Cross-Country Road Trip Guide: Drive Coast to Coast Across America

Route 66: The Mother Road

Route 66 is the most iconic cross-country route in America. Stretching from Chicago's Grant Park to the Santa Monica Pier in California, it passes through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before reaching California. Though modern interstates have bypassed much of the original route, dedicated Route 66 travelers can still follow historic segments through some of the most characterful small towns in America.

The Northern Route: I-90 and Beyond

The northern cross-country route follows I-90 across the Great Lakes region, through the Badlands of South Dakota, into Montana's Big Sky country, and through the Pacific Northwest to Seattle or Portland. This route offers more dramatic natural scenery than Route 66, with highlights including Mount Rushmore, Glacier National Park, and the Columbia River Gorge. Plan for this route from May through September — mountain passes can close in winter.

Itinerary Planning & Timeline

A 14-day cross-country itinerary should allocate roughly equal time to driving and exploring. A good rule of thumb is to plan no more than 300–350 miles of driving per day to leave time for unexpected stops. Build buffer days into your schedule — the most memorable moments of a road trip are almost always unplanned. Book accommodation for the first and last two nights of your trip; leave the middle flexible.

How to Budget for a Long Drive

Fuel is the biggest expense — calculate based on your car's highway MPG and the route's total miles. A 3,000-mile trip in a vehicle that gets 28 MPG uses about 107 gallons of fuel. Food costs can be controlled with a small cooler for breakfasts and lunches, reserving restaurants for dinners. National parks along the route add up in entrance fees, making the America the Beautiful Annual Pass worth every penny at $80.

Best Stops Along Every Route

Regardless of which cross-country route you choose, certain stops deserve special time. In the Midwest: the Arch in St. Louis, the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, and the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. In the Mountain West: Zion Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Painted Desert. On the West Coast: the Redwoods of Northern California, the Oregon Coast, and the Santa Barbara mission. Leave room for the places you discover by accident — those are the ones you'll talk about for years.