Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Routes for Families

Are you serious? A road trip with kids?! Are you crazy?

Yes, yes, and no. Well, a little bit! As a military family and all the inevitable moving that goes along with it, we have opted to road trip across the U.S, not once but twice! It was cheaper for us because we were able to pack our car with things we could use immediately when we arrived at our new location, AND we didn’t have to pay for shipping our second car and pet. With so many options for the best US road trips for families, how could we just hop on a plane?

What Makes The Best Family Road Trip?

Okay, let’s talk logistics. I feel like I’m sitting at a pretty good spot to talk road tripping with kiddos becauseeeeeeeeee well let me give you the rapsheet. We road-tripped from Staten Island, NY, to our new home in Ketchikan, Alaska. Yupp ALASKA!! During this particular trip, we took the long way to Alaska and took the complete east coast drive down to Florida, all the way across to California, and then up to Alaska. It was fun!

Then we got orders to move to Memphis from Alaska, so we again took to the road, packed our things a drove down through middle America to Memphis. We got to do so many fun things, and our crew even grew; we had two kiddos and a dog during this trip. And wow, lots of planning for total fun and worth it!

Having a flexible schedule, amazing music setlist, budgeting hacks, multiple itineraries, kid-forward planning, and most importantly, sweet AND salty snacks, road trips can be an enjoyable vacation with tons of hilarious memories. And because you know ya girl, I HAVE to obsess over everything, and this time I’m setting my sights on giving you the low down on popular family-friendly roadtrips within the United States. I’ve even got some options for those who want to be adventurous, riding a train is still considered a road trip, right?

Do you need help packing? Check this out!

The Best Family Road Trip Routes

Pacific Coast Highway (California)

The Pacific Coast Highway route can take you as far north as Washington and as far south as California. I recommend focusing on the route from San Francisco to San Diego or vice versa. The Pacific Coast Highway route is an approximately 600-mile-long trip that can take from 5-10 days. This iconic route takes you along the California coast and offers stunning ocean views, quaint beach towns, redwood forests (my personal favorite), and world-class family attractions! This is the perfect route for families looking to have a mix of nature and coastal charm.

🏖️ Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

• Golden Gate Bridge: Start your trip with a walk or bike ride across the bridge.
• Exploratorium & California Academy of Sciences: Interactive science museums for kids.
• Pier 39: Sea lions, street performers, and kid-friendly restaurants.
• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Classic seaside amusement park with rides, games, and arcade fun.
• Natural Bridges State Beach: Great for tide pooling and picnics.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: One of the best aquariums in the country.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Easy family hikes with wildlife spotting (sea otters, seals!).
• Bixby Creek Bridge: Famous photo op.
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Redwoods, waterfalls, and family-friendly hiking trails.
• McWay Falls: Iconic waterfall that drops into the ocean.
• Hearst Castle: A real-life castle on the hill—tours are available and surprisingly kid-friendly.
• Elephant Seal Vista Point: Watch huge elephant seals lounging and sparring.
• Dinosaur Caves Park: A coastal playground with great views.
• Stearns Wharf: Ice cream, fishing, and a small aquarium.
• El Matador State Beach: Gorgeous spot for tide pools and beach picnics.
• Malibu Pier: Relaxed vibes, great seafood, and dolphin sightings are common.
• Santa Monica Pier: Rides, arcade, aquarium.
• LA Attractions: The Natural History Museum, Griffith Park, and the La Brea Tar Pits.
• San Diego Zoo & Safari Park: One of the best in the world.
• Balboa Park: Gardens, museums, and space to run around.
• La Jolla Cove: Sea lions galore and beautiful beaches.
• Legoland

Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)

The Blue Ridge Parkway is dubbed “America’s Favorite Drive” for a reason; besides the fact that there are no billboards or commercial trucks along this route, you can expect amazing overlooks, lush forests, waterfalls, and plenty of stops to allow time for your little ones to stretch their feet! I recommend starting the road trip from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, which is around 469 miles long. This route can take you around 4-7 days.

