See the best of America with this California to New York City road trip, stopping at the three most populated cities in the country and traversing the continent from coast to coast.
If you are hoping to experience everything that the US has to offer, you can’t get much better than a cross-country California to New York City road trip. You can’t tell the story of America without including Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and the other destinations you will see on this ultimate coast-to-coast adventure. Be sure to rest up, because you won’t want to even blink during the next three to four weeks of traveling.
Stops
1. Los Angeles
2. Las Vegas, NV
3. Denver, CO
4. Chicago
5. Philadelphia, PA
6. New York City
Info at a glance
- A 3-4 week trip
- Type of route: City
- 6 stops along the route
- 2,885 miles of driving
Highlights
- See Hollywood like a star in Los Angeles, California.
- Hit the slopes and trails near Denver, Colorado.
- Dive into deep dish pizza in Chicago, Illinois.
- Walk the steps of history in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Visit the Empire State Building in New York City.
Getting to the start
When you think of California, you most likely think of Los Angeles. There is no better spot to kick off your cross-country road trip than in LA. With a seemingly endless supply of freeways flowing into Los Angeles like blood vessels to a heart, you can choose from major roads like Interstate 5, I-405, I-605, I-110, I-10 and I-210 to access the city. If you are traveling by train, you will arrive at Los Angeles Union Station in the heart of downtown. For those arriving by plane, you can fly into Los Angeles International Airport, best known as LAX.
When to Visit
Considering you will be traveling across the entire country and through multiple climate zones, the timing of your travel can dramatically affect your experience. If you want to avoid any challenging weather conditions, the best time for this road trip is mid-spring (April to May) or fall (late September to early November). This will help you avoid any scorching summer heat in California or humidity on the East Coast, but also skip any snowstorms through the Midwest and New York City. Pack plenty of layers, including a swimsuit, so you can say that you took a swim in both the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean on just one road trip.
Driving tips
This road trip involves several tolls for bridges and turnpikes (toll roads). There are varying speed limits depending on your location, from 55-65 miles per hour in urban zones to 70-80 mph in rural zones. It will also involve a wide variety of driving conditions, including crowded freeways in the cities, open roads on the flat plains, and steep slopes in the Rocky Mountains.
What to know about the route
Begin your cross-country journey in the city known for Hollywood movie stars and glistening beaches—Los Angeles. Make your way east to Las Vegas on Interstate 15, where you can hit the slots or hit the streets and experience the best of entertainment. Next, continue on I-15 to I-70 until you reach Denver, Colorado. Once you get your fill of outdoorsy city life, use I-76 to connect with I-80 and hold on tight—you will be riding this all the way to Illinois where you will use I-88 to reach Chicago. Continue heading toward the East Coast on I-90, I-80 and I-76 until you reach the City of Brotherly Love—Philadelphia. The final stretch of your road trip is a short one—just ride I-95 for a couple of hours until you reach the Big Apple and enjoy the bustle of New York City. In order to tackle every leg of the drive, we recommend an all-wheel-drive SUV. This will also give you more cargo and passenger space, which is a plus for cross-country journeys.
Los Angeles
The bright lights of Hollywood and the pristine beaches of the Pacific coastline have been attracting visitors from around the world for generations. While Los Angeles has towering skyscrapers and a booming economy; it also has the distinct laid-back surfer vibes of a coastal city that you can’t find anywhere else.
Points of interest
Everyone from celebrities to sports stars wants to be in LA, and you could easily bump into someone famous with a stroll down Rodeo Drive or Hollywood Boulevard in Downtown Los Angeles. Even better, catch a Lakers game at the Staples Center to see Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook dominate the court while celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Vanessa Hudgens dominate the sidelines.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
You can’t go wrong with the restaurants in Los Angeles, whether you want a classic cheeseburger from In-N-Out Burger to enjoy on a beach along the Malibu Coast or to dig into chicken and waffles from the original Roscoe’s in Hollywood. For dessert, enjoy a fresh strawberry donut from The Donut Man; you’re on vacation, so don’t feel bad if you order two.
