Road Trip Culture Edition

Road Trip Culture

Discover iconic routes, scenic drives, and car travel essentials.

Updated daily · 48 stories

Home›Road Trip Culture
America's Scenic Byways: A Reference Guide to the National System
Iconic Routes · Featured

America's Scenic Byways: A Reference Guide to the National System

By Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min read
Iconic Routes Before You Drive Any Iconic American Route: A Preparation Checklist

Before You Drive Any Iconic American Route: A Preparation Checklist

From vehicle readiness to offline maps and seasonal access, this checklist covers what to confirm before setting out on …

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Iconic Routes Blue Ridge Parkway vs. Skyline Drive: Two Appalachian Corridors Compared

Blue Ridge Parkway vs. Skyline Drive: Two Appalachian Corridors Compared

Both hug the spine of the Appalachians, but their scenery, access points, and driving experiences differ in meaningful w…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Iconic Routes Driving the Oregon Trail Route Today: History Along the Modern Highway

Driving the Oregon Trail Route Today: History Along the Modern Highway

Segments of the Oregon Trail are still traceable by car. Here's how to follow pioneer history across the American West.…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Iconic Routes Myths About Driving Route 66 That Need Correcting

Myths About Driving Route 66 That Need Correcting

Is Route 66 fully driveable? Is it all desert? Common misconceptions about America's most famous highway, clarified.…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Iconic Routes Pacific Coast Highway vs. Route 66: Which Classic Drive Suits You?

Pacific Coast Highway vs. Route 66: Which Classic Drive Suits You?

Ocean cliffs and redwoods or desert diners and neon signs — two legendary American drives, two very different experience…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Iconic Routes Planning Your First Drive Along the Natchez Trace Parkway

Planning Your First Drive Along the Natchez Trace Parkway

Stretching 444 miles through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, the Natchez Trace rewards those who slow down and look…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Iconic Routes Reading the Roadside: How Landmarks, Signage, and Architecture Tell America's Story

Reading the Roadside: How Landmarks, Signage, and Architecture Tell America's Story

Diners, motor courts, mission markers, and milepost signs — iconic routes are archives of American life if you know what…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Iconic Routes Route 66: The Road That Built America's Wandering Spirit

Route 66: The Road That Built America's Wandering Spirit

Trace the history, iconic stops, and cultural legacy of Route 66, from Chicago's city streets to the sun-baked Californi…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Iconic Routes The Going-to-the-Sun Road: Driving Through Glacier's Heart

The Going-to-the-Sun Road: Driving Through Glacier's Heart

Montana's most dramatic alpine road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Learn what to expect before you make t…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Iconic Routes The Historic Lincoln Highway: America's First Coast-to-Coast Road

The Historic Lincoln Highway: America's First Coast-to-Coast Road

Established in 1913, the Lincoln Highway connected New York to San Francisco and shaped how a nation thought about long-…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Iconic Routes The Loneliest Road in America: Driving U.S. Route 50 Across Nevada

The Loneliest Road in America: Driving U.S. Route 50 Across Nevada

Dubbed 'The Loneliest Road,' U.S. 50 crosses Nevada's empty basin-and-range landscape with a history stretching back to …

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Iconic Routes The Pacific Coast Highway's Most Overlooked Stretches

The Pacific Coast Highway's Most Overlooked Stretches

Beyond the famous viewpoints, PCH hides quieter coves, forgotten fishing towns, and coastal bluffs most drivers speed ri…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Iconic Routes Things That Catch First-Time Blue Ridge Parkway Drivers Off Guard

Things That Catch First-Time Blue Ridge Parkway Drivers Off Guard

No commercial trucks, limited fuel stops, and seasonal closures — the Blue Ridge Parkway operates by its own rules.…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Iconic Routes What Makes a Road Trip Route 'Iconic'?

What Makes a Road Trip Route 'Iconic'?

