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3 places to see Mt. Fuji (save + share this post): 3 places to see Mt. Fuji (save + share this post):

If you don’t have enough time to spend days in Hakone visiting Mt. Fuji it’s easy to take a day trip here from Tokyo. It’s only about 90 minutes by car and we spent the day exploring the area. There is a swing at the top for an additional fee where you literally swing into Mt. Fuji and they have a souvenir shop and small food vendor to purchase snacks.

Location 1: Mt. Fuji Panorama Ropeway which cost 900 for adults and 450 for children for a roundtrip ride on the cable car. They do sell one way cable car tickets if you want to hike down the mountain.

Location 2: Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, there is a small fee of 100 per person but children are free. This place is really only for pictures besides the view there isn’t anything else to do. They have it set up with a line to capture photos in front of the tori gate and each group has 3 minutes to take pictures, yes they actually time you, to make sure the line keeps moving.

Location 3: Arakurayama Sengen Park where you’ll need to climb 398 stairs or take the curved paved path to the top for views of the mountain and Chuerito Pagoda. The stairs are a straight shot but the path makes it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

We were truly blessed to be able to see Mt. Fuji as it’s often not visible. When I visited in 2015 we made the trip here and it was gloomy and cloudy and we couldn’t see anything. We did go to the base of the mountain on that trip and do the ice cave exploration so all wasn’t lost but I am so happy Jordyn and I got to see the full mountain with our own two eyes on this trip!

There are lots of other places you can view Mt. Fuji but with only one day we couldn’t visit them all. The other 7 best places to see Mt. Fuji are on a boat tour on any of the 5 lakes that surround the mountain (Kawaguchi, Yamanakako, Saiko, Shojiko, or Motosuko), Koyo-Dai Lookout Platform, Sanko-Dai Lookout Platform, Oshino Hakkai Springs, Fuji Q Highland Amusement Park, Rooftop of Fujisan Station, Shin-Fuji Station Platform and in Hakone.

Have you ever seen Mt. Fuji’s beauty? Would you add this to your Japan itinerary if you haven’t?

#mtfuji #lakekawaguchiko
How we spent 48 hours in Kyoto (save + share this How we spent 48 hours in Kyoto (save + share this post):

1. Start your day at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. We arrived here at 7:30am and there were quite a few people here already. We didn’t visit but in Arshiyama you can also visit the Monkey Park to see the Japanese Macaques (snow monkeys).

2. Head to Kinkaku-ji to see this stunning Temple of the Golden Pavilion. They open at 9am and we arrived at 8:45am and by time the opened the door at 9am the line was extremely long.

3. Walk through the gorgeous Tori Gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Before or after your visit be sure to walk through the street vendors for some amazing food. We tried noodles, mochi and just enjoyed learning more about the local foods. We visited here around 11am and even though it was so crowded if you want photos without people wait until you’re walking through the gates to exit and there are often moments where the area is empty, just be a little patient. 

4. Book a session at @kyoto_samurai_experience to learn about the history of the Samurai, watch a demonstration and get to try your hand at using the samurai sword yourself.

5. Eat your way through Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. You will be able to walk through these narrow streets (with some hills) and try ice cream flavors such a matcha, green tea, white peach, Sakura (if in season), Black sesame, caramel and more and yes, we tried them all! There’s also tons of mochi and other treats. You’ll find the Starbucks with a traditional Japanese home interior here as well as Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, be sure to visit.

6. Walk around Gion and catch a Kabuki show at Minamiza Theatre.

7. Visit Daigo-ji temple, it’s not frequented by a lot of tourists so it’s rarely crowded and you can have a moment on zen here!

While we didn’t have time this visit as the weather altered some of our plans on my last visit to Kyoto in 2015 I also visited Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion), Nijo Castle which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ryoanji Temple and highly recommend going. 

