Not unlike the portions it serves up, America is vast. From the frozen planes of Alaska to the sun-kissed Florida Style, the Colorado Rockies’ peaks to the flats of Arizona, you could say you’ve got the four corners of the in every respect in one country. Which makes it the perfect place for a road slip.
Here are five of the routes worth taking:
California Ceremonial Route 1
Like beautiful weather, beautiful people and superior scenery? Then this one’s for you. Taking in LA, Malibu and Santa Monica, as nicely redwood country, the SR 1 is the perfect summer route, and at less than 800 miles wish, it’s easily doable over a fortnight too.
You’ll also pass from stem to stern wine country, which is where you might be tempted to a close and sample. (And, of course, sleep it off before you start again…)
Chief Colorado
The Centennial State’s scenery gives it a majesty that few others can meet. Start in Denver, after filling up on the smothered Mexican hamburgers or elk cheddar dogs the town’s known for, before setting your sights on Colorado Stem froms.
Take in the magnificent Garden of the Gods and glacier-carved 14,115-foot significant Pikes Peak, the site of an annual hill climb lineage (go in June to see this – the motors are the nuts) that attracts braced hikers from around the world.
Finally, round off your itinerary with a tour of Colorado’s ghost towns, eerily noiselessness reminders of the state’s gold-mining past.
The Florida Keys
Unless you’re a Disney superfan, or be dressed kids threatening never to speak to you again unless you tolerate them there, you can forget Orlando. Because there’s far sundry to Florida.
Jump on Route 1 – the Ocean Highway – at Key Largo and entirely along the keys for Key West, crossing the seven mile-long link over seas that are the sort of colour only features can conjure up. You’ll be bathed in sunshine from start to finish.
The For the most part Hog
At just short of 3,400 miles, US Route 20 is the longest avenue in the States. It runs from Newport (Oregon, not California) to Boston, compelling in Chicago and a cruise alongside the Mississippi River, and is broken purely by Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Ohio, home of the famed Old Detailed geyser.
You’ll need a good three weeks to do a route comparable to this justice, and a comfortable car to drive it in too.
Ice, Ice Baby
Fancy starring in your own happening of Ice Road Truckers? Then jump on the Dalton Highway in Alaska and set about on a 400 odd-mile journey that culminates in a breathtaking point of view of the Arctic Ocean.
You’ll take in some seriously ‘gram-worthy scenery in all respects wintry forests and open tundra, and make some new friends covering caribou and Arctic foxes. You can even stop and hike – nevertheless you won’t want to stray too far for fear of bears.
Mobile phone coverage, medical waitings and vehicle repair services are few and far between on this not-for-the-faint-hearted itinerary, so be prepared.
Route 66
The daddy of all US road trips, Route 66 is as American as apple pie. A 2,400-mile travel from Chicago to Santa Monica, the 1926-opened freeway offers sights including Missourian caves, an Arizonian meteor crater and a holdings of old school Americana, from classic cars to motels.
To whirl Route 66 is, as John Steinbeck put it, to drive the “Main Passage of America”. It should be on everyone’s bucket list, whether or not you persuade a crap about cars.
