This road trip takes you from the Midwest all the way to Alaska, covering thousands of miles, multiple borders, and landscapes that change fast with every stretch of road.
You’ll start in Michigan, then cruise past towering rock formations, massive lakes, and wide open plains that seem to go on forever.
As the miles stack up, the scenery shifts into rugged badlands, glacier carved mountains, and long, remote highways where gas stations get few and far between.
If you’re ready for steaming hot springs, endless dramatic views, and one of the most unforgettable drives on the planet, you’re in the right place.
1. Detroit, Michigan
We’re starting the road trip in Detroit.
If you’re from Detroit, grab yourself a coffee and hit the road, otherwise take some time to check out what this city has to offer.
This city became known as ‘Motor City’ after Henry Ford introduced the first moving assembly line in 1913, and you can still tour the Ford Rouge Factory where F-150s are built.
Music fans should head straight to Hitsville U.S.A., where Motown legends like Stevie Wonder and The Supremes recorded chart-topping songs that changed American music.
Please note that, at the time of writing, Hitsville U.S.A. has paused its public tours for a major expansion project that began in January 2026 and is planned to reopen in spring 2027.
2. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Next up, Wisconsin Dells sits along the Wisconsin River and packs more waterparks per capita than anywhere else in the world.
You can float past towering sandstone cliffs on a classic Upper Dells boat tour, where rock formations like Witches Gulch and Stand Rock have been carved out over millions of years.
If you’re up for thrills, Noah’s Ark Waterpark spans 70 acres with over 50 slides, including the Black Anaconda water coaster that rockets you uphill.
When you’re ready to slow things down, stroll the Downtown Riverwalk or hop aboard the Wisconsin Ducks tour that splashes straight from the road into Lake Delton.
3. Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota
Then you roll into Minneapolis–Saint Paul, right along the Mississippi River, where these “Twin Cities” bring big city energy with over 20 lakes just minutes from downtown.
You can bike the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, loop around Lake Harriet or walk across the 2,100-foot long Stone Arch Bridge for skyline views and St. Anthony Falls.
If shopping is on your radar, Mall of America has over 500 stores, a Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, and even an aquarium packed with sharks.
Music and culture run deep here too, from First Avenue where Prince launched his career to the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden where the 30-foot tall Spoonbridge and Cherry steals the show.
4. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Keep heading west and you’ll hit Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, where over 70,000 acres of colorful badlands stretch along the Little Missouri River.
You can cruise the 36-mile Scenic Loop Drive in the South Unit and spot wild bison, prairie dogs, wild horses, and elk roaming across layers of striped rock and rolling hills.
If you want to get out and explore, hike the 0.4 mile Wind Canyon Trail for sweeping river views or tackle the 10.3-mile Petrified Forest Loop to see ancient tree trunks turned to stone over millions of years.
The park is named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who ranched here in the 1880s and later said this rugged landscape helped shape his passion for conservation and the creation of America’s national parks.
5. Glacier National Park, Montana
Next up is Glacier National Park in the northwest corner of Montana, where more than 1 million acres of jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and over 700 miles of hiking trails spread along the Canadian border.
The star attraction is the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, climbing to Logan Pass and winding past waterfalls, glacial valleys, and pullouts where mountain goats often wander right up to the pavement.
You can hike the Highline Trail for jaw dropping views along the Continental Divide or head to Grinnell Glacier, a 10.6-mile round trip trek leading to one of the park’s most famous ice fields.
Make time for Lake McDonald, the park’s largest lake, where the clear water reflects snow capped peaks and the colorful round stones along the shore look like they’ve been polished by hand.
6. Banff National Park, Alberta
Crossing into Canada, Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies is filled with towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and glaciers that date back over 10,000 years.
You can drive the 144-mile Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in the world, stopping at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield where you can step onto the Athabasca Glacier.
For classic views, head to Lake Louise, a 1.5-mile long lake famous for its bright blue water fed by glacial melt, or visit Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, where ten sharp summits rise straight up behind the shoreline.
If you want to stretch your legs, hike the Johnston Canyon trail past a series of waterfalls or ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for sweeping views over the Bow Valley.
7. Dawson Creek, British Columbia
Crossing into British Columbia, Dawson Creek marks Mile 0 of the legendary Alaska Highway, the 1,387 mile route built in 1942 that stretches all the way to Alaska.
You can snap a photo at the famous Mile 0 Post right on Alaska Avenue.
The town itself sits within the Peace River region, surrounded by wide open farmland and big skies that seem to go on forever.
Before you hit the road again, grab supplies and fuel up because from here on out the drive turns remote fast with long stretches between towns and some of the wildest scenery of the entire trip.
8. Liard River Hot Springs, British Columbia
A few hours up the Alaska Highway, Liard River Hot Springs feels like the perfect rest stop, tucked into a stretch of boreal forest in northern British Columbia.
A wooden boardwalk leads you through a marsh filled with orchids and warm steam vents to reach the main Alpha Pool, where water temperatures can hit 108°F.
The pool itself is one of Canada’s largest natural hot springs, with clear, mineral rich water surrounded by thick forest, and you might even spot bison or moose wandering nearby.
After many hours on the road, slipping into these naturally heated waters under rising steam and towering spruce trees is one of the most relaxing breaks on the entire drive north.
9. Whitehorse, Yukon
The next stop is Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, set along the Yukon River and home to about 34,000 people, making it the largest town in northern Canada.
You can walk the riverfront trail and check out the SS Klondike sternwheeler that once hauled cargo along the Yukon River in the early 20th century.
If you’re into wildlife, swing by the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you can spot moose, muskox, mountain goats, and woodland caribou in wide open natural habitats.
In summer you’ll get nearly 19 hours of daylight to explore, while winter brings long nights and a chance to see the northern lights dancing across the sky in bright green waves.
Just a heads-up, the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site operates seasonally, typically open from the May long weekend through Labor Day.
10. Anchorage, Alaska
Finally, you roll into Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, set between the Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains, where snow capped peaks rise just a few miles from downtown streets.
You can bike the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail for views of Denali on a clear day, watch massive tides roll through Turnagain Arm, or spot beluga whales and moose right near the shoreline.
For a deeper look at the state, head to the Anchorage Museum to learn about Alaska Native cultures or visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where rescued bears, bison, and elk roam across 200 acres.
This is where your epic road trip meets the wild edge of Alaska, with glaciers, mountains, and endless outdoor adventures waiting in every direction.
Related Posts