🌲 Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

• Shenandoah National Park (Mile 0)
• Skyline Drive: Connects to the Parkway—watch for deer and black bears!
• Junior Ranger Program: Educational and fun for younger kids.
• Hiking: Easy trails like Limberlost Trail are stroller-friendly.
• Mabry Mill (Milepost 176)
• Historic Mill & Blacksmith Shop: Fascinating for kids to see old-timey tools and demonstrations.
• Picnic Area: One of the most photographed spots on the Parkway—bring lunch and your camera!
• Blue Ridge Music Center (Milepost 213)
• Live Bluegrass: Free summer concerts and an interactive museum about Appalachian music.
• Kid-friendly exhibits and room to dance!
• Linville Falls (Milepost 316)
• Waterfalls + Trails: Several trails of varying difficulty with dramatic views of Linville Gorge.
• Safety note: Stay on the marked trails; some drops are steep.
• Craggy Gardens (Milepost 364)
• Rhododendron blooms (June–July): Like walking through a fairy tale.
• Short hikes and picnic spots with panoramic views.
• Folk Art Center (Milepost 382)
• Watch local artists at work and pick up handcrafted souvenirs.
• Kid-friendly craft demos happen seasonally.
• Asheville, NC
• Great Basecamp: Home to funky restaurants, parks, and nearby waterfalls.
• Western NC Nature Center: Features animals like red wolves and otters.
• Biltmore Estate: Kids will love the gardens, farmyard, and outdoor play areas.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park (End Point)
• Clingmans Dome: The highest point on the Parkway—walk up the observation tower for epic views.
• Roaring Fork Motor Trail: Scenic loop with waterfalls and historic buildings.
• Wildlife spotting: Elk, bears, and fireflies in summer!

Best Times to Visit

• Late September to October to see the leaves change color
• April to May to see wildflowers in bloom and waterfalls flowing
• June to August to see lush greenery and family programs at visitor centers

Southwest National Parks Loop (Arizona–Utah)

This family-friendly route is a fun loop through the southwest where you can expect to see towering red rocks, deep canyons, natural arches, and otherworldly desert landscapes. My recommended route is: Grand Canyon → Zion → Bryce Canyon → Arches (loop or one-way), which is from 900 to 1,200 miles long, and can take anywhere from 7- 14 days. This road trip is a very active adventure for both parents and kids, with opportunities for hiking, stargazing, rock collecting, and wildlife spotting.

🏜️ Family-Friendly Stops & Parks Along the Way

• 1. Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim, Arizona)
• Mather Point: Stunning overlook and an easy walk from the visitor center.
• Rim Trail: Paved, mostly flat—great for strollers or scooters.
• Junior Ranger Program: A hit with kids.
• 2. Zion National Park (Utah)
• Riverside Walk: Paved trail to the entrance of The Narrows—kids love playing by the water.
• Emerald Pools Trail: Easy to moderate hike with waterfalls and pools.
• Zion Lodge Lawn: A relaxing spot for picnics and deer sightings.
• Shuttle-only access: Park and ride the shuttle—kids think it’s an adventure!
• 3. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
• Inspiration Point & Bryce Amphitheater: Epic views of hoodoos (rock spires) that look like something out of a fantasy movie.
• Navajo Loop or Queen’s Garden Trails: Kid-friendly hikes into the canyon with fairy tale vibes.
• Night Sky Programs: Bryce is a certified Dark Sky Park—stargazing is top-notch.
• 4. Arches National Park (Utah)
• Delicate Arch (view from lower viewpoint) if hiking the full trail is too much.
• Sand Dune Arch: A quick walk through slot canyons to a hidden sandy playground—kids LOVE this one.
• Balanced Rock & Windows Section: Easy trails, big wow-factor.

🧭 Optional Bonus Stops

• Capitol Reef NP: Less crowded, with orchard picking in season and petroglyphs.
• Canyonlands NP: Island in the Sky district has family-accessible overlooks and trails.
• Monument Valley: Iconic Western scenery—great photo op, and Navajo-led tours available.

Best Times to Visit

• September to October for cool weather and golden hour, perfect for those family photo opportunities
• March to May to avoid crowds and mild weather

Florida Keys Road Trip (Miami to Key West)

Dreaming of beaches, sunsets, islands, and iconic Florida activities? This is the road trip for you! Starting at Miami → Key Largo → Islamorada → Marathon → Big Pine Key → Key West, you’ll expect to cross 42 bridges and 44 islands. Yeah, that’s a lot, and that’s not even mentioning the many roadside attractions! Around 165 miles to be exact, that can take anywhere from 3-5 days.

