It doesn’t sound very relaxing. I had a friend do this and he spent almost two years on the road in his comfy camper visiting parks, family and friends.
Some of the stops are head scratching, and I get the off the beaten path mantra. But places like Yellowstone are so beautiful to think someone just drove right passed it pains me.
It exists and it's called Rover, but I want my dog to experience the natural wonders too, otherwise I'd just leave her at home with a family member. We just have to stick to state parks
The best day of my drive was a 14 hour drive from Tonopah, NV to Eureka, CA which was a 14 a through and through driving day (maybe an hour of not driving). I don't know how to explain it either so I get why you think it is a troll post
I also liking driving & seeing beautiful things.
But I can't imagine JUST doing that for a month. For 90% of the day every day.
OP, you are something else!
Props!
Edit: You should be a truck driver if you like driving this much!
I am not skilled enough to do that! I saw an oversized truck flip a U-turn in a not massive 4 way intersection with ease and it was an amazing piece of driving
😨 that’s crazy! I could never just drive past all of that and not feel guilty about stopping. It hurt my heart one year when we drove from Pinnacles Natl Park to Tucson…I didn’t feel that guilty not stopping in the desert or in the Central Valley, but I did feel bad that I didn’t have even just a day to spend somewhere in the mountains north and east of San Bernardino, or even to cameo at Joshua Tree. All we did was stop at In-N-Out when we got gas. We’ve done that sort of thing once in 10 years. You had to have blown right through or past Yosemite, Mono Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lassen, Mt. Shasta…not to mention the California coast. So sad.
Struggled how to do the map and text so here is the context:
New to this reddit (found it while planning a new road trip) so thought I would share a road trip I took last year where I went to a location in all 48 states in the lower US. I had been working on the route for a few months because the original idea was to play disc golf in all 48 states however I hurt my arm and didn't let it recover. So about a week before I left I went on Atlas Obscura and found places that were interesting and saved them. Then each day or day before on my trip I basically planned on what made the most sense for where I was but still followed generally the same route (going the Upper Pinesla in Michigan and driving all the way to the ocean in Maine were the biggest changes).
It took me 26 days, was about \~15,000 miles in total, and I was driving for most of the day to get it done. I would leave around 6am-10am and stop between 7pm - 11pm with maybe 1hr - 3hrs between then not driving. I also tried to take state highways as often as I could and avoided interstates outside of New England. It was a super amazing trip and driving through this country is amazing and beautiful and if you are thinking about a road trip you should do it. I am excited to see what awesome trips y'all take!
I hadn't really traveled past the East Coast before a few years ago so I just kinda wanted to see the country. I also absolutely love driving and will just drive for the fun of it. Also the trip was so loosely planned that everyday was like a structured surprise of having no idea what I was gonna see or experience just I'm going from here to there.
I'm with OP on this one. I just drive because I can...there's just a "zen" feeling to it. That is, until some asshat cuts you off because they're having a bad day. Therefore, so will you!
I mean for me this was truly a trip that was for the journey then the destination. It was also very well planned and spontaneous at the same time and I just wanted to experience it. Its also made it easier to think and plan future trips because I have reference points of what I liked and can explore more. Don't get me wrong I ain't saying this is the type everyone should take or would enjoy but I had a good time.
Well, don’t blink as you swerve into Colorado. You’ll miss every bit of what Colorado is most famous for.
(I’m jealous of such a trip, don’t get me wrong. Just wish you had consulted me on that state lol)
It looks like op is driving highway 14 over Cameron pass, which is spectacular. But then they're only stopping to see Pawnee buttes? Interesting choice.
I had been to CO the previous year to Denver and did mountain stuff so and the Pawnee Buttes looked cool (and were!) Also I have no idea how I took this route (google is struggling to make it right now) but I remember changing what state I was in I think either 14 or 16 times in total. A lot of dirt road as well but I love dirt roads.
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I would skip Cheyenne and take co14 to Walden, then north to your route. Or keep going through steamboat before going back north, but I don't know much of your route there.
I'd love to have a month to myself to Cruise the US. I know I wouldn't cover this much ground but I'm pretty good with driving 8-10hrs/day if it's through new scenery.
This was an old road trip idea where me and a friend were going to go to every place that shared our name (technically no places for mine so went with the conventional spelling of my name). In FL the High School was the 2016 National Champions in Cheerleading (although the sign is no longer there), TX it is a rancher county with a nice burger place, and in CA it is a ranger station 27 miles down a mountain road in a national forest.
I LOVE that you went to all the "Geographic Centers". There are so many, and that's always made me laugh! What geographic center was the best geographic center?
