Road trips are a great way to see the country and spend time with family and friends. If you own a luxury road trip van, you know that there’s no better way to travel than in style. You’re also probably looking for new ways to put it to use. Thankfully, there are plenty of great road trip ideas that will let you take your vehicle on some amazing adventures worth sharing with everyone back home. Whether you’re hitting the open road for a cross-country road trip or just taking a weekend getaway, here are the best van road trip ideas to get you started. It could be in any of the best road trip vans: the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, etc. Either way, pack your bags and get ready for some unforgettable adventures.
1. The Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway is a well-known road that starts in Orange County and takes you along California’s coastline to Washington State. You can either go slowly, stopping at every little town and national park, or make it a road trip and camp along the way. With a road trip van like a Mercedes Sprinter, you can set out on this road trip adventure and enjoy the best road trips the West Coast has to offer. You can start from the Canadian border and find your way through redwood groves, beautiful wine countries, and striking desert landscapes down to Baja. With established road trip stops along the way, this route is a magnet for road-trip enthusiasts. There are lots to see along the Pacific Coast Highway, such as the Yosemite National Park, the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and many others.
2. Adventurous Desert Getaway
If you’ve never visited the iconic and vast desert landscapes of the southwestern U.S., road tripping through the desert in a road trip van is a must. Arizona, Nevada, and Utah offer road trip opportunities with stunning scenery and interesting locales to explore. For example, road-tripping across Death Valley offers you diverse landscapes, including craggy mountains, colorful salt flats, volcanic rock formations, and sand dunes to see. The must-visit places for an adventurous desert getaway include the Arches National Park, Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon, Red Rocks National Conservation Area, and of course, the vibrant Las Vegas nightlife. Venture out further in your road trip van to see ancient rock art sites in the Moab area and experience this fascinating region’s unique geology and history.
3. The Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain road trip is a perfect pick. The road climbs up into the mountains, which are considered some of the tallest in North America at over 14,000 feet tall. You’ll drive past lakes and can enjoy fishing, hiking, or even rock climbing if you so choose. Make sure to stop by Mammoth Mountain for a ski adventure in the winter. Venturing into the mountains may seem scary, but the best road trip vans are well equipped for the journey. With features like off-road capability, comfortable seating, loads of storage space, and even the capability to fit an outdoor kitchen, you can have a road trip to remember in your road trip van. The Eastern Sierra road trips are perfect for people who want more of an adventure than just the basic road trip down the coast or through national parks. You’ll get plenty of sightseeing opportunities along with some challenging experiences that will last you forever.
4. A Thrilling National Parks Loop
If you’re looking for an epic road trip to undertake in your van, look no further than America’s national parks. A loop that takes you through as many of the parks as possible is an experience you won’t forget. If you love photography, nature, and spending time outdoors, then this road trip is for you. You can start in the east, in Washington D.C., and wind your way down to Florida’s Everglades National Park. From there, you can travel up to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming before looping back around to California and finally ending up back in Washington D.C. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities and can stop at all sorts of points to go hiking or camping in a national park along this road trip route. Make sure to pack your camping gear, your hiking boots, and your camera in your road trip van – you’re going to need them. Don’t skip parks like Grand Teton, Glacier National Parks, Shenandoah, and the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll love the waterfalls and miles of wooded trails in late spring and early fall.
5. The American Classic – Route 66
If you’re looking for a quintessential road trip experience, look no further than Route 66. This historic route travels from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through eight states and covering more than 2400 miles. Along the way, you’ll see some of America’s most iconic landmarks, including Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon. This is perhaps one of the best road trip van experiences you can have. It’s typically motel territory but also has some fantastic campsites along the way. If you’re planning your first extended vacation with family or friends on a road trip van, this iconic American route offers lots of road-trip-friendly infrastructure that makes it very easy for road trippers. It’s also a great road trip to take in the summer because you get to go through many of America’s most beautiful states, including New Mexico and Arizona. Stop by any landmark you see and visit small-town historic districts such as Galena in Kansas and Amarillo in Texas for a unique experience.
6. San Diego’s Mission Beach
San Diego’s Mission Beach is one of those places that you can road trip to and enjoy the beach, boardwalk, shops, restaurants, and more all in one spot. This is a great place to stop on your way up or down the California coast. You can bike, jog or skate along its pristine white-sand beaches and enjoy surfing lessons with locals. It’s one of the stopovers where you can stay for up to two weeks exploring and enjoying the vibrant nightlife, concerts, and art. With lots of “Overnight Parking Allowed” signs, you can pack your road trip van and relax and spend your free time whale watching, surfing, and attending festivals or van life meetups. Don’t miss Mission Bay Park, a huge park with tons of trails, bike paths, and places to camp if you want an extended visit. You can road trip all over this spot or stay in one place depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Luxury Van Rentals Are Great for Road Trips
Are you looking for a great way to road trip in style? If so, you should consider renting a luxury van. These vans are perfect for road trips because they come fully loaded with all the amenities you need. Plus, they offer plenty of space for your group to relax and have fun. At Legends Car & Van Rentals, we have a wide selection of Mercedes Sprinter luxury road trip vans for you to choose from online. Our vans are perfect for road trips of all sizes. Whether you’re traveling with a small group or a large group, we have the perfect van for you. Choose from our best 9, 12, or 15-passenger Sprinter road trip vans. Get a live quote now.
