road trip 10 hours from me

Cities 10 hours from me

Tap the compass below to get your current location and map places 10 hours from where you are now. It may take a few seconds to get the GPS coordinates, so if you're in a hurry, you can enter your local city in the form instead.

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Travel time map generator & isochrones, i know i can get from a to b by public transport within my selected time, but it's not showing up.

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About this tool, what is a travel time map, how to create a drive time radius map or other modes.

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• Create a commute time map so you can see where to live based on commute time.
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• Create a drive time radius map: explore how far you can travel on a road trip.

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• Travel time mapping up to 4 hours & cross reference other data sets in GIS such as population data
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Travelmath provides driving information to help you plan a road trip. You can measure the driving distance between two cities based on actual turn-by-turn directions. Or figure out the driving time to see if you need to stop overnight at a hotel or if you can drive straight through. To stay within your budget, make sure you calculate the cost of driving based on your car's gas mileage. If you're meeting a friend in the middle, you can find the halfway point between cities. If you're driving cross-country, find the best stopping points for your road trip.

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18 Driveable Vacation Spots and Places To Visit in The US Within 12 Hours For Most Americans

In the past two years, the American Road Trip came roaring back. If you’ve caught the road trip bug and can stay places longer and work remotely, there are a lot of fantastic vacation spots across America to explore.

We’ve gathered places to visit in the U.S. within one day’s drive for more than a majority of people. I’ve confirmed through correspondence with these cities that 50% or more of the U.S. population can drive to these destinations in 12 hours or less.

Driveable Vacation Spots and Places To Visit in the US

West Coasters may be a little bummed to read this list. Still, as most of the American population is gathered on the East Coast and Midwestern cities, destinations in those regions dominate this list of vacation spots and places to visit in the US.

So whether you’re looking for new vacation spots in your area or to go on a longer road trip, I hope this list of places to visit in the U.S. gives you a new idea!

1. Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Set in the Pennsylvania countryside, Lehigh Valley , is an affordable and family-friendly destination is within a day’s drive of 73% of the US population.

Only 90-minutes away from the nation’s largest city, New York City, 80 miles north of Philadelphia, and less than a 6-hour drive from most of the Northeast, Indianapolis, and Charlotte, it’s worth taking a look at for your next vacation.

The Lehigh Valley area consists of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and other charming small towns with tons to see and explore.

Opening in mid-May, Dorney Park and its waterpark and Planet Snoopy offer over 100 rides for young ones. In addition, the Crayola Experience in Easton has dozens of hands-on, creative activities, including making and naming your own Crayola crayon to take home.

You can hike, bike, or run on their extensive trail network, including the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and the bucket-list Appalachian Trail.

Or enjoy mother nature’s gifts at one of their 30 wineries. Lehigh Valley is considered an American Viticultural Area, a federally designated wine-grape-growing region like Napa Valley, just a lot closer to home.

If you love Williamsburg’s historical experience and centuries-old buildings, this region even more!  These landmarks are original 18th-century buildings from Moravian settlers who moved to Pennsylvania from the Eastern Czech Republic. Book lovers will want to step foot into the Moravian Book shop, the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world, dating back to 1745.

“The Steelstacks, located in Bethlehem, is one of the best places to spend an evening in the Lehigh Valley and one of the best  things to do in Pennsylvania “, said Melanie from Partners in Fire.

“An old steel mill turned events center, the facility hosts festivals, concerts, outdoor movies, and more all summer. The Steelstacks complex also includes the Artquest Performing Arts Center, food vendors, and a full bar, making it an ideal place to eat, drink, and be merry on those long summer nights.”

With sticker shock gas prices, it’s a bonus that Lehigh Valley is a one-tank trip for those in the Northeast. Further cementing itself as a budget-friendly option, the average daily accommodations rate is $104 a night, which is highly affordable compared to other Northeastern cities.

2. Richmond, Virginia

While you might have thought about ( or already visited Washington, DC,) have you considered going to Richmond, Virginia? RVA, as locals call it, is Virginia’s State Capitol, 100 miles south of Washington DC and filled with just as much historical significance as one of America’s oldest cities. Within a 500-mile radius from half of the U.S. population, there’s a little bit of everything in this centrally located destination.

Adventures might be interested in the Class II and IV rapids in Richmond, one of the only cities to have rapids of this size in an urban setting.  Or for thrills on land, Kings Dominion amusement park has over 60 rides and a brand new roller coaster, Tumbili, debuting in 2022.

Museum-lovers have a lot to choose from in RVA! The free Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has 50,000 works from 6,000 years, is open every day of the year, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture is reopening on May 14, 2022, after completing a $30 million renovation.

In addition, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia tells the stories of African American history in Virginia. The Poe Museum, with the most extensive collection of Poe artifacts, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2022 with a year-long schedule of special events.

If you are in town for a short time and want to combine many experiences into one, you can travel around town to see the Mending Walls public mural art project on a self-guided journey or bicycle tour. Or explore the city via The Richmond Beer Trail, sampling ciders, wines, and meaderies from almost 40 local breweries.

3. Fayetteville, West Virginia

Fayetteville has been named “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel Magazine and “Best River Town” and is now a neighbor to the country’s newest national park – the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Despite being an 8-hour drive from 60% of the U.S. population, the West Virginia way of life is crowd-free. No town, not even Fayetteville, has more than 50,000 people. So if you’re looking to scratch that National Park itch but have no interest in exploring nature along with record-level park crowds, consider all that The Mountain State offers up to vacationers.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is 70,000 acres of public land full of rich history and prime for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. The park also encompasses the New River, one of the oldest rivers on the continent, and the world’s third-longest single-span arch bridge spanning 3,030 feet above the Gorge.

If you prefer the all-inclusive type of resort, one of the top six adventure resorts in the country, Adventures on the Gorge, is also found here.  It offers 60 different activities across its 250 acres, a variety of accommodations, restaurants, bars, and amenities like its swimming pool with a stunning overlook of the New River Gorge.

4. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

While you might only know Pittsburgh for one of its sports teams or Three Rivers Stadium, ‘The Purg’ is one of those under-the-radar vacation spots despite being a driveable destination for 57% of Americans.

Its Cultural District, located in the heart of Downtown, is home to nine theatres that showcase a world-renowned symphony orchestra, opera, dance, and award-winning plays. Or explore the Andy Warhol Museum, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, or The Clemente Museum.

This Fall, the Moonshot Museum opens at the headquarters of space robotics company Astrobotic Technology providing visitors with an up-close look at real lunar landers and rovers being built and readied to fly to the Moon.