Glad you had such a great adventure! Hope your arm's better now.
Oh yeah my arm just needed to rest and playing disc golf 48 times in 26-30 days was actually going to hurt me. The geographic center of the Northwestern Hemisphere was really great because it is the only official marker for the ones I went to. The Center of Universe in Idaho was in a cool looking small town I would love to visit again
As you go through Marysville Kansas on highway 36, stop and visit the only Pony Express Barn standing in its original location. Oh, we also have black squirrels.
It’s fine, go for it, but your time investment on this one is not going to get a lot of scouting return. The part of Texas you’re seeing, Nebraska, Kansas… nah, I’d just skip it. Cut a few states out and hit “the good parts” cleaner.
Nice trip, ignore the haters.
I would add:
AZ - head further south to see the miles of saguaro cactus. They start just north of Phoenix. I think Globe or Superior may have them.
WY - hit Devils Tower. It is incredible and better than any geographical center.
OH - if you like airplanes the free Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Dayton is a must.
TN - go to the Smokies and cross into NC over the Smokies.
GA - see the Okeefenokee, air boat is the best.
FL - the old Spanish fort at St Augustine is impressive.
You have several geographical centers. Are you going to Four Corners?
I went to four corners on a previous trip! Yes I realized I don't remember seeing a Cactus cactus on my trip unless I somehow was too distracted to notice. Yeah Grand Teton won because of special signifcance but I will add these to my list! Also yeah driving through the Smokies as the sun rises and the fog is lower than the mountains but you can see everything is spectacular (same other last road trip)
I don't know anything about astronomy I just find the humans were able to build radio telescopes and what they do to be fascinating. It feels so wild that it is something we were able to figure out
As a Wisconsinite, you are missing the best part of Wisconsin. The path along the Mississippi River (the driftless region" is stunning. The drive you have marked now will be exactly like Minnesota, SD and Iowa
I'd suggest jumping into Wisconsin after the Headwaters and going south from the twin cities (Winona, La crosse) and just taking the river road down to Iowa to see your frying pan. Then you can go to Illinois (ew) Then if you still want to drive around Lake Michigan, go all the way to Milwaukee and drive up along the Lake- I think that's why 43?- and take that all the way North. Your scenery will be 100x better and won't take any longer to drive!
Some of these stops are pretty silly, so I will say you should definitely check out the Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota while you're there. It's essentially half about the twine ball and half about Weird Al at this point
You should go down the Lake Michigan coast line instead of mid mi. Lots of awesome beach towns and the sleeping bear dunes on that coast.
Edit I see that you already took the trip.
I did 48 States in 80 days through Trek America who no longer exist thanks to covid...their parent company still going but longest trips they are offer are like 11 days. I would definitely do a trip again but can't do solo due to my autism so with someone or a group is ideal, just don't have any friends either
Not advocating for my specific style of trip (I do love driving more then most) but yeah if you feel you gotta do it in your bones, do it. It was so incredibly worth it (I think took a 2 week roadtrip the previous year before this that was less intense). Do a bunch of planning for like you have everything you need, you are always safe, you have destinations, general routes and timing expectations, but then whatever go with the flow style works best (spending an extra day at a place, doing the thing that someone said was cool or restruant that is good, or take the scenic route over the highway for this stretch) was the mindset I had and helped me feel more relaxed on my trip and enjoy it more.
For the Minnesota portion I always recommend people try to hit highway 61 along the Mississippi in the SE from Iowa to Red Wing and 61 again in and north of Duluth. Itasca is also a good stop, but is just going to be a couple hours unless you are doing hiking or camping.
It's going to cost you a few hours, but you get a better taste of that region.
Edit: Actually looking at Iowa just skip the largest pan and drive up from the Iowa border on 61 to Red Wing MN from there. That road will take you to the same area and is 100 times prettier. It's one of the most beautiful sections of the entire Mississippi river.
Duluth and the North shore is more of a detour. Worth it but you won't have time to enjoy it.
Also in the Dakotas you are very close to Teddy Roosevelt national park on your way to the Black Hills area. That's another less visited "Badlands" that might be worth driving past.
Yeah that one was a bummer and I wish I gave myself time to do one of the mountains. I really focused on enjoyment of the drive that day. That was also the first kind of disappointing one since the Mississippi stop (12 states earlier) and was also right after what I would say peak best portion of the trip (NM to OR)
https://preview.redd.it/rog1ugafdwxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3ee8b8c13f69dde3ca5f3e92d2bd12e3fa1483a
Oh no! People, does it actually count if OP only caught the corner of a state or only stopped at an airport terminal in some? Does he have to redo it with a more interesting activity than visiting the geographic center of something?
