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12 Last-Minute Road Trips you can plan this winter
Do you feel that itch, the one that screams, “I need out of this house before I develop permanent couch grooves”? Then road trips might just be the cure for your midwinter existential crisis.
Perfect for adventure seekers, travel buffs, or anyone who searches “quirky roadside diners near me,” these spots deliver the goods without requiring complex planning. Winter roads, stunning views, and the kind of food stops that could make your belt groan – what more could you ask for?
Pack layers, choose snacks wisely, and prepare to turn those frequent bathroom stops into a questionable art form. Because these trips are as doable as resetting a Wi-Fi router – quick, satisfying, and just what you need.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
The Pacific Coast Highway delivers drama so scenic you’ll forget you were grumbling about the weather. Ocean waves crash as dramatically as your internet on a stormy night, and the cliffs? Absolute show-offs.
Start in San Francisco and meander down to San Diego – or cut it short if your playlist gives out. Mandatory pit stops include Big Sur, where towering redwoods and foggy horizons make you wonder why you even live inland.
Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon, Utah
Utah’s got more red rocks and towering cliffs than a geology textbook, and Zion to Bryce Canyon is its magnum opus. It’s as if someone decided nature needed some extra flair and dipped it all in gold-orange hues.
Start by hiking through Zion’s rugged trails, then drive to Bryce for hoodoos (those weirdly majestic rock spires) that look as if Stonehenge went through a glow-up. Chances are you will even get to see some snow. So bring a camera; this route serves views that make average phone storage weep.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina
Driving through the Great Smokies is like stepping into a landscape painting – except with actual bear-crossing signs and biscuit joints around every corner. So roll down your windows and inhale the blend of cold crisp pine and nostalgia while navigating curves that make GPS panic.
Highlights include Clingman Dome for views that feel as endless as your weekend laundry pile. Add on some mountain music, and it’s as if the hills are scheming to adopt you permanently.
Sedona To the Grand Canyon, Arizona
Sedona greets you with a red rock bonanza, artsy downtown vibes, and a suspicious lack of mediocre coffee. Start your day craning your neck upward at Cathedral Rock, and then make your way to the Grand Canyon.
It’s just there, chilling as always, being every postcard’s leading model. Sunrise or sunset, the canyon’s got lighting that would make any aspiring photographer fill up their SD cards. Just don’t forget layers – it’s winter in the desert, not a thermostat-controlled showroom.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia/North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the HGTV of scenic byways – it’s polished yet rustic, with mountain views smoother than your grandpa’s jazz playlist. With cozy roadside stops, Appalachian charm, and more scenic overlooks than your camera roll can handle, this trip keeps it simple yet soul-soothing.
Start in Asheville, then roll through landscapes that are as cozy as an oversized sweater. Bonus points for spotting an actual black bear (just…from inside your car, please).
Note: Always check for closures on this road. We had it shut down during our visit to the area due to ice and weren’t able to complete a part of the route we were hoping to as it remained closed for days.
Florida Keys, Florida
Driving to the Florida Keys feels as if someone gave the ocean its own photo filter. With turquoise waters waving “hello” on both sides, it’s the kind of drive that makes you cancel all future flights.
Start in Key Largo and end in Key West, where the sunsets punch way above their weight class. Just remember to stock up on key lime pie as if you’re preparing for a dessert buffet apocalypse – it’s practically law down there.
Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
Washington’s Olympic Peninsula offers rain-drenched magic with a side of mossy superiority. Cruise through towering rainforests, moody beaches, and snow-capped peaks. It’s as if nature went, “Why pick one vibe when I can have them all?”
Pro tip – stop at Hurricane Ridge for panoramas that make you question why you live where the view is just more rooftops. End your drive in Forks, where even the coffee shops lean into that whole broody charm.
Route 66 Highlights (Various States)
Route 66 isn’t just a road; it’s a time machine with a soundtrack. Experience all the kitschy weirdness of roadside Americana without needing to explain why that neon dinosaur statue was necessary for your photo album.
From the Cadillac Ranch in Texas to small-town diners as old as your grandma’s casserole recipe, this highway rolls out quirks like popcorn at a movie marathon. Gas up and enjoy the nostalgia buffet.
Lake Tahoe Loop, California/Nevada
Imagine a lake so breathtaking even the surrounding mountains might be side-eyeing it with envy. That’s Lake Tahoe. It’s the kind of place that invites you to cruise around, pause for alpine hikes, sip something warm by the shore, and soak in views so serene they might just convince you to trade city skylines for trees forever.
In the winter, it’s a playground for skiers and snowboarders – or a cozy retreat for those of us more into hot cocoa and fireplaces than adrenaline rushes. Tahoe is magic, no matter the season.
Texas Hill Country, Texas
Stretch your legs (and maybe your waistband) in the Texas Hill Country, where BBQ joints pop up like mirages, tempting you at every turn. Rolling hills, quaint small towns, and Tex-Mex so good it’ll make you question every taco you’ve eaten before now – it’s all here.
Swing by Fredericksburg to taste its German roots or Wimberley, where quirky shops meet dreamy swimming holes (if it’s not too cold for that). Just a heads-up: every road seems to lead to brisket, so maybe pace yourself… or don’t. No judgment.
Canyonlands to Arches National Park, Utah
Utah strikes again, flexing its geological muscles with Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. This route is all about mighty mesas and red rock artistry – it’s as if Earth’s crust decided to hold a talent show.
Watch the sunrise at Mesa Arch for an open-concept view that defies reality. Then, head to Arches for formations that somehow feel engineered by a bored, whimsical architect. And give yourself a round of applause if you hike Delicate Arch without muttering “worth it” through panting breaths.
Savannah to Charleston, Georgia/South Carolina
Savannah and Charleston are connected by more charm than should be allowed within 100 miles. Stroll through Spanish moss-draped squares in Savannah as if the trees themselves are showing off. Then drive onwards to Charleston, where the pastel historic homes practically shout, “Take a picture!”
Pause in small, coastal towns for fresh seafood that could put chain restaurants out of business. It’s subtropical vibes meets Southern hospitality – a road trip worth the detour.
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