Tag: Road

Why This Scenic Route Is The Most Popular Road Trip In The U.S. Right Now

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 8 mins ago

The U.S. National Parks Service just released its 2023 visitor data, and one place in particular was the most visited in the entire United States.

Blue Ridge Parkway was the number one most popular National Parks Site in the U.S. for 2023, with a total of 16.7 million visitors.

This scenic route stretches for 469 miles between North Carolina and Virginia, running through the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains.

Here’s why so many travelers visited the Blue Ridge Parkway last year and why it’s the perfect road trip:

Explore America’s Most Visited National Park

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the border of North Carolina & Tennessee with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country, with over 13.2 million visitors last year.

It’s the perfect place to start your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip. Spend a day or two exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park and enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and camping.

Then hit the road and start driving the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Scenic Views And Stops Along The Way

You could theoretically drive the entire 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway in about 12 hours if you didn’t make any stops, but the beauty of a road trip is stopping along the way!

One reason so many travelers love the Blue Ridge Parkway is because of the scenic mountain views you’ll enjoy as you drive, and the great stops you can make along the way.

The top three stops I recommend making as you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway are:

Asheville, North Carolina: This trendy town is known for its restaurants, breweries, and art galleries. It’s also worth stopping at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, the largest private home in the United States constructed by the Vanderbilt family in the late 19th century.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina: A charming small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blowing Rock is another great stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The main highlight here is hiking up to the Blowing Rock, a rock formation with sweeping views over the mountains.

Roanoke, Virginia: Another popular place to stop on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is Roanoke. This vibrant small city is a great place to explore with lots of museums and attractions.

Finish In An Underrated National Park

The Blue Ridge Parkway ends at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Although Shenandoah is not as popular or widely visited as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this underrated national park is definitely still worth a stop!

This is another national park with beautiful mountain scenery and lots of great hikes and scenic viewpoints. It’s the perfect place to end your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip.

Road Trips Are Affordable

Road tripping on the Blue Ridge Parkway was so popular last year because it’s a very affordable vacation!

With many destinations getting more and more expensive, you can still save money on a road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Your main costs will be a rental car (if you don’t have your own vehicle for the trip), gas, and food. Accommodation is something you can save a lot of money on by camping or even sleeping in your car!

Of course, you can also spend money on hotels, with plenty of options for every budget along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I would recommend at least 5 days for a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, but you could easily spend 7 to 10 days driving it depending on how many stops you want to make.

The best time for a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip is late spring through fall — it’s one of the best fall foliage destinations in the United States!

Read More:

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans Starting At $10 Per Week

How To Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

[ad_2]

Source link

March 4, 2024
Why Your Best Best For Travel This Summer Is The American Road Trip

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Traveling in the summertime can be… hectic.

At least if you are planning on traveling by air anywhere this upcoming season, especially in America.

Experts agree that this year will bring a massive demand for spring and summer travel, as well as staffing shortages in literally every sector of the aviator industry.

These two factors combined are very likely to create issues with U.S. air travel this year, far surpassing the aviation meltdowns that travelers faced in 2022.

One surefire way to avoid headaches brought on by air travel is avoiding the sky altogether and doing your traveling while sticking to the ground.

Luckily, those who are looking to explore America are spoiled for choice with many noteworthy road trips.

Studies have shown an increase in Americans who are considering road trips this year as opposed to last, with half of them planning to travel by car or RV this summer.

From coastal drives to mountain passes and desert stretches of solitude, there is no end of options for those who are looking for some peace and quiet while exploring the vast open spaces across the United States, all while in the comfort of their space (not to mention their own music choices).

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Here Are Some Top Choices For American Road Trips This Year:

Route 66

Let’s start this list with the classic Route 66 trip.

Running from Los Angeles to Chicago and crossing some highlights such as Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, this route offers never-ending places to stop and snap some pics with the iconic signs and statues along your way.

While there are many highlights of this epic trip, don’t forget to stop and stay a night or two in some of the small towns that you will pass and enjoy the local hospitality and authentic food.

Highway 101, Oregon

This approximately 400-mile road weaves you down Oregon’s jagged coast, with sweeping views into the Pacific on one side and farmlands and forests on the other.

While highway 101 runs all the way down to San Diego, what sets the Oregon segment apart is the fact that (unlike the other states) the entire shoreline is state-owned, meaning that the public can park and set off to explore where they like.

