On August 9th, Amanda and I set out on a journey of a lifetime through 9 spectacular states…
Times visited: 2 + once in Alaska (see separate category)
States visited: Florida, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Alaska
Cities visited: Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Bernardino, Barstow, Las Vegas, Kingman, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, St. Louis, Carbondale and Chicago
UNESCO sites visited: 3/26
The US is one of those countries you’ll never fully see – it’s just too vast, too diverse, and there’s far too much worth experiencing. Growing up, my fascination with the country was largely shaped by TV shows and movies, but one specific adventure stood out above the rest: driving Route 66.
I first visited the States in 2008 on a family trip to Florida, which was mostly focused on theme parks. I didn’t return until August 2017, when my dream of experiencing Route 66 finally came true. My friend and I flew into Los Angeles, where we began a two-week roadtrip across nine states, sleeping in the car most nights. Along the way, we explored everything from eerie ghost towns and charming roadside cafés to jaw-dropping natural landscapes. We took detours to marvel at the Grand Canyon and soak up the chaos of Las Vegas. In Oklahoma City, we visited a good friend of mine, and in Barstow, we met a lovely local family who made us feel right at home.
Just before reaching the end of Route 66 in Chicago, we took a detour down south to Makanda, Illinois, to witness the Great American Eclipse – an incredible experience that made the journey even more unforgettable.
In August 2023, I returned to the US to tick off another dream destination: Alaska! But since Alaska is an exclave, I’ve given it a category of its own. Click here to read more!