Whether fueling up for a weekend getaway (where, on average, you’re never more than 30 minutes away from a Hampton by Hilton) or hitting the open road for a longer excursion that calls for rest in generous-sized suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas, check out Hilton’s hotels that offer value-added amenities such as free breakfast and Wi-Fi. As a bonus, before you buckle up and go, Hilton Honors members can use the Points Explorer tool to see where their Points can take them well within budget.
Regardless of where you’re headed when you’re ready to travel, Hilton curated the 10 best U.S. road trip routes with plenty of sights to see and places to explore along the way.
Long-Distance Journeys
The Atlantic Coast
America’s longest north-south interstate, I-95, stretches for more than 1,900 miles down the Atlantic Coast from Maine to Miami, with plenty to see and do along the way. Road trippers can kick off their journey with a visit to Acadia National Park in Maine, followed by Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, before stopping in Boston to explore the cobblestone streets and the city’s waterfront neighborhood. Further adventure awaits in New York City, with endless sights to see, things to do and places to eat before venturing on to the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Continue down the coast to the scenic shores of Outer Banks in North Carolina then explore historic downtown Charleston, S.C. and Savannah, Ga. before reaching your final destination in Miami. Consider these Hilton properties as your home away from home along the way:
- Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterfront Boston
- Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square-South, NY
- Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Downtown
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Harbor Mount Pleasant
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Richmond Hill Savannah I-95
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Miami International Airport
Great River Road
The Great River Road has been dubbed “The Best Drive in America,” covering 3,000 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. While it would take about 36 hours to drive this entire route, travelers can make a spring break vacation out of this journey that follows the Mississippi River through 10 states. Starting in Minneapolis, road trippers can visit the famed Mall of America or one of Minnesota’s 11,842 lakes, before heading south to Wisconsin, where the longest main street in the nation awaits in Maiden Rock. This historic route also features iconic monuments like Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, and streets like Beale Street – otherwise known as ‘home of the blues’ – in Memphis and the French Quarter in New Orleans. Road trippers can rest and recharge at these Hilton properties along the way:
- Tru by Hilton Minneapolis Mall of America
- Hampton Inn by Hilton St. Louis-Downtown (At the Gateway Arch)
- Hilton Garden Inn Memphis Downtown
- Homewood Suites by Hilton New Orleans French Quarter
New England Trip
Spanning nearly 500 miles and eight hours of driving, this New England route is great for a weekend getaway that will keep everyone in the family entertained. Kicking off the trip in Maryland, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium are two must-see attractions before heading north along 1-95 to the Big Apple. While visitors could spend a lifetime experiencing all that New York City has to offer, some bucket list items include visiting the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Statue of Liberty. And don’t forget the pizza and bagels. The next leg of the trip is only a few hours away and ends up in downtown Boston, where you can explore historical attractions like the Freedom Trail, Boston National Historical Park and Bunker Hill Monument. Restaurants, biking trails and shopping are also great ways to fill your days and make priceless memories with your road trip crew. Book your stay at these Hilton properties along the way:
- Tru by Hilton Baltimore Harbor East
- Hilton Garden Inn New York/Manhattan-Midtown East
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Seaport
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Boston South Bay
Route 66
As one of the most iconic road trip routes, Route 66 crosses eight states and nearly 2,500 miles, making this route perfect for an extended spring break road trip. Through farmlands, deserts, cities and forgotten towns, there is plenty of open road and adventure ahead. Road trippers starting their journey in Chicago can enjoy a famous deep-dish pizza and snap a picture in front of Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” before stopping at iconic and often quirky monuments along the way, including the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, the Painted Desert and Grand Canyon in Arizona, and finally the Santa Monica Pier in California. Road trippers looking for a comfortable place to stay along the way can consider these Hilton properties:
- Hiltons at McCormick Place
- Home2 Suites by Hilton St. Louis/Forest Park
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Amarillo
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Flagstaff East
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Santa Monica
South Pacific
This cross-country route along US-80 is the ultimate road trip for adventure travelers. From unique roadside attractions in the deserts and bayou swamps to experiencing the flavors of Tex-Mex and barbecue, this 3,000-mile journey begins in San Diego with stops in Arizona, Texas, Alabama and finally ending in Georgia. Road trippers will be immersed in varied landscapes and cultures across America with Hilton properties along the way that offer accommodations for the whole family:
- Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley/Zoo
