After the endless days and nights of planning your wedding and all the craziness that comes along, after you have exchanged your toasts and vows, and gulped down the biggest chunks of wedding cake, it's time for the most glorious time of your wedding that will be remembered for the rest of your lives- your dream honeymoon! It's finally time to take that trip that will keep the fun and romance flowing. Whether you are planning to go for a glamping session in the Great Rockies or setting yourself up for a minimoon in the deserts of Arizona for a stargazing honeymoon, regardless of where you plan your honeymoon it's all about setting the right foot forward to create a pocket full of memories with your new partner in life right by your side. Planning a dreamy honeymoon escape can mean different things to different people. While some couples would like to visit just one destination and relax to cool down the high spirits of hosting a wedding, others are looking to hop between different cities, along with those who want to move away from the crowd and spend some quiet time in a luxurious honeymoon spot. Do you want to post up at one luxe retreat, or are you open to staying in one area but spending a couple of nights at different hotels? No matter what resonates with your couple's personality, planning your honeymoon can be exciting as well as overwhelming. For instance, for the ones who are hosting a wedding during the holiday season, embarking on a Christmas Cruise for a dreamy honeymoon sounds like an amazing deal!
Do you want to make a grand exit from your wedding reception? Determine your ideal road trip honeymoon before you begin planning. Do you want to go on a cross-country trip or do you only have time for a short vacation? Even if it's a small post-wedding getaway, your honeymoon can still be magical, especially if you make it a road trip. Imagine the following scenario: You, your husband, and the open road are all you have. Is there anything more romantic than that? There's no excuse not to pack up and leave after the wedding with so many incredible travel options in the US and beyond. We have come up with standout road trip honeymoon destinations between our country's two coasts that are accessible by car- and all you have to do now is plan your dream vacation.
Take to the highway. As you ride off into the sunset or sunrise to some of America's most iconic destinations, let that "Just Married" banner fly in the wind and those cans rattle behind your car. There are many honeymoon experts online who have mapped out several wanderlust-inducing routes with some pretty luxurious stops along the way, so get your best driving playlist ready. The open road is a never-ending source of romance. We will be passing through small towns and rolling landscapes, with a plethora of restaurants, accommodations, and sights to see along the way. With unexpected highlights around every bend, a honeymoon road trip is a flavorful adventure that keeps the conversation flowing and is sure to rev up your romance engine. Here are five of our favorite road trips for honeymoons in the United States and beyond. So go ahead and load the trunk, pack some snacks, let your hair down, and throw your hands in the air. Whichever route you choose to take, these locales are worth putting on your shortlist and will guarantee a newlywed trip that's as memorable as the start of your marriage. Here are our top picks for romance on the road, from east coast romantic road trips to West Coast honeymoon road trips. It's time to start thinking about your honeymoon!
Our favorite road trip honeymoon destinations across the country and beyond:
Route 66: Cross Country Trip Filled With Sights
Of course, one of the most original highways in America, Route 66, is a good place to start your dream honeymoon. The 2448-mile-long Mother Road, also known as America's Main Street, is a must-see at least once in your life. And who better to accompany you on your journey than your sweetheart? You can travel from Chicago to Los Angeles in a day if you have enough time. However, if you prefer a shorter scenic route, the stretch between St. Louis, Missouri, and Amarillo, Texas is ideal. Stop in Oklahoma City and spend the night at the 21C Museum Hotel, which is housed in the former Ford Assembly Plant. Then dine amid contemporary art at Mary Eddy's Lounge. There are many scenic and photogenic spots in Chicago and Los Angeles that come in the way of your Instagram!
