Road trips are the ultimate adventure for anyone looking to get outdoors and see as much as possible as quickly as possible. As with all trips, picking the right time to travel is key. While there are an infinite number of roads, parks, and scenic by-ways to explore, not all of them are the ideal Spring Break getaway.
Spring is the perfect opportunity to explore the wildflowers, warm southern beaches, and vibrant city celebrations. Many already scenic routes enjoy an extra pop of color from March through May, making them the perfect way to get away from crowded classrooms and tedious cubicles. From 50-mile loops to border-to-border adventures, there is the perfect road trip route for every Spring breaker.
10 Florida Keys
Spring Break in Florida is the catchphrase of all Spring getaways, and for obvious reasons. Sunny beaches, fresh food, and scenic national parks make for the perfect week. Those looking to make the most of a week off in the Sunshine State can maximize the time by Road tripping down the Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys. This 113-mile road connecting Key West to Key Largo has enough to keep anyone busy. Everglades National Park, the Wild Bird Sanctuary, and of course, miles, and miles of white sandy beaches, nothing is more Spring Break than the Florida Keys.
9 The Loneliest Highway
For those looking for all the warmth of Spring without the crowds, Highway 50, also known as the Loneliest Road, might be the perfect solution. Starting in San Francisco, California, the highway travels east toward Lake Tahoe, offering two great Spring locations before even leaving the state. The true hallmark of the road's nickname, however, is the 472-mile stretch from Reno, Nevada, to Delta, Utah. This stretch has minimal stops but plenty of desert landscapes to enjoy. With a total distance of just over 3,000 miles, Road trippers can make a full week out of all or just a part of this impressive, historic road.
8 Texas Hill Country
Spring is the ideal time to explore the rolling hills of Texas Hill Country. With multiple loops possible, depending on which food and attraction stops visitors hope to make; this smaller road trip leaves plenty of time to explore the land. Throughout the spring, the hills are full of wildflowers. Hikes like the Willow City loop offer an additional detour for those looking to make the most of the natural beauty and stops like Enchanted Rock State National Area and the Cave Without a Name mean that no one will leave this route feeling unfulfilled.
7 George Washington Memorial Parkway
Those looking for a more Eastern destination to enjoy the colors of Spring can enjoy a drive down the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia and Maryland, home to over 500 species of wildflowers and multiple historical landmarks. Following the Potomac River, this 27-mile stretch takes visitors by Mount Vernon, the US Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery, and many other significant locations. For a more scenic walk, Turkey Run Park offers a particularly vibrant showing of Spring in Virginia.
6 Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful and unique location to visit any time of year, but the milder temperatures and the colorful pops of wildflowers make Spring the perfect time to take in all of the park. The drive through the park and into the town itself is about 50 miles, with enough hikes to keep visitors busy for days. Those looking to put a little more road in their road trip can pair the park with a visit to Death Valley, just over 400 miles away, and sneak a little more mileage out of the ideal weather.
5 Columbia River Highway
The Columbia River Highway is a unique 350-mile road in Oregon in that it was designed as a scenic route. From Astoria to Pendleton, travelers visiting in Spring with drive alongside wildflowers, maples, and ferns. The fresh snow melt also makes it the perfect time to stop at any of the number of waterfalls that pepper the path, including Bridal Veil Falls, Wahkeena Falls, and Horsetail Falls. The Hood River hiking trails and Columbia River Gorge offer unmatched views, particularly for those hoping to see the best of the spring foliage.
4 Dallas To New Orleans
Following I-20 and I-49 through the farmlands of East Texas and historic plantations of Louisiana, the two ends of this 530-mile road trip are enough to fill any traveler's agenda for a full week. Doing so, however, would mean missing many of the one-of-a-kind stops along the way, including Louisiana State Arboretum State Preservation Area, Red River National Wildlife Refuge, and Lake Bistineau State Park. Cultural highlights of the trip include the R. W. Norton Art Gallery, Natchitoches, and the Spellman Museum of Forney History, all rich with Creole and French settler history of the region. History buffs and outdoor adventurers alike can all find something special on this road trip through the South.
3 Border-To-Border On Route 93
A Route 93 road trip from end to end is a 3,000-mile journey through three countries, Canada, the United States, and Mexico. In the United States, the route takes travelers through Arizona and Nevada before heading north into Idaho before leaving the country through Montana. The southern portion of this route is especially fitting for Spring, with stops in Las Vegas, the Great Basin Highway and National Park, the Valley of Fire National Park, and the Titan Missile Museum all in the first two states of this trip. If that doesn't fill a Spring break agenda, further north are Glacier National Park in Montana and Jasper National Park and Banff in Canada to finish out the adventure.
2 Vegas To Zion National Park
Spring is the start of the peak season for Zion National Park (or any of the Mighty 5). Pair the natural beauty of Southern Utah with the city life in Las Vegas, just 160 miles away, and there is a perfect Spring Break for every kind of vacationer. While the distance of the trip may only take a few hours, Vegas itself is full of activities, and Zion and its surrounding parks are each worthy of at least a day. On the drive between the two, travelers can stop at the Valley of Fire State Park, Virginia River Gorge, and St. George Discovery Park, padding out the perfect week or more away.
1 Blue Ridge Parkway
Spanning 500 miles through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, Blue Ridge Parkway was rightfully the most visited national park in the United States, despite not necessarily being a true national park. Twisting through Shenandoah National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, and Skyline Drive, culture and nature abound on this road trip. In the Spring, many of the more than 100 varieties of wildflowers decorate the roadways, while multiple art galleries and indoor and outdoor festivals mimic the beauty in nearby towns. With so much color to enjoy, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a true one-road stop for Spring Break.