PLANNING FOR ROAD TRIPS

Nothing brings a couple closer than planning a road trip and traveling together. The options for romantic getaways in the U.S. range from quaint seaside towns and scenic coasts to national parks and lively cities.

Here are some of the best road trips for couples across the U.S.

1. Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles

The Pacific Coast Highway is a couple's road trip that explores the laid-back California coastline—full of adventure, rugged coastal beauty, seaside towns, and unique stops. It can be driven in one day but this is perfect as a romantic weekend road trip.

Where to Stop on the Pacific Coast Highway

Plot a course through these towns for a breathtaking and romantic scenic drive:

Start: San Francisco 

Half Moon Bay 

Santa Cruz 

Carmel By The Sea 

McWay Falls in Big Sur

Santa Barbara and Malibu

Finish: Santa Monica and Los Angeles

Things to Do on the Pacific Coast Highway

In San Francisco, check out the legendary Golden Gate Bridge, explore Fisherman’s Wharf, or plan a trip to Alcatraz. You can sample a glass of local wine at sunset in Half Moon Bay and visit the iconic Santa Monica Pier. 

Surf waves at Malibu Beach or stroll the boardwalk hand-in-hand at Venice Beach.

2. New England: Maine to Vermont

New England covers a region of around 70,000 square miles over six states—Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Each state is full of history, culture, and immense geographical diversity due to its location. There are national parks, forests, rivers, and lakes, as well as cities, dramatic coastlines, and quaint seaside towns.

Where to Stop on the New England Route

Start: Acadia National Park, on Maine's southern coast

Camden, Maine

Portland

New Hampshire

Finish: Vermont

Things to Do on the New England Route

Couples can hike and bike in Acadia National Park, explore the historic lighthouses in Portland, see the White Mountains in New Hampshire, or tour the Ben and Jerry's factory in Waterbury, Vermont.

3. Route 66: Chicago to Los Angeles

Called “The Mother Road,” Route 66 is considered the classic all-American route through the country, starting at Lake Michigan in Chicago and spanning 2,400 miles to Santa Monica, California. 

Route 66 crosses eight states—Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It also crosses three time zones, and although the original road no longer exists on maps, driving the route on the remaining stretches is still considered one the best American road trips. 

This 40-hour drive is one of the best road trips for couples who enjoy nostalgia, with fun and fascinating detours along the way.

Where to Stop on Route 66

Start: Chicago, Illinois (original start is on Jackson Boulevard, the symbolic start is the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park) 

Litchfield, Illinois

Springfield, Missouri

Clinton, Oklahoma 

Amarillo, Texas

Tucumcari, New Mexico

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Williams, Arizona

Barstow, California

Finish: Santa Monica, California

Things to Do on Route 66

You can visit the Route 66 Welcome Center at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, Chicago, where you'll find one of many “Muffler Men,” a statue made of mufflers. The Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton hosts a collection of memorabilia and a recreated 1950s diner.

Take a photo with your partner at the Cadilac Ranch in Amarillo, where 10 old Cadillacs are buried nose-down in the dirt, representing iconic American design. There are also lots of retro-nostalgia photo opportunities in Williams, Arizona, which is also only an hour away from the Grand Canyon National Park.

4. Oregon Scenic Coast Highway

Driving the Oregon Coast Highway is a stunning coastline that runs all along the Pacific Ocean, spanning 360 miles north to south and featuring battered beaches, rocky outcrops, and clear blue water. Think less sun-baking and surfing and more rugged coastal beauty. 

Cozy up on this beautifully scenic couples road trip through Oregon, while embracing its laidback lifestyle and no-worries mindset, which you can easily turn into a week-long romantic road trip. 

Where to Stop on the Oregon Scenic Coast Highway

Start: Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River

Astoria and Cannon Beach  

Three Capes Scenic Loop and Depoe Bay

Newport

Yachats and Cape Perpetua

Heceta Head Lighthouse Viewpoint and Sea Lion Caves

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the South Coast

Bandon

Gold Beach and Brookings 

Finish: at the border with California, south of Brookings 

Things to Do on the Oregon Coast Highway

Nature-loving couples will enjoy a road trip to the Fort Clatsop at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park while beach lovers can take in some sun at Cannon Beach's Ecola State Park. The best road trips for couples involve unique experiences, so a whale-watching excursion to Depoe Bay is well worth the effort. 

There are also picturesque lighthouses in Newport, and the Heceta Head Lighthouse Viewpoint also features a large sea lion rookery. 

More adventurous couples can takes a jet-boat trip up the Rogue or explore the Rogue River Walk.

5. The Overseas Highway: Miami to the Florida Keys

The Miami to Florida Keys road trip is a unique drive, being dramatically suspended over water for the entire 113 miles. Starting from Miami and ending in Key West, this overseas highway passes 44 islands and crosses 42 bridges, ending in the southernmost point of the US. 

This road trip drive is nothing short of stunning, where you'll find yourself cruising along tasting the salty air, gazing at ocean views all around you. It’s definitely one of the best romantic road trips for couples.

Where to stop on the Overseas Highway

Start: Miami

Key Largo and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Islamorada Key

Marathon and Curry Hammock State Park 

Seven Mile Bridge and Big Pine Key

Sugarloaf Key

Finish: Key West at Mallory Square

Things to Do on the Overseas Highway: Miami to Key West

The highway is incredible in and of itself, but there are also plenty of activities for couples on a road trip. On Key Largo, you can tour the reef in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park or try watersports on Islamorada Key or Morada Bay. 

The Dolphin Research Center or the Turtle Hospital in Marathon Key offer the chance to share your love of animals with your partner. If you're lucky, you might spot the miniature Key deer on Big Pine Key. Top it all off by embracing the laid-back vibe in Key West and joining in on the sunset celebration on the waterfront.

Plan Your Road Trip & Book Your Stay Today

Now that you've planned your dream couples road trip, book your road trip hotels today with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.