If it’s been your dream to tour the entire US, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’ll provide an overview of how to visit all 50 states in 12 trips.
I tried to keep these trips to a few days to two weeks at the most. If you take two trips in a year, you can visit all 50 states in 6 years!
How To Visit All 50 States in 12 Trips
My approach is to separate the 2 non-contiguous states (Hawaii and Alaska) into their own trips and then divided the 48 contiguous states into 10 regional trips.
These are listed from west to east and north to south, but the actual order you take these trips is completely up to you.
Trip 1: Hawaii
Kick off your journey to 50 states in the latest state to join the US.
Hawaii is a tropical paradise with plenty of beaches for different types of travelers, as well as history and culture that needs to be preserved and respected.
This trip takes you to beaches, volcanoes, historic villages, and a memorial to a war that changed the course of world history.
States
Hawaii
Itinerary
Fly In: Daniel Inouye International Airport, Honolulu (HNL)
Days 1 to 2: Honolulu
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Iolani Palace
Waikiki Beach
Honolulu Zoo
Diamond Head
Days 3 to 4: North Shore, Oahu
Waimea Bay Beach
Haleiwa Town
Kaʻena Point State Park
Days 5 to 6: Kona, Big Island
Honokohau Beach (swim with manta rays)
Historic Kailua Village (Kailua-Kona)
Keauhou Bay (swim with the dolphins)
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Mauna Kea Observatory
Fly Out: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)
Alternative Day 7: Back to Honolulu
Fly Out: Daniel Inouye International Airport, Honolulu (HNL)
Other Information
Best time to visit: April to May, September to October
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 7 days
Related Articles:
- 20 Best Places To Visit In Hawaii
- Best Oahu Beaches
- How to Swim with Dolphins in Kona
- Best Way to See Hawaii’s Manta Rays
Trip 2: Alaska
The 49th state is worlds away from the continental US, with its vast glaciers, dramatic snow-capped mountains, abundant wildlife, and northern lights.
States
Alaska
Itinerary
Fly In: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Day 1: Anchorage
Anchorage Museum
Alaska Native Heritage Center
Days 2 and 3: Seward
Kenai Fjords National Park (spend one whole day here for whale-watching and exploring)
Alaska SeaLife Center
Lowell Creek Waterfall
Waterfront Park
Seward Mariner’s Memorial
Day 4: Denali National Park and Preserve
Stay overnight for a chance to see the northern lights
Days 5 and 6: Fairbanks
Running Reindeer Ranch
Museum of the North
Pioneer Park
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum
Aurora Ice Museum
Chena Hot Springs (spend a night or two here for a chance to see the northern lights)
Day 7: Back to Anchorage
Fly Out: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Other Information
Best time to visit: September to March if you’re after the northern lights; May to September is whale-watching season
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 7 days
Related Articles:
Trip 3: Pacific Coast States
The Pacific Coast States feature mountains, waterfalls, forests, and of course, neverending beaches, all against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
I’ve included an eastward drive to Las Vegas because it’s close enough to Los Angeles to make it worthwhile. Its glamor amid the desert is also a nice break from all the beach cities.
States
Washington
Oregon
California
Nevada
Itinerary
Fly In: Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Days 1 to 2: Seattle, Washington
Space Needle
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Museum of Pop Culture
Pike Place Market
Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Great Wheel
Days 3 to 4: Portland, Oregon
Oregon Zoo
International Rose Test Garden
Powell’s City of Books
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Oregon Maritime Museum
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Optional Side Trip: Columbia Gorge Waterfalls
Add one more day to your Portland stay if you plan to see the waterfalls along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area.
Days 5 to 6: San Francisco, California
Golden Gate Bridge
Fisherman’s Wharf
Lombard Street
Chinatown
Day 7: Pacific Coast Highway, California
Half Moon Bay
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Big Sur
Santa Barbara
Days 8 to 9: Los Angeles, California
Santa Monica Pier
Venice Beach
The Getty
Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Griffith Observatory
Days 10 to 11: Las Vegas, Nevada
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
Las Vegas Strip
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Bellagio Fountain
High Roller
Fly Out: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Other Information
Best time to visit: September to October means great weather in Seattle, Portland, and Las Vegas, as well as fewer people; San Francisco and Los Angeles have great weather all year round
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 12 days to comfortably explore each city, but you can make this trip in 8 days if you stay in each city for only a day and drive the PCH without stopping or take the I-5 instead.