No I didn't take I80 through Wyoming I took a bunch of highways (a good chunk of dirt road). I do have no idea how I got on this route though. Also Pawnee Buttes are cool I had never seen a Grassland before it was super cool
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I mean Green Bank in West Virigina is a better time then VLA and VLA is very not flashy I will give you that. But man them bad boys are big and they can figure out stuff that happens in space thats is wild. Also just a wonderful drive through NM as well for me
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That kind of land just does not appeal to me. My dad just wanted to see the stuff referenced in Contact. We also talked about my meteorologist phase when I was in middle school after Twister came out.
I mean the reason I was always going to the VLA when I planned it is because the movie Contact as well so I get why you would make the trip. Yeah it is in a super old lake right so it is flat for a longtime without anything for miles so I got lucky that day because the weather and clouds were perfect driving in the middle of nowhere conditions.
There's a place north of there (I think) that the state owns, and it's like 1000 poles drilled into the ground to attract lighting. There's a cabin on site, and you used to be able to reserve it overnight. It's not a bad area at night, I just feel very vulnerable and isolated out there. And I don't get good vibes. I don't believe in any of that woo woo stuff, but that area makes me nauseas.
The drive from OK to TX was actually a really good fun drive it wasn't boring (TX to NM maybe it was the heat but that was the most boring part of my drive). The other nice thing about TX is you can legally go 80 and 85 mph in some places and its nice to legally drive on roads like that sometimes.
I’ve done near that OK to TX route and it’s pretty with the Wichita Mountains but nothing breathtaking. I was primarily speaking to that portion in Texas which, as you mention, is definitely a bore
Does 48 states --- But misses the best National parks in CA, Utah, and Colorado --- And they are literally the best in the entire US.
Skip Iowa and go through Duluth, MN and across the Upper Peninsula. Trust me, I grew up 5 miles from the largest frying pan and you will be disappointed.
House on the Rock in lower Wisconsin would be a good substitute in that area and you’ll drive through the driftless area which is very unique geographically
But look at how sunny and beautiful it was outside that day! The midwest has some of the best cloud formations and you can see so many of them!
https://preview.redd.it/a9449x2vitxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=505d38c5386da7001e50efdc4b36e2ce744ebfd7
True there. I had friends from California that were amazed by the hilly driftless region and farms in the fall. I grew up sick of that sort of thing. I recently drove some lesser used roads through the river valleys and random farms and fell in love with it. I still get bored on the interstates here though.
I was shocked how much I love the wide open spaces of the western Dakotas (and into Wyoming and eastern Montana). The Black Hills are great, but give my big sky. Another that looked interesting was route 50 in Nevada. I know the western states are full of those wide open drives.
I stick by my first recommendation though. See the pan, but consider following the Mississippi up to Minneapolis.
Oh yeah interstate through the midwest is ROUGH for enjoyment that is why I took as many state highways as I could. Yeah Montana and Wyoming are for sure the ones I want to figure out how to spend a couple weeks in soon vs 2 days.
Won't lie the drive on Highway 2 between ND and MN was spectatular and made me so confused by the "ND is flat and boring" rep so if you are saying every other drive in ND is better well guess I need to go drive through ND again
Oof duh…the entire Midwest. You’ve picked the dullest routes with nothing to see or do but flat land and rest stops off the highways. Do some real research and rethink this trip. It’s looks like complete boredom and a waste of money and time.
It’s dumb how much the Midwest is the redheaded stepchild of the US. I’ve lived in Northeast Ohio my whole life and I’ve explored places nobody ever thinks of in Nebraska and Oklahoma that are really cool. People have been programmed to think only mountains and especially beaches make a trip interesting, but there are other landscapes which hold their own kinds of wonder. I love the mountains too, but the Midwest has a lot of culture and a lot of scenic places that people miss when they just fly over.
It's also bc the interstates are usually the least scenic parts in most of those states imo. Even the farmland areas can be pretty, but are much less appealing from the interstate.
That is sooooo true! Ohio is actually one of the more photogenic states on most of its freeways, but you never get to see the quaint little towns and city neighborhoods from the freeways. Nebraska gets judged by Interstate 80, which runs on the edge of the Sandhills and around the Wildcat Hills in the Panhandle. If you take US-26, US-20, Hwy 2, or Hwy 12, you see whole other side of Nebraska. It's really beautiful country with rolling hills, bluffs, and buttes. I love that drive! Oklahoma even has some mountains...and a bunch of them are actually right next to I-44, but I-44 really doesn't connect any major cities in that region, or even to any other Interstates...so nobody hardly goes through there much if I had to guess.
