Hit the Road
From desert highways in the American Southwest to Florida’s sun-soaked coast and Andalusia’s hill towns, these epic drives turn the journey into the destination
Words: Fiona Tapp
Images: Getty Images
Arizona, Nevada and California
This classic southwest road trip is often known for its headline acts — the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Joshua Tree — but it’s the rolling desert vistas between them that define the journey
As you leave your starting point in Scottsdale, Arizona, the landscape begins to shift almost immediately, with rust-red rock formations rising on either side of the road toward Sedona.
While many visitors plan around viewpoints alone, the drive itself is a highlight: vast, elemental and endlessly photogenic. It’s easy to pull over at multiple viewpoints en route to Cathedral Rock (below) to enjoy the burnt-red landscape.
Nearby, Indian Gardens Cafe & Market makes a convenient stop for coffee, breakfast or lunch before heading north toward the Grand Canyon. Here, stops at Mather Point and the quieter parts along Desert View Drive let you take in the scale without disrupting the rhythm of the journey.
From here, the landscape flattens and expands as it pushes toward Nevada. Just outside Las Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area scenic loop cuts through open desert and sandstone cliffs. Before leaving the city, grab a coffee and a snack at Vesta Coffee Roasters, then continue to the vibrant Seven Magic Mountains, a playful desert art installation with brightly painted, stacked boulders that feel made for road trip photos. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs before officially crossing another state line.
As you head into California and toward Joshua Tree National Park (below left and middle), the road widens, the sky feels endless and the landscape is dotted with its namesake trees. The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum offers a shift from the surrounding landscape. The vast, open-air collection of sculptures made from discarded materials is spread across the desert in an unstructured layout that’s easy to explore at your own pace. It’s the kind of place you might miss without planning, but one that stays with you long after.
Nearby, the Integratron offers an immersive desert experience, its white-domed structure hosting sound baths that feel almost otherworldly. End your journey in Palm Springs (above right), where you can dine at Pappy & Harriet’s for open-fire barbecue dishes and live music.
Where to stay
Scottsdale Links Resort, a Hilton Vacation Club (left) has spacious suites with full kitchens near golf, hiking and Camelback Mountain. In Las Vegas, Paradise, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club provides a suite-style base near the Las Vegas Strip, while Palm Canyon Resort, a Hilton Vacation Club puts guests close to downtown Palm Springs and desert trails.
Florida Keys, Orlando and Panama City Beach
Florida's great drive should take in the big names — the Keys, Orlando, Panama City Beach — but the real story unfolds between them, on the bridges that cross open water and the stretches of coastline that were made to be discovered slowly
Distance:
Approx. 680 miles (1094 kilometers)
Driving time:
Approx. 13 hours
Soundtrack:
“Full Moon Fever” by Tom Petty
Distance:
Approx. 680 miles (1094 kilometers)
Driving time:
Approx. 13 hours
Soundtrack:
“Full Moon Fever” by Tom Petty
Begin in Key West, where Garbo’s Grill sets the tone for the road ahead with bold flavors and no-frills food in a compact, casual setting. From here, the iconic Overseas Highway (below) traces its way north, linking the Florida Keys across open water in a series of low bridges and island stretches.
Along the way, Bahia Honda State Park stands out for its calm, clear water and accessible beaches, while smaller stops like Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar offer simple and satisfying breaks that aren’t far off the main road.
Heading north, the journey shifts inland toward Orlando, where the drive becomes busier and more built up before continuing north to Florida’s Gulf Coast. In the Panhandle, Shell Island provides a remote, barrier-island escape just offshore, and St. Andrews State Park (below left) brings together beaches, trails and coastal wildlife.
Continue to Panama City Beach (above right), where Thomas’ Donut & Snack Shop sits steps away from the sand, a classic, old-school stop known for its range of donut flavors, including its signature key lime. The road trip finishes here, with expansive beaches and open Gulf water stretching for miles.
Where to stay
Orlando’s Sunshine Resort™ offers a relaxed, family-friendly base close to the area’s theme parks. In Panama City Beach, Bayside Resort, a Hilton Vacation Club (pictured) sits on the waterfront, with pools, golf access and a full-service spa, creating a comfortable Gulf Coast retreat.
Andalusia: Málaga, Ronda and Estepona
In southern Spain, the distances may be shorter, but a road trip here is shaped as much by culture as it is by landscape
Distance:
Approx. 104 miles (167 kilometers)
Driving time:
Approx. 2.5 hours
Soundtrack:
“Entre Dos Aguas” by Paco de Lucía
Distance:
Approx. 104 miles (167 kilometers)
Driving time:
Approx. 2.5 hours
Soundtrack:
“Entre Dos Aguas” by Paco de Lucía
Each stop on this Spanish adventure brings a shift in atmosphere, from coastal energy to mountain stillness. Start in the lovely city of Málaga, where this stretch of the journey blends rich history with vibrant culture.
A natural first stop is the Atarazanas Market (below left), a lively introduction to the region through its food, color and local character. Nearby, the Alcazaba rises above the city, offering a glimpse into Málaga’s Moorish past. Round out your visit with a traditional meal at El Pimpi, a classic choice known for Andalusian dishes like cured Iberian ham and fig bread.
Along the way, Bahia Honda State Park stands out for its calm, clear water and accessible beaches, while smaller stops like Midway Cafe & Coffee Bar offer simple and satisfying breaks that aren’t far off the main road.
Before turning inland, linger a little longer on the coast at Marbella. Behind the glamour of its marina lies a genuinely beautiful old town (above right) — Casco Antiguo — where whitewashed walls, flower-draped balconies and the Plaza de los Naranjos, a lively square dating back to 1485, make for an easy afternoon of wandering. Got lost as you explore its cobbled streets and tapas bars tucked into quiet courtyards.
Heading inland, the road climbs toward Ronda, where sweeping views give way to one of Spain’s most dramatic landscapes. The approach is part of the experience, with the Puente Nuevo (below) spanning a deep gorge that frames the entire landscape. In contrast, nearby Reservatauro is an expansive, working estate dedicated to traditional Andalusian bull and horse breeding, set against a rural backdrop that feels far removed from the coast.
Returning south toward Estepona, the coastline reemerges, and with it a gentler rhythm of life. In town, Ruta de los Murales Artisticos turns the streets into an open-air gallery, while nearby Playa del Cristo offers a sheltered beach with calm, shallow water. End your journey at El Pescador with simple seafood dishes right by the beach.
Where to stay
Royal Oasis Club at Pueblo Quinta (pictured) offers pueblo-style architecture, gardens, an outdoor pool and apartment-style stays near Playa de Santa Ana. Los Amigos Beach Club sits close to the beach on the Costa del Sol, with spacious suites, pools, tennis and mini-golf for a relaxed coastal retreat.
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