As the weather changes and Virginia wedding planning is buzzing in my brain, looking forward to all the wonderful travel that could be done this summer, I’ve been thinking a lot about road trips – and specifically honeymoon road trip destination ideas.
Here are some of my favorite suggestions for couples planning their special alone time post-wedding as they hit the road and explore the country together for a fun, exciting, and unique honeymoon.
Highway 1 California Coast San Diego to San Francisco
One of the most incredible drives I’ve ever taken in my life was the Highway 1 California Coastal Drive from San Diego northward. I was there on a much longer road trip (starting from Florida and looping all the way around through Seattle, Montana, and then finally St. Louis before heading to FL), but this was one of the most memorable stretches of the trip.
The views are incredible the whole way, the dining options, attractions, shopping, and natural beauty of the great outdoors cover pretty much all interest types while providing a stunning backdrop to some of the memories you’ll cherish most as the years move forward.
I highly recommend flying out to California, renting a car, and just hitting the road.
State Road A1A – Florida Coast
Back in 2012, I biked and hiked my way from Key West to the Canadian border. I started out on State Road A1A and I have to say, this road is one of the most gorgeous in the world. Much like the Coastal Highway in California, there’s more to do and see along this route than you could ever hope to accomplish – all with stunning views.
I recommend starting out in St. Augustine, Florida (rent a car in Jacksonville for better prices) and just drive along the coastal road. Follow the road instead of the main highways and enjoy the stunning small towns, bay views, state parks, and other unique features along the way.
As you head southward, be sure to make your way out to Key Biscayne near Miami and stop at the various Keys along the way – don’t just do Key West, if you’ve got the time. All the keys have unique offerings and all are worth a visit, even if for just one night.
These are some of the most stunning 500 miles you’ll ever experience.
National Park Road Trip Tour – Southwest United States
If you’re both into the outdoors and love your National Parks, consider making a road trip trek among the many National Parks in the Southwest USA region. Fly to the cheapest airport when you arrive (probably going to be Phoenix) and hit the roads!
The parks I recommend looping through include any of the following:
- Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
- Sunset Crater Volcano – Arizona
- Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Park – Arizona
- Navajo Monument – Arizona
- Arches National Park – Utah
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah
- Zion National Park – Utah
- Aztec Ruins National Monument – New Mexico
- Petroglyph National Monument – New Mexico
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park – New Mexico
- Great Sand Dunes National Park – Colorado
- Mesa Verde National Park – Colorado
- Garden of the Gods Natural National Landmark – Colorado
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
Pacific Northwest Road Trip – Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada
Whatever time of year, the Pacific Northwest is one of the most stunning regions in the nation and ripe for road trips. With waterfalls, hiking, towering trees, incredible mountains, glaciers, and wildlife we can’t spot on the east coast, this route is another one of my absolute favorites to recommend.
I recommend flying into Sacramento as your starting point. Rent a car here and head northward. Meander your way through the lush, green valleys and hills of southern Oregon, up toward the misty mountains in the north.
Make stops along the way in small towns throughout Northern California, southern Oregon and, of course, all the way through Washington up to Vancouver. Make a day trip over to one of the islands off the coast or take a ferry to some of the peninsulas near Seattle.
Enjoy the lush beauty, incredible hiking experience, wildlife viewing, camping, shopping, dining, and wineries of the region for as long as you can spare.
American Music Road Trip – Southeastern United States
For those looking to keep a little closer to home, this road trip is a perfect choice for music lovers, whether you’re into blues, rock, country, or alternative music. The Southeast is the birthplace of many of the most popular musical styles of the United States.
Take the Blues Highway (Route 61) from Nashville, Tennessee to New Orleans for a blues focused trip, with stops in Nashville, Memphis, Graceland, Clarksdale and Vicksburg, Mississippi, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
For those with a rock focus, consider expanding that route to include Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Macon, Georgia.
