My first cross country drive was in summer of 1976 at the ripe old age of 18, and since then I’ve actually lost count of how many round trips I’ve made from coast to coast to coast, but I do know that it is close to 50. One of those trips actually took me from San Francisco to Texas to Virginia to Massachusetts to Alaska and back down to California… a mere 10,000 miles. Many people can’t understand why any sane person would opt to drive for six or seven days rather than taking a six hour plane flight, but these pictures may give you a glimpse of why I crave the open roads. Here’s a compilation of photos I’ve taken along the way over the years. (I first posted this photo gallery in 2016, but have made significant updates and additions to it since then, so I decided to republish it now.)
Let’s hit the road, going (roughly) from west to east…
San Francisco from Mt. Tam, Marin CountySunset at Pacifica, CaliforniaThe famous Big Sur Coast of CaliforniaBig Sur, CaliforniaLaguna Beach, CaliforniaMt Lassen National Park, Northern CaliforniaAmazing volcanic landscapes of Mt. Lassen, California
Hiking at Mt. Lassen National Park
Central CaliforniaCalifornia Hillside in SpringAlong the San Andreas Fault, Central CaliforniaJoshua Tree in California’s Mojave DesertCrossing the High Sierra, CaliforniaCrossing Donner Pass on Interstate 80, CaliforniaWild burros roam the streets of Oatman, California near the Arizona BorderInterstate 10 Near Palm Springs, CaliforniaViva Las Vegas!Along Interstate 80, NevadaRachel, Nevada (Gateway to Area 51?)The San Francisco Peaks, northwest of Flagstaff, ArizonaThis canyon needs no introduction…Outside Page, ArizonaAntelope Valley, Page, ArizonaThe Moki Dugway, UtahView from Moki Dugway looking south toward Valley of the GodsJust west of Bluff, UtahValley of the Gods, UtahInspiration for Navajo designs? Southern Utah.Sunset at the Goosenecks, UtahMexican Hat, UtahThe Goosenecks, Near Bluff, UtahEntrance to Capitol Reef National Park near Torrey, UtahNear Escalante, UtahLake Powell, UtahBryce Canyon, UtahDescending into Bryce CanyonOne more of Bryce Canyon, UtahCedar Breaks National Monument, UtahCheckerboard Mesa, Zion National Park, UtahVirgin River, Zion National Park, UtahRed waterfalls near Moab, UtahRedrock cliffs near Torrey, UtahAlong the Road near Hanksville, UtahCapitol Reef National Park near Torrey, UtahJust west of Hanksville, UtahSinging Canyon along the Burr Trail, central UtahA stegasaurus hiding along the Burr Trail, Utah?Saguaro Cactus, ArizonaGuadalupe Mountains, West TexasGlistening winter morning in northern UtahNortheastern UtahGreat Salt Lake, UtahA back road in southern WyomingTaos, New MexicoWhite Sands National Monument, New MexicoColorado SkiesRocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoElk in Rocky Mountain National ParkThe Sangre de Cristo Range, ColoradoNear Cortez, ColoradoSunset east of Pagosa Springs, ColoradoThe Mother Ship over ColoradoGarden of the Gods, Colorado SpringsChristmas lights in ColoradoThe Colorado Rockies north of DenverKansas, just west of Kansas City, MissouriThe Oklahoma PanhandleThe dramatic Dallas, Texas skylineCotton Fields, TexasRural IndianaKentucky Blue Grass Country near LexingtonLouisville, KentuckyGraceland, MemphisOnly in the South: Graffiti in a Mississippi Men’s Room!Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina borderAlmost Heaven – West VirginiaThe iconic view from Atlanta’s Jacskon Street Bridge, GeorgiaCypress Swamp, MississippiPanama City, FloridaSunset in Pensacola Beach, FloridaPlantation outside Charleston, South CarolinaThe Everglades, FloridaFall comes to South CarolinaDismal Swamp, Virginia Beach, VACollege of WIlliam &; Mary, Williamsburg, VirginiaMonticello, Charlottesville, VirginiaCherry Blossom Time, Tidal Basin, Washington, DCThe Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania SkylineCherry blossoms in Washington, DCGettysburg Battlefield, PennsylvaniaAmish Farm near Bird-in-Hand, PennsylvaniaLittle House on the Amish Prairie, PennsylvaniaAmish Country, PennsylvaniaChristmas in PennsylvaniaManhattan from the Jersey side of the Hudson17th Street, Chelsea, NYCLady Liberty, NYCThe Big Apple, heading uptownChelsea and the Empire State from the Highline, New York CityOld South Church from the Common, BostonDowntown Providence, Rhode IslandCranberry Bogs, Wareham, MassachusettsFall comes to Freetown, MassachusettsThe White Mountains of New HamshireFall in New HampshireOgunquit, MaineCape Elizabeth, Maine
7 thoughts on “Road Trip! A Journey Across the USA”
This is the road trip, which I would love to make. Although I live in Finland, I have made road trips in Florida few times, Nevada and California. Many years ago, I knew an American owner of a bookshop in Helsinki. He used to spent one month in every state and explore it thoroughly. My dream is to someday drive the Route 66.