I was rethinking driving through northern Nebraska after going to the Black Hills area. Actually I'm doing some different trip planning using some of the US highways in place of interstates, and often the times aren't much slower but give a much better trip. There are lots of youtube videos of people enjoying the US highways in the southwest states. I had no idea about Oklahoma.
The downside being in the western midwest and west U.S. there are some long stretches of road with no services like regular hotels and gas stations. So I do understand why people just use the interstates.
But every time people skip highway 61 along Iowa/Mn/Wisconsin and the Mississippi River to save an hour or so on I90/I35 I die a little inside. I just had a friend leave Minneapolis to drive to Des Moines and then head east toward Chicago. They were sightseeing but still ignored my suggestion to follow the Mississippi. They are convinced the entire region is boring and aren't coming back.
Edit: And yes I've heard many people give the same "get off the interstates" advice for Ohio.
If I were to choose an ideal route across the Midwest from the Black Hills, I’d head south to US-20, go to Fort Robinson and Chadron State Parks (Toadstool Geological Park is on my radar, but haven’t been there), and head east to Valentine where I’d begin following Hwy 12 to Sioux City. Make sure you stop at Smith Falls, Niobrara, and Ponca State Parks along the way. Continue East on US-20 across Iowa, and explore the area around Dubuque. (Maquoketa Caves is on my radar near here.) I don’t know Northern Illinois or Indiana much beyond Chicago and Indiana Dunes, which are both worth the stops. I can’t say a lot about extreme NW Ohio either, but from Toledo you want to follow Route 2 and stick to the lakeshore to hit Marblehead, Lakeside, Sandusky (follow US-6 from here), Huron, Vermillion, Lorain, Bay Village, Lakewood, and then Cleveland. Edgewater Park, Huntington Beach, and Lakeview Park are great beaches {for Lake Erie}, especially Edgewater, since it it has a great view of the Cleveland skyline. East of Cleveland you can go out on Lake Shore Blvd and hit Euclid Beach and Headlands Beach, then head out to Lake Erie Wine Country and up to Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania. From there you’re really not in the Midwest anymore, but Niagara Falls is not far away.
Obviously you haven't been to most of the places marked on this list. "Nothing to see and do" is ridiculous hyperbole. It might not be how YOU would spent YOUR money and time, but you're definitely clearly missing the point of this trip.
Down the whole Oregon coast? Through the redwoods? The middle of southern UT? Southern NM? Down to the gulf coast? Roads through the Appalachians, and the stunning Natural Bridge area? Coastal New England? The easternmost tip of the US? Quirky landmarks? Around the Great Lakes? Tetons? Western MT and Northern ID? These are some of the most absolutely beautiful places in the country! If you are trying to go through all of the contiguous states, you are guaranteed to spend a lot of time in "not so interesting" areas, but for a lot of people the point of a road trip is the actual road. This trip is epic and a great way to see the "real" country.
You misread. I mentioned only the Midwest portion. An area I am extremely familiar with. And other posters made very similar comments about areas they were also familiar with.
It doesn’t sound very relaxing. I had a friend do this and he spent almost two years on the road in his comfy camper visiting parks, family and friends.
48 states, 15,000 miles, in 26 days. This is like 10-12 hours of driving a day. I'm almost convinced this is a troll post.
Some of the stops are head scratching, and I get the off the beaten path mantra. But places like Yellowstone are so beautiful to think someone just drove right passed it pains me.
I travel with my dog so basically every national park is off limits for some reason.
New million dollar idea, an app like AirBNB but to arrange doggo daycare. (Patent pending)
It exists and it's called Rover, but I want my dog to experience the natural wonders too, otherwise I'd just leave her at home with a family member. We just have to stick to state parks
Zion has one trail you can bring a dog on
The best day of my drive was a 14 hour drive from Tonopah, NV to Eureka, CA which was a 14 a through and through driving day (maybe an hour of not driving). I don't know how to explain it either so I get why you think it is a troll post
I also liking driving & seeing beautiful things. But I can't imagine JUST doing that for a month. For 90% of the day every day. OP, you are something else! Props! Edit: You should be a truck driver if you like driving this much!
I am not skilled enough to do that! I saw an oversized truck flip a U-turn in a not massive 4 way intersection with ease and it was an amazing piece of driving
😨 that’s crazy! I could never just drive past all of that and not feel guilty about stopping. It hurt my heart one year when we drove from Pinnacles Natl Park to Tucson…I didn’t feel that guilty not stopping in the desert or in the Central Valley, but I did feel bad that I didn’t have even just a day to spend somewhere in the mountains north and east of San Bernardino, or even to cameo at Joshua Tree. All we did was stop at In-N-Out when we got gas. We’ve done that sort of thing once in 10 years. You had to have blown right through or past Yosemite, Mono Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lassen, Mt. Shasta…not to mention the California coast. So sad.
