After your wedding comes the honeymoon, which is exciting to plan! Consequently, this year has definitely seen a rise in romantic road trip ideas. The United States offers some of the best road trip destinations for couples. From romantic road trips on the east coast to a west coast honeymoon road trip, here are our top picks for romance on the road.
Road Trip Vacations for Couples
It’s time to plan the honeymoon! Probably the first pictures that come to mind are of you and your partner lying on a beach on some exotic island. Or possibly you’re dreaming of cabins in the snow. Some couples prefer wild jungle lodges with safaris or luxurious tents in Arabian deserts. Others envision an invigorating stay with the backdrop of gorgeous Tuscan vineyards.
Picture this. You are stuck with your newly-affirmed love in a 5-foot by 5-foot space for hours on end. After all, there’s nothing like this inescapable closeness to improve the bonds of your relationship. What on earth are we talking about? A road trip for your honeymoon!
A journey to explore the rugged countryside and vast stretches of open roads by your beloved’s side. You can still fit in the strolls along the beach, dinners by candlelight, and bonfires in the snow. You can make as many stops as you’d like on romantic road trips in the USA.
A road trip through Europe may be out of the question. However, there are some amazing routes here in the US itself that are perfect for your honeymoon adventure. You could drive up the 48 miles of the Going to the Sun Road in Montana. Another choice would be to take Highway 1 to Big Sur.
Then there’s scenic Route 100 from Wilmington to Stowe, Vermont. There are so many spectacular road trip ideas for couples. Here are the top 8 romantic road trips in the USA.
A Pacific Coast Highway honeymoon can be one of the most romantic road trip ideas for couples.
8 of the Best Romantic Road Trip Ideas
1. Route 66 – cross country trip filled with sights
Of course, it makes sense to start with Route 66, one of the original highways in America,. The 2448-mile long Mother Road or Main Street of America is a must-travel at least once in your life. And who better to travel it with that your sweetheart?
If you have plenty of time, you can travel all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles. But if you prefer a shorter scenic route, the portion from St. Louis, Missouri to Amarillo, Texas is just perfect.
Stopover in Oklahoma City, and spend the night in the former Ford Assembly plant, which is now 21C Museum Hotel. Then dine at Mary Eddy’s Lounge amidst contemporary art.
One of the best road trips for couples USA is Route 66.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway – one of the best romantic road trip ideas
Another popular all-American road trip is the Blue Ridge Parkway. The route runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Full of flowers in spring, and covered with foliage in autumn, the scenic vistas along the route are incomparable. Drive from Afton to Cherokee and spend the night at some of the farms and lodges along the way.
Take a pit stop at the Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company where one of you can sample the beer. In fact, there are several wineries and breweries if you stop off at Route 151 in Nelson County. Well, the other one has to drive, don’t they?
The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the romantic road trips near me for Virginia couples.
3. Overseas Highway – romantic road trips on the east coast
The 113-mile stretch of road running down from Miami to Key West runs parallel to the Overseas Railroad. It’s called the Overseas Highway and makes a fabulous honeymoon road trip. East coast residents will find that it’s easy to cover in 4 hours. However, it’s better to spend a few days or a week here.
Float over innumerable bridges before stopping to spend the night at the best islands to scuba dive. They’re all great, so just throw the dice and pick one! Spend many lazy nights on the islands. Just be sure to take one pristine morning drive across the Seven Mile Bridge. It’s one of the longest in the world!
The 7-mile bridge in Key West is something you can see if you use a route planner for your honeymoon.
4. I-15 from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City – one of the best road trip destinations for couples
If you’re planning for a winter honeymoon road trip, the best part of the I-15 is the 421 miles stretch from Utah to Nevada. With so many places to stop along the way, the 6-hour drive can easily turn into a week.
Take a detour to see the Grand Canyon or stay at one of the lodges there. Plus, make sure you don’t miss the Zion National Park, Hoover Dam, and—of course—the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs.
See the beautiful red rocks in Utah and Nevada on road trip vacations for couples.
5. Great River Road – a central US honeymoon road trip idea
“Mississippi, you’ll be on my mind
Every time I hear this song
Mississippi roll along
Until the end of time”
Remember that song? Use it to inspire a honeymoon drive along the banks of the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans. Nature lovers will love the 36-hour drive covering 2000 miles on both sides of the river.