Some other things we were interested in but just didn’t have time for were a calligraphy class and if you are into manga you can visit the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
This is your sign to rent a kimono in Kyoto! It wa This is your sign to rent a kimono in Kyoto! It was an honor to be dressed by Japanese women & taught about the Kimono. Here’s everything you need to know about renting a kimono & a tiny history lesson on them(save + share this post):

1. Originally kimono was the Japanese word for clothing but is now used to refer specifically to traditional Japanese clothing. Kimono’s date back to the Heian period of 794-1185 and were every day wear until western culture was brought to Japan.

2. There are 8 layers in a kimono in addition to the Tabi (white socks) which are specifically made to wear with Jori (traditional Japanese shoes). Even though there are 8 layers it doesn’t take long to be dressed.

3. Today kimonos are mostly worn for special occasions such as NYE, weddings, gradations, tea ceremonies & summer festivals. But geishas, maikos, kabuki actors and a few traditional professions wear them every day.

4. We rented our Kimono’s from this shop https://kyoto-kimonorental.com/kimono/. It’s less than a 5 minute walk from Hokan-ji. We made a reservation in advance but you will find kimono rental shops all over Kyoto. They open at 9 and you have to return the Kimono’s by 5.

5. They offer multiple packages which vary in the type of material the kimono is. The package I got was the ¥4,900 ($37.50) one and Jordyn’s child price was ¥3,900 ($29.87). You can get your hair and makeup done for an additional ¥1,200. The value of the yen is down now so be sure to check exchange rates whenever you make it to Japan for accuracy.

6. This shop offers photo packages directly through them or you can take your own or hire a separate photographer.

7. If you’re worried about renting a kimono and wearing it in Japan being seen as cultural appropriation, don’t be. I obviously can’t speak for every Japanese person but from hearing it first hand from Japanese people in Japan and the large amount of Kimono rental shops all over Japan encouraging visitors to try kimonos, the Japanese are so excited to see foreigners embracing their culture and wearing kimonos respectfully! We received so many compliments from the local community as we explored Kyoto this day.

📍Daigo-ji temple & Hokan-ji
After spending 48 hours in Osaka we went to Kyoto. After spending 48 hours in Osaka we went to Kyoto. Here’s how to get here and where we stayed (save + share this post):

1. You can take the Shinkansen (bullet) train from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station if you have the JR Pass and it will only take you 15 minutes. If you don’t have a JR Pass the Shinkansen ticket costs about 1,420 yen (right now that’s about $11). 

2. If you don’t have the JR Pass you can take the Hankyu Kyoto Line or Keihan Main Line. These are regular non express trains and will increase your travel time to from 15 minutes to 45-55 minutes but they only cost 400 yen (about $3) so you can save money, especially for a large group.

3. There is also a bus that leaves picks up at Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, Universal Studios Japan and Namba and goes to Kyoto Station. I’m not sure of the costs.

4. If you flew into Osaka you can also take the Haruka Express train from the airport to Kyoto Station. 

In Kyoto we stayed at The Chaper Kyoto which is a Marriott property. The rooms are on the small side but the hotel is clean and modern. There is a bus stop down the block which we could take to get to Gion in 9 minutes. The room was about $240/night since it’s busy season.

The weather this time of year is pretty sporadic. Some days it was hot and sunny and some days cool and gloomy so definitely pack a variety of attire and bring some layers and the weather changes throughout the day. Will be sharing our itinerary soon.

Have you been to Kyoto? If you have other accommodation recommendations please share them below to help others!

📍Fushimi Inari Taisha
Want to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal St Want to visit Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan? You need to know this (save + share this post):

1. Just because you have tickets to the park doesn’t mean you’ll get into Super Nintendo World, it requires a timed entry ticket. These do run out so it’s not a guarantee you’ll be able to enter! If you get your park tickets in advance you might be able to grab an advanced booking in the app but if these are all gone by time you get your tickets you’ll need an area timed entry ticket. These are only available the day you’re visiting & you can only attempt to get it once you’re actually in the park! We got to the park when they opened at 8am & there were only two entry times left so arrive early! You can get them on the app (you must grant the app permission to see your location so they know you’re inside) or you can go to one of the ticket kiosks.

