There’s something distinctly nostalgic about a US family road trip. Car packed to the rafters, children bobbing with excitement on the backseats – and the open road stretching out ahead, a proper journey. By travelling overland rather than overhead, precious pockets of the landscape are seen up close with pitstops at places otherwise unreachable.

Across the pond, America lends itself perfectly to family road trips. From the panoramic vistas of Arizona and Nevada, stretching deserts and canyons, to the charming coastal towns of upstate New York and New England, to immortalised Route 66 – beginning in downtown Chicago and leading its pilgrims all the way to Santa Monica pier. Glorious National Parks too line the path of many of the best US road trips, from Utah to California to Wyoming. Their rural sparsity then contrasted by the bright lights of Manhattan, Las Vegas and the noise of New Orleans, the magic of Miami.

The Best Family-friendly Road Trips

Yet the endless miles of a great American road trip might sound more pipedream than a plausible getaway if you have children in tow. Frightful images of bored tweens and teens, impatiently underappreciative of the scenes flashing past the car window.

Speaking from experience though, that’s certainly not the inevitable outcome of a family road trip in the US. In fact, with the right planning, travelling by road can even be preferable. Ditching the airport logistics and several connecting flights for one hire car. Swapping long flights for drives punctuated with interesting stops every few hours. Roadside pancake houses, local baseball games, warm and welcoming B&Bs – need we say more?

But – you’ll need a map. The best U.S. family road trips require precise planning. Usually bookended by two iconic destinations, which are then connected by places, people and points of interest all handpicked by us and tailored to your taste and travellers.

Having driven many U.S. routes ourselves over the years – some pre-children and some post – we’re well versed in many of the country’s most famous routes and those outside of the obvious. We know which will suit the history buffs and the beach bums, which are fitted to the city dwellers, and which are for those that favour the great outdoors. And within this exclusive guide, we’re set to share some of that precious knowledge with you.

This month we’ve handpicked a selection of our favourite routes throughout the US. Well-guided inspiration for your next states-side adventure. Welcome to five of the best U.S. road trips for families.

The Best Family Road Trips Around the United States  

1. The Deep South: Nashville to New Orleans U.S. Road Trip for Families

A shorter US family road trip, the distance between Nashville and New Orleans (530 miles) can be completed in a day. However, it’s made much more interesting when stretched to span across a few weeks or more. There are two route options, Western and Eastern, and both roads take some of the state’s most unmissable culture and culinary scenes.

There’s historic Jackson, the capital of the state of Mississippi. A place of significance in the country’s civil rights movement – filled with museums and landmarks that document this important chapter in American history. Memphis, Tennessee, can be found along this route too. A place infused with music, celebration and culture, Memphis is a beautiful city for exploration and education. You can visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley, stop off at Montgomery Bell State Park, and see the cities of Birmingham and Huntsville, Alabama, and that’s all without mention of the two most iconic destinations: Nashville and New Orleans.

Our co-founder, Emma – completed this rhythmical journey with her family in 2019. Two adults, and four children driving across 8 states over 3 weeks with 4 suitcases and 1 large SUV; read the account of her deep south family adventure here.

2. The Autumnal Adventure: New York through New England Road Trip for Families

Begin this family-friendly U.S. road trip in the Big Apple. The city needs no introduction, except to say whether you spend two nights or two weeks exploring its famous avenues and boroughs – we are encyclopaedias of New York knowledge. From museums to restaurants to city tours to shopping guides, we distil the enormity of what’s on offer into your family’s orbit.

One of the world’s most population single destinations, New York City can also be a fantastic starting point for one of our most recommended U.S. road trips for families. The byways of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island can all be explored by car from the sprawling metropolis.

It’s a road trip that can be enjoyed pretty much year-round but it’s in autumn when the leaves turn to rusty hues of orange, yellow and red, that is the most spectacular time to visit. For us, some of the most stunning scenes can be found in the White Mountains, the Berkshires and the Green Mountains as the dense forests undergo their magnificent seasonal change. You can follow the coast road north to visit Acadia National Park, an area that offers 6000 acres of protected forest and a rugged coastline. Head inland to climb into the White Mountains via the Crawford Notch Pass, stopping at the towns of Conway and Bretton Notch or continuing onwards towards Stowe in Vermont.

Another option is to follow the Green Mountains via Moss Glen Falls. Perhaps stop along the way to drive across one of the historic bridges in Vermont or New Hampshire. From the Berkshires, return to the coast south of Boston, and enjoy a spot of whale watching in Cape Cod. An unmissable wildlife experience sure to delight all passengers of this family-friendly US road trip.