Struggled how to do the map and text so here is the context: New to this reddit (found it while planning a new road trip) so thought I would share a road trip I took last year where I went to a location in all 48 states in the lower US. I had been working on the route for a few months because the original idea was to play disc golf in all 48 states however I hurt my arm and didn't let it recover. So about a week before I left I went on Atlas Obscura and found places that were interesting and saved them. Then each day or day before on my trip I basically planned on what made the most sense for where I was but still followed generally the same route (going the Upper Pinesla in Michigan and driving all the way to the ocean in Maine were the biggest changes). It took me 26 days, was about \~15,000 miles in total, and I was driving for most of the day to get it done. I would leave around 6am-10am and stop between 7pm - 11pm with maybe 1hr - 3hrs between then not driving. I also tried to take state highways as often as I could and avoided interstates outside of New England. It was a super amazing trip and driving through this country is amazing and beautiful and if you are thinking about a road trip you should do it. I am excited to see what awesome trips y'all take!
Looks awesome, but if you weren't staying and doing things, what's the fun in that?
I hadn't really traveled past the East Coast before a few years ago so I just kinda wanted to see the country. I also absolutely love driving and will just drive for the fun of it. Also the trip was so loosely planned that everyday was like a structured surprise of having no idea what I was gonna see or experience just I'm going from here to there.
I love driving too - but I drive to see and go places. More power to you though! How many miles?
I'm with OP on this one. I just drive because I can...there's just a "zen" feeling to it. That is, until some asshat cuts you off because they're having a bad day. Therefore, so will you!
It's not about experiences, it's about saying you've been there.
Lol yeah this guy wins most miles in a day. Congrats!!!
I mean for me this was truly a trip that was for the journey then the destination. It was also very well planned and spontaneous at the same time and I just wanted to experience it. Its also made it easier to think and plan future trips because I have reference points of what I liked and can explore more. Don't get me wrong I ain't saying this is the type everyone should take or would enjoy but I had a good time.
Well, don’t blink as you swerve into Colorado. You’ll miss every bit of what Colorado is most famous for. (I’m jealous of such a trip, don’t get me wrong. Just wish you had consulted me on that state lol)
It looks like op is driving highway 14 over Cameron pass, which is spectacular. But then they're only stopping to see Pawnee buttes? Interesting choice.
I had been to CO the previous year to Denver and did mountain stuff so and the Pawnee Buttes looked cool (and were!) Also I have no idea how I took this route (google is struggling to make it right now) but I remember changing what state I was in I think either 14 or 16 times in total. A lot of dirt road as well but I love dirt roads. https://preview.redd.it/qafsqkdlawxc1.png?width=2798&format=png&auto=webp&s=c956ddba4c28a04d47b84688a4db5d8c93b55856
I would skip Cheyenne and take co14 to Walden, then north to your route. Or keep going through steamboat before going back north, but I don't know much of your route there.
I'd love to have a month to myself to Cruise the US. I know I wouldn't cover this much ground but I'm pretty good with driving 8-10hrs/day if it's through new scenery.
What’s in Callahan?
This was an old road trip idea where me and a friend were going to go to every place that shared our name (technically no places for mine so went with the conventional spelling of my name). In FL the High School was the 2016 National Champions in Cheerleading (although the sign is no longer there), TX it is a rancher county with a nice burger place, and in CA it is a ranger station 27 miles down a mountain road in a national forest.
Some of those places actually look pretty cool, tbh.
I LOVE that you went to all the "Geographic Centers". There are so many, and that's always made me laugh! What geographic center was the best geographic center? Glad you had such a great adventure! Hope your arm's better now.
Oh yeah my arm just needed to rest and playing disc golf 48 times in 26-30 days was actually going to hurt me. The geographic center of the Northwestern Hemisphere was really great because it is the only official marker for the ones I went to. The Center of Universe in Idaho was in a cool looking small town I would love to visit again
So much is missed by skipping California.
Yeah I will probably have to a California specific trip but North North California was some of the most fun mountain driving I have ever done
As you go through Marysville Kansas on highway 36, stop and visit the only Pony Express Barn standing in its original location. Oh, we also have black squirrels.
Doesn’t seem worth it, since you’re only skirting some states just to technically enter them. “Yeah, I’ve been to Colorado… just the top edge”
The point of the trip was no for finality it was to introduce me to places I had never been so I can make future trip plans
It’s fine, go for it, but your time investment on this one is not going to get a lot of scouting return. The part of Texas you’re seeing, Nebraska, Kansas… nah, I’d just skip it. Cut a few states out and hit “the good parts” cleaner.
