There’s something endlessly romantic about summer road trips. You’re hitting the highway, putting on some tunes, rolling the windows down, and soaking in that warm breeze—perhaps setting up camp for the night in a scenic spot and cooking dinner over a campfire.
Memorial Day weekend is the official start of road trip season, and after a year where so many of us were stuck at home, being able to travel again feels like a welcome return to normal. With vaccination numbers going up and COVID-19 cases going down across the U.S., we’re more excited than ever to hit the road this summer.
In honor of National Road Trip Day on May 28, we’re sharing the Roadtrippers team’s summer travel plans below—including Route 66, national parks, quirky museums, the first road trip with a new baby, and a bucket list adventure in Alaska.
If you don’t have a trip on the calendar yet, it’s not too late to start planning (and don’t forget to tag #roadtrippers in all your adventures). Happy roadtripping!
Nick Kelly, Growth Marketing Manager
My wife, 6-month-old baby, and I are driving up to Glen Arbor, Michigan, to spend two nights near Sleeping Bear. Then we’re driving to Mackinaw City and taking a ferry to Mackinac Island for two more nights. A short trip, but we’re looking forward to it. We took a great trip to Michigan last year, but we stayed further south on the Lake Michigan side. We loved it, so this time we’re driving straight to northern Michigan as a warm-up trip for us to learn how to roadtrip with our baby before we drive to Florida in the fall.
Alexandra Charitan, Managing Editor, Roadtrippers
In August, my dad and I are planning to drive the section of Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois, to Tulsa, Oklahoma. We’ve done several of the western parts of the route (together or separately) and this will bring both of us closer to our goal of traveling the entire Mother Road. I’m most excited for the Jesse James Wax Museum in Missouri and the small-but-mighty 13.2-mile stretch through Kansas, a state I’ve never visited.
Kyle Kochanek, Senior Product Designer
In June, my family and I are planning on driving deep into the Great Smoky Mountains. My partner and I traveled down there three years ago, but at the time we were only able to explore a small part of the mountains. We are looking forward to hiking in the park while my child will most likely be ecstatic to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Sanna Boman, Editor in Chief
This summer I get to check off the item at the very top of my bucket list: riding a motorcycle through Alaska. I’m heading to the Last Frontier for a 10-day road trip that covers everything between Homer in the south and Denali in the north. I’m very much looking forward to riding a mix of pavement and off-road trails, and seeing glaciers, wildlife, dramatic coastlines, peaks, and that wonderful midnight sun.
Josh Knepfle, Vice President of Engineering
This June, my family of six will travel from Jackson, Wyoming, to Great Falls, Montana. We’ll start at the Grand Tetons, where we’ll do a float trip of the Snake River and some hiking. Next, we’ll head to Yellowstone National Park and stay at the Old Faithful Inn for two nights. My wife and kids have never seen a geyser, moose, or bison, so I’m excited to share that experience with them. Next, we’ll drive through Montana and stay in Glacier National Park. We’re hoping to travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road if the snow has been cleared. Bonus: My son is in the fifth grade, and this year, all fifth-graders and their families get into national parks for free.
Kacey McCabe, Senior Growth Marketing Manager
I’m spending some time in New York City next month. While I’m in town, an old friend and I are driving from Brooklyn to southern Vermont for a long weekend. I’ve never been to Vermont, so I’m looking forward to taking in the scenery and doing some exploring. Venturing out will be fun, but after a year and a half of social distancing, I’m most excited for the little things: catching up and listening to music on the car ride, sharing a meal, and reconnecting in person, beyond the screen.
Meosha Bates, Marketing Analyst
I’m heading to Arizona with my partner for four days. We’re flying into Phoenix and renting a Jeep to get around. I’m most excited to get out and explore more of the West and visit the Grand Canyon for the first time. I have a feeling the photos and videos I’ve seen don’t do it justice. I’ve also heard that Sedona is something we can’t miss—it’s part of the International Dark Sky Association, so stargazing is a must.
Steven Hileman, VP of Marketing
I’ll be driving my family of four from Ohio to south Florida, a total round-trip duration of about two weeks. This will be the first time we’re making this 1,200-mile trip with an electric vehicle, and we are just starting to plan how we mix charging stops with entertainment to take advantage of the “fueling” time.
Ashley Rossi, Managing Editor, Togo RV
I’m meeting up with friends who live in Salt Lake City, Utah, and we’re roadtripping to the Greater Zion area. I’ll be there for six days and we’re spending two nights in Springdale, near Zion National Park, and two nights in St. George (the other nights will be in Salt Lake City). I was in Zion National Park when pandemic restrictions started to unfold in March, 2020, so I’ve been calling this my “revenge COVID trip.” I can’t wait to hike The Narrows if the weather cooperates and see the park in warmer weather. I’m also excited to visit some less-touristy areas like the Kolob Canyons and Sand Hollow State Park. And of course, I can’t wait to go back for a Veyo pie.
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