Bordered by wildlife resorts that are perfect for stopovers, you can also visit a number of ancient Native American burial sites such as the Indian Mounds Park.
If you’re planning on Love Me Tender for your wedding dance or are a fan of the King, stop by Graceland. It’s the home of Elvis Presley and is a fabulous stop as you figure your route planner.
The drive along the Great River Road takes you through oak-lined roads and popular old jazz towns. You will even pass fine eateries serving everything from po’ boys to brisket and BBQ.
One of the most romantic road trip ideas is to end your time spending a few nights in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
6. I – 95 from Camden to Boston – explore the northeast USA on your honeymoon
If you and your sweetheart love scenic coastal routes, drive down from Camden, Maine to Boston, Massachusetts via Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Over 200 miles of beautiful beaches, oceans, and mountains are filled with nature’s bounty. What a truly enjoyable drive!
Stop to take pictures at one of the 60 lighthouses in Maine, or cycle at Peak’s Island. Drive up Mount Battie in Camden, or witness the splendor of the White Mountains at Piermont or Conway. From heritage buildings to foodie towns, these romantic road trip ideas for your honeymoon will not disappoint.
Romantic road trips East Coast can include a stop in beautiful, coastal Boston.
7. Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway – start in California, road trip honeymoons
One of the best all-American road trips, these 500 miles of leads from Lassen National Park in California to Crater Lake in Oregon. If you want a honeymoon with stopovers at beautiful lakes and waterfalls, or visiting underground caves, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is the honeymoon road trip of choice.
Crater Lake, Oregon is one of the best road trip destinations for couples. The views are stunning!
8. Hill Country Route – one of the best road trips for couples in the USA
Texas has many historic hilly routes to choose from. And our favorite is from Houston to Lampasas, TX via Brenham, New Braunfels and Fredericksburg. Rugged landscapes, vineyards, and lavender farms dot the Edwards Plateau to give you that ideal honeymoon photo.
Drive along winding roads or cedar-lined streets, pass ranches dotted with deer, and disappear among the rolling hills. Spend the night in New Braunfels to take in the atmosphere of one of Texas’s oldest communities and enjoy a taste of Texan hospitality.
There’s a lot to do in the heart of Texas, and you’ll love spending your honeymoon along the Hill Country Route.
Explore Texas as you pass by ranches and explore cities along the Hill Country Route.
Other Best Road Trips for Couples – USA
- Kahului to Hana in Maui, Hawaii – Visit 64 miles of lush rain forests and steep cliffs fraught with danger and excitement.
- Million Dollar Highway in Colorado – The 25 miles from Silverton to Ouray featuring narrow lanes and steep cliffs. There’s nothing like a bit of danger to get you closer together.
- Dalton Highway in Alaska – Cover 414 miles stretching from Fairbanks to Deadhorse. It’s sheer danger surrounded by sheer beauty. Add some adrenaline to the honeymoon activities.
- Olympic Peninsula Loop – Fancy driving around in a circle, albeit a large one? That’s what you can do for the 330 miles of Olympic Peninsula Loop circling Washington’s Olympic National Park.
- Beartooth Highway – This 68 miles of road goes from Montana to Yellowstone National Park. It’s listed as one of the National Scenic Byways.
Weigh your options and choose from our romantic road trip ideas for couples on their honeymoon.
Final Thoughts on Romantic Road Trip Ideas
So, when the honeymoon’s over, which windswept roads are we going to see pictures of on your timeline or in your photo album? If you’re searching for “romantic road trips near me” choose one that is close by.
However, if you’re in Virginia longing for a Pacific Coast highway honeymoon, don’t be afraid to fly and rent a vehicle for your trip. A California road trip honeymoon can be quite romantic! The United States definitely doesn’t lack for romantic road trip ideas for your honeymoon or getaway. Enjoy!
Save these romantic road trip ideas for couples!
Photos: Alex Meier, Quentin Gellar, Daniela Araya, Aaron Burden, Chase Baker, Dino Reichmuth, Evershot, Todd Kent, James Fitzgerald
