Going on a road trip is a great way to experience America’s immense cultural and natural diversity, spend valuable time with your family or friends, and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you have only a couple of days to spare or want to spend more than a week on the open road, you can easily find a route that suits your schedule and interests. Below is a list of awesome road trips from New Jersey that appeal to all kinds of travelers:
Delaware Bayshore Heritage Byway
If you’re planning to take a road trip over the weekend, the Delaware Bayshore Heritage Byway is an ideal option. Known for its rich historical heritage, this scenic route spans about 122 miles along the southwestern coastline of New Jersey. If you drive at a relaxed pace, you can probably complete the route in four or five hours.
The two-lane byway starts in the Victorian seaside town of Cape May in Cape May County, traverses through Cumberland County, and ends in charming Pennsville in Salem County. It’s sprinkled with plenty of attractions along the way, including cultural landmarks, historical gems, and an extensive network of landscape and wildlife observation points.
In Cape May, the nation’s oldest seaside resort town, you can view hundreds of Victorian-era houses in the historic district, climb to the top of the 19th-century Cape May Lighthouse, enjoy fresh seafood at Schellenger’s Landing, or just laze around on one of the many white-sand beaches. Attractions worth checking out in Cumberland County include the East Point Lighthouse, Turkey Point Viewing Area, Cumberland County Prehistoric Museum, and Greenwich Tea Burning Monument. Pennsville treats you to a long list of historic attractions, such as the Hancock House, Fort Mott State Park, and Finn’s Point National Cemetery.
Niagara Falls, New York
Unofficially regarded as the eighth geological wonder of the world, Niagara Falls is one of the most-visited natural attractions in the United States, drawing millions of tourists each year. This group of breathtaking waterfalls is situated approximately 450 miles from New Jersey. The journey takes seven to nine hours, depending on your starting point.
If you have time constraints, it’s possible to drive from New Jersey to Niagara Falls in one day. However, if you want to have a relaxing vacation and make a few stops, it’s recommended that you set aside at least three days for this road trip. You can choose from several routes, each of which has its own collection of attractions. It’s a good idea to take different routes for the two legs of the trip so that you can visit more attractions and enjoy different types of scenery.
Charlotte, North Carolina
As the largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte is a popular destination for road-trippers from New Jersey. Depending on which part of New Jersey you’re driving from, a trip to Charlotte covers a distance of about 600 miles and takes around 10 hours. If you factor in time for pit stops and several attractions, you’ll probably need a few more hours to get there.
Charlotte has plenty to offer all kinds of tourists. Whether you’re interested in shopping, family fun, history, technology, or outdoor recreation, you won’t run out of things to do in this wonderful city. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is one of the attractions that shouldn’t be missed, even if you aren’t an auto racing fan. This museum honors the exceptional skills of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. In addition to viewing more than a dozen iconic race cars, you’ll also have the rare opportunity to experience what goes on behind the race scenes.
If the sermons of Billy Graham inspire you, pay a visit to the Billy Graham Library. Housed in a 40,000-square-foot barn-style house, the library tells the story of the famous American evangelist’s life through interactive exhibits of his gospel messages and a large collection of memorabilia. A stunning memorial garden completes the 20-acre estate that was once the residence of the religious icon and his family. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you can enjoy white-water rafting, kayaking, swimming, biking, and wall-climbing at the U.S. National White Water Center.
Chicago, Illinois
If you want to take a long road trip, you may want to consider going to Chicago. New Jersey to Chicago is an 810-mile trip that requires you to drive at least 12 hours. The easiest and fastest route is Interstate 80, which has numerous exits offering a wide array of amenities, including rest stops, gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels.
Another reason why you should use Interstate 80 is because it provides easy access to many off-beat places of interest as it winds through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Some of the notable roadside attractions include the Freedom Falls and Rockland Tunnel in Kennerdell, Pennsylvania; Merry-Go-Round Museum in Sandusky, Ohio; Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana; and the Log Chapel in South Bend, Indiana.
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, the largest city in Florida, boasts plenty of beautiful beaches and over 80,000 acres of gardens and parks. Its almost year-round sunshine makes it a popular destination for those who want to take a break from the winter chill. A road trip from New Jersey to Jacksonville involves driving roughly 900 miles along the east coast on Interstate 95, which takes more than 13 hours.
Although it doesn’t hug the Atlantic coastline, Interstate 95 passes through many great cities worth exploring, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Durham, Charlotte, Charleston, and Savannah. In Philadelphia, you can take the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour with the Big Bus and Philadelphia Trolley Works to see the city’s most famous landmarks or visit the National Constitution Center to learn more about American history. After leaving South Carolina, spend some time in Savannah to enjoy its rich history, unique architecture, and southern hospitality.
So, that’s the list of the best road trips from New Jersey from the staff at New Jersey State Auto Used Cars. If you need more suggestions, feel free to contact us via phone, email, or our contact form. We’ll be happy to share our best road trip experiences with you.