Optimal Road Trips

The 2026 U.S. Landmarks road trip

By · Updated

The landmark travel writers name most often in each of the lower 48 states and Washington, D.C.: 49 stops, 13,801 miles and 274 hours of driving on the fastest possible loop.

Start at whichever stop is closest to home and follow the numbers around until you're back where you began. At 6 hours behind the wheel a day the driving takes about 6.5 weeks.

The longest drive is Ben & Jerry's Factory to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 12 h 34 min. The shortest is the White House to Fort McHenry, 1 h 6 min. Glacier adds 8 hours of driving to the loop, more than any other stop. The White House adds 3 minutes.

Stops
49round trip
Distance
13,801miles (22,210 km)
Driving
274hours, 11.4 days nonstop

  1. Acadia protects the highest rocky headlands on the U.S. Atlantic coast, laced with 45 miles of carriage roads and 158 miles of trails. The 27-mile Park Loop Road links its lakes, mountains and shoreline.

    Best season
    Summer (highs 45 to 90°F); fall color peaks around mid-October.
    • Cadillac Summit Road needs a $6 vehicle reservation, sold online only, May 20 to October 25, 2026. No other area does.
    • Park Loop Road is open April 15 to December 1; Hulls Cove Visitor Center, May 1 to October 31.
    • Timing: parking fills early from June into September, so arrive before 8 am or after 5 pm.
    • Entrance: $35 per vehicle. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass).
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    192 mi, 4 h 48 min to 2. Mount Washington

  2. The highest summit in the Northeast is one you can drive. The Mount Washington Auto Road, first opened in 1861 and billed as America's oldest man-made tourist attraction, climbs 7.6 miles and over 4,000 feet through 4 ecological zones, with a final stretch at a 22% grade.

    Best season
    Summer and early fall.
    • Drive-up tickets: $36 for ages 13 and up, $15 for ages 4 to 12. Guided 2-hour van tours are an option if you'd rather not drive.
    • Time to allow: about 30 minutes up and 30 to 45 minutes down, plus time at the top. Descend in low gear to spare your brakes.
    3 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    117 mi, 2 h 46 min to 3. Ben & Jerry's Factory

  3. Ben & Jerry's built its first factory in Waterbury in 1985. It's the only one open to the public and still makes upwards of 350,000 pints a day. The 30-minute tour overlooks the production floor from a glassed-in mezzanine and ends with a tasting.

    Best season
    Any time of year. The Flavor Graveyard of retired flavors is seasonal.
    • Book online: tickets go on sale 14 days ahead and sell out daily. Adults $6, seniors $5, kids 2 to 12 $1.
    • Fall hours (from August 9): 10 am to 7 pm, last tour at 6 pm.
    • Time to allow: 1 to 1.25 hours, including the walk up from the lot. RV parking is very limited.
    • No ticket? The scoop shop, gift shop and Flavor Graveyard are open to all.
    1 source, checked 2026-09-27
    589 mi, 12 h 34 min to 4. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

  4. I. M. Pei's museum on the Lake Erie shore in downtown Cleveland was dedicated on September 1, 1995. Its levels hold exhibits on the inductees and music history, and in The Garage on Level 2 you can pick up an instrument and play.

    Best season
    Any time of year; it is an indoor museum.
    • Advance tickets are required for your date and arrival time; same-day tickets can sell out.
    • Time to allow: about 2 to 3 hours.
    • Paid meters and lots surround the museum; parking is not validated.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    439 mi, 7 h 49 min to 5. Mackinac Island

  5. Cars haven't been allowed here for over 100 years, so people get around by horse-drawn carriage, by bike or on foot. Fort Mackinac holds Michigan's oldest building.

    Best season
    May through October.
    • Park at a ferry lot in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Shepler's charges $15 a day.
    • Shepler's and Arnold Transit run passenger ferries about every 30 minutes, late April through October. The ride takes 16 minutes, or 25 on a run under the Mackinac Bridge.
    • No reservations needed: tickets are round trip and good on any boat. Buy online to skip the dock line.
    • Timing: the state parks' sample itinerary boards a 10:30 am ferry and has you downtown at 4 pm after a carriage tour and Fort Mackinac.
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    258 mi, 5 h 19 min to 6. Lambeau Field

  6. Built in 1957, Lambeau Field is the oldest continually operating NFL stadium. The Packers Hall of Fame in its Atrium shows trophies from the team's 13 world championships, including 4 Lombardi trophies, plus a replica of Vince Lombardi's office.

