By RACHEL WALKER AND KATHY STRONG

The Road Warrior

Big Bend National Park, in Texas

THE JOURNEY ULTIMATE TEXAS (1,215 miles)

THE ROUTE

Dallas, Caddo Lake, Beaumont, Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Marfa

Padre Island, near Corpus Christi

► Top Stops: Caddo Lake, east of Dallas, features thick cypress forests draped in Spanish moss. Beaumont is the home of Spindle-top, an oil field celebrated as the site of the state’s first big discovery of “liquid gold,” in 1901. Today, visitors can wander the re-created site from those boomtown days. Thanks to its proximity to Louisiana, the area is rich in Cajun food.

Corpus Christi is renowned for its many beaches, as well as the Texas State Aquarium, one of the largest in the U.S., and a naval aviation museum aboard WWII aircraft carrier the USS Lexington. While in town, grab a bite at the only two-story A-frame Whataburger restaurant.

Cajun food

In San Antonio, an Alamo restoration project is underway; it will include a new museum and the re-creation of the original Alamo footprint.

Marfa, in the Big Bend region, is an art outpost surrounded by desert and rugged mountains. Before you hit the road, grab a cheese burrito from Marfa Burrito and some freshly made juice from the Aster Cafe and Bakery.

Cypress trees

► Soak in the Scenery: More than 79,000 miles of roads crisscross Texas. You can enjoy twisty mountain routes, jaw-dropping grasslands and pinyon-juniper-oak woodlands.

► Visitor View: “Texas is enormous, and it’s impossible to see all of it in a lifetime, much less one trip,” says Cheryl White, a lifelong Texan. “West Texas, especially, has a lot of space in between towns.”

Near Cody

THE JOURNEY NORTHWESTERN UNITED STATES (675 miles)

THE ROUTE

Cody, Wyoming; Red Lodge, Montana; Cooke City, Montana; Philipsburg, Montana; Spokane, Washington

► Top Stops: Cody, founded in 1896 by William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, is cowboy country. Check out the art and culture at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West or the Museum of the Plains Indian before driving to Red Lodge, a rustic mountain town. From there, travel the Beartooth Highway, a remote and winding mountain road whose high point is 10,947 feet. The road is open from Memorial Day through early October, and the 65-mile drive to Cooke City can take more than two hours. Just across the border in Wyoming, enjoy steaming hot springs in Mammoth, inside Yellowstone National Park. Then head to Philipsburg, an old mining town with a low-key, brewpub vibe. Spokane is a friendly riverfront city that’s home to Gonzaga University.

Red Lodge

► Soak in the Scenery: The views in some of the wildest country in the Lower 48 appear much as they might have centuries ago, when American settlers were exploring the western wilderness. A stretch of the route from Cooke City to Philipsburg winds through Yellowstone National Park—keep an eye out for wolves, bison, elk and grizzly bears. You’ll travel north and west through rugged mountains and wide-open spaces on U.S. Route 89 to Interstate 90.

Spokane

► Visitor View: Avid cyclist Lori Vandenbrink, 56, director of marketing and sales for Bicycle Adventures in Seattle, recommends biking on a former railbed called the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes in Idaho, not far from Spokane. “It’s free of traffic and friendly for kids and grandkids.”

Nashville

THE JOURNEY BEACHES, MOUNTAINS AND MUSIC (1,000 miles)

THE ROUTE

Charleston, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Asheville, North Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; Memphis, Tennessee

Fort Sumter

► Top Stops: Charleston is home to Fort Sumter, where the first shot of the Civil War was fired and which is now a national monument. Also visit the area’s former plantations or any of its many beaches. And be sure to check out the local cuisine, from upscale restaurants to the likes of Bert’s Market, a quirky grocery and deli that boasts 75-cent hot dogs and around-the-clock service. (Its motto: “We may doze, but we never close.”) From Charleston, head north to Raleigh, known as the “Smithsonian of the South,” thanks to its abundance of free museums and historic attractions. Asheville is a bustling city with a thriving arts scene, outdoor adventures and live music. Still, no city does live music like Nashville. Catch a show at the historic Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry. Or try the Station Inn, open seven nights a week for bluegrass, Americana and roots music. Then head to Memphis, the cradle of rock ’n’ roll. Catch some blues on Beale Street and visit the city’s legendary music attractions, such as Graceland, Sun Studios and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Raleigh

