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Our Top 5 Road Trips – U.S. and Canada

By Betsy Wuebker 11 Comments

(Last Updated On: December 12, 2021)

It’s road trip season! When we were living on Kauai, the opportunities for a road trip were somewhat limited. 😉 Now that we’re back on the mainland, we’ve taken a few others. But still, we recommend these as our top 5 favorites in the U.S. and Canada.

The Road to Hana – Maui, HI – “35MPH never felt so fast!”


betsypeteroadtohana

The tropical wow factor from this day trip can’t be beat! Hairpin turns, mountain-hugging one lane bridges, and the spectacular scenery Hawaii is famous for, unimpeded (mostly) by guardrails and road shoulders. Best enjoyed from a convertible. Limited stops and facilities once you’re out of Paia, so pick up a box lunch and fill up your cooler at one of several starting point restaurants.

Eats and libations can be found in Hana at Hana Ranch Restaurant.

Icefields Parkway – Jasper to Banff, AB “The color of the water!”


betsypeteicefieldspkwy

Friends warned us this route would easily make our Top 5 and they were right on the money. The contrast between laid-back Jasper and glamourous Banff bookends a breathtaking journey through the Canadian Rockies past numerous stream beds, waterfalls, and the fabled Lake Louise. In Jasper, splurge on continental cuisine at Villa Caruso. In Banff, stay comfortably and inexpensively by comparison at Best Western Siding 29 Lodge.

The Last Frontier – Fairbanks to Turnagain Arm, AK “Look for the Big 5: moose, bear, caribou, Dahl sheep, wolf”


BETSY-PETE DENALI

Raw wilderness within minutes of Fairbanks, Anchorage, and all points in between. This trip can and should take you several days, as you will want to pay your respects to Denali, the granddaddy of all peaks, in the National Park by the same name. Spot the “Big 5” in wildlife from numerous vantage points, including your vehicle as you speed along a very well-maintained highway. Don’t miss Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage; look for pods of killer whales making their way up the inlet.

Appalachia – Johnstown PA to Asheville NC “Almost Heaven”


Blue Ridge Parkway

A most marvelous, and perhaps somewhat overlooked, route with understated, yet lofty grandeur. Climbing and plummeting from the Allegheny Range through the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Plateau, this route takes you through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The magnificent New River Gorge National River and numerous State Parks offer superlative outdoor experiences. Don’t miss: Asheville, NC, a little gem nestled on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Lake Superior Circle Tour – MI, WI, MN, ON “Around Gitche Gumee”


Betsy-and-Daisy-on-the-North-Shore

Hailing from Minnesota all those years, we’re partial to the inland sea named “Big Water” by the Ojibwe. Don’t be fooled by the trip estimate of 22 hours. This is a drive that is best savored over the course of a week or more, leading you through the wilderness to stopping points which originated out of historical transfer points for raw materials such as furs, ore, and timber. The southern shores contain sandy beaches, while the northern perimeter is comprised of rocky promontories that plunge into the Lake’s cold water. Time your visit to take advantage of summer festivals celebrating voyageurs in Grand Portage, MN and Thunder Bay, ON. Don’t miss: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point.

Writing this post was a fun review of the great road trips we’ve taken over the past couple of years! Happy trails!

Tips for Trip Success

Book Your Flight
Find an inexpensive flight by using CheapOAir, a favorite of ours because it regularly returns less expensive flight options from a variety of airlines.

Book Your Hotel or Special Accommodation
We are big fans of Booking.com. We like their review system and photos. If we want to see more reviews and additional booking options, we go to TripAdvisor.

You Need Travel Insurance!
Good travel insurance means having total peace of mind. Travel insurance protects you when your medical insurance often will not and better than what you get from your credit card. It will provide comprehensive coverage should you need medical treatment or return to the United States, compensation for trip interruption, baggage loss, and other situations.

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Filed Under: Travel, Alaska, Canada, Great Lakes, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania Tagged With: Hawaii, Lake Superior, Maui

Comments

  1. Patriot Politics (@TAKINGNOTICE) says

    May 28, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Via PassingThru: Our Top 5 Road Trips – U.S. and Canada http://t.co/Cw90Yn2ZYA #li #travel #freedom

    Reply
  2. Mike says

    May 28, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    I agree that the Icefields Parkway is a wonderful drive. It’s been too long since we’ve been over it.

    Another of our favorites is Beartooth Highway in Montana. Charles Kuralt called it “the most beautiful drive in America.” It’s 69 miles from Red Lodge to Cooke City, both of which are in Montana, though the road crosses over into Wyoming. A series of steeps switchbacks and zigzags lead over the 19,947 ft Beartooth Pass.

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      May 28, 2013 at 4:07 pm

      Hi Mike – Both Pete and I agree that we’ve spent way too little time in Montana. We’ll definitely add this recommendation to our list for when we return to the mainland. 🙂

      Reply
    • Cath says

      January 14, 2015 at 8:51 am

      Mike – I’m thinking of finally going to Yellowstone this year. Decided there is no point waiting ’til I have someone to go with me. I showed Betsy the Beartooth Highway site last week as I’m thinking of trying to do that route during my trip, so I’m glad you recommend it. Only thing is I’m not a great lover of heights and steep edges. Is the road reasonably wide? 🙂

      Reply
  3. betsywuebker (@betsywuebker) says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:28 pm

    Our Top 5 Road Trips USA and Canada http://t.co/VS4xe7Zfdj

    Reply
  4. Joseff says

    May 20, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    What a great adventure you just had there. It must be a very amazing trip you had and I’m sure this is very memorable. The mountains are awesome and I just can imagine myself there having a good hike, that would be a great experience in life. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      May 21, 2014 at 4:16 am

      Hi Joseff – Welcome to PassingThru! These were all separate trips and they were definitely amazing, agreed!

      Reply
  5. Cath says

    January 14, 2015 at 8:53 am

    All these trips look fab Betsy. Jasper – Banff is high on my list. Thank you for sharing. Trouble is they make me want to go over where.

    BTW – I went into moderation this time – my comment didn’t get totally blocked. 🙂

    Reply
    • Betsy Wuebker says

      January 14, 2015 at 10:50 am

      Hi Cath – Did you get blocked before? Sorry! Yes, Jasper-Banff is exceptional! I’m like you, whenever I see something inspiring I begin to scheme on how to go there. 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Expedition | the truth should be free says:
    May 29, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    […] Our Top 5 Road Trips – U.S. and Canada (passingthru.com) […]

    Reply
  2. BrownGirlsFly Jetsetter Roundup: Road Trips | BrownGirlsFly says:
    July 4, 2016 at 6:32 pm

    […] trips our jetsetters have taken or recommend across the continent. Betsy (Passing Thru) shared her top 5 road trips through the US and Canada, featuring places like Hawaii, Alaska and Alberta. And, I recently compiled my own favorite summer […]

    Reply

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Aloha! We’re Betsy and Pete Wuebker. We traveled the world full time for close to four years and have visited almost 50 countries. If you’re a curious and thoughtful traveler, you’re in the right place. No matter if you’re new to travel or an old hand, we can help you refine your bucket list!

Here’s to a happier, travel-centered life!

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