Between Alaska in the far northwest and the finger of Florida pointing out to the southeast, there are 50 states—including the Hawaiian archipelago—and 4 million miles of highway to explore in your hire car. Whether you are planning a laid-back beach crawl around the Gulf of Mexico, venturing out on a vineyard tour of Napa Valley or exploring Los Angeles’ quirky neighbourhoods, there are plenty of places to discover.

On many a bucket-list is Route 66, the so-called Main Street of America. Spanning from the sky-scraping city of Chicago in the northeast to the bright lights of Las Vegas, and veering through the ranches of Missouri, the deserts of Arizona and past the mighty Grand Canyon, this iconic route offers some of the best road trips in the USA.

Over in Florida, the Sunshine State’s flora-rich Everglades and balmy Florida Keys can be explored via the 150-mile US 1, aka the Ocean Highway—which links Miami with Key West. Driving along the impressive Seven Mile Bridge with the glimmering Gulf of Mexico to one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other is certainly memorable. Once back on the mainland, thrill-seekers can make a beeline for Orlando’s big-name theme parks.

Nature lovers, meanwhile, can get their fix along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The 2,200-mile track links Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia and weaves through 14 states along the way. The whole route may be a little too much to hike, so choose its best bits—Tennessee offers some spectacular forest routes—and drive the rest of the way.

And for history buffs? The 1,400-mile Blues Highway that connects New Orleans to the city of Wyoming in Minnesota makes for a memorable road trip. It received its nickname in acknowledgement of the migration of African-Americans from the rural Mississippi Delta in the south to St Louis and Chicago between 1910 and 1970.

Hire a car with Avis in the USA and you’ll gain precious access to this fascinating country’s many sights and cultural attractions.

There's just so much to explore

Road trips can be as extensive as you like here: it's over 2,500 miles and 40 hours' drive from New York's Lady Liberty to Los Angeles' "Hollywood" sign and the same again to the beaches of Hawaii. That journey would lead you along iconic highways, like desert-thoroughfare Route 66, before hitting the rugged crags of the Grand Canyon.

From San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take Interstate 80 – the transcontinental Lincoln Highway of old – on a classic Californian road trip through the vineyards of the Napa Valley and the looming wilderness of the Sierra Nevada, before plunging into the mature pine, cedar and oak forests of Yosemite Valley. As Lonely Planet puts it, Yosemite “makes even Switzerland look like God’s practice run.”

Coupe of convertible?

Come city, major town, hotel or airport, we've got you covered in America. Grab a classic jeep, convertible or coupé, or perhaps an elegant town car or a spacious SUV? Whatever you fancy for your tour of these united states, we have the perfect car for you.

And, you don’t have to drive full-circle: make the most of one way car hire across the USA.

USA Driving Guide
Want a quick guide to the rules of American roads? We've unlocked them for your journey.