Excited for 3,000 miles of incredible views and 50 hours of driving? Then you’re ready for this life-changing drive! We recommend a minimum of one week to complete this route, although 10 to 14 days will give you ample time to explore along the way.

Our top piece of advice? Get roadside assistance before you go—because there’s nothing like a flat tire on a dusty two-lane highway to ruin your road trip.

Jerry’s

is only $6.99 per month and it covers flat tires, fuel delivery, lockout assistance, and more. Make sure your

car insurance

is up to date before you head out, too.

Prepare yourself, because this epic coast-to-coast adventure will change your life (and make your friends super jealous). Let’s go!

Key trip details

Distance: 3,054 miles

Driving time: 47 hours

Suggested length: 7-12 days

Itinerary

* New York City, NY

* Philadelphia, PA

* Cleveland, OH

* Chicago, IL

* St. Louis, MO

* Kansas City, KS

* Oklahoma City, OK

* Albuquerque, NM

* Las Vegas, NV

* Los Angeles, CA

New York City to Philadelphia

95 miles, 1 hour 51 minutes

This leg consists of only a two-hour drive, but this leg is jam-packed with incredible eats, history, and culture. Whether you’re in a rush to cross the country or not, it’s worth it to enjoy the one-of-a-kind offerings in this area.

What to do in Philadelphia

Liberty Bell

: History buff or otherwise, this landmark is a historical must-see. Can you feel the independence in the air?

Independence Hall

: Speaking of independence, stop by this spot where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were adopted.

The Rocky Statue

: Movie fans can visit the site of this statue of the fictional boxer, Rocky Balboa.

Where to eat in Philadelphia

Hardena

($): Once you reach Philly, there are some iconic international dishes you should sample. Go to Hardena in South Philly for award-winning, affordable Indonesian food.

Philly Pretzel Factory

($): Next, grab a soft pretzel for the road from the Philly Pretzel Factory (multiple locations).

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Philadelphia to Cleveland

655 miles, 4 hours 33 minutes

Now you’re headed into Appalachia. Isn’t this country amazingly diverse? Go northwest from DC on I-70 toward Pittsburgh and enjoy the incredible views. Continue on toward Lake Erie and spend the night with lake-fresh air in Cleveland.

What to do in Cleveland

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

: In Cleveland, you can pay homage to icons and their six-stringed guitars at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There's lots to see here, so budget two to three hours to walk through.

West Side Market

: The West Side Market is a spacious and bustling place to score local products from fruit to herbs to art. Even if you don’t buy anything, be sure to gaze at the vaulted ceiling. The building was specially designed to please shoppers in the early 20th century.

Where to eat in Cleveland

The Harp

($$): In Cleveland, breweries abound. The Harp pub on Detroit Ave. is worth a try for its cozy atmosphere and Irish style, including a Celtic style stained glass window decal behind the bar.

Sushi 86

($$): For a no-frills atmosphere and pleasantly-presented sushi, try out Sushi 86 in the Fifth Street Arcade.

MORE:

Best road trip destinations for America’s favorite foods

Cleveland to Chicago

343 miles, 6 hours

Head due west on I-90 toward Lake Michigan. Chicago is a great place to stop over for a full 24 hours if you need to regain your strength. Take in the sights at Navy Pier, try deep dish pizza, and catch a jazz show to reconnect with traditional Americana (meaning hot cheese and innovative art).

What to do in Chicago

Navy Pier

: In the Windy City, take a Ferris wheel ride at Navy Pier to get a bird’s-eye view of Lake Michigan.

Chicago Loop

: Shoppers and fans of city architecture will delight walking through the downtown Chicago Loop, home to Neiman Marcus and the county’s tallest building Willis Tower.

Where to eat in Chicago

Alinea

($$$): In Chicago, there’s no shortage of good eats. If you have the budget, splash out on a meal at Michelin-starred Alinea, which appeared on Netflix’s Chef’s Table.

Lou Malnati's

($): Otherwise, seek out greasy deep dish pizza at the highly-appraised chain Lou Malnati’s.

Key Takeaway Food is a focus in the Midwest. Try some classic square pizza from a street vendor or be adventurous and try the newest Michelin-starred restaurant.