2. To really enjoy you’ll need a power band which are sold for about $35. If you don’t have one you can walk around & go on the 2 rides but you can’t play the games & collect coins.

3. The wait times for both rides are usually 1-3 hours! To avoid this you can purchase an Express Pass (most people said this reduces wait times to a mere 15 minutes). Express Passes were sold out the day we went so we only got to ride Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge but not Yoshi’s Adventure. To avoid the 2 hour wait for Mario Kart we actually went through the singles line. We did end up in two different karts but we only waited 20 minutes to ride instead of 2 hours. Yo Shi’a Adventure doesn’t have a singles line or we would have done that too!

4. If you want to eat at Kinopio’s Cafe you also need a timed entry ticket so be sure to grab this as soon as you get inside Super Nintendo World. It’s usually a 1-2 hour wait once you get your timed entry ticket.

5. Once you leave you cannot reenter (if timed entry tickets are required at the time) so be sure to do everything you want before leaving.

Universal Studio Japan is extremely popular & tickets do sell out often so buy in advance. The most popular sites to buy them are Klook (where we bought ours) & KKDay.

Hope this helps! Who has Super Nintendo World on their list?
How We Spent 48 Hours in Osaka (save + share this How We Spent 48 Hours in Osaka (save + share this post):

1. Kicked off the day trying soufflé pancakes, you’ll find restaurants all over the city that sell these. We personally had them at Belle-ville Pancakes.

2. Visit the Cup of Noodles Museum where you can make your own Cup of Noodles logo and then customize the flavor and toppings for your noodles. They also offer a ramen making class here in addition to the museum where you can learn the history of the company.

3. If you’re visiting in March check to see if the March Sumo Wrestling Tournament is taking place at Edion Arena Osaka. If so def try to get tickets in advance (they go on sale a month prior) or arrive early to get same day tickets. It’s a fun afternoon.

4. We also did a Tea Ceremony class but photos/videos weren’t allowed.

5. End the first day getting cheesecake at the infamous Rikuro’s for their jiggly Cheesecake.

6. The other day spend at Universal Studios Japan for thrilling rides, shows and to relive your childhood at Super Nintendo World.

Where to stay in Osaka? The W Osaka is gorgeous but a little pricey and the Fairfield by Marriott is more budget friendly with nice, modern clean rooms just less amenities and smaller rooms (will post stories of both so you can see).

How to get to Osaka from Tokyo: We took the Shinkansen bullet train which takes 3 hours but is such an experience as it goes up to 199mph. Be sure to sit of the right side of the train for views of Mt. Fuji. You can also take a quick flight!

Other things to do in Osaka we didn’t travel time for:

1. Visit the Osaka Castle

2. Go to the top of the Umeda Sky Building

3. Go out in the Dotonbori

4. Walk around Kuromon Market

5. Watch a show at the National Bunraku Theater

6. Explore the Sumiyoshi Shrine

Which activity would you most want to do? If you’ve been to Osaka before what other recommendations do you have?

#osakajapan #travellingwithkids #cupofnoodles #universalstudiosjapan
6 Ways to Earn Delta Skymiles without flying! (SAV 6 Ways to Earn Delta Skymiles without flying! (SAVE + SHARE this post):

1. Link your Lyft and Skymiles accounts to earn 1 mile per $1 on US rides and 2miles per $1 on airport rides.

2. When booking Airbnb stays go to delta.com/Airbnb instead and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent on airbnbs.

3. Order groceries online with instacart? Go to instacart.com/delta to link your accounts and earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent. If you’re new to instacart you can also get 3 months free.

4. Link your Starbucks account with your Skymiles account at delta Starbucks.com and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks. Plus on days your flying with Delta, you’ll earn DOUBLE stars at Starbucks.

5. Sign up for SkyMiles dining at  Skymilesdining.com and is link your credit or debit card. Every time you use your card at a participating bar or restaurant, you’ll earn between 1-5 miles per $1 spent.

