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Are you looking to go on a cross-country road trip in the US? Does the idea of driving coast-to-coast sound exciting?
We went on a cross-country road trip from Boston, MA to Southern California in September 2023. This post will tell you about some of the great places we stopped along the way, give an example itinerary, and tell you tips from our cross-country road trip so you can embark on a similar journey!
We passed many other parks, tours, and scenery on our cross-country road trip. So have a look around and adjust the activities to suit your taste!
Our cross-country road trip route
Our planned stops were
- Boston, MA
- Winchester, VA
- Nashville, TN
- Princeton, TX
- Austin, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Tuscon, AZ
- Dana Point, CA
Here’s our cross-country road trip map. It also shows many points of interest you will read about below.
Custom Google Maps are one of my favorite trip planning tools! You can add directions and destinations to build up your itinerary. I also have to have a visual view of how places are laid out when planning.
We planned this route to try and balance efficiency with enjoyment on our trip.
Cross-country road trip photos
Check out our Instagram for loads of photos of the trip and places you can visit!
Getting on the road
We hit the road on Saturday, September 1, 2023, with a carload of our belongings, three guinea pigs, and much hope for the future we were embarking on!
The prior few weeks of moving were beyond hectic. Both of us were tired and happy to be finished with all that work. We had lived in the greater Boston area for about 12 years. Moving away was a significant life change. But we’re hopeful for the future.
Day 1 – Boston Massachusetts to Winchester Virginia
The first day of the trip began stressfully with us needing to finish emptying Amie’s apartment. We felt like we were close to finishing our packing multiple times, only to realize we still had much to do. This day was no different. We spent about 5 hours working Saturday morning to finish everything and get the car sorted.
On the bright side, three Berkeley students wound up buying Amie’s couch an hour before we left! When they arrived, we asked if they needed a twin mattress. One of them was thrilled to take it! The timing was great! Everything else we weren’t bringing went out on the street for others to use.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Sept. 1 time in Boston, all the students from many universities are moving in. So there are myriad home goods on the street that people aren’t taking with them. People go out to “shop the streets” where they can find great items. Things are hectic, but you can acquire lots of home supplies!
We got on the road by 11:30 AM and drove to Winchester, VA, where we would spend our first night. After all the prep work, we were elated and relieved to finally be in the car and starting the journey!
Amie’s car was packed to the brim for our trip! Her three guinea pigs shared the journey with us in the back seat. They have a small portable fan to help keep them cool. They get vegetables when we stop for a break.
Day 1 on Instagram
Day 2 – Winchester Virginia to Nashville Tennessee
Amie’s birthday was on day 2! The plan was to drive from Winchester, VA to Nashville, Tennessee, and fully celebrate her birthday the following day in Nashville.
The drive went smoothly. We enjoyed the VA and TN countryside. We stopped along the way at Roadmap CoffeeWorks – Roastery, Tasting Room, where we had some tasty coffee. They do batch and single brews at affordable prices for specialty coffee. My drip was yummy. Amie liked her mocha. The space is welcoming. The barista was extremely friendly.
On the drive, we stopped to get Amie a few birthday treats to celebrate despite all the driving we had to do. One of the stops was in Bristol, VA. Bristol was recognized as the Birthplace of Country Music. We needed dinner and decided to get some BBQ at Southern Craft. Since we had the guinea pigs in the car, we ordered takeout and found a shady parking spot near Cumberland Square Park.
The pulled pork, sauce, mac and cheese, and fried okra were delish! Bristol had some speakers in the town playing music to entertain us during our meal. The cicadas in the park added to the soundscape. The park also sported an old helicopter.
The day ended with more pretty scenery and us arriving at our hotel in Music Row in Nashville.
Day 2 on Instagram
Day 3 – Nashville Tennessee & Amie’s birthday celebrations
Neither of us had visited Nashville before, so we were excited to explore. We’re both live music lovers and came with high expectations!
