USA Cross Country Road Trip: My Tips & 5 Best Routes

Growing up as a close cousin of a military brat (with a dad who worked for the federal government), I was lucky enough to move around the country and take lots of cross-country USA road trips from a young age – having already been to 40 states by the time I turned 18.

View of driving through a red state like Arizona on a cross country road trip

The truth is, there’s no better or easier way to see all that the US has to offer than with a cross-country road trip.

How Many Days Do I Need to Do a Cross-Country Road Trip?

If you’re only driving one way, you need around 7 to 10 days to make it from one coast to the other – depending on how much mileage you cover every day.

However, if you’re planning to do a roundtrip cross-country road trip – you’ll probably need closer to 2 to 3 weeks to comfortable see the country without feeling rushed and to avoid driving fatigue.

How We Planned Our Cross-Country Road Trips

We always planned our trips to arrive from one end of the country to the other in about 10 days, which meant averaging around 8 hours of driving per day.

Some days, we would drive much longer (10-12 hour days) to allot a 2-day break in bigger cities like Chicago or Pittsburgh. This let us enjoy our trip and also have a break from road fatigue.  

🇺🇸 USA Cross-Country Road Trip Routes at a Glance 🚗

Route	Best For	Time	States
🏘️ Classic Middle America	Small towns & scenery	7–10 days	8
🏔️ Northern Route	National parks & mountains	8–10 days	8
🛣️ Route 66	Americana & history	10–14 days	8
🎶 Southern Route	Warm weather & music cities	10–14 days	8
🌊 Pacific Route	Coastal scenery & iconic West Coast cities	14+ days	7

Know Before You Go: What Should You Plan for a USA Cross Country Road Trip?

Should I Rent or drive my own car cross-country?

I really think it’s best to drive your own car when going across the country.

While a rented car may have new shiny features, when you’re doing a long-haul road trip like this – it’s best to feel comfortable in your own car and to benefit from the “homey” vibes while making your way across America.

Plus, it’s less of a hassle later – as you won’t have to return a car and will never be without one under any circumstance.

What is the best time of year to take a cross country road trip?

The majority of my cross-country road trips have been during the peak of summer, as it allows for longer day light hours and getting to the hotel while it’s still light outside.

That being said, I also am a sucker for a fall cross country road trip – as you’ll get to see America from head-to-toe decked out in vibrant colors and cozy scents.

I think the hardest time of year for a cross country road trip is winter. Between the potential snow, ice, and shorter days – it can be really tiresome and challenging.  

Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge; June 2014

🛣️🇺🇸 Which USA Cross-Country Road Trip Should You Choose? 🇺🇸

If You Like...	Choose This Route
🚗 An easy, first cross-country road trip, balanced scenery, and shorter driving days	Classic Middle America Route
🏔️ Mountains, wide-open landscapes, the Great Plains, and summer road trips	Northern Route
🇺🇸 Vintage Americana, quirky roadside attractions, historic diners, and letting the journey become the destination	Route 66
☀️ Warm weather, music cities, deserts, spring or fall travel, and avoiding snow	Southern Route
🌊 The ultimate bucket-list adventure featuring the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco, Big Sur, the Pacific Coast Highway, and some of America's most spectacular scenery	Pacific Coast + Cross-Country Route

How Much Should I Budget For a Cross Country Road Trip?

I would aim to have around $200 USD per day for a cross-country road trip to cover gasoline, food, extra activities or excursions, and toll booths if needed. If you want to include hotels, I would bump it up to around $400 USD per day – depending on what kind of hotel you like (whether it be luxury or you don’t mind roughing it a bit in a motel).

Here’s a breakdown of daily costs for a cross country road trip across the USA:

• Gas: You’ll probably need to fill up at least once per day, meaning you’ll spend around $30 to $60 in gas every day depending on your car’s tank size and daily driving distance.

• Hotels: This price point is contingent on what kind of hotel you want. If it’s Hilton or nothing for you, you’ll want to add an extra $200 to the daily price tag. If you’re okay with a motel, you can average around $100 extra per day.