6. And nope you don’t have to use a Delta credit card to get miles for any of the above, no matter how you pay you’ll earn BUT is you do pay for them with a Delta co-branded credit card (there are several and depending on which one you have) you can earn anywhere from a additional 1-5 miles per dollar spent on purchases, even if they aren’t Delta airline tickets.

The cash price for the flight we took to Tokyo was $2,600pp so it would have cost me over $5,000 for this since it’s peak travel to Japan (never in my life would I pay that, we would have went somewhere else). Instead I only paid $118 total by using all of these ways to earn Delta miles over the past few years which gave me enough miles to redeem even though we don’t get to fly Delta on a regular since they don’t have the strongest presence at MIA airport as it’s American’s hub.

Do you use travel credit cards and/or points and miles from loyalty programs to offset the cost of travel? If so what are your favorite ones? Let’s all travel for less!

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The Best, Most Amazing Places to Drive in the US (Did someone say Road Trip!)

April 5, 2021      California, Destinations, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, North America

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.
A family setting out on a road trip posing for a picture in front of their van getting ready to go for a drive.

So far we’ve road tripped through Nevada, Southern California, Northern California and Utah and Arizona. There is just something about driving around the US, spotting that off the beaten path attraction and going for it that adds a sense of freedom and spontaneity that you can’t get with a plane ride. 

What makes the USA so great for road trips is there are so many scenic driving routes, the possibilities are endless.

Imagine if you planned just one road trip, per year, with the goal of visiting every state in the US. You’d have 50 years worth of vacation plans to map out, routes to explore and experiences you’d never regret.

When you think about all the different regions, states, national parks, geological attractions and all types of historical landmarks the USA has to offer; traveling by a car or recreational vehicle is really the way to go for the ultimate family road trip!  

No matter where you go you’ll find something that appeals to all ages and family dynamics to get you on your way to the most amazing places to drive in the US.  

If you’re just now considering taking a trip to the most scenic drives in America because of how the pandemic has changed our lifestyles, think of this as an opportunity that can and will change your perspective forever.  From the settlement of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, the largest living history museum, or the Redwood Trees in California, the majesty and excitement of experiencing Americana first hand via a road trip can be an adventure of a lifetime! Click here if you’d like to read more about our roadtrips.

7 Of The Best, Most Scenic Drives In America For Epic Road Trip Adventures

The pacific coast highway winding through a sea side cliff, showing a bridge and beautiful blue-green ocean water being one of the most amazing places to drive in the US.

Pacific Coast Highway 

There’s 1,058 miles of scenery and an amazing range of experiences along Pacific Coast. From the towering redwood forest of Northern California, across stunning bridges and rocky cliffs, past Monarch butterfly migration sites, down through Big Sur, past the Hearst Castle, all amid the crashing waves of ocean views,  The classic Coastal California road trip on Route 1 is considered best starting North from San Francisco, through Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and to the  many attractions and gorgeous beaches of San Diego. It’s a trip to remember whether it’s a two-day or two-week journey you’ll be awed.  

Crater lake national park part of the volcanic legacy scenic byway in Oregon. It is a beautiful lake with an island in the center surrounded by blue waters and rocky landscape.

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway 

“Two for the price of one?” This drive is composed of two separate National Scenic Byways, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, OR, and Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, CA. This must see US road trip is about 500 miles on an All-American Road and travels north to south along the Cascade Range past lakes, waterfalls, wildlife refuges, lava beds and numerous volcanoes. This includes the Lassen Volcanic National Park which contains the world’s largest plug dome volcano, Lassen Peak.

A two lane black top road with  the Route 66 sign in white painted on the road representing a road trip route for one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

Route 66 

Otherwise known as “The Mother Road,” thanks to John Steinbeck, Route 66 is an iconic American road trip  and is probably the most famous road in the world. This historic route spans over 2,300 miles, crossing eight states, starting in Chicago, IL. and ending Santa Monica, CA. Enjoy nostalgic roadside motels, retro gas stations, classic automobiles, and historic experiences of a bygone era.