🐠 Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

• Miami (Starting Point)
• Zoo Miami or Frost Science Museum: Great warm-up activities for families.
• Little Havana & Wynwood Walls: Colorful photo ops and Cuban food (kids love the empanadas!).
• Key Largo
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling, and kayaking.
• Wild Bird Sanctuary: Free, fun stop to see rescued birds up close.
• Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen: Kid-approved food and funky decor.
• Islamorada
• Theater of the Sea: Dolphin shows, marine life encounters, and a beachy lagoon.
• Robbie’s Marina: Feed giant tarpon right off the dock—kids go wild for it!
• Rain Barrel Village: Quirky art shops and a giant lobster statue = perfect photo stop.
• Marathon
• Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters: Interactive touch tanks and feeding experiences.
• Seven Mile Bridge: Scenic stretch that feels like flying over the sea.
• Sombrero Beach: Calm, sandy beach with restrooms and a playground.
• Turtle Hospital: Tours to learn about sea turtle rescue—fascinating and heartwarming.
• Big Pine Key
• National Key Deer Refuge: Look for the adorable, endangered Key deer (they’re tiny!).
• No Name Pub: Great food and a ceiling covered in dollar bills—fun and funky.
• Key West (End Point)
• Southernmost Point Buoy: Snap that iconic family photo.
• Ernest Hemingway Home: Kids love the 6-toed cats roaming the grounds.
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park: Beach + historic fort + shaded picnic spots.
• Mallory Square Sunset Celebration: Street performers, food carts, and live music at sunset.

Best Times to Visit

• Dec–April for perfect weather, but more crowds
• May–June for warm weather, fewer crowds, but a higher chance for afternoon storms.
• Avoid hurricane season (Aug–Oct)

Alaska Roadtrip

Oh my gosh, my all-time favorite road trip which is voted THE BEST US ROADTRIP FOR FAMILIES by yourstruly. I am Alaska-obsessed, and after this road trip, you will be too! You can expect to see some seriously wild beauty, glaciers, critters, and of course, mountains. I recommend starting at Anchorage → Talkeetna → Denali National Park → Fairbanks. This route is around 360 miles one way and can take 5-8 days to complete. Side note: You can actually take a scenic train ride instead of driving yourself.

🏕️ Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

• Anchorage (Starting Point)
• Alaska Zoo or Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center: See bears, moose, lynx, and more in natural settings.
• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Easy bike ride or walk with mountain and ocean views.
• Anchorage Museum: Has a fantastic Discovery Center for kids.
• Talkeetna (Stopover Town)
• Quirky, artsy village that feels like a real-life postcard.
• Flightseeing tours (weather permitting) with glacier landings—breathtaking!
• Riverfront parks and pizza at Mountain High Pizza Pie are super family-friendly.
• Denali National Park
• Sled dog kennels: Free demos in summer!
• Tundra Wilderness Tour (or shuttle): Great for spotting bears, caribou, moose, and more.
• Hiking Trails: Horseshoe Lake and Savage River Loop are both scenic and doable with kids.
• Junior Ranger Program: Like most national parks, it’s well done and keeps kids engaged.
• Fairbanks (End Point)
• Pioneer Park: Mini theme park with museums, playgrounds, and a train ride.
• Chena Hot Springs: Soak in warm water, tour an ice museum, and maybe see the northern lights (fall/winter).
• University of Alaska Museum of the North: Awesome natural history exhibits.

Best Times to Visit

• June–early September for long daylight hours and road access to Denali. Wildflowers bloom, wildlife is active, and trails are open
• Late May & early September for fewer crowds and gorgeous scenery, but check for closures

Northeast Coast Road Trip

Boston to Acadia National Park (via Maine coast)

Got lobster rolls on the mind? This is the perfect family-friendly road trip filled with great eats, historic lighthouses, adorable towns, natural beauty, and the amazing Atlantic coast. I recommend starting in Boston → Portsmouth, NH → Portland → Boothbay Harbor → Camden → Bar Harbor (Acadia NP). This route is approximately 280 miles long, which can take 5-7 days.