    Best season
    Any non-game day. Stadium tours run daily, but never on game days.
    • Book a Classic (60 minutes), Champions or Legendary stadium tour online or at the Hall of Fame desk in the Atrium.
    • Hall of Fame hours: 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm Sunday.
    • On home-game weekends, tour packages run the day before and after the game and often sell out. On game day the Atrium is open only to game-ticket holders, and the stadium lots are for season parking pass holders.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    280 mi, 5 h 25 min to 7. Mall of America

  7. Billed as the biggest mall in North America, Mall of America opened in 1992 on the old Metropolitan Stadium site in Bloomington. About 32 million people visit each year. Inside are a SEA LIFE aquarium and the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, which fits roller coasters into 7 acres.

    Best season
    Any time of year; it's open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
    • Parking is free in the 7-story ramps and surface lots. Use the East Ramp for SEA LIFE and the West Ramp for Nickelodeon Universe.
    • Hours: 10 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm Sunday.
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    237 mi, 5 h 22 min to 8. Field of Dreams Movie Site

  8. Universal Pictures built this diamond on Iowa farmland in 1988 for the film Field of Dreams, and it is still here among the cornfields. Walk the diamond and tour the Kinsella family farmhouse from the film.

    Best season
    Summer, when Ghost Players come out to play catch every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm. The field is open sunrise to sunset all year.
    • Book the 30-minute guided farmhouse tour ahead to get the time slot you want. Tours run daily in season.
    • The site sits just off U.S. Highway 20 and 25 miles west of Dubuque. For GPS, use 28995 Lansing Road, Dyersville. Park in the grass and gravel lot.
    • The site is cashless and has no ATM.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    215 mi, 4 h 44 min to 9. Willis Tower

  9. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) was once the tallest building in the world. The Skydeck on the 103rd floor is the highest observation deck in the U.S., and the view spans up to 4 states. On The Ledge you stand on 1.5 inches of glass 1,353 feet above the street.

    Best season
    Any time of year. Come early for shorter lines, or near sunset for the skyline and Lake Michigan.
    • Buy timed tickets online, since half-hour slots can sell out. Adults from $32, ages 3 to 11 from $22.
    • Enter on Jackson Boulevard. Parking at the 3 Willis Tower garages, all within a block, is $21 prebooked on iParkit (weekdays up to 6 hours, weekends up to 12) instead of $61.
    • Time to allow: 45 to 60 minutes.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    177 mi, 3 h 36 min to 10. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

  10. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built in 1909 and is the home of the Indianapolis 500. It is a National Historic Landmark, and its 257,325 permanent seats make it the world's highest-capacity sports venue. The museum sits inside the 2.5-mile oval.

    Best season
    Any time of year. Race days need an IMS event ticket; the next is the Indianapolis 8 Hour, October 9 to 11, 2026.
    • Museum: 9 am to 5 pm daily (10 to 4, November 2 to February 28). Adults $25, ages 6 to 16 $18.
    • The 30-minute Kiss the Bricks bus tour ($15 adults, plus museum admission) laps the oval and stops at the Yard of Bricks.
    • Enter at Gate 2 on 16th Street. Museum parking is free except on race days, when you park outside the gates and walk in.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    240 mi, 4 h 31 min to 11. Gateway Arch

  11. The Arch commemorates Jefferson's vision of a continental nation and St. Louis' role in westward expansion. A tram carries you 630 feet to the top, and the nearby Old Courthouse is where Dred and Harriet Scott sued for their freedom.

    Best season
    January and February bring no tram lines and surprisingly mild weather. Summer is high season, and it is hot and humid.
    • The museum and Old Courthouse are free. Tram tickets ($11 to $19) are sold at gatewayarch.com; in summer they sell out early, so book ahead.
    • The visitor center is open 9 am to 6 pm (8 pm summer Fridays and Saturdays); last tram an hour before closing. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
    • Time to allow: 45 to 60 minutes for the tram ride, plus airport-style security.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    292 mi, 5 h 58 min to 12. Mammoth Cave National Park

  12. Beneath rolling hills and deep river valleys lies the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles of passages. Guided tours have run here for over 200 years, and the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Best season
    Year-round underground, where it averages about 54°F. Above ground, summer highs run in the mid-80s°F.
    • No entrance fee, but entering the cave requires a tour ticket. Tickets sell out weeks ahead, so reserve on Recreation.gov.
    • Arrive at the visitor center about 30 minutes before your tour. The park is on Central Time.
    • Time to allow: cave tours run 1 to 6 hours depending on the route.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    204 mi, 3 h 58 min to 13. U.S. Space & Rocket Center

  13. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is NASA's official visitor center for Marshall Space Flight Center, and its collection holds more than 1,500 pieces of rocket and space hardware. Its Saturn V moon rocket is a National Historic Landmark. The rocket sits raised off the floor with its stages apart, so you can walk right under it.