State Route 1: California, USA
Where else can you travel between two sprawling cities and experience surf culture on the beach, craft breweries, and award-winning wine country while passing through open fields, rolling fog through redwood forests, and mountain top castles? State Route 1 in California combines all of this and more into a package that easily qualifies it as one of the world's most famous road trips. Known to be covered with some of the most loved fall engagement photo spots, the popular Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is included in a dazzling stretch along its route between San Diego and San Francisco, but it also passes through quiet neighborhoods, lively cities, and Hollywood attractions, not to mention endless natural scenery. Beginning in San Diego, you can drive north, keeping the sun behind you and the cliff at least a lane away. As you travel north, the visual intensity increases, and the swoon-worthy places of San Francisco are known to be a wholly honeymoon-worthy destination in and of themselves. It is an excellent place to end your road trip. Spend the extra money on a convertible. A top-down drive along the PCH may be cliched, but it's entirely justified. Allow time to linger along Big Sur's surreal 90-mile coast, where the dense forest meets a dramatic coastline. Inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, don't miss McWay Falls.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The next one is one of the most romantic road trip ideas. The Blue Ridge Parkway is another popular all-American road trip. From Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the route follows the Blue Ridge Mountains for 469 miles. The scenic vistas along the route, which are full of flowers in the spring and covered in foliage in the autumn, are unrivaled. Drive from Afton to Cherokee, stopping at some of the farms and lodges along the way for the night. Stop by the Devils Backbone Brewing Company for a beer sample. If you stop off on Route 151 in Nelson County, you will find several wineries and breweries. Get your most picturesque couple of photographs during this trip of your lifetime!
The Garden Route: South Africa
This sunny stretch of coast in the southern Cape is frequently referred to as South Africa's most beautiful region. The lush Garden Route is as much a feast for the eyes as it is an adventure to dive into, with its wide array of beaches, forests, lakes, lagoons, and mountains. Because of the seemingly endless list of picture-perfect beaches, forest hikes, lighthouse climbs, adventure sports, and sea cave explorations, its brief 8-hour duration can easily be spread out over several days. Relax over long lunches in quaint seaside towns like Mossel Bay, Knysna, and Plettenberg Bay, and keep your eyes open for dolphins and whales when you get back on the road. Visit in late summer to take advantage of the warm weather while avoiding the massive Christmas crowds that flock to the Garden Route for vacation. Stop in Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve for a safari excursion, where you can see the Big 5 regularly. Alternatively, visit Gansbaai's sea to see the marine Big 5 in their natural habitat. If that doesn't get your adrenaline rush up, there are plenty of other honeymoon activities in South Africa, such as skydiving, paragliding, canyoning, and shark cage diving.
Overseas Highway: The Lovely Scenes Of East Coast
One of the most beautiful road trips on the East Coast, the Overseas Railroad runs parallel to the 113-mile stretch of road that runs from Miami to Key West. It's a fantastic road trip for a honeymoon. Residents on the East Coast will find it easy to cover in 4 hours. However, it’s better to spend a few days or a week here. Float over countless bridges before stopping to spend the night on one of the best scuba diving islands. They are all fantastic, so roll the dice and choose one! On the islands, one can spend many lazy nights. Just make sure to drive across the Seven Mile Bridge one beautiful morning for Instagrammable photo ops near Miami in Florida. It's one of the world's longest!
The Hana Highway: Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii's lush scenery and laid-back island culture have made it one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. While beachfront wellness resorts, water sports, and backcountry hikes get all the attention, this road trip along Maui's north shore is one of the best adventures in Hawaii for honeymooners. The route, which leads to sacred waterfalls, secret swimming holes, and lush state parks, is adorned with roadside food stands, tropical flowers, bamboo forests, and that deep azure ocean. Its length of just over 50 miles may appear to be an easy task, but 50 single-lane bridges and 600+ hairpin turns will slow you down. Fortunately, frequent rest stops reveal vivid fruit trees, unpaved trails, and new perspectives on the Hawaiian landscape making them Instagram-worthy. Always remember that the journey is the main beauty, not the destination. Hence, instead of focusing on getting to Hana, make the most of every experience along the way. Arrive in Hana by sunset, stay the night, and travel to Haleakala National Park the next morning.
I-15: from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City
Want to enjoy the sensational beauty of Las Vegas, then check out this road trip option as it is considered to be one of the best road trip destinations in the USA. If you are planning a winter honeymoon road trip, the 421-mile stretch from Utah to Nevada is the best part of the I-15. The 6-hour drive can easily turn into a week with so many places to stop along the way. Take a side trip to the Grand Canyon or stay in one of the nearby lodges. Additionally, don't forget to visit Zion National Park, Hoover Dam, and, of course, the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs.