Despite being a medium-sized city, there’s a lot of nature to take in.  Pittsburgh is home to 165 parks and places to hike, bike, or walk along the city’s trails. Or roll out a blanket and enjoy a leisurely meal at Three Rivers Parks, where the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers meet.

 5. Columbus, Ohio

If you’re looking for an urban destination,  Columbus, Ohio, is now America’s 14th largest city, with more residents than San Francisco, and offers months’ worth of activities. 65% of the U.S. Population ( plus Toronto, Quebec, and Montreal residents) can road trip to Ohio’s largest city in less than 12 hours.

Family-friendly attractions include one of the nation’s best zoos , fun-filled children’s museums, and Franklin Park Conservatory, home to the nation’s top children’s garden. In addition, Columbus has an incredible park system with outstanding hiking and green spaces, including 175 acres of green space in the heart of the city, hundreds of miles of bike/hike and running trails, and one of the world’s only Audubon Centers in the middle of downtown.

Do you have a fashionista in your life but can’t make it to New York City? Due to significant fashion brands headquartered in town, Columbus is a surprising fashion mecca. It’s the third-largest employer of fashion designers, fueling incredible shopping with lower price tags than in expensive cities.

The city’s art scene is unparalleled for a city its size. You’ll find dozens of galleries, major art museums, several massive live performance venues,  groundbreaking offerings such as Shadowbox Live and the Wexner Center for Contemporary Art, and an exciting poetry scene.

As a city where diversity is celebrated and new Americans are warmly welcomed, foodies will love the city’s culinary offerings. Columbus is home to multiple James Beard Award nominees, a recent Top Chef Contender, and the owner of what the New York Times called the best new restaurant in America.

With the second-largest Somali population in the U.S. and one of the country’s most diverse populations overall, in Columbus, visitors can enjoy Tibetan momos, Bangladeshi cuisine, a Pakistani bakery, and one of the best banh mi sandwiches in North America. In addition, dozens of authentic food trucks serve cuisines from Mexico, Central, and South America, and draw long lines.

6. Cincinnati, Ohio

One hundred miles southwest of Columbus is another one of Ohio’s fantastic vacation spots. Cincinnati is called the Gateway to the Midwest due to its central location,  an 11-hour drive for half of all Americans. One of the country’s most affordable places to live, people can have a great vacation in Cincinnati with top attractions and fantastic dining without New York City or San Francisco prices.

The town has a vibrant arts and culture scene as one of only 13 cities in the country with its own ballet, opera, fine art, symphony, theater companies, and museums. In addition, families will love the new Art Climb at the Cincinnati Art Museum, the award-winning Cincinnati Zoo, and the walkable downtown area that’s easy to explore.

Are you looking for the best places to visit for foodies? Well, Cincinnati is another one of the great culinary vacation sports. With James Beard-nominated chefs, the Findlay Market chock full of international cuisine, Oakely Food Hall, and Edward Lee’s new restaurant, you’ll eat amazingly well during your trip to Cincinnati.

Sarah Jessica Parker got her start in The Arts in the city and continues to praise it. The Sex and the City star once said that “Cincinnati, and I really mean this, is a great city.”

7. Butler County, Ohio

If you’re looking for an Ohio destination outside of a city, take a look at Butler County between Cincinnati and Dayton, within one day’s drive for 60% of the U.S. population. Foodies will enjoy the Donut Trail of 13 mom & pop donut shops or Jungle Jim’s International Market, with over 180,000 global items in a 6.5-acre space.

Spend your days exploring Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum with 80 modern sculptures across 300 acres, EnterTrainment Junction, the world’s largest indoor train display, or The Salty Dog Museum’s classic cars and vintage firetrucks.

8. Branson, Missouri

This destination welcomes approximately 9 million visitors annually, partly due to its plethora of attractions and activities and its location in middle America. Known as ‘The Orlando of the Midwest,’ you’ll see it regularly featured on best places to visit in the US lists.

Branson is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains and within a 12-hour drive for about 50% of the U.S. population.

With dozens of live performances, Silver Dollar City, one of the best theme parks globally, and a historic downtown district, Branson’s sheer number of family-fun activities in Branson draws people year after year. Their long list of live entertainment includes rock, country, tribute bands to magicians, illusionists, variety, and comedy shows.

Fishing enthusiasts know that Bass Pro Shops was founded in the region and built Branson’s Big Cedar Resort, a beloved and iconic outdoor upscale resort that is a destination in itself. Table Rock Lake, which draws visitors from near and far, thanks to its world-class fishing and water and boating family fun options like canoeing, kayaking, and water skiing.

Branson also has ten golf courses, including five of Missouri’s top 10  and some rated among the best in the United States. Additionally, five golf courses were built in the past several years, catapulting it to the top echelon of vacation spots for golfers in America. Top of The Rock, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a unique course that’s a must-do for players.

9. St. Louis, Missouri

Equally located from Dallas, Denver, and Washington DC, St. Louis is within 12 hours of over half the US population. St. Louis seemingly has it all and is one of the best places in the U.S. to experience Midwest Americana, a vibrant downtown, award-winning new restaurants, microbreweries, and a rich array of cultural venues all in one destination.

Cross another national park off your list in St. Louis. Home to the iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis boasts an abundance of free, fun, and family-friendly opportunities to get to know the history of this part of the country. Explore the Gateway Arch National Park and its surrounding grounds, and visit the recently renovated Museum at the Gateway Arch, a free hands-on experience.

Reserve a day in your itinerary for Forest Park, home to many free attractions.  Stop by the St. Louis Zoo, Laumeier Sculpture Park, one of the first and largest sculpture parks, or escape the summer heat in the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, or the Saint Louis Science Center.

Foodies will enjoy City Foundry, an iconic and historically significant foundry building transformed into St. Louis’ first authentic food hall. Or explore Delmar Loop, a buzzing entertainment and dining hub with an eclectic mix of noodle bars, BBQ restaurants, Korean and Mexican eateries, cocktail lounges, and pubs.

10. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

No wonder Myrtle Beach has long been a go-to destination for generations of Americans. More than half of the country can drive to its 60 miles of beaches and other world-renowned attractions.

Another one of those family vacation spots that is also a golfing mecca, Myrtle Beach , has more than 90 golf courses and 50 mini-golf courses so that you can play a round no matter your age and skill level.

“One of my favorite family golf vacations was a road trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with my dad. We played some unique courses, and the weather in Myrtle Beach was incredible,” said Jeff Fang, a top player and Founder of  Financial Pupil .

Broadway At the Beach is South Carolina’s most visited attraction, packed with entertainment, shopping, restaurants, and attractions. Don’t pass up its oversized gondola Ferris wheel 200 feet tall and WonderWorks filled with 100 hands-on exhibits perfect for those beach-break days.