Not every scenic drive earns legendary status. Here's what separates a memorable corridor from a truly cultural landmark…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Iconic Routes Why Driving the Overseas Highway to Key West Feels Unlike Any Other Road

Why Driving the Overseas Highway to Key West Feels Unlike Any Other Road

The Florida Keys Overseas Highway spans 113 miles over open water, connecting the mainland to Key West across 42 histori…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Road Trip Essentials Driver Fatigue: Why It's More Dangerous Than Most People Assume

Driver Fatigue: Why It's More Dangerous Than Most People Assume

Understand how fatigue impairs driving, what warning signs to watch for, and evidence-based strategies for staying alert…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Road Trip Essentials Driving Alone vs. Road Tripping with Others: What Changes and What Doesn't

Driving Alone vs. Road Tripping with Others: What Changes and What Doesn't

Solo and group road trips demand different planning, pacing, and mindsets. Here's an honest comparison to help you prepa…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Road Trip Essentials Keeping Kids Comfortable on Long Drives Without Screens

Keeping Kids Comfortable on Long Drives Without Screens

Activity ideas, rest stop strategies, and seating tips to make family road trips genuinely enjoyable for children and ad…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Road Trip Essentials Myths About Driving Across Remote Terrain That Could Get You in Trouble

Myths About Driving Across Remote Terrain That Could Get You in Trouble

Common assumptions about off-highway driving — from tyre pressure to water crossings — examined against what experienced…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Road Trip Essentials Overnight Stops on a Road Trip: Campgrounds, Motels, and Everything Between

Overnight Stops on a Road Trip: Campgrounds, Motels, and Everything Between

A practical comparison of accommodation types suited to road travellers, including what each option demands in terms of …

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Road Trip Essentials Paper Maps vs. GPS Apps: Navigating the Open Road

Paper Maps vs. GPS Apps: Navigating the Open Road

A side-by-side look at offline maps and digital navigation tools — when each shines, and why carrying both may be smarte…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Road Trip Essentials Planning a Route That Rewards the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Planning a Route That Rewards the Journey, Not Just the Destination

Learn how to map a road trip that balances driving time with meaningful stops, scenic detours, and realistic daily milea…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Road Trip Essentials Road Trip Food: Eating Well When You're Far From a Proper Kitchen

Road Trip Food: Eating Well When You're Far From a Proper Kitchen

Practical guidance on packing, storing, and sourcing food during long drives without relying entirely on petrol station …

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Road Trip Essentials Roadside Emergencies Every Driver Should Know How to Handle

Roadside Emergencies Every Driver Should Know How to Handle

From flat tyres to overheating engines, here's a calm, practical overview of common roadside situations and how to respo…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Road Trip Essentials The Case for Slowing Down: What a Lower Daily Mileage Does for a Road Trip

The Case for Slowing Down: What a Lower Daily Mileage Does for a Road Trip

Driving fewer kilometres per day can transform the quality of a road trip. Here's a balanced look at the trade-offs of g…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Road Trip Essentials The Complete Guide to Road Tripping Through National Parks and Reserves

The Complete Guide to Road Tripping Through National Parks and Reserves

Entry rules, permit systems, seasonal access, camping options, and safe wildlife protocols — everything to know before d…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 9 min
Road Trip Essentials The Road Trip Packing List That Actually Fits in Your Car

The Road Trip Packing List That Actually Fits in Your Car

A practical checklist covering safety gear, comfort items, navigation tools, and snacks — without overloading your vehic…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Road Trip Essentials Vehicle Checks Worth Doing Before Any Long Drive

Vehicle Checks Worth Doing Before Any Long Drive

A pre-departure checklist covering tyres, fluids, lights, brakes, and documents — straightforward steps that can prevent…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Road Trip Essentials What 'Scenic Route' Really Means — and When to Take One

What 'Scenic Route' Really Means — and When to Take One

Not all scenic routes are equal. Understand the geography, conditions, and timing considerations behind detours worth ta…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Road Trip Essentials Why Road Trippers Underestimate Fuel Planning (And How to Fix It)

Why Road Trippers Underestimate Fuel Planning (And How to Fix It)

Running low in a remote area is avoidable. Explore the most common fuel-planning oversights and the habits that prevent …

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Road Trip Essentials Your First Long Road Trip: What Nobody Tells You Before You Go

Your First Long Road Trip: What Nobody Tells You Before You Go

Planning your first multi-day drive? Here's a grounded introduction to the realities, logistics, and joys of long-distan…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Hidden Scenic Drives A Complete Guide to Discovering Hidden Scenic Drives Across the United States

