{"id":11383,"date":"2018-03-31T10:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-03-31T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aarp.waveinteractive.com\/blog\/?p=11383"},"modified":"2018-05-22T16:45:25","modified_gmt":"2018-05-22T20:45:25","slug":"3-classic-american-road-trips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Classic American Road Trips"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Like a comfortable sweater, road trips never go out of style. They make you feel free and alive, with not a care in the world. The windows are down. Nothing is in sight except for a distant farmhouse or a never-ending coastline. When you\u2019re flying down the open road, your cares become a dot in the rear-view mirror.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
We\u2019ve picked three car journeys from across America that need to be on your road trip bucket list. These all-time favorites will have you looking ahead to your next trip. Our hope is that you\u2019ll cast your inhibitions to the wind and go. Go where? Now that\u2019s for you to decide.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Texas Hill Country: Gruene\/New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Bandera Loop <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Travel time: 3 days <\/strong><\/p>\n

Driving distance: 200 miles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 1 \u2013 Gruene<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Yelp\/Vince E.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Your 3-day excursion takes you through the Texas Hill Country. Rugged granite and limestone hills line your path. You will begin in the Gruene Historic District. Founded in 1850, this place was a ghost town by 1950. It has since turned itself into a thriving tourist attraction. Take your favorite dance partner to Gruene Hall<\/a>\u2014one of the oldest dance halls in Texas\u2014founded in 1878. It has hosted many bands and musicians. It has also been the set of a Hollywood movie: 1996’s Michael, starring John Travolta<\/a>. After your dance, head to the general store or to the Stones and Bones Museum. Day one in Gruene won\u2019t be without excitement.<\/p>\n

Day 2 \u2013 Fredericksburg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Yelp\/The National Museum of the Pacific War<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Seventy miles northwest, via Highway 306, you’ll arrive in Fredericksburg. Along the way you will take-in some of the hill country\u2019s most spectacular scenery. Walking along the streets of downtown will make you feel like you\u2019ve time traveled. <\/span> The buildings along Main Street look as if cowboys will soon hitch their horses out front and checked their six shooters at the door<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>But, those days are long gone and now you\u2019ll find attractions like the National Museum of the Pacific War, one of the finest of its kind in the country<\/span><\/span>. And if you\u2019ve never been to an Amish Market, now\u2019s your chance. The handmade quilts for sale would look great draped over your sofa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day 3 \u2013 Bandera<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Yelp\/Adam E.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Compete this 3-day journey with a 51-mile drive south until you reach the town of Bandera. The Cowboy Capital of the World lives up to its nickname. There\u2019s several active dude ranches in the area like the Dixie Dude Ranch that allows you to live out all your cowboy fantasies. But before you climb atop a trusty steed and giddy-up, get a history lesson of the area at the Frontier Times Museum. Cap off your time in town with a steak from Tj\u2019s @ The Old Forge\u2014the drive back to Gruene will be easier when you have a belly full of Texas beef.<\/p>\n

Route 66: Chicago<\/a><\/strong> to\u00a0St. Louis<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Travel time: 3 days<\/strong><\/p>\n

Driving distance: 300 Miles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 1 \u2013 Lincoln <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you didn\u2019t know Route 66 starts in The Windy City, you will after you snap a photograph of yourself under the Route 66 \u201cbegin\u201d sign in downtown Chicago. Set off on the Main Street of America toward McCook, 14 miles west and the first stop on this journey. You\u2019ll need fuel for the road, so duck into the Steak N Egger for a breakfast plate the size of a manhole cover.<\/p>\n

Now that you\u2019ve properly filled your tank so to speak, it\u2019s time for an extended drive through the heartland. Heading south, you\u2019ll pass through miles of green farmland that are sprinkled with small towns like Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington, and McLean. But you pass through those faster than a dandelion crumbles in the wind because your next destination is Lincoln. The only town in the U.S. named for President Abraham Lincoln is the perfect place for a day-long pit stop. See a replica of the county courthouse at Postville Courthouse State Historic Site. A few blocks from the courthouse is Lincoln Speedway\u2014be sure to check the schedule of events to take in a thrilling dirt track car race.<\/p>\n

Day 2 \u2013 Springfield<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Flickr\/russellstreet<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

A solid night\u2019s rest at one of Lincoln\u2019s hotels will have you ready for an easy 34-mile drive south to the state capital, Springfield. Keep this Abe Lincoln theme going with visits to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The museum is considered to be the first Experience Museum where the immersive settings take you back to the days of his presidency. Head over to the Illinois State Capitol for a more modern look into today\u2019s politics and then finish the day off at the Cozy Dog Drive-In, where the corn dog was invented.<\/p>\n

Day 3 \u2013 St. Louis<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ninety-six miles is all that\u2019s left of this Route 66 road trip. And at the end, you\u2019ll be in St. Louis, Missouri. The city that\u2019s home to the Cardinals, a gateway to the west, and of course, Budweiser. The Budweiser Brewery Experience is a must-do for any lover of the King of All Beers. By the end of it, you\u2019ll be an expert on the tasty beverage. Afterward, head over to Ted Drewes for a cup of the best frozen custard this side of the Mississippi\u2014it just may change your life.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

