A summer road trip is more than a vacation; it’s a rite of passage. And when you pair it with stays at hotels that promise a real sense of place alongside some of the country’s most interesting monuments and sights along the way, the joy is very much in the journey.
From sea to shining sea, come along for the ride and some iconic stays as we detail a few of the most captivating road trip routes across the United States — and all the monumental stops to put into your GPS along the way.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
For more road trip inspiration, visit Marriott Bonvoy’s Road Trip planner.
The Bay Area to Los Angeles, California
With dramatic Pacific Ocean cliffs, abundant wildlife, and thundering surf, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is America’s most legendary coastal route. The PCH, aka California State Route 1, stretches for more than 650 miles from Leggett in Mendocino County all the way south to sunny Orange County, about an hour drive south of Los Angeles.
Launch your PCH journey with a hike under the primeval, old-growth forest within Muir Woods National Monument, where most of the towering redwoods are between 600 and 800 years old. Next, make your way south, eating your way through San Francisco’s Chinatown (one of the largest outside of Asia) before moving onward to the surf-centric town of Half Moon Bay. There, stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, a luxe resort perched atop dramatic oceanside bluffs. Dial up the romance with a walk on the trails overlooking the water, wander down to the beach, book time on one of the resort’s championship golf courses, or pamper yourself at the spa. There’s no wrong way to enjoy this resort.
Make Monterey, with its renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, your next stop. After a day of exploring the city, you’ll be eager to soak in the dreamy views from the pet-friendly, beachfront Monterey Beach Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.
Then continue driving the spectacular stretch of PCH south through Big Sur before rolling up at the windswept Piedras Blancas Light Station. Visit the historic lighthouse and observe the incredible elephant seal rookery — molting season, when the enormous creatures shed their skin, happens between April and August on these rugged shores. Nearby, in San Simeon, the historic Gilded Age estate, Hearst Castle, and abundant wineries of the Paso Robles Wine Country beckon.
By the time you make it to Los Angeles, you’ll likely be ready to check in and relax at Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection, located within a short stroll of the beach, the Main Street Farmers Market, restaurants, and nightlife.
Scottsdale, Arizona to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Landing in Phoenix, it’s breathtaking how quickly you can find yourself immersed in Sonoran Desert landscapes. Cactuses everywhere paired with majestic mountain views welcome you to JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, a luxurious jumping-off point for an early morning hike up Camelback Mountain, just a couple of miles away in Phoenix. Or you can take things easier with a stroll along sidewalks winding through red rock terrain and some 50,000 desert plants at Desert Botanical Garden.
Whenever you’re out and about Phoenix in the warmer months, it’s imperative that you pack plenty of extra water to drink. If hiking, you should keep outings short and get them done early in the morning, before temperatures begin to tick upward.
As you drive east toward New Mexico, it’s worth pressing pause for the Petrified Forest National Park in northeastern Arizona and for views of the Painted Desert badlands, with their stratified layers of colorful stone.
Another rocky wonderland awaits in Albuquerque at Petroglyph National Monument, home to one of North America’s largest petroglyph sites where some designs and symbols carved into volcanic rock date back 700 years.
By the time you roll up in Santa Fe, you might be ready for the town’s famous dish, green chile stew (locals love the version at The Shed), before checking in for a relaxing stay near Santa Fe Plaza at La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa. Conveniently located within walking distance of restaurants, museums, art galleries, and shops downtown, this resort offers you a chance to take a break from driving. Set aside some time for a dip in the outdoor pool before kicking up your feet in your casita-style room.
Round out your iconic Southwest road trip with a visit to see the evocative paintings at Santa Fe’s Georgia O’Keefe Museum or a rafting trip along the Rio Grande or Rio Chama within Santa Fe National Forest.
Charleston, South Carolina to Miami, Florida
A drive from the Deep South to South Florida on a journey from Charleston to Miami comes with ever-evolving flavors, historical attractions, and varied genres of fun — with some wonderful beach town stops along the way, too.
