Love cars? The US is full of great destinations for car enthusiasts. Here are just some of the best destinations that every petrolhead must visit.
The Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah are commonly used to set land speed records. They’re about 110 miles from Salt Lake City – you take Interstate 80 to get there. You’re allowed to drive on the salt flats providing that there isn’t an event on (it’s worth checking beforehand). You should also only ever drive on the salt flats if it’s dry as it can be dangerous if wet (so check the weather conditions too).
Detroit
Detroit was once known as ‘Motor City’ and is the birthplace of Ford. Here you’ll find a number of fantastic automotive museums including The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. This museum includes an array of classic cars, as well as artifacts such as the Rosa Parks bus and JFK’s limo. When visiting Dearborn Mi., make sure to check out some of the other attractions in this area such as the Automotive Hall of Fame and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado is known for its world-famous hill climb event. The highway is open to the public most of the year (when the weather is good) and can make for a great scenic drive. Pikes Peak is just outside of Colorado Springs where you’ll also find the Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum.
Indianapolis
The Indiana state capital is home to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The circuit is the largest sports venue in the world and hosts famous events such as the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400. The city is also home to the Lucas Oil Raceway where you can see some of the world’s fastest dragsters. This makes it a perfect destination for motorsports fans. Make sure to check out events before visiting the city.
Route 66
This historic highway is one of the most popular road trip routes in the US. You can’t drive the entire original route 66 anymore, however much of it has been preserved and is open to the public to drive. You’ll find all kinds of sights along Route 66 including Cadillac Ranch and The Gateway Arch. It’s worth sparing at least 2 weeks for a Route 66 road trip so that you can make the most of the journey.
Austin
Austin in Texas is a great city for car enthusiasts. It’s home to the Circuit of the Americas – the current Grand Prix track where thousands flock to see the F1 race. In Austin, you’ll also find the Rock and Roll Car Museum, which contains famous cars from sports, movies, and music videos. The city is known for embracing the weird and wonderful so expect to see a few unique cars on the roads here too.
*Post contributed by Brian Townsend, a travel writer who loves road trips.*