Sixt Insider Tip
While the bright lights of skyscrapers and billboards may light up the night, spend your sunsets with the Pacific Ocean on Santa Monica Pier and watch the sun dip down beneath the waters from the top of the Ferris wheel. Before you watch the day come to a close, be sure to play some of the old-school games or go for a walk along the pier.
From LA to Las Vegas (275 miles)
If you are looking for a way to stretch your legs in the middle of the drive, stop by Mount San Antonio on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. This mountain has the highest peak in the county, with exceptional 360-degree views and a perfect hiking opportunity.
Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…but you can still bring the memories you make in the City of Lights along as you continue your journey. From the casinos and resorts of the Strip to the neon lights of Fremont Street, you can choose exactly what kind of Las Vegas you want to experience. Even if you aren’t interested in gambling, the entertainment options are unparalleled and include shows with famous musicians, magicians and everything in between.
Points of interest
Las Vegas truly comes alive at night, and you can watch it happen from the top of the High Roller at sunset. Afterward, visit the LINQ Promenade and gaze up at the night sky before realizing that you are actually looking up at a massive digital canopy of screens that put on dazzling displays throughout the night.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Nothing beats a classic Las Vegas buffet, and you can find them throughout the city and the resorts of the Strip. Fill up with an all-you-can-eat buffet or enjoy some elevated dining at a five-star restaurant—that’s the greatness of Las Vegas. If you are looking to keep your party going throughout the day, sip a drink and take a dip in the pool at whichever resort you prefer, whether it’s the Bellagio, the Mirage, or the MGM Grand.
Sixt Insider Tip
Close out your time in Vegas like Ocean’s Eleven, gazing upon the Bellagio Fountains and reflecting on the wild time you’ve had in Sin City. The fountains are free to watch and the perfect way to grab one more group photo if you are traveling with family or friends.
From Las Vegas to Denver (750 miles)
Visit the Hoover Dam on your way out of town, and marvel at this engineering feat that has formed the entire Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As you drive east, stop at a lookout and take in the majesty of the Grand Canyon. You have plenty of spots to choose from as this natural wonder stretches for 277 miles.
Denver, CO
The nickname “Mile High City” isn’t just a nickname, but a fact. Denver is a blend of big-city living with outdoor opportunities, lying just a few minutes from adventures like hiking, mountain biking or skiing. It also has a growing culinary scene and a wide variety of craft beer breweries, so you can fill up on great food and drink before continuing your cross-country adventure.
Points of interest
Spend your first night in Denver in the quaint Larimer Square neighborhood, where you can enjoy a meal in what is widely regarded as the heart and soul of Denver. Kick off your next morning with a jog through the 165 acres of Washington Park, then kick up your feet as you catch a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This venue was naturally formed into the landscape by red rocks, with some geologic acoustics that have echoed music from the Beatles, John Denver (of course) and Tom Petty.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Denver has quickly risen to fame as the unofficial capital of craft beer in the West, and even hosts the Great American Beer Festival each year in the fall. If you aren’t interested in drinking, sit down for Rocky Mountain Oysters or Bison Steak—two dishes that are truly linked with Colorado and the mountains.
Sixt Insider Tip
Are you looking to get a unique photo in the Mile High City? How about a photo where you are exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level? Easy—just make your way to the Capitol Building and climb to the 13th step. This is exactly one mile in elevation.
From Denver to Chicago (1,000 miles)
You will be passing through several iconic Midwest cities along this stretch, including Omaha, Des Moines and Iowa City. Stretch your legs with a walk across the 3,000-foot Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha, catch an Iowa Cubs (a minor league affiliate of the big-league team in Chicago) game in Des Moines and relax along the Coralville Reservoir in Iowa City.
Chicago
With 25 beaches, 26 miles of lakefront, 600 parks and nearly 9,000 acres of green space, Chicago offers the perfect blend of an outdoor escape with the bustle of nearly 3 million residents. If you need a break from the car, take advantage of the extensive public transit system, including the L Train, which runs along “The Loop” through downtown on elevated tracks.
