If you’re planning a road trip along the West Coast, you might be wondering just how long it’s going to take. Well, the answer is that it really depends on your itinerary and how much time you want to spend exploring each destination. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the factors that can impact the duration of your West Coast road trip.
The Route
The first thing you need to consider is your route. The West Coast covers a lot of ground, so you’ll need to decide which cities and attractions you want to visit. Some popular stops along the way include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego.
San Francisco
If San Francisco is on your list of must-see destinations, plan on spending at least 2-3 days exploring the city. Highlights include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is another popular stop along the way. Plan on spending 3-4 days here if you want to see all the major attractions like Hollywood Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Pier, and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Seattle
If you’re heading up north to Seattle, plan on spending 2-3 days here. Top attractions include Pike Place Market, Space Needle observation tower , Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum and more.
Portland
Portland is a city with plenty of unique offerings from Powell’s City of Books (largest bookstore in North America) to beautiful gardens like International Rose Test Garden & Japanese Garden. Plan for 1-2 days here if it’s in your itinerary.
San Diego
Heading south from LA? Make sure not to miss San Diego! With its beautiful beaches, world-famous zoo, and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, it’s worth spending a few days here before heading back home.
The Time of Year
The time of year you are planning your trip can also impact how long it takes. If you’re traveling during the summer months, be prepared for more traffic and longer wait times at popular attractions. In winter months, the shorter days might limit sightseeing activities.
Your Travel Style
Finally, your travel style will play a significant role in determining how long your road trip will take. Are you someone who likes to take things slow and spend ample time exploring each destination?
Or do you prefer to see as much as possible in a short amount of time? Depending on your preferences, you may need to adjust your itinerary accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it takes to do a West Coast road trip. It all depends on factors like your route, time of year, and travel style. Just make sure that you plan ahead and give yourself enough time to truly experience all that the West Coast has to offer.