We stayed in an area of the city known as Music Row. This area is home to many music industry offices, recording studios, and radio stations. It neighbors an area called The Gulch. The Gulch is a lower-elevation area that’s home to shops, restaurants, and the famous Nashville WhatLiftsYou Wings Mural seen on so many Instagram posts, including ours :).
The Nashville Wings mural is gorgeous and worth seeing!
Our Nashville one-day itinerary
Knowing that we only had one day here, we had to prioritize. The plan was
- Explore outdoor areas in the morning
- Find hot chicken for early lunch
- Catch some early music
- Birthday dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
- More music and Nashville honky tonks in the evening
Overall, we hit our goals and had a wonderful visit! Killebrew coffee gave us early morning fuel.
Our morning walk took us past the Country Music Hall of Fame, Music City Center, Ryman Auditorium, and more.
We turned back and headed to Broadway St, the center of the honky tonks. Arriving at 11:30 AM, we didn’t expect music to be going yet but were pleasantly surprised to hear things in full swing! So we stopped by the oldest and purplest of them all, Tootsies Orchid Lounge (link), for our introduction!
A spicy lunch snack at Prince’s in the Assembly Food Hall gave us some tasty Nashville Hot Chicken tenders! That said, I’d skip this location in the future and go to another one that serves other pieces like thighs. Some more walking and a visit to the capital led us to Amie’s birthday dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood. Everything there from the tuna tartare to the steak and sole to Amie’s drink to the dessert was fantastic! It was a great way to celebrate.
The day ended with us checking out music in several other honky tonks. We walked down Broadway to see what sounded good to us. Tip There are no cover charges in the honky tonks. You simply show your ID and head in! We wound up stopping in Rippy’s Honky Tonk, Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk & Rock ‘n’ Roll Steakhouse, and The Stage on Broadway. They all have unique vibes, so explore multiple venues when you visit! Every musician was fantastic!
Day 3 on Instagram
Day 4 – Drive to Princeton Texas
After a morning park workout and breakfast at the hotel, we took off to a friend’s place in Princeton, TX. We were both struck by how beautiful the Arkansas countryside was on our drive!
This day was mostly driving and listening to an audiobook we started called The One. The book had been pretty entertaining. We were curious to see how things wrapped up. Plot twists seemed to be looming.
We stopped at Corky’s Ribs & BBQ in Memphis, TN, and had some yummy pulled pork sandwiches. They put coleslaw on the sandwiches, which I love! Memphis is about 3 hours (212 mi/341 km) from Nashville. So, it was a good location for a stop.
Our surprise for the day was Amie’s check engine light coming on with a message on the console that there was a “drivetrain issue and that full performance may not be available”. We found an Autozone in Texarkana to read the check engine code. Everyone there was very helpful despite being extremely busy. Thanks to them! They clarified that the EGR value was flagged. So we continued to our friend’s house and planned to stop by a mechanic the next day.
Ever since I saw Smokey and the Bandit, I’ve wanted to visit Texarkana. Although we had to stop there due to car trouble, I loved seeing it! Of course, we listened to the theme song, Westbound and Down, on our drive into town too!
Day 4 on Instagram
Day 5 – McKinney Texas and amazing BBQ brisket
Our Texas Road trip began on day 5.
This day included trying to get the car sorted and exploring with Amie’s friend. We dropped the car at Bailey Automotive in Princeton and then went to McKinney, TX to explore the historic downtown area.
McKinney Texas is about 35 minutes (33 mi/53 km) from Dallas Texas.
Our visit started with driving around a row of pretty houses with fun chimneys on N Tennessee St.
Chestnut Square Historic Village and its historic buildings were our next stop. Our day took us through pretty streets lined with shops and eateries. We had coffee at Filtered Coffee. McKinney Art Gallery has gorgeous work from many local artists! A stop at Patina Green Home and Market rounded out our visit. We had a nice salad, a cookie, and some chocolates. Their decor is lovely and the bathroom is downright gorgeous!