    Best season
    Any time of year.
    • Tickets: adults 13+ $30; ages 5 to 12 and seniors 65+ $20. That covers the Saturn V Hall, Rocket Park, Shuttle Park and more.
    • Open 9 am to 5 pm through October 31, then 10 am to 4 pm from November 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027.
    • Take exit 15 off I-565. Parking is free, with room for RVs.
    3 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    135 mi, 2 h 48 min to 14. Elvis Presley Birthplace

  14. Elvis Presley was born here on January 8, 1935, in a 2-room house his father built with $180 he borrowed. The house still stands on its original spot in Tupelo, restored with period furniture. The church building where young Elvis first heard gospel was moved onto the 15-acre grounds, which also hold a museum and a statue of Elvis at 13.

    Best season
    Any time of year; the grounds are open 24 hours.
    • Open 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday and 1 to 4 pm Sunday. The ticket office closes at 3 pm.
    • Tickets are sold only at the Welcome Center desk, with little wait. Adults pay $25 for the house, museum and church together or $12 for any one; kids 7 and under are free.
    2 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    101 mi, 1 h 57 min to 15. Graceland

  15. Elvis Presley bought Graceland in the spring of 1957, at 22, and it was always his home base. Mansion tickets can add the Elvis Presley's Memphis complex and his custom jets. Elvis and his family are buried in the Meditation Garden.

    Best season
    Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Afternoons are less busy, especially after 2 pm.
    • Buy online to lock in a mansion tour time. The Elvis Experience (mansion, museums, jets) is $85 for adults, $49 for youth.
    • Parking at 3717 Elvis Presley Boulevard is $10 per car and $15 for RVs.
    • Free walk-up visits to the Meditation Garden run daily from 7:30 to 8:30 am.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    196 mi, 3 h 35 min to 16. Hot Springs National Park

  16. Ancient thermal springs and forested mountain trails sit in the middle of town, next to 9 historic bathhouses. The Fordyce was considered the most opulent of them, and in 1989 it reopened as the park visitor center.

    Best season
    Spring and fall, with average highs of about 63 to 86°F. Summers are very hot and humid, with July and August highs that can reach triple digits.
    • No entrance fee, and the self-guided tour of the Fordyce's 3 floors and basement is free.
    • The city garage at 128 Exchange Street is 1 block west of the visitor center. Limited RV parking is at Hill Wheatley Plaza (629 Central Ave.).
    • Time to allow: add 30 to 60 minutes for the Grand Promenade. A ramp behind the Fordyce leads to it.
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    311 mi, 5 h 53 min to 17. Oklahoma City National Memorial

  17. The memorial honors the 168 people killed in the 1995 bombing, those who survived and those changed forever. Where the Murrah Federal Building stood are now the Field of Empty Chairs and a Reflecting Pool, framed by twin Gates of Time marking 9:01 and 9:03. The Survivor Tree is an American elm that lived through the blast.

    Best season
    Any time; the outdoor memorial is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
    • Museum: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm; last tickets an hour before closing. Timed tickets are limited, so reserve online. Adults $18.
    • Parking in the Memorial garage (enter on Harvey Avenue just north of NW 6th) is free with museum admission.
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    253 mi, 5 h 13 min to 18. Boot Hill Museum

  18. Boot Hill Museum stands on the original Boot Hill Cemetery in Dodge City, which was known as the "Queen of the Cowtowns." Its Front Street replica and more than 60,000 objects tell of outlaws and lawmen like Wyatt Earp.

    Best season
    Memorial Day to mid-August, for daily gunfights and the Long Branch Variety Show. No seasonal stage show in the nation has run longer.
    • Deputy Pass (museum only, sold at the door): adults $20, ages 5 to 12 $14. The summer Marshal Pass ($50 adults) adds gunfights, dinner and the show.
    • Open daily 8 am to 8 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day; off season, Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 1 to 5 pm.
    • Park free out front by the train and depot, with room for RVs.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    450 mi, 8 h 31 min to 19. Rocky Mountain National Park

  19. Rocky climbs from montane meadows and subalpine forest to alpine tundra. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. and tops out at 12,183 feet.