Points of interest
Every city is known for one thing in particular. For Chicago, that one thing is spectacular architecture. You could spend the entire visit walking with your head in the clouds, gazing up at the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), Rookery Building, Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Marina City and 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center). If you want to avoid bumping into people as you walk around, take an architecture boat tour on the Chicago River.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
As a city, Chicago is known for its architecture. As a culinary center, it is known for deep-dish pizza. Save up your appetite for these massive pies, where the sauce lies above the cheese. If you have room for dessert, make your way to Formento’s for a slice of their famous chocolate cake.
Sixt Insider Tip
Twice a year, the sun aligns with the buildings on Michigan Avenue to create a unique phenomenon that is affectionately referred to as Chicago-henge. The sun follows the path of the street and drops down perfectly between the buildings before falling below the horizon. With a slice of deep dish in one hand and a chocolate cake shake from Portillo’s, you couldn’t ask for a better way to close out a night in the Windy City.
From Chicago to Philadelphia (760 miles)
Stop in Pittsburgh during your drive through Pennsylvania, where you can take a ride on the Duquesne Incline—a trolley that provides service up Mount Washington for scenic views of the confluence between the Allegheny River and Monongahela River. As you pass through, try to count how many bridges you see. Here’s a hint—there are more bridges in Pittsburgh per mile than any other city in America.
Philadelphia, PA
Also known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is brimming with history. With such a major role in the early development of the United States and the American Revolutionary War, this city has buildings and historic monuments that date to colonial times. You could be walking along a typical street and pass a cemetery that has graves from the 1700s or walk into a Walgreens before realizing it was built in the early 19th century. There is, quite literally, history on every corner.
Points of interest
With so many historical points to visit, it would be hard to list them all at once. Some of the most prominent sights include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and Carpenter’s Hall—where the Continental Congress met to discuss the impending struggle for independence. If you are looking for some inspiration to get in that morning exercise, make your way to the Philadelphia Art Museum and run up the iconic “Rocky Steps”. Don’t forget to raise your fists in victory when you reach the top!
Where to eat, drink and sleep
When a dish is named after a single city, you know that must be the place to try it, and Philly cheesesteaks are no exception. Make your way to Jim’s Steaks on 62nd Street and enjoy a classic from the place that’s been making them since 1939. When it’s your turn to order, just say “steak, with Whiz” and step back. You can thank us later when you bite into a classic cheesesteak sandwich with melted American cheese.
Sixt Insider Tip
No matter how full you might feel, find room in your stomach for another Philadelphia classic—water ice. This is far more than just shaved ice—it’s densely flavored ice that puts your childhood snow cone to shame. Grab a cup at John’s Water Ice on Christian Street and stroll through Little Italy, which also has the oldest Italian restaurant in America, Ralph’s Italian Restaurant.
From Philadelphia to NYC (100 miles)
Make a quick stop in New Jersey before crossing the Upper Bay into the heart of Manhattan. Spend some time on the waterfront of Jersey City to see the New York City skyline from a unique perspective and enjoy some saltwater taffy before crossing the river to your final stop.
New York City
Possibly the most recognizable city in the world, New York City has everything from notable skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building to world-famous destinations such as Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. The Big Apple has appeared in every form of media you could imagine, so you will likely recognize plenty of spots even if this is your first time visiting.
Points of interest
Stand in the center of Times Square, and you could easily believe that you are standing in the center of the world. Walk a few blocks over and catch a Broadway show or climb to the top of Rockefeller Center for an unparalleled view of the city. When you need a break from the hustle and bustle, take a walk or run through Central Park to clear your head with the skyline visible through the trees.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
With so many award-winning chefs and restaurants packed into the city, you might have a tough time choosing the meals throughout your visit. No matter what you do, save time for a visit to Katz’s Deli for a pastrami sandwich. As your butcher slices the meat on-demand and shovels fries onto your plate, you’ll feel the same way as Meg Ryan in her iconic scene from When Harry Met Sally, which was shot in this exact restaurant.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you are looking to enjoy a unique perspective of Manhattan, use the High Line—a 1.45-mile elevated park that will transport you along the West Side of Manhattan on a former elevated rail line. No need to worry about traffic, as you will be high above the streets on a pedestrian-only route.