Cape Hatteras lighthouse on the outer banks of north Carolina. A tall white and blue swirled lighthouse sits on a red brick base on the coastal shore of NC. One of many beauties to behold on a scenic road trip on the outer banks.

The Outer Banks, North Carolina

If you want to “impress” someone with a cool weekend getaway, this is a US road trip made to order! A stunning,138 mile drive and 25 miles via waterways provides an amazing and unique place for a scenic drive  along the heart of coastal Carolina. The Outer Banks Scenic Byway, is considered one of the most beautiful lengths of roadway and water views in North Carolina.The drive features 21 coastal villages and miles of breathtaking scenery in every direction.  Known as the OBX, the trip can take 5-6 hours including the ferry rides, so plan for at least an overnight stay (or three)  to be able to explore the museums, beaches, and climb a lighthouse or two. Don’t forget to check out Kittyhawk and the birth of aviation at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. If you’re looking for a low key family trip, click here to read more about OBX.

The overseas highway is a road and or very long bridge built on the turquoise waters of the Florida keys. It is called the road to paradise because it is so beautiful and is one of the most amazing and scenic drives in the US.


Overseas Highway

The 113-mile, four hour one way, trip along US 1 through the Florida Keys to Key West is also called the “Road to Paradise”  and “The Highway That Goes To Sea.”  Following the original Florida East Coast Railroad trail constructed by Henry Flagler in 1912 connecting the little islands known as keys, driving down the highway is an experience like none other.  

Crossing 42 bridges, including the 7-mile bridge, where the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean meet and ending at the famous concrete buoy, the Southernmost point in the continental United States. This colorful, tropical and uniquely unexpected adventure will have you awestruck as you traverse several miles with just you, the road, and the water as one of the truly most scenic drives in America. (For a profoundly mystical adventure, try driving it at night where there are stretches of roadway with only the vast night sky and shooting stars, not for the faint of heart!) This self driving tour explores the beautiful Florida Keys as you drive from Key Largo to Key West.

A road way along a scenic Alaskan highway that passes by a glacier mountain.

Richardson Highway, Alaska

What has dall sheep, Thompson Pass, Santa Claus’s house, Horsetail Falls, and a glacier? If you said Richardson Highway, you’d be right! Not only are those cool things to found on Alaska’s oldest highway, it is the only highway to connect Fairbanks to Valdez, to the tune of 368 miles that can get you from point A to point B in 7.5-8 hours, by why would you rush?  

There are two portions of the Richardson Highway that have been designated as State Scenic Byways; the southern segment connects Valdez to Glenallen, the northern segment connects Fort Greely to Fairbanks, both over 100 miles long. But that doesn’t diminish any of the wonderful sites in between!

From the awe inspiring, narrow Keystone Canyon and across the Thompson Pass peaking at 2,805 ft, to the Worthington Glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world that you can drive to see, to the many national parks and reserves, this scenic drive should be on anyone’s bucket list. 

On your northern leg, stop to take a “flightseeing” trip or air taxi to take you to one of the many remote national parks, Make sure to save time to stop by and see a reindeer and remind St. Nick how good you’ve been this year at Santa Claus House, Northpole alaska. Just 20 minutes from the finale of your awesome road trip, Fairbanks.

A long, barren road that is weathered and beaten going off into the distance. It's the longest, loneliest road in America, route 50.

Route 50, The Loneliest Road in America

Talk about a homeschooling families’ dream, this history rich “loneliest” stretch of road definitely earns a place on the list as one of the most amazing places to drive in the US. Route 50 in Nevada roughly runs parallel to the famed Pony Express trail that took on the challenge of keeping the West connected to the East in 1860-1861 and full of historic opportunities to learn and experience the “Ole West!”

In total, Route 50 is a transcontinental highway stretching over 3,000 miles from the west coast in Sacramento, California, to the east at Ocean City, Maryland.  The 408 miles of Route 50 in Nevada, crossing the center of the state, was named “The Loneliest Road in America” in 1986, by Life magazine. 

