3 Ultimate Road Trip Guides to Fit Anyone’s Tastes

One of the most essentially American activities is the cross - country road trip . It ’s a rite of musical passage for anyone with a license to drive . And in the Modern Netflix original film , The Fundamentals of Caring , Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez take a crazy ride through the US of A , hitting some of the wackiest name and address they could find – like the biggest bovine ( that ’s a moo-cow to the layperson ) in the world , and the “ self-aggrandising trap in the ground . ” Which got us thinking , what other cool and unexpected spots should you hit on your next route trip ? We ’ve designed the ultimate route - activate guide – divided into three categories to suit anyone ’s Passion , so whether you ’re into kooky sites , great roadside chuck , or unexpected ( and underrated ) amazingly beautiful spot ( sorry , Grand Canyon , not you ) – we ’ve got you covered . Now grab a single-valued function and part plotting your individualized road - trip escapade .

Toilet Seat Art Museum

San Antonio , TexasThe animation ’s piece of work of a Texas plumber ’s son , the Toilet Seat Art Museum may not be the Louvre , but it ’s sure enough as much fun . Despite considerable artistic talent , the mastermind behind the Toilet Seat Art Museum , Barney Smith , went into the family trade and terminate up canalize his artistic talents into something far more outside - the - loge than canvass or paper . He employ can seat cover to create unique whole caboodle of art that dextrously hide the , er , nastiness beneath .

Love Valley

North CarolinaWith a universe of just 90 as of the 2010 census , Love Valley , NC is a townsfolk dedicated to the mere things – like , very unproblematic . When you ride ( not take , drive : as in on hogback – no cars let past the townspeople logic gate , giving your monotone asphalt adventure a nice erstwhile - metre break ) into the town ’s main dirt road , you ’re straightaway transported into the previous Occident . Yes , NC is on the East Coast , but debar your disbelief for a endorsement . This place is Pioneer Village except no one change back into advanced clothes at the end of the day . The town is passionately dedicated to horsemanship , with the Love Valley arena host horseback riding and roping events , the local tourism industry dependent on horse - lover from all over the nation , and the Love Valley Horsemen ’s Association overseeing the most fighting equestrian culture in the US . And just in case anyone was worried about other equines getting their reasonable share , a ( slightly less popular ) Mule Association also apply jubilation alongside its more traditional collaborator organization .

South of the Border

South CarolinaIt may be just south of the North Carolina border , but the theme park destination off I-95 does n’t allow that geographical inconvenience keep it from feign it ’s a little slice of Mexico or , at least what South Carolinians think of Mexico 60 years ago when the place opened . In addition to an notice tower in the embodiment of a giant sombrero and an eternal weather forecast of " Chili today , spicy tamale " the destination also has a convention center in grammatical case your route trip-up affect 500 buddies , and an entertainment area call Pedroland with circus rides and plot . There ’s also plenty of Mexican solid food spread out across six restaurants , make South of The Border the most elaborate roadside attractor in the South .

Myrtle, The World’s Largest Desert Tortoise

Joshua Tree , CaliforniaShe may only be a carving , but Myrtle has become an integral part of the beautiful Joshua Tree landscape painting , gazing out into the desert with ancient eye and offering a poetic line of latitude for the slow , steadfast formation of the Seussian rocks that make the American Southwest famous . Thought up by a local man , Willis Keys , and his wife in 1957 as a parade ice-cream float call Myrtle the Turtle , the sculpture eventually grew in compass , quality and order of magnitude until it became California ’s finest plus to the " World ’s big _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ " category of road - slip must - sees .

America’s Car Museum Route 66 Exhibit

Tacoma , WashingtonA trip down the historic stretches of Route 66 that still exist in their original form is just about the most American route trip activity there is . But while there may have been a fourth dimension where Route 66 was the proficient berth for Americans on the go to get their kicks , the route was largely consumed by the Eisenhower highway system in the 1950s . But the spirit of Route 66 lives on at America ’s Car Museum in Tacoma , where the " Road to Riches " is celebrated in all its red-hot rodding , rubber burning halo . In addition to its unconstipated collection celebrating the golden geezerhood of American motoring , when gasolene was copious and elevator car only needed two miles to the gallon , 2016 has seen the museum open up a new display specifically celebrating the route that once linked Chicago to the Pacific Ocean .

Iowa 80, the world’s largest truck stop food court

IowaAnyone who has ever taken an elongated route trip know the almost - mystical clutch the truck block up nutrient tribunal can have over the weary traveler . Foodstuffs that you ’d normally top up without a second thought abruptly become a Michelin Star event when you ’re hopped up on burnt umber and coming up on minute 13 in your thrust to Vegas . But at Iowa 80 , the delicious chow – you’re able to choose between Wendy ’s , Taco Bell , Pizza Hut , The Iowa 80 Kitchen , Blimpy , Dairy Queen and Orange Julius , and Caribou Coffee ( all open up 24 hours ) – is just the offset . They also offer a full machine workshop , mechanic , a automobile wash , a Samuel Barber shop , chiropractic services ( ! ) , a museum of antique trucks , a dentist ( ! ! ) , a gymnasium ( ! ! ! ) , and much , much more .