Missing out on a stone henge in Oregon and tx.
And Kentucky.
That one is tiny though
Nice trip, ignore the haters. I would add: AZ - head further south to see the miles of saguaro cactus. They start just north of Phoenix. I think Globe or Superior may have them. WY - hit Devils Tower. It is incredible and better than any geographical center. OH - if you like airplanes the free Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Dayton is a must. TN - go to the Smokies and cross into NC over the Smokies. GA - see the Okeefenokee, air boat is the best. FL - the old Spanish fort at St Augustine is impressive. You have several geographical centers. Are you going to Four Corners?
Op don't got time for that
I went to four corners on a previous trip! Yes I realized I don't remember seeing a Cactus cactus on my trip unless I somehow was too distracted to notice. Yeah Grand Teton won because of special signifcance but I will add these to my list! Also yeah driving through the Smokies as the sun rises and the fog is lower than the mountains but you can see everything is spectacular (same other last road trip)
GBT and VLA? Somebody likes astronomy, radio, or both.
I don't know anything about astronomy I just find the humans were able to build radio telescopes and what they do to be fascinating. It feels so wild that it is something we were able to figure out
Skip Abilene and go straight through the panhandle
As a Wisconsinite, you are missing the best part of Wisconsin. The path along the Mississippi River (the driftless region" is stunning. The drive you have marked now will be exactly like Minnesota, SD and Iowa
I'd suggest jumping into Wisconsin after the Headwaters and going south from the twin cities (Winona, La crosse) and just taking the river road down to Iowa to see your frying pan. Then you can go to Illinois (ew) Then if you still want to drive around Lake Michigan, go all the way to Milwaukee and drive up along the Lake- I think that's why 43?- and take that all the way North. Your scenery will be 100x better and won't take any longer to drive!
If you are into history, you are going to be very close to Vicksburg, Ms which has a large civil war military park
And do not stay overnight in Jackson, Ms
Some of these stops are pretty silly, so I will say you should definitely check out the Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota while you're there. It's essentially half about the twine ball and half about Weird Al at this point
I love driving to me it’s relaxing can’t explain just me my wife and the radio.
You should go down the Lake Michigan coast line instead of mid mi. Lots of awesome beach towns and the sleeping bear dunes on that coast. Edit I see that you already took the trip.
I did 48 States in 80 days through Trek America who no longer exist thanks to covid...their parent company still going but longest trips they are offer are like 11 days. I would definitely do a trip again but can't do solo due to my autism so with someone or a group is ideal, just don't have any friends either
This is my dream to day some day.
Not advocating for my specific style of trip (I do love driving more then most) but yeah if you feel you gotta do it in your bones, do it. It was so incredibly worth it (I think took a 2 week roadtrip the previous year before this that was less intense). Do a bunch of planning for like you have everything you need, you are always safe, you have destinations, general routes and timing expectations, but then whatever go with the flow style works best (spending an extra day at a place, doing the thing that someone said was cool or restruant that is good, or take the scenic route over the highway for this stretch) was the mindset I had and helped me feel more relaxed on my trip and enjoy it more.
Thanks
For the Minnesota portion I always recommend people try to hit highway 61 along the Mississippi in the SE from Iowa to Red Wing and 61 again in and north of Duluth. Itasca is also a good stop, but is just going to be a couple hours unless you are doing hiking or camping. It's going to cost you a few hours, but you get a better taste of that region. Edit: Actually looking at Iowa just skip the largest pan and drive up from the Iowa border on 61 to Red Wing MN from there. That road will take you to the same area and is 100 times prettier. It's one of the most beautiful sections of the entire Mississippi river. Duluth and the North shore is more of a detour. Worth it but you won't have time to enjoy it. Also in the Dakotas you are very close to Teddy Roosevelt national park on your way to the Black Hills area. That's another less visited "Badlands" that might be worth driving past.
Looks like an amazing trip!! The solo part might make you a little batty, but who cares!
You’re going to be horribly disappointed in George, WA. The only thing about it that’s even remotely interesting is the name.
Yeah that one was a bummer and I wish I gave myself time to do one of the mountains. I really focused on enjoyment of the drive that day. That was also the first kind of disappointing one since the Mississippi stop (12 states earlier) and was also right after what I would say peak best portion of the trip (NM to OR) https://preview.redd.it/rog1ugafdwxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3ee8b8c13f69dde3ca5f3e92d2bd12e3fa1483a
Quoddy head! Stay at the Eastland motel, or find a place on the water in Lubec or Eastport!
