Iconic cross-country road trips for summer
Discover stunning ocean views, national parks, charming small towns, and a plethora of festivals on these epic cross-country road trips.
By Cassandra Brooklyn | May 14, 2026
An all-American summer road trip offers an unparalleled way to experience the vast and varied landscapes of the United States, from the salt-kissed breezes along Florida’s coastlines to the wide, golden expanses of the heartland and the dramatic, wave-carved cliffs of the Pacific Coast. Start planning your summer vacation with these cross-country road trips.
Iconic cross-country routes
Route 66: Chicago to Los Angeles
Tracing Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles is less a drive than a living narrative of America’s past and present. Begin with a stay at theWit Chicago, a Hilton Hotel. This centrally located urban retreat places you within walking distance of the city’s architectural icons, so you can take it all in before heading west. As the skyline fades into prairie, pause in Springfield, Missouri, for a glimpse of classic Americana, then continue to Tulsa, where Art Deco treasures and a resurgent arts scene await. Conveniently located near the highway and less than eight minutes from downtown Tulsa, Hampton Inn & Suites Tulsa/Tulsa Hills is ideal for a comfortable overnight reset. Further along, the high-desert enchantment of Santa Fe invites exploration of vibrant markets as you make your way to the mountain air of Flagstaff, Arizona. Recharge and enjoy free hot breakfast at Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff East before the final stretch to the Pacific. End your cross-country summer road trip in Santa Monica, California, where Hilton Santa Monica Hotel & Suites offers a polished, centrally located finale just moments from the ocean’s edge.
U.S. Route 50 in Nevada
Stretching across the heart of the Silver State, U.S. Route 50 — aptly nicknamed the Loneliest Road in America — offers an immersive journey through vast, untamed landscapes that are a far cry from the bright lights of the state’s more famous cities. This route is defined not by crowds or landmarks, but by the rare luxury of solitude. Beginning in Carson City, a stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Carson City provides a comfortable launch point with easy highway access and thoughtful touches like free hot breakfast, free parking, and EV charging before you head into the open expanse. The route unfolds eastward through Fallon and the historical outposts of Austin and Eureka, where weathered facades and mining-era relics whisper stories of the past. In Ely and Baker, the landscape shifts again, with rugged mountains rising beside desert basins and below star-filled skies. The journey concludes in Elko, where Home2 Suites by Hilton Elko offers a welcoming finale, with modern comforts, including spacious suites, connecting and pet-friendly rooms, an indoor pool, and proximity to local dining and attractions.
Scenic coastal drives
Florida Keys Overseas Highway
Driving along the Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West feels like skimming across the surface of the sea, with each mile revealing a new coastal vignette. Begin your journey with a stay at Hampton Inn Key Largo, where its private beach and tranquil waterfront views will ease you into island time. As you cruise south, pause in Islamorada, where sportfishing heritage and breezy cafés define the rhythm of the day, then continue to Marathon for a laid-back interlude. Reset at Hampton Inn Marathon – Florida Keys and enjoy ocean vistas, an outdoor pool, and a convenient base close to the main route (families will also appreciate the hotel’s connecting rooms and cribs). Further along, the quiet beauty of Big Pine Key invites a slower pace, with untouched stretches of shoreline and glimpses of Key deer at the National Key Deer Refuge. The journey culminates in Key West, where The Reach Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton delivers an exclusive oceanfront retreat with a private beach that’s within walking distance of the island’s lively streets.
Pacific Coast Highway
While the Pacific Coast Highway stretches along the entire West Coast, some of the most scenic sections can be found in California. Start your journey at Hilton San Francisco Union Square, where you’re within walking distance of the city’s top attractions, including Chinatown. Drive south and stop in Big Sur for hiking, swimming, and sunbathing, before making your way to San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. Enjoy easy access to San Luis Obispo’s galleries, vineyards, and famous Thursday farmers market by staying at Hilton Garden Inn San Luis Obispo / Pismo Beach. The shores of Pismo State Beach are also nearby. Continue on to appreciate the rare plants at the Ganna Walska Lotusland botanical garden in Santa Barbara before heading south to Malibu. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn Calabasas, which is just a short drive from Malibu’s beaches and walking distance from hot spots for retail therapy. End your road trip at Hampton Inn San Diego – Downtown, which is walking distance from the Maritime Museum and just a few miles from the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.
Hilton Honors benefits
- Best confirmed room upgrades — awarded before arrival — that give you more room to store gear, stretch, or relax after an active day.