There’s plenty to experience along the drive, maybe the most spectacular would be the stargazing in the Great Basin National Park.  Experience hot springs, state parks, ghost towns and historic mining communities with authentic saloons along the route. If you’re inclined to break up your drive with outdoor activities, you won’t be disappointed with the options along the way, from traditional hiking, biking, cave touring, fishing, off-road opportunities and even sandboarding (like we did in the Sahara Desert).

How to plan your Road Trip Route & Hit all the Must See Place on the Drive

It’s hard to deny that one of the good things about people having cellphones in their faces all the time is how we’ve embraced and can use the wealth of information available at our fingertips.  From websites devoted to any kind of travel you can think of, to applications for devices, travel bloggers with first hand inside tips and strategies, all available to make it easy to find the must see places in the USA for a road trip.

With that in mind, even if you are limited to a PC, there are many tools available to help you plan the best US road trip.  Click here for our list of the 18 best apps for RV trips, navigation and more.

Map of the United States showing major road ways to help plan out a road trip.

What’s the best road trip planner?

Here we go! Yes it can be confusing because there are so many options for trip planning that you can use on your personal device or your smartphone.  There are planning tools that are totally free, those that offer basic services with options to upgrade for extras or a free full service trial period (these two are known as “Freemiums”), and the regular pay for service choices or subscription services.  Based on what you want, and comfortable you are with online programs, I feel there are five trip planners worth mentioning:

The general consensus used to be that RoadTrippers was the way to go, but I found many reviews with objections about this “Freemium” service due to cost (or waypoint rewards) for the best planning utilizaztion The Roadtrippers Plus ($29.99) is highly recommended by those who really like it and don’t mind the fee since they use all the bells and whistles.

The free online, but with a catch, Rand McNally TripMaker is a cool online pre-planning option to help find quirky, off the beaten path type places to visit when planning the best USA road trips and it gives you options within a certain radius of your route.  The downside is that it doesn’t sync to other GPS services besides their own. The upside is, with all the features it provides, If you don’t mind the paper, you can print out and also email your itinerary to use and share with family or friends. Otherwise, it’s pretty useful as a pre-planning tool for those cool things to do on your drive.

For the Baby Boomer Gen (or not), the reliable and well known TripTik by AAA (American Automobile Association)  is a good option that provides free use of their travel planner. In keeping with this quality brand, you get access to gas station info and current pricing, their diamond lodging recommendations, restaurants, approved repair facilities and more. The drag and drop planning feature with detailed rollovers makes it pretty easy to plan your scenic road trip!

Speaking of scenic drives, I found an amazing planning tool for places to drive in the US! MyScenicDrives.com is a jewel of a free scenic drive finder and road trip planner. From weekend getaways to cross-country adventures this planner’s highlight is the pre-planned scenic routes. They feature must see places in the USA and Canada for road trips, and all countries which have Google Direction. You can also use to it to map out your own trip.

Ok, my top pick for a travel planner fot the most amazing places to drive in the US, just slightly edging out myscenicdrives.com is…da da da daaaah… Furkot.com. I tried each and every one of these online trip planners and while this one takes a bit more “work” when you first get acquainted with the website, it definitely allows you more freedom and maneuverability with your itinerary.  It is a layered site that definitely takes a wee bit of finessing when trying to plan out the best US road trip, but definitely worth the learning curve.  I also booked a hotel stay through this site and couldn’t find a better price for that hotel on any of the other booking sites, Bonus! 

Is there an app to plan a road trip?

Why yes, yes there is an app (make that many apps!) to plan an amazing road trip in the US! Of the five planners I gave you above (interchangeably touted as “the best” depending on whose site or what blog you read), TripMaker, RoadTrippers, and AAA TripTik, all have an app as well as the online version.  Furkot recommends you bookmark their site on your home page and once your trip is saved, you will have access to it offline. MyScenicDrive claims its service is “Mobile Friendly.”

