5 Of The Best Summer Road Trips To Take If You're In A Relationship
Driving with the windows down and your summer anthem turned up loud is one of those moments we all live for. The freedom of the open road and the warmth of the sunshine are almost enough to make you forget this season eventually comes to an end.
There is no better way to celebrate summer than by hitting the road with the one you love.
Here are five of the best summer road trips to take with your boo:
1. Pacific Coast Highway
Coachella may be over, but there is no bad time to drive through California, especially on one of the most scenic highways in the country, PCH. Hop in the car in Monterey and head south as you journey 123 miles past some of the most Instagram-worthy roadside stops in the nation.
All in all, the trip takes about five hours at a leisurely place. It is just enough time to make an epic playlist, and then spend a night camping in Morro Bay, nestled in the eucalyptus trees. If you prefer feathery beds over feathered birds, check into one of the romantic boutique hotels in the area.
2. Million Dollar Highway
Colorado extends from the powdered slopes of Aspen in the winter right into the heat of summer. Head out to Denver to check out the coffee renaissance and epic flea markets before hopping in the car to reach one of America's most scenic and dangerous highways, the Million Dollar Highway.
Follow the road from Durango to Silverton to experience jaw-dropping views mile after mile. There are no guard rails or shoulders to obstruct your view, so hang on for a 25-mile, white-knuckled ride through the Rocky Mountains in Western Colorado.
Spend a few days in the mountains, or head back east to check out the Manitou Springs Colorado Wine Festival. Alternatively, continue your dangerous streak and head south for FIBArk, America's oldest whitewater festival, to be one of the first people in the Arkansas River for the season.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the obvious choice for those looking for a long drive off the beaten path. The highway runs from Virginia south to North Carolina, and then west to Tennessee. It twists and turns through two of America's greatest national parks, Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Blue Ridge is for that couple who wants to spend a few days of quality time stopping at classic Southern roadside cafes and wandering through romantic mountain towns like Asheville, North Carolina.
For a bit of the high life back in the city, end the trip in Nashville, which is home to a burgeoning food scene, slow-living movement and some of the liveliest bars in America.
4. US Route 1 To The Florida Keys
The only thing hotter than Miami Beach in the summer is the year-round party scene. But if you have lost the energy required the 24-hour Champagne lifestyle that is Miami, hit the road with bae and take US Route 1 straight from downtown out to the Florida Keys.
The Florida Keys might not be the obvious party destination, but they are a great place to detox from the excess in South Beach. The best part? The Keys can be done in total luxury or on a total budget. You can hit up some classic Floridian budget motels or continue on with the lifestyles of the rich and famous on one of the islands' golf courses, country clubs or private estates.
With 150 miles of sea and sand to choose from, you can have your pick of the lot before heading back to the mainland.
5. Great River Road
If your love has the patience to stretch the length of the mighty Mississippi, fly north to Minneapolis to start your journey down the Great River Road.
The road to New Orleans takes several days to drive, partly because of all of the unexpected surprises that appear along the way. It's pretty remote, so you might want to pack a signal booster to maintain cell phone reception. Remember, iconic legends like Mark Twain and Bob Dylan have found inspiration in the muddy river waters and cities that line its banks, so don't be surprised if you follow in their footsteps.
Make the most of the summer and start in Minnesota at the perpetually sold-out Rock the Garden music festival before driving south through Iowa and Missouri. Take a day or two in St.Louis and go to a baseball game. Make sure to get out of the car and float down the river for a while.
Whether you are looking for a little together time or the adventure of a lifetime, America is full of epic road trips to take this summer.
