Must-do east coast road trip sights

Guest Post by: Christina Miller

Planning a road trip across the United States? There are plenty of routes to take, whether you want to see the old West or what it’s like in California wine country. But one of the must do U.S. road trips to take is a drive along the East Coast, where you can see everything from the country’s largest city to one of the southernmost points of the U.S. The best part about this driving vacation? You will have one major road as your guide from Maine to Florida: U.S. Route 1. Here is a list of five key travel stops to make on your U.S. Route 1 road trip.

Bar Harbor, Maine – While in Maine, veer slightly off U.S. Route 1 to discover the community of Bar Harbor. You can explore local boutiques, golf, rock-climb or even go on a boat excursion. Plus, the stunning 47,000 acre Acadia National Park is next to Bar Harbor. Consider taking a guided walking tour of Acadia or relaxing on the beach while taking in Maine’s scenery.

New York, New York – Make sure to stop by America’s largest city during your U.S. road trip. Visit the Statue of Liberty, walk through Times Square or see a Broadway show. The activities you can find in New York City are endless, so make sure to map out your plan beforehand so you know how much time to allow for getting around the city and seeing the sites.

Washington, D.C. – Now that you’re almost halfway through your driving vacation, make a pit stop at our nation’s capital. Give yourself a couple days to explore this historic city. A few D.C. must-sees include the Smithsonian Museum, Lincoln Memorial, Pentagon Memorial, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Washington Monument.

Jefferson, South Carolina – Take a break from touring busy cities and escape to the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. Go hiking, fish in one of the refuge’s ponds or stay in the car and drive down the nine mile auto tour route. There are also observation towers for you to snap some photos of South Carolina’s flora and fauna.

Key West, Florida – Now that you have made it to one of the southernmost points of the U.S., you can enjoy Florida’s balmy temperatures and clear waters. Check out the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West Aquarium and Key West Shipwreck Museum. Don’t forget to walk down Duval Street, which bustles with restaurants, bars and shopping.

Before you hit the road, make sure your car is prepared for the 2,000+ mile trip. Consider getting a maintenance checkup to ensure that everything is running smoothly before your driving vacation. If you are buying a new car in anticipation of your road trip, check out auto loan rates to get an affordable loan option for your new vehicle or catch some good holiday discount opportunity – there’s plenty. Or, if you’re keeping your current car, an auto loan refinance could put some extra money back in your pocket – and can help pay for your U.S. Route 1 road trip down the East Coast.