10 Scenic Summer Roadtrip Routes by Hipcamp and Subaru

There’s nothing more quintessential than a summer road trip with your significant other, friends, or family. Camping is one of the best ways to maximize your time on the road with scenic spots to recharge yourself—and for EV drivers, your vehicle—each night. 

Now more than ever, EV road trips are easier to plan and to help reduce the environmental impact of vehicle ownership. Avid road-trippers know that a safe and comfortable vehicle is one of the most important parts of a smooth experience, which is why Subaru’s all-electric Solterra is the ideal road trip vehicle for off-road adventurers, offering an all-wheel drive SUV with fast-charging capabilities. And, you can use Hipcamp’s map layer to show nearby EV charging stations when searching for Hipcamps along your route to help ease range anxiety.

To help you get the most out of your summer road trip, we’ve plotted Hipcamps, public campgrounds, can’t-miss stops, and EV charging stations along scenic routes across the U.S. Whether you travel by EV, RV, motorcycle, or traditional car, Hipcamp and Subaru teamed up to plan 10 scenic routes across the U.S. for your next road trip. 

These Roadtrip Routes highlight some of the most pristine public lands in the U.S., including national park sites. As campers, it’s important to follow Leave No Trace principles on your road trip and follow local rules and regulations. 

As the largest corporate donor to the National Park Foundation, Subaru has helped fund efforts in responsible outdoor education, recycling, composting and waste reduction operations, future EV infrastructure, and increasing access to the outdoors. Road-trippers can benefit from these conservation efforts while enjoying our public lands.

Blue Ridge Parkway 

Connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the ultimate East Coast road trip. Most road-trippers spend anywhere from 3 to 5 days (or more) on the entire 469-mile route, leaving plenty of time for stops at scenic overlooks, hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, and historic points of interest. 

• Can’t-miss stops: Shenandoah National Park, Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, Asheville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Venture off the beaten path: Natural Bridge State Park, Pisgah National Forest, Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Old Hampton Store & Barbeque
• Number of EV charging stations: 163
• Hipcamp spotlights: Watercress Inn at Landon Farm, Dragon Hollow Nature Sanctuary, The Waldhaus Resort

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Route 66

Known affectionately as the Mother Road, Route 66 spans more than 2,400 miles and takes you through a decent portion of the middle to western United States. Plan for extra time at quirky pit stops, like the Gemini Giant, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Cadillac Ranch, and Standin’ on the Corner Park, as well as important museums and indigenous landmarks and historic places. 

• Can’t-miss stops: Route 66 State Park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Santa Monica Boardwalk
• Venture off the beaten path: The Outsiders House Museum, Santa Fe National Forest, Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch
• Number of EV charging stations: 3,737
• Hipcamp spotlights: Hummingbird Hollow Outdoors, Santa Fe Treehouse Camp, S.W.Eden Ranch

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California Coast

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway is a rite of passage for any road-tripper. This route runs all the way from San Diego, California, up to Washington state, but we’re focusing on the California section of this scenic road trip. Give yourself anywhere from 3 to 5 days (or more if you want to make more frequent stops) to see everything that the Golden State’s coastline has to offer. Most adventurers prefer to drive this route south to north, but we think both directions are just as scenic. 

EVers can travel smoothly knowing that there are thousands of EV charging stations along the route. Plan to charge up on your overnight stops when possible to maximize your time.

• Can’t-miss stops: Crystal Cove State Park, Big Sur, Point Reyes National Seashore, Avenue of the Giants
• Venture off the beaten path: Channel Islands National Park, Capitola State Beach, Glass Beach
• Number of EV charging stations: 5,470
• Hipcamp spotlights: Salmon Creek Ranch, Jug Handle Creek Farm, Lost Coast Retreats

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Great Lakes

This scenic route along the Great Lakes includes stops at all three designated national lakeshores and covers the region’s greatest hits. Plan for about 12 hours of total driving time, plus extra time at planned stops to enjoy the incredible outdoor experiences in the area. There are plenty of opportunities to camp on or near lake beaches too.

• Can’t-miss stops: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Mackinac Island
• Venture off the beaten path: Tunnel of Trees, Keweenaw Peninsula, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
• Number of EV charging stations: 76
• Hipcamp spotlights: Superior Beach Camp, Mackinaw Camp Inn, Camp Moonshadow

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Utah’s Mighty 5

This road trip route hits all five national parks, plus state parks and national monuments, in the Beehive State. Utah is home to some of the most spectacular national parks in the U.S., and you can visit all of them in one fell swoop. 

Eager travelers can visit each national park in just 5 days, but we suggest taking a week to appreciate all that each one has to offer. And don’t forget your stargazing gear—many of these stops are designated Dark Sky Places with some of the best opportunities in the U.S. to see the Milky Way.

• Can’t-miss stops: Arches National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Venture off the beaten path: Kodachrome Basin State Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Kolob Canyons
• Number of EV charging stations: 24
• Hipcamp spotlights: Zion Wright Ranch Eco-Camp, Ranchito Feliz, Road to the Sun Ranch  

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Chihuahuan Desert

Combining urban cities with desert landscapes, this Texas road trip hits the state’s major highlights. Starting in Austin and heading west, road-trippers will want to stop in San Antonio, Big Bend National Park, Santa Elena Canyon, and end in Marfa. If you’re taking an EV road trip, there are more than 580 charging stations along this route.

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Olympic Peninsula

Check out the northwesternmost point of the continental U.S., a rainforest, beaches, and more on this route through Washington’s peninsula. Olympic National Park is the main attraction, so plan lots of time for stops at the park’s highlights like Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rain Forest. For EV road-trippers, there are more than 760 charging stations along this scenic route.

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Grand West 

See Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton in one epic road trip. Starting in St. Mary, one of the gateway towns for Glacier National Park, visit the park’s popular attractions like Going-to-the-Sun Road and Lake McDonald. On the way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, stop in Montana’s scenic towns, like Kalispell and Missoula, along the way. EV road-trippers will find more than 70 charging stations between the national parks.

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Sierra Nevada

Visit California’s most popular national park (plus an underrated one) on this scenic trip through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Spend a few days visiting Yosemite’s famous sites before heading to Mono Lake and Devils Postpile National Monument. End this road trip among the tallest trees in the world at Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. EV adventurers will find more than 320 charging stations along this route.

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The Grand Canyon State 

Road trip through Arizona’s must-see landscapes, including Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley. Begin in Flagstaff and head southwest to the national forests near Sedona and Prescott before traveling north to Grand Canyon National Park. Continue north to Page for even more canyons and public lands. EV travelers can charge up at one of 100 stations along this route.

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Ready to plan your own route?

Start planning your next roadtrip with Roadtrip search, the easiest way to find magical sites along any roadtrip route—however you camp. Simply plug in your starting and ending points, and the map will connect the two points and show options for Hipcamps within 30 minutes of your custom search route. Now you can find unique places to stay on the road, no matter how planned or spontaneous the journey.