3. The Coasts of California: San Francisco to Los Angeles U.S. Road Trip for Families

Perhaps one of the most popular U.S. road trips for families is contained entirely within the state of California – although easily extended into neighbouring states, more on that later. California’s State Route 1 follows the winding coastline for nearly 500 miles. The beautiful stretch of road connects its two biggest cities: Los Angeles and San Francisco – both serving excellent start and end points for this U.S. family road trip.

After a few days spent in the relaxed and welcoming city of San Francisco – head towards the up-market yet quaint towns of Carmel and Pebble Beach, stopping en route at the marine town of Monterey. There’s a chance to see whales here too – making it a great pitstop for a family road trip. Our in-country partners are connected to some of the most sustainably sound whale-watching trips in the area, along with charming boutique hotels should you wish to spend a night or two.

From here, you’ll join one of the best driving routes in the world; Big Sur. Think sweeping curves of the road, passing state parks and cliff-top views onto the white-crested waves, all joined by some of the state’s most impressive bridges. Continuing on for another 100 miles you’ll find yourself in the laidback and vibrant city of Santa Barbara. There are plenty of vineyards here, exporting Californian wine all over the world – an adult pitstop well worth taking.

Malibu and Santa Monica are found on the route to Los Angeles, where we’d recommend spending a few days exploring before ending your family U.S. road trip. That said, this route is one of the easiest to extend into three weeks or more should you have the luxury of time.  Yosemite National Park can be reached from San Francisco, whilst you can head across to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon from L.A.

4. The Desert Adventure: Arizona and Utah Road Trip for Families

One for nature lovers, and a U.S. road trip better suited for families with older children is the breathtaking route through the southwestern states of Arizona and Utah. Due to the frequency of flights from the UK, we recommend starting this road trip in Las Vegas – where you can either spend a few days in the vibrant entertainment capital – or pick up a car and hit the road immediately.

From Las Vegas, you’ll head into the state of Arizona towards Grand Canyon National Park. To reach it, you’ll drive parallel to or on the Historic Route 66 for sections leading up to the town of Williams, known as the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” As the name implies, the Grand Canyon is a vast spectacle marbled with many different points of interest and hiking routes depending on your level of ability. Having spent more than a decade coordinating bespoke U.S. road trips for families of all shapes and sizes, we can build a Grand Canyon stay around you – from experiences to our favourite properties in the area.

After catching the sunrise over the Canyon, your route will cross into Utah and the town of Moab. From here you can spend several days journeying into Utah’s Mighty Five – the iconic national parks known all over the world for their Marsan-like red rock forms. Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are the natural wonders you’ll meet first along this route, before continuing onto Capitol Reef National Park, Bryce Canyon and Zion – depending on your bespoke itinerary.

It’s an adventurous route, but the breathtaking geology and history of this part of America is unmissable, especially if you have budding intrepid explorers in tow. Plus, our knowledge of the areas means that your family-friendly U.S. road trip will be hosted by some of the most luxurious and homely hotels in Arizona and Utah, a welcoming sight after a long day hiking in the Mighty Five.

5. The Sunshine State: Florida Family Road Trip

No surprise that the sunshine state of Florida features in our list of the best U.S. road trips for families, but there’s more to it than Disneyland and theme parks. That said, Orlando is a great place to begin a Florida road trip – spending up to a week exploring the many different parks along with the fascinating Kennedy Space Centre.

From Orlando, you’ll then make your way south towards Miami, a route that’s punctuated with some of the best beaches in all of the United States. The Gulf Coast is home to relaxed resorts and white sandy shores, and you can follow the coast to Clearwater Beach and the beautiful nature-engulfed islands of Honeymoon and Sanibel.

Next to the upscale city of Naples with its many fine-dining restaurants and spotless beaches, before swapping the high life for the natural world, visiting the famous Everglades National Park. It is here that you can enjoy a spot of alligator watching from some of the raised walkways or an air-boat ride across the rivers of grass for the more adventurous.

Finally, you’ll arrive in the cosmopolitan city of Miami. With our expert guidance, stay in South Beach – the Miami you know from the movies: Art Deco architecture, long stretches of white sand and swaying palm trees. Explore the vibrant street art of Wynwood too – a neighbourhood akin to an enormous open-air gallery. If you have the time, this family-friendly U.S. road trip ought to include a ride through the Florida Keys. Less than 100 miles from Miami, the Overseas Highway links the Keys to the mainland with a series of 42 bridges that cross over shallow turquoise ocean stretching between the islands all the way to Key West, where watching the sunset from Mallory Square is a daily celebration.

Choose Essential Escapes for your U.S. family road trip

As ever, the route is only the beginning when it comes to planning a bespoke adventure with us. We curate our worldwide connections into your family’s orbit to deliver you a tailormade trip suited exactly to your taste and style. Find out how we do it in the newly-published guide to our five signature steps or book a call with our expert team today.