Best U.S. Destinations for a Family Road Trip

Taking a family road trip sounds like a dream—until you’re a few hours in, listening to the tenth round of "Are we there yet?", mediating backseat sibling squabbles, and wondering why you thought this was a good idea. I’ve been there. More than once.

But despite the inevitable moments of chaos, some of my favorite family memories have been made on the road. There’s something about piling into the car, hitting the open highway, and watching the scenery change outside the window that makes road trips special. The trick is choosing destinations that are exciting enough to keep everyone entertained, offer plenty of stops along the way, and don’t require too much time stuck in the car between attractions.

After plenty of trial and error, I’ve found a few routes that are perfect for family-friendly adventures.

The Pacific Coast Highway (California)

There’s something magical about driving along the California coastline, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and towering cliffs on the other. The route from San Francisco to San Diego is packed with stops kids will love. Exploring tide pools in Monterey, watching sea lions in Morro Bay, and taking a ride at the Santa Monica Pier kept my crew entertained for hours.

One of the best moments on this trip was stopping at Big Sur’s Pfeiffer Beach, where the sand is a strange shade of purple. My kids were fascinated, and it gave us all a chance to stretch our legs before hopping back in the car. The drive itself is just as much of an experience as the destinations, with breathtaking views that even my usually unimpressed little passengers couldn’t ignore.

The Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee & North Carolina)

Some road trips are about the journey, while others are about finding the perfect place to stay and explore. The Great Smoky Mountains offer a little of both. Driving through the park’s winding roads feels like something out of a postcard, with rolling mountains, misty valleys, and plenty of wildlife sightings along the way.

Stopping in Gatlinburg added a fun mix of nature and family-friendly attractions. The kids loved the Ober Gatlinburg aerial tram, and I appreciated that there were plenty of options for both adventure and relaxation. Whether hiking to waterfalls, taking a scenic drive through Cades Cove, or just roasting marshmallows at a cabin, this road trip was a win for all of us.

Route 66 (Chicago to Santa Monica)

There’s nothing more classic than a Route 66 road trip. The history, quirky roadside attractions, and ever-changing landscapes make it a trip to remember.

One of the best parts of this drive was stopping at all the oddball roadside attractions. Cadillac Ranch in Texas, where people spray-paint old cars buried in the desert, was a favorite with my kids. We also loved visiting the Blue Whale of Catoosa in Oklahoma—a giant blue whale slide in the middle of a pond, because why not? The mix of kitschy Americana and wide-open road gave this trip a nostalgic feel, even for those of us who weren’t alive when Route 66 was in its prime.

The Florida Keys (Florida)

If you want a road trip that feels like a tropical vacation, the drive through the Florida Keys is the way to go. The Overseas Highway connects the islands, with ocean views in every direction. The drive itself isn’t long, but the number of fun stops along the way make it easy to turn this into a full road trip.

One of the highlights for us was feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada. These massive fish jump right out of the water, and my kids thought it was the funniest, coolest thing ever. We also spent time at Bahia Honda State Park, where the beaches were calm and perfect for swimming. Ending the trip in Key West with a sunset at Mallory Square made the whole journey feel like a true getaway.

The Black Hills and Badlands (South Dakota & Wyoming)

I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect when we planned a road trip through South Dakota and Wyoming. It turns out, this was one of the most underrated family trips we’ve ever taken.

Mount Rushmore was a fun stop, but what really made this trip special were the places I hadn’t originally planned for. The drive through Badlands National Park felt like stepping onto another planet, with its dramatic rock formations and endless sky. In Custer State Park, we had a herd of bison walk right past our car, and my kids couldn’t believe how close we were to the massive animals.

One of the unexpected highlights was Wind Cave National Park, where we took a tour of underground tunnels filled with rare rock formations. The mix of history, adventure, and wildlife made this a trip that had something for everyone.

The Road to Hana (Maui, Hawaii)

This drive is an adventure in itself. The Road to Hana is one of the most stunning and winding coastal drives in the world, packed with waterfalls, ocean cliffs, and lush rainforests.

What made this trip unforgettable for our family was all the stops along the way. We swam in the crystal-clear waters of the Seven Sacred Pools at Ohe’o, explored lava tubes, and hiked through a bamboo forest that looked like something out of a fairytale. Stopping for banana bread at a roadside stand was an unexpected highlight—the warm, sweet slices were exactly what we needed after hours of driving.

The drive takes patience, with its hundreds of hairpin turns and one-lane bridges, but it’s worth every second. It’s one of those road trips where the journey itself is just as important as the destination.

The New England Coastline (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts)

If your family loves charming towns, rocky coastlines, and plenty of seafood, a road trip through New England is a perfect choice. The drive along the Maine coastline was filled with cute lighthouses, fresh lobster rolls, and small-town charm.

One of our favorite stops was Acadia National Park, where we hiked kid-friendly trails and watched the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. The beaches in this area aren’t the typical sandy shores my kids are used to, but searching for seashells and climbing over the smooth rock formations kept them entertained for hours. Stopping in Boston on the way back added a bit of history to the trip, with the Freedom Trail offering an easy way to explore the city.

Final Thoughts

Road trips with kids aren’t always smooth. There will be meltdowns, someone will drop their snack all over the car, and you’ll probably have to stop for more bathroom breaks than you planned. But those messy, unplanned moments are part of what makes road trips special.

The key is choosing a destination that has plenty of fun stops, balancing adventure with downtime, and being flexible enough to go with the flow. Some of the best memories aren’t the ones that were perfectly planned, but the ones that happened when we took a wrong turn and found something unexpected.

If you’ve taken a family road trip, I’d love to hear your favorite destinations! Drop a comment with your top picks!