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 over 40. 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 6 or 7 days rather than taking a 6 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 in 2016, but have made significant updates since then.)
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 National Monument, CaliforniaOutside Palm Springs, CaliforniaCalifornia’s Mojave DesertCrossing the High Sierra, CaliforniaCrossing Donner Pass on Interstate 80, CaliforniaWild burros roam the streets of Oatman, California near the Arizona BorderNear Kingman, ArizonaViva 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, ArizonaMonument Valley, Arizona/Utah BorderThe Moki Dugway, UtahView from Moki Dugway looking south toward Valley of the GodsView from the top of Moki Dugway, Utah looking southwestJust west of Bluff, UtahInspiration for Navajo designs? Southern Utah.Valley of the Gods, UtahNear Mexican Hat, UtahThe Goosenecks, Near Bluff, UtahMexican Hat, UtahHeading toward Lake Powell, UtahLake Powell, UtahBryce Canyon, UtahDescending into Bryce CanyonCedar Breaks, 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, UtahRedrock Country, Burr Trail, UtahAlong the Burr Trail, central UtahA stegasaurus hiding along the Burr Trail, Utah?Capitol Reef National Park, UtahKiller Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie at Gifford Homestead, Capitol Reef National Park, UtahNo pie for you!Fill ‘er up! A Lonely stretch of I 70 in UtahGlistening winter morning in northern UtahNortheastern UtahGreat Salt Lake, UtahA back road in southern WyomingA stuffed sopapilla, and a sopapilla with honey, Abuelita’s, Bernalillo, New MexicoTaos, New MexicoFantastic Mexican Food in Santa Fe. New ExicoNew Mexico/Colorado BorderColorado SkiesRocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoElk in Rocky Mountain National ParkThe Sangre de Cristo Range, ColoradoNear Cortez, ColoradoSunset east of Pagosa Springs, ColoradoThe Continental Divide in ColoradoThe Mother Ship over ColoradoChicken Fried Eggs over cornbread and buffalo hash, Sassafrass, DenverPortrait of a chicken fried egg“Gooey Cake” at Sassafrass, DenverGarden of the Gods, Colorado SpringsChristmas lights in ColoradoThe Colorado Rockies north of DenverBiscuits and Gravy! Road trip cuisine!Cinnamon roll for dessert! A Nebraska BreakfastKansas, just west of Kansas City, MissouriCinnamon Roll Pancakes in Kansas City, Missouri!An Oklahoma City TreatThe Oklahoma PanhandleThe dramatic Dallas, Texas skylineCotton Fields, TexasChicken and Waffles at Berries and Batter, ChicagoRural IndianaKentucky Blue Grass Country near LexingtonA Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich, LouisvilleLouisville, KentuckyGraceland, MemphisOnly in the South: Graffiti in a Mississippi Men’s RoomiSummer in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina borderWinter in the Smokies, North CarolinaThe iconic view from Atlanta’s Jacskon Street Bridge, GeorgiaPlantation outside Charleston, SCFall comes to South CarolinaSweet Potato Pie and Bacon Ice Cream, Husk in Charleston, South CarolinaDismal Swamp, Virginia Beach, VACollege of WIlliam &; Mary, Williamsburg, VirginiaMonticello, Charlottesville, VirginiaVirginia Spoon Bread, RichmondCherry Blossom Time, Tidal Basin, Washington, DCCherry blossoms in Washington, DCFried Green Tomatoes with Lump Crabmeat, Miss Shirley’s, Baltimore, MarylandGettysburg Battlefield, PennsylvaniaAmish Farm near Bird-in-Hand, PennsylvaniaLittle House on the Amish Prairie, PennsylvaniaAmish Country, PennsylvaniaAn Amish goat…Christmas 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 CityMassachusetts State House, BostonDowntown Providence, Rhode IslandThe White Mountains of New HamshireOgunquit, MaineClassic Maine View, Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
4 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.
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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