The Top 10 Best Solo Road Trips USA Edition for 2022

The United States is gorgeous, from sea to shining sea. I love being from such a huge and varied country with all kinds of landscapes, cultures, and sights.

I’ve traveled to over 65 countries over the past decade, most of them alone, which only makes me appreciate the USA more. There’s nothing in the world quite like it. And given it’s a BIG country with lots of area to cover, a road trip is one of the best ways to experience it.

Here are some of my favorite road trips for solo female travel in the USA:

Table of Contents

10. Pacific Coast Highway, California

It’s no secret that California is a road trip heaven in summer and even in winter, with its amazing Pacific Ocean views and wide expanses of open road waiting to be traversed. Take your pick from beginning as far south as the Mexico border or as far north as the Oregon border and begin the 1,650 mile adventure as quickly or as slowly as you’d like.

Check out our Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary for ideas for where to stop along the journey. This road trip is great for solo traveling as there are plenty of places to take in the scenery and find the stillness that you’re craving.

9. The Oregon Highlights

Oregon is one of the most interesting states to road trip through. Here you get the perks of being able to drive along the Pacific Coast, while also being able to venture deep into the mountains and find beautiful hot springs and waterfalls along the way.

Start your adventure at Crater Lake National Park, where you can drive 33 miles along Rim Drive. There are 30 different spots where you can stop and get a look at the lake. From there, you can check out the waterfalls in North Umpqua, see peculiar rock formations at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and then at Cannon Beach, and end your trip in Portland.

Find the full Oregon road trip itinerary here.

8. Highway 95 from Reno to Las Vegas, Nevada

This is easily one of the quirkiest road trips in the USA, hands down. Starting in Reno where you can experience the gorgeous Lake Tahoe, you’ll follow Highway 95 to a short detour leading to Fish Lake Valley Hot Well, an off-the-beaten-path hot spring. From there, you’ll go to Tonopah where you can stay in a haunted hotel. The oddities continue in Goldfield, where there is a kooky art installation involving several cars and buses taking a nose dive into the dirt. You really have to see it to believe it.

There are plenty of other mind-bending stops on this Highway 95 road trip, including a stop at the Area 51 gift shop and some beautiful desert landscapes. This one is great to do solo, as the solitude of the desert provides the stillness and peace that are perfect for recharging your social battery.

7. US 395 Freeway, California & Nevada

Starting in Los Angeles and stretching all the way to Nevada, this Highway 395 road trip is one of the most epic adventures in the US. From your very first stop at stunning Red Rock Canyon to passing through legendary Lake Tahoe, prepare to be mesmerized by California and Nevada’s beauty.

In many ways, the Highway 395 road trip is a highlight reel of the region’s best natural landscapes. You’ll see expansive deserts, colorful mountains, alpine lakes, and even stop in some of the USA’s best national parks including detours to Yosemite (summertime only) and Death Valley (best visited in the winter).

6. Calfornia Deserts Road Trip

Many people think of California and picture the famous coastline and mountains, but about 25% of California is made up of deserts, which are less visited and absolutely fascinating. It’s quite easy to hop from one California desert to the next, saying goodbye to the legendary traffic of the state and observing the changes in scenery that come with each stop on this epic adventure.

On your California deserts road trip, you’ll start at the Alabama Hills National Monument where you can watch a sunset from Mobius Arch. From there, find yourself in Death Valley, one of the most extreme and fascinating places on Earth, let alone California. Then, go looking for lava tubes in Mojave National Preserve and Monument. Don’t miss out on Joshua Tree and, of course, Anza-Borrego State Park. How’s that for a thrilling solo road trip?

5. Idaho – Boise to Coeur D’alene

Idaho? Yes, Idaho! If you are looking for a nature-filled getaway, Idaho might just be the place for you. As you drive through the state, make sure to make plenty of stops at the beautiful hot springs.

Sometimes the best part of traveling solo is having the opportunity to intentionally connect with nature. Because Idaho isn’t necessarily everybody’s top bucket-list destination, it’s much less touristy than other destinations. That makes it a great choice for anyone looking for some true peace and quiet.

Click here for a complete Idaho road trip itinerary.

4. Florida Keys

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Imagine finding gorgeous Caribbean blues without having to leave the United States! The Florida Keys are a perfect spot for enjoying white sand beaches, taking boat trips, and spotting wildlife like dolphins!

It’s perfect as a one-week road trip, and is best done outside of the main hurricane season from July – November.

3. American Southwest

From the mind-boggling sandstone formations of Arches National Park to the astounding views of Zion National Park, the American Southwest might be one of the absolute best places in the US for an outdoor lover’s road trip. Start your Utah National Parks road trip in Moab, which is the perfect launching point for both Arches and Canyonland National Parks before making your way to Arizona for more wonders including Havasu Falls, White Pocket, and Antelope Canyon, to name a few.

Our American Southwest road trip itinerary is full of other suggestions of places to stop along with tips to make your trip the best it can be.

2. New Mexico’s Gorgeous Landscapes

When you think of New Mexico, do funky western towns, white sand dunes, and the landscape that enchanted Georgia O’Keeffe come to mind?

From hot springs to incredible landscape, some dreamy white sands, and plenty of western culture, New Mexico offers something for any season.

Read more about our favorite New Mexico road trip stops here.

1. Vermont Leaf Peeping

Looking for a crisp fall getaway where the maple syrup is free flowing and the leaves are an incredible combination of reds, oranges, and yellows?

Vermont is hands-down one of the most famous places for leaf peeping in the US, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s our full Vermont leaf peeping road trip itinerary basing yourself in Burlington.

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Finding stillness in nature is a great way to reset and enjoy your own company. Having the Grand Canyon or a hot spring as your backdrop doesn’t hurt, either!