    Best season
    Late May to mid-October, when Trail Ridge Road is open and crowds peak.
    • Timed entry ($2 on Recreation.gov) is required in 2026 from 9 am to 2 pm, May 22 to October 12, and 5 am to 6 pm through October 18 on Bear Lake Road. Otherwise, no reservation is needed.
    • Trail Ridge Road closes to through travel mid-October to late May.
    • Time to allow: 1.5 to 2 hours for the 48-mile Trail Ridge Road, one way.
    • Entrance: $30 per vehicle per day. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass).
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    203 mi, 4 h 19 min to 20. Chimney Rock National Historic Site

  20. Chimney Rock rises more than 300 feet above the plains and could be seen for miles by travelers on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express trails. It shows up in more emigrant diaries than any other landmark on the Oregon Trail.

    Best season
    Any time of year; the visitor center is open year-round.
    • The visitor center, with a museum and a film on the westward migration, sits 1.5 miles south of Highway 92 near Bayard.
    • Open daily 9 am to 4 pm. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for ages 5 to 18.
    • For a closer look, the Walk to the Rock trails (opened 2023) cover over 2 miles of wide gravel paths to the rock's base.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    196 mi, 3 h 59 min to 21. Mount Rushmore

  21. The carved faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln look out over the Black Hills. Together they tell the story of the nation's birth, growth, development and preservation.

    Best season
    Summer evenings, from late May to September, for the lighting program: a ranger talk and film that end with the sculpture lit up. The sculpture is lit nightly all year.
    • No entrance fee, but parking is $10 per car ($5 for seniors), good for a year. National park passes don't cover it.
    • Grounds and parking open at 5 am (6 am in winter). The visitor center opens 8 am and closes between 5 and 10 pm by season; buildings close on Christmas.
    • Pets are allowed only in and next to the parking garages.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    270 mi, 5 h 29 min to 22. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

  22. Theodore Roosevelt came here in 1883 to hunt bison, and the rugged badlands helped shape his conservation policy. Bison still roam the badlands.

    Best season
    Summer, with average highs in the 70s and 80s°F. Winter lows average in the single digits.
    • Open 24 hours, all year. The South Unit runs on Mountain Time and the North Unit on Central Time.
    • Short visit: the South Unit scenic drive starts in Medora and runs 24 miles out and back, with big views, wildlife and hikes. No reservation needed.
    • Entrance is $30 per vehicle.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    508 mi, 9 h 29 min to 23. Yellowstone National Park

  23. Yellowstone became the first national park on March 1, 1872, to protect its hydrothermal wonders. From the West Entrance, the road runs past Madison to Old Faithful, one of nearly 500 geysers here.

    Best season
    June through September is busiest, with most services open. May and October are moderately busy.
    • No vehicle reservations are needed.
    • The West Entrance road to Madison and Old Faithful is open to cars April 17 to October 31, 2026. In winter only guided snowmobiles and snowcoaches go in; just the North to Northeast Entrance road stays open to cars.
    • Time to allow: Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes; plan 30 to 90 minutes there.
    • Entrance: $35 per vehicle. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass).
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    225 mi, 4 h 43 min to 24. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

  24. Craters of the Moon holds the largest young lava field in the lower 48 states. It is a sea of lava flows dotted with cinder cones and sagebrush. The 7-mile Loop Road leads to its trails and caves, and the park is an International Dark Sky Park.

    Best season
    Late May through October, when the caves are usually open. Wildflowers peak in mid- to late June; fall is cooler, without the summer crowds.
    • Entrance: $20 per vehicle, good for 7 days. The Loop Road usually opens mid-April and closes by mid-November.
    • Get your free cave permit in person at the visitor center, and fill up on water there; it's the only drinking water in the park.
    • Time to allow: 60 to 90 minutes for the 1.6-mile Caves Trail.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    502 mi, 9 h 16 min to 25. Glacier National Park

  25. The park has melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, lakes and over 700 miles of trails. The historic Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses about 50 miles of mountains, topping out at 6,466-foot Logan Pass.