We dropped the car at Sewell BMW in Plano for some recall service that Bailey Automotive identified.
Dinner was at Hutchin’s BBQ in McKinney, TX (maps). Holy cow, this was the best BBQ in Texas we found and the best brisket we ever had!
We ordered it fatty and loved every juicy bite! The bark was wonderful too. What a great place to eat! If you’re nearby, come and get some brisket! It’s outstanding.
Day 5 on Instagram
Day 6 – Farmersville Texas
On our last full day in the Princeton, Texas area, we visited the city of Farmersville, Texas. It is a cute small town with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The town has many vendor malls where individuals rent a stall to sell their wares. Country Roads Vendor Mall and The Shoppes on Main were two of our favorite stops.
For coffee in Farmersville, TX, We enjoyed 12 Stories by Coffee Experience. Their dark chocolate mocha was tasty. For lunch, custom-made sodas, and yummy pie, check out Pieville USA / Craft Emporium!
Farmersville hosts a farmer’s market on the first Saturday of the month. The Northeast Texas Trail is another popular attraction in Farmersville if you’re looking to get outside! Read our post for more things to do in Farmersville.
After a nice day in Farmersville Texas, we went down to the BMW dealer in Plano and picked up Amie’s car. It was all set for us to continue our cross-country road trip!
Day 6 on Instagram
Day 7-8 – Austin Texas
I was excited about my first trip to Austin! I had heard stories about the great live music scene, outdoor activities, and food here so I couldn’t wait. We stayed at Aiden By Best Western @ Austin City Hotel (Hotels.com, Expedia). It was a comfortable hotel with a good breakfast and a great pool area! Coffee at breakfast was lackluster.
We had one evening and one full day to spend in Austin. Prioritization was key. On our first night, we went to Congress Ave Bridge to see the bats. That’s a great experience! Parking at the Statesman Bat Observation Center is expensive, so alternatives are recommended.
The next full day began with breakfast at the hotel. Zilker Park was our first stop of the day to enjoy some outdoor time. We enjoyed walking along the Colorado River and got some lovely views!
The day was hot, so our outdoor time was short. Next up, we went to the 2nd Street District. Lunch at Torchy’s Tacos was our first stop. Talk about yummy tacos and delicious queso!
We walked around the area and popped into a few shops along the way seeing some cool Austin gear.
Music was the plan for the evening. We needed a light dinner before hitting the music. Obviously, tacos were the choice! OneTaco Taqueria has delicious carne asada, pastor, and jamaica for great prices! I highly recommend OneTaco!
6th Street and Rainey Street are two hot spots for live music. We targeted 6th Street as much of Rainey was under construction. Our stop included Friends Bar where a nice soul band was playing and Shakespeare’s. Stevie Matthews was playing an all-request set.
The UT vs. Alabama football game was going on during this time. It was on in every bar and the energy was strong!
Day 7-8 on Instagram
Day 9 – El Paso Texas
El Paso was our next planned stop. Part of the motivation for stopping here was to do our global entry interviews at the CBP enrollment center. That didn’t work out because they were short-staffed and running way behind schedule.
The drive to El Paso from Austin took us through central Texas. We were surprised to see how many Texas vineyards and Texas wineries were along the route! One that seemed particularly interesting was called Rhinory. It combines a winery with a rhino preserve!
Fredericksburg is a neat German-heritage town that we passed through. It has a long main strip with many German-inspired businesses and gorgeous architecture. We’d love to spend some time here in the future!
After some more driving and beautiful scenery, we were ready for lunch. A search turned up Wagon Wheel BBQ in Ozona, TX. They’re highly rated on Google Maps. After eating there, we see why! Their brisket is wonderfully crusted, super tender, and juicy! Their potato salad was excellent. We loved the cherry cobbler. We highly recommend stopping by!