A Complete Guide to Discovering Hidden Scenic Drives Across the United States

Everything you need to find, plan, and experience underrated backroad drives — from research methods to regional highlig…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Hidden Scenic Drives America's Forgotten Blue Highways: What Makes Backroad Travel Different

America's Forgotten Blue Highways: What Makes Backroad Travel Different

Blue highways — the small roads on old maps — offer a slower, richer America. Here's what sets them apart from interstat…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Appalachian Backroads vs. Blue Ridge Parkway: Two Very Different Mountain Experiences

Appalachian Backroads vs. Blue Ridge Parkway: Two Very Different Mountain Experiences

The Blue Ridge Parkway is iconic — but the unmarked county roads threading the same mountains offer something entirely d…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Before You Turn Off the Pavement: A Scenic Drive Preparation Checklist

Before You Turn Off the Pavement: A Scenic Drive Preparation Checklist

From fuel range to paper maps, this checklist covers what experienced backroad drivers verify before heading into unfami…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Coastal Backroads Beyond Pacific Coast Highway

Coastal Backroads Beyond Pacific Coast Highway

PCH gets all the attention, but lesser-known coastal routes along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific offer equally dramatic…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Desert Drives You Won't Find in Any National Park Brochure

Desert Drives You Won't Find in Any National Park Brochure

The Mojave, Chihuahuan, and Great Basin deserts extend far beyond park boundaries into remote, accessible, and largely u…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Driving Through National Forests: What Sets These Roads Apart from Parkways

Driving Through National Forests: What Sets These Roads Apart from Parkways

National forest roads are rugged, remote, and often stunning — but they come with different rules and conditions than pa…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Fall Foliage Drives Outside New England That Deserve More Attention

Fall Foliage Drives Outside New England That Deserve More Attention

Appalachian Ohio, the Ozarks, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula all produce spectacular autumn color — with far fewer crowd…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Planning a Hidden Scenic Drive Without a Pre-Packaged Itinerary

Planning a Hidden Scenic Drive Without a Pre-Packaged Itinerary

Discover how to research, route, and prepare for lesser-known drives using topographic maps, state DOT resources, and lo…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Reading a Landscape from the Driver's Seat: What to Notice on a Scenic Drive

Reading a Landscape from the Driver's Seat: What to Notice on a Scenic Drive

Geology, agriculture, and ecology tell a story through every windshield. Learn what to look for as the terrain shifts be…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 8 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Scenic Drive Photography Without Stopping Every Five Minutes

Scenic Drive Photography Without Stopping Every Five Minutes

Capturing a drive without constantly pulling over requires technique, timing, and some prep. Here's how to document the …

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Scenic Drives in the Deep South That Most Travelers Never Hear About

Scenic Drives in the Deep South That Most Travelers Never Hear About

Beyond Natchez Trace, the Deep South hides bayou roads, pine-forest corridors, and Gulf-coast backways worth exploring.…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Hidden Scenic Drives The Art of the Slow Drive: Rethinking How Fast You Move Through a Landscape

The Art of the Slow Drive: Rethinking How Fast You Move Through a Landscape

Speed and scenery rarely mix well. Explore the philosophy — and practical habits — behind traveling a road slowly and de…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 6 min
Hidden Scenic Drives The Great Plains Aren't Boring: Underrated Drives Across America's Grasslands

The Great Plains Aren't Boring: Underrated Drives Across America's Grasslands

Flat doesn't mean featureless. These Great Plains drives cross tallgrass prairies, sandhills, and river breaks most trav…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Hidden Scenic Drives The Loneliest Roads in the American West Worth Seeking Out

The Loneliest Roads in the American West Worth Seeking Out

From Nevada's Basin and Range to Oregon's outback, these desolate western drives reward patience with staggering, crowd-…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 7 min
Hidden Scenic Drives Why Your GPS Is Steering You Away from the Best Drives

Why Your GPS Is Steering You Away from the Best Drives

Navigation apps optimize for speed, not scenery. Here's why trusting them blindly costs you the most memorable stretches…

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team · 5 min

Top writers in Road Trip Culture

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team

Road Trip Culture Editorial Team

Staff Writer