Top East Coast USA Road Trip Destinations

The east coast of the USA was made for driving. From Maine to Florida, you'll experience big cities, small towns, National Parks, beautiful beaches, and some of America's best known historical sites. It's one of the most popular road trip routes in the USA, and it's easy to navigate. Here are some of the highlights that you'll experience on an east coast road trip:

Acadia National Park
This stunning Maine coastal National Park is located on Mount Desert Island, in northern Maine. It is one of the few east coast destinations that has mountains on the water. From here, you can witness what most consider the first sunrise of the east coast, Cadillac Mountain. Pristine ponds and winding backroads take you to luscious Maine forests and rugged coastline that stretches for miles. This should be a must-see on your trip to Maine.

Boston
The hub of New England, Boston isn't just a town full of sports rivalries and old statues. It's a great place to eat, walk around, and enjoy history. Even if history isn't your thing, you'll be able to soak up amazing food in the North End, experience great shopping on Newbury Street, or take a scenic harbor lighthouse tour to some of the most breathtaking lighthouses in America. There are also a lot of beautiful hotels in Boston to choose from (you should really stay at a nice place in this city - it's worth it).

New York City Times Square Cabs - Print from AllPosters

New York
It's difficult to get "in and out" of New York City, and it can be a maddening experience for those that haven't driven amongst the local New Yorkers before, so be sure that you're up for an adventure before you plan out this trip! If you're up for a challenge, New York has some the best food and some of the most famous views and attractions in the world. Since most bypass New York on a road trip in favor of more car friendly destinations, we're going to pass on to the next city (though you should really visit sometime!).

Baltimore
Some have described similarities between Boston and Baltimore before, and they wouldn't be entirely incorrect. Both cities share a deep history with roots from Colonial times, both share historical memories from famous leaders, and they both have some of the most intact cobblestone streets from the "old days". This city is only 26 miles from Washington DC, but boasts its own set of attractions you shouldn't miss out on like the National Aquarium and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Washington DC
Our nation's capitol is a city that's all about being free. No, not freedom and liberty, we're talking about free admissions! It's incredible how many amazing museums and national treasures are absolutely free to see, and can't beat anything else in the USA. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument to the Smithsonian, it's all free, and all unbelievably cool.

Florida
There's so much to do and see in Florida, it's hard to sum it up in one paragraph, but here goes nothing... the sunshine state has more beaches than anywhere else in the USA. It's also the warmest state in the United States, and can brag about it's world class cities like Tampa and Miami, but also it's tropical destinations like Key West and Naples. The driving aspect of Florida is really a treat. Try taking scenic Route 1 along the coast to catch a closer glimpse in towns like Daytona Beach, the Florida Keys, and Fort Lauderdale.

The east coast has many more great destinations in South Carolina like Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Georgia, and the Outer Banks. For these small towns and regions, you'll have to leave the major highway and hit the all American backroads. Ready for the journey?
Plan Your East Coast Road Trip Here

Cape Cod Road Trip: From Bourne to Provincetown

Cape Cod was practically made for road trips. The mere mention of Cape Cod to some travellers is synonymous with road trip. Sure, there’s beaches, hikes, and bike paths that are only accessible via foot or bike, but the drive to Cape Cod and through Cape Cod is especially memorable. Just drive on by the sand dunes between Truro in Provincetown, the backroads that lead to Nauset Lighthouse in Eastham, or take the “mother road” of all routes on Cape Cod, Old King’s Highway, and you’ll know exactly why Cape Cod is prime road trip territory.

Planning a Cape Cod road trip is just like any other road trip, except for a couple of things. First, you have to keep in mind that many Cape Cod beaches are private. The ones that aren’t private are going to charge you a fee to use the beach, which can really add up over a week’s stay. That means you’ll need cash (credit isn’t accepted at most of them). Next, the speed limit all over Cape Cod is low, even on the main route, Route 6. There are also cops all over Cape Cod’s backroads and on Route 6 clocking people, so watch your speed. Tickets can be very expensive, and speeding, cocky tourists are just what Cape Cod police are on the lookout for! Lastly, know that things close early on Cape Cod. Plan to eat at normal times, this isn’t New York City. Many of the restaurants on Cape Cod are also fairly expensive, even for “regular” American food like hot dogs and hamburgers. Keep this in mind, and maybe pack a cooler and visit a grocery store to save some cash. Also, don't forget about the road trip essentials to keep you entertained and happy.

Some must-see places on your Cape Cod road trip:

The Cape Cod Canal

Some people whizz right by one of Cape Cod’s best scenic destinations. It's located in the town of Bourne, and is the unofficial gateway to the Cape. Yeah, sure, it’s man-made, but it also has 7 miles of bike paths on each side of the canal, and has a lot of interesting boat traffic that comes and goes on the canal. The Cape Cod Canal is located right on Route 6, you can’t miss it if you’re headed to the Cape. The best parking areas are by the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge and the Bourne Scenic Park area, which is in between the Sagamore and Bourne bridges.

Old King’s Highway

This departs from Route 6 as Route 6A, travelling through the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, and Orleans. Along the route, you’ll find art galleries, antique shops, craft stores, town centers, furniture stores, old Cape Cod homes, and tucked away views of Cape Cod Bay. Venture off the main road to find some real coastal beauty at Yarmouth Port and along the shores of Brewster.

Route 28

This isn’t the most scenic road on Cape Cod, but at certain points, it does lead to some real stunning Cape Cod beauty on the Nantucket Sound. Between Hyannis and Chatham, you’ll find miles of public and private beaches. Bust out the map and travel up and down the backroads along the southern shore of Cape Cod to find hidden beaches and seaside views of marshes, wildlife, and beautiful shoreside homes. Route 28 itself, however, can be very congested in the summer, so keep this in mind for when you’re planning your trip. Weekdays are often far less congested than weekends.

Route 6, Between Orleans and Provincetown

While Route 6 is the furthest inland you can get on most of Cape Cod, it gets quite beautiful once you hit the Orleans Rotary. After that point, you’ll reach the towns of Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown, or the Outer Cape region. This is where the Cape gets really interesting. The east facing beaches of these towns have the most rugged surf on Cape Cod, while on the west side, the beaches are a lot calmer. These Cape Cod Bay, or west facing beaches, are perfect for a relaxing day with kids and family. For surfers, people looking for beaches without kids, and beautiful sunrises, then the Atlantic Ocean facing beaches are more suited for you. The beaches in these towns are all located off of Route 6, and no more than two miles from it. Some of the most popular ones are Marconi Beach, Rock Harbor, and Nauset Light Beach.

The Backroads of Provincetown

There aren’t that many roads in Provincetown, but the few that do run through town are especially impressive. A drive down Race Point Beach Road seems like you’re on an island far away from Massachusetts. The road offers views of Race Point Light, which can be seen in the distance at points. If you’re feeling really adventurous, walk out the two miles to the light from the side of the road. At the end of Race Point Beach Road, is… you guessed it, Race Point Beach. This beach is one of the best on Cape Cod, and has outstanding views. The sand on the beach is also pure white, and there’s plenty of boat traffic nearby to gaze out upon.

Here’s some recommended reading before and after your next Cape Cod trip:
* Things to do on Cape Cod
* Towns of Cape Cod
* Top Ten Places to See on Cape Cod

If you're travelling from the west coast, you might find this guide useful:
* Boston to California Road Trip