MORE:

Foodie road trip in the midwest

Chicago to St. Louis

311 miles, 4 hours 34 minutes

St. Louis is like Chicago’s little brother—it’s a bit more courageous and heartfelt, and you can definitely feel the pioneer spirit here. The blues scene is accessible to all, and there’s an incredible BBQ joint in every neighborhood.

What to do in St. Louis

Gateway Arch

: Get the iconic photo at the Gateway Arch, which marks Missouri’s historic location along Lewis and Clark’s westward expansion route.

The Botanical Garden

: The Botanical Garden is a relaxing daytime pitstop for your nature fill.

Where to eat in St. Louis

* BBQ picks: In St. Louis, BBQ fans should consider

BEAST Craft BBQ Co.

Salt and Smoke

for dinner and BBQ Saloon for brunch. Be sure to leave room for gooey butter cake and frozen custard—classic Midwestern treats.

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The best road trip from Chicago to St. Louis

St. Louis to Kansas City

251 miles, 3 hours 51 minutes

You’re about to reach the halfway point! Forget LA (no offense), Kansas City is one of the newest “American dream” cities. Homes are affordable, arts and culture are vibrant, and young families are moving here to build a real sense of community.

What to do in Kansas City

* Must-see museums: There are two museums incredibly important to national history in Kansas City: the

American Jazz Museum

and the

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

City Market

: The City Market is free to explore, and you’re guaranteed to stumble on some incredible street art if you just stroll downtown with no agenda.

Where to eat in Kansas City

Q83

($$): Kansas City is also famous for BBQ—specifically burnt ends. Try Q39 to sample some of the city’s best.

Corvino

($$): Corvino Supper Club is a popular dinner place and tasting room with a sleek environment and live nightly music.

Monarch Coffee

($): Coffee is big here, and Monarch Coffee offers delicious brews and an attractive (dare we say, Instagrammable) interior.

MORE: 8 pro tips for long car rides with kids

Kansas City to Albuquerque

788 miles, 12 hours

The Great Plains of America are awe-inspiring, though a bit vacant. We recommend doing a quick midday stopover in Amarillo and then pushing on to New Mexico all in one day. Try to set aside a full day to explore Albuquerque and the surrounding area.

What to do from Kansas City to Albuquerque

* Stop in Amarillo:

Cadillac Ranch

in Amarillo is a quick but memorable stopover—be sure to bring a couple of cans of spray paint (just take our word for it).

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

is also just 30 minutes outside of Amarillo and it offers quintessential desert hikes.

Petroglyph National Monument

: You don’t need to be a history buff to find these ancient carvings fascinating. Stop here to see petroglyphs from times long past.

Old Town

: Stroll the old town and check out an authentic panaderia before visiting art galleries. You could easily spend weeks exploring this part of New Mexico, so don’t be afraid to plan another trip!

Where to eat from Kansas City to Albuquerque

Ye Olde Pancake Station

($): Hit this spot in Amarillo for traditional American breakfast foods. Can’t go wrong with pancakes.

Kix on 66

($): In Tucumcari, hit up Kix on 66 for a diner-style meal with memorabilia everywhere.

* Get a taste of Albuquerque: Once you reach Albuquerque, indigenous and Spanish flavors fuse into incredibly delicious eats! Try

The Jealous Fork

Artichoke Cafe

, for a slightly classier option.

Key Takeaway The desert is beautiful but fierce. Pack extra water and get roadside assistance so you don’t have to worry about getting stranded.

Albuquerque to Las Vegas

576 miles, 8 hours 20 minutes

You’re in the home stretch now! Going from Albuquerque to Vegas is hard—but not impossible—to do in one day. We recommend booking a plush hotel bed in Vegas to motivate yourself.

Another option is to car camp in a national park (or go glamping) to break up the long drive. The desert is very hot during the day and very cold at night, so plan your route carefully and fill your gas tank regularly.

What to do from Albuquerque to Las Vegas

* Rio Nutria Preserve: The Rio Nutria preserve in the Zuni mountains is well worth a 30-minute detour if you have the time. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll see otters! Don’t miss the

Rock Art Ranch

* near Winslow, Arizona with ancient petroglyphs.