• Food & Snacks: This also widely varies depending on your habits. My family and I are big savers, so we often opted for making dinners in the room from the deli section at a grocery store and packing sandwiches for the road. This probably only cost us around $30 to $60 per day. That being said, most people prefer to eat out – meaning I would factor closer to $100 a day for food and snacks for a road trip.

• Random Stops & Activities: Driving cross country means you never know what’s just around the corner. I would add an extra $30 per day for souvenirs, museums, tours, and parking fees for anywhere you might want to stop along the way.

• National Parks Pass: This one is completely optional, and we didn’t use it on most of our cross-country road trips – but if you plan to visit places like Yosemite or Acadia National Park – tack on an extra $80 (only $20 for senior citizens!)

Acadia National Park in Maine in October 2016

5 Best USA Cross Country Road Trip Routes (From Someone Who Has Driven Them)

Route 1: Classic Cross Country Route (Middle America)

🇺🇸🚗 Classic Cross-Country Route (Middle America)

Perfect for first-time cross-country road trippers looking for a balance of historic cities, small towns, and manageable driving days.

---

📍 Washington, DC → Louisville, Kentucky
🚗 Driving: ~9 hours (600 miles / 965 km)

📍 Louisville → St. Louis, Missouri
🚗 Driving: ~4 hours (260 miles / 420 km)

📍 St. Louis → Hays, Kansas
🚗 Driving: ~6.5 hours (430 miles / 692 km)

📍 Hays → Richfield, Utah
🚗 Driving: ~8.5 hours (560 miles / 901 km)

📍 Richfield → Elko, Nevada
🚗 Driving: ~5.5 hours (360 miles / 580 km)

🔄 Alternative: Stay in Salt Lake City instead of Richfield if you'd rather spend the night in a larger city with more restaurants and attractions.

📍 Elko → San Francisco, California
🚗 Driving: ~7.5 hours (520 miles / 837 km)

🔄 Alternative: Swap Elko for Reno if you'd rather finish the trip with a livelier overnight stop before reaching San Francisco.

---

🚗 Route Totals

🕒 Total Driving Time: ~41 hours

📍 Total Distance: ~2,730 miles / ~4,395 km

🗺️ States: 8

⭐ Best For: First-time visitors, historic cities, scenic small towns, and shorter driving days.

Route 2: Northern Cross Country Route

🏔🇺🇸 Northern Cross-Country Route

Perfect for travelers looking for a mix of mountains, vibrant cities, wide-open Great Plains, and less desert scenery than the southern routes.

---

📍 San Francisco, California → Reno, Nevada
🚗 Driving: ~4 hours (220 miles / 354 km)

📍 Reno → Cheyenne, Wyoming
🚗 Driving: ~11.5 hours (760 miles / 1,223 km)

📍 Cheyenne → Omaha, Nebraska
🚗 Driving: ~7 hours (490 miles / 788 km)

📍 Omaha → Chicago, Illinois
🚗 Driving: ~7 hours (470 miles / 756 km)

📍 Chicago → Toledo, Ohio
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (245 miles / 394 km)

📍 Toledo → Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
🚗 Driving: ~3.5 hours (230 miles / 370 km)

📍 Pittsburgh → Washington, DC
🚗 Driving: ~4 hours (245 miles / 394 km)

---

🚗 Route Totals

🕒 Total Driving Time: ~41.5 hours

📍 Total Distance: ~2,660 miles / ~4,280 km

🗺️ States: 8

⭐ Best For: Big cities, the Great Plains, mountain scenery, and travelers wanting to avoid long stretches of desert driving.

Driving alongside the infamous route 66!

Route 3: Historic Route 66

🇺🇸🛣️ Historic Route 66

Perfect for travelers who love vintage Americana, quirky roadside attractions, neon signs, classic diners, and making the journey just as memorable as the destination.