Surfside Beach, located on the southern end of the Myrtle Beach area, was named the first “Autism-friendly travel destination” in 2016. By teaming up with locally-based Champion Autism Network (CAN) and dozens of community partners, it’s also a welcoming, inclusive, and sensory-friendly beach experience for all families.

There are also some unexpected things to do, like visiting Brookgreen Gardens. Founded in 1931, it’s a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places featuring an American sculpture collection and a Lowcountry Zoo.

11. The Carolina Core, North Carolina

This region, consisting of Greensboro, Winston-Salem, & High Point, is at the center of 4 state highways. Explore each city’s distinct personalities and a long list of outdoor activities. Families can enjoy Wet-n-Wild Water Park , obstacle course & ziplining at Safari Nation, The North Carolina Zoo, All a Flutter Butterfly Farm, and Piedmont Environmental Center.

It’s not hard to see why it’s ranked one of the best places in the state for outdoor activities. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding options in the region’s expansive state parks, local public parks, and outdoor recreation facilities.

12. Fayetteville, North Carolina

Located halfway between New York City and Miami, Florida, on Interstate 95, Fayetteville, North Carolina, is within one day’s drive for 75%  of the United States population. Sports fans flock to the area for annual Spartan races and to enjoy the trails, lakes, tennis, and golf courses.

In addition, you can sample the world’s food without a passport on their International Cuisine Trail, with Hungarian, West African, Turkish, Greek, and Italian Cuisine all within just a few blocks downtown.

13. Hendersonville, North Carolina

About half an hour from Asheville, the second-largest city in the North Carolina mountains has a lot to offer with a lower price tag. Brewery lovers will want to make the trip to visit ‘the Taj Mahal of craft breweries,’ Sierra Nevada Brewery, the largest craft cidery in the U.S., Bold Rock Hard Cider, and other tasting rooms on The Cheers Trail.

Explore the mountains and waterfalls in DuPont State Forest, view four states from Jump Off Rock, and end your day on their award-winning Main Street with extra-wide sidewalks, brick planters, park benches, public art, alfresco dining, galleries, shops, boutiques, and the Appalachian Pinball Museum

14. The Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Tennessee

The Smoky Mountains National Park and its gateway cities are vacation spots so beloved that most visitors return three times a year! Many believe it’s one of the best places to visit in the US. Its central location draws road-trippers; more than 92% of people travel to this destination by driving, foregoing expensive plane tickets.

Home to the most visited National Park in America, The Great Smoky Mountains, these vacation spots welcome 15 million guests a year to their natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and an almost endless list of fun, family-friendly attractions.

There’s also a wide range of accommodations that average $150 a night in peak season. Depending on your budget, you can book one of 14,500 overnight accommodations from rental homes, hotels, timeshare condos , and even RV campgrounds like the brand-new Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge.

Pigeon Forge is home to the award-winning Dollywood Amusement park, which is visited more than Disneyland, not to mention a lot more affordable.  Kids and adults of all ages will love to splash year-round at Wilderness at the Smokies indoor/outdoor waterpark resort and the new 50-acre Soaky Mountain Waterpark.

15. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga is not called the Scenic City for nothing. It is home to breathtaking nature with endless outdoor recreation options. From adventurous climbs at Sunset Park to horseback riding at Enterprise South Nature Park or exploring the city on a bicycle, views of the Southeast Tennessee mountains and the Tennessee river are everywhere.

Chattanooga is also the only American city with 1 gigabyte per second of Wi-Fi available to every address, so extending your vacation into a workcation is a breeze.

16. Johnson City, Tennessee

History buffs will enjoy a family-friendly and budget-friendly road trip to Johnson City. Tour significant American Revolutionary War, Civil War, and music history sites. Kids will love exploring the Gray Fossil Site, dating back 5 million years.

Visitors can hike to panoramic mountain views from Buffalo Mountain Park, walk the historic Tweetsie Trail, rent a bike, and head to Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park. Additionally, Johnson City’s historic downtown district includes local restaurants, breweries, retail shops, parks, and public art and, in the summer, features live music and large-scale festivals.

17. Indianapolis, Indiana

Another one of America’s central vacation spots, Indianapolis is a regular on ‘the most affordable U.S. destination lists. All of the town’s monuments and memorials are free, and so is its long list of parks, such as 100 Acres: Art and Nature Park at Newfields or the downtown canal walk within White River State Park. Illustrating its historical significance as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is second only to Washington D.C. for a total number of monuments and memorials.

While you may know this destination as the home of the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Indy 500, it’s also home to the world’s largest children’s museum and its new oversized Dino Exhibit.

Visitors can choose from a wide range of accommodations, including unique stays at Bottleworks Hotel, located inside the world’s former largest Coca-Cola Bottling Factory.  Tiny Urban Escapes, luxury hotel suites made out of shipping containers, is another fun option for those looking to try something besides hotels.

18. Louisville, Kentucky

You might only know this destination as the home of the iconic Kentucky Derby or the birthplace of Bourbon, but it has so much more for vacationers. For example,  it’s also one of the best vacation spots in the U.S. for budget travelers.

Home to a diverse array of museums, restaurants, and experiences, Louisville offers bucket-list-worthy experiences like the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville’s urban Bourbon Trail, and the Mega Cavern, the world’s only fully underground zip line tour.

Spend a day exploring the largest municipal urban forest in the country, Jefferson Memorial Forest. This 6,500-acre serene park features 35 miles of hiking trails, nature education programs, horse trails, fishing, and outdoor recreation activities such as camping, canoeing, orienteering, and climbing a 52-foot Alpine Tower.

Leave room in your itinerary to explore and learn about the Ohio River, including the National Landmark Falls of The Ohio.  Located on the Indiana state line, you can see an entire fossil bed on the bluff overlooking the Ohio River.

Or, take a ride on the oldest operating Mississippi-style steamboat, the 100-year-old, The Belle of Louisville. Before dinner, take your chance to walk across the Ohio River via a converted railroad pedestrian bridge.

End your day by enjoying Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich in the Brown Hotel restaurant , where it was first invented in the 1920s. Wash it down with an Old Fashioned or Mint Julep, too!

More Articles From Planner at Heart

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Monica Fish helps her fellow adventurers live a financially savvy life so they can travel and explore our beautiful world no matter their budget. She writes about smart timeshare ownership, vacation tips and tricks, NYC Metro Area trips and activities, and frugal, yet rich, living at PlannerAtHeart.com.

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Whatshalfway.com

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While planning a road trip usually begins with a starting location and a destination, the real work starts when it comes to figuring out where to stop, what to see, and how to get there. Your favorite GPS application might show you the quickest route from point A to point B, but that isn't necessarily the best route. Luckily, several different websites and apps can help you design your perfect road trip .

