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My Top Ten Sites See During Cross-Country Drive

  • Mar 15, 2011
The summer of 2010 I took off and hit the open roads. Armed with a flip cam, camcorder, Sony CyberShot camera, and music I drove from Massachusetts to Seattle and then down the west coast into California. I took 11 days to drive east and kept my favorite CDs in constant rotation. A month later I decided it was time to return home and took off east, driving from Sacramento and straight through the middle of the country until I reached my final destination in New York.  This roadtrip was the best thing I could have done and I am glad that I braved the roads alone rather than waiting and hoping a friend could get time off to join me.  The best piece of advice I can give anyone is that it is better to just go out and do it, than to miss an opportunity.  That includes a cross-country road trip on your own.
1
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park
Amazing landscapes that feels like another world. It is an easy drive and in comparison to other parks it is one of the shortest drives.
2
Custer State Park, Black Hills
Buffalo roaming in Custer State Park
I never originally anticipated checking out many of the national/state parks as I'm not much of a hiker or anything like that. HOWEVER... I found that the Black Hills area (Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Custer State Park) to be one of the most exceptional sights. Custer State Park is a beautiful drive and you are almost guarenteed to see Buffalo. This is by far my favorite part of the country and the experience I had was one that I will never forget.
3
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park, Utah
This national park has amazing rock formations that will make you feel like you are on another planet. If you look close enough you will even recognize a few from some famous... or rather humorous... sci-fi films.
4
Oregon beaches along US-101
Oregon beaches along US-101
If you love beaches you will want to drive along the coast on 101. Although it can be a narrow drive from time to time, the beaches are beautiful and because there are so many they are not crowded. Just keep in mind that the water in Oregon is COLD!
5
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park
The drive around this national park is one of the most beautiful and relaxing drives I had. Although it took me an entire day to drive around the park, it was well worth the time as this little piece of northern Washington is gorgeous.
6
Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas
Oz Museum in Wamego, Kansas
Having grown up with the movie, this museum has the largest collection of OZ related items. From pictures, original costumes, parts of the script, videos, Barbi dolls, and even the original Rubby Slippers. Although not a planned stop on my trip it was well worth the detour. It's one place that you can spend an entire day looking at everything they have in their collection.
7
Niagra Falls
Niagra Falls
Is one of those places you must see at least once in your life. The biggest perk is that if you go during the summer you will get an amazing view and experience while staying cool.
8
I-70, Utah
I-70 through Colorado
I-70 through Utah was some of the most unusual landscape you will see in the country. It's most beautiful during the sunrise and sunset hours.
9
I-90
I-90
I felt that I-90 drove through some of the most interesting stages in the northern part of the US. I felt that this highway gave some of the most beautiful landscapes while driving through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Washington.
10
Rt-20, Iowa
Rt-20, Iowa
Taking a slight detour off the main roads and onto Rt-20 in Iowa has several surprising sights. INCLUDING the Field of Dreams House. This corn covered state is a beautiful drive so long as you can handle a slightly pungent smell of manure. Definitely something to see if in that part of the country.

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March 20, 2011
Certainly a good time to drive cross country, before the gas prices skyrocketed!!! When you're done with the U.S., drive around Alberta, especially the routes to the Canadian Rockies. So far, the most scenic drive I had been on! I highly recommend it!
 
March 17, 2011
Great list. My family always took road trips during the summer and I have been a big fan ever since, although I am not sure my kids share my enthusiasm. :-) It is a great way to see the country and to get a perspective on our culture and geography that you can't get any other way. Thanks for putting this together. My list would include Big Sur, Zion National Park, Carlsbad Caverns, and Mesa Verde, CO to name a few . . .
March 19, 2011
thanks for the comment. unfortunately i missed big sur when i was out west. its one of the things i regret not taking the time to get to, especially now that some of the rd to big sur has disappeared.
 
March 17, 2011
I love this list and your approach to road trips, Hannah! I must add it's very brave of you to go by yourself! This list brings back really nostalgic memories of a cross country road trip that I took in college from San Francisco to Chicago, and I really can't wait to go again. Yes, if passing through Iowa, that route is a must take. My friend and I have also been musing about a National Parks road trip, so we'll keep these in mind. Thanks so much for sharing!
March 19, 2011
thanks for the comment. the state parks are cool. i found south dakota to be the most amazing. but i guess if i was a fisher or hiker any of them would be amazing. i just found some to be rather depressing with all of the dead trees and destruction from forest fires and all. circle of life i know, but an hr of dead trees became a bit of a depressing drive.
 
March 16, 2011
Amazing list, Hannah! I've always wanted to drive across the country but, have always waited for someone to join me. Maybe I'll have to take your advice and just go for it ;p When I do, I'll be sure to take your list along with me. Thanks for sharing and for inspiring us to just do it!
March 19, 2011
thanks for the comment =)
March 21, 2011
Anytime, Hannah :)
 
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About the list creator
Hannah aka Angry Penguin ()
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I am a film fanatic, constantly watching films new and old. When not watching movies I'm reading YA lit or sci-fi/fantasy novels, or working on completing my own book.      If … more
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