There’s just something so perfect about taking your dream summer road trips and how hitting the road instantly makes you feel alive. Maybe it’s the wind in your hair as you roll down the windows, taking in the fresh air, or maybe it’s seeing the deep blues of the ocean on the horizon, or it might be the thrill of trying to discover that perfect beach to laze around.
If you’re the kind of person who lives for sun, sand, and salty air, this list of the best beach summer road trips is for you. These are some of our favorite coastal road trips you can take across the United States if you’re a certified beach bum (or aspiring one).
1. Pacific Coast Highway, California
Route: San Francisco to San Diego (~600 miles)
The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most scenic drives in the country, running along the California coast and offering uninterrupted ocean views throughout.
This route starts in San Francisco and ends in San Diego, and along the way, covers a range of landscapes, from city landmarks to remote cliffs and small coastal towns, all beautiful and highly Instagrammable.
Start in San Francisco, which might just be one of our favorite places to kick off this iconic American road trip. Grab those obligatory Golden Gate Bridge shots, then get your car heading south. While you can stop as little or as much as you want on your trip, you should make sure you stop in Santa Cruz. It’s got classic boardwalk energy, salty air, and just the right amount of beach-town kitsch.
From there, drive south toward Monterey and Carmel, passing through the 17-Mile Drive with dreamy views of the ocean.
Next comes the show-stealer portion of your drive: Big Sur! This stretch is so surreal that it might ruin all other drives for you. Make time for Bixby Bridge, which you might have seen over the years in movies and commercials, but trust us, it’s better to see it in person.
Don’t miss McWay Falls, a waterfall that literally drops into the ocean, and Pfeiffer Beach.
For the last leg, make an overnight stop at Santa Barbara. With its Spanish-style architecture, palm-lined waterfront, and wine bars, it is perfect for a relaxing night before continuing to San Diego. Finish your beach road trip in San Diego at La Jolla Shores or out exploring this vibrant city.
While this road trip is a dream for beach lovers, it passes through towns and cities known for their notorious traffic jams. Los Angeles traffic, in particular, can test your patience.You best bet to avoid the stand-still traffic is to pass through it early in the morning.
2. Outer Banks, North Carolina
Route: Virginia Beach to Ocracoke (~200 miles)
Driving around the Outer Banks offers a coastal route that is quite different from the Pacific Highway Coast Road Trip. This drive features quieter, narrower roads and is lined with slightly wild islands characterized by wind-swept dunes.
Start in Virginia Beach and follow the road south toward Kitty Hawk, which is best known as the site of the Wright brothers’ first flight. A short drive from here will bring you to Nags Head. Spend some time admiring the expansive beachfront and the towering dunes of Jockey’s Ridge State Park. It’s a great spot for sandboarding or just simply watching the sunset if you’re looking for something less adventurous.
Continue through Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Stop at 19th-century Cape Hatteras Lighthouse; it’s a black-and-white striped landmark that remains a symbol of the region even today.
The final stretch leads to Ocracoke Island. Even though the island is accessible only by ferry. While you can take your car to the island, it is best to park it and explore the island on a bike, on foot, or by tram.
3. Florida Keys, Florida
Route: Miami to Key West (~160 miles)
This beach road trip is short compared to some of the other options on this list, but trust us when we say that it’s still ridiculously scenic. This route follows the Overseas Highway across a series of bridges and small islands with clear views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico on either side.
Begin by leaving the city behind and entering the Upper Keys. Key Largo is the first major stop. Head to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for kayaking, paddling, or snorkeling. It’s a great place to spend a few hours in the hot summer afternoons.
Next, continue south to Islamorada, where you’ll find plenty of waterfront restaurants serving delicious local seafood with ocean views. Further along the route, Bahia Honda State Park is a standout. Its sandy beaches and shallow, turquoise waters make it one of the most photographed spots in the Keys.
The final destination is the iconic Key West, the southernmost point in the continental U.S. The town is renowned for its historic homes, vibrant streets, beautiful beaches, and evening gatherings at Mallory Square, where visitors can watch the sunset.
For fewer crowds and better hotel rates, plan your visit for a weekday rather than the weekend.
4. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Route: Boston to Provincetown (~115 miles)
You don’t go to Cape Cod to rush. You go for slow drives through shingle-style beach towns, soft dunes, and that unmistakable New England charm.
Begin this laid-back summer road trip in Boston and then follow the arm of Massachusetts as it curves out into the Atlantic.
Then, travel south to Sandwich. While the name might sound delicious, Sandwich is one of the oldest towns in the state, and the buildings and monuments in the town reflect its history.
Continue to Hyannis, a small, walkable beach town with a busy harbor. Try out the classic New England seafood served at the many restaurants here. From there, head toward Chatham, which will be one of the best places to see seals on this journey.
The highlight of the drive, however, is the Cape Cod National Seashore, which spans 40 miles of preserved stunning coastline.
End the journey in Provincetown, a town located at the outermost point of Cape Cod. The vibrant town has plenty of galleries and is also known for its historic architecture and waterfront views.
5. Gulf Coast, Alabama to Florida
Route: Gulf Shores, AL to Clearwater Beach, FL (~500 miles)
This one’s for you if you like soft, white-sand beaches, warm Gulf waters, and food so good it should be illegal.
Start at Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama, two underrated destinations with clean beaches and casual seafood restaurants. Then, head east to Pensacola Beach for its pier and historic forts.
From there, continue through Destin and along scenic Highway 30A. Throughout your route, you will pass beach towns so pretty that you will want to stop at each one of them. And depending on your timeframe, feel free to stop in as many beach towns as you want! Seaside and Rosemary are particularly cute for their pastel homes standing against the backdrop of calm, clear waters.