🦞 Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

• Boston (Starting Point)
• Boston Children’s Museum or New England Aquarium: Both are top-tier for families.
• Freedom Trail Walk: History + exercise = win-win.
• Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market: Street performers and fun eats.
• Portsmouth, NH
• Prescott Park: Flowers, water views, and kid-friendly plays in summer.
• Strawbery Banke Museum: Living history village with hands-on exhibits.
• Ice cream at Annabelle’s = required stop.
• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: Fairy houses + kids’ garden = magic.
• Portland, ME
• Portland Head Light (Cape Elizabeth): Most photographed lighthouse in the U.S.
• Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine: Great rainy-day option.
• The Holy Donut: Famous for their Maine potato donuts—yum.
• Ferry to Peaks Island (optional): Bike around and explore tide pools.
• Boothbay Harbor
• Boat tours: Puffin, lobster boat, or seal-watching trips.
• Downtown: Cute shops and saltwater taffy.
• Camden & Rockland
• Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park: Short drive or hike for panoramic views.
• Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse: Easy walk out to a lighthouse.
• Farnsworth Art Museum: Kid-friendly art scavenger hunts.
• Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park
• Park Loop Road: Scenic drive with plenty of pull-offs and picnic spots.
• Sand Beach & Thunder Hole: Splashy fun and cool wave action.
• Jordan Pond Path: Easy family hike + popovers at Jordan Pond House!
• Cadillac Mountain: Drive or hike to the summit—sunrise is unforgettable.
• Tidepooling & biking the carriage roads are also big hits with families.

Best Times to Visit

• June–August is peak family travel time with perfect weather so expect more crowds
• September–early October for fewer crowds and gorgeous foliage.
• May–early June for quieter, fewer folks, yay! Keeping in mind, some seasonal spots may be closed.

Yellowstone & Grand Teton Loop (Wyoming/Montana)

Okay, the Yellowstone to Grand Teton loop road trip has got to be my second favorite trip on this list! I mean, who doesn’t love baby bison, exploding geysers, rainbow colored hot springs, and alpine lakes? I recommend starting at Bozeman → Yellowstone NP → Grand Teton NP → Jackson → back to Bozeman or Salt Lake City. This route is around 450 to 600 miles long, which can take 6-10 days to complete.

🦬 Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

• Bozeman, MT (Starting Point Option)
• Museum of the Rockies: Incredible dino exhibits and kids’ science center.
• Downtown Bozeman: Cute shops, great eats, and western charm.
• Yellowstone National Park
• Old Faithful Geyser & Visitor Center: Must-see. Time it right and you’ll catch it erupting.
• Grand Prismatic Spring: View from the boardwalk or hike to the overlook—rainbow-colored hot spring WOW.
• Fountain Paint Pots: Bubbling mud pots—gross and fascinating!
• Mammoth Hot Springs: Terraces look like alien stairs.
• Lamar Valley: Best place to spot bison, wolves, and bears (go early or at dusk).
• Junior Ranger Program: Excellent for engaging kids with hands-on activities.
• Easy hikes: Mud Volcano, Yellowstone Lake Shore, and Fairy Falls (older kids).
• Grand Teton National Park
• Jenny Lake: Boat ride across the lake + hike to Hidden Falls = perfect half-day adventure.
• Moose-Wilson Road: Great wildlife viewing (yep—moose!).
• Scenic drive & picnic at Oxbow Bend: Picture-perfect mountain reflections.
• Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve: Quiet, kid-friendly trails through forest and meadow.
• Jackson, WY
• Jackson Hole Children’s Museum or ice cream on the town square (with its famous elk antler arches).
• Scenic chairlift ride at Snow King or Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for mountain views.
• Cowboy dinner show or rodeo (summer only)—kitschy fun, kids will talk about forever.

Best Times to Visit

• Late June–early September for Peak accessibility and family fun.
• Mid-Sept–early Oct for breathtaking foliage and fewer crowds.
• Avoid early spring: Roads are often still snowed in!

