10 Days Cross-Country: New York to Los Angeles Road Trip

Driving across America is a rite of passage. This ten-day route from New York to Los Angeles takes you through rolling Appalachian hills, the music capitals of Nashville and Memphis, the wide-open Texas plains, the adobe landscapes of New Mexico, the jaw-dropping Grand Canyon, and the glittering lights of Las Vegas before ending at the Pacific Ocean in LA. It is approximately 2,800 miles and covers an extraordinary range of American landscapes and cultures.

Day 1: New York City to Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Distance: approximately 230 miles, 4.5 hours driving

Morning: Depart New York City early and drive south on I-95 to Philadelphia, arriving in about two hours. Visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, two foundational sites of American democracy. The National Constitution Center across the street adds context and is well worth an hour.

Afternoon: Walk through Old City Philadelphia and stop at Reading Terminal Market, one of the oldest and largest public markets in the country. Get a Philly cheesesteak here at DiNic's (roast pork) or Carmen's (classic cheesesteak) rather than the tourist-trap spots. The market has been operating since 1893.

Evening: Drive another two hours south to Washington, D.C. Check into your hotel and take an evening walk along the National Mall. The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building are powerfully illuminated at night, and the Mall is far less crowded after dark than during the day.

Where to eat: Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia (dozens of vendors, budget $10-20), or Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street in D.C. (half-smoke sausages, a DC institution since 1958).

Budget tip: Every Smithsonian museum in D.C. is completely free, as are all the monuments and memorials on the National Mall. This is one of the best free cultural offerings anywhere in the world.

Day 2: Washington, D.C.

Distance: no driving today

Morning: Spend a full day exploring the nation's capital. Start at the National Museum of American History, where you can see the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and exhibits spanning the entire American experience. Walk along the Mall to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (reserve free timed-entry tickets in advance as they sell out).

Afternoon: Visit the Lincoln Memorial and read the Gettysburg Address inscribed on the wall. Walk along the Reflecting Pool to the World War II Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, one of the most moving monuments in the country. If time allows, visit the National Air and Space Museum or the National Gallery of Art.

Evening: Cross the Potomac to Arlington for views of the D.C. skyline, or explore the Georgetown neighborhood for dinner. Georgetown has charming cobblestone streets and excellent restaurants. Fiola Mare on the waterfront offers outstanding Italian seafood, or Martin's Tavern is a historic pub where JFK proposed to Jackie.

Where to eat: Founding Farmers (modern American, locally sourced), Martin's Tavern in Georgetown (classic American since 1933), or Rasika for award-winning Indian cuisine.

Budget tip: The free timed-entry tickets for the African American History Museum should be booked as far in advance as possible. Same-day passes are released online at 8 AM but go in minutes.

Day 3: Washington, D.C. to Shenandoah to Nashville

Distance: approximately 650 miles, 9-10 hours driving with stops

Morning: This is a big driving day. Leave D.C. early and pick up Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. The 105-mile scenic road runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains with overlooks every few miles. You do not need to drive the entire length; the first 30-40 miles from the north entrance offer stunning views, especially in fall foliage season. Stop at one of the overlooks for a picnic breakfast.

Afternoon: Rejoin I-81 south and then I-40 west through the rolling hills of Virginia and Tennessee. The landscape transitions from Appalachian mountains to the Tennessee Valley. This stretch of driving is genuinely beautiful, with forested ridgelines and small towns in the valleys below.

Evening: Arrive in Nashville in the evening. Head straight to Broadway, the neon-lit strip of honky-tonk bars where live country music pours from every doorway for free. There is no cover charge at most bars. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, Robert's Western World, and the Stage are legendary venues. Have dinner at Hattie B's Hot Chicken for Nashville's signature dish.

Where to eat: Hattie B's Hot Chicken (get the medium if you can handle heat, $10-15), Prince's Hot Chicken (the original, no-frills spot that started the craze), or The Catbird Seat for a 32-seat chef's counter tasting menu experience.

Budget tip: Broadway's honky-tonks are free to enter and you can bar-hop all night listening to live music. Just buy a drink or two at each spot and tip the musicians. This is arguably the best free nightlife in America.

Day 4: Nashville to Memphis

Distance: approximately 210 miles, 3 hours driving

Morning: Explore more of Nashville before leaving. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame for an immersive journey through country music history. The Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of Country Music and original home of the Grand Ole Opry, offers backstage tours during the day. Walk through the Gulch neighborhood for murals (including the famous Wings mural) and trendy coffee shops.

Afternoon: Drive west on I-40 to Memphis, arriving in about three hours. Head straight to Sun Studio, the birthplace of rock and roll where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and B.B. King all recorded. The guided tour is excellent and includes listening to original recordings in the very room where they were made.

