America's most popular road trips revealed - and the best times to set off for each one
Eager tourists are flooding America's highways as road trip season officially gets underway.
And a study of 3,000 US families claims to have found the top 130 most popular routes to experience this summer.
Unsurprisingly, the drive from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon ranked top thanks to its breathtaking views and easy hiking trails.
It was followed by the journey from Colorado Springs to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Routes in Massachusetts, Hawaii, New York, Tennessee, Louisiana and California rounded out the top ten.
Gunther Mitsubishi recently conducted a survey with 3,000 families based on age, gender, and geography. Respondents were asked which road trip they would like to experience at least once in their lives.
Flagstaff to Grand Canyon
Tourists who are driving directly to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff, Arizona, can arrive at the destination in an hour and a half based on traffic
The route from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon came in at number one.
Tourists who are willing to take a four-to-five-hour day trip can stop by the Lowell Observatory or the Museum of Northern Arizona.
They can also spot a scenic view of the Grand Canyon Railway before arriving at the Grand Canyon National Park.
For those who aren't planning a day trip, they will have the chance to arrive at the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff in an hour and a half depending on traffic or shuttles.
Tourists should try to avoid peak hours during the trip, and arrive before 9:00 in the morning or 5:00 at night to avoid large crowds and heavy traffic.
Colorado Springs to Great Sand Dunes National Park
Tourists can stop at various places when driving to the Great Sand Dunes National Park from Colorado Springs, including the Garden of the Gods
Tourists can go on this second-best road trip and arrive at Great Sand Dunes National Park from Colorado Springs in less than three hours.
Travelers can also visit places like the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or Bishop's Castle.
The best way for everyone to enjoy the park during the summer is to leave Colorado Springs early in the morning, according to Let's Jet Kids!.
However, outdoor lovers who are looking to spend a day at the park can do so by taking the road trip during the spring or fall.
It's also best that drivers leave by 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning in order to enjoy the entire day at the park.
Hilo to Kailua-Kona
Depending on the route, drivers in Hawaii can arrive at Kailua-Kona from Hilo anytime between one and a half to three hours
Enjoy a vacation in Hawaii by driving along Gunther Mitsubishi's third-best route - Hilo to Kailua-Kona.
Tourist hotspots in Hilo include the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens and the Lyman Museum and Mission House.
The drive to Kailua-Kona can give tourists the chance to visit the Volcanoes National Park and gaze at large or small boats near the Kailua Pier.
There are at least three routes tourists can take to get to Kailua-Kona.
Depending on the route, drivers can arrive at Kailua-Kona from Hilo anytime between one and a half to three hours, and to leave early in the morning.
Boston to Cape Cod
The fastest way to get to Cape Cod is I-93 South from Boston. Tourists should be able to get there in an hour and 20 minutes if there is no traffic
The route from Cape Cod from Boston ranked as the fourth-best road trip route.
The beginning of the drive can begin anywhere from places like Quincy Market or the Boston Children's Museum.
Motorists can also stop by Plymouth Rock before reaching their final destination in Cape Cod.
The fastest way to get to Cape Cod is I-93 South from Boston, and tourists should be able to get there in an hour and 20 minutes if there is no traffic, according to Wanderu.
However, Cape Cod is packed with tourists in the summer, so drivers should prepare for their drive to be two and a half to three hours long during that season.
The best times to drive to Cape Cod are Sundays and Thursdays, Fridays before 2:00 in the afternoon or after 9:00 at night, or Saturdays before 8:00 in the morning or after 2:00 in the afternoon.
Buffalo to Niagara Falls
Travelers can enjoy a boat ride at the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls and visit its state park afterward
The route from Buffalo to Niagara Falls in New York is the fifth-best route, and it's one of the quickest.
After stopping at places like the Buffalo Zoo and Buffalo Museum of Science, tourists can stop by Lockport to enjoy an unforgettable boat ride.
Tourists can then enjoy another boat ride on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls and visit its state park afterward.