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson Paloma Village
- Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center
- Hilton Garden Inn Montgomery – EastChase
- Tru by Hilton Savannah Midtown
Weekend Gataways
Phoenix to the Grand Canyon
Discover the best of Arizona along this 563-mile road trip to Southwest hot spots. Along this route lies some of Arizona’s most fascinating towns and spectacular adventures. Be sure to check out the red rocks of Sedona and hike on its less-crowded trails to discover why this town is so memorable, before driving on to Flagstaff, a vibrant town known for its seven wonders. As you drive from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, the soil turns red, hinting at what’s to come at the Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of America’s most famous and awe-inspiring natural attractions, making it a road trip mainstay for generations. Make sure to book a stay at some of these Hilton properties along the way:
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Scottsdale
- Hilton Garden Inn Prescott Downtown
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Sedona
- Hilton Garden Inn Flagstaff
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Flagstaff
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway extends from Charlottesville, Va., to Cherokee, N.C., and offers beautiful views that encourage travelers to truly slow down and enjoy the moment. With the speed limit rarely exceeding 45 MPH, this one-tank road trip is great for the outdoor enthusiast, with plenty of opportunities to explore nature’s beauty. Following the rocky ridges, green plateaus and soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains all the way from Shenandoah National Park down the Blue Ridge chain to the Great Smoky Mountains. Along this celebrated highway, you will see wild birds, shimmering mountain streams and hazy hilltops that will remind you of the true beauty of nature. If you need some places to stay along the way check out:
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Cherokee
- Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Roanoke
Denver to Montrose
Outdoor adventurers will love this route from Denver to Montrose, Colo., which offers plenty by way of hiking, fishing, rafting, rock climbing and more. Along the way be sure to stop by the Mount Evans scenic byway, the highest peak in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the Buena Vista hot springs to relax and Monarch Mountain, which is home to the third location on the Continental Divide. Check out this Hampton by Hilton property for a relaxing stay after your adventurous day:
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Montrose
Miami to Key West
Drive along US 1 – the Overseas Highway – from Miami to Key West, Fla., and you’ll traverse 42 bridges that connect 34 islands across more than 100 miles. This route takes you through a wonderland of mangrove trees, coral reefs, tropical savanna, quaint islands and historical sites. It’ll feel like you’re driving on water as you glide over bridges with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Upon reaching the final destination, the famous Mile Marker 0 in Key West welcomes travelers to their sunny getaway, where they have the option to stay at properties such as:
- Hilton Garden Inn Key West/The Keys Collection
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Key West
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Key Largo
- California’s Pacific Coast Highway
Explore California with a spectacular, coastline drive on the Pacific Coast Highway. Driving north to south will keep you closest to the ocean, where you can pick up Route 1 in picturesque Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Experience quintessential California – sunny beaches and foggy coastline with active wildlife – as you head south, making time for stops in places like Slates Hot Springs and Santa Barbara before arriving in Los Angeles. Finish the trip at one of California’s sunniest destinations, San Diego, where you can enjoy sandy beaches or splash around Mission Bay. Be sure to check out these properties for a comfortable place to rest along the way:
- Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay
- Hilton Garden Inn Marina Del Ray
- Hampton Inn by Hilton Monterey
Regardless of where you’re headed, as a Hilton Honors member, you can redeem your Points for your stay, as well as on car rentals with Alamo, National and Enterprise. Additionally, the Hilton Honors App makes contactless arrival easy with the option to check-in and check-out, choose your room and skip the front desk with Digital Key, which provides access to your room key directly from your phone. To provide guests with further assurance and peace of mind when traveling, Hilton CleanStay helps guests enjoy a clean and safe experience during their stay.
Members should also ensure they’re registered for the Points Unlimited promotion to earn even more Points on their next stay when they book through Hilton.com or the Hilton Honors App. Hilton Honors guests will also receive exclusive perks when they stay at Hilton’s more than 6,400 hotels around the world. Best of all, it’s free to join.
Not hitting the road this spring break, but looking to satisfy your wanderlust? Hilton Honors has expanded its collaboration with Amazon to send its U.S. members all over the world, from the comfort and safety of their homes with Amazon Explore. Members can pay for virtual travel experiences with Points as well as take advantage of a 40% off discount on their first experience with code HILTONHONORS through March 31.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,400 properties and more than one million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 112 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including contactless check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