If you are in the area, keep in mind that there are many epic drives to be had in the Pacific Northwest, all offering something different and stunning.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

Here’s a road tip that you can easily do in a day, although adding on to it in both directions would definitely be worth it.

Spanning only about 50 miles, Going-to-the-Sun winds drivers past Glacier National Park and through America’s Continental Divide.

Keep in mind this is not a year-round drive, and the winter weather makes this impassable and therefore closed.

It’s important to check all the official information if you are interested in making this trip, as the conditions can be unpredictable at times.

U.S. Route 50, Nevada

There’s a reason Life magazine named this stretch of road “the lowest road in America”, and anyone who travels it can see why.

While the actual Route 50 runs California to Maryland and is a major highway connecting the country, it’s the Nevada stretch where drivers find themselves surrounded by nothing but open sky, mountains, and never-ending sand.

This path might feel lonely, but travelers here are following the well-trodden path of those who relied on this route before them.

American Indians, Gold Miners, and the Pony Express all helped to leave their mark here, and while driving, look out for the many signs with historical information.

Great River Road, Minnesota to Mississippi

As one of America’s longest and most important scenic byways, the Great River Road will lead the driver along the Mississippi River, through 10 states, and across nearly 3,000 miles.

This road trip can be a long one if you are stopping and enjoying the famed places along the way. Many make the trip somewhere between 4 – 10 days.

This route is well marked with many signs easily identifying the way. Just look for the white sign with the green pilot’s wheel.

Some highlights include the Mississippi River Gorge in Minneapolis and The Buffalo Bill Museum in Iowa, although there are almost too many great places to see to list.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

[ad_2]

Source link

April 2, 2023
This Is How Much You Will Pay In Gas For Your U.S. Summer Road Trip

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 3 hours ago

The 2022 fuel crisis is taking its toll on American travelers. After two years of enduring major economic challenges resulting from Covid, families are now faced with an unprecedented surge in gas prices that is affecting their vacation plans. In other words, traveling is getting more expensive, especially for those driving long distances this summer.

While there is little we can do concretely, in the short term, about U.S. dependency on foreign oil, there are online tools we can use to calculate costs and help fulfill our travel plans. We have already introduced you to a travel sheet that makes finding cheaper flights easier – now, we will show you how to estimate fuel prices for your upcoming road trip.

After all, knowing how much you will likely spend in gas for your drive to the beach in advance makes budget planning a lot easier:

Step 1

Start by visiting the U.S. Department of Energy’s Trip Calculator official website. On the first page, you will be expected to specify what kind of car you will use for traveling. As any experienced driver will know, depending on vehicle type, manufacturer and other factors, the amount of fuel needed, and thus price, can vary dramatically.

As the Honda Accord has been named one of the most popular cars in the U.S. in 2022, we will use in our simulation. When calculating your own costs, you are free to select the most suitable option based on Year, Make, Model, and other specifications. Identifying the exact model of the car is paramount for calculation of costs.

On the next page, which is still part of Step 1, you will be directed to a page where you can visualize the selected vehicle, add more, or then edit information. As we are running a test, we have opted for the popular 2022 Honda Accord, 1.5 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Turbo, Regular model, which will later influence fuel estimates.

Step 2

On Step 2, you can enter more details of your trip, such as starting point, any intermediate stops you are planning to make, and of course, destination. With our 2022 Honda Accord, we will be ‘driving’ from the small city of Santa Rosa, California, to the metropolitan Los Angeles. They are both two of the top rated domestic destinations for Americans this year.

As the Santa Rosa-Los Angeles route is a 428 mile drive, lasting about 6 hours and 43 minutes, we will add a stopover for refreshments in the picturesque Kettleman City, located halfway to Los Angeles. Having informed the route, we will then click on the ‘Calculate the Trip’ button, which can be found beneath the Trip Planner.

Traveling between these cities on a 2022 Honda Accord, on June 2, 2022, we would be expected to pay USD 59.02 in fuel. Other important information can be seen here, such as the amount of city driving – in this case, 55%, or more than half of the joruney – and even directions and a detailed map powered by Google.

Per gallon, that is USD 4.49, somewhat cheaper than the current national average of USD 4.71 as of June 2. Still, California has been one of the most heavily affected states during the fuel crisis, with current estimates indicating customers should expect to pay USD 6.21 per gallon, on average, when driving in the Golden State.