Cookin' From Scratch

Doolittle , MOA two - decade - old burger and comfort food for thought joint wide considered to be among the best grubstops in rural America , Cookin ’ From Scratch give older - fashioned favorites like crispy pan fried chicken the same simple Americana treatment they ’ve been using since opening , when a lb of lard only got you through Tuesday . To wit : if you ’ve start the fortitude , you may take the Cookin from Scratch Challenge and endeavor to put away a 66 oz rendering of their incredible cheeseburger in 66 moment – oh , and the whole matter takes spot on Route 66 , just for consistency .

Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' Chicken and Waffles

Lithonia , GeorgiaThe Fundamentals of Caringwill really get you in the modality for some waffles , as the hero boy ( Craig Roberts ) – who animate the misstep with Paul Rudd ’s character – exhaust them constantly . We ’re talking every meal . So , when a hunkering for some good old fashioned waffle hits you heavily , take the midnight train to Georgia . Once you get there , stop at Gladys Knight and Ron Winans ' Chicken and Waffles and rent the crispy , doughy , larder perfection waft over you . They ’ve get angelical , they ’ve produce savory , they ’ve get it all , you could literally deplete these puppies for every meal if you wanted . Because you ’d rather survive in these waffles ’ world than exist without them in yours .

Dude’s Drive-in

Christiansburg , VirginiaHitting the drive - in during a road trip is as American as fireworks are on the Fourth of July . But unfortunately drive - In are becoming a rarer and rarer thing to find . Dude ’s is one of the last drive - in still carrying the flannel mullein of old - fashioned “ I Like Ike”-era burger / shake / French fry / dog classicism . You even ramble up and toot your horn for servicing just like your mother raised you to never , ever do , and someone will come run , ready to ply you with a authoritative route trip meal without you ever removing your butt from the driver ’s seat .

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Amarillo , TexasOpened in 1960 by a human being named Robert Lee , The Big Texan is the form of southerly staple whose quality there is simply no argument . In addition to offering the most delicious steaks money can buy , The Big Texan also offers the chance to collect your meal for spare – if you’re able to address their challenge . harmonise to their web site , you ’ve got an hour to finish “ Shrimp Cocktail , Baked Potato , Salad , Roll , Butter , and of course , a 72 oz . Steak . ” Many have tried , and some have even land up , but the real heroes are the ones who finagle to keep the unholy repast down .

Wind Cave National Park

South DakotaNothing against the Dakotas , but after driving through the vast prairie of the upper Midwest for an extended period of time , a change of scenery could mean the difference between sanity and the true , direful frenzy only an drawn-out period behind the wheel can fetch . estimable thing South Dakota has a hidden underworld beneath its eternal knit stitch . distinguish for the barometrical winds that constantly attack its entrance , Wind Cave ’s beauty may just keep you from losing your thinker . Hiking through the underground composite of stalagmites and stalactites makes it clean-cut that those aboveground making their fashion to Mount Rushmore are missing the genuine treasures South Dakota has to offer .

Buffalo National River

ArkansasAmerica ’s first prescribed internal river is one of the only stay undammed flows in the contiguous 48 states , has campsite build by FDR ’s Civilian Conservation Corps , and offers a unique look at frontier life in the early 1800s when Arkansas was regard part of the wild American West . you could cosset your pioneer fantasies here like few other places in the country , minus all the spirt new wagon roulette wheel with your bare hands . Fishing , encampment , and hiking all take on a more historical property sleep together that these woods have been stringently unchanged since before the U.S. existed .

Isle Royale National Park

MichiganLocated in the middle of Lake Superior – which in all likelihood think it used to be used for bootlegging Canadian whisky , so bring your shovel and booze - detector – Isle Royale is abode to the Passage Island Lighthouse , which was manned for 100 class by some of the most interesting characters in the history of nautical magniloquent - narration . Few post in the land offer such a chance to indulge your inside solitudinarian and conceive of a life as a haggard , half - crazed beacon light keeper – or is that just us ?

The Bingham Canyon Mine, also known as the Kennecott Copper Mine

UtahA.K.A “ the humankind ’s deepest fossa , ” as have-to doe with to inThe first harmonic of Caring , is the big human beings - made excavation in the mankind ; this jumbo kettle of fish in the earth is an interesting case of how humans can do anything if they put their nous to roll up precious alloy . Originally fag to reach copper color deposits , the mine eventually grew to become the single most telling hole ever moil , acting as an intake to curious 6 - twelvemonth - olds everywhere and proving once and for all that it ’s very , very difficult to make it all the way of life to China by digging . This internet site serves as the orgasm to the moving-picture show , and when the road - tripper hit this final destination , they are exhort by its dead on target and unexpected beauty , which proves that sometimes it ’s the underrated place that can unfeignedly inspire ( again , sorry Grand Canyon ) .

Dry Tortugas National Park

FloridaOnce home to a prison dependency where conspirators in the plot to assassinate President Lincoln were held , the Dry Tortugas are the leeward most of the Florida Keys and the most pristine , untouched island go out in the lowly 48 . It ’s also still home to the fort that once housed the prisoners , and produce the most logical post to terminate your route slip – since there ’s no lieu south left to actually go after the Tortugas . While Key West thinks of itself as the furthermost of the Florida Keys from the mainland , the Tortugas fiddle emcee to an untouched wild , taken back by the ocean and wildlife that humans have pushed out of the other Keys .