The Ultimate Lower 48 National Parks Road Trip: A Complete Guide
A Lower 48 National Parks road trip is the ultimate way to experience the best of the U.S. From towering mountains to sprawling deserts, this route takes you through many diverse and breathtaking landscapes as you journey through 51 US National Parks.
You’ll drive through coastal cliffs, lush forests, red rock canyons, and alpine lakes, discovering just how varied America’s national parks really are.
Whether you want to hike, camp, photograph wildlife, or just soak in the views, this adventure has something for everyone. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring every national park in the contiguous U.S., this guide will help you plan an unforgettable journey.
Our National Park Journey (So Far)
In 2022, we took a leap and left our corporate jobs to chase adventure full-time. With a self-converted van as our home on wheels, we set out to explore the U.S. National Park system—one park at a time.
Since then, we’ve visited 44 out of 63 National Parks, hiking through the glaciers of Alaska, the dense redwood forests of California, and the vast deserts of the South West.
Our journey has taken us to National Parks of Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, and Utah.
Now (February 2025), we’re on track to finish the last 19 parks in the coming months, bringing us closer to our goal of seeing them all.
Follow Our Journey On YouTube ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Check Out A Few Of Our Other US National Park Blog Posts ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
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How Does The 48 National Parks Road Trip Work?
Planning a road trip to all 51 Lower 48 National Parks requires strategy. Data scientist Dr. Randal S. Olson originally designed the route in the early 2020s to reduce backtracking and improve efficiency. This allows travelers to visit more parks while keeping drive time manageable.
However, the official list has since grown, adding New River Gorge, White Sands, and Indiana Dunes to the lineup. We’ve taken the original map and added the three new National Parks for you.
How Long Does It Take?
This road trip covers approximately 17,000 miles and takes around 2 months to complete, depending on how much time you spend in each park. At this rate you are driving 280 miles a day giving you very little time to stay in a single park.
Some travelers complete it in a few months, while others stretch it over a year or more, breaking it into sections.
Since this 17,000 mile distance is only covering the drive between the parks and not the time driving inside the parks, you’ll be closer to 20,000 miles once you’ve completed it.
Should You Try To Visit All National Parks As Quick As Possible?
We highly recommend taking your time and truly immersing yourself in each national park—this journey isn’t a race.
While you could technically visit some parks in just a few hours, where’s the joy in that? The best experiences come from slowing down, exploring at your own pace, and fully appreciating everything it has to offer.
Flexible Route Options
Not everyone has time to complete this journey in one trip. We quit our jobs 2 years ago to do visit the National Parks and we have not finished it yet.
The good news? You can break this route into smaller sections, making it easier to explore one region/portion at a time.
- California’s 9 National Parks can easily be seen in a 2 week stretch.
- Arizona’s 3 National Parks can be seen in 5 days.
- The 2 National Parks in Texas and 1 in New Mexico can be seen in 5 days.
No matter your approach, this guide ensures you plan an unforgettable road trip through America’s most stunning national parks.
How Many US National Parks Are In the Lower 48 States?
As of 2025, there are 51 U.S. National Parks located in the Lower 48 states. While the National Park Service manages 63 total National Parks, the other 12 parks are located in Alaska (8), Hawaii (2), and American Samoa (1), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (1).
List Of All US National Parks In The Lower 48 States
There are 51 National Parks in the Lower 48 states, covering a range of landscapes and ecosystems. Below is the complete list of all U.S. National Parks located in the contiguous United States.
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
- Saguaro National Park, Arizona
- White Sands National Park, New Mexico
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
- Big Bend National Park, Texas
- Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
- Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
- Everglades National Park, Florida
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- Biscayne National Park, Florida
- Congaree National Park, South Carolina
- New River Gorge, West Virginia
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Acadia National Park, Maine
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
- Indiana Sand Dunes, Indiana
- Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
- Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah
- Arches National Park, Utah
- Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- North Cascades National Park, Washington
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Olympic National Park, Washington
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Redwood National and State Parks, California
- Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Kings Canyon National Park, California
- Sequoia National Park, California
- Pinnacles National Park, California
- Channel Islands National Park, California
- Joshua Tree National Park, California
- Death Valley National Park, California
In conclusion, The Ultimate Lower 48 National Parks Road Trip
This road trip is an incredible way to experience the diverse landscapes, history, and wildlife of the U.S. National Park system. Whether you tackle it all at once or break it into sections, this route ensures you visit all 51 National Parks in the Lower 48 efficiently.
Before heading out, make sure to plan ahead, check park regulations, and grab an America the Beautiful Pass to save on entrance fees. Now, it’s time to hit the road and start exploring!
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