    Best season
    Summer. Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open roughly late June to the third Monday of October.
    • No vehicle reservations in 2026. Logan Pass instead had 3-hour parking (July 1 to September 7) and a $1 ticketed shuttle.
    • The road near the West Entrance is open all year. Vehicles over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are barred between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun.
    • Time to allow: 3 to 8 hours to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road.
    • Entrance: $35 per vehicle. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass).
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    561 mi, 11 h to 26. Space Needle

  26. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, whose theme was "The Age of Space," the 605-foot Space Needle opened on April 21, 1962. Its saucer-shaped top house at 520 feet has indoor and outdoor views of downtown, Mount Rainier and Puget Sound. Up there, The Loupe is the world's first rotating glass floor.

    Best season
    Open year-round, day and night.
    • Buy a timed ticket online: general admission is $35 to $55, or $74 combined with Chihuly Garden and Glass next door.
    • Parking at the Needle is limited, so use Seattle Center's parking a short walk away.
    • Timing: about 30 minutes from the entrance to the top. Once up, stay until closing.
    3 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    422 mi, 9 h to 27. Crater Lake

  27. About 7,700 years ago a violent eruption collapsed a tall peak, and rain and snow filled the basin. The result is the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. It is famously blue.

    Best season
    July to mid-September, when all roads are open. It is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the USA.
    • No reservations needed; open 24 hours, all year.
    • Rim Drive closes November 1 or at the first big snow, reopening by about mid-July. Highway 62 is plowed all year.
    • Time to allow: about 2 hours to circle the lake on 33-mile Rim Drive with stops.
    • Entrance is $30 per vehicle in summer, $20 in winter.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    421 mi, 8 h 20 min to 28. Golden Gate Bridge

  28. The bridge opened in May 1937 with a Pedestrian Day that drew an estimated 200,000 walkers. Its International Orange color was chosen because it blends with the hills and stands out against the ocean and sky. The Welcome Center at the south end tells the bridge's story.

    Best season
    Any time of year; the Welcome Center is open daily, 9 am to 6 pm.
    • Parking at the south-end visitor areas is extremely limited, and the bridge lots are closed on weekends and holidays through October 12, 2026.
    • Walkers use the east sidewalk, facing San Francisco. Free history walks run Wednesdays and Saturdays.
    • Tolls are electronic only and charged southbound, into San Francisco.
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    567 mi, 10 h 38 min to 29. Las Vegas Strip

  29. The Strip runs from The STRAT in the north to Mandalay Bay in the south. The Fountains of Bellagio are free and shoot water up to 460 feet, and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has stood at the southern tip since 1959.

    Best season
    Fall, when temperatures drop and festivals pick up. Summers bring triple-digit heat.
    • The Welcome sign has its own parking, so stop there on the way in.
    • Walk short hops. For longer ones, take the Monorail (7 stations, from $6) or the Deuce bus, which runs 24/7 and stops at nearly every resort.
    • Bellagio fountain shows run every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 minutes from 8 pm to midnight (1 am on Fridays and Saturdays).
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    165 mi, 3 h 14 min to 30. Zion National Park

  30. Cream, pink and red sandstone cliffs rise above Zion Canyon, where people have walked for thousands of years. The Watchman towers over the visitor center.

    Best season
    Fall brings cooler hiking and thinner crowds, with color in the canyon by late October. Summer regularly tops 100°F, with flash floods possible July to September.
    • No entry reservation is needed, but Angels Landing requires a hiking permit.
    • In shuttle season (2026: March 7 to November 28, and December 26 to January 2), cars can't drive Zion Canyon Scenic Drive; take the free shuttle. Summer parking often fills by 9 am.
    • Time to allow: about 1.5 hours for a shuttle round trip, more with hikes.
    • Entrance: $35 per vehicle. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass).
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    250 mi, 5 h 38 min to 31. Grand Canyon

  31. A mile deep and running 278 miles along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon is one of the world's great examples of erosion. Mather Point sits by the main visitor center and makes a classic first view.

    Best season
    Open all year. Spring break and summer and fall weekends bring entrance lines of up to 2 hours from 10 am to 4 pm.
    • No reservation or timed entry needed. Book lodging and camping well ahead.
    • Hermit Road is closed to private cars March 1 to November 30, 2026 (free shuttles run).
    • Short visit: walk the mostly level Rim Trail from Mather Point, or see the 24-minute park film.
    • Entrance: $35 per vehicle. Non-US residents 16+ add $100 each (waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass).
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    612 mi, 11 h 20 min to 32. White Sands National Park

  32. Wave-like dunes of white gypsum cover 275 square miles of the Tularosa Basin. They form the world's largest gypsum dunefield. Sunset is one of the most popular times to visit.