End the drive at Clearwater Beach, a beach often ranked among the best in the U.S. You won’t find a better place to end this easygoing, moderately paced, family-friendly beach road trip.
6. Oregon Coast, Oregon
Route: Astoria to Brookings (~340 miles)
Let’s flip the vibe a bit. If you love beaches but also want cliffs, sea stacks, and dramatic waves, the Oregon Coast is your place.
On this beach trip, it’s less about swimming and more about the landscape, which is a mix of rugged, raw, and peaceful.
Start in Astoria, a historic port town at the mouth of the Columbia River. Film fans may recognize it as the setting for The Goonies. From there, head south to Cannon Beach, where you’ll find the hugely popular Haystack Rock rising from the shoreline. You might also get to see tide pools form at low tide.
From here, continue through smaller coastal towns like Newport and Yachats till you reach Florence. Florence has a unique landscape where sand dunes meet the ocean. Every hiking trail in Florence guarantees stunning panoramic viewpoints. The foggy beaches here are renowned for their serene beauty, featuring long stretches that are ideal for walking and capturing memorable pictures.
From Florence, follow Highway 101 south past the coastal towns of Reedsport, Coos Bay, and Gold Beach. Each stretch of road opens up to viewpoints, lighthouses, and forested turnouts that overlook the Pacific.
End the trip in Brookings, near the California border. Harris Beach State Park is a standout ending spot, thanks to its stunning views and short, easy walking trails.
Even in summer, the temperatures on the Oregon coast stay cool. Carry a light jacket or hoodie for the cooler weather, early morning, and evening.
7. Lake Michigan Circle Tour
Route: Chicago to Door County to Upper Peninsula to Traverse City to Holland (~1,100 miles)
If you think lake beaches don’t count, wait until you see Lake Michigan.
This loop around Lake Michigan combines inland beaches, scenic byways, and small-town stops across four states. The shoreline is dotted with soft sand, freshwater dunes, and clear, swimmable water, offering a beach experience that feels far removed from the ocean but just as memorable.
Start in Chicago and head north to Wisconsin’s Door County. Door County is a quiet peninsula known for its lighthouses, cherry orchards, and New England-style villages. If time allows, take the ferry to Washington Island for a short detour and a quick swim at Schoolhouse Beach (it may be a bit cold if you don’t visit in the summer).
From there, cross over into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You’ll notice the shoreline becoming more rugged here. Then head south along the lake’s eastern coast to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where high dunes overlook turquoise water.
Continue your journey through Traverse City to Holland. You’ll love the Dutch-inspired architecture and the clean, wide beaches along its shore.
8. Big Island Loop, Hawaii
Route: Kona to Hilo and back (~300 miles)
Yes, you’ll need to fly to Hawaii unless you’re a local to the Big Island. But once you land, rent a car and do a loop around the Big Island. It’s a beach road trip like no other.
Hawaii’s Big Island offers one of the most diverse coastal drives in the country, with shifting landscapes that range from black sand beaches to volcanic fields and lush rainforests.
Begin your Hawaiian road trip in Kona and keep driving across the island’s western side. Here, the climate would be dry, and the beaches would be sunny with water ideal for summer dips. Hapuna Beach, in particular, is renowned as one of the world’s best beaches. It features a wide, sandy stretch that is ideal for swimming. Two Step Beach, a bit further south, is ideal for snorkeling.
Next, keep continuing along the coast to the southeastern end to reach Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. You’ll be taken aback and in love with the jet-black volcanic sand here, and the frequent sea turtle sightings will be a bonus treat for your journey.
From there, follow the road inland and then east toward Hilo. The scenery here is much greener than that of the southern coasts. Waterfalls, botanical gardens, and rainforest-covered cliffs define this side of the island.
Do remember that in Hawaii, it’s a good idea to keep your tank full, as services can be limited in more remote sections.
9. Jersey Shore, New Jersey
Route: Sandy Hook to Cape May (~130 miles)
Yes, it’s the Jersey Shore, but not the kind you saw on your TV in the 2010s. This is where generations of East Coasters go for old-school beach vacations.
The Jersey Shore offers a classic East Coast beach route with boardwalks, historic towns, and wide stretches of sand.
Start your summer road trip at Sandy Hook, a protected area within the Gateway National Recreation Area. Soak in the exquisite views of the New York City skyline from here, and spend some time sunbathing at Beach D.
Then, move further down to Point Pleasant. Point Pleasant features all the typical traditional boardwalk attractions, including arcades and family-friendly rides.
Next up is another family-friendly destination: Wildwood. It is one of the most fun towns along this route with its retro atmosphere, colorful motels, and wide beaches.
Finally, close your road trip to Cape May, the southernmost point of the route. The town is known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture, boutique shops, and calm shoreline.
What makes this trip exciting is that the mood shifts gradually as you head south, with each stop becoming more relaxed, with fewer crowds and a laid-back pace.
10. Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
Route: Seattle to Port Angeles to La Push to Kalaloch to Seattle (~330 miles)
This is a moody beach road trip where you’ll be treated to misty shorelines, forested trails that end at the sea, and quiet beaches full of driftwood.
Start this road trip in Seattle and head west toward Olympic National Park. Along the way, stop in Port Angeles for supplies or a short hike before continuing to the coast. La Push, located on the Quileute Reservation, is home to the First, Second, and Third Beaches, each with dramatic sea stacks and long stretches of sand. Although not as pristine as the beaches in Florida, they are a great place to take pictures of the changing hues of the sky with pelicans flying in the foreground.
Further south on this route is Ruby Beach, a lovely stop for tide pooling and taking in the foggy views that shift throughout the day.
Remember that this road trip isn’t a swimming trip; instead, it’s about walking trails that end at the water with beaches that feel completely secluded.