USA Road Trip: Alaska to Hawaii, 14 Best States to Visit

Explore 14 of America's most visited states across 1,981 km, from Alaska's glaciers and wildlife to Hawaii's island chain. The route covers iconic destinations including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, New York City's Manhattan and Central Park, plus world-class ski resorts near Denver and the natural wonders of Shenandoah National Park.

Mode
Places
Start
Alaska, California, New York
End
North Cascades
Stops
14
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Alaska, California, New York
  2. Shenandoah National Park — Nature spots in the west of Virginia
  3. Massachusetts: American Revolution — Birthplace of American independence with historic sites including Boston's Freedom Trail, documenting pivotal Revolutionary War events and colonial heritage.
  4. Washington State
  5. Yellowstone National Park — Geothermal activity and wildlife
  6. Denver & Ski Resorts — Colorado's high-altitude capital surrounded by Rocky Mountain ski destinations, offering world-class winter sports and sunny weather year-round.
  7. Arizona: Red Rock Canyons — Desert state dominated by striking red rock formations, sedona's artistic landscape, and vast canyon systems carved through colorful geological layers.
  8. Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest — Arizona's two monumental natural wonders showcase a mile-deep canyon with ancient rock layers and a forest of fossilized trees spanning millennia.
  9. Monument Valley — Dramatic desert sweeps
  10. New York State
  11. Manhattan, Times Square, Central Park — New York City's iconic core features the bustling commercial hub of Times Square and the expansive green refuge of Central Park.
  12. Hawaii: Island Chain
  13. Florida Keys — 120 miles of islands along the Florida Straits
  14. North Cascades — Steep mountains and freshwater lakes

Useful for your trip

Tip
Utah has five national parks and is recognized as having the best snow on Earth, making it ideal for both winter sports and desert Southwest exploration.
Tip
Virginia offers both historical sites (Revolutionary War and Civil War locations) and natural attractions like Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Mountains.
Tip
Massachusetts is the birthplace of the American Revolution with numerous historic sites; also features Cape Cod for beach holidays.
Tip
Washington State is split by the Cascade Mountains; one side has parks and volcanoes, the other has coastal forests and hundreds of wineries.
Tip
Wyoming is sparsely populated with access to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and skiing.
Food
Texas is famous for Texan barbecues and country music culture, with the San Antonio Riverwalk offering art galleries and restaurants.
Timing
Colorado offers year-round skiing opportunities with frequent mountain snowstorms ensuring fresh powder at resorts like Aspen and Vail.
Tip
Alaska is the largest U.S. state with thousands of rivers, glaciers covering five percent of the state, and opportunities to see wildlife like wolves, moose, whales, and bears.
Tip
Arizona features the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Monument Valley, and more mountains than Switzerland plus the largest unbroken Ponderosa Pine Forest.
Tip
New York State includes Manhattan, Times Square, Central Park, Niagara Falls, Long Island beaches, and the Finger Lakes wine region.
Timing
Florida boasts over 230 days of sunshine per year and attracts 90 million+ visitors annually; the Florida Keys extend around 120 miles along the Florida Straits.
Tip
California offers Disneyland Park in Anaheim, San Diego water parks, Yosemite National Park, Death Valley, and San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

Video on this route

14 Best States to Visit in the USA - Travel Video

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