Evening: Beale Street in Memphis is to blues what Broadway in Nashville is to country. Neon signs, live music, and the smell of barbecue fill the air. Step into B.B. King's Blues Club or Rum Boogie Cafe for live performances. For dinner, Memphis barbecue is mandatory. Central BBQ on Butler Avenue or the Rendezvous downtown (famous for dry-rub ribs) are the top choices.

Where to eat: Central BBQ (ribs and pulled pork, $12-20), The Rendezvous (dry-rub ribs in a basement since 1948), or Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (crispy, peppery, magnificent).

Budget tip: Sun Studio tours are $15 and well worth it. The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel (where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated) is $18 and is one of the most important museums in America.

Day 5: Memphis to Dallas/Fort Worth

Distance: approximately 450 miles, 6.5 hours driving

Morning: Before leaving Memphis, visit the National Civil Rights Museum if you did not go the previous evening. Built around the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in 1968, it traces the history of the American civil rights movement with powerful, immersive exhibits.

Afternoon: Drive south into Mississippi and then west through Arkansas and into Texas. The landscape flattens dramatically as you cross into the Lone Star State. The sheer scale of Texas becomes apparent as you drive for hours with the horizon in every direction.

Evening: Arrive in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Head to the Fort Worth Stockyards, a historic district where the Western heritage of Texas is on full display. Twice daily, real cowboys drive a small herd of longhorn cattle down Exchange Avenue. The district has honky-tonks, western wear shops, and excellent steakhouses. Joe T. Garcia's in Fort Worth has been serving Tex-Mex on a beautiful patio since 1935.

Where to eat: Joe T. Garcia's in Fort Worth (Tex-Mex institution, cash only), Pecan Lodge in Dallas (brisket that draws hour-long lines), or Cattlemen's Steakhouse in the Stockyards.

Budget tip: The Fort Worth Stockyards cattle drive is free to watch and happens daily at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM. Many Fort Worth museums have free admission, including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

Day 6: Dallas to Amarillo (Route 66 Country)

Distance: approximately 360 miles, 5.5 hours driving

Morning: Depart Dallas and head northwest through the Texas Panhandle. As you approach Amarillo, the landscape becomes quintessentially Western: flat grasslands stretching to the horizon under enormous skies.

Afternoon: Stop at Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo, where ten Cadillacs are buried nose-first in a field. Visitors are encouraged to bring spray paint and add to the ever-changing art installation. It is roadside Americana at its finest and completely free. In Amarillo, drive through the historic Route 66 district along 6th Avenue, lined with vintage neon signs and retro diners.

Evening: You cannot pass through Amarillo without stopping at The Big Texan Steak Ranch, famous for its free 72-ounce steak challenge (free if you eat the entire meal, including sides, in one hour). Even if you do not attempt the challenge, the restaurant is a Wild West experience in itself. The regular steaks are excellent.

Where to eat: The Big Texan Steak Ranch (steaks $25-60, or free if you eat 72 ounces), Golden Light Cafe on Route 66 (oldest restaurant in Amarillo, burgers and live music), or Tyler's Barbecue for Texas brisket.

Budget tip: Cadillac Ranch is free and open 24 hours. Buy spray paint at the Walmart nearby for a couple of dollars. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 25 miles south of Amarillo, is the second-largest canyon in the US (after the Grand Canyon) and charges only $8 per adult for entry.

Day 7: Amarillo to Santa Fe

Distance: approximately 290 miles, 4.5 hours driving

Morning: Drive west into New Mexico. The landscape transforms from Texas plains to mesas, buttes, and the distinctive red-earth terrain of the Southwest. Stop in Tucumcari, a classic Route 66 town with preserved neon motel signs and a retro vibe that feels frozen in the 1950s.

Afternoon: Arrive in Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in America (founded 1610) and one of the most distinctive cities in the country. The adobe architecture, turquoise jewelry, and art galleries create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Walk around the Plaza, the historic center of town, and browse the Native American jewelry vendors selling under the portal of the Palace of the Governors, a tradition going back centuries. Visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum to see the work of the artist who made the New Mexico landscape famous.

Evening: Santa Fe has one of the best food scenes in the Southwest. New Mexican cuisine is distinct from Tex-Mex, featuring Hatch green chiles and red chile sauces. The Shed on Palace Avenue serves legendary red chile enchiladas in an adobe hacienda built in 1692. Or try Cafe Pasqual's for creative Southwestern-meets-global cooking.

Where to eat: The Shed (red chile enchiladas, $15-20), Cafe Pasqual's (Southwestern fusion), or Tomasita's (local favorite for New Mexican classics with green chile).

Budget tip: Canyon Road, a half-mile stretch packed with over 80 art galleries, is free to browse and is one of the great art walks in America. Friday evenings feature gallery openings with complimentary refreshments.

