A road trip during this winter can be fun if you follow all the necessary precautions and plan ahead. Before heading out, be sure that all the roads along your route are open if there has been snowfall. Also clear ice from your car windows and be careful when driving on snowy roads. Choose a suitable route that is well-traveled, so there are other drivers around in case you have car trouble. Also, be sure to check out our general road trip tips guide and complete guide to road trips in the US to help you prepare for your road trip.
Now that the safety precautions are out of the way, take a look at our 10 best winter road trips in America, and start planning!
- Phoenix, AZ to the Grand Canyon
- Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, SC
- Boise to Stanley, ID
- Denver to Vail, CO
- Rochester to Stowe, VT
- Florida Keys: Key Largo to Key West
- NYC to Bradford, PA
- Seattle to Leavenworth, WA
- Salt Lake City, UT, to Las Vegas
- St. Augustine, FL, to Savannah, GA
1. Phoenix, AZ to the Grand Canyon
A drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon will give you a great experience this winter, despite desert landscapes not being popular for the winter wonderland experience. One of the best sights that will greet your eyes is the dusting of snow on the South Rim. You can also enjoy riding the Polar Express Train to Williams from the South Rim.
2. Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head, SC
Start your journey from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after enjoying beautifully illuminated grounds and the Brookgreen Gardens annual Night of a Thousand Candles event. On your way to Hilton Head from Myrtle Beach, you will have a chance to see several lighthouses. Additionally, a leisurely stroll around the harbor will give a memorable experience on your winter road trip.
3. Boise to Stanley, ID
The numerous hot springs located between Stanley and Boise make this route a perfect choice for a winter road trip. When you start off your journey from Boise, you will arrive at the first hot spring, the Kirkham Hot Springs, after about two hours. It is found on the South Fork of the Payette River. Afterward, you will be able to see three other popular hot springs, Sunbeam Hot Springs, Bonneville Hot Springs and Elkhorn Hot Springs. After arriving in Stanley, you will be able to enjoy various winter activities including ice skating, skiing and sledding.
4. Denver to Vail, CO
Once you hit the road from Denver to Vail, Colorado, you can take advantage of the slopes of the majestic Rocky Mountains for snowboarding, skiing and other snow sports. While in Denver, you can enjoy winter events like Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo. When you arrive in Vail, you can enjoy ice skating performances, tree lighting ceremonies and some great skiing.
5. Rochester to Stowe, VT
The list of the best winter road trips in the US isn’t complete without including Vermont’s Route 100 Byway from Rochester to Stowe. This route has some great views and several interesting stops. Make your first stop in the Green Mountain villages of Wilmington and Weston, about 2 hours after beginning your journey from Rochester. Moss Glen Falls is a great sightseeing stop that will make your road trip memorable. When you arrive in Stowe, you can enjoy skiing and ice skating at some top-notch venues.
6. Florida Keys: Key Largo to Key West
Driving along the Overseas Highway gives you warm temperatures and amazing scenery, making a trip through the Florida Keys a great winter road trip. If you want to have the Caribbean feel without having to leave the country, this is the winter road trip for you. Be sure to check for any holiday events that might be happening in the Keys and make time for activities like sunset sailing trips.
7. New York City to Bradford, PA
If you are an ice skating or skiing enthusiast, consider taking a winter road trip from New York City to Bradford, Pennsylvania. Start by seeing the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, which is also popular for ice skating. As you make your way to Pennsylvania, you can enjoy the Norman Rockwell countryside. The slopes of HoliMont in Ellicottville, which is the largest private ski resort in North America, are a perfect place for you if you love skiing.
8. Seattle to Leavenworth, WA
Consider a winter road trip from Seattle to Leavenworth if you want to enjoy a Bavarian Christmas without traveling outside the country. Winter transforms this unique Bavarian-style village into a snow globe of holiday magic. Traveling from Seattle to Leavenworth will also give you a chance to traverse the Cascade Mountain range, giving you great scenery. Just check the roads before you go!
9. Salt Lake City, UT to Las Vegas, NV
By taking the slow road from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Las Vegas, Nevada, you will have a chance to see numerous sights. The trip takes about 6 hours, but you could extend it to more than 10 hours or even several days to have more fun. This way, you will be able to have sufficient time for hiking. You can spend quality time at Valley of Fire State Park, which is popular for the fire wave hike. When you arrive in Las Vegas, you can go for a hike at the Red Rock Canyon, located west of Las Vegas.
10. St. Augustine, FL to Savannah, GA
During winter, numerous individual bulbs light up the Spanish architecture of America’s oldest city, St. Augustine. You can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides as you this stunning spectacle of lights. When you arrive in Savannah, you can enjoy the sights of live music, fireworks, and tree lighting ceremony, among other exciting events.
