U.S. Department of Transportation Unveils 2025 ‘Great American Road Trip’ Destinations
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Great American Road Trip” initiative released its highly anticipated list of recommended stops for 2025, aiming to inspire families to explore the nation’s diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks by car. The campaign, which highlights iconic routes and scenic destinations across all 50 states, encourages a rediscovery of domestic travel.
Rediscovering America by Car
Launched to promote travel within the United States, the “Great American Road Trip” initiative emphasizes the unique experiences available to those who choose to explore by automobile. According to the initiative’s website, the campaign spotlights “iconic travel routes, historic landmarks and scenic destinations across all 50 states.” Destinations like Cloud Gate in Chicago, Coney Island in New York, and the Grand Canyon in Arizona serve as examples of the breadth of attractions highlighted.
Nevada’s Unexpected Road Trip Gems
While the West region’s list includes well-known attractions like Washington’s Space Needle, California’s Golden Gate Bridge, and Wyoming’s Old Faithful, two Nevada destinations may surprise travelers. The initiative’s focus extends beyond the bright lights of Las Vegas and the outdoor adventures surrounding Reno, showcasing the state’s unique cultural and historical offerings.
Museums Take Center Stage in the Silver State
The two Nevada stops selected for the 2025 “Great American Road Trip” are both museums: the National Automobile Museum in Reno and the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas.
The National Automobile Museum, located at 1 Museum Drive in Reno, boasts a collection of over 240 vintage cars. “With over 240 vintage cars, the National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada, showcases the evolution of the automobile in America,” the website notes. “From horseless carriages to movie-famous cars, it offers beautifully restored vehicles, interactive displays, and historical context that delight both car enthusiasts and casual visitors.”
In Las Vegas, the National Atomic Testing Museum at 755 E. Flamingo Road offers a compelling, and often sobering, look at America’s nuclear history. “At the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, learn about America’s atomic history through engaging exhibits covering the Nevada Test Site, the Cold War era and nuclear science,” the website stated. “Artifacts, personal stories and simulations bring to life the powerful and controversial legacy of nuclear testing in the USA.”
A Comprehensive Western Road Trip Itinerary
The “Great American Road Trip” initiative’s list of recommended stops in the West – encompassing Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming – provides a diverse range of experiences for travelers. Here’s a complete list of the destinations named as road trip worthy in 2025:
- Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska
- Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado
- Chico Air Museum in Chico, California
- Empire Mine State Park in Grass Valley, California
- Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California
- Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, California
- Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California
- Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles, California
- San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California
- U.S.S. Midway Museum in San Diego, California
- Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California
- Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California
- Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California
- General Sherman Tree in the Sequoia National Park, California
- Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum in Solvang, California
- California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, California
- Colorado Railroad Museum in Fairmount, Colorado
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
- National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada
- National Automobile Museum in Reno, Nevada
- Fort Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon
- Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
- International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon
- Hole N” The Rock in Moab, Utah
- Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah
- Space Needle in Seattle, Washington
- Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington
- Boeing Future of Flight in Everett, Washington
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming
- Old Trail Town in Cody, Wyoming
- Snake River Float Trip near Jackson, Wyoming
- Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
- Jackson Hole Aerial Tram in Teton Village, Wyoming
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, Wyoming
- Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The 2025 “Great American Road Trip” list offers a compelling invitation to explore the diverse beauty and rich history of the American West, encouraging travelers to venture beyond the typical tourist destinations and discover hidden gems along the way.
