Southwestern United States Road Trips

What to See when Driving Route 66

Joyce Ryan
If you are looking for an interesting way to see the country, consider taking a Southwestern U.S. road trip. Driving through the Southwestern states will give you an excellent view of many natural marvels in the U.S., from Arizona's Grand Canyon to the beautiful snow-covered mountains of Aspen, Colorado. Here are some sights to see on your next road trip through the Southwestern United States.

Southwestern U.S. road trips: National Parks

If you will be visiting many areas on your Southwestern U.S. road trip, consider purchasing a season pass to the National Park system. This will allow you and your family to visit any of the great National Parks in the area, along with giving you a pass that you can use back home for the remainder of the year. Senior citizens and the disabled can also get a lifetime park pass at a discounted rate of only $10. This can be a great low-cost way to treat your family to plenty of fun activities on a Southwestern driving vacation.

Southwestern U.S. road trips: The Four Corners

Besides the National Parks, there are many tourist attractions in the Southwestern U.S. Driving along the historic Route 66 is the best way to see most of the Southwest. A popular place to start is at the Four Corners, where the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah touch. It is possible to stand in one place and cover four states at once. From there, you will find something entertaining no matter which state you choose at your next driving destination.

Southwestern U.S. road trips: Snow and caverns

In New Mexico, you can visit the famous city of Roswell or explore the Carlsbad Caverns. Colorado offers great ski and snowboarding resorts, along with hiking and other outdoor recreation activities at Mesa Verde National Park. The major Colorado cities of Denver and Fort Collins also have several tourist attractions to see on your next road trip through the Southwestern U.S. Utah is another excellent place to stop on a Southwestern driving vacation for those who enjoy outdoor sports. The driving may be a bit difficult in the winter months, but you can usually catch some good snow at the beginning and the end of the season.

Southwestern U.S. road trips: Natural beauty and man-made casinos

Farther west on your Southwestern U.S. road trip, you will find Nevada and Arizona. Known more for their warm-weather activities than the snow of Colorado or Utah, these states offer their own brand of Southwestern fun. Of course, the main attraction in Nevada is the Las Vegas Strip, but there are also lakes and the Hoover Dam for those families with children. Arizona has many natural marvels, including the amazing Grand Canyon, the Meteor Crater, Petrified Forest, Sedona Red Rocks, and more.

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