Ring Road: The Invigorating Beauty Of Iceland
Iceland's Ring Road, which wraps around the entire island nation, was practically made for a road trip, with reliable paved roads, a wide range of accommodations, and no shortage of mind-blowingly beautiful sights along the way. Geysers, glaciers, lagoons, volcanoes, and geothermal baths are just a few of the natural wonders in Iceland that will gladly divert your attention away from the highway. In the colorful fishing villages scattered along the route, you will find fantastic restaurants and amazingly cozy cabins, and the famous Blue Lagoon, once you have gone full circle, is the perfect place to bask in your honeymoon accomplishments. To stay connected throughout the journey, rent a car ahead of time, opt for built-in GPS, and consider a fast mobile hotspot.
Great River Road: Explore The Beauty Of Central Us
“Roll on Mississippi, big river roll.
You're the childhood dream that I grew up on.
Roll on Mississippi, carry me home.
Now I can see I've been away too long.
Roll on, Mississippi, roll on.”
Remember that song? The 36-hour drive, which covers 2000 miles on both sides of the river, is ideal for couples who are nature lovers. You can also visit several ancient Native American burial sites, such as the Indian Mounds Park, which is bordered by wildlife resorts that are ideal for stopovers. Stop by Graceland, which is also one of the prettiest places in Nashville, if you are planning to dance to Love Me Tender at your wedding or if you are a fan of the King. It's Elvis Presley's home and a great place to stop while planning your route. The Great River Road passes through oak-lined streets and well-known old jazz towns. You will pass fine restaurants that serve everything from po'boys to brisket and BBQ.
Hill Country Route: The True Beauty Of Texas
There are numerous historic hilly routes to choose from out of all the beautiful photogenic spots in Texas. The route from Houston to Lampasas, TX, via Brenham, New Braunfels, and Fredericksburg, is our favorite. The Edwards Plateau is dotted with rugged landscapes, vineyards, and lavender farms for that perfect honeymoon photo album or even for planning your travel-themed engagement session. Drive along winding roads or cedar-lined streets, past deer-strewn ranches, and vanish into the rolling hills. Spend the night in New Braunfels to soak up the atmosphere of one of Texas's oldest towns and sample some of the local fares. In the heart of Texas, there is plenty to do, and you will enjoy spending your honeymoon along the Hill Country Route.
While a road trip honeymoon may not be on everyone's radar, it's a great way to unplug and celebrate safely during the pandemic. After all, a honeymoon isn't just about going to the most fashionable location and snapping a few Instagram-worthy photos along with spending quality time with your new spouse. The above article explains why road trips are becoming the most popular honeymoon trend, as well as the best places to visit while planning your trip. A journey with your loved one through the rugged countryside and vast stretches of the open road. Strolls along the beach, candlelit dinners, and bonfires in the snow are all still possible. On romantic road trips in the United States and beyond, you can make as many stops as you want.
Although a road trip isn't the most common honeymoon option, it's a great way to see local, lesser-known sights. It also provides flexibility, which a traditional vacation (such as a cruise or an all-inclusive resort) may not provide. You can choose the destinations and activities that excite you and your partner without going too far if you create a custom itinerary from scratch. For couples, the United States has some of the best road trip destinations. The images that most likely come to mind are of you and your partner lying on a beach on an exotic island. Perhaps you are daydreaming about snowy cabins. Some couples prefer luxurious tents in Arabian deserts or wild jungle lodges with safaris. Others envision a rejuvenating stay in beautiful Tuscan vineyards.
A European road trip may be out of the question, however, there are some incredible routes right here in the United States that are ideal for a honeymoon adventure. In Montana, you could drive the 48-mile going to Sun Road. Another option is to travel to Big Sur via Highway 1. Then there's Route 100, which connects Wilmington with Stowe, Vermont. There are a plethora of fantastic road trip ideas for couples. No matter which route to follow, it will lead you back to the person who feels like home and an adventure all at once!
Award-Winning Candid Photography
Award-Winning Photojournalistic Photography