Some of them are best for finding the halfway point between two places so you can split up the trip, while others focus on highlighting the most interesting or unique points of interest. After all, a road trip is all about the journey, and you'll find so many places to stop with these resources that you won't want the adventure to end.

Offering route information for 45 countries, Whatshalfway.com is a simple website that provides your route's midway point as well as suggestions for places to stay, restaurants, and things to do along the route. Simply input your starting and ending point, any cities you want to pass through on the way, and add as many stops as you please. There are also options to avoid tolls and/or highways.

The website will automatically route the trip with evenly spaced suggested stops along the way. The "Click here to find a venue" link will open a new page with all nearby businesses, but these are drawn directly from Google maps so there may not be any businesses, restaurants, or accommodations that suit your personal needs. There's also no way to export or share the list.

You can use MeetWays to find the halfway point between two addresses, with the option to add one point of interest (like a hotel, movie theater, or restaurant). It's available in over 30 countries and displays a list of businesses relevant to your selected point of interest (or a list of nearby restaurants if you leave the point of interest field blank.) However, if you only need the halfway point MeetWays works in an additional how 115 countries

If you want to take the scenic route, you can easily change the settings to avoid highways or toll roads. Routes are easy to share via email or social media but there's no way to edit your starting and ending points nor is there a way to accommodate multiple stops.

Sometimes you just need to find the nearest pitstop that has gas, a bathroom, a decent place to eat, or some combination of the above. The website iExit is perfect for all of that and more. But it shines brightest when you use the mobile app while already on the road.

Easy-to-read images show what's offered at each exit on the interstate you're currently on, making it easy to plan out your pitstops before taking an exit. See gas prices, accommodation options, Wi-Fi availability, and restaurants all conveniently compiled on one page. You can either type in your starting point and destination to see pitstops along the route or use the GPS feature on your phone to find the nearest exits to your current location.

Travelmath will appeal to travelers who like to plan for all aspects of their trips. Simply input in your two cities and Travelmath will tell you the biggest cities or most popular destinations to stop in along the way, along with the distance and time between each one. It will even calculate the estimated cost of driving!

If you aren't sure if taking a car is the right option for your trip, it will also give you a side-by-side comparison of flights and driving details to help you chose the best method.

If you care less about the halfway point and more about the best places to stop, then Roadtrippers is what you're looking for. It's available as a website and mobile app, so you can easily plan from home or while on the road. Just punch in Point A and Point B into the application and Roadtrippers will show you what routes are available plus highly rated points of interest, restaurants, cafes, and hotels along the way.

The site and app are both free to use, but you can pay for a premium version to unlock even more features such as offline use, adding more than five stops, and collaborating with friends.

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Take a bike ride on the nationally recognized Virginia Creeper Trail, check out local artists, or see a show at the historic Barter Theater downtown. Abingdon is home to more restaurants per capita than New York City – with a great meal for just about any taste and plenty of cool places to stay including the Martha Washington Inn & Spa. You’re also a short drive from Bristol – the birthplace of country music.

2. Adventures On The Gorge – Lansing, WV

The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most impressive architectural feats in American history. One of the many daring activities offered through  Adventures On The Gorge  in Lansing, West Virginia is called “Bridge Walk”. You can literally walk along the catwalk beneath the third highest bridge in the U.S. It’s not for everyone, but an unforgettable experience for thrill seekers! During your stay at the adventure resort, you can zip line, climb trees, enjoy incredible sunsets, and of course – some of the best whitewater rafting in the world.

3. Put-In-Bay, OH

Clocking in at just over three hours from Columbus, Put-in-Bay is a tropical getaway in the middle of Lake Erie just off the shore of northern Ohio. You’ll take a ferry to the island and find live music, nightlife, great shopping and food, as well as plenty of things to keep you busy! Rent a golf cart to tour the island in style! If the party atmosphere isn’t your style, take the ferry over to nearby Kelleys Island for a more peaceful, secluded atmosphere.

4. Pittsburgh, PA

Famous for having more bridges than any other U.S. city, Pittsburgh is a terrific destination for a weekend or extended getaway. You can take in a baseball game with beautiful views of the Sixth Street Bridge, take a ride on the historic Duquesne Incline, or visit the city’s quirky bicycle museum. If you grew up watching Mr. Rogers, Pittsburgh was his home town and you can spend a day exploring all things Mr. Rogers – including seeing the very sets from the iconic television show and his puppets!

Check out my story:  Finding Mr. Rogers in Pittsburgh .

5. Parke County, Indiana

Parke County, Indiana is best known as the “covered bridge capitol of the world”! Located less than than two hours from downtown Indy, you’ll find a great relaxing destination with some much needed peace and quiet. You can grab an old fashioned map (remember those?) at the local visitors center and then set out to find as many of the historic covered bridges as you can, making it a perfect romantic getaway. Consider booking a room or campsite at Turkey Run State Park, Indiana’s most popular state park, for your home base. They offer brand new, minimalist cabins as well. The park has plenty of great hiking trails for all skill levels.

You can check out my post on visiting Parke County for other tips and suggestions:  This is the Covered Bridge Capitol of the World

6. Detroit, MI

Everything you think you know about Detroit – might very well be totally wrong. Despite the bad reputation it often seems to get, Detroit has got a lot of cool things to see and experience. Several years ago, I spent a few days downtown and walked around after dark by myself – never once feeling uneasy. If you love sports – they’ve got hockey, football, baseball, and basketball. They have a terrific restaurant scene and some really terrific hotels. Be sure to check out the incredible music history of Detroit with a tour of Motown and and a visit to the nearby Henry Ford Museum in the town of Dearborn – one of the coolest museums in America!

7. Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne is probably not a spot that’s been on your radar but Indiana’s second largest city has a lot going on.  Its minor league baseball stadium is award winning and its local library is known as the best genealogy research center in the country.  The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is one of the best designed kid-friendly zoos around and a brand new, beautiful  riverfront project  has injected new energy into the town.  You’ll also find lots of opportunity for outdoor recreation.

Bill’s Advice:  For something unique, visit the headquarters for Sweetwater – one of the largest music and instrument stores in the world.  Vera Bradley is also headquartered in Fort Wayne and has events during the year.  

8. Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis was one of the first cities I explored when I started this website back in 2013.  Obviously, it’s famous for hosting the Indy 500 and a tour of the famous speedway is a must when you visit.  But Indy is great for more than just race cars.  Start with a look at the famous Monument Circle downtown and work your way to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis – hands down the greatest museum for families in the country. It’s amazing!  Check out the beautiful  canal  walk that runs through White River State Park, or go for some  Duck Pin  bowling in Fountain Square.  History buffs can check out Benjamin Harrison’s house, and if you’re a foodie – Indy is loaded with great restaurants!

