10 of the Best Spring Road Trips in the USA This Year
These spring road trips in the USA stretch from coast to coast and cross mountains, deserts, small towns, and more!
Looking for fun spring road trip ideas? These bucket list road trips in the United States highlight coastal breezes in the Northeast, warm desert landscapes in the West, and blossoming trees in historic Southern towns.
Some trips will fill a whole week of spring vacation with national parks, outdoorsy adventures or city breaks along the way, while others are short drives with time to relax at your final destination.
Use the map below to find a road trip near you for this spring or pin these ideas for future travel inspiration!
Catskill Mountains Road Trip
By Neha of Travel Melodies
Late spring is a wonderful time for road trips in the Northeast when winter starts to shed and the weather turns pleasant. Driving from Philadelphia to the Catskill Mountains in New York only takes around four hours, but the route is worth exploring over a span of four to five days.
There are fun places to stop along the way, like Bear Mountain State Park on the west bank of the Hudson River. Follow Perkins Memorial Drive here for gorgeous views of the rugged mountains and the lake. If you are an avid hiker, the trail to Perkins Memorial Tower is also a great option.
As you continue north to the Catskills, green mountains and blooming flowers welcome you with open arms.
The area is perfect for relaxed scenic drives or adventurous activities like mountain biking, ziplining and hiking at Hunter Mountain. There are many trails from easy to difficult for families or seasoned hikers. Kaaterskill Falls trail is an easy path to a 260-foot-tall tiered waterfall.
California Coast to Desert Road Trip
By Ale of Sea Salt and Fog
There’s no better way to enjoy spring than with sunshine, ocean breezes and beautiful wildflower displays. A road trip through Southern California and the Arizona desert will give you the best of all three and is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Beginning in sunny Los Angeles, spend a day exploring the beaches on the west side — Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu are all iconic. Must-sees in this part of town include the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Canals and the Getty Villa.
In LA proper, stop at the Original Farmers Market for an outdoor lunch and shopping. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of museums, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a must-visit.
The next stop is Palm Springs, where the vibe is mid-century modern all around. You’ll find plenty of shopping and casinos in town, but nothing beats just hanging out next to a pool in the desert.
After Palm Springs, hit the road for about an hour until you reach Joshua Tree National Park. With just one day in Joshua Tree, you can see the Cholla Cactus Garden, Arch Rock and Skull Rock. Wildflowers start to bloom in the desert in March or April, so look out for those.
Leaving Joshua Tree, you’ll drive through the desert until you reach Tucson, Arizona. Your final stop is Saguaro National Park, where a stunning collection of Saguaro cacti line the mountains and usually begin flowering at the end of April.
Denver to the Rocky Mountains Road Trip
By Meg of Fox in the Forest
In the mood for awe-inspiring mountain vistas, unbelievable wildlife sightings and epic hiking trails? This road trip will take you straight into the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and some of the best nature experiences in the USA. As snow melts and temperatures rise, spring is a wonderful time to visit for those who love the outdoors just as much as they enjoy mild temperatures, scant crowds and clear mountain views.
From Denver, stop in the college town of Boulder for art galleries, cafes and museums. Day hikes here in the foothills are great to preview for what’s to come.
Head west from Boulder on Boulder Canyon Drive to take the Peak to Peak Highway to Rocky Mountain National Park for some of the most accessible mountain views in Colorado. Along the way, the Indian Peaks Wilderness area has impressive scenery and iconic mountain vistas without hoards of tourists.
Eventually, you’ll run into Estes Park, a quaint Rocky Mountain gateway town near three access points to the national park. Some of the best hikes in Estes Park include the trails to Dream Lake and Alberta Falls.
This Colorado to Utah road trip includes national parks, mountains and canyons
Southern Capitals Road Trip
By Julia of The Cure for Curiosity
Take full advantage of the cool weather and blooming trees and flowers of spring with a southeastern road trip from Raleigh to New Orleans. This 950-mile drive offers something for everyone, taking you through stunning natural areas and beaches, four state capitals, and some of the most historically significant sites from the Civil Rights Movement, before ending in New Orleans.
Start your trip in Raleigh, the City of Oaks and the heart of North Carolina. Proceed down to Congaree National Park, a lesser-known national park that sits right outside Columbia, South Carolina, another state capital worth a visit.
From Columbia, continue southwest through the charming city of Augusta, Georgia, and into Atlanta, the capital of the state. You’ll find endless tourist activities here from the World of Coca-Cola to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
Next up is Montgomery, the capital of Alabama. The city played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, so brush up on your history at the Rosa Parks Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice.
Continue south through the port city of Mobile before moving on to Biloxi, Mississippi, to visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore and try your hand at gambling. From there, it’s just 90 miles into New Orleans, home of live jazz and the infamous Bourbon Street.
If you’re circling back to the start, you could hit another Southern capital by diverting south to Tallahassee, Florida, or north to Nashville, Tennessee.
Florida Keys Road Trip
By Megan and Aram of Megan & Aram
The drive from Miami to Key West, Florida, is perfect in spring since it is the tail end of the dry season with warm temperatures. This stretch of highway offers a remarkable number of things to do, allowing a three-hour road trip to take three days or more.
Just outside Miami, consider a detour to Everglades National Park, a must if you're a nature lover or traveling with kids.
From there, venture down to Key Largo and the Upper Keys on the north end of the archipelago. Here you will find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. You can stay overnight in Key Largo or continue on to Islamorada, a collection of islands including Indian Key Historic State Park.
