Travel Article
What makes a truly authentic USA road trip
By Dallal, North America Specialist at Travelwise
There’s nothing quite like a road trip across the USA
I’ve clocked up thousands of miles over the years, from the Deep South to California, Utah to the Canadian Rockies, and no two journeys have ever been the same.
That’s the beauty of the open road here. You can theme it around music, food, film, landscapes or legends: from Elvis to Yellowstone, cowboy culture to Creole cooking. The key is finding the right route and knowing the detours that make it unforgettable.
Dallal BenRomdhane
With a goal to visit every US state and a passion for ancient civilisations, Dallal designs thoughtful, immersive trips that feel personal at every step. Her favourite areas of expertise are North America, North Africa and the Maldives.
Every great road trip starts with a story
The first thing I ask clients is what they want the trip to feel like. Is it the wide skies and red rock of the National Parks? A journey through soul music and civil rights history in the Deep South? A culinary pilgrimage through small-town Texas?
Some travellers come to live out their childhood nostalgia, like Little House on the Prairie, Yellowstone, John Wayne or a certain Memphis king. Others just want fresh air and freedom. Whatever the hook, my job is to build a journey that brings it all to life.
Going beyond the basics
Anyone can rent a car and follow a map, but an authentic road trip takes a little more. I spend my travels sourcing great diners, exploring Civil War sites, staying in haunted hotels and getting (gloriously) lost on backroads. I’ve rafted the Colorado, hiked all five of Utah’s national parks and spent time learning to ranch, Western style (not very well, but I gave it a go!)
Those experiences shape the way I build itineraries. I don’t send clients to generic hotels or fast-food chains. I look for places with character, like a restored Airstream, a kitsch Route 66 motel or a luxury tented camp tucked in the desert. The kind of places you’d never find from a quick online search.
Making every mile memorable
I don’t just plan your route, I fill it with moments. That might be a tiny roadside pie shop, a view you wouldn’t expect or a historic stop with a surprising story. I know which parks require timed entry reservations, where roadworks might slow you down and which route works best for the time of year.
Whether it’s your first time in the States or your tenth, I’ll help shape a journey that flows with rhythm and purpose, not just a list of stops, but a true American adventure.
Ready to hit the road?
If you’re dreaming of wide horizons, classic highways and something a little different from the usual city break, I’d love to help. With the right planning, a road trip becomes more than just a holiday, it’s a story you’ll tell for years.
