Who mentioned retirement is the top of the highway? For a lot of retirees, it is only the start. Image this: the open highway stretching out for miles earlier than you, your favourite tunes enjoying on the radio, and Luna within the again seat, head out the window, absorbing the breeze.
Retirement is the proper time to embark on a highway journey, the place each mile brings an opportunity to create new and lasting reminiscences. Whether or not chasing sunsets alongside Hwy 1 in California, exploring hidden gems alongside the Transmountain Freeway, savoring native flavors at a diner on Route 66, or winding by quaint mountain cities on The Blue Ridge Parkway, the journey is about discovering (or rediscovering) the U.S. at your individual tempo, with no schedule however your individual.
“The gladdest second in human life, methinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” — Sir Richard Burton
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Earlier than you embark on a retirement highway journey
There’s nothing extra irritating than setting off in your long-awaited highway journey, solely to show round an hour later since you forgot your cellphone, sunscreen, or Luna’s favourite toy. Taking time to arrange makes issues run far more easily for everybody. Begin by making an inventory of every thing you will be taking with you.
You may additionally wish to make reservations prematurely at lodges alongside the route if you understand the place you wish to keep. Throughout peak occasions of the 12 months, lodging can refill rapidly.
Give your automotive, SUV, or RV a once-over, checking tire stress, refilling washer fluid, and so forth. Then, use the AAA Cellular App to find the most affordable fuel alongside your route.
Prepared? Seize your map (or GPS), pack a couple of snacks, and hit the highway. The journey is certain to be simply as thrilling because the vacation spot.
1. California Freeway 1
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Pacific Coast Freeway in California is 656 miles of scenic magnificence and some of the widespread road-trip locations within the nation.
You can begin your journey in San Francisco and head south to San Diego, or vice versa. The drive itself is breathtaking, with heaps to see and do alongside the way in which, together with Level Reyes Nationwide Seashore, Muir Woods Nationwide Monument, Carmel-by-the-Sea, well-known Pebble Seaside, Large Sur, Hearst Fortress, the Golden Gate Bridge and the wine nation of Napa Valley.
Since this route is so widespread, you will wish to make in a single day lodging earlier than hitting the highway. Eating places can also be busy throughout peak occasions of the 12 months, however you are by yourself schedule, so sit again and take within the view whilst you wait.
2. Route 66
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“The Mom Highway” is without doubt one of the first steady stretches of paved freeway in the US. It’s 2,451 miles lengthy and stretches by eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It begins in Chicago, Illinois, and ends in Santa Monica, California.
Route 66 is a well-liked topic in motion pictures (Straightforward Rider and Thelma and Louise), songs, TV reveals, and books, reminiscent of The Grapes of Wrath.
This legendary freeway was as soon as famend for its mom-and-pop motels, drive-ins, neon lights, quirky roadside points of interest, vehicles with out air-con, steep hills and curves and slim lanes. Though lots of the unique points of interest are gone, listed below are a couple of you will not wish to miss:
- Cadillac Ranch
- Will Rogers Memorial Museum
- Meteor Crater
- Santa Monica Pier
- St. Louis Gateway Arch
- Bradbury Constructing
- Jewel Man’s Tulsa Shoe Shine
3. Transmountain Freeway
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The “Going-To-The-Solar Highway” is a 50-mile scenic mountain highway by the Rocky Mountains in Glacier Nationwide Park. It crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Move.
For those who love the outside, it is an important highway journey for selecting colourful wildflowers, birdwatching, viewing waterfalls and exploring lovely, however steep, mountains. Beforehand referred to as the Transmountain Freeway, it was renamed Going-to-the-Solar Highway in 1933, derived from the close by Going-to-the-Solar Mountain.
Please observe that this route could be very widespread and may be very busy. Additionally, it’s only accessible in the course of the summer time months, usually closing round mid-October, relying on the climate circumstances. The Nationwide Park Service lists opening and shutting dates.
Whenever you’re right here, you’ll want to take a look at locations like Hidden Lake, Lake McDonald, Grinnell Glacier, Hen Lady Falls and Scenic Level.
4. Freeway 61
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U.S. Freeway 61, sometimes called the “Blues Freeway,” stretches from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the Minnesota border, and is known for its deep connection to blues music, notably within the Mississippi Delta.
B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Charley Patton, Willie Dixon, Ike Turner and John Lee Hooker have been all born alongside or close to Hwy 61. These artists, and plenty of extra, recorded many songs about this famed Freeway.
Whenever you journey this route, which stretches over 1,400 miles, you’ll want to go to the various cafes and music pubs alongside the way in which, in addition to locations like:
- Elvis Presley’s Mansion
- Delta Blues Museum
- Solar Studio
- Crossroads Monument
- Membership Ebony
- Mississippi Delta Sizzling Tamales
5. Blue Ridge Parkway
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a prized American highway journey. The 490-mile route winds by Virginia and North Carolina, recognized for its scenic magnificence, and connects Shenandoah Nationwide Park to the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park.