9. Babcock State Park – Clifftop, WV

If you’re looking for a low-key adventure in the great outdoors – this is an amazing state park in West Virginia. Check out my article on visiting Babcock State Park – where you can rent a small cabin and have a front row seat to beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and other outdoor recreation. The old mill and waterfall in the park is awesome for pictures and you never know what kind of wildlife you’ll get to see!

10. Holland, MI

If you thought Holland was in Europe – you are correct!  But, America’s Holland is located in Michigan and it’s a cool town worth exploring.  Pick up a pair of wooden shoes and walk along the streets of downtown for great shopping and lots of dining options.  (Fun fact:  the streets of downtown Holland are heated so they don’t have to plow snow in the winter. Genius!)  Holland is also home to the only authentic Dutch wind mill that is still operational in the U.S.  If tulips are your thing – visit during the annual  festival  each spring.  The Holland Bowl Mill is also very cool – ask them for a quick tour of the production and find a one of a kind wooden bowl to take home!

Bill’s Advice:  I eat a lot of pizza when I’m on the road and Holland has one of the best pizza places I’ve ever been to.  It’s called  Fricano’s Pizza  and sometimes, I have dreams about it. 

11. Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge clocks in at right about six hours from Columbus making it the longest road trip idea on our list. However, it’s worth every minute if you love the beautiful views of the Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge is loaded with family friendly activities and shows – from comedy to magic and country music. Take the kids on go-carts or mini-golf and enjoy some adult fun while you chill around the fountains at The Island at Pigeon Forge. It goes without saying to make time to explore Smoky Mountain National Park.

12. Nashville, TN

Nashville is just under six hours from Columbus and an awesome destination for an extended road trip! Even if you are not a fan of country music – there is a lot to love about Music City. Broadway is rockin all night with fun bars and take your pic of exciting museums dedicated to great performers: Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Glen Campbell, and others. Don’t miss an exact replica of the Parthenon not far from downtown and some incredible southern restaurants!

13. Owensboro, KY

Just south of Evansville is the bluegrass music capitol of the world – Owensboro, Kentucky. If you like the idea of watching local bands in a barn, taste testing bourbon, eating good barbecue, or catching catfish – you’ll love this place. Owensboro is also home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and music legend Bill Monroe. You can even  tour his childhood home .

14. Springfield, IL

If you’re a history buff – a visit to Springfield, Illinois will be a memorable road trip experience. Illinois’ capital city was the where Abraham Lincoln lived before he became president and where his tomb is located. You can see the law office where he worked in his younger days and where he served as a state legislator. Springfield also the incredible Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library as well as some really great Route 66 history!

15. Dayton, OH

Dayton is best known as the place that gave birth to modern aviation. The Wright Brothers called Dayton home and the city is full of historic places that will give you a front row seat to the history of the “flying machine” which is how the first airplane was trademarked. One of the original Wright Brothers bicycle shops is still in tact, and you can see an original Wright Flyer at the Carillon Historical Park. Take a ride over to Huffman Prairie Field where the brothers tested out there invention or tour the mansion where they lived. Best of all – Dayton is home to the Museum of The United States Air Force – an unbelievable airplane museum that consists of four different hangars and impossible to see in a single day. See rare military aircraft and even go on board a retired Air Force One plane. And it’s free!

16. Cambridge, OH

The sweet treats at Kennedy’s Bakery is alone worth the road trip to small town Cambridge. Only a 90 minute drive from Columbus – enjoy a nice weekend getaway with small town shopping, some outdoor recreation at Salt Fork State Park, or a trip to The Wild’s animal experience a short drive from town. The holidays are best as this little town really dazzles with lights and charm!

17. Louisville, KY

Of course most people know Louisville as the place where the famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats are made, but that’s just the start!  Downtown Louisville offers a wide variety of attractions from the Muhammad Ali Center to Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby takes place.  For an adventure – try out the world’s only underground zip line at Louisville Mega Cavern or a cruise on the historic Belle of Louisville.  Lots of great restaurants for all tastes and cool places to stay including 21c and The Galt House Hotel.

Bill’s Advice:  Louisville is a great weekend trip!  If you love Kentucky Fried Chicken, pay your respects to Col. Sanders himself.  His grave site is a short drive from downtown.  Just follow the yellow line at Cave Hill Cemetery and you’ll find it.  Don’t be surprised if you see a bucket of chicken sitting on the tombstone.  No, seriously. 

18. Cincinnati, OH

There’s a lot to see and do in Cincinnati! One of my favorite museums –  The American Sign Museum  is alone worth the road trip. Downtown you’ll find some fun places to eat, catch a game at Great American Ballpark, or take a stroll along the Ohio river on the beautiful hiking and biking trails. If you take a short drive (or walk) across the bridge downtown you’ll wind up in Covinginton, Kentucky. This historic town that was once notorious for gangsters is now a lovely area with dining and shopping, plus great views looking back at the Cincinnati skyline. Speaking of “skyline” – Cincy’s famous chili is available all over town. (I’m not personally a fan – but a lot of people like it!)

19. Maumee Bay Lodge

Maumee Bay Lodge offers 120 guest rooms, each with private balcony overlooking the Maumee Bay of Lake Erie. Guests can enjoy the full-service dining room, cocktail lounge and snack bar. The lodge also offers free WiFi, racquetball courts, indoor racquetball/wallyball courts, game room, fitness center, saunas, hot tubs, whirlpools, indoor and outdoor pools and kids’ splash garden. Rent a bike and enjoy the trails or other outdoor recreational activities.

20. Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City is full of world class museums and fine dining. Take in the views from the Willis Tower – formerly the tallest building in America, take a river cruise to learn about Chicago history and architecture, or book a Chicago Pizza Tour to enjoy the many delicious styles of Chicago pizza including its best known style – deep dish!

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BILL ON THE ROAD | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2024

The 12 Best Road Trips from Minneapolis (Our Mega Guide)

• Updated March 16, 2022

People like to stereotype us Midwesterns as landlocked prisoners, living among the cornfields.

In fact, if you’re looking to take a road trip from Minneapolis, you’ve got all sorts of awesome options!

Whether you’re looking for a short drive that can be finished in a day or a week-long, cross-country excursion, this guide compiles the 12 best road trips from Minneapolis. 

We’ve been on most of these road trips ourselves, which is why you’ll also find maps plotting out our favorite stops along the way.

Happy driving!

