11 Beautiful U.S. Road Trips to Take This Spring

"When the weather warms up and the late winter rains turn trees green and fields into wildflower wonderlands, it's the perfect time to take a drive. Whether your preferred landscape is mountains, deserts, forests, plains, or coastal views, there's a spring road trip in the United States for you. Explore historic sites, regional food, wineries, or nature-all from the front seat."

"We've put together a few suggestions, starting in exciting locales and ending in beautiful destinations, with hundreds of scenic miles in between. We cover national parks, where spring presents the ideal time between summer crowds and winter cold, as well as jaunts through marshes, mountains, and springtime blooms. There's flexibility built into these suggested itineraries, with possible extensions if your schedule allows."

"Nothing beats a U.S. national park in the springtime, and that's doubly true on the West Coast. A scenic drive through Joshua Tree National Park could span 50-plus miles if you drive straight through. Plan on spending at least four hours traversing the park, as you'll want to take detours to enjoy panoramic views, climb massive rock formations, stroll through the cactus garden, marvel at an oasis, and find the perfect Joshua Tree landscape for your souvenir photos."

Spring provides optimal conditions for road trips across mountains, deserts, forests, plains, and coastlines, with late winter rains sparking wildflowers and greenery. Suggested routes span hundreds of scenic miles and include visits to national parks, marshes, mountains, and spring blooms. National parks often present the best spring window between summer crowds and winter cold. Routes highlight historic sites, regional food, wineries, and nature viewing, with flexibility for extensions and side trips. Drivers are advised to download routes for offline use or carry a paper map. Example: Joshua Tree National Park drives can exceed 50 miles and take at least four hours.

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