From March 1 well into April, I spent my time road tripping across the United States. From Virginia to California and back, this six-week journey brought me to no fewer than fifteen national parks, one California state park and two national monuments. Hopefully the road trip photos in this post will inspire and encourage you to go on a car trip like this yourself.
I highly recommend it. In fact, as is the case for any form of travel that’s not simply laying on a resort beach, I know from experience that a journey like this will enrich your life tremendously. If you keep an open mind, you’ll discover an America that you didn’t know existed (or an America that you only knew from TV).
I’ve spent some time picking and choosing the road trip photos that I think best represent this amazing journey. I decided to share them below to inspire you guys to go on a similar trip.
My Favorite Cross-Country Road Trip Photos
Road in Death Valley, California
Garden of Eden, Arches National Park, Utah
The Blue Mesa, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Campfire, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park, CaliforniaYou’ll see the beautiful tree-covered mountains of Appalachia, the mighty Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, the sand-blasted desert plains of Texas and New Mexico, the canyons of Arizona and Utah, the bone-dry deserts of Southern California, the wildlife-rich water of the California coast, and the endless farmlands of the Great Plains. Besides all this, you’ll see everything from weathered-down Midwest towns to iconic San Francisco and the decadence of Las Vegas.
Long story short, this is a journey that every American—and, for that matter, every traveler from whatever country who has the time—has to undertake at least once in their lifetime. It’s as invigorating as it is humbling, as memorable as it is touching.
Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Humpback whale, Channel Islands National Park, California
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California
Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado6 Weeks, 15 National Parks
Now, the focus of my trip was seeing as many U.S. national parks as possible. Not to simply check them off my list, but to visit each park thoroughly. For example, in fourteen of those fifteen parks, I spent at least 24 hours. In ten of them, I spent 48 hours and in four, I spent 72 hours. I did at least one strenuous hike in every single one of them.
Moonlight and Joshua tree, Joshua Tree National Park, California
Chimney Rock Loop, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Sunset on Route 66, Southern California
Overlook in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Pigeon Point Lighthouse on Highway 1, CaliforniaI know you liked these road trip photos. So, if you’re wondering how on earth you can manage to take six week off from work, then just talk to your boss. Just talk to them. They’ll probably understand, even if now you don’t think they will. Sleeping in a tent or even in your car saves you tons of money. Listing your house or apartment on AirBnb brings in plenty of cash to fund your trip. I know a trip like this is possible. I did it less than a month ago…
Zion Canyon seen from Observation Point, Zion National Park, Utah
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, California
Wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Medano Creek in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Coyote in Death Valley National Park, CaliforniaWhich One of These Cross-Country Road Trip Photos Is Your Favorite? Have You Ever Been on a Long Road Trip? Talk to Us in the Comments Below!
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, CAAnza-Borrego Desert State Park, CAGrand Canyon National Park, AZThe Blue Mesa, Petrified Forest National Park, AZSunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, UTSanta Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park Route 66, Southern CADeath Valley, CAPigeon Point Lighthouse on Highway 1, CAJoshua Tree National Park, CAMedano CreekHumpback whale, Channel Islands National Park, CAGreen River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT Garden of Eden, Arches National Park, UTCoyote in Death Valley National Park, CACliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park, COCholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park, CAChimney Rock Loop, Capitol Reef National Park, UTCampfire, Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO