Pacific Coast Highway in California
If you've got at least five nights and ideally seven, hop on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for the quintessential California road trip. The PCH stretches approximately 650 miles from Mendocino to Los Angeles and passes through scenic coastal towns like Big Sur, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and Malibu. There's never a dull moment on the PCH thanks to its million-dollar views of California's rugged coastline and vast blue ocean that dips beyond the horizon.
Our pro tip is to travel the PCH from north to south so the coastal views are always ahead of you and the vista points are easy to access. You can spend more time with your toes in the sand by avoiding commute hours between 3 PM and 6 PM when approaching San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Route 66 Los Angeles to Chicago
One of America's most iconic road trips is Route 66, starting in Chicago and ending at the Santa Monica Pier in California. If your friends call you a road warrior, grab your sunglasses and spray paint (we’ll explain) for this 2,400-mile epic road trip traveling through 8 states and the country's most quirky and historical attractions. One of the most photographed, Cadillac Ranch in Texas, is a public art installation featuring ten vintage Cadillacs inviting aerosol artists to create..
Route 66 will lead you through Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and California, where you'll see Instagrammable roadside wonders. Stop for photo ops along the way, like Missouri's "Gateway Arch" in St. Louis (an awe-inspiring 630-foot tall, stainless steel monument) and, of course, the Grand Canyon in Utah. You can't miss Route 66's oversized objects, like the world's biggest rocking chair and catsup bottle, which will surely make you smile in appreciation of a bygone era.
Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia to North Carolina
Traveling from North Carolina to Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway offers a picturesque and peaceful drive through the Appalachian Mountains with views of rolling hills and verdant forests. Start this serene road trip in Virginia before heading 469 miles toward North Carolina. When you're ready for a little adrenaline rush, stop at Grandfather Mountain and walk over the mile-long swing bridge, which spans an 80-foot chasm and, yes, sways in the wind.
The Blue Ridge Parkway's numerous points of interest include places to picnic and explore. Plan a few hikes at Humpback Rock, Linville Falls, or the Peaks of Otter. To jazz up your drive, see a Blue Ridge Music Center concert, and take advantage of the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center for some Southern hospitality.
Your Journey Matters. So Does Your Stuff.
When it’s time to hit the road, StorQuest is here for you no matter your destination. Whether you embark on an epic Route 66 road trip from Chicago or Santa Monica, which we proudly call home, we've designed our spaces so every adventure can begin and end at your local StorQuest storage unit.