Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to start planning those epic summer road trips! We’ve selected the top 3 drives to put on your bucket list this year. Featuring spectacular landscapes, epic views, and wildlife spotting, these are the routes worth planning for. We’ve also included a little history behind each highway and the top spots you’ll want to take a break at along the way. So, sit back, relax, and start appreciating the incredible splendor this great country has to offer.
Coastal Road Trips: 3 Epic Routes To Plan For This Summer
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California Pacific Coast Highway: San Fransisco to Santa Barbara
Also known as California State Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway construction began in the early 1930’s, taking over 30 years to complete… And you’ll see why! The highway winds beautifully across the coast and is packed with exciting stops along the way. The most popular stretch is the 350-mile route between San Fransisco and Santa Barbara. Traveling North to South is the more preferred route as it allows for unobstructed views of the coast the entire way, easily stopping for photo ops without having to cross the highway. This route is one for the bucket list for sure. It’s incredible coastline views blend into the beautiful California vineyards as you begin to reach Santa Barbara.
Here are just a few of the many pit stops you may want to take along the way:
- Monterey Bay
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel
- Point Lobo State Park
- Big Sur
- Hearst Castle
- Moonstone Beach
- Santa Ynez Mountains: Knapps Castle Ruins
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7 Mile Bridge: Miami to Key West
Known as “The Overseas Highway” or “The All-American Road,” this 113-mile route offers incomparable views and must-see attractions. Originally trail-blazed in 1912, construction of the Overseas Highway began in the late 1930’s, and was an engineering feat! It consists of 42 bridges which leap from key to key, attracting road-trippers far and wide.
You’ll find the infamous 7 Mile Bridge at mile mark 47 along the journey. The bridge connects the Middle Keys with the Lower Keys and is one of the U.S.A.’s longest bridges.
Be prepared for all things “American” on this one-of-a-kind drive: down-home cuisine, wildlife and kitschy roadside attractions. While the journey only takes about 3.5-hours without stopping, you’ll want to stop to take advantage of the unique attractions you’ll find along the way. Here are some of the places to put on your list of pit-stops:
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Mac’s Kitchen
- The Turtle Hospital
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Mallory Square
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Hana Highway: Kahului to Hana, Maui
Highway 36, or “Hana Highway” is one of the most famous highways in the U.S. Stretching 64.4-miles and connecting Kahului to the town of Hana in east Maui, this drive takes you along an incredible journey of stunning views, steep cliffs, rolling valleys, captivating waterfalls, and more.
Hana Highway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as the Hana Millenium Legacy. Many of its bridges date back as early as 1910, with all but one of the originals still in use. Hana Highway has also made it on “The 5 Most Dangerous Roads in The World” list. So, be prepared, and take your time. The route features an estimated 600 turns, 54 (mostly) one-way bridges, and no shoulder!
You’ll want to spread out this 3-hour drive throughout an entire day, or even two, with countless landmarks to stop at. Be sure to pick up a classic “I Survived The Road To Hana” t-shirt, and don’t miss these pit-stops along the way:
- Paia Fish Market
- Anthony’s Coffee Co.
- Garden of Eden Botanical Garden and Arboretum
- Kaumahina State Wayside Park
- Waianapanapa State Park
- Keanae Peninsula
Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape before beginning your coastal road trip adventures this summer! Here at Berryman, we have all the products you’ll need to ensure a safe and smooth drive, wherever you go.