For retirees searching for a leisurely escape, the Blue Ridge Parkway affords the proper mix of a calming drive and breathtaking landscapes.
And do not miss these fascinating stops alongside the way in which: Mabry Mill, Linville Falls, Chimney Rock State Park, the Blue Ridge Music Middle, and the always-fun Southern Highland Folks Artwork Middle
6. Key West Abroad Freeway
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For those who love the sandy seashores and crystal blue waters of Florida, then do not miss including the Conch Republic Highway to your highway journey itinerary. Stretching from Miami to Key West, the drive is 160 miles lengthy and can take about 4 hours to drive.
Nevertheless, it is best to take a few days to discover every thing the Florida Keys has to supply, reminiscent of Everglades Nationwide Park, Key Largo, Large Pine Key, Turtle Hospital, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dolphin Analysis Middle.
Plus, you possibly can eat scrumptious seafood alongside the route, swim, jet ski, paraglide, or scuba dive for an actual journey, all whereas having fun with a fantastic sundown.
7. Atlantic Freeway
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US-1 East Coast is an epic highway journey that takes you from tropical seashores in Key West, Florida, to the rocky shoreline in Fort Kent, Maine. It stretches for two,369 miles and is the longest north-south highway within the U.S.
For those who get pleasure from visiting large cities, this highway journey is for you as a result of the freeway connects many of the main cities of the East Coast: Miami, Jacksonville, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York Metropolis and Boston.
Which means purchasing, world-class eating places, museums, and extra. You can even go to nice spots like:
- Liberty Bell Middle
- Acadia Nationwide Park
- Fenway Park
- Cape Hatteras Nationwide Seashore
- Cliff Stroll
- Montauk Level State Park
- Castillo de San Marcos
8. Route 12
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The Scenic All-American Byway in Utah takes you thru forests, a nationwide park (Bryce Canyon), and a number of the most rugged and various landscapes anyplace. Route 12 is just 124 miles lengthy, making it simply drivable in sooner or later. Nevertheless, for those who’re like most retirees, you will wish to spend a number of days to profit from your highway journey.
You possibly can hike, experience a horse or ATV, bike, fish, camp, and picnic at one of many scenic spots alongside the way in which. Stops embrace: Pink Canyon, Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, Calf Creek Falls, Hell’s Spine Scenic Backway, Grand Staircase at Escalante Nationwide Monument and Paunsaugunt Plateau.
Alongside the way in which, eat at Large Bubba’s Bar-b-que or North Creek Grill in Escalante, Utah. Each have rave evaluations.
9. Route 50
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
This transcontinental freeway stretches throughout the US. It begins in West Sacramento, California, and terminates on the East Coast in Ocean Metropolis, Maryland.
In July 1986, Life Journal dubbed this freeway the Loneliest Highway in America, as a result of its desolate 287-mile stretch by central Nevada. Route 50 is 3,200 miles lengthy and traverses 11 states. It presents dozens of locations to find for retirees searching for journey, together with:
- Lake Tahoe
- Bonneville Salt Flats
- Utah State Capitol
- Nice Basin Nationwide Park
- Dinosaur Nationwide Monument
- Royal Gorge Bridge
- Sand Mountain
- Canyonlands & Arches Nationwide Parks
- Backyard of Eden in Lucas
- Ocean Metropolis
10. Seward Freeway
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
For retirees searching for journey, the Seward Freeway in Alaska is a must-see. This 127-mile route, which takes roughly 2 hours to drive with out stops, stretches from Anchorage to Seward.
Alaska affords beautiful views of glaciers, wildlife, and fjords, and dozens of alternatives to take photographs and create reminiscences. Catch a glimpse of beluga whales at Hen Level or take a tram experience at Mount Alyeska. Go to Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, Valley of Glaciers and town of Anchorage.
11. Hana Freeway
The Hana Freeway, positioned on the island of Maui in Hawaii, is a surprising coastal route spanning 68 miles and that includes 620 curves and 46 one-lane bridges.
Whereas the drive itself is gorgeous, the actual reward comes from the various picturesque waterfalls and luxurious tropical vegetation alongside the way in which.
Go to Paia City, a great place to cease for fuel, seize a espresso, and decide up snacks. Additionally, discover Wailua Falls, the Seven Sacred Swimming pools, Twin Falls, the appropriately named Backyard of Eden Arboretum, and the Nahiku Market.
Prepare for the open highway
For those who’re retired and planning a highway journey, check out RV-2-50 from Go RVing. You’ll discover personalised highway journey itineraries designed that can assist you expertise the liberty and journey of RVing whereas exploring the U.S.
Nevertheless, for those who’d quite trek out by yourself, plan forward, give your automotive a once-over, and above all else, benefit from the experience.
