This is the full story of our North America road trip, a 12-phase journey across the United States and Canada that became a full-time lifestyle, school, home, and adventure rolled into one.
From June 2015 to December 2016, we travelled continuously as a family, exploring coastlines, national parks, major cities, and remote regions across North America.
This is not a short USA road trip itinerary. It is a complete road trip across Canada and USA, lived slowly and fully over 18 months. The perfect family vacation planning travel itinerary at your fingertips.
Why This Is the Ultimate Family Gap Year Blog
This journey became more than travel. It became a full-time lifestyle documenting one of the most extensive USA road trip itineraries ever completed as a family gap year. Some of the best road trips you’ll likely find.
It is one of the most extensive documented North America road trip itineraries covering:
- Slow travel across North America
- Schooling on the road
- Long-term budget travel
- Multi-season route planning
- 12 interconnected travel phases
- 44 US states
- 8 Canadian provinces
- Nearly 20,000 miles of travel
Quick Snapshot: North America Road Trip Summary
A quick look at some stats from the best family road trip around America.
| Category | Total |
| Travel dates | June 2015 – December 2016 |
| Duration | 550 days (18 months) |
| Total hours | 13,200+ hours |
| Total distance | 19,500 miles (31,400 km) |
| Fuel cost | Under US$3,000 |
| US states visited | 44 out of 50 |
| Canadian provinces visited | 8 out of 10 |
| Trip style | Long-term family gap year road trip |
| Structure | 12-phase North America road trip itinerary |
Travel Tips for your Cross Country Road Trip
We recommend accommodation booking below.
We book all our tours here.
Best Rental car prices can be found here.
We trust Safetynet for our travel insurance.
How Our 12-Phase North America Road Trip Unfolded
To make this journey easier to follow, we broke it into 12 distinct travel phases. Each phase represents a different region, season, and travel style from our road trip across North America.
Full 12-Phase North America Road Trip Breakdown
Our USA and Canada Road Trip Itinerary Phases
| Phase | Region | Highlights |
| Phase 1 | Eastern Canada | Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto |
| Phase 2 | Midwest USA | Chicago, Indiana, Kentucky |
| Phase 3 | Pacific Northwest | Oregon, Washington, Redwoods |
| Phase 4 | Western Canada + Alaska | Banff, Vancouver, Alaska cruise |
| Phase 5 | North Coast to Coast USA | Wyoming, South Dakota, New York |
| Phase 6 | Northeast to Southeast USA | New York to Florida road trip |
| Phase 7 | Southern USA | Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico |
| Phase 8 | Grand Circle Part 1 | Colorado, Utah, Nevada |
| Phase 9 | Grand Circle Part 2 | Arizona, Utah, Nevada RV trip |
| Phase 10 | California Road Trip | Sacramento to San Francisco |
| Phase 11 | Nova Scotia & New Brunswick | East Coast Canada loop |
| Phase 12 | Florida Finale | Final USA family road trip |
Phase Navigation
Click these links to jump to your favourite read.
- Phase 1: Eastern Canada
- Phase 2: Midwest USA
- Phase 3: Pacific Northwest
- Phase 4: Western Canada + Alaska
- Phase 5: North Coast to Coast USA
- Phase 6: Northeast to Southeast USA
- Phase 7: Southeast to South USA
- Phase 8: Grand Circle Part 1
- Phase 9: Grand Circle Part 2
- Phase 10: Gold Country USA
- Phase 11: Nova Scotia Canada
- Phase 12: Florida Finale
The Ultimate 2-Year Family Gap Year Across the USA and Canada
Phase 1: Eastern Canada Road Trip
Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, New Brunswick
A cultural introduction to Canada featuring French heritage, historic cities, and our first taste of life on the road.
Read Phase 1 for full itinerary, accommodation, and costs.
Phase 2: Midwest USA Road Trip
Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois
Family-friendly museums, theme parks, Chicago city life, classic American road trip stops, and the quirkiest roadside attractions.
Read Phase 2 for the Midwest US road trip itinerary.
Phase 3: Pacific Northwest Road Trip USA
California, Oregon and Washington
Redwoods, Crater Lake, coastal drives, and some of the most scenic national parks in the USA.
Read Phase 3 for the Pacific Northwest US road trips itinerary.
Phase 4: Western Canada and Alaska
British Columbia, Alberta & an Alaskan cruise
Whales in Vancouver, glaciers in Alaska, Banff National Park, and Icefields Parkway road trips.
Read Phase 4 for Canada and Alaska itinerary.
