This month, in anticipation of summer vacations, we’re doing a few travel-related posts. You can see our full archive of travel posts here

The weather is officially warm enough on the east coast for road trips and car camping. Actually, now is the best time to take a road trip because it’s not so hot that you’re practically suffocating and getting a sunburned while driving. Road tripping and car camping is my favorite way to travel the United States. I’ve driven across the country a couple times and up and down the east coast more than I can remember.

Vacationing in the U.S. is more expensive than many countries in the world, but if you have a car it’s easy to stay on a budget. I  like to keep it cheap by packing snacks and cold brew coffee and staying in airbnbs or camping out. There are plenty of ways to skimp and save, I’ve actually compiled a list of ways to save money on a road trip.

My idea of a great road trip is nailing down a few destinations, not driving more than 5ish hours a day, pumpin’ some tunes or podcasts, and generally leaving the game plan wide open in case something calls to me. With that in mind, I wanted to share a few of my favorite byways and rough road trip itineraries with you.

Beautiful Byways :

Skyline Drive Shenandoah National Park – is the northern sister to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Be prepared for panoramic views along this 105 mile byway that traverses the entire length of Shenandoah National Park. With over 75 scenic pullouts, you could easily spend an entire day cruising the skyline.

The Blue Ridge Parkway – Three cheers for America’s longest linear park. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles through 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. The windy, picturesque road is sometimes nestled between lush mountains and sometimes exposed to epic ridgelines. The parkway can be crowded during the middle of the day so I’d recommend starting early, resting in the middle of the day and then setting off during sunset again. Pack a picnic as there isn’t really food service on the parkway, just dozens of beautiful, scenic lookouts.

Overseas Highway – Florida’s Overseas Highway is simply breathtaking. Over a hundred miles of highway connects Miami to Key West. It takes nearly four hours to cruise across the brilliant blue water that sits in between. There are countless places to stop and sightsee, picnic, swim, camp, and kayak. The highlight has to be the 7-mile bridge that makes you feel like your cruising above the clear water.

Long Weekend :

Philadelphia, PA 4.5 hours to > Providence, Rhode Island 3.75 hours to > White Mountains Lincoln, NH 4 hours to > Keene Valley, NY 5.5 hours to > Philadelphia, PA

One Week :

Savannah, GA 4.75 hours to > Raleigh, NC 5 hours to > Chincoteague, VA 3.25 hours to > Washington, D.C. 3.75 hours to > Roanoke, VA 3 hours to > Charlotte, NC 3.75 hours to > Savannah, GA

Ten Days :

D.C. 4.75 hours to > Outer Banks / Nags Head, NC 6.75 hours to > Charleston, SC 2 hours to Savannah, GA 2 hours to > Jacksonville, FL 4.5 hours to > Panama City, FL 5 hours to > Atlanta, GA 3.5 hours to > Asheville, NC 4 hours to > Roanoke, VA 3.75 hours to > D.C.

Two Weeks :

Richmond, VA 2.75 hours to > Chapel Hill, NC 3.5 hours to > Asheville, NC 4.5 hours to > Nashville, TN 3 hours to > Memphis, TN 3 hours to > Jackson, MS 3 hours to > New Orleans, LA 6.75 hours to > Atlanta, GA 3.75 hours to > Charlotte, NC 4,5 hours to > Richmond, VA

Man oh man, just typing these itineraries has me nostalgic for past road trips. So many amazing, exhausting, and hilarious moments throughout the miles. I’ve been stuck in the car with bickering couples, laughing hysterically as water poured in through the tops of the windows, and speeding straight for the Mississippi River in time to watch the sunset. I’ve also been arrested in Arkansas, stranded in New York, and stuffed to the brim with barbecue in Memphis. I always seem to head out during the hottest week of spring, not to mention the heat-exhausting temps of mid-July, but I wouldn’t trade my sweaty thighs sticking to vinyl seats for a functioning AC unit any day.