Related Articles:
- Portland, Oregon Waterfalls
- Best Things To Do In San Francisco
- Pacific Coast Highway
- Sightseeing In Los Angeles
- Best Things To Do In Las Vegas
Trip 4: Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges on earth, featuring rugged landscapes surrounded by lakes, rivers, forests, and desert scenery.
This trip will take you around the national parks that preserve this magnificent geography and to the cities that thrive in this gorgeous backdrop.
States
Colorado
Utah
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
Itinerary
Fly In: Denver International Airport (DEN)
Days 1 to 2: Denver, Colorado
City Park
Denver Art Museum
Larimer Square
Union Station
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Days 3 to 4: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel (if you’re a big fan of haunted places or movie sets, this is a great place to stay a night).
Days 5 to 6: Salt Lake City, Utah
Temple Square
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
Natural History Museum of Utah
This Is The Place Heritage Park
Liberty Park
Days 7 to 8: Boise, Idaho
Old Idaho Penitentiary Site
Boise Whitewater Park
Freak Alley Gallery
Basque Block
Camel’s Back Park
Days 9 to 11: Glacier National Park, Montana
The drive here from Boise and from here to Yellowstone takes around 12 hours, so plan accordingly.
Lake McDonald
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Days 12 to 13: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Grand Prismatic Spring
Old Faithful
Fly Out: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Optional Side Trip: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Add 2 more days to your trip if you plan to explore Grand Teton National Park
Fly Out: Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
Other Information
Best time to visit: September to October are the best months to go on this trip; fewer tourists in the cities, plus emerging fall colors and wildlife in the national parks
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 14 days, plus 2 days if you want to explore Grand Teton National Park
Related Articles:
- Best Things To Do In Denver
- Best Things To Do In Salt Lake City
- Best Things To Do In Montana
- Best Things To Do In Grand Teton National Park
Trip 5: Southwest
The American Southwest is home to several natural wonders and historic cities. This trip takes you to the most visited national park in the country and to extraordinary cities.
States
Arizona
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas
Itinerary
Fly In: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Day 1: Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona
Papago Park
Hole In The Rock
Old Town Scottsdale
Days 2 to 3: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Days 4 to 5: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Petroglyph National Monument
Old Town
ABQ BioPark
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Sandia Peak Tramway
Day 6: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe Plaza
Palace of the Governors
La Fonda on the Plaza
Canyon Road
Days 7 to 8: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Bricktown
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Oklahoma City Zoo
Stars and Stripes Park
Days 9 to 10: Austin, Texas
University of Texas Tower
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Zilker Metropolitan Park
Lady Bird Lake
Greetings From Austin Mural
Fly Out: Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Other Information
Best time to visit: March to May are the ideal months to take this trip; great weather, fewer crowds (especially in the Grand Canyon).
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 10 days
Related Articles:
Best Things To Do In Austin, Texas
Trip 6: The Great Plains
The Great Plains is literally a wide expanse of flatlands covered in prairie and grassland in the middle of the US. This trip takes you through the states comprised almost entirely of The Plains.
States
North Dakota
South Dakota
Nebraska
Kansas
Itinerary
Fly In: Bismarck Municipal Airport (BIS)
Days 1 to 2: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Painted Canyon
Days 3 to 5: The Great 8, South Dakota
Deadwood
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial
Custer State Park
Jewel Cave National Monument
Wind Cave National Park
Badlands National Park
Missouri River
Days 6 to 8: Omaha, Nebraska
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Bonus State! Cross this bridge and you can be in both Nebraska and Iowa at the same time.)
The Old Market
The Durham Museum
Lauritzen Gardens
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Days 9 to 10: Wichita, Kansas
Great Plains Nature Center
O J Watson Park
Douglas Design District
The Keeper of the Plains Statue
Mid-America All-Indian Museum
Fly Out: Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
Other Information
Best time to visit: Early fall (September to October) has the best weather, fewer tourists in the city, and wildlife are active in the national parks
How many days to allot (minimum): 10 days minimum
Related Articles:
- Best Things To Do In North Dakota
- Best Things To Do Around Mount Rushmore
- Best Things To Do In Nebraska
- Best Things To Do In Wichita, Kansas
Trip 7: Great River Road States
The Great River Road follows the mighty Mississippi River and encompasses 10 states. To keep this trip to less than two weeks, this trip will cover five out of the 10 states.