    Best season
    September through November brings sunny days around 80°F with light winds. Spring winds reach 50 mph, and summer days can hit 110°F.
    • Missile tests close Dunes Drive for up to 3 hours at a time. The park lists upcoming test closures on its website, and the visitor center stays open.
    • Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
    • Short visit: Dunes Drive is the only road into the dunes. It's 16 miles round trip, half paved and half packed gypsum.
    • Entrance is $25 per vehicle.
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    643 mi, 10 h 42 min to 33. The Alamo

  33. The Alamo Church began as a Spanish mission church and became the heart of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. The final attack began at dawn on March 6, 1836, on the 13th day of the siege. Within about 90 minutes every defender was dead.

    Best season
    Any time of year. Most of the site is outdoors, and summer gets very hot.
    • Church entry is free, but reserve a free ticket online or at the Alamo Welcome Center. Guided and audio tours cost extra.
    • Open daily 9 am to 5:30 pm except December 25.
    • The Alamo has no parking of its own. Use a downtown public lot; SP+ Parking and ParkWhiz take advance bookings.
    • Time to allow: 30 minutes to an hour for the church and grounds.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    543 mi, 10 h 1 min to 34. French Quarter

  34. French colonists founded the French Quarter in 1718. It is New Orleans' oldest neighborhood and a National Historic Landmark. Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral and Café du Monde anchor its roughly 85 blocks between Canal Street, Esplanade Avenue, Rampart Street and the Mississippi.

    Best season
    Spring is festival season, with temperatures from the low 50s to the upper 70s.
    • Park in a commercial lot in the Quarter or the CBD. There's room even during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, and SpotHero and Premium Parking take reservations.
    • Explore on foot. You can cross the whole Quarter in about 20 minutes, and Jackson Square to the French Market is a 5-minute walk.
    • Bring cash for the open-air French Market, where many vendors are cash-only.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    648 mi, 11 h 55 min to 35. Walt Disney World Resort

  35. Opened on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World covers about 27,000 acres with 4 theme parks and 2 water parks. It was the most visited vacation resort in the world in 2024, and Magic Kingdom has been the world's most visited theme park for at least 24 years.

    Best season
    Any time of year.
    • Theme park parking: $35 a day for standard, $50 to $60 for preferred lots near the entrances. Disney Resort hotel guests get standard parking included.
    2 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    300 mi, 5 h 45 min to 36. Savannah Historic District

  36. Savannah's Historic District is one of the largest urban historic districts in the U.S. It keeps the plan James Oglethorpe laid out in 1733: a grid of wards, each built around a square. The 22 squares lead south to 30-acre Forsyth Park and its 1858 fountain.

    Best season
    Any time of year.
    • Street meters cost up to $2.50 an hour, Monday to Saturday 8 am to 8 pm north of Liberty Street. Pay with the Park Savannah app.
    • A Visitor Day Pass covers on-street parking: $15 for 24 hours or $24 for 48. Buy it at the Bryan Street Parking Garage, 100 East Bryan Street.
    • Or park in a city garage and ride the free DOT shuttle, which stops near each one every 10 minutes.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    107 mi, 2 h 21 min to 37. Fort Sumter

  37. Confederate forces fired the first shots of the Civil War here at 4:30 a.m. on April 12, 1861. The fort sits in the middle of Charleston Harbor, and the Fort Sumter Tours ferry is the only way in. You get about an hour to explore on your own.

    Best season
    Any time of year. Tours run daily except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
    • Buy Fort Sumter Tours tickets before the day you go. The fort charges no entrance fee.
    • Drivers: Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant (40 Patriots Point Rd) has parking on site and suits RVs. From Liberty Square downtown, use the city garage at 24 Calhoun Street (7-foot height limit).
    • Time to allow: 2 1/4 hours for the round trip, with about 1 hour on the fort.
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    265 mi, 5 h 18 min to 38. Biltmore Estate

  38. George and Edith Vanderbilt's Asheville mansion bills itself as America's Largest Home. The self-guided house visit covers 3 floors and the basement, and the 8,000-acre estate adds gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and more than 20 miles of trails.

    Best season
    Any season: Olmsted designed the estate to offer four seasons of beauty.
    • Every Biltmore House visitor needs a reserved entry time, chosen when you buy your ticket. Buying online saves $10 per ticket.
    • House and grounds tickets start at $90 in fall 2026; ages 9 and under are free.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    268 mi, 5 h 30 min to 39. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

  39. The New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. It runs north as rugged whitewater through deep canyons. From Canyon Rim Visitor Center, short walks lead to overlooks of the gorge and the New River Gorge Bridge.

