Dreaming of a road trip in the USA? Take a trip along part of the USA's spectacular coastline and you can take in everything from surfing and scenic views at sunset to civil rights sites.
Historic route in Maryland
Discover American history on and around Maryland, in the
Capital Region. Take the George Washington Memorial Parkway along the Potomac River and check out Mount Vernon and Theodore Roosevelt Island, then head to Chesapeake. Get on the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway to explore the area's pretty historic towns with their coloured weatherboard houses and stop off to tuck into seafood specialities including Chesapeake crab, right, or hop on a boat. Set off from Maryland's Eastern Shore and you can head off on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. Along this scenic 125-mile scenic road you can learn about how the 'Underground Railroad' helped slaves escape to the north, and explore Tubman's legacy at the new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park & Visitor Center.
Spectacular scenery on Highway 1, California
Take the quintessential California road trip along Highway 1. Take a trip with USA travel specialist American Sky and head off on the extraordinary 687 road that snakes along the coastline has just reopened after being closed for 18 months. Between San Diego in the south, and San Francisco in the north, you'll take in some of the most iconic spots in California, including Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Malibu and surf city Huntington Beach. Stop off in the Santa Ynez Valley, just north of Santa Barbara, it's the wine region made famous by the film Sideways. Further along is the spectacularly rugged Big Sur region, left, home to Hearst Castle and the bohemian town of Carmel.
lsland life in Texas
The
state of Texas is home to some of the most stunning coastline in the USA, with sparkling white-sand beaches and emerald waters stretching along the
Gulf Coast of Mexico. You can take it in on a 370 mile drive from Houston to South Padre Island, right, taking in music festivals and concerts along the way, and doing some sensational bird-watching when you get there. This is a good route for an RV road trip as there are plenty of campsites.
Coast, city and mountains combined in New England
On a two-week road trip, you can take in both Maine and
New Hampshire in the USA's famous
New England region. Starting out in Boston,
Massachusetts, you can head north to the coast, exploring famous towns including historic Salem and bohemian Portland, then on to cultural hotspot, Camden. Head inland and you can explore the unspoiled wilderness of Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway and the dramatic White Mountains. Finish up with a stay in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, before driving 60 miles back to Boston.
Island hopping in North Carolina
For a really breathtaking road trip, head to the Outer Banks in
North Carolina. This exquisite 138-mile long strip of barrier islands separates the mainland from the Atlantic. Take a drive along the
Outer Banks National Scenic Byway - peppered with a few ferry rides - and you can stop off to explore the Banks' sleepy 21 coastal villages, enjoy its stunning beaches and discover Roanoke Island, the spot where Sir Walter Raleigh first arrived in the 'New World', in 1585.