4 Best American Road Trips For Seniors

1. Arizona

You can’t talk about an Arizona road trip for seniors without considering the famed, historic Route 66. While the route actually runs from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, the Arizona portion is not to be missed. 

Traveling from west to east, we start our Route 66 tour in Hackberry, AZ, a town that still embraces its mining history. Make sure to stop by the Hackberry General Store, built in 1934, to see the artwork from original owner Bob Waldmire.

Next up on our best American road trip in Arizona is Seligman. Seligman likes to call itself the town that was forgotten by the world. When Interstate 40 opened up, the town became completely bypassed. Here you'll find several fun gift shops that embrace the spirit of Route 66 Americana.

Continuing on, we eventually reach Winslow, Arizona, the town made famous by the Eagles song “Take it Easy.” Make sure to find yourself “standing on the corner” in this town, and visit the historic La Posada Hotel. The hotel was originally a Fred Harvey Railroad hotel that employed highly trained waitresses famously known as "Harvey Girls." 

Next on our Arizona road trips for seniors, we reach Holbrook. If you’ve ever watched “Cars” with your grandkids, you are familiar with this town: the Cozy Cone Hotel was inspired by Holbrook's Wigwam Motel. Make sure to stop by Arizona Sake to say hello to Atsuo Sakurai and taste some of his award-winning rice wine.

2. Texas

There are many possibilities for road trips for seniors in Texas, but the best route for an American road trip in this state is the Hill Country drive between Austin and San Antonio. Take this trip in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming along the road. 

There’s plenty to see in Austin, where you can soak up live music, experience the food truck scene, and catch the bats swooping out from under the South Congress Bridge.

Next, head west to Dripping Springs. This small town is home to countless breweries, distilleries and wineries. It’s also a great place for bird watching, as Dripping Springs has been named an official “Bird City” by the Texas Audubon Society.

Take the drive north to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Keep going, and you can hike up the 425-foot granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Dip south from here to find antiques and museums in Fredericksburg. 

Continuing on will bring you to Boerne, where you can walk the caverns. End your trip in San Antonio with a visit to The Alamo and dinner at the gorgeous River Walk downtown.

3. California

Next on our best United States road trips for retired couples is California's Pacific Coast Highway. Stretching from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Highway 1 will take you through picturesque Pacific Coast towns such as Monterey, Santa Barbara and Malibu. You can do this drive in about eight hours, but it's better to take a week to see everything this route has to offer.

This road trip for seniors has a little something for everyone. From the Elephant Seal Rookery at San Piedras Beach to nightlife along the route and any type of food you can think of, you are sure to have a great time.

Don’t miss the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, built by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst in 1919. With its historic artwork and gorgeous seaside vistas, this sprawling estate is a sight to behold.

Take a quick detour off Highway 1 to visit Solvang for some shopping in this village full of Danish architecture, antique shops, restaurants and more. Don't miss the town square, with its replica of Copenhagen’s famous Little Mermaid statue and a bust of Hans Christian Anderson.

Take some time and explore Santa Barbara, a town with plenty of history, art and culture.

Next up is Santa Monica and the famous Santa Monica Pier. Visit the amusement park on the pier and have a meal at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a seafood restaurant inspired by the movie “Forrest Gump.”

Eventually, after traveling through great surfing spots such as Huntington Beach and Newport Beach, you'll find yourself at the end of the line in Dana Point.

4. New Mexico

The last stop on our best American road trips is New Mexico. Explore northern New Mexico with a road trip between Santa Fe, Taos, and Albuquerque and discover the southwestern art that collectors go crazy for. Visit Los Alamos to discover the history of the Manhattan Project, and learn about the Native Americans who inhabit this part of the state.

Take a trek south to see the natural beauty this state is known for. Stop by the International UFO Museum in Roswell, and visit the Museum of Space History in Alamogordo to learn about New Mexico’s part in space exploration. See Carlsbad Caverns to wander through the vast underground network of caves, and stop off at the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge in Socorro. 

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