10 Best Road Trips From Ohio, USA

Joyce
Contributing Writer
Published
| 5 min read
road trips from ohio

Road trips are one of the more family-friendly activities. If you are planning your next adventure, then why not head on over to Ohio, USA, and experience some of its unique and unforgettable road trips? Moreover, the state of Ohio is considered as one of the go-to destinations for those seeking a good old-fashioned road trip. With its scenic byways, as well as various kinds of attractions, you can rest assured that you’ll never get bored. There’s always something new that you can discover here! Nevertheless, continue reading to learn more about some of the best road trips from Ohio, USA.

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1. Mackinac Island, MI

Arch Rock, Mackinac Island, Michigan, 1899
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Detroit Publishin... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

One of the most common questions to ask during road trips is “Are we there yet?” Well, if you plan on traveling to Mackinac Island, you’ll immediately turn a frantic road trip with the family to a very fun one. You can start this road trip adventure from Traverse City and you proceed to take the US 31 North. Within just 20 minutes of driving, you’ll find yourself at the Elk Rapids, then you continue on over to Charlevoix. Be sure to watch out for The World’s Largest Cherry Pie. By this time, you and everyone in the car are most likely famished. You can satisfy your hunger at Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant.

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2. Ashville, NC

Grove Arcade, Asheville, NC (31801753257)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Warren LeMay used under CC0

Every road trip should be comprised of the right combination of scenic views and historic landmarks. When you consider Asheville, North Carolina, as a destination for your next road trip, you can rest assured that you’ll experience all of these. Along the way, you’ll be stopping over at restaurants that serve some of the most delicious dishes in all of the state, as well as galleries and art museums, crafts studios, and other spots for recreational opportunities. You’ll begin this trip from the Black Mountain. From here, you’ll proceed to Blue Ridge Parkway where you’ll find the Folk Art Center. Some of the notable stops to consider include Red Rocker Inn, Omni Grove Park Inn, Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, and Biltmore Estate.

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3. Poconos, PA

Pocono Pines, PA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mark Luethi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If there is a common theme in your road trip to Poconos, PA, it is that it offers some of the most majestic views in all of Pennsylvania. The Poconos Mountain is a deeply forested land area that features valleys and lakes, as well as river beaches and waterfalls. Once you have finally settled on Poconos as your road trip destination, then take note of these scenic drives: the Old Mine Road at a location known as Delaware Water Gap, the summit at the amazingly beautiful Pocono State Park, the quaint town of Milford, and Roebling Bridge that connects Lackawaxen, PA and Minisink Ford, NY.

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4. Stowe, VT

Church and Autumn Leaves - Stowe, VT
Source: Photo by user Patrick used under CC BY 2.0

The key to planning a successful road trip is ensuring that you won’t miss any notable spots along the way. If you are planning to go to Stowe, then be sure that you have a list of stops to make. Don’t worry if this task overwhelms you. Here’s our take on what your Vermont road trip itinerary should be comprised of - Green Mountain State, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Lake Champlain at Burlington, Ben & Jerry’s Factory, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, and of course, the Stowe Pinnacle Trail Summit.

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5. Mystic, CT

Marina in the Mystic River, Mystic, CT
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Juliancolton used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

As the name suggests, Mystic, CT, is probably one of the most intriguing and alluring places in all of Connecticut. Over the past years, Mystic has become a top tourist destination because even if it’s off-season, you’ll still find your itinerary full of a bunch of fun activities. If you are planning a road trip to Mystic, be sure to include these on your list of stops: the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mermaid Inn of Mystic, Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, and the Bascule Bridge.

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6. Plymouth, MA

Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth, MA
Source: Photo by user Dumphasizer used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Planning your next road trip can be a little bit frustrating, especially if your destination does not guarantee a fun-filled trip. Thus, if you are seeking out a trip that includes picturesque views and historic landmarks, you may want to choose Plymouth, MA. Here, you can stopover at the Westin Copley Place, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Mike’s Pastry, Freedom Trail, Beacon Hill, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and Fenway Park.

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7. Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC
Source: Photo by user James Willamor used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Charleston, SC has a lot to offer if you choose it to be your next road trip destination. While it can be a bit overwhelming, you can rest assured that every minute will be as fun as any family-friendly activity. This road trip is particularly agreeable for those living in the south. It’ll only take you about two to three hours of travel from Abingdon Manor. Moreover, you may want to consider these must-see stops on your trip to Charleston - South Carolina Tobacco Museum, Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, Brookgreen Gardens, Hobcaw Barony, and Conway Riverwalk.

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8. Washington, DC

2019.03.31 ShhhOUT Photoshoot, Washington, DC USA 01179
Source: Photo by user Ted Eytan used under CC BY-SA 2.0

You may have seen numerous Washington-based lake house photos on social media and it got you thinking how a road trip to DC may just be the perfect weekend activity for you and your friends or family. Nevertheless, if you are planning a trip to Washington, be sure to stop over at Annapolis, which is the capital of Maryland. Be sure to visit the Maryland State House and other historic sites. You can also visit the highly intense James River in Richmond, VA or the Luray Caverns in Shenandoah Valley. If you’re traveling during the summer, we highly advise that you pack your swimsuits and head on over to either Rehoboth Beach or Bethany Beach. You can also try Ocean City, the perfect beach destination for the entire family.

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9. Eureka Springs, AR

Eureka Springs AR, 27 Oct 2012.  Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church.  Beautiful!!
Source: Photo by user Brad Holt used under CC BY 2.0

Eureka Springs City, which is located in Arizona, USA, is widely known for its well-preserved historic buildings. The National Trust for Historic Preservation regarded it as one of America’s Distinctive Destinations. The town’s previous names were “The Stairstep Town” and “The Magic City”. When you visit this place, you’ll surely have a great time wandering around its Victorian resort villages. You can also enjoy an extended relaxation time by visiting some of its picturesque lakes.

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10. Burlington, VT

Burlington, VT
Source: Photo by user heipei used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Burlington City is a city located in Vermont. This place gives off a very liberal and accepting environment to its visitors. Moreover, Burlington is about 666 miles (1,072 kilometers) from the state of Ohio. This is a great family-friendly destination where you’ll find lots of places that cater to everyone’s travel preferences. Visit the ECHO museum or Waterfront Park and participate in their various outdoor and water-based activities.

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Have fun on the road

The state of Ohio is such a wonderful place. However, every now and then, you may want to simply jump in your car and head on over to another equally promising place. Well, any sane person would advise you to go on a road trip. Road trips are fun, enjoyable, relaxing, and an all-around family-friendly activity. The best part about this is that you have a number of travel destinations to choose from, starting with what’s on this list.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Joyce Gonzales has always had the case of wanderlust. She was a former financial analyst who took a leap of faith and started writing about her travels. She is intrigued by the existence of...Read more

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