► Soak in the Scenery: Discover the Blue Ridge Mountains as you drive west through North Carolina. Near Asheville, pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through miles of rolling mountains and scenic views to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the country. Rural Tennessee towns like Sevierville, Dandridge and Jefferson City make great pit stops on the way to Nashville.

The Nature Explorer

THE JOURNEY THE NATIONAL PARKS OF UTAH (388 miles)

THE ROUTE

Kanab, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands

Kanab

► Top Stops: Kanab, known as “Little Hollywood,” was the setting for many Westerns and other movies, including Stagecoach, starring John Wayne, and The Greatest Story Ever Told, with Charlton Heston. Look for the white horse on Highway 89 to explore the Little Hollywood Movie Museum, which features actual film sets.

A Zion highlight is the canyon carved by the Virgin River. You can’t drive through much of Zion, so park in a lot and take a free shuttle. Explore the Narrows, a famous gorge where the canyon walls rise up a thousand feet and the river is only about 30 feet wide.

Cutler Cove, in Kanab

Experience Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos, thin spires that look straight from a fairy tale. Capitol Reef displays a trove of cliffs, domes and more canyons.

You’ll discover the highest concentration of natural stone arches anywhere in Arches National Park. Nearby is the expansive Canyonlands, with four distinct regions and hundreds of hiking trails.

Bryce Canyon

Award-winning nature photographer Stan Ford, 70, owner of Fotos by Ford, considers Arches the top spot in the area to visit. “It is defined by the detail and texture of the rocks and the brilliance of the light reflecting on them. You also can’t beat it for brilliant night skies.”

► Fuel Up: Cool off with a milkshake from the old-fashioned soda fountain at Kanab Drug, which also serves up its “ultimate” series of fancy sundae concoctions. Stop by the Peekaboo Canyon Wood-Fired Grill, named after nearby Peekaboo Slot Canyon, with a spectacular trail that winds through a tall, narrow red-stone canyon. “I think we all believe the beauty of this area is its most valuable resource,” says Silva Battista, the restaurant’s co-owner. “It’s irreplaceable.”

► Visitor View: “Visiting Utah is like stepping back in time,” says Barry Williams, 50, cofounder of Hiking My Feelings, a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health through nature. “You’ll find petroglyphs, pictographs from the Indigenous people, and discover a landscape that’s taken thousands of years to create.”

Resurrection Bay

THE JOURNEY SCENIC ALASKA (73 miles)

THE ROUTE

Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula, Seward

► Top Stops: Driving southeast from Anchorage, visit the Portage Glacier to experience massive ice up close. Then explore the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a sanctuary for orphaned or injured wild animals. Head to Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, then explore the park’s nearly 40 glaciers before returning to town for refreshments at any of the charming restaurants around the Seward Boat Harbor on Resurrection Bay. Other stops could include fishing on the Russian River, wandering the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge or bird-watching at Anchor Point. For those seeking even more adventure, book a day trip from Homer to view coastal brown bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Wood bison

► Soak in the Scenery: From Anchorage, follow the Turnagain Arm, where you might glimpse beluga whales. The road has plenty of pullouts; take advantage of them. On the craggy side of the highway, you could see Dall sheep.

Seafarer’s Memorial, in Homer

► Local View: Michelle Theall, 57, executive editor at Alaska magazine and owner of Wild Departures, says the landscape around Homer outshines everything. “Everywhere you look, you’ll find big, jaw-dropping views.”

The Food Lover

THE JOURNEY FARM TO TABLE IN WASHINGTON STATE (405 miles)

THE ROUTE

Bellingham, Skagit Valley, Methow Valley, Chelan, Leavenworth

Methow Valley Farmers Market, in Twisp, Washington

► Top Stops: Mallard Ice Cream in Bellingham serves artisan flavors, including rose, cardamom, turmeric and brown butter miso.