- Daily food and beverage perks or continental breakfast to elevate your stay.
- Earn free nights with no blackout dates, offering complete freedom to travel when it works for you.
Mountain and national park routes
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana
Montana’s Glacier National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the country, and with good reason. Summer months can be a bit crowded since most of the park is only accessible during a brief snow-free window. For the best chance of hiking high peaks, seeing bears meander across streams, and snapping pictures of shimmering alpine lakes, plan your Glacier National Park road trip between mid-July and late August. Be sure to start your days very early to avoid the thickest crowds. Base yourself at Hampton Inn & Suites Whitefish, just 15 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the park entrance. The hotel’s free airport shuttle, free parking, and free hot breakfast all simplify your stay, so you can focus on the adventure that awaits. The park’s claim to fame is the 50-mile (80-kilometer) Going-to-the-Sun Road. While it could be completed in a day, given how many scenic viewpoints, picnic areas, and hiking trails you’ll pass along the way, you may want to divide the trip over several days.
Utah’s National Parks Scenic Byway 12
Any summer road trip route would be wise to include the canyons, mesas, and numerous parks along Utah’s National Parks Scenic Byway 12. It might not be the shortest route between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capital Reef National Park, but Byway 12 is far more scenic and well worth the additional 20 minutes of driving. Take in the signature hoodoos and enormous natural amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park before continuing to the domes and cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park. Spend the night at nearby Cougar Ridge Lodge, an SLH Hotel, where mountain-view suites are complete with private hot tubs. While the official Scenic Byway 12 ends here, drive another two hours to reach Moab, where you’ll find two more national parks. Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton places you right in the middle of town and is also only 10 minutes from Arches National Park and 30 minutes from Canyonlands National Park. After a day of exploring, cool off in the hotel pool or try a rejuvenating treatment at Spa Moab.
Regional highlights
Hana Highway, Hawaii
Winding along Maui’s northeastern coastline, the legendary Hana Highway unfolds like a lush, living tapestry, where emerald cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ocean vistas accompany every curve in the road. Base yourself in Kahului at the convenient and comfortable Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore, which offers airport shuttles and free hot breakfast. The entire route is about a two-hour drive each way, so you can explore the entirety of it in a day (or over several days), without having to pack and unpack repeatedly. From your base in Kahului, head out toward the windsurfer-dotted waves at Ho’okipa Lookout, the gentle cascades of Twin Falls, and the misty, forested serenity of the one-mile (1.6-kilometer) Waikamoi Ridge Trail. Pause to wander the 26-acre (10.5-hectare) botanical wonderland of Garden of Eden Arboretum, where tropical blooms frame sweeping coastal views, before continuing to the striking black-sand shores of Wai’anapanapa State Park. The journey culminates at Hāna, a tranquil enclave where time slows, where you can take in an almost-untouched landscape before looping back to Kahului.
Southwest Loop, Las Vegas
Fly into Las Vegas and stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Las Vegas Airport, which offers a free airport shuttle and is only a 15-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip. Treat yourself to the glitz and glam that Las Vegas is known for before heading north to the rugged wilderness that stretches between southern Nevada and eastern Utah. As another one of the most iconic national park road trip routes, this loop takes you through Utah’s Zion National Park (known for hiking, climbing, and camping) and Bryce Canyon National Park before guiding you up to Moab’s Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Once in Moab, base yourself at Slackline Moab, Outset Collection by Hilton, which was designed for outdoorsy travelers. Not only does the hotel offer guided experiences, but it also offers trail-friendly dining and an on-site gear shop to ensure you have everything needed for your adventures. From Moab, it’s about a five-hour drive south to Grand Canyon National Park, where you can walk the flat, paved 13-mile (21-kilometer) South Rim Trail, or tackle more challenging routes down into the canyon. From here, you can wrap up your journey in Flagstaff or drive back to Las Vegas to complete the loop with a stay at Resorts World Las Vegas where you can tap into endless entertainment, unwind by the pools, or recharge at Awana Spa.
Cassandra Brooklyn
Cassandra Brooklyn is a freelance writer and guidebook author specializing in travel, accessibility, sustainability, and all things outdoors. Originally hailing from the Midwest, she now lives in New York City but escapes to adventures around the world as often as possible. She's the author of the cycling guidebook, Cuba By Bike, has contributed to multiple guidebooks about Egypt, Portugal, and the United States, and she has bylines in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Forbes, The Daily Beast, and Lonely Planet, among others.
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