How Long Does It Take to Road Trip All 50 States?

By Robert Palmer

Are you someone who loves hitting the open road and exploring new places? Have you ever wondered how long it would take to road trip all 50 states in the USA?

Well, wonder no more! We’ve done the research and gathered all the information you need to plan out your epic cross-country adventure.

First things first, let’s talk about distance. The total distance of driving through all 50 states is approximately 12,000 miles. However, this number can vary based on the specific route you take and any detours or side trips you may want to make.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of planning your road trip. Assuming an average driving speed of 60 miles per hour and no significant traffic or weather delays, a cross-country road trip could take anywhere from 10 days to several months.

To give you a better idea of what to expect, we’ve broken down the estimated time it would take to drive through each region of the United States:

The West Coast
Starting in Washington state and driving down through Oregon and California before ending in San Diego will take approximately 10-14 days depending on how much time you want to spend exploring each state.

The Southwest
From San Diego head east towards Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma before ending in Kansas City. This leg should take around two weeks or so.

The Midwest
From Kansas City drive north through Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota before heading east towards Minnesota and Wisconsin. This part of your journey can be covered within two weeks.

The East Coast
Starting in Wisconsin drive east towards Michigan then follow along Lake Erie into Pennsylvania before hitting up New York City. From there head down south along the coast visiting Atlantic City amongst others before hitting up Miami for a well-deserved break after covering this region which can be done in about two weeks.

The Southeast
From Miami, head up towards New Orleans and the Gulf Coast before heading east through Florida and Georgia. This portion of your trip can take around two weeks as well.

The North
From Georgia, head up through the Carolinas and Virginia before reaching Washington D.C. The drive from here to Maine is a scenic one along the coast of New England.

As you can see, a cross-country road trip covering all 50 states can take months to complete. However, if you’re short on time, you could always break it down into smaller trips by tackling each region separately.

In conclusion, how long it takes to road trip all 50 states will depend on your preferences and how much time you have available. Whether you choose to do it all in one go or spread it out over several trips, a cross-country road trip is an adventure that will create lifelong memories. So grab your map, pack your bags, and hit the open road!