---

📍 Chicago, Illinois → St. Louis, Missouri
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (300 miles / 483 km)

📍 St. Louis → Springfield, Missouri
🚗 Driving: ~3.5 hours (215 miles / 346 km)

📍 Springfield → Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (285 miles / 459 km)

📍 Oklahoma City → Amarillo, Texas
🚗 Driving: ~4 hours (260 miles / 418 km)

📍 Amarillo → Albuquerque, New Mexico
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (290 miles / 467 km)

📍 Albuquerque → Flagstaff, Arizona
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (325 miles / 523 km)

📍 Flagstaff → Santa Monica, California
🚗 Driving: ~7.5 hours (470 miles / 756 km)

---

🚗 Route Totals

🕒 Total Driving Time: ~33 hours

📍 Total Distance: ~2,145 miles / ~3,450 km

🗺️ States: 8

⭐ Best For: Classic Americana, neon signs, quirky roadside attractions, diners, and historic Route 66 landmarks.

Route 4: Southern USA Route

☀️🇺🇸 Southern USA Route

Perfect for travelers looking for warm weather, legendary music cities, incredible BBQ, and the iconic red rock scenery of the American Southwest.

---

📍 Washington, DC → Nashville, Tennessee
🚗 Driving: ~10 hours (665 miles / 1,070 km)

📍 Nashville → Memphis, Tennessee
🚗 Driving: ~3.5 hours (212 miles / 341 km)

📍 Memphis → Dallas, Texas
🚗 Driving: ~6.5 hours (452 miles / 727 km)

📍 Dallas → Albuquerque, New Mexico
🚗 Driving: ~9.5 hours (650 miles / 1,046 km)

📍 Albuquerque → Sedona, Arizona
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (285 miles / 459 km)

📍 Sedona → Palm Springs, California
🚗 Driving: ~5.5 hours (330 miles / 531 km)

📍 Palm Springs → Los Angeles, California
🚗 Driving: ~2 hours (110 miles / 177 km)

---

🚗 Route Totals

🕒 Total Driving Time: ~41.5 hours

📍 Total Distance: ~2,705 miles / ~4,352 km

🗺️ States: 8

⭐ Best For: Warm weather, live music, authentic BBQ, desert landscapes, and the spectacular red rocks of New Mexico and Arizona.

Route 5: Pacific Coast + Cross Country Route

🌊🇺🇸 Pacific Coast + National Parks Route

Perfect for first-time visitors wanting to experience America's biggest bucket-list destinations, spectacular national parks, and the iconic California coast.

---

📍 Washington, DC → Nashville, Tennessee 🎸
🚗 Driving: ~10 hours (665 miles / 1,070 km)

📍 Nashville → Amarillo, Texas 🤠
🚗 Driving: ~11.5 hours (790 miles / 1,271 km)

📍 Amarillo → Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona 🏜️
🚗 Driving: ~9 hours (610 miles / 982 km)

📍 Grand Canyon → Las Vegas, Nevada 🎰
🚗 Driving: ~4.5 hours (280 miles / 451 km)

📍 Las Vegas → Yosemite National Park, California 🌲
🚗 Driving: ~7 hours (410 miles / 660 km)

📍 Yosemite → San Francisco, California 🌉
🚗 Driving: ~4 hours (190 miles / 306 km)

📍 San Francisco → Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) 🌊
🚗 Driving: ~2 hours (95 miles / 153 km)

📍 Pacific Coast Highway → Big Sur 🌿
🚗 Driving: ~2 hours (90 miles / 145 km)

📍 Big Sur → Los Angeles, California ☀️
🚗 Driving: ~6 hours (310 miles / 499 km)

---

🚗 Route Totals

🕒 Total Driving Time: ~56 hours

📍 Total Distance: ~3,440 miles / ~5,535 km

🗺️ States: 8

⭐ Best For: First-time USA visitors, bucket-list scenery, national parks, the California coast, iconic American landmarks, and hiking.

