Buckle Up: 7 Seriously Epic Road Trips to Tackle in 2025
Intro
Look, if you’re itching for adventure in 2025, nothing beats a good, old-fashioned road trip. Windows down, playlist blaring, snacks everywhere… it’s pure freedom. America’s packed with wild landscapes just waiting for you to roll through. So, whether you’re after crashing waves, twisty mountain roads, or straight-up kitsch, I’ve rounded up seven drives you have to check out next year. Trust me, this isn’t your grandma’s travel guide.
- Pacific Coast Highway, California
Honestly, if you haven’t cruised the PCH, are you even living? It stretches for like 600 miles down California’s jaw-dropping coastline. Big Sur, Monterey, Bixby Bridge—just one stunner after another. Social media’s obsessed with it (seriously, search “PCH 2025” on Pinterest), and I get it. Block out a few days, pull over for every overlook, and don’t forget your camera. Or your patience, because traffic’s a thing. Worth it, though.
- Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina
This one? It’s basically the Appalachian Mountains showing off. Nearly 500 miles of rolling hills, tunnels, and those ridiculous fall colors. I mean, people plan their whole year around leaf-peeping here. Linville Falls is a must-stop. The best time? Spring to fall. Just don’t go in winter unless you’re into road closures and freezing your butt off.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
This is the one that makes you say, “How is this even real?” Glacier National Park’s crown jewel, clocking in at just 50 miles but what a ride. Hairpin turns, sheer drops, maybe a bear or two making a cameo. June through September is your window, before the snow gods shut it down. Photographers lose their minds here—and yeah, you’ll want to stop every five minutes.
- Route 66, Illinois to California
Mother Road, baby. Route 66 is basically Americana in road form—2,400 miles of neon signs, weird roadside attractions, and greasy spoon diners. If you’re not taking at least one kitschy selfie with a giant muffler man, you’re doing it wrong. It’s a two-week adventure if you want the full experience, but you can always just hit a chunk and call it good.
- Great River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana
Follow the Mississippi from its quiet start in Minnesota all the way down to the bayou. This thing winds through ten states—yeah, ten—and every stop has its own vibe. Hannibal, Missouri? Hometown of Mark Twain. And the food gets better the farther south you go. Just saying.
- Hana Highway, Hawaii
Ever wanted to drive through a tropical fever dream? That’s Hana Highway. Sixty-four miles of hairpin turns, waterfalls, and beaches with sand so black it looks fake. Plan a whole day for this one. Stop at every fruit stand and don’t even think about rushing. You’re in Maui—slow down, man.
- Overseas Highway, Florida
Florida Keys, baby. This 113-mile stretch is basically a bridge party over turquoise water straight to Key West. Sunsets? Unreal. Snorkeling? Everywhere. You could knock this out in a day, but honestly, why rush island time? This is the ultimate “windows down, bad singing” kind of trip.
Wrap-Up
So there you go—seven drives that’ll have you grinning like an idiot in 2025. Whether you’re in for nostalgia, beaches, or just some epic Instagram fodder, these routes bring the goods. Grab your crew (or just go solo, because who needs backseat drivers), check Pinterest for inspo, and hit the road. Life’s short. Go get lost.