    Best season
    Memorial Day through October, when the seasonal visitor centers open. July is the warmest and wettest month.
    • No entrance fee. Most campsites are first come, first served.
    • Canyon Rim Visitor Center is open daily 9 am to 5 pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
    • Time to allow: up to 30 minutes for the overlooks, or 45 minutes to drive Fayette Station Road. The 8-mile one-way road dips under the bridge and climbs the far side of the gorge. No large vehicles or trailers.
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    310 mi, 5 h 57 min to 40. Colonial Williamsburg

  40. In the 18th century Williamsburg was the capital of the Colony of Virginia. Its 301-acre Historic Area has several hundred restored or rebuilt buildings, plus working tradespeople and historic taverns. Duke of Gloucester Street is closed to cars during the day.

    Best season
    Open 365 days a year. June, July and August are among Virginia's hottest months.
    • Admission gets you into the buildings and trade shops, including guided tours of the Capitol and Governor's Palace. Ticket holders ride the bus free. Buy online or at the Visitor Center.
    • Park at the Visitor Center (101 Visitor Center Drive) for $10 a day; admission doesn't cover it. Buses to the Historic Area leave every 15 minutes.
    • Timing: most trades and sites are open 10 am to 5 pm.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    152 mi, 2 h 55 min to 41. White House

  41. The president's home is owned by the American people and cared for by the National Park Service, which also maintains Lafayette Park. Without a tour booking, the free White House Visitor Center offers a window into the house, with over 90 artifacts.

    Best season
    Any time of year.
    • Interior tours: U.S. citizens request them through a Member of Congress (international visitors, through their embassy) at least 3 weeks ahead. Self-guided tours run Tuesday through Saturday.
    • The visitor center is at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, with airport-style security.
    3 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    40 mi, 1 h 6 min to 42. Fort McHenry

  42. The fort's defense during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13 and 14, 1814, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the national anthem. Its story runs on through the Civil War and World War II.

    Best season
    Any time of year; the park closes only on Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
    • Parking is free. The fort is 3 miles southeast of the Inner Harbor: take I-95 Exit 55 and follow the brown Fort McHenry signs.
    • The grounds, visitor center and film are free. Entry to the star fort's Historic Zone costs $15 per adult 16 and up, by card only. Buy passes ahead to skip the line.
    • Time to allow: about an hour for the fort, 2 hours for a full visit.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    111 mi, 2 h 53 min to 43. Rehoboth Beach

  43. Rehoboth Beach has long been the getaway for beachgoers from Washington, D.C., which earned it the nickname "Nation's Summer Capital." The boardwalk was first built in 1873 and now runs a full mile. Funland opened in 1939.

    Best season
    Summer, when lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend to 3 weeks after Labor Day. From mid-September to mid-May, parking is free and leashed dogs can join you on the beach.
    • May 15 to September 15, all public parking is paid. Meters cost $4 an hour, 10 am to 10 pm, by card, quarters or the ParkMobile app.
    • To skip the hunt for a space, park at the Rehoboth Park and Ride (20055 Shuttle Road) and take the DART Beach Bus to the bandstand.
    6 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    123 mi, 2 h 40 min to 44. Independence National Historical Park

  44. Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Nearby, the Liberty Bell is on free view in the Liberty Bell Center, and most park sites cost nothing.

    Best season
    Any time of year.
    • Independence Hall tours need a $1 ticket from Recreation.gov, bookable up to 30 days ahead; more go on sale at 5 pm the day before. Early each day there is a no-ticket open house.
    • The Liberty Bell needs no ticket. Both sites screen you and your bags.
    • Park in the AutoPark at Independence Mall (41 N. 6th Street, fee). It sits directly below the Independence Visitor Center, where the park suggests you start.
    • Time to allow: a half day for the main sights (visitor center, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell).
    8 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    60 mi, 1 h 17 min to 45. Atlantic City Boardwalk

  45. Atlantic City's boardwalk debuted in 1870 to keep sand out of beachfront hotels, and it was the world's first. It runs 4 miles along the ocean and another mile and a half into Ventnor City. Casino resorts, arcades and Steel Pier line the way; the pier first opened in 1898.

