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Classic family road trips in the USA and Canada
March 15, 2024 • 5 min read
Spring and summer vacations are coming up and there is no more iconic way to enjoy them than a good old fashioned family road trip. If you’re itching to hit the open road, but not quite sure where to go with your family, we’ve collected some classic, scenery-filled road trip ideas worth packing the car up for.
Points of interest
- You don’t need to drive the whole route! Smaller sections are often easier with kids
- Vacation rentals turn almost any town into a homebase along the way
- Keep the kids happy by limiting road trip driving to under 6 hrs a day
Pacific Coast Highway, USA
The draw of the Pacific Coast Highway on the west coast if the US is undeniable — stunning cliffside views, the ocean at your side, and more than 1,600 miles of open highway stretching from Port Townsend, Washington in the north to San Diego, California in the south. Here are a few family friendly stops for your consideration that could be seen in about a 2-day journey:
- Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Kids and adults alike will be in awe of the towering redwoods of Humboldt Redwoods State Park, about 4 hours north of San Francisco. - Stone skipping at Glass Beach This beach in Fort Bragg, California is a marvel for parents and kids alike. Once a dumping ground for trash, the broken glass from that time has since been polished by the tides into little gems of glass that intersperse with the beach’s pebbles and stones.
- Whale watching in Monterey Bay, California If you’re traveling through between May and October, stop in Monterey Bay with the kids and catch a boat to experience the magic of blue whales, orcas, and dolphins.
- Surfing in Ventura, California Ventura has some of the most reliable waves in all of California, making it prime for surfing. With most of its best spots accessible right from the PCH, it’s easy to catch a wave or a surfing lesson with your thrill-seeking teens.
Best places to stay
Consider stops in Newport, Oregon, or any of these California stops: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Avila Beach, Los Angeles, or San Diego.
Road trip tip:
Traveling by car can be a great way to find some family adventure on the cheap. Take a look at some of our ideas on how to bring your road trip in under budget.
Route 66, USA
Route 66 may be the most famous American highway. It’s been featured in songs, books, film, and TV shows across the decades since it opened in 1926. While it was officially decommissioned in 1985, the pilgrimage from Illinois to California is peppered with some amazing roadside attractions. Here are a few key points of interest for a family road trip:
- Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in: Clinton, Oklahoma Billed as “The ultimate Route 66 experience” by the Oklahoma Historical Society, this museum is a celebration of life on Route 66 through the decades, including signage, a vintage car, and booths from a roadside diner.
- Blue Whale of Catoosa in: Catoosa, Oklahoma Kids will be enthralled with the giant, ballcap-wearing blue whale floating in a small lake in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Stop for lunch and a meander through its mouth, snap a selfie or two, and hit the gift shop before getting back on the road.
- Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo, Texas Ponder the meaning of the 10 buried Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch. This art piece was first conceived by a wealthy eccentric in the 1970s. Today, their protruding tail fins still capture the imaginations of visitors and graffiti artists alike.
- Meteor Crater and Barringer Space Museum in Winslow, Arizona Explore the rim of this massive crater left in the middle of Arizona by a meteorite some 50,000 years ago. Young astronomers will also enjoy the space museum dedicated to the history of the site.
Best places to stay
Aside from the above mentioned locations, you could start your trip at either end with a stay in Santa Monica, California or Chicago, Illinois.
Road trip tip:
Keeping the peace in the back seat is one of the biggest road trip challenges. Here are some ideas for keeping the entertainment going mile after mile.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada
There is no such thing as a bad seat on a family road trip through Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada. This 180-mile (288-kilometer) highway through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Banff to Jasper has breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, ancient glaciers, blue-green lakes, and abundant wildlife. Here are a few key points of interest along the way:
- Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain Help your kids conquer their fear of heights with a steep gondola ride up the side of Sulphur Mountain. From the summit, enjoy spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains and the town of Banff below.
- Lake Louise The brilliant turquoise color of Lake Louise is due to sunlight reflecting off rock sediment in the glacial waters of the lake. While the lake is too cold for swimming (Polar Bear Dips are held there in the middle of summer), hiking and skiing are great ways to scratch your family’s itch for outdoor adventure.
- Columbia Icefields Stop by the Columbia Icefields to explore the Athabasca Glacier. For folks content to take it in from a distance, the Skywalk is your best bet. For more adventurous types, take a 30 minute ride in an all-terrain vehicle to the glacier surface.
- Hot spring soaks Nothing soothes the body after hours on the road quite like a soak in geothermal spring water. Miette Hot Springs is the hottest of all the hot springs in the Canadian Rockies — it actually needs to be cooled to make it comfortable enough for people to enjoy.
Best places to stay
Make the most of the journey by booking a vacation rental on either end of Icefield Parkway in either Banff or Jasper, Canada.
Road trip tip:
Don’t be afraid to hit the road with your baby on board — just be sure to keep things flexible. We’ve got the tips and information you need to plan a bump-free road adventure.
The idea of a road trip with no set itinerary is deeply rooted in the pioneering American spirit, whether you’re exploring the physical landscape or using the experience to deepen your relationship as a family. Take a trip just for the sake of the journey — it might just help each of your family members refocus from getting there to being here.
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