You don’t need to create a bucket list of places to visit, just choose one of these favorite scenic routes that never disappoint. Let’s break them down to what makes them famous, what you’ll see and what cities are along the way. One quick recommendation: never forget your Rogue to make any road trip truly epic!
Route 66
Back in the 1920’s entrepreneurs designed a highway that linked Chicago to Los Angeles and brought developing businesses and industries to the west, but also were conscientious to go through small towns, thus linking rural and urban together all along the way.
Whether you start from east to west, west to east or somewhere in between, you do need to know that the entirety of the original route doesn’t exist. However, there are programs that have highway markers from Illinois to Arizona that will take you along 1,400 miles of the historical trail through tiny towns, trading posts, motels, ghost towns and crazy/fun attractions that will make the journey one you won’t ever forget.
The Appalachian Trail
For those of you who aren’t faint of heart, love an adventure on foot and have roughly six months to dedicate to an unbelievable adventure, this is the one for you. So, let’s go over some of the details of the trail, what makes it such a feat and why you might consider doing smaller portions of the trail to get out and enjoy the best in nature.
If you are the shoot-for-the-moon kind of person, here are the key stats to know:
- The trail is almost 2,200 miles long from Mt. Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia
- Goes through 14 different states
- Has elevation gains/loses tantamount to hiking Mt. Everest from sea level to tip 16 times
- Over 3,000 people a year undertake the hike-thru, so you wouldn’t be alone
For the rest of us, there are a dozen or so much more manageable hikes that range in length from day hikes to 10 days and allow you to experience unbelievable views in many different states. Make sure you do some research to find out the level of difficulty with each section of hike, the type of gear to take along and don’t forget your camera because there isn’t anything like this anywhere else in the world.
Border to Border
Feel adventurous enough to go from border to border… Canada to Mexico or vice versa? Highway 93 is the answer you’re looking for and full of contrasting lands and views. Much of this scenic trek takes you through wilderness untouched by civilization, but takes you to the outskirts of Las Vegas and all the neon lights you can imagine.
U.S. route 93 is more than 2,200 miles in length and starts at Jasper National Park in Canada, takes you into Montana, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona with a suggested travel time of 10 days. Part of bragging rights that this drive boasts is it takes you through three countries, three different languages and each day is a new view out your window.
Don’t believe us? Here are just a few of the highlights that travelers have experienced:
- Jasper National Park (Canada) - 2 million acres of national park full of hot springs, hiking trails and skiing
- Glacier National Park (Montana) - over 700 miles of trails, glaciers, crystal clear lakes and waterfalls
- Crater of the Moon Park (Idaho) - unique landscape created by lava flow, filled with plenty of hiking spots
- Las Vegas (Nevada) - plenty of entertainment when it comes to shoes, museums, helicopter rides and, of course, gambling
- Titan Missile Museum (Arizona) - a top-secret site during the Cold War, now a museum that takes guests 35 feet underground to a simulated launch center
- Nogales (Arizona/Mexico) - a border town that sits on both sides of the border with cultural experiences, bartering and flavorful food
Pack your passport and get ready to sitesee to your heart’s content. Plus there are many other side road adventures that aren’t too far off route 93 that will have you begging to do this all over again next year.
Atlantic Coast
Want to stick more to scenic water views and beach stops along the way? The Atlantic coast route takes you off of the I-95 with all the urban sprawl and takes you from the famous Jersey Shore to Key West, all while staying as close to the water as possible and taking in almost 2,000 miles of coastline.
To start your journey, take a look across the way and take in the Statue of Liberty. We’d suggest that you make this your first destination and take the ferry out to Liberty State Park. But don’t let the thrills stop there, the climb up to the crown in the statue is only 162 steps high and will be a memorable experience you won’t soon forget.
Back in New Jersey, be sure to walk the oldest beachfront boardwalk as you take in Atlantic City with the sea right at your feet and so many attractions from gambling to the best seafood known to man.
Down the road a ways you’ll find Assateague Island in Maryland. This area is one of the few that is protected from any type of commercial development and has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation with things like hiking, bicycling, swimming and canoeing. If you’re in the mood for an adventure off the beaten path, try some horseback riding or crabbing.
Keep the quest going with unique drives out on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay and then outside Pamlico Sound with drives that will have you right out on the ocean. Take in breathtaking views, historical landmarks and fresh ocean breezes that will never disappoint.
Once you’re in South Carolina, make sure to plot out beaches, monuments and wildlife refuges that dot the coastline, and if you see something inland that is begging for a visit, add it to the itinerary, or even better, make a spontaneous excursion to out of the way diners or shops; they always hold adventures that you never expected to have.
As you probably know, Georgia never misses an opportunity to shine with its own vastness of beaches, camping grounds, forests and historical locations. The different micro ecosystems up and down the coast provide for different experiences, great views and memorable backdrops to all your travels.
The homestretch brings you to Florida and the hundreds of miles of beaches and state parks, along with special locales like Cape Canaveral and highway 1 that takes you island hopping all the way out to Key West. Honestly, there are so many shops, restaurants, sporting venues, quaint island experiences and historical sites along the eastern and southern coasts of Florida that it’s almost impossible to list all the options for making some unforgettable memories.
In Conclusion
Whether you choose something extraordinary or a little more simple, a road trip can be the beginnings of a new tradition or a continuation of checking places off your bucket list. But no matter where you go, no matter how high you climb or how far you travel, Rogue Nicotine will make sure you have the right product and the right flavor to create a unique experience that is truly unforgettable.