I was impressed with how beautiful the mountainous surroundings of El Paso were! We had some delicious tacos (notice a pattern here?!) for dinner at Aaajiji Tacos and Beer. They serve small street-style tacos and have amazing carne asada and pastor! Their sauces are spicy and delish. The baked potatoes (papas asadas) are worth a try too!
During our wait at the global entry center, we got to see workers crossing the border as part of their morning commute. After the failed attempt here, we gathered up our belongings and the guinea pigs. We stopped by Coffee Box, a coffee shop in old shipping containers, for some yummy coffee and bagels to fuel our drive! Everything was great. The prices were reasonable.
Day 9 on Instagram
Day 10 – Tucson Arizona
Amie found Hotel McCoy (Hotels.com, Expedia) in Tucson for our stay. What a great place! The hotel is affordable, beautifully decorated with local art & murals, has great coffee and drinks, and has other great amenities!
They have a nice saltwater pool, a ping pong table, foosball, bicycles, and a gym. If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Tucson, check them out! We’ll be staying at Hotel McCoy on our next visit!
We arrived earlier in the day. So we got settled and grabbed coffee and a mimosa. Their coffee was free and was a nice fruity light roast. Two complimentary drinks were included with our stay. We explored the variety of artwork throughout the grounds and then went for a swim. The pool was clean and refreshing on a hot day!
Around dinnertime, we went out to see parts of the town. We came across more gorgeous artwork, pretty outdoor spaces like Sentinel Peak Park, and some nice architecture like the Pima County Courthouse.
Our chosen dinner spot was La Indita which serves a mix of Native American and Mexican dishes. They serve some familiar Mexican favorites along with other dishes like beef in various chile sauces. Their guacamole is fantastic with a good amount of lime! Their homemade tortillas are also wonderful. We sat out on their back patio and enjoyed the lovely surroundings! Give them a visit if you’re in Tucson.
Day 10 on Instagram
Day 11 – Arriving in South Orange County California
Our next morning started with breakfast at Hotel McCoy’s oatmeal bar and tasty coffee. They have all the oatmeal fixins you’d ever want! After that, we packed up the guinea pigs and hit the road for our last day of driving.
At the suggestion of a friend who lived in Tucson, we grabbed some Sonoran hot dogs at Ruiz Hot Dogs Los Chipilones before hitting the road. They were freaking delicious! Their salsa verde is also amazing! If you’re not familiar, we weren’t, Sonoran hot dogs are hot dogs, sometimes wrapped in bacon, with loads of toppings like salsa verde, pinto beans, mayo, and a roasted chile.
The route from Tucson to South Orange County, California took us through varied landscapes ranging from desert with big saguaro cacti to sand dunes to mountains to huge boulders and finally the hilly coast in South Orange County!
What a gorgeous area to settle in! The guinea pigs did great on this trip and were little troopers through all the driving! We’re happy to have safely arrived in California at the end of our cross-country road trip!
Day 11 on Instagram
Tips for planning and having a great cross-country road trip
- Determine the purpose of your road trip and set up any required stops
- Have a look on a maps app to discover other attractions along your route
- Read blogs (I’m biased!) and other resources on your destinations for other activity ideas
- Give yourself some timing wiggle room for surprises and impromptu stops
- I love creating custom Google Maps for our trips to save destinations, routes, and attractions
- Download offline maps for your route. Here’s how to do that with Google Maps
- Use a fuel price app like Google Maps or GasBuddy to save a bundle on fuel
- Perform any scheduled maintenance on your vehicle
- Autozone, Advance Auto, and others will read check engine light codes for you for free if something comes up
- Audiobooks, podcasts, playlists, and beautiful scenery help pass the time
- Bring snacks and water with you in the car
Wrapping up
From preparing for the trip to packing to moving, this was an exciting and sometimes stressful trip. We saw many great sights and visited nice businesses and great friends along the way.
After reading this, are you ready for a cross-country road trip? Have you done one? Tell us in the comments below.
See you all on the next journey!
Disclaimer: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you make purchases via links on this site. Thanks for supporting me in creating content like this! See the privacy policy.