10 Epic Routes

Van Life Road Trip Routes

10 carefully curated road trip routes designed for van life. Each route includes detailed planning info — distances, costs, best seasons, and van-specific tips.

Route 1

Pacific Coast Highway

America's most iconic coastal road trip from SoCal to Washington

California → Oregon → Washington

1,800 miles14-21 daysSpring & Fall~$380 fuel

Big Sur coastline and Bixby Creek BridgeRedwood National Park ancient giantsCannon Beach and Haystack Rock+3 more

Route 2

Southern Cross-Country

Desert sunshine and warm winters from California to Florida

California → Arizona → New Mexico → Texas → Florida

2,800 miles21-30 daysWinter (Nov-Mar)~$450 fuel

Quartzsite boondocking meccaSedona red rock sunsetsWhite Sands gypsum dunes+4 more

Route 3

Mountain Loop

Rocky Mountain alpine adventures through Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana

Colorado → Wyoming → Montana

1,500 miles10-14 daysSummer (Jun-Sep)~$320 fuel

Rocky Mountain National Park elk herdsMount Elbert — Colorado's highest peakGrand Teton and Yellowstone wildlife+3 more

Route 4

Southwest Desert Circuit

Red rocks, slot canyons, and five national parks in one loop

Arizona → New Mexico → Utah → Nevada

1,400 miles10-14 daysSpring & Fall~$290 fuel

Grand Canyon South Rim sunriseSedona vortex red rocksMoab arches and canyonlands+3 more

Route 5

East Coast Explorer

Historic cities, mountain passes, and coastal charm from Maine to Florida

Maine → New York → Virginia → Florida

2,200 miles18-25 daysFall (Sep-Nov)~$420 fuel

Acadia NP ocean cliffs and lobsterAdirondack Mountain wildernessShenandoah Skyline Drive+3 more

Route 6

Great Plains Route

Endless skies and hidden gems through the heartland

Minnesota → South Dakota → Wyoming → Colorado → Texas

2,100 miles14-20 daysSummer (May-Sep)~$380 fuel

Boundary Waters canoe wildernessMount Rushmore and BadlandsDevils Tower volcanic neck+3 more

Route 7

New England Loop

Covered bridges, fall foliage, and coastal charm in America's oldest region

New York → Vermont → New Hampshire → Maine

900 miles7-10 daysFall (Late Sep-Mid Oct)~$220 fuel

Adirondack High PeaksVermont maple syrup farmsWhite Mountain Franconia Notch+3 more

Route 8

Great Lakes Circuit

Freshwater seas, island hopping, and Midwest wilderness

Michigan → Wisconsin → Minnesota

1,300 miles10-14 daysSummer (Jun-Sep)~$280 fuel

Sleeping Bear DunesApostle Islands sea cavesBoundary Waters canoe trips+3 more

Route 9

Appalachian Trail Drive

Follow America's most famous hiking trail by van from Georgia to Maine

Georgia → North Carolina → Virginia → Maryland → Pennsylvania → New York → Maine

2,100 miles16-22 daysSpring & Fall~$390 fuel

Springer Mountain AT startGreat Smoky MountainsBlue Ridge Parkway+3 more

Route 10

Utah National Parks Loop

The Mighty Five — five national parks in one compact Utah road trip

Utah

600 miles7-10 daysSpring & Fall~$150 fuel

Zion Narrows slot canyonBryce Canyon hoodoo amphitheaterCapitol Reef scenic drive+3 more