1. The Quick North Shore Trip to Duluth, MN (with a stop at Banning State Park)

2. the weekend lake retreat to brainerd / nisswa, mn, 3. the short scenic drive to lake pepin, 1. the best road trip for families: wisconsin dells, wi, 2. drive to two unique small towns: lanesboro, mn & decorah, ia, 3. the closest, most underrated city: des moines, ia, 1. the full north shore experience, 2. the big city experience: minneapolis to chicago (and milwaukee), 3. wisconin’s premier getaway: door county, wi, 4. minneapolis to the upper peninsula, mi, 5. the nearby national park: badlands national park, sd, 1. the bucketlist roadtrip from minneapolis: the great river road, short 1 day road trips from minneapolis (about 2 hours).

Personally, I think it’s a stretch to call less than 3 hours of car-time a “road trip.” As a fan of multi-day treks across the country, I’d consider these short jaunts to be more like day-trips. (We’ve got an article all about the best day trips from Minneapolis , too!)

But in any case, sometimes you’re just looking for a quick getaway from hustle and bustle of Minneapolis. If that’s you, here are a few of the best short drives from the Twin Cities.

They’re all about two hours one way, and we’ve done our best to include multiple stops along the way… you know, for maximum adventuring.

As they say, Duluth is “The Gateway to Lake Superior.”

I actually have no idea if people say that, but they should!

Duluth is idyllic old shipping town that sits at the southernmost tip of Minnesota’s one and only Great Lake. Duluth’s rich history means you’ll find plenty of historic charm and irreplaceable character. Watch ships pass under the 120 year old Aerial Lift bridge, climb the 80 foot tall Enger Tower , tour the historic Glensheen Mansion , or step aboard the 610 foot long SS William A Irvin .

Despite all the history, Duluth has seen a revitalization in recent years, and the town is now packed-full of trendy shops and new craft breweries and distilleries. Many of which can be enjoyed while looking over the beautiful shores of Lake Superior! 

The drive: 

To get to Duluth, you’re looking at just over 2 hours one way. It’s an easy, if not uneventful, drive up 35E North.

For a good-halfway point on your road trip, consider stopping at Banning State Park . It’s right around 1.5 hours from Minneapolis and famous for its beautiful rock formations, waterfalls, and white water rapids.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 154 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 2 hours, 20 minutes
• Banning State Park (1 hour, 30 minutes)

When it comes to the best vacation lakes in Minnesota , the Brainerd Lakes area , which comprises the neighboring towns of Brainerd and Nisswa, MN, is probably the most popular weekend retreat for city-dwellers.

If you’re looking a road trip to “the lake” this drive has your name all over it.

This area is teeming with dozens of beautiful Minnesota lakes, each one with plenty of lodging options that range from full-out resort to secluded cabin in the woods. If it’s not enough to just unplug at the lake, check out the nearby small towns of Brainerd and Nisswa.

Brainerd is one of the largest “cities” in Northern Minnesota, which still makes it a small town by any definition. And Nisswa is especially charming, with a quint main-street that’s stocked full plenty of craft breweries, bars, and shops.

The drive to Brainerd is a quick 2 hours and 15 minutes. Obviously, you can easily do this in one shot, but if you’d like to take a more leisurely pace, you have a couple options for stops along the way: 

• Taking 169 North will have you hugging the coast of Mille Lacs Lake, one of the biggest lakes in Minnesota. Not surprisingly, Mille Lacs has plenty of attractions all on its own, including one of the closest casinos to the Twin Cities .
• Or you can veer off to US-10 W and head through the interesting college town of St. Cloud, MN.

Both routes are basically the same distance with similar drive times.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 127 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 2 hours, 15 minutes
• Grand Casino Mill Lacs (1 hour 45 mins)
• St. Cloud, MN (1 hour 15 mins)

For the most scenic short roadtrip, head down to Lake Pepin, just a little over 1 hour south of Minneapolis.

The road trip will take you down the Great River Road Scenic Drive , so you know it’s gotta be pretty!

The name comes from the road’s tendency to weave along the shore of the Mississippi River. Along the way, you’ll find cute small towns and plenty of gorgeous river bluff views.

This is also one of the best road trips in Minnesota to take in the fall, thanks to amazing fall colors along the river.

This route is a road trip classic, and the short version highlighted here is just the beginning. The truly dedicated could continue this trip all the way down to New Orleans! (Seriously! More on that later…)

In this shorter itinerary, you’ll start in the Twin Cities and head down the river road to Wabasha, MN. Cross the river to Nelson, WI, and then head back up the cities on the opposite side of the river. (There’s river roads on both sides of the Mississippi, and both are equally scenic, so make sure you check them both out!)

This route is packed full of interesting small towns, including:

• Hastings, MN: A cute historic town that’s only 30 minutes south of St. Paul. You can relax along the river in Levee Park or wander the historic 2nd Street, which is filled with quaint antique shops and the always-popular Spiral Brewing.
• Red Wing, MN: A small town filled with restored historic buildings. Home to the legendary Red Wing Shoes and Red Wing Pottery / Stoneware companies.
• Frontenac, MN: Worthy of a stop for Frontenac State Park or Mount Frontenac Golf Course, both of which have fantastic views of the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin
• Lake City, MN: A very small harbor town known for it’s sailboat-filled Marina.
• Wabasha, MN: Another small town worthy of a stop. Wabasha is known for its beautiful riverfront walking trails as well as the National Eagle Center , where you can learn about the many Bald Eagles native to the area.

More details on the drive:

• Distance from Minneapolis: 90 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 1 hour, 45 minutes
• Hastings, MN (35 mins)
• Red Wing, MN (1 hour, 10 mins)
• Frontenac, MN (1 hour, 20 mins)
• Lake City, MN (1 hour, 30 mins)
• Wabasha, MN (1 hour, 45 mins)

Medium weekend road trips from Minneapolis (about 3 hours)

If you’re looking to get a little further from home or want a little more road time, the next few road trips will take you to fantastic destinations about 3 hours from the Twin Cities.

These trips are perfect for a long weekend, since each one is packed with tons of great things to see and do.

Wisconsin Dells is known as the water park capital of the world, so you can bet this is the perfect family destination for a family road trip.

This popular tourist town features tons of water park resorts, including the biggest in the world, no matter how you measure it. Seriously, looking for the largest outdoor water park in the world? The Dells has it. ( Noah’s Ark ) The largest indoor waterpark? Yep. ( Kalahari Resort ) How about the largest combined indoor/outdoor waterpark? Yes and yes. ( Wilderness Resort )

Of course, that’s just one part of The Dells story. There’s also theme parks, mini golf courses, real golf courses, spas, ziplines, live shows, boat tours, trolley tours, and don’t forget, the legendary “Duck Tours.”

