekend warriors, brunch dishes like shrimp and grits or the breakfast burger are offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This seafood walk-up window is a local favorite on US-1, right off I-95 (and down the road from the famous L.L. Bean boot). Fellow road-trippers recommend fried seafood baskets, lobster dinners, and crabmeat rolls, which you can enjoy oceanside.

When road-tripping to the Everglades or Florida Keys, this roadside food stand is a must. Take some time to find unique fruits to take with you on the rest of your journey, and of course, try the legendary tropical milkshakes and smoothies.

Texas is synonymous with roadside barbecue, and there's definitely a healthy debate on which joint serves the best brisket, sides, and Texas toast. Our experts picked Miller's Smokehouse, near the intersection of I-14 and I-35, as their favorite, noting the pulled pork, sausage, and dessert.

Described as "Disneyland for cheese lovers," the famous creamery is located on the Oregon Coast and makes for the perfect pit stop. You can explore the exhibits, get some free samples, browse the gift shop, and order some of the best dairy of your life. (Pro tip: don't miss out on the cheese curds!)

Perhaps one of the most famous rest stops in the U.S., Wall Drug is known for its ice, hot beef sandwich, and cinnamon buns. Offering more than just its Western-style restaurant, road-trippers can explore the gift shops, playgrounds, art galleries, and yes, animatronic dinosaurs.

Editor's Pick: Featuring Sherry Groom's Guinness World Record-holding collection of 8,000 dolls plus 40,000 troll-related items, this museum is an immersive experience that's wonderfully wild and weird. Come for the trolls, stay for a tour, and then peruse the gift shop after a quick bite at the on-site cafe—it's the perfect detour.

As the world's only cryptozoology museum, it makes for a fun detour when road-tripping through Maine. It's small enough to make for a quick pit stop, and it's budget-friendly. The museum is one of those places where it's easy to spend an hour or two simply admiring the wonderfully unexpected displays. And it's a must for any Bigfoot enthusiast.

When traveling through the Florida Keys, stop to feed tarpons off the dock for an unreal wildlife interaction. Purchase a bucket of fish, and you can hand-feed them right on the water. As a bonus, Robbie's also sells food and drink amongst a beautiful ocean view setting, making it a great stop for a meal, too.

This famous replica of its Parisian inspiration is topped with a Stetson cowboy hat. Driving through at night? You'll see it lit up with the colors from the Texas flag. This funny roadside attraction makes for a great photo op, and it's open 24-7.

These sculptures, immersed in nature, make for the perfect midday stop on a road trip in the Northwest. Get out and stretch your legs, use the restroom, and pack a lunch to enjoy some fresh air among free art.

This quirky detour makes any road trip through Kansas a little brighter. Featuring Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" (for the Sunflower State), it's located right off I-70 and is free and pet-friendly.

Editor's Pick: Driving across this man-made architectural feat is an awesome experience for everyone in the car, but the bridge is best admired from the nearby Canyon Rim Visitor Center Overlooks. Whether you opt for the viewpoint from the short, albeit step-filled, path outside the visitor center or simply take in the views from the center's floor-to-ceiling windows, this 3,030-foot-long bridge and its surrounding scenery is a show stopper.

If you’re road-tripping along U.S. Route 1 (or I-95) through Maine and looking for a quintessential coastal town, a stop in Kennebunkport is a must—and no visit is complete without hitting The Clam Shack. Located about 4 miles off Route 1 and less than 15 minutes from the interstate, you can stroll along the Kennebunk River, crossing the bridge to take in sweeping coastal views, working fishing boats and lighthouses.

When road-tripping across Florida from coast to coast, one of the most iconic and scenic routes you can take is Highway 41, stretching from Naples on the Gulf Coast to Miami on the Atlantic. The main attraction here is the elevated boardwalk, which gives you a front-row view into the surrounding wetlands. You’ll spot birds, fish, and often lots of alligators—basking on the banks, nestled in the brush, or gliding silently through the water. The small visitor center also offers insightful exhibits about the local ecosystem, making it both an educational and wildlife-filled stop.

Just 3 miles off Interstate 25, you could stop for an hour (or even the night) and indulge in a quick soak in some of the most beautiful natural hot springs in the U.S. There are geothermal soaking pools of varying temperatures with stunning views of the Rio Grande and surrounding mountains, plus private soaking options, a hotel and RV camping onsite.

This is a must-stop if you're traveling along the 101 and the Northern California stretch known as the Redwood Highway. Just steps from the parking area, you’ll be at the base of some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth. There’s a short loop trail here that takes about 15 minutes to complete, and then you can hop right back on the road.

This stop on Lake Michigan, just minutes from I-94, is the perfect place to pause, stretch your legs, and soak in some of the Midwest’s most beautiful lakefront scenery. Just beware, you will be climbing over 200 steps on this dare. The trailhead features a very large parking area and seasonal amenities like a snack stand and restrooms. If you're short on time or traveling with kids, shorter, flatter trails nearby offer easier strolls through the dunes and along the beach—making this an ideal pit stop for travelers of all kinds.

Editor's Pick: Originally opened in 1961 as the Host of America, it holds the distinction of being the South's first modular-built motel, with each room prefabricated and assembled on-site like drawers into a steel frame. After years of decline, the property underwent a thoughtful renovation and reopened in 2022, preserving its iconic pink façade and breezeblock accents while updating the interiors with contemporary comforts.

From classics like a cave room all the way to a nightclub room with a light-up dance floor and DJ booth, Adventure Suites has something for everyone. Not only are the rooms next-level, but the service is spectacular; there's a bar and restaurant on-site, a spa, a beautiful sprawling property, and more.

The cabins are all themed in ways that feel appropriate to their surroundings like The Barn, which is as rustic as it sounds but also so comfortable and luxurious enough to have a heart-shaped tub, Sugar Shack, which has a little bit of 70s spice to it, or Hill Country, which is a quaint getaway complete with a jacuzzi tub on the screened-in porch.

This place feels otherworldly as every inch of the hotel, cafe, bar, and even outdoor spaces remind you you’re somewhere incredibly special. The rooms are all uniquely decorated in patterns and colors and fixtures that feel straight out of a fairytale, and some of them are even carved right into boulders, so you’re partially staying in a cave. If you can’t stay the night, you can still enjoy a meal in the cafe or steak house.

This is an incredibly quirky place with a space-themed room, a hot-air balloon room, a cave room, and more. You realize this as soon as you are greeted by a circle of vintage barber chairs in the lobby, and it feels a little bit like you’re staying overnight in a museum. If that sounds fun to you, pack your bags immediately.

There is plenty of animal print, faux fur, and shag carpeting to go around, plus there’s the draw of a lovely swimming pool at the center of the property. It really is the perfect weekend spot with great food and drinks, but be aware it is a 21-and-up establishment.

Tips for Planning an Unforgettable Road Trip

While you're planning your road trip to all of these unique, oft-overlooked corners of the country, there are a few tips you'll want to keep in mind to make your travels as smooth as possible. First, it's never a bad idea to have a physical map handy. Cell service can fade in and out, so having something tangible that can help you get back on the main road is key. Also, share your planned route or itinerary with a friend or loved one who can help ensure you get to every stop safely. Lastly, embrace the unexpected! With these fantastic Resties as your inspiration, you're sure to uncover some truly unforgettable sights along the way. Remember—the detour really is the destination!

So, the next time you're inspired to take a Great American Road Trip, let these quirky, lovable, and altogether unexpected stops along the way fuel your drive. Looking for more? Here's the complete collection of Resties Winners. And if you're looking for even more gorgeous scenery to admire, we've put together a list of the best road trips through the USA.