A must stop for oyster lovers is the Skagit Valley’s Taylor Shellfish Farms, a fifth-generation business. From there, follow the Bow-Edison Food Trail, which links 18 artisan farms and food and spirits outlets.

Siren Song Vineyard, in Chelan

Bellingham boasts 17 craft breweries, while the Chelan area has more than 30 wineries. Find honey and orchard fruits at the Methow Valley Farmers Market.

Savor fresh fruit, cheese, cider and more at Wenatchee’s Pybus Public Market and handcrafted chocolates at Schocolat in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth.

► Soak in the Scenery: From the flowering fruit trees of Leavenworth, Wenatchee and Lake Chelan to acres of farmland in the Methow and Skagit valleys, road trippers uncover serene, rural beauty at every turn.

Black’s Barbecue, Lockhart, Texas

THE JOURNEY BARBECUE BELT AND BEYOND (1,670 miles)

THE ROUTE

Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Chicago

► Top Stops: Pick your starting point in Texas. Standouts include Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor; Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Llano; and Black’s Barbecue, the self-proclaimed “oldest BBQ joint” in Texas, with locations in Lockhart, Austin, New Braunfels and San Marcos. For a unique fusion taste, try Smoke’N Ash BBQ in Arlington, praised for its Tex-Ethiopian barbecue. In Arkansas, don’t miss McClard’s Bar-B-Q in Hot Springs, a fourth-generation, family-owned joint that operates out of a former gas station. Plan to stop in Missouri to sample classic Kansas City-style barbecue—seasoned with a dry rub and served with a tomato-based sauce. The family-owned Gates Bar-B-Q has been serving customers in Kansas City since 1946. Stop at Q39, which was founded by an award-winning barbecue chef. Moving north to Iowa, consider stops in Des Moines (Smokey D’s BBQ) and Iowa City (Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack). Wrap up the trip in Chicago, whose 19th-century meatpacking industry earned it the nickname “Hog Butcher for the World.” The brisket at Smoque BBQ earned the endorsement of Texas Monthly’s BBQ editor, who wrote in a review, “After having the best of what Texas has to offer, I normally cringe at the thought of brisket in any other state, [but] this brisket changed my mind.”

Jimmy Jack’s pulled pork

► Visitor View: “From juicy brisket to crispy burnt ends, fall-off-the-bone ribs to melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, these distinctive flavors of America’s barbecue belt will set your taste buds on fire and leave you craving more,” says Kell Phelps, managing partner of the National Barbecue & Grilling Association and publisher of Barbecue News Magazine.

The Back Roads Wanderer

THE JOURNEY MINNESOTA’S NORTH SHORE (110 miles)

THE ROUTE

Duluth, Two Harbors, Grand Marais

Grand Marais

► Top Stops: In Duluth, explore the Aerial Lift Bridge, which is raised for ships to pass, and walk along the canal. Then pick up provisions at the historic DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace for a scenic picnic at Brighton Beach Park, which offers unobstructed views of Lake Superior.

Northeast of Duluth is Two Harbors, which was once among the country’s leading sources of iron ore. Today, one of Minnesota’s oldest continuously operating city bands plays every Thursday in the summer at the bandshell in Two Harbors’ Thomas Owens Park.

North House

Grand Marais is an arts haven on the northwestern shore of Lake Superior, with quirky restaurants and interesting shops and galleries. The town has an events calendar packed with live music and festivals.

While there, try the Angry Trout Café, a small indoor/outdoor restaurant housed in an old commercial fishing shanty. Crafters will love the North House Folk School, which offers classes and programs in blacksmithing, woodworking, bread baking and basketmaking.

Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors

Also allow some time for skipping stones and admiring the ships in the Grand Marais harbor.

► Soak in the Scenery: You’ll find plenty of lighthouses, agate-lined beaches, and quaint parks and villages as you travel along the shoreline.

