We have a special place in our hearts for the Great American Road Trip. Meg hatched her plan for Besté Travel Design while cruising Route 66 after all. The Fourth of July is on the horizon, and with it comes the unmistakable itch to get away. Maybe it's the scent of sunscreen and hot pavement, or the hum of a classic rock song drifting from the open window of a passing car. But something about this time of year makes the idea of a road trip, any road trip, feel like a declaration of freedom.

Whether you're taking off for four hours or four days, the great American road trip is about more than just getting from A to B. It's about wandering on your own terms, windows down, snacks on hand, playlist on point. It's the land of billboards and backroads, of roadside pie and sunset detours. And it's still the most romantic, nostalgic, soul-reviving way to travel.

You don't have to drive Route 66 to feel it. You can head north to the cottage, east to the coast, or west until the tumbleweeds appear. The destination is just the excuse. The real magic happens somewhere between the second iced coffee and the third "stop to take a picture."

This summer, we say: reclaim the joy of the open road. Load up the car with people you like (or relish the solo silence). Pack with intention: breezy dresses, stylish sunnies, maybe a paperback with a cracked spine. Choose the scenic route. Book the boutique inn. Stay somewhere with a pool and a view. Eat at the old-school diner, but don’t skip the tasting menu if you spot one on the way.

Romanticize your road trip. Every moment. Every mile.

Because the great American road trip isn't just a journey, it's a state of mind. And this July, it's calling.

The Mackinac Bridge is Michigan’s (where Meg lives) unofficial road trip symbol.

The Case for Hitting the Road

Flying is efficient. Trains are charming (ish). But nothing quite matches the sense of autonomy that comes with a road trip. No boarding pass. No overhead bin roulette. No fixed itinerary. Just you, the road, and whatever lies ahead. It's both spontaneous and strategic. It’s about knowing when to follow the map and when to ditch it entirely.

For many of us, road trips tap into something visceral. Something passed down through the generations. A memory of a parent behind the wheel, belting out The Traveling Wilburys. A grandparent pulling over for an ice cream cone from a roadside stand. A best friend in the passenger seat, spinning the radio dial and calling out every cow spotted along the way.

Road trips are layered with nostalgia, but they evolve, too. Gone are the days of plastic bench seats and paper maps (though we’ll always love a good atlas). Now we bring along playlists curated to our vibe, apps that find the perfect espresso in the middle of nowhere, and accommodations that range from glamping tents with 1,000-thread-count sheets to boutique inns with curated minibars.

Planning the Perfect Modern Road Trip

So, where to begin? That’s the best part: anywhere.

Maybe you start with a theme: the Americana route, chasing neon signs and retro diners from Michigan to Missouri. Or perhaps it’s a culinary crawl through the South, hopping from shrimp and grits in Charleston to brisket in Austin. Or a nature-first itinerary through the national parks of the West.

The key is to balance movement with pause. You don’t need to fill every moment. In fact, you shouldn’t. Some of the best parts of a road trip are the quiet ones: reading on a hotel balcony, floating in a pool at golden hour, watching the sun rise over a foggy lake. Build in space to linger.

Luxury road trip planning tips:

Book ahead when it matters. That one charming inn with only six rooms? Don’t assume it’ll be open. But leave wiggle room, too.
Bring a cooler. Fill it with sparkling water, pre-made cocktails, fancy cheese, and indulgent snacks.
Upgrade the tech. GPS is a must, but bring a phone mount, car charger, and your own playlist (not just Spotify’s Top 40).
Invest in a great overnight bag. You'll use it daily.

The Power of the Pause: Where to Stop and Why

You don’t need a famous landmark to make a memory. Some of the best stops are serendipitous: the roadside farm stand with homemade pickles, the historic downtown with twinkle lights strung across brick buildings, the rest stop where a stranger offers you a recommendation that turns into a detour you’ll remember forever.

Still, if you’re craving inspiration, here are a few regional favorites we love:

The Driftless Area, Wisconsin: Rolling hills, trout streams, and surprisingly upscale inns. Stay at a restored farmhouse B&B and eat at a James Beard-nominated restaurant in the middle of farmland.
New Mexico High Road to Taos: Art galleries, adobe churches, and roadside tamales. Splurge on a stay at the Inn of the Five Graces in Santa Fe.
The Oregon Coast: Giant sea stacks, boutique motels, and oyster bars that rival any Parisian brasserie.
Hudson Valley, NY: Antique shops, organic bakeries, and luxe barns-turned-inns. It’s Brooklyn with more trees and better parking.

Roadside Romance: Turning Ordinary Into Magic

Here's a secret: Any moment can feel cinematic with a bit of intention. A hotel pool becomes a spa if you bring your favorite facial mist. A burger tastes like fine dining with truffle ketchup. A long stretch of driving is transformed by a podcast that makes you laugh so hard you cry.

Make your car your sanctuary. Bring a scent diffuser, cozy blanket, a few luxe snacks. Keep a little notebook for scribbled memories or future stops. Download a vintage filter app and start a photo journal of your trip. Let it be personal.

Bring music that matches your mood, not just what's trending. Curate a playlist that moves from nostalgic to moody to wild. (Yes, you need at least one Springsteen song. It’s the law.)

Your Trip Your Way

Maybe your ideal summer moment means fireworks over the lake and sparklers by the fire pit. Maybe it means a night at a vineyard hotel with local wine and zero mosquitoes. Maybe it’s a solo trip with your favorite podcast and no one else’s timeline to worry about.

That’s the magic of the American road trip: it flexes to fit you.

Bring the pup. Bring your sister. Go alone and make friends at a dive bar with a killer jukebox. Stay in a cabin or a castle. Hike in the morning and hit a luxury spa by 3 p.m.

Freedom isn't just something we celebrate on the Fourth. It's something we chase every time we hit the road with no alarm clocks, no agendas, and no expectations other than joy.

The great American road trip isn’t about bucket lists or bragging rights. It’s about claiming a piece of summer for yourself. It’s about movement and stillness, kitsch and class, snacks and stargazing.

So wherever the road leads you, to a mountain pass, a beachside town, a sleepy village with fireflies and good beer, know that the journey is the destination.

And that destination looks pretty great in the rearview mirror, too.

P.S. Coming Soon…

If you love the idea of vintage diners and vintage Dom, roadside motels and riverside resorts, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Canyons and Caviar—our new offshoot brand dedicated to the grown-up American road trip. Think: mid-century motel vibes, national parks with butlers, and itineraries that include both hot springs and happy hour.

Canyons and Caviar is for travelers who want their boots dusty, their martinis dirty, and their travel plans anything but basic.

Launching late summer. Stay tuned.