Road Trip Ideas: The Best Summer Trips in the US and Abroad

There’s something about summer that makes you want to roll the windows down and just drive. Flights have their place, but a road trip is the rare kind of travel where getting there is half the fun. You set your own pace, rework the plan on a whim, and stumble into the little towns and roadside stops you’d never spot from 30,000 feet.

Not to mention, a road trip is the perfect travel style for seeing the great outdoors. It’s easy to just hop in your car and get from point A to point B at your own pace, especially when your vehicle is road-ready with dependable options like Priority Tire’s high-performance tires for a smoother and safer journey. One of our favorite parts of a road trip? You get to be flexible. Set out on your adventure with a loose plan, and improvise a bit along the way.

That being said, here are some road trip ideas to consider for later this summer. Read our guidelines for where to go and what to do, then make the trip your own!

New England Road Trip Ideas: Vermont and Maine

I am a little biased as a born and raised New Englander, but the region has some of the best spots for a weekend road trip destination.

If you’ve never been to Vermont, it’s a great state to visit. There are plenty of weekend-worthy stays and activities if you want to make it an overnight trip, and Burlington and Charlotte are two great areas to explore for the day if you aren’t driving too far. Plus, Vermont is an ideal state for hiking and relaxing in nature.

Another idyllic New England destination? Maine. It’s an easy place to get to from Boston, and well worth the drive. We dubbed it the classic mini east coast road trip, and the state has multiple gorgeous locations to check out – Ogunquit, Freeport, and Portland, to name a few. Unwind by the water and indulge in the classic beachy vibe!

Montana

Some of the best road trip ideas involve time with nature. “Montana is grand and gorgeous, in a quiet, all-knowing way.” Eileen’s Montana road trip landed her in Billings and through a few other towns as she made her way to Glacier National Park. Her ultimate destination was Flathead Lake, one of the largest and cleanest bodies of water west of the Mississippi. Check out her detailed guide to the ultimate outdoorsy road trip!

Miami

If you want to head to Miami from Boston, good news: there are a ton of cool places to see along the (admittedly long!) way. From Atlantic City to Savannah Georgia, make sure that you take full advantage of the route. If your road trip ideas are ambitious like this, you’ll have a blast at all of the pit stops.

California

If your heart is set on the West Coast, California is built for a road trip. The Pacific Coast Highway is the classic, but you can also string together a route around the best pit stops on a California road trip if you’d rather chase the highlights than drive every mile of coastline. For a more cinematic, take-your-time version, our California road trip just like the movies leans into the dreamy, windows-down side of the Golden State.

Road Trip Ideas Worldwide

If you live abroad and are looking for some road trip ideas – we’ve got you covered! Alternatively, maybe you want to travel from the US, take just one flight, and then stick to the car. Read on for more road trip recommendations: abroad-style!

Portugal & Spain

Our 10-day itinerary for traveling around Portugal and Spain is one of the best road trip ideas for groups. Beginning in Southern Portugal and making your way to Marbella. Spain, you’ll see hidden beaches, spectacular harbor views, rich architecture and so much more.

Germany

If you want to really see Germany, check driving the autobahn off your bucket list! You can stop and explore the cultural history of Berlin, see castles in Bavaria and (hopefully) get to visit vineyards and wineries.

Australia

Looking to road trip Aussie-style? You’ll need at least three weeks in order to really take in all the sights. Spend one week on the North Island of New Zealand, then a week in Sydney, and round out the vacation with a week in Cairns. Australia is huge, so it’s best to rent or take your vehicle in order to get around efficiently.

Ireland

For a coastal drive that rivals any in the world, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is made for a group road trip. The route hugs the country’s rugged western edge past cliffs, fishing villages and pub stops, and it’s easy to dip in for a few days or commit to the whole stretch.

Southern Italy

A mini road trip through Southern Italy is just what the doctor ordered after being stuck inside. Driving along the cliffside coastline offers gorgeous views that you can take in at a slower pace. Eileen wrote about her travels from Amalfi to Sorrento, Pompeii and other lovely cities. To really get a taste of what Italy has to offer, take to the road and soak it all in. This is one of the best road trip ideas for those who love slow travel and European charm!

Dubai

If your road trip starts somewhere a little more unexpected, a weekend road trip from Dubai to Hatta trades the city skyline for mountain reservoirs and quiet desert roads in just a couple of hours behind the wheel. It’s proof that a great drive doesn’t have to mean a long one. Just be mindful of local safety and current events before mebarking on this route or any other worldwide.

Before you set out on any of these adventures, make sure you read our checklist for how to make a successful road trip. If you’re still deciding how to travel, it’s worth weighing whether an RV or an SUV is the more economical road trip choice for your crew. And if a four-legged passenger is coming along, here’s how to train your dog for long car rides before you hit the road. Wherever you end up this summer, getting outside and breathing in the fresh air is always the best course of action.

Do you prefer to travel by car, plane or train? Have you ever rented a car abroad to see more of the country? Which of these locations would you pick to visit first?