► Visitor View: “This is an area where wilderness rules and civilization is the exception,” says polar explorer and former Minnesota resident Eric Larsen, 53. “But the towns each have their own unique personalities, with great food and excellent shops.”

Waitsfield

THE JOURNEY SMALL-TOWN VERMONT (About 100 miles)

THE ROUTE

Waitsfield, Bristol, Vergennes, Shelburne, Waterbury, Cambridge

► Top Stops: In Waitsfield, in the heart of the Mad River Valley, you’ll find locals swapping stories on the porch of the Village Grocery, which is also a gas station and a popular coffee shop. Then head west over the Appalachian Gap to reach the scenic Champlain Valley. Stroll Bristol’s Main Street for locally made candles and crafts before continuing on to Vergennes and then heading north to the Shelburne Museum, whose 45 acres are home to a world-renowned collection of art and Americana. After exploring the Lake Champlain coastline, return to the Mad River Valley, then head north on the Green Mountain Byway. The route takes you through myriad small mountain towns with diverse arts festivals, from Waterbury to Cambridge via Stowe, Morrisville and Johnson. You’ll pass Mount Mansfield, which, at 4,393 feet, is the state’s highest point.

Shelburne Museum

► Soak in the Scenery: Vermont’s back roads wind through ancient, round-topped glaciated mountains and through groves of maple trees—source of the state’s famous syrup—and other deciduous forests. There are lots of lakes and rivers, creating abundant swimming holes and fishing spots. And amid the natural beauty are vibrant villages, each with its own charming mix of craft galleries, cafés and general stores.

Bristol

► Local View: “Our land-use laws have maintained the rural character, so you don’t have sprawl like you do in other parts of the country,” says Eric Friedman, executive director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Vermont is the most rural state in America. And yet you don’t have to drive too far to get to civilization. All of that comes together to create a very strong sense of place.”

The History Buff

THE JOURNEY TRACKING THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (125 miles)

THE ROUTE

Cambridge, Maryland; Church Creek, Maryland; Dover, Delaware; Philadelphia

Harriet Tubman mural

► Top Stops: At the Dorchester County Visitor Center in Cambridge, a mural brings the legend of Harriet Tubman to life. Visit nearby Brodess Farm, where Tubman lived and toiled, then head to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park in Church Creek.

The Jane and Littleton Mitchell Center for African American Heritage in Dover includes nine historic buildings and more than 3 million artifacts.

In Philadelphia, take a walking tour with the 1838 Black Metropolis group.

Philadelphia

► Visitor View: “It is so incredible to see written correspondence from [Underground Railroad conductor] William Still talking about how they’re getting people to freedom,” says Justina Barrett of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. “You’re literally touching the past.”

Infinity Science Center, Mississippi

THE JOURNEY SPACE ODYSSEY (1,465 miles)

THE ROUTE

Cape Canaveral, Florida; Huntsville, Alabama; Pearlington, Mississippi; Houston

Houston’s Johnson Space Center

► Top Stops: Cape Canaveral is home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Organized into “mission zones” grouped by chronological era, the Kennedy center covers everything from the dawn of space exploration to ongoing missions. If you’re lucky, you can witness a live rocket launch, but check before you go, as tickets are sold in advance. There are two launches scheduled for 2024, in June and October. For a calmer experience, stroll through the Rocket Garden, where old rockets and spacecraft are on display. In Huntsville, visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, home of the famous Space Camp, where aspiring young astronauts learn about interplanetary exploration. The center’s museum boasts one of the biggest collections of rockets and space memorabilia. The Stennis Space Center, north of Pearlington, has one of the largest rocket engine test facilities in the world, although that’s not open to the public. Instead, indulge your inner scientist with a stop at its Infinity Science Center. In Houston, the Johnson Space Center is NASA’s mission control and main astronaut training facility. Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for the complex, has more than 400 space artifacts, exhibits, experiences and theaters to teach visitors about America’s space program.

Rachel Walker has written on travel for Outside and Sierra magazines. Kathy Strong is a travel book author and columnist who has also written for USA Weekend.