Driving Is Getting More Expensive Than Flying

For other longer routes, travelers can expect to pay anywhere between USD 100 and USD 150 on fuel only. Driving a 2022 Honda Accord from Chicago to New York City, for example, will cost you $107.33 in fuel. That is noticeably more expensive than many one-way flight, low cost flight tickets to a number of U.S. destinations.

Again, these results are based on vehicle selection, departure point and destination. Users can edit vehicles ‘to personalize the MPG’ and access more accurate fuel prices, as well as visualize the best possible routes. Whatever the destination is, one thing is for certain: roadtrips in the U.S. have inevitably got costlier, and prices could continue fluctuating for months to come.

What Is Behind The 2022 Fuel Crisis?

Speaking to The Guardian, Shore Capital analyst Craig Howie states that there are ‘various factors at play‘ that influence the rise in fuel prices. Among them, a ‘stretching demand’ as more people take to the road after Covid, concerns regarding Russian oil imports in the wake of its invasion of neighboring Ukraine, and even ‘lower refinery runs’ in China, that is yet to reopen.

As a result, flight prices, which are heavily affected by the cost of jet fuel, have been rising exponentially. Leading the way among airlines, United is taking more aggressive action to cap airfares amid the fuel surge, in a move that could help make air travel more affordable again. Gas station customers, on the other hand, have taken the brunt of it with more volatile prices.

For that reason, travelers will have to get more creative to try and mitigate the impacts of the current crisis when travelling this summer – either by using the new Wyndham road trip planning app, or deciding on a destination based on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Trip Calculator.

For more inspiration, check out these 5 epic road trips you can take in the U.S. for summer 2022.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

7 Things You Don’t Want To Miss On A Route 66 Road Trip

U.S. Government Asks Court To Reinstate Mask Mandate For Public Transport

Meet California’s New State Park Opening In 2023

Top 10 End Of Summer Road Trips In The U.S.

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

June 4, 2022
Wyndham Launches New App Feature To Help Travelers Plan Road Trips
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 1 hour ago

After staying at home during the pandemic for two years, travelers want to go out and explore the world. They have been planning more road trips than ever and many businesses in the travel industry know it. This is why the American hotel company Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is launching a new feature called “Road Trip Planner”.

The new mobile app feature, integrated with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts app, helps travelers plan their next road trip and includes interactive tools that allow users to book hotels, choose from different itineraries and discover new travel opportunities.

According to the information provided by the company in the press release, recent research for their American Road Trip Index revealed that 80% of Americans are planning to take a road trip in 2022, but 66% feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to plan it.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts —considered the largest hotel franchise in the world with hotels in more than 95 countries and over 6,000 in the United States— wants to provide a technological solution for travelers.

Jessica Davidson, senior vice president, digital, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said: “With thousands of hotels across our country’s highways and byways and 22 trusted brands, there is no company better positioned to help travelers experience the road trip of their dreams.”

And added: “With Road Trip Planner, travelers enter a few details about the trip and instantly get an itinerary with all their hotel stops, bookable in one single transaction. It not only eases the stresses of travel planning but ensures the journey is as exciting as the destination.”

It is not the only business that considered Americans’ increasing interest in road trip travel. Even Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner recently launched an app called HearHere to reproduce audio with historical information related to the user’s current geolocation.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts proposes an option that includes their popular brands —such as Days Inn, Super 8, Microtel, Baymont, La Quinta, Howard Johnson, and Travelodge— to provide “The Easiest Way to Book & Go” as their service mark states.

More About Road Trip Planner

The new digital platform will allow travelers to plan, create and book trips and multiple hotel stays at once. It offers features for different kinds of travel, from coastal road trips to national parks road trips to long-haul truckers’ itineraries.

Road Trip Planner will be integrated into Wyndham Hotels & Resorts app, created two years ago —which allows users to quickly book rooms in nearby hotels with the feature Lightning Book and check-in and check-out from the phone.

“Built upon the success and strong adoption of our mobile app, Road Trip Planner is the perfect complement to Lightning Book, which is our fastest way to book direct and enables guests to reserve a hotel in just a few taps. Now, whatever your travel preferences—be it booking last minute or planning far ahead—Wyndham has you covered. Summer, here we come!”, said Davidson.