Drive further south over the famous Seven Mile Bridge to reach Bahia Honda State Park, one of the gems of the Keys. This island is protected and a fantastic place to snorkel or enjoy family beach time.
At the end of the road, you will arrive in Key West with its sandy beaches and buzzing Duval Street. From here you can also take a day trip by boat to Dry Tortugas National Park.
Key West is in one of its high seasons during spring, so opt for accommodation in the Middle Keys if you struggle to find it in the Lower Keys.
Southwest National Parks Road Trip
By McKenna of One More Step Travels
Las Vegas is an ideal starting point for tons of spring adventures in the Southwest, but some of the best places to road trip from the city are in southern Utah and northern Arizona. In spring, this part of the U.S. has mild weather with sunny skies, perfect for spending time outdoors in the desert.
It’s a great vacation for adventurous travelers of all ages — from families with young kids to college students on a school break.
Start your Arizona and Utah road trip by driving from Las Vegas to Zion National Park, where you can tackle famous hikes like the Narrows, Angel’s Landing and Canyon Overlook Trail, or stick to easier paths like the Riverside Walk or the Emerald Pools.
Spend the next several days exploring the natural attractions around Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon is a photographer’s paradise during prime midday lighting and Horseshoe Bend offers dramatic views of the Colorado River wrapping around canyons. Lake Powell is the perfect place to soak in the sun and have fun on the water.
The last leg of the trip is to the marvelous Grand Canyon National Park. Dozens of scenic points along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon are the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
You can wrap up the trip back on the Las Vegas Strip, where giant hotels offer casinos, buffets, pools and activities.
California’s Big Sur Road Trip
By Dhara of Roadtripping California
California’s Big Sur is at its most beautiful in the spring, when the hills are bright green and wildflowers carpet the rugged slopes, making it the perfect time for a Big Sur road trip.
One of the most spectacular coastlines on the planet, Big Sur features waterfalls, scenic overlooks, state parks and a historic lighthouse. Daytime temperatures in the spring are pleasant, and while you may run into occasional coastal fog or mist, it often disperses by noon.
Starting in San Francisco, take California’s Highway 1 down the coast to Big Sur. Along the way, you can admire the beaches of Half Moon Bay, check out the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, explore quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, and go whale-watching in Monterey.
In Big Sur, hike the trails in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, snap photos of beautiful Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls, stop for a relaxing spa treatment at the Esalen Institute, and have a meal at the upscale Sierra Mar Restaurant in the Post Ranch Inn.
This California road trip works as a romantic getaway for couples or as a fun trip for outdoor-loving families or groups of friends.
(Editor’s Note: Always check the status of Highway 1 near Big Sur before planning a road trip through here because hazardous conditions cause frequent and lengthy closures.)
North Atlantic Coast Road Trip
By Nicole of The Abroad Blog
Coastal New England is the perfect region for a road trip in late spring because of its crisp weather and blooming flowers. This route is ideal for anyone into quaint small town stays and scenic ocean drives.
Begin your trip by visiting Newport, Rhode Island, a charming seaside town with a downtown shopping district and historic mansion tours at The Breakers and The Elms.
Next, drive about 80 miles north, passing through Providence and stop in Boston, Massachusetts. The largest city in New England and one of the oldest in the U.S., Boston is a can’t-miss destination for Italian food in the North End, shopping in Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and a quick history lesson near the Boston Common in Beacon Hill.
About an hour north, stop in Portsmouth, the crown jewel of New Hampshire’s Seacoast, before ending your trip in Portland, Maine. Be sure to try some fresh Maine lobster and visit the Portland Head Light, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country.
Southeastern Coast to Mountain Road Trip
By Brittany of Travel by Brit
A Southeast road trip through Charleston, Savannah and Asheville is the ideal spring vacation for gorgeous scenery, excellent food, historic cities and beautiful weather in the 60s and 70s.
Approaching from the south, your first stop will be in the quaint, historic city of Savannah, Georgia. In spring, the beautiful azaleas and trees are in full bloom. Some of the best things to do in Savannah include ghost tours, strolling through Forsyth Park or along River Street, and shopping at the open-air City Market.
Charleston is the next destination, a little over 100 miles northeast on the coast of South Carolina. You can relax on the beach here at spots like Kiawah Island or hop around to Rainbow Row with its pastel houses, the Pineapple Fountain and The Battery promenade on the waterfront, and the Charleston Tea Garden just outside town.
Conclude your road trip in Asheville, North Carolina, about a four-hour drive into the Blue Ridge Mountains. A few top things to do here include hiking to the Craggy Pinnacle overlook, visiting the Biltmore Estate and exploring Asheville’s breweries.
Virginia’s Eastern Shore Road Trip
By Megan and Aram of Virginia Travel Tips
One of the best short road trips to take in spring is between Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. This jut of land is connected to Virginia Beach by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 17-mile engineering marvel that is one of just a few bridge-tunnels in the world. Virginia Beach is the most populous Virginia city and entering the Eastern Shore will transplant you to a different world.
The first stop after crossing the bridge is Cape Charles, a small community with bay beaches and beautiful buildings in a walkable downtown historic district. Toward the end of spring, as the water warms up and the sun is out and shining, families flock to the coast here for swimming, kayaking and bike riding.
From Cape Charles, make your way toward Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore across the state line in Maryland. The Chincoteague area is known for its salt marshes, historic homes, red and white Assateague Lighthouse, and the NASA Wallops Flight Facility.
Wild ponies roam the islands here freely and in summer, an annual Pony Swim festival draws crowds. Spring is a great option to avoid the busy season.
