Self-drive holidays in the United States

Roads that stretch for miles over snow-dusted mountains, along craggy ocean highways, through dusty red valleys, or hidden beneath fiery fall colours — an American road trip can take many forms.

Whether you want to include just a bit of self-driving on your trip to the USA or embark on an epic drive along Route 66, there are plenty of choices to consider. With a well-maintained road system, national parks that have been designed for self-drive visitors, and safe and reliable car hire options, driving here is not only accessible but rewarding, too.

Below, we’ve brought together our specialists’ favourite self-drive holiday ideas, from island hopping in Hawaii, with its relaxed pace of life and traditional Polynesian towns, to a road trip through the Southwest that includes the soaring monoliths of Monument Valley.

Self-drive holiday in the Rockies

The authentic wrangler heritage, prolific wildlife, and Indigenous history of the American Rockies region make it one of the most intriguing self-drive options in the country. Despite this appeal, the roads are relatively quiet, meaning you can enjoy the majesty of the region without the crowds.

The route takes you through a number of prominent national parks, including Yellowstone, which is not only home to impressive geothermal activity such as Mud Volcano and Old Faithful Geyser, but also a plethora of wildlife, including wolves that were reintroduced in the 1990s. We can arrange for you to spot them with an expert tracker by your side.

Outdoor activities abound in Grand Teton National Park, too, where you can go fly-fishing with a guide or hike to see wildlife including bison, chipmunks, black and grizzly bears, and bald eagles. You could also opt for a gentle rafting experience along Snake River to soak up the serrated mountain backdrop from the water.

Then, in Glacier National Park, you're treated to views of sapphire lakes protected by craggy mountains as you negotiate the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Away from the national parks, you can explore pretty towns or stay on working ranches. Cowboy culture is prevalent in Jackson, a small community at the start of this route. Its main street is lined with Western-style saloons and arches of elk antlers, often the first thing you’ll spot as you drive in.

• Plot your self-drive route through the Rockies

Island-hopping self-drive in Hawaii

Each of Hawaii's islands has something different to offer if you're willing to venture away from the larger resorts. One of the best ways to get to know this archipelago is on a fly-drive tour.

The Hawaiians' laid-back attitude to life extends to their driving, and you'll often see them cruising along slowly, stopping at the coconut and pineapple shacks that line the roads. Couple this with an almost non-existent public transport network and it soon becomes obvious why a self-drive holiday in Hawaii can be a very rewarding experience.

The island of Hawaiʻi, the largest and youngest of the islands, is dominated by Mauna Kea, technically the tallest mountain in the world. The visitor centre, standing at around 2,700 m (8,850 ft), offers some of the best stargazing in the world. Go with an expert guide to learn more about the region’s topography and sacred status as you admire the constellations. During your time on the island, you can also snorkel with manta rays at dusk, when plankton rises to the surface, coaxing the manta rays to feed right in front of you.

The relaxed island of Maui is known for its white sands and turquoise seas, but venture further and you'll find small Polynesian towns where a traditional way of life still holds strong. The Road to Hāna is a quiet but scenic drive that takes you along the island's coastline, past rainforests, waterfalls, and unspoiled beaches.

It's also possible to circumnavigate the verdant island of Kauaʻi by car in just a few hours. The island's rugged interior and dramatic cliffs were the backdrop to Jurassic Park. For another perspective on the landscape, see it from the water in a shared catamaran, looking out for spinner dolphins as you go.

• Enjoy self-driving in Hawaii

Fly-drive the USA’s Southwest

The national parks of Utah and Arizona are easily combined on a self-drive trip through the Southwest. En route, you'll travel through archetypal Wild West towns with saloons that boast swinging doors. A self-drive holiday in this part of the US provides an insight into some of the more niche corners of American culture.

Las Vegas is often the starting point of this drive. Whether you know the city through personal experience or by reputation alone, it's worthy of a few nights' stay. Despite being the gambling capital of the world, it can also satisfy those whose interests lie outside the slot machines and roulette tables. From the M&M'S store and Natural History Museum (likely to appeal to families taking a self-drive tour of the Southwest) to world-class performances like Cirque du Soleil, there's plenty to see and do.

The national parks themselves provide a veritable mix of experiences and terrain. You'll drive through dusty desert before reaching Zion National Park, where you'll find yourself steering through a deep, verdant canyon protected by towering red rocks. If you like, you can explore its sandstone cliffs on a private hike, tailored to your level of fitness and interests.