States
Minnesota
Iowa
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
Itinerary
Fly In: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Days 1 to 2: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnehaha Park
Matt’s Bar and Grill – Home of the Original Jucy Lucys
Mill City Museum
Stone Arch Bridge
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Days 3 to 4: Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa State Capitol
East Village
Rotary Riverwalk Park
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Des Moines Art Center
Days 5 to 6: St. Louis, Missouri
Gateway Arch National Park
Union Station
The St. Louis Wheel
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
Forest Park
Days 7 to 8: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
Buckstaff Bathhouse
Gangster Museum of America
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Mid-America Science Museum
Days 9 to 11: New Orleans, Louisiana
French Quarter
Jackson Square
New Orleans Jazz Museum
New Orleans City Park
The National WWII Museum
Fly Out: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Other Information
Best time to visit: April to May and September to October (shoulder seasons) are the best time to go on this trip.
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 11 days
Related Articles:
Trip 8: The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—stretches across eight US states. The region features miles and miles of shoreline, thick forests, and pristine waters.
This trip takes you to five of the eight states of the Great Lakes region and two of the Great Lakes (Lakes Michigan and Erie).
States
Wisconsin
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Ohio
Itinerary
Fly In: General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Days 1 to 2: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mitchell Gallery of Flight
Harley-Davidson Museum
Milwaukee Riverwalk District
Veterans Park
Historic Third Ward
Days 3 to 4: Chicago, Illinois
Millennium Park
Chicago Architecture River Cruise
Lakefront Trail
The Art Institute of Chicago
Willis Tower
Days 5 to 6: Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Days 7 to 8: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Heritage Hill
Riveredge Trail
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Days 9 to 10: Cleveland, Ohio
Edgewater Park
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Cleveland Public Square
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Rockefeller Park & Greenhouse
Fly Out: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Other Information
Best time to visit: April to May and September to October are the best months to visit this region (summer means mosquitoes and winter means road closures and unforgiving weather).
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 10 days
Related Articles:
Trip 9: Southeast A: Mountains, Music, and Culture
The Southeast states are known for their diverse experiences, making this region a memorable road trip destination.
This trip takes you through five of the Southeastern states, from the Appalachian Mountains, bluegrass country, Music City, the center of the civil rights struggle, and down to the former Seafood Capital of the World.
States
West Virginia
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
Itinerary
Fly In: West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW)
Days 1 to 2: New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Days 3 to 4: Louisville, Kentucky
West Main Street (Whiskey Row)
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Waterfront Park
Old Louisville Neighborhood
Kentucky Derby Museum
Days 5 to 6: Nashville, Tennessee
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Honky Tonk Highway
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
The Gulch Neighborhood
Grand Ole Opry
Days 7 to 8: Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham Civil Rights District
Railroad Park
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Days 9 to 10: Biloxi, Mississippi
Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum
Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
Biloxi Beach
Biloxi Shrimping Trip
Ship Island
Fly Out: Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
Other Information
Best time to visit: April to May are the best month for all the cities on this trip; best weather, Kentucky Derby season, and fewer crowds. But there are more events in Nashville in the summer, plus Biloxi Beach is the perfect escape in winter from the colder weather up north.
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 10 days
Related Articles:
- Best Things To Do In West Virginia
- Best Things To Do In Nashville, Tennessee
- Best Things To Do In Alabama
Trip 10: New England
Beaches, lighthouses, chowder, lobster: yup, you’re in New England.
This trip takes you to cities, towns, and a national park rich with history, culture, and cuisine, all set against breathtaking natural scenery.