Do it!
I messed this part up but I did it!
Hell ya
This sounds exhausting, limited, and not very fun. But to each, their own!
Shoot south to wahpeton ND for the worlds largest catfish statue
Oh no! People, does it actually count if OP only caught the corner of a state or only stopped at an airport terminal in some? Does he have to redo it with a more interesting activity than visiting the geographic center of something?
You missed the pizza capital of the world: New Haven, CT
if possible I would recommend a stop at Split Rock lighthouse on the shore of Lake Superior, north of Duluth, MN. it’s pretty spectacular.
The only place you plan to go in Colorado is Pawnee Buttes? And then you are going to drive I 80 through WY. LoL!
No I didn't take I80 through Wyoming I took a bunch of highways (a good chunk of dirt road). I do have no idea how I got on this route though. Also Pawnee Buttes are cool I had never seen a Grassland before it was super cool https://preview.redd.it/zbv1grm4dwxc1.png?width=2798&format=png&auto=webp&s=5652199bd5eadd51ba3cddef0031028113c666d5
The VLA is a very large disappointment. My dad and I drove like 5 hours one way, to spend 10 minutes there.
I mean Green Bank in West Virigina is a better time then VLA and VLA is very not flashy I will give you that. But man them bad boys are big and they can figure out stuff that happens in space thats is wild. Also just a wonderful drive through NM as well for me https://preview.redd.it/2itbo7b4ewxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e21c3a740ef8792b314717190e5c4ed5f76e928
That kind of land just does not appeal to me. My dad just wanted to see the stuff referenced in Contact. We also talked about my meteorologist phase when I was in middle school after Twister came out.
I mean the reason I was always going to the VLA when I planned it is because the movie Contact as well so I get why you would make the trip. Yeah it is in a super old lake right so it is flat for a longtime without anything for miles so I got lucky that day because the weather and clouds were perfect driving in the middle of nowhere conditions.
There's a place north of there (I think) that the state owns, and it's like 1000 poles drilled into the ground to attract lighting. There's a cabin on site, and you used to be able to reserve it overnight. It's not a bad area at night, I just feel very vulnerable and isolated out there. And I don't get good vibes. I don't believe in any of that woo woo stuff, but that area makes me nauseas.
Why bother going to Texas if you’re going to only through the ugliest part of it? lol
The drive from OK to TX was actually a really good fun drive it wasn't boring (TX to NM maybe it was the heat but that was the most boring part of my drive). The other nice thing about TX is you can legally go 80 and 85 mph in some places and its nice to legally drive on roads like that sometimes.
I’ve done near that OK to TX route and it’s pretty with the Wichita Mountains but nothing breathtaking. I was primarily speaking to that portion in Texas which, as you mention, is definitely a bore
Go through Asheville/greenville area it’s quite nice
How long are you hoping to do this in?
Does 48 states --- But misses the best National parks in CA, Utah, and Colorado --- And they are literally the best in the entire US. 
Skip Iowa and go through Duluth, MN and across the Upper Peninsula. Trust me, I grew up 5 miles from the largest frying pan and you will be disappointed. House on the Rock in lower Wisconsin would be a good substitute in that area and you’ll drive through the driftless area which is very unique geographically
But look at how sunny and beautiful it was outside that day! The midwest has some of the best cloud formations and you can see so many of them! https://preview.redd.it/a9449x2vitxc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=505d38c5386da7001e50efdc4b36e2ce744ebfd7
True there. I had friends from California that were amazed by the hilly driftless region and farms in the fall. I grew up sick of that sort of thing. I recently drove some lesser used roads through the river valleys and random farms and fell in love with it. I still get bored on the interstates here though. I was shocked how much I love the wide open spaces of the western Dakotas (and into Wyoming and eastern Montana). The Black Hills are great, but give my big sky. Another that looked interesting was route 50 in Nevada. I know the western states are full of those wide open drives. I stick by my first recommendation though. See the pan, but consider following the Mississippi up to Minneapolis.
Oh yeah interstate through the midwest is ROUGH for enjoyment that is why I took as many state highways as I could. Yeah Montana and Wyoming are for sure the ones I want to figure out how to spend a couple weeks in soon vs 2 days.
You do get a little preview of the Mississippi River valley as you drive through I90 between LA Cresent MN and LA Cross WI. It's short but sweet.
That looks like the route to avoid everything I'd want to see or do.