Boats on Cape Cod on a Northeast USA road trip, June 2012

Still need help figuring out which cross country road trip in the USA is right for you?

My comparison table below will help make the choice easier!

🇺🇸 Compare the 5 USA Cross-Country Road Trip Routes

Route	Best For	Time	Highlights
🏘️ Classic Middle America	First-time road trippers	7–10 days	St. Louis, Utah, Northern Nevada
🏔️ Northern Route	Mountains & cities	8–10 days	Reno, Cheyenne, Chicago
🛣️ Historic Route 66	Americana	10–14 days	Classic diners, neon signs & roadside attractions
☀️ Southern Route	Warm weather & music	10–14 days	Nashville, Memphis, Sedona
🌊 Pacific Coast + Cross-Country	Bucket-list trip	12–16 days	Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Big Sur & Highway 1

Things I Wish I Knew Before Driving Across America

I’ve been lucky enough to drive cross country USA a few times now – whether it have been with my entire family or just one of my parents and I.

Having “been around the block” when it comes to long haul driving across America, here are some of the things I wish I would have known to plan better for the future:

• Always Fill Up Gas Early: Certain roads across the country, like in Nevada and Utah, are great for cruising along at a steady pace – but not the best for gas station stops. Therefore, my advice is to always fill up instead of chancing it to the next station that may not come as soon as you need it.

• Keep Offline Maps Handy: Whether it be downloading Google Maps, keeping an old-fashioned GPS handy, or a paper map in your glove-box – it’s important to have directions handy that don’t require cell service.

• Call Hotels for Late Check-in: This was something my dad always did, and especially in peak summer season – it’s important. The last thing you want is a long day of driving and suddenly being left with nowhere to sleep.

• Remain Aware of Driving Fatigue: It’s easy to want to power through and try to make it through a long day, but don’t underestimate the effect that time zone changes and long driving days will have on your body. Be sure to get lots of good sleep while on a cross country road trip and take care of yourself.

• Book Accommodation Early: I know how tempting it is to hit the open road and take off on a cross country road trip from one day to the other. But if you plan to stay in hotels instead of camping, you’ll want to plan to book your accommodation a couple of months in advance – especially if you plan to take your USA road trip during summer.

What do I Need to Pack for a Cross Country Road Trip?

🧊

Cooler

Bring a cooler for sandwiches, snacks, fruit, and cold drinks while you're driving under the summer sun. Trust me—it comes in handy more often than you'd think on a cross-country road trip.

🚽

Portable Toilet

Laugh now, but trust me—you never know when traffic comes to a standstill and you suddenly have to go with no rest stop in sight. You'll be glad you packed one.

🎵

Entertainment

Download plenty of playlists, audiobooks, podcasts, movies, or CDs before your trip. Long stretches of highway go by much faster when you have something fun to listen to.

🔋

Portable Charger

Phone batteries drain surprisingly fast when you're navigating and constantly searching for signal. Bring a portable battery pack and charging cables for the car to keep everything powered up.

📱

Dash Mount

A phone mount keeps your GPS visible while allowing you to drive hands-free. It's one of those little purchases that makes a huge difference on a long road trip.

🩹

First Aid Kit

Pack Band-Aids, medications, ointments, pain relievers, and anything else you might need. When you're in the middle of nowhere, finding a pharmacy isn't always easy.

🧻

Paper Towels & Wipes

Whether it's cleaning up a coffee spill, wiping down picnic tables, or having something handy after lunch on the road, you'll use paper towels and disinfecting wipes far more often than you think.

🥨

Road Trip Snacks

Pack plenty of snacks before you leave. Not every stretch of highway has food nearby, and having granola bars, chips, fruit, trail mix, or sandwiches on hand will save both time and money during long driving days.

View of buildings in Chicago, Illinois while on a cross country road trip; June 2012

🇺🇸🚗 USA Cross Country Road Trip FAQs 🛣️

🚗 How long does it take to drive across the USA?