These are the main features included in the platform:
- Custom itineraries: Travelers can discover itinerary alternatives from location A to destination B and filter search considering the driving distance, pet-friendly locations, or preferred brands and amenities.
- Recommended routes: after mapping a route, the app intelligence can recommend the best itinerary according to the user’s travel preferences.
- Reservations details: travelers can view multiple reservations and make requests or lock up amenities before arriving.
- Pay your way: the app offers different payment options, including cash and Wyndham Rewards points.
This new feature can be a great alternative for different kinds of travelers —from those who prefer carefully planned itineraries to more spontaneous voyagers—, considering that it also offers different kinds of hotel experiences. But, it is especially useful for those looking to stay at economy and midscale hotels in the United States.

During summer, road trippers will have more options to plan, book, schedule, and take advantage of technology on their next adventure.

Read More:

Summer Travel 2022: 5 Epic Road Trips In The U.S. To Take This Year

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

All You Need To Know About The Travel App Created By Kevin Costner

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
May 26, 2022
Summer Travel 2022: 5 Epic Road Trips In The U.S. To Take This Year

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 6 hours ago

Still worried about confusing international travel rules? There’s always a solution. Why not head out on the open road and take a drive through the U.S. this summer?

From underrated national parks to the most scenic drives in California, here are some adventurous summer road trip ideas for 2022 in the U.S. that won’t break the bank.

Indianapolis To Milwaukee

You can start this summer road trip in the Hoosier State and drive north to Milwaukee or do it the other way around. Either way, this 4-hour road trip will give you the quintessential Midwest experience (and lots of amazing views) along the way.

With the warm weather approaching, there’s no better time than to explore Indiana’s capital city. For a perfect day in Indy, head to downtown Indianapolis where you can walk along the picturesque canal in the White River State Park before sitting down for a sunset dinner at one of the many patios.

While not as popular as neighboring Chicago, Milwaukee has so much to offer travelers. The city also makes for a great road trip destination, especially during the summer months. Catch a baseball game and sample some fresh brews at one of the many breweries in the downtown area.

There are also a bunch of interesting pit stops worth taking on this road trip. Take a break in the little town of Justice, Illinois and visit the world’s largest stained glass window (it’s in the Guinness Book of World Records!) and the world’s first-ever Mcdonald’s.

Las Vegas To Great Basin National Park

This summer road trip mixes outdoor adventures with the glitz and glamor of the big city. To start this road trip, fly into Las Vegas for a few days of fun before heading to one of the most underrated national parks in the western US.

Nevada’s Great Basin National Park is a 4.5-hour drive northeast of Vegas just by the border with Utah. The park gets amazing reviews and offers camping, great trails, peaks, and even cave tours. Plan a few nights camping here and you’ll get some of the best stargazing experiences of your life.

New Hampshire White Mountains

Looking for more cheap travel inspiration? Head towards the east coast to New Hampshire and discover the beauty of the White Mountains. The weather is perfect this time of year, making New Hampshire one of the best states for an epic summer road trip.

Take a drive along Highway 112, where you can take your time to explore the beautiful northeast region of the “Live Free or Die” State before entering the White Mountain National Forest. You and your road trip buddies can spend at least 4-5 days here chasing waterfalls, swimming in lakes, camping, and so much more. If you don’t feel like roughing it, there are plenty of country cabin stays and hotels in and around the forest.

Central California Road Trip – Morro Bay To Big Sur

Nestled between Los Angeles County and a few hours drive south of bustling San Francisco is the sunny region of Central California. For many explorers, this region is the heartland of the Golden State. Why not plan a west coast road trip here this summer and discover why.

Start your road trip in beautiful Morro Bay and eventually make your way up to Big Sur by driving along the iconic Highway 1. If you have a few extra days on your road trip itinerary and want to explore a bit inland, head to Paso Robles, one of the most underrated wine regions in California.

Some of the most picturesque parts of the epic California coastline can be found here on this road trip (seriously, though), so take your time and enjoy the ride.

Kansas City To Omaha

Get more acquainted with the Heartland on this quick and fun summer road trip from Kansas City to Omaha. The trip is less than 3 hours in total, which will give you plenty of time to make stops at the little towns along the way.

Spend at least a few days in Kansas City, exploring its many museums and markets before heading over to Omaha. On a sunny summer day, the Overland Park is a great spot to explore for some outdoor fun in the heart of the city.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Mask Mandate Confusion Spreads Across The US

Switzerland Removes All Entry Requirements For Travelers

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

[ad_2]

Source link

April 25, 2022