Although the main focus of this blog is picks for the “Most Scenic Drives In America For Epic Road Trip Adventures,” there are a few really cool apps that are worth adding to your travel collection, especially when taking road trips in the US:

  • iExit: shows gas, food, lodging that’s ahead on Interstate and where to exit 
  • Flush Toilet Finder: >200,000 available public restrooms in the database
  • GasBuddy: realtime gas pricing, amenities & ratings by users.  Saves lots $$
  • WeatherBug:  current, hourly, and 10-day forecast options around the world

How do you map a road trip with multiple stops?

A common question but you’ll be surprised how easy it is with the planning tool you choose, since that’s what they are made to do, it should be! Actually, adding stops along the route was probably the easiest thing to do on the sites I tried. The help sections were actually “helpful,” ha ha, I know! What a concept! These “stops” along the way are usually called waypoints. 

Open highway through Utah showing cars traveling up and down the road viewing the scenic landscape.

How far can you drive in a day?

How far can YOU drive in a day?  This is completely a personal choice and will depend on how long you can sit without a “water” break, walk the dog, or fuel up and if you have a place you need to be by a certain time.

However, is the purpose of your scenic drive to get from point A to point B, or stop and enjoy the different attractions or parks along the way?  If you are including highways into your trip, a nice rule of thumb is to allot approx 50 miles per hour of travel which should average out with your breaks.  If you’re taking the road less traveled, you might want to average 40 miles per hour of travel.  

Of course, that all goes out the window if you decide to make points of interest stops along the way. Always the best policy to follow; once you are tired and feel that you can no longer drive safely, it isn’t worth getting another 50 miles down the road if you could hurt you, your loved ones, or someone else’s loved ones on the road. 

How much does a week-long road trip usually cost?

Where are you going, and what are you doing? 🙂 “Are we there yet?!” With fuel prices on the rise these days (but you’ll be saving money with GasBuddy or one of your trip planners that shows you gas prices, right?) You can easily ball park your fuel costs based on your mpg and an average cost per gallon.  

Let’s say you are middle of the road budget conscious and want the road experience vs luxury accommodation costs.  So with a week long, 1100 mile road trip, averaging 25 mpg @ $2.85 per gallon, your fuel cost will be around $125.  If you decided to stay at hotels along the way that average less than $100/night, that’s $600 for a 7 day trip (don’t forget to filter your search to hotels that include breakfast).  Then let’s agree that since we’ve got our own transportation, we have the benefit of a cooler to stock up on drinks, fruit, and other goodies to keep the fast food frenzy under control. So thinking about at least one good meal and a few goodies along the way, $50?  Now for the entertainment…Let’s throw another $50 per day for those fun things you find to do along the way.  That basic budget plan comes with a price tag of $1425.

So for an experience focused trip, you can plan for approx $100/person per day. It still comes down to where you’d like to stay, what you want to eat, but with many free attractions and great locals places to eat, you can easily shave off several hundred dollars if you prefer to spend less.

The USA has so many amazing roadways just perfect for Road Trip Adventures, Spice it Up By Taking an RV

Family standing outside of their RV on a dessert road trip smiling at the camera.

We took our first RV road trip in 2017, an 8 day Southwest road trip visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and more. Since then we’ve become a tiny bit addicted and have gone on 9 more including a stationary weekend rental of an Airstream in Naples, FL. As much as we love RVing, I don’t know that we’d ever own one but we love the option on renting them on Outdoorsy (sign up here for $50 off your first rental). No experience with RV’s? No problem, we knew nothing our first trip either but here are 6 tips for first time RVers and everything you need to know about vacationing in a RV. If you’re interested in renting an RV, RVShare has a lot of options.

Whether you are going for a cool cruise on a weekend getaway to unwind and reconnect, or a week or two of adventurous exploration, there are beauties and surprises that await you on the most scenic drives in America!  Did you find this article helpful? Please share it!

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Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

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