Route 66 (Classic Americana Road Trip)

Got any Cars fans? Cars, as in the Disney movie. Well, this all-American road trip is the one for you. You can expect some quirky dinners, neon road signs, Route 66 Museums, oversized statues, and a ton of photo op opportunities. You can start at Chicago, IL → St. Louis, MO → Tulsa & OKC, OK → Amarillo, TX → Albuquerque, NM → Flagstaff, AZ → Santa Monica, CA. This is a pretty lengthy road trip in itself, that’s around 2,400 miles long and takes around 2-3 weeks. Make sure to break it up so the family doesn’t get burnt out, I’ve got some fun recommendations to help plan that out better.

🛣️ Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way Chicago, IL (Start Point)

• Chicago, IL (Start Point)
• Route 66 Begin Sign: Must-get photo op downtown.
• Navy Pier or Field Museum: Great way to kick off the trip with kid-friendly fun.
• Lou Malnati’s Pizza: Deep-dish deliciousness.
• Pontiac, IL
• Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum: Great intro to the route.
• Life-size murals and old-school charm make it a fun quick stop.
• St. Louis, MO
• Gateway Arch: Take the tram to the top!
• City Museum: A wild, artistic playground kids go bananas for.
• Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: Classic Route 66 treat.
• Springfield, MO
• Fantastic Caverns: Ride-through cave tour—easy for all ages.
• Route 66 Car Museum: Great for gearheads and curious kids.
• Tulsa & Oklahoma City, OK
• Blue Whale of Catoosa: Giant, smiling whale to climb on and picnic near.
• Oklahoma Route 66 Museum (Clinton): Interactive and family-focused.
• Pops 66 Soda Ranch (Arcadia): 700+ soda flavors and a giant glowing soda bottle.
• Amarillo, TX
• Cadillac Ranch: Spray paint graffiti on half-buried cars (BYO spray paint).
• Big Texan Steak Ranch: Kitschy and over-the-top fun—huge steaks, cowboy flair.
• RV Museum: Vintage trailers and gear that are fun to walk through.
• Albuquerque, NM
• Old Town: Southwest culture and snacks (fry bread, tamales).
• Sandia Peak Tramway: Sky-high views and a fun ride up the mountain.
• National Museum of Nuclear Science & History: Weird, wild, and surprisingly cool for kids.
• Flagstaff & Seligman, AZ
• Meteor Crater: Real-life space rock impact = major wow factor.
• Seligman: Birthplace of Route 66 kitsch—classic cars, Elvis statues, and old diners.
• Grand Canyon (Optional Detour): Only 1.5 hours north—worth the sidetrack.
• Santa Monica, CA (Finish Line!)
• Santa Monica Pier: Ferris wheel, arcade, and the official Route 66 “End of the Trail” sign.
• Beach time & food trucks: Reward for a job well done!

Best Times to Visit

• May–June or Sept–Oct for warm weather without peak summer heat or crowds.
• Avoid mid-summer if possible—Arizona and Texas can get brutally hot.

Tips for Road Tripping with Kids

Being stuck in a car with kids for days on end can sound daunting. Family roadtrips are actually great because if the kids get fussy, you can end the driving for the day, or pull over at a fun rest area to get some excess energy out. Some life-saving tips we use on EVER trip include

• Felt road with states, the kids move state to state when we cross over the stateline, that way they can’t ask where we are??? They can just look up on the car ceiling
• State/City themed goodie bag every day. This can be as easy as a paper bag with a simple printed coloring sheet with landmarks of what to expect, like these by Travel With A Plan by Jen.
• Car Games! Yes the ABC game, license plate matching, I spy
• Preloaded individual MP3 player or tablet with downloaded movies/shows.
• Driving 5-6 hours a day max.
• Loading the kids up in the morning while they sleep. This was great, we would leave so early in the morning, the kids would keep sleeping in the early morning, by the time they woke up, we would immediately stop for breakfast, hop back in the car to drive again. The kids would take their nap, and once they woke up, our day of driving was done. It worked well for us!

👇Grab your Free Road Trip Bingo Card!👇

US road trips have been some of the best memories we have with our family. We take our own pace, set an incredible schedule that highlights activities for everyone in the family. So pack up that car, order yourself a paper copy map, and hit the road! You won’t regret it. Have you been on any roadtrips, let me know about it in the comments!