West Coast: San Francisco<\/a><\/strong> to Crescent City <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Travel time: 3 days <\/strong><\/p>\n

Driving distance: 381miles<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 1 – Mendocino<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Via Yelp\/Yin H.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s a good sign any time a road trip starts out by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. But before you make your way to the other side, stop off in the Presidio. This old military fort is now a part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and offers some of the best views of San Francisco Bay. Next, head north through Mount Tamalpais State Park to Tomales Bakery in Tomales. There\u2019s nothing like a freshly baked scone mid-morning to fuel you up. As you continue north along California Route 1, take notice of the incredible scenery along the coastline. With sheer cliffs on one side and thick forests on the other, this is one of the best West Coast road trips you can take. Once you arrive in Mendocino, pick up a book at the Gallery Bookshop and take it down to glass beach. An afternoon reading on a sparkling beach? What could be better?<\/p>\n

Day 2 \u2013 Eureka<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A new day means a new stretch of road. Literally, this part of the trip will have you coasting up U.S. Route 101 for 143 miles until you reach the town of Eureka. Sitting on the shores of Humboldt Bay in the Redwood Empire region of California, this town is a wonderful slice of paradise in the northern part of the state. Wander the Historic Old Town district, where souvenir shops seem to be located every 10 feet. When you get thirsty and hungry, make your way to Lost Coast Brewery. Pair a Sharkinator White IPA with a Lost Coast Classic Burger and call it a day.<\/p>\n

Day 3 \u2013 Crescent City<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best part of the 85-mile drive from Eureka to Crescent City? Driving through 100-year old tree groves in Redwood National Park. These old-growth redwood forests have been around longer than time and should be seen at least once during your lifetime. Keep cruising along the Redwood Highway until you get to the Ocean World aquarium. After an hour or two, head to the bar at the Oceanfront Lodge for a cocktail and a sunset. Cheers to one heck of road trip!<\/p>\n

Well, there you have it: three road trips we think you should embark on as soon as you\u2019re done reading this. All you have to do is plan, pack, and go. At the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia<\/a>, we’re here to help you get there.\u00a0 Be sure to send us a few postcards along the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Like a comfortable sweater, road trips never go out of style. They make you feel free and alive, with not a care in the world. The windows are down. Nothing is in sight except for a distant farmhouse or a never-ending coastline. When you\u2019re flying down the open road, your cares become a dot in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":11435,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1320],"tags":[1520,1309,1522,1523,1519,1518,1540,748,1300,1521,795,428],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n3 Classic American Road Trips - AARP Travel Center Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Need a few US road trip ideas? Here are three of the best U.S. road trips you\u2019ll want to add to your travel list.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"3 Classic American Road Trips - AARP Travel Center Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Need a few US road trip ideas? Here are three of the best U.S. road trips you\u2019ll want to add to your travel list.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AARP Travel Center Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-03-31T14:00:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-05-22T20:45:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach-736x356.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"736\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"356\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jennifer Conners\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jennifer Conners\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/\",\"name\":\"3 Classic American Road Trips - AARP Travel Center Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-03-31T14:00:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-05-22T20:45:25+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9187cb95ee46fd59b792a1a103becf6a\"},\"description\":\"Need a few US road trip ideas? Here are three of the best U.S. road trips you\u2019ll want to add to your travel list.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":356},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"3 Classic American Road Trips\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"AARP Travel Center Blog\",\"description\":\"Travel Guides, Tips, and Deals Powered by Expedia\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9187cb95ee46fd59b792a1a103becf6a\",\"name\":\"Jennifer Conners\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/339cfb8c224944389a22f932bdf82ef3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/339cfb8c224944389a22f932bdf82ef3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jennifer Conners\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/author\/jconners\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"3 Classic American Road Trips - AARP Travel Center Blog","description":"Need a few US road trip ideas? Here are three of the best U.S. road trips you\u2019ll want to add to your travel list.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"3 Classic American Road Trips - AARP Travel Center Blog","og_description":"Need a few US road trip ideas? Here are three of the best U.S. road trips you\u2019ll want to add to your travel list.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/","og_site_name":"AARP Travel Center Blog","article_published_time":"2018-03-31T14:00:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2018-05-22T20:45:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":736,"height":356,"url":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach-736x356.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jennifer Conners","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jennifer Conners","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/","url":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/","name":"3 Classic American Road Trips - AARP Travel Center Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach.jpg","datePublished":"2018-03-31T14:00:45+00:00","dateModified":"2018-05-22T20:45:25+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9187cb95ee46fd59b792a1a103becf6a"},"description":"Need a few US road trip ideas? Here are three of the best U.S. road trips you\u2019ll want to add to your travel list.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Resize-Header-Glass-Beach.jpg","width":1200,"height":356},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/3-classic-american-road-trips\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"3 Classic American Road Trips"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/","name":"AARP Travel Center Blog","description":"Travel Guides, Tips, and Deals Powered by Expedia","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9187cb95ee46fd59b792a1a103becf6a","name":"Jennifer Conners","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/339cfb8c224944389a22f932bdf82ef3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/339cfb8c224944389a22f932bdf82ef3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jennifer Conners"},"url":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/author\/jconners\/"}]}},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11383"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11383"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11465,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11383\/revisions\/11465"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11435"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}