Phase 5: North Coast to Coast USA Road Trip
Washington to New York
Jackson Hole skiing, Mount Rushmore, Chicago winter stops, and a full coast-to-coast USA drive.
Read Phase 5 for full USA coast-to-coast itinerary.
Phase 6: Northeast to Southeast USA Road Trip
New York to Florida
Nashville music scene, Atlanta attractions, Orlando theme parks, Disney World, Universal Studios, and Legoland.
Read Phase 6 for Southeast USA itinerary.
Phase 7: Deep South USA Road Trip
Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico
New Orleans food culture, Austin quirks, Houston NASA experiences, and Santa Fe delays turned adventures.
Read Phase 7 for Southern USA road trip itinerary.
Phase 8: Grand Circle Road Trip (Part 1)
Colorado, Utah, Nevada
Mesa Verde, Arches National Park, Zion National Park, and Las Vegas as the gateway to the Grand Circle.
Read Phase 8 for Grand Circle Part 1 itinerary.
Phase 9: Grand Circle Road Trip (Part 2)
Utah, Arizona, Nevada RV road trip
Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and our first full RV experience.
Read Phase 9 for Grand Circle RV road trip itinerary.
Phase 10: California Road Trip (Gold Country)
Sacramento to San Francisco
Historic Gold Country towns, coastal drives, and San Francisco city highlights.
Read Phase 10 for California road trip itinerary.
Phase 11: Nova Scotia Road Trip Canada
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
East coast Canada road trip featuring lighthouses, seafood, coastal drives, and small-town charm.
Read Phase 11 for Nova Scotia itinerary.
Phase 12: Florida Road Trip Finale
Florida Gulf Coast, Orlando, Miami region
Beaches, theme parks, and the final stretch of our North America journey. The perfect summer road trip. And the last road trip Travel with Bender ever took.
Read Phase 12 for Florida itinerary.
Full Route Overview: North America Road Trip Map
Our family roadtrip route covered:
- East Coast Canada to West Coast Canada
- Pacific Northwest USA
- Coast-to-coast across the northern United States
- Deep South USA road trip loop
- Grand Circle national parks region
- California coastal route
- East Coast Canada finale
- Florida road trip ending
This created one of the most complete USA and Canada road trip itineraries possible in a single continuous journey. And hopefully a suggested itinerary for you.
Featured Highlights Across the Full Trip
Some of the most memorable moments and tourist attractions included:
- Glacier cruise through Alaska
- Whale watching in British Columbia
- Skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
- Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida
- Live music in Nashville, Tennessee
- New Orleans food and culture
- Grand Canyon sunrise experience
- Monument Valley desert landscapes
- San Francisco skyline and coastal drives
- Nova Scotia lighthouse routes
Top 3 Most Scenic Drives in North America
Our favourite scenic drives in North America:
1. Icefields Parkway (Canada)
Between Banff and Jasper National Parks, this is one of the most beautiful mountain drives in the world.
- Glaciers
- Turquoise lakes
- Snow-capped peaks
2. Pacific Coast Highway (USA)
California’s Highway 1 is iconic for ocean views and cliffside driving.
- Big Sur coastline
- Coastal cliffs
- Ocean sunsets
3. Overseas Highway (Florida Keys, USA)
Florida’s most scenic drive and the best outdoor adventures.
- Driving over open ocean bridges
- Island hopping through the Keys
- Stunning turquoise water on both sides
Best Time to Do a North America Road Trip
The best time to complete a North America road trip itinerary depends on the regions you plan to explore, as the continent spans multiple climates.
Spring (March to May)
Ideal for:
- Southwest USA road trips
- National parks like Utah and Arizona
- Mild temperatures and fewer crowds
Summer (June to August)
Best summer road trips ideal to do in:
- Canada road trips
- Alaska cruises
- Pacific Northwest coastal drives
Autumn (September to November)
Ideal for:
- East Coast USA road trip
- Fall foliage routes (New England and Canada)
- Cooler hiking conditions in national parks
Winter (December to February)
Ideal for:
- Florida road trips
- Southern USA travel
- Theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios
Packing List for Long-Term USA Road Trips
A long-term North America road trip itinerary is very different from a normal holiday. You are not packing for a trip. You are packing for a temporary life on the road across multiple climates, time zones, and seasons.
