Our favorite road trips of 2022—and where we’re headed in 2023

From the beaches of Florida to the snowy peaks of the Pacific Northwest, it’s no secret that our team loves road trips—and in 2022 we took a lot of them. Whether they lasted days or weeks, took us across state lines or around our hometowns, into a national park or above canyons, every mile equals a memory. But traveling to new or favorite destinations is just part of the fun; every roadtripper knows that the best part of returning home is planning where you’re going to go next.

Here are the best road trips the Roadtrippers and Roadpass teams took in 2022, and where we’re headed in the new year.

The best road trips of 2022

Over the summer I took a seven state and 3,990-mile road trip with my dog and friend. I started in St. Louis and drove to Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma. We visited national and state parks, national forests, hot springs, rivers, Route 66 attractions, and visited with a lot of friends (and co-workers) along the way. —Larissa Piper, senior partnership manager

I took the Grand Canyon Railway out of Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon. The canyon displayed its beauty in all its glory. —Patte Means, community support

Aerial view of shorline and dock at Channel Islands National Park — Channel Islands National Park. | Photo: Ashley Rossi

I rented an EV in California and drove from LAX to Santa Barbara. Along the way we stopped in Ventura and took a day trip to Channel Islands National Park. It was surprisingly easy to find charging stations along the way, especially when our overnight locations had chargers. —Ashley Rossi, managing editor

I took an epic road trip from Wyoming to Nevada with my wife and one of our closest friends this summer. The three of us made stops at Antelope Island State Park, Zion National Park, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, before eventually making our way to Las Vegas where we checked out Meow Wolf and Cirque du Soleil’s newest show, Mad Apple. —Sam Lechlitner-Lewis, features editor

I returned to Great Smoky Mountains National Park this past summer and was reminded of why it’s such a unique—and popular—national park destination. The Smokies offers epic hikes like Alum Cave Trail, amazing tubing on many of the rivers, and kitschy family fun at legendary attractions such as Dollywood. I’m already planning my next visit. —Stephanie Puglisi, VP content

My favorite road trip in 2022 was a 9-day solo motorcycle trip through California. I started in San Diego and took Highway 1 all the way up to Oregon, then I turned around and came back south through the Eastern Sierras. It was a gorgeous trip with everything from dramatic ocean views to redwood forests, national parks, mountains, desert, and more. The Golden State really has it all! —Sanna Boman, editor in chief

Two people on kayaks in marsh on a clear day — Kayaking at Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine. | Photo: Ashley Rossi

My favorite road trip of 2022 was from Boston, Massachusetts, to Kennebunkport, Maine, to stay at Sandy Pines Campground. It was my first time in Maine, and definitely won’t be my last. It was special because I got to experience it with my coworker Ashley, who showed me around and told me about the history of the area. We also got to meet up with another coworker, Meosha, and it was our first time meeting in person (since we’re a remote team). We had a blast glamping at the cabins at Sandy Pines and trying lobster rolls for the first time. —Kelly Kollmeier, production manager

My favorite road trip of 2022 was driving with my boyfriend from Chicago to Grand Junction, Michigan, to stay at a Getaway House. It was so nice to be able to unplug and relax for a weekend. —Meosha Bates, email marketing manager

a bright green and white concrete dinosaur slide in the desert — Bedrock City. | Photo: Alexandra Charitan

I took a 22-day cross-country road trip from Ohio to Arizona and back to Washington, D.C., with my mom. It was special because I saw several states I hadn’t been to before, attended a friend’s wedding in Phoenix, explored national parks, museums, and other roadside oddities—and got to share it all with my mom. —Alexandra Charitan, features editor

In January and February, we spent time roadtripping in Arizona and New Mexico. Despite our attempts to escape winter in Bend, Oregon, we found winter in the Southwest. We brought our two pups along for the adventure and explored from the depths of the desert to the magic in the mountains. —Garrett Hampton, brand manager

My husband and I enjoyed an incredible road trip to Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida this summer. Our favorite parts of our trip were taking in the incredible sunsets on the beach in Captiva and finding delicious local restaurants through the Roadtrippers app. These areas ended up being devastated by Hurricane Ian this fall, so I feel really fortunate to have been able to visit before the storm. —Lauren Lillis, director of marketing and communications

Road trips on deck for 2023

After the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, I’m meeting a coworker, Christina, in Maui for surfing, kite flying, and snorkeling. —Larissa Piper, senior partnership manager

After reading this story about spooky places in Nevada, I’m inspired to plan a road trip along the Loneliest Road in America with my fiancé. The route passes through Fallon, Nevada, which will be my new last name, so it’s only fitting. —Ashley Rossi, managing editor

Skiers and snowboarders gathered at Chestnut ski area in Illinois. — Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, Illinois.

My wife and I are planning to make our way to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this winter for a little Midwest skiing. —Sam Lechlitner-Lewis, features editor

This upcoming year will feature plenty of surfing-themed camping trips. My three boys were all raised on the coast, but now that they are getting older, they are begging to visit some of the famous surf breaks that they have heard about. We already have an oceanfront site booked in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and they are also pushing for a trip to the Golden State. —Stephanie Puglisi, VP content

I’ve spent the last few years mainly roadtripping in the U.S. (and there’s still so much left to see in this country) but for 2023 I’m going international. I have a New Zealand trip booked in February, where I will rent a motorcycle and roadtrip around the South Island. —Sanna Boman, editor in chief

I’m planning on roadtripping to Mammoth Cave National Park and spending a few days exploring the caves, and all the area has to offer. It’s only about a 3-hour drive from where I live, and I’ve never been, so I definitely need to check it off my bucket list. I’m planning on going with my husband and my dog Millie, who loves hiking and exploring as much as we do. —Kelly Kollmeier, production manager

a tunnel carved into rock lit by orange lights — A lava tube at lava tubes at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. | Photo: Genevieve Davis

My boyfriend and I are heading to the Big Island in early 2023 and looking forward to visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I hear the Chain of Craters Road is almost impossible to miss due to the inactive craters, hikes, and trails. —Meosha Bates, email marketing manager

There are several states in the West that I haven’t been to yet—including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and the Dakotas—and I’d love to plan another weeks-long road trip to check them off my list (maybe solo this time). I would also like to drive Route 66 in an EV after researching this article and wondering whether it was possible (it is!). —Alexandra Charitan, features editor

I’m in the early planning stages of my first-ever RV trip! I’m still figuring out where to go, but my Roadpass Pro membership is making it easy, especially when looking for a cool campground on Campendium and reviewing trip guides on Roadtrippers. —Lauren Lillis, director of marketing and communications

Diversity in adventure has always been appealing to me, from exploring the desert to climbing mountains and paddling rivers. In 2023, we’re beginning to plan a tour of Pacific Northwest states to link hiking and paddling adventures while dodging grizzly bears and rattlesnakes. —Garrett Hampton, brand manager