Lol, Rubgy ND doesn’t have much of anything… Add on the Highway 2 stretch is the worst drive in ND
Won't lie the drive on Highway 2 between ND and MN was spectatular and made me so confused by the "ND is flat and boring" rep so if you are saying every other drive in ND is better well guess I need to go drive through ND again
From ND and have driven the state many times over the last few years
Oof duh…the entire Midwest. You’ve picked the dullest routes with nothing to see or do but flat land and rest stops off the highways. Do some real research and rethink this trip. It’s looks like complete boredom and a waste of money and time.
This trip was the best decision I ever made and driving through the midwest in my opinion is gorgeous
It’s dumb how much the Midwest is the redheaded stepchild of the US. I’ve lived in Northeast Ohio my whole life and I’ve explored places nobody ever thinks of in Nebraska and Oklahoma that are really cool. People have been programmed to think only mountains and especially beaches make a trip interesting, but there are other landscapes which hold their own kinds of wonder. I love the mountains too, but the Midwest has a lot of culture and a lot of scenic places that people miss when they just fly over.
It's also bc the interstates are usually the least scenic parts in most of those states imo. Even the farmland areas can be pretty, but are much less appealing from the interstate.
That is sooooo true! Ohio is actually one of the more photogenic states on most of its freeways, but you never get to see the quaint little towns and city neighborhoods from the freeways. Nebraska gets judged by Interstate 80, which runs on the edge of the Sandhills and around the Wildcat Hills in the Panhandle. If you take US-26, US-20, Hwy 2, or Hwy 12, you see whole other side of Nebraska. It's really beautiful country with rolling hills, bluffs, and buttes. I love that drive! Oklahoma even has some mountains...and a bunch of them are actually right next to I-44, but I-44 really doesn't connect any major cities in that region, or even to any other Interstates...so nobody hardly goes through there much if I had to guess.
I was rethinking driving through northern Nebraska after going to the Black Hills area. Actually I'm doing some different trip planning using some of the US highways in place of interstates, and often the times aren't much slower but give a much better trip. There are lots of youtube videos of people enjoying the US highways in the southwest states. I had no idea about Oklahoma. The downside being in the western midwest and west U.S. there are some long stretches of road with no services like regular hotels and gas stations. So I do understand why people just use the interstates. But every time people skip highway 61 along Iowa/Mn/Wisconsin and the Mississippi River to save an hour or so on I90/I35 I die a little inside. I just had a friend leave Minneapolis to drive to Des Moines and then head east toward Chicago. They were sightseeing but still ignored my suggestion to follow the Mississippi. They are convinced the entire region is boring and aren't coming back. Edit: And yes I've heard many people give the same "get off the interstates" advice for Ohio.
If I were to choose an ideal route across the Midwest from the Black Hills, I’d head south to US-20, go to Fort Robinson and Chadron State Parks (Toadstool Geological Park is on my radar, but haven’t been there), and head east to Valentine where I’d begin following Hwy 12 to Sioux City. Make sure you stop at Smith Falls, Niobrara, and Ponca State Parks along the way. Continue East on US-20 across Iowa, and explore the area around Dubuque. (Maquoketa Caves is on my radar near here.) I don’t know Northern Illinois or Indiana much beyond Chicago and Indiana Dunes, which are both worth the stops. I can’t say a lot about extreme NW Ohio either, but from Toledo you want to follow Route 2 and stick to the lakeshore to hit Marblehead, Lakeside, Sandusky (follow US-6 from here), Huron, Vermillion, Lorain, Bay Village, Lakewood, and then Cleveland. Edgewater Park, Huntington Beach, and Lakeview Park are great beaches {for Lake Erie}, especially Edgewater, since it it has a great view of the Cleveland skyline. East of Cleveland you can go out on Lake Shore Blvd and hit Euclid Beach and Headlands Beach, then head out to Lake Erie Wine Country and up to Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania. From there you’re really not in the Midwest anymore, but Niagara Falls is not far away.
Obviously you haven't been to most of the places marked on this list. "Nothing to see and do" is ridiculous hyperbole. It might not be how YOU would spent YOUR money and time, but you're definitely clearly missing the point of this trip. Down the whole Oregon coast? Through the redwoods? The middle of southern UT? Southern NM? Down to the gulf coast? Roads through the Appalachians, and the stunning Natural Bridge area? Coastal New England? The easternmost tip of the US? Quirky landmarks? Around the Great Lakes? Tetons? Western MT and Northern ID? These are some of the most absolutely beautiful places in the country! If you are trying to go through all of the contiguous states, you are guaranteed to spend a lot of time in "not so interesting" areas, but for a lot of people the point of a road trip is the actual road. This trip is epic and a great way to see the "real" country.
You misread. I mentioned only the Midwest portion. An area I am extremely familiar with. And other posters made very similar comments about areas they were also familiar with.