Wisconsin Dells sits in southern Wisconsin, about 3.5 hours from the Twin Cities.

To get there, you’ll take I-94 East, which to be honest, isn’t exactly the most scenic or eventful road trip option from the cities.

Your obvious half-way point would be Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, which for beer fans, may be worth a stop to visit or tour the Leinenkugel’s Brewery .

Another option would be to drive through La Crosse, WI. This would take you down the previously mentioned Scenic River Road and only add about an hour to your drive.

Otherwise, this is one road trip that you may want to tackle in one shot, assuming the little ones are up for it. 

• Distance from Minneapolis: 216 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 3 hours, 20 mins
• Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (1 hour, 45 mins)

When most locals think about cute small towns in our state, Lanesboro is always one of the first to mind. 

This picturesque small town just looks like the type of place to jump out of a Hallmark movie. It has a lively main street of historic brick buildings, all of which are surrounded by the area’s tall river bluffs, almost making this place the closest thing Minnesota has to a mountain town.

Add in plenty of fun activities, like the 60-mile Root River Bike Trails system or the state’s largest cave , and it’s obvious why Lanesboro is always one of the state’s most popular small-town getaways.

But there’s a second fantastic small town just across the border. Decorah , Iowa sits just 45 minutes away. There you’ll find an underrated collection of parks that celebrate the region’s endless hills, rivers, and limestone bluffs. Surprisingly, Decorah has also become one America’s brewery hot spots; it’s now home to two critic’s favorits – Toppling Goliath and Pulpit Rock breweries.

Lanesboro sits in southeast Minnesota, about 2 hours from the Twin Cities. To get there, you’ll take 52 South, cut directly through Rochester, MN, and then veer off towards the cute small town.

To get from Lanesboro to Decorah, you’ll head another 45 minutes south through peaceful Minnesota and Iowa farmland.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 157 miles (Minneapolis to Decorah, IA)
• One-way driving time without stops: 2 hours, 50 mins (Minneapolis to Decorah, IA)
• Lanesboro, MN (2 hours, 15 mins)

Look out, stereotypes about corn fields. Des Moines, Iowa is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

As the capital of Iowa, Des Moines has a surprisingly impressive city vibe that features lively arts, top notch food, plenty of shopping, trendy neigbhorhoods, and a rich history.

It’s a sneakily impressive city. We know plenty of Minnesotans, who after finishing cracking their inevitable jokes about Iowa, will secretly admit that Des Moines is one of the cooler cities they’ve ever visited.

Des Moines is 3.5 hours south of Minneapolis.

You’ll take 35E South, which isn’t the most exciting drive in the world. The best advice we can give you is that if you really need a stop, Owatonna, MN, located 1 hour south of Minneapolis, is a somewhat interesting small town with quite a bit of history. Otherwise, your best bet may be the SPAM Museum in Austin, MN. 

Otherwise, just keep on trucking, and you’ll find yourself in one of America’s most underrated cities in no time.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 244 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 3 hours 30 mins
• Owatonna, MN (1 hour)

Longer 5-7 Day Road Trips from Minneapolis (5+ hours)

Now we’re entering some real road trip territory!

These road trips will all take you to amazing destinations that are about 5 hours or longer from the Twin Cities.

For these destinations, you’ll definitely want to give yourself several days to take everything in. Most would be best with five to seven days of vacation, so if you’ve got a little more time on your hands, these are certainly some of the best drives inside (and out of!) the state! 

Making the full drive through Minnesota’s stunning North Shore is something every Minnesotan should do at least once. Even most out of town visitors will be surprised that our humble Midwestern state has such amazing scenery!

This road trip will take you from Minneapolis, through the previously-highlighted town of Duluth, and all the way along the Lake Superior shoreline to the Canadian border!

The first two hours of this drive will take you to Duluth. From there, you head to the true “Minnesota North Woods” as you follow Minnesota’s Scenic Highway 61 through Two Harbors, past Lutsen, into Grand Marias, and eventually, right to the Canadian border.

There’s so many amazing stops along this route that we wrote an entire guide to our 19 favorite things to do on Minnesota’s North Shore .

• Distance from Minneapolis: 299 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 4 hours, 55 mins
• Recommended stops: We list all our favorite stops in our article about the best things to do on Minnesota’s North Shore .

MSP airport has tons of cheap, quick flights to The Windy City, so it’s easy to forget that you can almost drive there in the same amount of time!

Chicago is the third most populated city in the U.S. So if our own city’s collection of amenities isn’t doing it for ya, you can always hop in a car to experience deep dish pizza, world-class museums, iconic skyscrapers, and the great Lake Michigan all for yourself.

By car, Chicago is just over 6 hours of highway driving from Minneapolis.

At the four hour mark, you’ll enter Madison, Wisconsin, which is worth a stop. As the capital city of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin, Madison is a city with a unique character all its own. While there, you can grab a delicious meal or four, lounge at the Student Union’s beautiful lakefront terrace, and experience masterpiece architecture from the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright.

But to really ramp this road trip to the next level, consider this –  adding a stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin adds just 30 minutes of driving to the route.

For our money, Milwaukee is one of the most underrated cities in the country. It’s filled with more amazing breweries than we can count, carries a unique tradition of German food all-of-it’s own, sits in a beautiful lakefront location right on the water, and even has casinos within city limits!

• Distance from Minneapolis: 408 miles to Chicago
• One-way driving time without stops: 6 hours, 15 minutes
• Madison, Wisconsin (4 hours, 15 mins)
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin (5 hours, 5 minutes)

If you’re looking for the ultimate in idyllic Midwest trips, Door County it is.

Does your idea of a good vacation include a landscape lined with blue lakewater, picturesque countryside, and endless wineries, lighthouses, and state parks? Then you might want to make the drive to this beautiful part of Northeastern Wiconsin.

Door county is almost exactly five hours east of Minneapolis. Along the way, you’ll drive through hours of north Wisconsin’s rural countryside, before eventually reaching Green Bay.

Depending on your football affiliations, entering Green Bay is either akin to going behind enemy lines or reaching The Promiseland. Either way, it’s a unique town with more than just football, and certainly worth a stop one hour before (or after) reaching the final Door County destination.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 321 miles to Door County
• One-way driving time without stops: 4 hours, 50 minutes
• Green Bay, Wisconsin (4 hours, 15 minutes)

It’s easy to overlook the Upper Peninsula, that odd part of Michigan that hooks over to the same land mass as Wisconsin but oddly, is still technically part of Michigan.

But anyone who’s ever made the drive to this difficult to reach part of the country knows that “The U.P.” is home to endless miles of beautiful Lake Superior coastline, acres upon acres of pristine wilderness, and all sorts of natural attractions. (The most popular being the photogenic and colorful cliffsides known as Pictured Rocks .)