Depending on traffic, season, and stops, it could take less than two and a half hours to get to Niagara Falls from Buffalo.
However, anyone who prefers driving straight to Niagara Falls could get there in less than half an hour.
The summer and fall months are especially busy in the Niagara Falls area, which is why it's best to leave early in the morning, and avoid rush hour traffic.
Nashville to Chattanooga
Tennessee travelers who prefer the great outdoors can then stop at Lovers Falls while on their way to Chattanooga
Enjoy a Tennessee adventure by driving along the sixth-best road trip route on this list - Nashville to Chattanooga.
Tourists can start this trip anywhere in Nashville and stop Honky Tonk Highway - home of bars like Tootsie's and Whiskey Bent Saloon.
Travelers who prefer the great outdoors can then stop at South Cumberland State Park, Lovers Falls, or the Rutledge Falls swimming hole.
The trip to Chattanooga from Nashville is usually around two hours with no breaks.
The best time to arrive at Chattanooga is before 4:30 in the afternoon due to the nuisance of rush hour traffic.
Anyone driving from Monday to Friday may also want to hold off on traveling between 7:00 and 9:00 in the morning, and 4:00 to 6:00 at night.
Sacramento to Lake Tahoe
Drivers can spot scenic views when driving to Lake Tahoe, from Sacramento, California, and make stops at Grass Valley and Donner Pass along the way
Lake Tahoe, from Sacramento, California ranked number seven, according to the survey.
Drivers can complete this scenic drive in two to three hours, but various would likely make the trip longer.
Some areas where tourists could stop at before getting to Lake Tahoe include Grass Valley and Donner Pass - a mountain that overlooks the city of Truckee and Donner Lake.
Travelers advised tourists over the years to drive to Lake Tahoe early on Saturday mornings to avoid traffic, but stay cautious when driving back on Sunday nights.
New Orleans to Baton Rouge
Drivers directly traveling from Baton Rouge from New Orleans can get their in less than two hours. One popular place to find in Baton Rouge is the Capitol Building
Take a direct drive to Baton Rouge from New Orleans in less than two hours.
The eighth-best road trip route on this list may not have scenic views of Lake Tahoe, but it does have various places to visit like Royal Street in Lafitte or Royal Street.
Once tourists reach the Louisiana state capitol, they can visit places like the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center or the Capitol Park Museum.
Travelers who are hoping to get there in good timing on the weekdays should drive between 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning and 4:00 to 6:00 at night, according to MeetWays.
Honolulu to North Shore
Drivers can complete a road trip from Honolulu, Hawaii to the North Shore in O'ahu in less than an hour, but the summer months are busier due its popularity amongst tourists
Motorists can complete the ninth-best road trip by driving less than an hour from Honolulu, Hawaii, to the North Shore in Oʻahu.
Honolulu is also located in O'ahu, except it's in the south and not the north.
A day trip between these two towns can take hours to complete due to an abundance of beaches and tourists destinations located in or near those areas.
During the trip, travelers should not be surprised if they spot coconut stalls along the drive up the north, according to The Hawaiian Islands.
Vacationers should be prepared for the crowds or traffic jams they may experience along the way due to Hawaii being a popular island during the summer months.
However, for anyone that is hoping to get the most of the time, it's best to leave from Honolulu at 8:00 in the morning.
Los Angeles to San Diego
Drivers can safely drive directly to San Diego from Los Angeles anytime in two to four hours depending on traffic. One popular destination to stop at is La Jolla Beach
The last best road trip route to make the top 10 is in the Golden State: California.
The route can be completed anywhere between two to four hours depending on traffic.
The worst times to take this road trip on summer weekdays are between 4:00 and 9:00 at night, while tourists are advised not to go on afternoons during the weekend due to heavy traffic.
However, the amount of tourist destinations and beaches along the way can easily make it an all-day trip.
Summertime tourists can enjoy stopping by well-known beaches like Hunting Beach and La Jolla Beach in Southern California.
