Route 66 turns 100 years old on 11 November this year. The historic American road trip route is rightly lauded for being as classic as apple pie – stretching from Illinois in the east across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and ending in California in the west, it allows drivers to see a diverse cross-section of country.
But it isn’t the only way to see the US. In fact, whether you want a raucous night out in New Orleans or a family trip to the Great Lakes, there’s a road trip route for you. And many of them are much more of a secret than Route 66, meaning that instead of road rage, you’ll have the open highway to yourself.
Here are some of the best alternatives to Route 66, from Scenic Byway 12 in Utah to the Extraterrestrial Highway in Nevada.
Get your vibe on Route 65, connecting Chicago with New Orleans
They both set off from in or around Chicago, but Interstate 65 – Route 66’s little sister, if you like – heads south instead of west and passes through four states: Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Spend some time in the Windy City, from a scenic boat cruise to a trip to the top of the Willis Tower, before aiming for Indianapolis (known for its Indy 500 motor race).
Stop off for a mint julep or neat bourbon in Louisville, then take a honky tonk crawl in the original Music City, Nashville. In Alabama, try some of America’s best barbecue in Birmingham and discover the history of the civil rights movement in Montgomery. Nearly 900 miles later, you’ll end up in New Orleans, where you can soak up blues and jazz in the French Quarter.
How to do it: Travelbag has a 19-day itinerary, including accommodation, flights and car hire, from £2,299pp.
Take America’s most scenic drive, from Washington DC to North Carolina
Spanning 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway is known as America’s favourite drive, as well as its most scenic. This is largely because it was designed purely for beauty: stretching between Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it winds along the crest of the Appalachian Highlands, delivering near-constant panoramic views, all without the stress of commercial traffic.
En route, there are over 250 panoramic stopping points, offering everything from sweeping valley views to rolling mountain ridges, waterfalls and wildflower meadows. You can also experience a variety of hiking trails, where you might spot anything from black bear to white-tailed deer, and make pit-stops in quaint towns such as Charlottesville, once home to Thomas Jefferson, and Roanoke, famous for the Mill Mountain Star, a vast neon landmark.
How to do it: An 11-day road trip with Original Travel starts from £1,980pp, including accommodation, flights and car hire.
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Explore Utah’s beauty along Scenic Byway 12
No road trip to Utah would be complete without driving down Scenic Byway 12. At 124 miles long, it has everything you need for an incredible journey – the way the road winds through the mighty rocks, the magnificent landscapes en route, and the smooth surface quality of the asphalt itself (very important).
Designated an All-American Road (only one-third of America’s scenic byways get this distinction), it connects US 89 near Panguitch with SR 24 near Torrey. The route takes you on a journey as you climb into the Dixie National Forest, curve past Grand Staircase-Escalante, and roll alongside the shimmering red rock of Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Subalpine fir and tall aspen trees decorate the surroundings, and plenty of scenic viewpoints await.
How to do it: North America Travel Service offers a 10-night motorhome itinerary, including flights, campsite fees and motorhome hire, from £1,469pp.
Seek out alien life in Nevada
The truth is out there – somewhere in the dusty desert of Nevada. Discover its Loneliest Road and the eerie Extraterrestrial Highway on a road trip where you might go for hours without seeing another living soul. Highway 50 runs from Ocean City, Maryland to Sacramento, California and the stretch between Ely and Lake Tahoe was named by Life magazine as “the loneliest Road in America.”
The route’s wide open spaces go on for miles and miles and miles. By the time you get to Highway 375, also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, you might be grateful just to spot a little green man. The route gets its name from its association with Area 51, a heavily guarded air force base just outside Las Vegas. No one really knows what goes on within, so perhaps this is your chance to find out.
How to do it: A 12-night Nevada and the Loneliest Road trip with Bon Voyage, including flights, accommodation and car hire, starts from £2,395pp.
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Set off on the Oregon Film Trail
The state’s dramatic scenery has become a hotbed for movie production, and the Oregon Film Trail gives you the opportunity to explore some of its most iconic cinematic locations. From lush forests and rugged coastlines to vibrant cities and small towns, the trail offers stunning scenery with peeks into pop culture. With more than thirty locations and some of Hollywood’s biggest films – from Academy Award winners like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to cult classics like The Goonies – it’s an ideal cinema-meets-nature holiday.
Twilight fans will be in heaven – look out for stops including Cannon Beach and St Helens – and along the way you’ll encounter fascinating wildlife, including wild sea lions.
How to do it: An eight-day trip, including accommodation, flights and car hire, starts from £2,345pp with Bon Voyage.
Navigate the Great Lakes Road
Stretching from Chicago, Illinois, the Great Lakes Road takes you along the shores of some of America’s Great Lakes – like Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron – peppered with vibrant urban cities, charming small towns and breathtaking scenery.
Start in Detroit, separated from Canada by the Detroit River and discover its musical history at the Motown Museum. Driving through Michigan in Mackinac County, road trippers can experience “the jewel of the great lakes”. Mackinac Island (although ironically no cars are allowed here) and marvel at the spectacular view of lush forests, limestone rock formations and sea caves, atop the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
How to do it: A 14-night day trip, including accommodation and car hire, starts from £1,745 with Trailfinders.