Essential clothing for all seasons:
- Lightweight layers for hot southern states
- Warm jackets for Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah winters
- Waterproof outer layer for Canada and Pacific Northwest rain
- Comfortable walking shoes plus hiking boots for hiking trails
- Swimwear for Florida, California, and lakes in Canada
Travel and driving essentials:
- Phone mounts and charging cables for navigation
- Offline maps (critical in remote areas like Utah and Alaska)
- Reusable water bottles for long driving days
- Sunglasses for desert states like Arizona and New Mexico
- Basic roadside emergency kit
Family and kids essentials:
- Entertainment for long drives (books, tablets, travel games)
- Snacks for unpredictable road days
- Comfort items for younger children
- First aid kit for minor scrapes and travel sickness
Long-term travel extras people forget:
- Laundry detergent sheets or pods
- Portable power banks
- Copies of important documents
- Travel insurance details saved offline
RV vs Car Travel Comparison for a USA Road Trip
Choosing between an RV and a car is one of the biggest decisions in a USA road trip with kids. We experienced both across our journey, so here is the real travel guide comparison.
RV travel (Grand Circle phase experience):
Pros:
- Accommodation and transport combined
- Huge flexibility in national parks
- Great for remote areas like Utah and Arizona
- Strong family bonding on the road
Cons:
- Slower driving speeds and longer setup time
- Parking limitations in cities
- Higher fuel usage
- Learning curve with systems and hookups
Car travel (cross-country USA phases):
Pros:
- Faster long-distance travel
- Easier city access (New York, Chicago, Orlando)
- More flexibility for spontaneous detours
- Lower fuel consumption
Cons:
- Constant packing and unpacking
- Hotel and accommodation planning required
- Less “home on wheels” comfort
Verdict:
For scenic national park routes like the Grand Circle, RV travel wins. For fast-paced cross-country itineraries, car travel is more efficient. Most long-term travellers end up doing both, like we did.
Best National Parks by State (From Our Route)
USA national parks road trip planning made easy, right here if that’s what you intend to do:
Utah:
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
Arizona:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Monument Valley (Navajo Tribal Park)
- Horseshoe Bend (Page, Arizona)
Colorado:
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park (regional access)
South Dakota:
- Badlands National Park
- Wind Cave National Park
- Mount Rushmore (major landmark stop)
Wyoming:
- Grand Teton National Park
- Yellowstone National Park (regional access depending on routing)
California:
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Yosemite National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
Florida:
- Everglades National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
Frequently Asked Questions (SEO Optimised)
How long does a North America road trip take?
A full North America road trip can take anywhere from 3 months to 2+ years depending on pace. Our journey lasted approximately 18 months and covered 44 US states and 8 Canadian provinces.
How much does a USA road trip cost?
Costs vary widely depending on travel style. Our long-term family road trip across the USA and Canada cost:
- Fuel: Under US$3,000
- Accommodation: Mixed (hotels, Airbnb, housesitting, RV travel)
- Total travel style: Mid-budget long-term travel with flexible stops
Is it possible to travel the USA with kids?
Yes, absolutely. A USA road trip with kids is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. With planning, flexibility, and a mix of education and adventure, it can become a full-time family gap year blog experience like ours.
What is the Grand Circle road trip?
The Grand Circle is a scenic region in the American Southwest covering parts of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada. It includes road trip destinations & iconic national parks such as:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Arches National Park
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Monument Valley
It is one of the most scenic road trip regions in the United States.
Closing Summary For One Epic Road Trip
This North America road trip was never just about getting from one place to another. It was a full chapter of life lived on the road, stretching across countries, climates, and completely different versions of everyday living.
From Eastern Canada through to Florida, and into the deserts and national parks of the Grand Circle, this journey covered 41 US states, 6 Canadian provinces, and thousands of kilometres of highways, backroads, and unforgettable detours. Some days were perfectly planned. Others were pure chaos. Most were somewhere in between.
What stays with me most are not just the big destinations, but the in-between moments. Snow falling in Wyoming. Long desert drives through Utah. Theme park days in Florida. Quiet stretches of road where it felt like the whole world had slowed down just for us.
This is what a USA road trip itinerary and family gap year blog adventure really looks like. It is layered, unpredictable, emotional, and full of stories that only make sense when you live them.
If you are planning your own North America road trip, start with this guide, then dive into each phase to follow the journey properly. Every section has its own personality, lessons, costs, and highlights that will help you plan your own version of the road.
👉 Start from Phase 1 and follow the journey step by step
👉 Or jump into your favourite region and build your itinerary from there
👉 And if you have questions, I would genuinely love to hear from you. Drop a comment below and tell me where you are planning to go, or what part of the trip you are most curious about
This road trip never really ended. It just became a story I now get to share.