Further afield, you'll be greeted by a landscape that overflows with soaring rock formations, known as hoodoos, in Bryce Canyon National Park. Drive along the rim of the canyon for a bird's-eye view of the sunlight filtering through the rocks.

From here, you could head northeast to Capitol Reef National Park — named for its white domes of rock, which resemble the US Capitol building. Hikes through this park give you a chance to explore a wide range of other rock formations, from natural bridges to stone monoliths and Glass Mountain — a rocky mound that shimmers with crystals.

Even further east, Canyonlands National Park is just as you’d expect — a vast wilderness of yawning canyons carved out over millennia by the Colorado River. You’ll also see towering buttes and jagged rock pinnacles, plus ancient rock paintings etched onto the walls of Horseshoe Canyon centuries ago.

Continuing your loop of Utah’s national parks, head south to take in Monument Valley's red-rock landscape, which has featured in many Western and sci-fi films.

The sweeping depths of the Grand Canyon, which is best explored from the South Rim, is the final national park on this route. While you negotiate Desert View Drive, you can take in the Colorado River from an elevated position as it snakes its way through this vast UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a better sense of the canyon’s depth and scale, we can also arrange for you to see it on a helicopter tour.

Conclude your trip in Scottsdale or Sedona, where more luxurious hotels offer a welcome relief after the somewhat limited options you’ll find in the national parks.

• Take a self-drive trip through Arizona & Utah in the USA's Southwest

Florida self-drive holidays

Home to glamorous cities, coral island hideaways, and rewarding wildlife experiences (both on land and in the water), Florida has inspired playwrights, songwriters, and artists alike.

Despite its size, most of the highlights are just a short distance away from each other. As such, one of the best ways to tour around is by car.

The Overseas Highway is one of the best-known driving routes in Florida, taking you from Miami’s thriving Cuban culture, striking Art Deco architecture, and sandy beaches, across the Florida Keys, to the cusp of the Caribbean in Key West.

Along the way you can explore the Everglades National Park, with its cypress swamps and alligators, marine parks that teem with bright fish, and historical landmarks, including the former homes of Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway. We can arrange for you to go with a naturalist guide who’ll help point out wildlife you might not see on your own.

You could also extend your trip to Florida’s lesser-visited west coast, where you’ll find some of the state’s best beaches, quaint marinas, and unusual wildlife experiences, including swimming with manatees.

• Explore Florida on a self-drive holiday

Driving along Route 66

Route 66 is perhaps the USA’s most famous drive. This grand road trip takes you through the very heart of middle America, crossing eight states and three time zones, through contrasting terrain and past some bizarre roadside attractions.

The route extends for 3,862 km (2,400 miles), from Chicago to Santa Monica on the California coast. It no longer exists in its entirety, but the allure of its dusty roads, where small town diners are still commonplace, continues to entice visitors from far and wide. You can also take a detour to the Grand Canyon National Park, as well as taking in the bright lights of Las Vegas for a night or two.

• Embark on a self-drive trip along the iconic Route 66

Self-driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

Civil War history, a deeply ingrained musical heritage, and an undulating landscape softened by the blue haze given off by the trees — these are just some of the highlights of a self-drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Beginning in Washington DC, this route continues through the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, before culminating in the American Indian town of Cherokee on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

You can explore the compact city of Charlottesville, dominated by the impressive campus of the University of Virginia, and pretty Asheville, where the Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt, provides an insight into one of America’s most affluent families. You can actually stay within its sweeping grounds at Inn on Biltmore Estate, a luxury retreat with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop.

In Shenandoah National Park, you can spot bears, deer, and bobcats, while Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a rewarding place to explore on foot, including Mile High Swinging Bridge, the country’s highest suspension footbridge. A private hike through the park will help you reach its hidden waterfalls and lesser-known corners while giving you a deeper insight into the land’s history.

• Uncover America's Capital Region by self-driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

Practicalities for a self-drive in the USA

• The roads in the US are wide and well maintained. Outside the major cities, they’re also relatively quiet, making driving a real pleasure.
• Most cars in the US are automatics.
• When parking in the USA, you always need to park in the direction of the traffic, otherwise you'll get a ticket.
• There are a number of apps available to find the cheapest parking closest to where you are. These are good to have — parking can be expensive, especially in cities.