I love driving and especially on German motor ways where are no speed limits. Driving fast is fantastic experience among fellow car drivers. How fast I have driven and how much in my life, You can see here:
When I make a cross country trip, it depends on how much time I have and which route I decide to take, but generally I take 6 to 7 days to go from coast to coast in one direction. It’s a wonderful experience… but we DO have speed limits! 🙂
Thank You. In Finland, we have also and too strict, I think. Cars and roads are coming better and better, but speed limits stay and in some cases come slower. 🙂
I had to return here once more. Did You know that Finnish people love American cars! I have old post showing some interesting photos. In this post, I have for example photos from Shelby Cobra CSX from the year 1966 having 800 HP! What a car.
Because You are driving so much, I just wonder which car You have. Three years ago, I sold my Opel Vectra OPC and bought BWM 535 d 3.0 xDrive. Engine 230 kW and Torque net: 630 Nm / 465 ft-lb.
Incredible how diverse landscape is the US. Your photography is top notch. You have a great eye for photography. I have done my fair share of long trips but coast to coast I haven’t done. It’s the same question people ask how did you managed to stay in car for so long. But then I show the pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventure. A new follower!
I have had friends refer to me as a “road camel” because I can go for hours without a break the way camels can go without water! I really do love to drive, especially on back roads rather than Interstate highways, but I do stop a lot for short hikes and to take in the amazing scenery! Thanks for your compliments and for being a new follower! Where are you from?
I am from India, but spent 15 years in the East and west coast of US. I was a road camel too. Especially remember big 5 and state parks of Utah, did that stretch in 6 days. Thanks 😊
MATT: AT HOME IN THE WORLD 
This is the road trip, which I would love to make. Although I live in Finland, I have made road trips in Florida few times, Nevada and California. Many years ago, I knew an American owner of a bookshop in Helsinki. He used to spent one month in every state and explore it thoroughly. My dream is to someday drive the Route 66.
I love driving and especially on German motor ways where are no speed limits. Driving fast is fantastic experience among fellow car drivers. How fast I have driven and how much in my life, You can see here:
About me.
How long time it took You to make this road trip?
Happy and safe driving.
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When I make a cross country trip, it depends on how much time I have and which route I decide to take, but generally I take 6 to 7 days to go from coast to coast in one direction. It’s a wonderful experience… but we DO have speed limits! 🙂
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Thank You. In Finland, we have also and too strict, I think. Cars and roads are coming better and better, but speed limits stay and in some cases come slower. 🙂
Happy weekend.
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I had to return here once more. Did You know that Finnish people love American cars! I have old post showing some interesting photos. In this post, I have for example photos from Shelby Cobra CSX from the year 1966 having 800 HP! What a car.
American car show.
Because You are driving so much, I just wonder which car You have. Three years ago, I sold my Opel Vectra OPC and bought BWM 535 d 3.0 xDrive. Engine 230 kW and Torque net: 630 Nm / 465 ft-lb.
Regards. Matti.
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Incredible how diverse landscape is the US. Your photography is top notch. You have a great eye for photography. I have done my fair share of long trips but coast to coast I haven’t done. It’s the same question people ask how did you managed to stay in car for so long. But then I show the pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventure. A new follower!
LikeLike
I have had friends refer to me as a “road camel” because I can go for hours without a break the way camels can go without water! I really do love to drive, especially on back roads rather than Interstate highways, but I do stop a lot for short hikes and to take in the amazing scenery! Thanks for your compliments and for being a new follower! Where are you from?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am from India, but spent 15 years in the East and west coast of US. I was a road camel too. Especially remember big 5 and state parks of Utah, did that stretch in 6 days. Thanks 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person