USA

The Shortest Driving Route Through All 48 Contiguous USA States

Traveling through all 48 contiguous U.S. states is the ultimate road trip adventure, offering a chance to experience America’s vast landscapes, vibrant cities, and hidden gems. While it might seem like a logistical challenge, there is a way to optimize the route to minimize driving distance while still crossing every state. Here’s everything you need to know about the shortest driving route through all 48 contiguous U.S. states.

What Is the Shortest Driving Route?

The shortest driving route is a carefully planned journey that covers all 48 states in the most efficient way possible. The route was calculated using algorithms and mapping software to determine the optimal path while adhering to the requirement of entering each state at least once.

Key Facts About the Route:

Total Distance: ~13,699 miles
Estimated Driving Time: ~224 hours (not including stops)
Starting Point: Any state, as the route is a loop.
Duration of the Trip: Typically 2-3 months for a comprehensive experience.

How Was the Route Calculated?

The route was originally mapped using algorithms like the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), which finds the shortest path connecting multiple points. Randy Olson, a data scientist, created one of the most famous iterations of this route using Google Maps and specialized software.

This optimized route minimizes backtracking and maximizes efficiency while ensuring that drivers enter all 48 states.

The Route Breakdown

Here’s a detailed look at the route, highlighting major stops and must-see attractions in each state. The journey is described as a loop, so you can begin and end in any state.

Northeast Region: New England Charm

Maine: Start in Portland, known for its lighthouses and seafood.
New Hampshire: Drive through the White Mountains for scenic views.
Vermont: Stop in Burlington for Lake Champlain.
Massachusetts: Visit historic Boston and Cape Cod.
Connecticut: Explore Mystic Seaport.
Rhode Island: Enjoy the coastal beauty of Newport.

Mid-Atlantic Region: History and Culture

New York: See New York City or the Adirondacks.
New Jersey: Stop in Atlantic City or the Pine Barrens.
Pennsylvania: Visit Philadelphia or Gettysburg.
Delaware: Explore the charming town of Rehoboth Beach.
Maryland: Tour Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Southeast Region: Warmth and Hospitality

Virginia: Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
North Carolina: Relax in Asheville or the Outer Banks.
South Carolina: Visit Charleston’s historic district.
Georgia: Explore Atlanta or Savannah’s cobblestone streets.
Florida: Stop in Orlando or Miami for iconic attractions.
Alabama: Learn Civil Rights history in Montgomery.
Mississippi: Enjoy the blues in Clarksdale.

Deep South and Texas: Music and Food

Louisiana: Explore New Orleans’ vibrant French Quarter.
Arkansas: Hike in the Ozark Mountains.
Texas: Stop in Austin for live music or Houston for NASA.

Midwest Region: Small Towns and Great Lakes

Oklahoma: Visit Tulsa or Oklahoma City.
Kansas: See the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Nebraska: Explore the Sandhills or Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.
Missouri: Tour St. Louis and the Gateway Arch.
Iowa: Stop in Des Moines or the Amana Colonies.
Minnesota: Visit the Mall of America or Boundary Waters.
Wisconsin: Enjoy cheese and craft beer in Milwaukee.
Illinois: Explore Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan.
Indiana: Stop in Indianapolis for the Indy 500.
Michigan: Tour Detroit or the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Plains Region: Vast Landscapes

North Dakota: Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
South Dakota: See Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park.

Rocky Mountains and Southwest

Montana: Explore Glacier National Park.
Wyoming: Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Colorado: Drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.
New Mexico: Explore Santa Fe or White Sands National Park.
Arizona: Tour the Grand Canyon and Sedona’s red rocks.
Utah: Visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks.
Nevada: Stop in Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe.

Pacific Coast and Northwest

California: Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Oregon: Visit Crater Lake or Portland.
Washington: Explore Seattle or Olympic National Park.
Idaho: Stop at Sun Valley or Shoshone Falls.

Great Plains to the Heartland

Alaska and Hawaii (Excluded from Route): Must fly to these destinations.
Montana: Yellowstone’s iconic mountain ranges.
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Great Plains to the Heartland (continued)

Idaho: Stop at Sun Valley or Shoshone Falls.
Montana: Experience the stunning landscapes of Glacier National Park.

Midwest Return to the Loop

Ohio: Tour Cleveland or visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
West Virginia: Drive through the Appalachian Mountains.

Planning Tips for the Ultimate 48-State Road Trip

Budget Wisely: Account for gas, food, lodging, and entry fees to attractions.
Vehicle Maintenance: Ensure your car is in good condition and pack emergency supplies.
Stay Flexible: Weather or road conditions might require route adjustments.
Make Stops Count: Allocate extra time for major attractions or hidden gems.
Use Technology: Utilize navigation apps and offline maps for efficient travel.

the route through all 48 contiguous U.S. states can indeed be optimized further depending on your preferences for speed, scenery, and stops. While the classic optimized route (~13,699 miles, ~224 hours) focuses on efficiency in terms of distance, you can aim for a faster route prioritizing minimal driving time, potentially closer to 113 hours (4-5 days) of non-stop driving. Here’s how:

Factors That Influence Time

Highway Prioritization: A faster route would prioritize interstate highways, reducing scenic detours.
Limited Stops: A “speed route” skips scenic stops or cultural landmarks, focusing on crossing state lines as quickly as possible.
Route Adjustments: Choosing straighter paths through central and southern states avoids time-consuming mountain or coastal routes.

113-Hour Fast Route Highlights

Here’s a possible overview of a fastest route that covers all 48 states efficiently:

Start in Maine: Begin in the northeast.
Head South: Pass through New England states like New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut before heading toward New York and Pennsylvania.
Mid-Atlantic to the South: Drive through Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and head into the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.
Deep South to Central States: Move through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, then head north through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Mountain States and Midwest: Cover Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and move east through North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.
Southwest to Pacific: Pass through New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California before turning north into Oregon and Washington.
Final Stretch: Cover Idaho, Montana, and loop back east to complete states like Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.

Key Differences From Scenic Route

Faster Interstate Use: Interstate highways like I-95, I-80, and I-40 would be heavily relied upon.
Fewer Stops: No time for detours to national parks, scenic byways, or tourist attractions.
Travel Style: Focuses purely on “checking the box” for entering all 48 states, not exploring their unique charm.

Estimated Details for 113-Hour Route

Distance: ~12,000–13,000 miles.
Driving Time: ~113 hours (non-stop).
Duration With Breaks: ~10–12 days for a practical pace.

Considerations

Safety First: Long hours on the road require sufficient breaks, multiple drivers, and safe accommodations.
Personal Goals: A fast route sacrifices the richness of exploration for speed.
Flexibility: Weather, traffic, and road closures can impact timing.

If speed is your priority, this faster route is achievable with meticulous planning. However, if you want to enjoy the journey, the original ~224-hour optimized route might be more fulfilling.

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