Summer is officially here, which means it’s vacations season. Whether you plan to stay close to home, visit a favorite summertime destination or explore someplace new, there’s no better time to take your RV rental out for a spin. Consider adding one of our favorite cities and highway road trips to your summer bucket list. 

Pacific Coast Highway

For the beach lover, this road trip is a perfect weekend getaway – or longer if you take frequent stops and see more sites. The Pacific Coast Highway runs from San Diego to San Francisco and takes you along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. While both starting and ending cities offer an abundance of things to do, we recommend you stop to enjoy all the amazing sites in between. 

You can catch some sun and surf in Santa Cruz, soak in the scenic coast with towering redwood trees in Big Sur and hit trendy bars and restaurants, like Milk & Honey, in Santa Barbara. Take a look at this sample travel itinerary for a little road trip inspiration. 
 

Route 66

Tackling Route 66 is no small feat. If you’re looking for the ultimate summer bucket list trip, look no further than trekking across the U.S. along this historic route. The focus of pop culture for decades, Route 66 has ben featured in countless movies, books and songs. 

You can check out this list for top attractions to visit by state. You’ll want to make sure you take a photo at the official starting point in Chicago, stop at a local diner, catch a drive-in movie one weekend at the 66 Drive-In Theater in Missouri or take a photo standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona. This road trip is sure to be full nostalgia and good old-fashioned charm. Just plan to be in it for the long haul as the complete Route 66 journey could take anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on how many stops you take. 
 

Seattle, Washington

Seattle may be known for its rain, but the summer months bring beautiful weather and a chance to escape the heat. You can spend several days exploring famous city destinations like the Space Needle and Pike’s Marketplace and local restaurants and breweries. Seattle is also an outdoor adventurer’s dream with are endless activities to choose from. 

Take a hike up Mount Si, go rock climbing at Little Si, known as Exit 32 or jump on a paddleboard at Alki Beach. This spot as made famous by when Tom Hanks played here with his movie son in Sleepless in Seattle. Stay nearby at the Maple Grove RV Resort, one of the top-rated campsites in the area
 

Sedona, Arizona

For the yogi in your group, the city of Sedona is the perfect summer bucket list trip. Known around the globe for its beautiful red rock formations, healing vortexes and thriving arts culture, visitors travel great distances just to feel the positive energy of the city. From luxury resorts to outdoor adventure, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this southwestern destination. 

Enjoy an early morning yoga session on the red rocks before heading out on an adventurous jeep tour. Or maybe you’d rather hike to popular landmarks like Cathedral rock or Devil’s Bridge. The latter is a  natural sandstone arch that is accessible by both the casual and experienced hiker. The best part, there’s no shortage of campgrounds to choose from. 
 

Sweet, Sweet Summertime 

With these summer bucket list trips, you are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. If you choose to embark on one of our recommended highway road trips, look into Cruise America’s one-way rental program. With this option, you can drive there and book your own flight home. Spend more time enjoying the sites along the way and less time rushing to get back.