Great Summer Road Trips

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ome people choose flying over driving. We here at Web2Carz are clearly not those kinds of people, at least some of the time. Now, with it being summer, we're gearing up for road-trip season. If you haven't planned yours yet, check out our ideas for great road trip destinations. Given that it's a big country and we can't be sure how far you're willing to go, we've included some from every region in the States.

The Beach
We know—"the beach" is a pretty vague term, but we meant to do it that way. If you're lucky enough to live near one of the coasts or near one of the Great Lakes, you already know how great the beach can be during the summer. If not, you've got some exploring to do. Check out the waves of California, the tourist-friendly beaches in Clearwater, Florida, or even head to places like the Jersey Shore, Lake Michigan, or the Indiana Dunes. All of these places have lodging if you're interesting in a driving vacation, too.

We're a bit biased here, but what's not to like about Chicago (and before you make the joke, we know "it's not New York," and we're plenty fine with that.

Disney (World, Land)
People love Disney and its World/Land destinations. In Florida, you've got Disney World, Epcot, and the Magic Kingdom—something for everyone in your family.  There's also a few water parks to beat the heat, and a cold-themed attraction, too, in case you want something a little more intense than plain old air conditioning.
In California, there's Disneyland, the second happiest place on earth (or at least, that's what the Disney folk want you to think). In beautiful Orange County, this resort is chock-full of family fun. If you want other things to do, too, well, there's gorgeous beaches all around, but we already mentioned that.

VEGAS!!!
Okay, first things first: what happens in Vegas STAYS in Vegas, okay? Okay. Depending on where you live (we wouldn't recommend this one if you live in say, Maine), this road trip is a quick shot. If you're coming from Disneyland, for example, it's only about four hours of driving til you hit the strip.

The Pacific Northwest
If you're sick of fun in the sun, head up to the gray-area of the States! (Just kidding, Portland/Seattle and its surrounding cities!) Decidedly less touristy than the previously mentioned destinations, this region is still full of culture, including great restaurants, local breweries, and sightseeing opportunities. Plus, we hear the people up there are pretty nice.

The Grand Canyon
While you're on the west side of the States, head on down to Arizona's Grand Canyon. Known as one of the most awe-inspiring pieces of land in the country, the Grand Canyon is also great for road trips, thanks to its winding and hilly roads.

Mount Rushmore
Speaking of awe-inspiring landscapes, pack up the car and head out to South Dakota. Wait, wait, stay with us. We know South Dakota might not sound like the most riveting adventure to take your family on, but if you have kids that are interested in agriculture or history, there's plenty to do. If not, get everyone out of the car and go for a hike along one of its many mountains.

Chicago, IL
Okay, so we're a bit biased here, but what's not to like about Chicago (and before you make the joke, we know "it's not New York" and we're plenty fine with that)? Sports teams, a beach, some of the country's most-revered restaurants, PLENTY of culture (we'd list off the museums but we'd be here for another 20 minutes with just that), plenty of people, street festivals every weekend, and pretty much anything else you could want from a road trip destination. Also, we're a bit more car-friendly than New York and arguably a bunch nicer (ha!), so come here instead.

The Outer Banks
Located in North Carolina, this coastal region offers up options like fishing and boating, as well as beautiful shores. Check out the replica of the Wright Brothers' plane at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, or take a trip above the OBX (as they're called) in a personal helicopter tour.

Tour the Northeast
Cities like Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., and states like New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Maine couldn't be left out of our list, could they? Never.
Boston and D.C. offer plenty of bustling city life as well as history tourism and other activities rich in culture. New York City is an epicenter for business, culture, and fun, but it's not very car friendly; if you go here for your trip, you'll probably want to look into parking the car somewhere and walking or taking the trains/subways. As far as the far Northeastern states, they're famous for their seafood, so be sure to visit some places for that.