Here Are The Top 15 States In America For A Summer Road Trip, According To OnlyInYourState Readers

There is little more alluring than the thrill of the open road, and America is well-known for its incredible road trips. Nine of ten OnlyInYourState readers agree that their preferred travel method is by car, according to our 2022 Spring Travel Study, and no matter where you live in the United States (or where you plan to travel), there is an incredible road trip calling your name. While our team of local travel experts loves America’s most iconic road trips, we were curious to see which American states were the most popular for road trips. We polled our OnlyInYourState readers and carefully analyzed their responses to determine the top 15 states in America for a summer road trip.

If you want to travel the country in an RV, our friends at RVShare have you covered. RVshare makes renting an RV easy so you can see what life on the road is actually like before committing to purchasing a recreational vehicle. Our RV-loving staff also shares some helpful tips for renting an RV in this article.

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Does our favorite road trip destination surprise you? It surprised us at first, but on second thought, Maine is a striking state and the perfect place for a road trip. Whether you want to explore charming coastal towns like Ogunquit and Kennebunkport, lighthouses, rock formations, and natural wonders – or perhaps all of the above – Maine is picture-perfect road trip territory, especially if you live in the Northeast United States. The coast of Maine is an obvious place to start, but many people also love the mountains of western Maine.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Maine: Acadia National Park

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Coming in at No. 2 is Utah, with its myriad of national parks and stunning natural wonders along every turn. While visiting the Mighty Five – Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks – is one of our favorite road trips, there are countless incredible destinations and scenic drives to explore in Utah, including Route 12, the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, and Trail of the Ancients. Nature lovers and adventurers will love exploring Utah.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Utah: The Mighty Five National Parks

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Are you looking to enjoy some much-needed sunshine? Florida is a state made for road trip fun, whether you’re headed for Orlando or the Florida Keys. Drive along the panhandle and the Gulf Coast from Pensacola to Weeki Wachee, or hit up the countless beaches along the Atlantic Ocean on Highway 1 from Amelia Island to Miami. If you’re interested in exploring the wild side of Florida rather than lounging on the beach, consider a road trip to Everglades National Park.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In Florida: Florida Keys Scenic Highway

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While it isn’t easy to get to Alaska by car, it is a phenomenal state to fly, pick up a rental car, and hit the open road to discover glaciers, wildlife, and national parks. There are also countless charming towns to explore – including Homer, Seward, and Valdez – if you prefer a more mild road trip. Our readers also love road-tripping to witness the Northern Lights in Alaska, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Alaska: Dalton Highway

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Home to the Rocky Mountains, four incredible national parks, more natural wonders and hiking trails than you can possibly count, plus charming small towns and unique attractions, Colorado is one of our favorite road trip destinations – and for good reason.

One of our personal favorites is the Million Dollar Highway, stretching between Silverton, Durango, and Ouray in Colorado, part of the San Juan Skyway Colorado Scenic Byway. Featuring mountain, valley, and gorge landscapes galore, it reportedly cost a million dollars a mile to build this feat of engineering, and some say the gravel used to pave the road contained gold.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In Colorado: Telluride, Aspen, Boulder

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Arizona’s natural wonders are truly unmatched, and while we will always recommend a Grand Canyon Road Trip – especially one that also visits Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon – there are so many other incredible road trip destinations as well, including Sedona and Tuscon, as well as my spouse’s personal favorite: the Coconino National Forest.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park, Canyon de Chelly, And More

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We’re always dreaming of California and the winding roads that hug the coast or weave through the mountains. While Pacific Coast Highway is obviously the most well-known, driving along the Golden Gate Bridge, Avenue of the Giants, Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail, and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, California is full of unique road trip destinations whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or thrill seeker.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In California: Pacific Coast Highway

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OnlyInYourState readers love Michigan – and one mile of driving along the shores of the Great Lakes will have you falling in love, too. No Michigan road trip through the Upper Peninsula is complete without stops at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Kitch-Iti-Kipi, and Mackinac Island.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In Michigan: Upper Peninsula

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Are you surprised to see South Dakota make the top ten? Honestly, we don’t blame you – until I started researching South Dakota, I didn’t understand how truly beautiful the Western parts of the state are. Take one drive through the Badlands or to Mount Rushmore, and you’ll understand the appeal.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In South Dakota: Black Hills, Badlands National Park

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If you’re looking for incredible scenery, Montana will fit the bill with its massive mountains, glacial lakes, and wild rivers. Wide open roads lead to stunning natural wonders with endless options for exploration. The Beartooth Scenic Highway is particularly breathtaking, and the state is full of Old West history – including some fascinating ghost towns.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Montana: Going To The Sun Road, Glacier National Park

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Another Pacific Northwest gem on our list, Wyoming might just be one of the most underrated states in America. Experience natural wonders, wildlife roaming free, and sprawling landscapes. With two national parks, two national scenic byways, and 19 state scenic byways, there are miles and miles of open roads to explore here in Wyoming.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In Wyoming: Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks

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If you’re looking for rugged coastal views, emerald forests, and towering mountains, Oregon has it all. From the rock formations of Cannon Beach to the verdant valleys near Bend and Willamette, there is so much to see and explore in Oregon, whether you’re a nature lover, foodie, or small-town aficionado.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Oregon: Oregon Coast

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There is no better place to experience fall foliage in America than Vermont – but the state is beautiful any time of the year, especially if you love exploring charming small towns as much as we do. On my ideal Vermont road trip, I would visit Burlington, Stowe, Montpelier, Woodstock, and Manchester.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Vermont: Route 100

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There is so much to love about Tennessee, from Gatlinburg and the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of the east to Memphis and the Mississippi River at the west, with Nashville and its incredible country music scene at its center. We recommend driving across the entire state, but if you don’t have time, we suggest sticking to the Smokies.

Most Popular Road Trip Destination In Tennessee: Gatlinburg & Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Texas is absolutely massive – from Shreveport at the Louisiana border to El Paso at the Mexico border, the drive is 11 hours, and driving from north to south is nearly as long. Luckily, no matter where you are driving, there are plenty of unique stops along the way, from Dallas-Fort Worth to Houston and Austin in between.

Most Popular Road Trip Destinations In Texas: Texas Hill Country, Big Bend National Park

Are you surprised by the results? What is your favorite state for a road trip? 

Want to discover more USA road trips? You’ll love OnlyInYourState’s On The Road series, which explores magnificent routes across America catered to nature lovers, foodies, budget travelers, adventurers, and more. And if you’re packing for an upcoming road trip, be sure to check out OnlyInYourState’s packing list:

The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 60+ Essentials For Your Next Adventure