    Best season
    Summer: July highs average 85°F and the beach is free. Kennedy Plaza hosts free summer concerts, and the boardwalk itself is open around the clock.
    • Park in a casino resort garage (many offer self-parking) or a surface lot; Park Place runs several.
    • Walk it, or rent a bike at North Beach Mini Golf & Bike Rentals.
    • For the trip back, Jitney shuttles link the Boardwalk with the casinos and hotels.
    5 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    121 mi, 2 h 34 min to 46. Statue of Liberty

  46. Proposed as a French gift for the U.S. centennial, the statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886, and rises 305 feet from ground to torch. A single ferry ticket covers Liberty and Ellis Islands.

    Best season
    Any time of year. Security lines run an hour or more in summer, on weekends and on holidays.
    • Statue City Cruises runs the only authorized ferry. Pedestal and crown tickets sell out months ahead, so reserve early; the crown is 162 stairs with no elevator.
    • Drivers: park at Liberty State Park (1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City) for a fee. It's easier than Manhattan's Battery, which has no designated parking.
    • Timing: take an early ferry to see both islands. From a 2 pm ticket on, pick one.
    • No entrance fee; the ferry is $26 for adults.
    7 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    139 mi, 3 h 15 min to 47. Mystic Seaport Museum

  47. Mystic Seaport Museum covers 19 acres on the Mystic River, with a re-created New England coastal village and a working shipyard. Its more than 650 historic boats include the 1841 Charles W. Morgan. The Morgan is the last wooden whaleship in the world, and you can walk its deck.

    Best season
    Late March to early November, when the whole museum is open daily.
    • Admission: $35 adults, $25 ages 4 to 17. Tickets bought in the last hour of the day are half price.
    • Open daily 10 am to 5 pm through November 1, 2026; then Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, through November 30.
    • Take I-95 exit 90, then Route 27 south for a mile. Parking is free in the lots across the street from each entrance.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    51 mi, 1 h 13 min to 48. The Breakers

  48. Built between 1893 and 1895 as Cornelius Vanderbilt II's summer residence, The Breakers is one of Newport's Gilded Age "summer cottages": a 70-room Renaissance Revival mansion by Richard Morris Hunt on cliffs above the Atlantic. It is a National Historic Landmark.

    Best season
    Any time of year; it is run as a house museum open all year.
    • A Breakers-only ticket is $32 for adults and $14 for ages 6 to 12; under 6 free.
    3 sources, checked 2026-09-26
    73 mi, 1 h 45 min to 49. Freedom Trail

  49. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red line set into Boston's sidewalks. It links 16 historic sites across downtown and Charlestown, where museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds and a ship tell the story of the American Revolution. The city dedicated it in 1951.

    Best season
    Any time of year. Guided tours run year-round in rain, snow or shine.
    • Park in the Boston Common Garage at 0 Charles Street to start at Boston Common. Parking isn't validated.
    • The trail runs one way and doesn't loop back. T stops sit along the route, and a 10-minute ferry links the Charlestown Navy Yard back to Long Wharf.
    • Walking the trail is free; some sites charge admission. Wear good shoes for the hills, cobblestones and brick sidewalks.
    4 sources, checked 2026-09-27
    261 mi, 5 h 38 min to 1. Acadia National Park

The proof

There are far too many possible orders to try one by one. Instead, the solver works out the least driving time any route could possibly need, then searches until it finds a route that matches it. Once it does, no faster order can exist. An independent solver then does the whole job again and has to reach the same answer.

Drive times assume no traffic and don't count time spent at each stop. How it works.

Proven optimalNo loop through these 49 stops takes less driving time.
Total driving
273 h 57 min
Checked
By 2 separate methods that reach the same answer

Take it with you

GPX works in most navigation and hiking apps (OsmAnd, Organic Maps, Gaia). KML opens in Google Earth. Each stop in the files sits where a car can pull in.

Google Maps and Apple Maps only take so many stops per link, so the trip comes in parts of about 10 stops, each one starting where the last one ends.

GPX 1.3 MB KML 669 KB GeoJSON 647 KB
  1. Stops 1 to 11 Acadia to Gateway ArchGoogle MapsApple Maps
  2. Stops 11 to 21 Gateway Arch to Mount RushmoreGoogle MapsApple Maps
  3. Stops 21 to 31 Mount Rushmore to Grand CanyonGoogle MapsApple Maps
  4. Stops 31 to 41 Grand Canyon to White HouseGoogle MapsApple Maps
  5. Stops 41 to 49 and back to 1 White House to AcadiaGoogle MapsApple Maps

Route files carry the OpenStreetMap attribution and ODbL notice. Built 2026-09-27.