Settle in at the start of your trip at Grand Bohemian Charleston, Autograph Collection, an elegant boutique property in the city’s historic district within walking distance of the International African American Museum, Rainbow Row, and lauded Lowcountry restaurants like Husk. If you fancy catching some waves, spend a day among the local surfers at the Folly Beach Pier, just a 25-minute drive from downtown.
Your next move is hitting the road and heading south to Savannah, Georgia’s sweet riverside city known for its historic squares and parks full of oak trees draped in Spanish moss. (The city also puts on a legendary St. Patrick’s Day celebration every March that’s worth planning your trip around.) Make the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District — housed in a repurposed power plant along the river and listed among the Historic Hotels of America — your base for exploring.
From Savannah, it’s not far to the Florida border and historic St. Augustine. The star-shaped Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, built by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695, is an incredible spot to catch the sunset over the nation’s oldest city. Stay nearby at Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, a Moorish Revival beauty steeped in Florida lore.
The road continues south to Miami, where you can soak up the sun on South Beach, dig into the best gourmet Cuban sandwiches at Sanguich, stroll among exotic blooms at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, or plan a day trip among the alligators at Everglades National Park. The city’s famous art scene awaits, too, especially in downtown neighborhoods like the Design District and Wynwood, where a stay at Moxy Miami Wynwood couldn’t be more convenient or cool.
Chicago, Illinois to Branson, Missouri
Friendly locals, vibrant cities, and incredible natural attractions: This action-packed road trip through a slice of the country’s heartland might just convince you that “Midwest is best.”
Kick off the fun with a city stay in Chicago, where JW Marriott Chicago has been a Loop landmark since it opened inside a historic bank building in 2010. A slice of deep-dish pizza with the crowds at Giordano’s near the hotel is a must. If the weather’s nice, you can order your pizza to go and enjoy it nearby at lakefront Millennium Park. Before you leave Chicago, learn the story of one of the country’s first planned industrial communities at Pullman National Historic Park.
When you’re ready to move on from all of Chicago’s fascinating sights, head to St. Louis and check in at Marriott St. Louis Grand. A stay at this property puts you close to another national park, Gateway Arch National Park, as well as Forest Park, which contains one of the leading zoos in the country (the St. Louis Zoo, of course).
As you make your way south to Missouri’s entertainment capital, Branson, consider detouring for a hike in the Ozark Highlands along some 750 miles of trails within Mark Twain National Forest. Get a taste of Route 66 in the town of Springfield, where it passes through. Make a pit stop to have a good old-fashioned American breakfast at Casper’s Diner and see a historic Phillips 66 gas station.
Once you arrive in Branson, Marriott’s Willow Ridge Lodge has comfortable villas and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools that make it natural to segue into relaxation mode after hitting the town’s many amusements, shows, and attractions.
Boston, Massachusetts to Baltimore, Maryland
Put delicious seafood and some of the country’s foundational history on your agenda as you make your way from New England to Maryland on this classic East Coast itinerary.
Start along Boston’s 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail that links sites like the Boston Massacre Site, Paul Revere House, and the 18th-century warship USS Constitution, aka “Old Ironsides.” Make your base The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston, housed within a historic building that was once a jail, and enjoy a meal of the freshest North Atlantic seafood (like Wellfleet oysters and East Coast salmon) at the hotel’s excellent restaurant, CLINK.
Philadelphia is your next road trip stop, where 1920s decor welcomes guests to The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia, Autograph Collection. The hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is within strolling distance of that iconic symbol of American Independence, the Liberty Bell.
After your Philly stay, hop back in the car and head to Baltimore. If you arrive hungry, it’s time to dig into Maryland’s favorite seafood treat, fresh steamed blue crabs — liberally doused with Old Bay seasoning, of course. No place steams the crustaceans up better than Nick’s Fish House, also known for its jumbo lump crabcakes, chowder, and fish tacos.
Primed for some sightseeing, take your pick from the macabre or the marine with a tour of the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum or Baltimore’s celebrated National Aquarium, where behind-the-scenes shark tours are offered. Catch your breath and get a refresh from all the fun at Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, perfectly positioned between the neighborhoods of Fells Point and Inner Harbor.
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