There’s something seriously exciting about starting a road trip beside the Atlantic Ocean and ending it surrounded by glaciers and snow-covered mountains.
This massive journey from Massachusetts to Alaska takes you across thousands of miles of some of North America’s most unforgettable landscapes.
Along the way, you’ll drive legendary highways, soak in natural hot springs, and spot animals you probably never expected to see from your car window.
So grab your snacks, clear extra space on your camera roll, and get ready for one of the most incredible road trips you can take anywhere in the world.
1. Boston, Massachusetts
The starting point for our long journey is Boston, the largest city in Massachusetts and one of the oldest cities in the U.S., founded in 1630.
Here, you can walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail to see 16 famous spots like Paul Revere’s House, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, and the Bunker Hill Monument.
Sports fans can catch a game at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, where the giant Green Monster wall towers 37 feet above left field.
When you get hungry, grab a bowl of New England clam chowder at Quincy Market, and enjoy the lively city atmosphere before the long drive to Alaska.
2. Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls roars along the border of New York and Canada with over 3,160 tons of water pouring over the falls every second.
The star here is Horseshoe Falls, dropping 167 feet and creating giant clouds of mist you’ll feel instantly from the observation tower at Niagara Falls State Park.
For an up-close look, hop aboard the Maid of the Mist boat tour, where ponchos are basically mandatory because the spray soaks you within minutes.
You can also walk the Hurricane Deck at Cave of the Winds beside Bridal Veil Falls or stay until sunset to watch the falls light up in bright colors.
3. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
After the dramatic waterfalls of Niagara, Indiana Dunes National Park brings a calmer landscape with 15 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline.
It’s famous for its massive dunes, including the 123-foot-tall Mount Baldy, plus more than 50 miles of hiking trails that wind through forests, wetlands, and prairies.
To explore the park, you can climb the popular 1-mile Dune Succession Trail for sweeping lake views or spot rare birds along this major migration route.
If you want a fun roadside stop, check out the historic Chellberg Farm or catch the sunset as the orange sky reflects across Lake Michigan.
4. Pella, Iowa
Leaving the dunes behind, Pella feels like a little piece of the Netherlands in central Iowa, about 5 hours and 20 minutes from the national park.
The town is known for its Dutch roots, which appear everywhere from the 124-foot Vermeer Windmill, the tallest grain windmill in the U.S., to the Molengracht Canal.
If you’re here in early May, you can experience the Tulip Time Festival with colorful flowers, Dutch treats, and people dressed in traditional Dutch clothing.
For a more local feel, you can grab fresh treats from Jaarsma Bakery or visit Cordova Park & Observation Tower and climb its 170 steps to the top.
5. Deadwood, South Dakota
Next is Deadwood, which brings you into the Black Hills of South Dakota with old saloons and Gold Rush history around every corner.
Founded in 1876 after gold was found in the area, this Wild West town became famous for its gamblers, outlaws, and legends such as Wild Bill Hickok.
Today, you can visit the Adams Museum to learn more about the town’s early days or catch live Old West shootout reenactments on Main Street in the summer.
You can also try your luck at the casinos or bike the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail through tunnels and old railroad bridges across the Black Hills.
6. Glacier National Park, Montana
Trading Wild West streets for towering mountain peaks, Glacier National Park spreads across more than 1 million acres in northwestern Montana.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-see here, leading you along a 50-mile route past waterfalls and valleys before reaching Logan Pass at 6,646 feet.
From there, you can hike the 15.2-mile Highline Trail for jaw-dropping views and visit Grinnell Glacier Overlook, one of the park’s most famous photo spots.
While exploring, keep your eyes peeled because this park is one of the best places to spot wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and beavers.
7. Banff National Park, Alberta (Canada)
About five hours from Glacier National Park, Banff National Park raises the scenery even higher across 2,564 square miles in the Canadian Rockies.
Its biggest showstopper is Lake Louise with its bright blue glacier water, while Moraine Lake steals the spotlight with the Valley of the Ten Peaks behind it.
To explore more of the park, you can drive the 144-mile Icefields Parkway past glaciers and rocky peaks or ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain.
You can also hike through Johnston Canyon on suspended walkways that lead past waterfalls rushing between narrow limestone cliffs.
8. Dawson Creek, British Columbia (Canada)
Once you’ve had your fill of towering Rockies and glacier lakes, it’s time to head to Dawson Creek, where the road starts to feel more remote and adventurous.
Known as “Mile 0,” this town marks the start of the 1,387-mile Alaska Highway, which was built in just eight months during World War II in 1942.
While you’re here, snap photos at the famous Mile 0 Post and visit the Walter Wright Pioneer Village from May to September to see historic buildings.
It’s the kind of stop that feels like the true gateway to the wild highways, wildlife, and huge open spaces waiting farther north toward Alaska.
9. Liard River Hot Springs, British Columbia (Canada)
Along the Alaska Highway at Mile 496, Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park gives you the chance to soak in one of Canada’s largest natural hot springs.
The steaming mineral pools here stay warm year-round, usually between 107 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit, with a boardwalk leading through the area.
To chill, soak in the Alpha Pool surrounded by forest, watch steam rise through the trees on chilly mornings, or spot moose in nearby swamps.
It’s the perfect place to slow down, recharge, and enjoy the remote beauty of British Columbia.
10. Whitehorse, Yukon (Canada)
Then there’s Whitehorse, which brings you back to city life with colorful frontier history along the Yukon River.
Named after the nearby White Horse Rapids, this city became a major stop during the Klondike Gold Rush and is now home to about 31,900 residents.
If you want to explore, you can visit the MacBride Museum to see exhibits and stories from Yukon’s early days or walk the riverside Millennium Trail.
For an even better visit, plan your trip between August and April when you’ll have a great chance to see the northern lights dance across the sky.
11. Anchorage, Alaska
Crossing into Alaska at last, Anchorage welcomes you with snow-covered Chugach Mountain peaks and coastal views along Cook Inlet.
You’re always close to the outdoors here with miles of paved bike trails and access to the 495,204-acre Chugach State Park, one of America’s largest state parks.
For a closer look at local culture, you can visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center or browse the Anchorage Market on weekends from May to September.
To end your road trip on a scenic note, drive the 127-mile Seward Highway past Turnagain Arm, where you might spot Dall sheep or even beluga whales.
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