Day 8: Santa Fe to Grand Canyon

Distance: approximately 390 miles, 6 hours driving

Morning: Leave Santa Fe and drive west on I-40 through Albuquerque. If time allows, stop briefly at Old Town Albuquerque for a walk through the historic plaza and San Felipe de Neri Church (built 1793).

Afternoon: Continue through the Painted Desert of Arizona, where the landscape is streaked with bands of red, purple, and gold. Stop at Petrified Forest National Park if time permits to see 225-million-year-old fossilized trees scattered across the badlands. The short hiking trails here are surreal.

Evening: Arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Even if you have seen thousands of photos, nothing prepares you for the reality of standing at the rim and looking into this 277-mile-long, mile-deep chasm carved by the Colorado River. Catch sunset from Mather Point or Yavapai Observation Station. The colors shift through orange, red, and purple as the sun drops.

Where to eat: El Tovar Dining Room at the Grand Canyon South Rim (historic hotel restaurant, reserve ahead), Bright Angel Lodge for casual dining, or pick up groceries at the Market Plaza General Store.

Budget tip: Grand Canyon entry is $35 per vehicle and is valid for seven days. The free park shuttle buses run along the rim and are the easiest way to reach viewpoints. Camping at Mather Campground is $18 per night.

Day 9: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas

Distance: approximately 280 miles, 4.5 hours driving

Morning: Wake up early for sunrise at the Grand Canyon, which is even more spectacular than sunset. Walk a section of the Rim Trail, a paved path that follows the canyon edge for 13 miles with viewpoints every quarter mile or so. For the adventurous, hike partway down the Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5-Mile Resthouse for a taste of what lies below the rim. Remember that hiking down is easy but climbing back up takes twice as long.

Afternoon: Drive west through the desert to Las Vegas. The approach into Vegas is dramatic: after hours of empty desert, the Strip's towers suddenly rise from the flat valley floor like a mirage. Check into your hotel and freshen up.

Evening: Experience the Las Vegas Strip. Walk from the Bellagio Fountains to the Venetian, popping into casino lobbies and taking in the spectacle. Have dinner at Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace or a celebrity chef restaurant. Catch a show if tickets are available, or simply soak in the electric atmosphere of the Strip at night.

Where to eat: Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars ($75, one of the best buffets in the world), In-N-Out Burger (West Coast essential, under $10), or Secret Pizza at the Cosmopolitan.

Budget tip: Walk through the casino lobbies and see the free attractions: the Bellagio Conservatory, the Fall of Atlantis show at Caesars, and the Flamingo wildlife habitat with real flamingos and pelicans.

Day 10: Las Vegas to Los Angeles

Distance: approximately 270 miles, 4 hours driving

Morning: Sleep in after your Vegas night. Have brunch before departing. Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas offers a final view of the Bellagio Fountains over eggs Benedict and crepes.

Afternoon: Drive southwest on I-15 through the Mojave Desert. Stop at the Alien Fresh Jerky store in Baker, California (roadside kitsch at its finest), and note the world's tallest thermometer nearby. As you approach Los Angeles, the desert gives way to suburbs and then the sprawling city itself.

Evening: Arrive in Los Angeles and head to Santa Monica. Walk to the end of Santa Monica Pier, where a sign marks the western terminus of Route 66. You have driven from one side of America to the other. Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean and reflect on the incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, and experiences you have encountered in ten days.

Celebrate with dinner in Santa Monica or Venice Beach. Cassia offers Southeast Asian-inspired California cuisine, or keep it simple with fish tacos at Tacos Punta Cabras.

Where to eat: Cassia in Santa Monica (Southeast Asian brasserie, $35-50), Tacos Punta Cabras (fish tacos, $5-8), or Gjusta in Venice for artisan bakery and deli.

Budget tip: The Santa Monica Pier is free to walk. Venice Beach Boardwalk offers free people-watching, street performers, and Muscle Beach. End your trip with a free stroll along one of LA's iconic beaches.

Practical Information

Rental car: Book a one-way rental from New York to Los Angeles. Expect to pay more for one-way drop-off. Mid-size cars with good fuel economy are ideal. Budget $200-400 for gas over the entire trip depending on fuel prices.

Driving tips: Speed limits vary by state from 55 to 85 mph (Texas has the highest). Use cruise control on long highway stretches. Download offline maps for areas in New Mexico, Arizona, and the Mojave Desert where cell service is spotty.

Best time to go: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) avoid the worst heat in the desert Southwest and offer pleasant driving weather everywhere. Summer is fine for northern sections but can mean temperatures above 110F in the desert. Winter is possible but Shenandoah and higher elevations may have icy roads.

Budget: Gas, food, and lodging average $150-250 per person per day depending on accommodation choices. Budget motels along the interstate are $60-100 per night. Mid-range hotels run $120-200.

Packing: Bring a cooler for drinks and snacks to save money and time. Sunscreen and water are essential for desert stops. Comfortable driving shoes and a good playlist or podcast queue will serve you well.