It takes around 7 to 10 days to drive across the USA if you average about 8 hours of driving per day. If you want to drive back and forth across the country, it's going to be closer to a 2 to 3 week journey.

🛣️ Is Route 66 worth it?

Yes, Route 66 is absolutely worth it if you want to see a more historic and "untouched" part of the USA—especially for the quirky roadside stops and fun photo opportunities. That being said, it does add more time to your cross-country road trip, so keep that in mind if getting from Point A to Point B as efficiently as possible is your priority.

🇺🇸 What is the best cross-country road trip route?

There's no doubt that driving cross-country allows you to see more of America than you ever could by plane. The only reason I've personally been to 40 states is because I've driven all over the country. Driving across the USA is hands down the best and most affordable way to see just how diverse the nation really is—from big cities and jaw-dropping coastlines to farmland and natural wonders like Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon.

🧭 Is it better to drive east to west or west to east?

Personally, I haven't found much difference between driving east to west or west to east. That being said, as you head farther west, the country becomes much less densely populated. Driving west to east may be better if you like ending your trip feeling closer to civilization, as there are definitely more opportunities for gas stations, restaurants, and rest stops the farther east you go. In places like Utah or Nevada, you can easily drive 100 miles without seeing much at all.

💰 How much does a cross-country road trip cost?

A cross-country road trip usually costs anywhere between $3,000 for a couple and around $10,000 for a family of five—the latter being about what it cost each time my family and I drove across the country. Of course, your total depends on how often you eat out and the quality of hotels you choose.

📍 How many miles is a USA road trip?

A cross-country road trip across the USA is usually around 2,500 miles, although the exact distance depends on which route you choose.

⏱️ Can you drive across America in a week?

Yes—you absolutely can drive across America in one week. I've done it twice, and it's more than possible. Just be prepared for several 10-hour driving days if you want to make it happen.

🚙 What are the safest states to drive through?

California is one of the safest states to drive through, as it's a state practically built around driving. There are plenty of services, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, and road stops throughout the state, making it one of the easiest places to road trip across.

🍂 What is the best month for a cross-country road trip?

Personally, I think the best months for a cross-country road trip are September or October. By then, the summer crowds have mostly disappeared, but you'll still have plenty of daylight to comfortably make it to your hotel each evening before dark.

Fall foliage near Washington Monument in Washington D.C.; November 2024

Look for more information to plan your trip to the U.S.?

Having traveled all over the country from a young age, I’ve been exploring the U.S. my whole life – having been to most of the major cities and also in the middle of nowhere on road trips.

If you’re looking for other things to do in the U.S., click here.

Additional articles you might find useful include:

• 10 Things to Do in D.C. That Aren’t Museums

• Your Ultimate Itinerary for New England in the Fall

• Top 10 Most Underrated Cities to Visit in the U.S.

Never want to miss out on my next adventure? Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to never miss my next destination!

About the Author

Hi, I'm Stephanie Safdie, a travel writer and content creator based in Paris. Since living here, I've spent years exploring the city and regularly update my Paris travel guides with firsthand experience while also exploring destinations across Europe and beyond as a solo female traveler. I've been solo traveling for the past decade, having visited more than 70 cities and nearly 30 countries before turning 30.

Before moving abroad, I grew up moving all around the United States, having lived in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Tampa – which sparked my desire to discover and experience new places and cultures from a young age.

As a true writer at heart passionate about being open-minded, adventurous, and diaristic – it's my goal to share honest, practical travel advice, local insights, detailed itineraries, and real-life experiences that go beyond typical tourist recommendations. With over 200 guides published on Destination Dreamer Diaries, I’m here help you plan the most memorable trip of a lifetime with confidence.

When I'm not traveling or working professionally in content creation, you'll find me doing just about anything creative: writing, practicing my photography skills (the large majority of photos featured on this blog were taken during my own travels), playing my music at open mic nights, editing videos for my YouTube channel, cooking, or creating travel content.

Last updated: August 1, 2026