Walnut Canyon Drive

: If you have time, divert north after Flagstaff to visit the Grand Canyon. Otherwise, the Walnut Canyon Drive is a one-hour scenic route that you can enjoy from your vehicle.

* Las Vegas Museums: When you’re done with the new flashing lights, head to the

Neon Museum

or the

Mob Museum

* Take a hike: For outdoor adventurers, Mystic Falls Park and Red Rock Canyon are two great choices.

Where to eat from Albuquerque to Las Vegas

Dirt Dog

($): In Vegas, there’s plenty of good food to eat beyond the all-inclusive hotel buffet. The city has become a draw for celebrity chefs and their inventive cuisines. Try Dirt Dog for a clever twist on Mexican street corn.

Cafe Hollywood

($$): At Cafe Hollywood, your food comes in a clever miniature ferris wheel.

Guy Fieri's Restaurant

($$): Go to Guy Fieri’s restaurant for Trash Can Nachos—just be sure you bring a friend to help shovel them down.

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Las Vegas to Los Angeles

270 miles, 4 hours 11 minutes

Once you’ve had your fill of Sin City, it’s time for the final leg of your grand adventure. Skirting the Mojave National Preserve on I-15, this four-hour stretch of road is guaranteed to cleanse your body and soul.

What to do from Las Vegas to Los Angeles

Seven Magic Mountains

: Your first stop is Seven Magic Mountains, a lone art installation in the middle of the desert.

* Nature stops: Continue on hikes with the best views are the Ring Trail Loop and the Kelso Dunes.

Calico Ghost Town

: The Calico Ghost Town is also on your route. Stop for a spooky abandoned atmosphere in the middle of nowhere.

San Bernardino National Forest

: Need one final stop in the wilderness? San Bernardino National Forest has 154,000 acres of trails, and it’s just one hour from your final destination in Los Angeles.

* LA must-see spots: Of course, LA is filled with iconic tourist attractions like Hollywood and

Long Beach

. You can take things slowly by the seaside, get your glam on in the shopping district, or try to get starstruck celebrity-watching.

Griffith Observatory

: Celebrate the end of your long trip with the best way to take in your destination — a panoramic view of the entire city of LA!

Where to eat from Las Vegas to Los Angeles

Fosters Freeze

($): Stop in Barstow for a refreshing cold treat at Foster’s Freeze.

Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe

($$): The food quality improves noticeably in Victorville. Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe is a classic Route 66 diner, but it’s clean and more delicious.

* Los Angeles eats: In Los Angeles, there are too many good eats to cover in this article so we’ll let the

Food Network

be your guide

MORE:

The 7 best California road trips

Why you need roadside assistance

A flat tire is a minor annoyance when you can call your best friend or your mom to help you out. But a flat tire in dusty Arizona? Locking yourself out in St. Louis? These are major catastrophes!

Roadside assistance is affordable (just $6.99 with

Jerry

!) and a really smart idea. Jerry has partnered with Urgently to cover your fuel delivery, lockout assistance, flat tire help, winching, and more. Premium members even get Uber credits.

You never know what obstacles you’ll encounter––so before you embark on the great American road trip, get Jerry’s roadside assistance on speed dial. For the price of a cheap gas station slushie, you can definitely afford it.

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Finding cheap car insurance

Most states require car insurance, but minimums vary across the country. Since you’re traveling from the east to the west coast, there are many situations you could encounter––including getting in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Jerry

can help you get the best policy before you embark. The Jerry app is free to download and allows you to find and compare quotes from up to 50 top insurance companies.

Plus, the average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance. That could buy a lot of tanks of gas!

"
Jerry
is awesome! I loved my experience. Love from Las Vegas NV." ––Kelly G.

FAQs

How long does it take to drive across the country?

It takes about one week (seven days) to drive across the country if you spend more than eight hours a day on the road. Most people prefer to do a bit of sightseeing, so 10-14 days is a better estimate.

What are the best snacks for a road trip?

Everybody needs a bit of sugar and salt to keep their spirits up! There’s nothing wrong with some gas station candy and chips.

However, it’s a good idea to keep some healthy food in the car, too. If your tummy is rumbling and you’re in the middle of the Great Plains, you’ll be grateful to have some tortillas and peanut butter stowed in the backseat.

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