How Many Days Does It Take to Road Trip Across America?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you planning a road trip across America and wondering how many days it will take? The answer isn’t straightforward, as it depends on several factors such as your starting point, destination, and the route you choose. However, we can provide you with an estimate to help you plan your journey better.

Factors that Affect the Duration of Your Road Trip

Before we dive into the estimated number of days it would take to road trip across America, let’s take a look at some factors that can affect the duration of your trip.

The Route You Choose

The route you choose plays a significant role in determining how long your road trip will take. For instance, if you decide to travel from New York to Los Angeles via I-80W, it would take approximately 41 hours and cover around 2,800 miles. However, if you prefer a more scenic route like Route 66 or Pacific Coast Highway, your journey might take longer.

The Number of Stops You Plan

Another factor that can influence the duration of your road trip is the number of stops you plan to make along the way. If you have several destinations on your itinerary and want to explore each one thoroughly, it will naturally add days to your trip.

Your Driving Speed

Your driving speed is also crucial in determining how long it would take to complete your cross-country journey. If you’re comfortable driving long hours each day and covering more miles in less time, then naturally, your trip might be shorter.

Estimated Number of Days for a Cross-Country Road Trip

Now that we’ve looked at some factors that can influence the duration of your road trip let us give you an estimated number of days for a cross-country journey.

If we consider starting from New York City and traveling all the way to Los Angeles while making stops at popular attractions like Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Las Vegas, and New Orleans, it would take around 21 to 23 days.

However, if you prefer a more leisurely pace and want to explore the lesser-known attractions along the way, it might take you around 30 to 35 days.

It’s worth noting that this estimate is based on driving for around six to eight hours each day and taking breaks to explore the destinations. You can adjust the estimate according to your preferences.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the duration of your cross-country road trip depends on several factors like your starting point, destination, route, number of stops, and driving speed. We hope our estimated number of days will help you plan your journey better and make it an unforgettable experience. Happy travels!