States
Maine
Vermont
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Itinerary
Fly In: Bangor International Airport (BGR)
Days 1 to 2: Acadia National Park, Maine
Days 3 to 4: Burlington, Vermont
Church Street Marketplace
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
Waterfront Park
Ethan Allen Homestead Museum
World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet
Days 5 to 6: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Market Square
Black Heritage Trail
Strawbery Banke Museum
Prescott Park
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
Days 7 to 8: Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Common
Freedom Trail
Fenway Park
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Spectacle Island
Days 9 to 10: Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island Mansions Tour (the starting point is at Newport Mansions Welcome Center at The Breakers)
Days 11 to 12: New Haven, Connecticut
Yale University
Beinecke Rare Book Library
New Haven Green
Lighthouse Point Park
East Rock Park
Fly Out: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Other Information
Best time to visit: New England weather is generally comfortable all year round (except Maine winters), but the spring months (April to June) mean fewer tourists (and maple syrup season in Vermont!), summer months (July to August) mean more events but also more crowds (baseball fever in Boston!), and fall months (September to October) present beautiful fall foliage.
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 12 days to thoroughly explore, but you can probably shorten it to 10 days
Related Articles:
Trip 11: Mid-Atlantic
The Mid-Atlantic states are surrounded by mountains to the north, lakes to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Within is a mix of hundreds of years of history, bustling industrial towns, and sprawling metropolitan areas.
This trip takes you through modern cities, serene beach towns, and historic neighborhoods.
States
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Washington, DC
Itinerary
Fly In: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Days 1 to 2: New York City, New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Empire State Building
The National September 11 Memorial Museum
Statue of Liberty
Day 3: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Washington Square
Independence National Historical Park
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Penn’s Landing
Day 4: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City Boardwalk
Steel Pier
Atlantic City Beach
Tropicana Atlantic City (said to be the luckiest casino)
Day 5: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Cape May–Lewes Ferry (cross Delaware Bay)
Lewes Beach
Rehoboth Beach
Funland
Days 6 to 7: Baltimore, Maryland
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse
National Aquarium
9/11 Memorial of Maryland
Top of the World Observation Level
Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum
Fly Out: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Optional Side Trip: Washington, DC
Add up to 2 more days to your trip if you plan to explore Washington, DC
Things To Do In Washington, DC For Free
Fly Out: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Other Information
Best time to visit: Spring months (late March to May) are the perfect time to go on this trip; best weather, fewer crowds, especially for the beach towns.
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 7 days (up to 2 extra days if visiting Washington, DC)
Related Articles:
Trip 12: Southeast B: The Atlantic Coast States
This second set of southeast states borders the Atlantic Ocean, which means this is a beach road trip!
Along the way, you’ll get to experience each one’s unique charms. From urban beaches to rural, quiet ones, you’ll get to appreciate them all.
States
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Itinerary
Fly In: Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
Day 1: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Neptune’s Park
Day 2: Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Emerald Isle Beach
Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier
The Point
Salty Pirate Waterpark
Days 3 to 4: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach
Broadway at the Beach
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade
Day 5: Tybee Island, Georgia
North Beach
Tybee Island Light Station & Museum
Tybee Island Marine Science Center
Mid Beach, Tybee Island
Tybee Beach Pier
Days 6 to 7: Savannah, Georgia
Forsyth Park
Chippewa Square
Savannah City Hall
River Street Boardwalk
Leopold’s Ice Cream
Days 8 to 9: Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Jacksonville Beach Pier
Jacksonville Beach
Beaches Museum
Cradle Creek Preserve
South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground
Fly Out: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Optional Side Trip: Miami, Florida and Miami Beach, Florida
Add at least 1 day to explore Downtown Miami, and 2 more days to explore Miami Beach (see our detailed 3-day Miami itinerary)
Optional Side Trip: Florida Keys
Add at least 5 days to drive through the Florida Keys and back north to Miami (see our detailed Florida Keys road trip guide)
Fly Out: Miami International Airport (MIA)
Other Information
Best time to visit: Beach road trips are best driven during the summer months. But if you prefer to have the beaches all to yourself, early spring (avoid the spring breakers) and fall would be ideal.
How many days to allot (minimum): At least 9 days if your last stop is Jacksonville Beach, and at least 17 days if you plan to travel all the way through the Florida Keys.
Related Articles:
- Best North Carolina Beaches
- Best South Carolina Beaches
- Best Georgia Beaches
- Best Things To Do In Savannah, Georgia
Which of These Trips Will You Take First?
It’s incredible that you can break down 50 states into 12 trips, and what’s even more amazing is that you can take them at your own pace!
Go on one or two trips a year, combine adjacent trips into a bigger trip, or take a few months off and go on a 50-state pilgrimage!