Sure, it doesn’t get the press (or amenities) of more popular nature destinations, but Michigan’s Upper Peninsula absolutely carries a certain tranquility that’s hard to find these days.

Our recommended road trip from Minneapolis to the Upper Peninsula features the final desination of Munising, MI. Munising is a small town that marks the beginning of the popular Pictured Rocks, and a great spot to start your kayak tour of these beauties.

The most direct route to Munising clocks in at 6 hours and 55 minutes, but we actually recommend you take the more scenic route through Northern Wisconsin. This will allow you to break up your drive with stops in Hayward , Wisconsin (yet another one of our best vacation lakes from Minneapolis ) and Marquette , MI (the charming college town).

Note: This is the exact route we took when the pandemic halted our summer air-travel plans, and we had to adjust plans to somewhere drive-able and a little more remote. This section of Michigan did not disappoint!)

For those with extra time, this path also allows you to spend even more time exploring the region with a quick jaunt up to Copper Harbor , yet another interesting part of the U.P. which sits on a peninsula of its own.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 425 miles to Munising
• One-way driving time without stops: 7 hours, 30 minutes
• Hayward, Wisconsin (2 hours, 30 mins)
• Marquette, Michigan (6 hours, 30 mins)

For the nearest national park outside of Minnesota, consider the lengthy drive to Badlands National Park in southwestern South Dakota.

Badlands is a park famous for its unique rock formations that are an odd mix between canyons and mountains. These strange rock features were created by years of erosion, exposing the dramatic, colorful, and frankly… bizarre landscape that’s unlike anywhere else in the country.

Badlands is 7 hours and 20 minutes west of Minneapolis on Interstate 90. Near the beginning of the drive, you’ll pass through Mankato, MN and Siox Falls, SD before spending hours driving through southern South Dakota prairie and grassland.

• Distance from Minneapolis: 502 miles to Badlands National Park

Massively Huge Road Minnesota Road Trips

In case you have a couple weeks (or months!) to burn, check out this wild road trip!

I’d say only two types of people can pull off this monster road trip: those who just can’t get enough driving, and people who already are retired.

The Great River Road is considered by hardcore roadtrippers to be one of America’s most scenic drives. This massive road trip follows the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles, all the way from Red Wing Minnesota to, wait for it… New Orleans, Louisiana!

We talked about the first part of this drive when we outlined the trip from Minneapolis to Lake Pepin earlier in this article, but that’s only the beginning of the Great River Road.

Safe to say, there’s far more to cover on this road trip than we could ever fit on this page. And unfortunately, yours truly hasn’t been able to devote the vacation time needed for this monster road trip just yet.

But for those lucky enough to be planning this trip, we’d recommend checking out something like the Mississippi River Parkway Commission or Road Trip USA’s guide .

• Distance from Minneapolis: 2,000 miles
• One-way driving time without stops: 34 hours!!!
• Red Wing, MN
• La Crosse, WI
• St. Louis, MO
• Memphis, TN
• New Orleans, LA

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Amazing American Road Trips You Can Do In 48 Hours

Posted: November 13, 2023 | Last updated: November 13, 2023

Easy getaways

Road trips don’t need to be stretched over a fortnight to be epic and vacations needn’t last forever (much as we’d like them to). You can pack plenty of fun into a long weekend, making the most of national holidays or just making your annual leave work extra hard. There are endless possibilities for mini-breaks and twin-center vacations across the US, but we’ve picked out a few favorites to get you started. 

Scottsdale to Yuma, Arizona

This probably isn’t one for the height of summer (no amount of air con will quell that burning southern Arizona heat). But the drive between these two cities, both of which ooze their own version of Wild West charm, is perfect in spring and fall, and still balmy in winter. Scottsdale ’s downtown streets, lined with olive trees, are home to steak restaurants and art galleries (check the opening status of individual outlets before visiting). There's also  Taliesin West , former home of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Phoenix and the cacti-filled  Desert Botanical Garden  (advance reservations required) are on the way to Yuma , one of the sunniest places on Earth. There’s more to this Sonoran Desert city than the weather though. It's packed with railroad history and is home to the fascinating Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park , a 19th-century prison that’s now a museum.

Wilmington to Yadkin Valley, North Carolina

College town Wilmington blends old-fashioned Southern charm with dramatic coastal beauty – it's laced with beaches, marshes and barrier islands. Visitors can catch the sunrise over Wrightsville Beach, where lilac, orange and pink swirls cast dramatic light on the pale sand, before heading inland on a trip that routes through some of the state’s most beguiling destinations.

Potential stops include Raleigh (known for its restaurants and craft breweries), garden-filled Chapel Hill and historic Winston-Salem. But the main event is the wine. There's  JOLO , whose award-winning reds include vintages made with native grapes, or Divine Llama Vineyards , which really is home to llamas. In fact, there are three dozen or so wineries in the Yadkin Valley , surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Tampa to Crystal River, Florida

There isn’t too much driving on this trip, though it packs in more urban and natural attractions than many longer journeys. It begins in Tampa, whose downtown is a refreshing blend of local-centric bars, diverse dining, art galleries and cool souvenir shops – check the tourist board website for attraction updates. The Riverwalk, a raised walkway along the Hillsborough River, is a nice spot for sunset, then there's a free streetcar to Ybor City, founded by cigar magnates in 1885 and still steeped in Cuban culture. 

Read our guide to Tampa

The drive up to Crystal River takes around two hours on the coast-hugging scenic route, passing mangroves, swamps and wildlife preserves like Chassahowitzka . It’s all leading up to the best natural attraction of all: swimming with manatees. Crystal River is the only place in the US where visitors can swim with the mammals in the wild and snorkeling in the presence of these gentle, seagrass-munching giants is a humbling, surprisingly peaceful experience.

Boston to Provincetown, Massachusetts

It's possible to hop on a ferry to reach P-Town (as locals, and anyone cool enough to pull it off, call Provincetown) – but a road trip is much more rewarding. The longer route combines the history and modern charms of Boston with coast-skimming roads and broad, burnished beaches.

How to have the best time in Boston

Cape Cod curls around the bay like a flexed arm, and pretty much anywhere is a good place to stop. Favored spots include the LeCount Hollow Beach (at its best come sunset) and the cranberry bogs and pine trees of the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Funky, dune-backed P-Town has plenty of delicious food to sample too, from lobster mac ‘n’ cheese at  The Canteen  to charcuterie and cocktails at  Strangers & Saints . 

Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi

This is the ultimate escape for music lovers – or anyone who likes their road trips to come with equal doses of culture and fun. Memphis is home to  Beale Street – with its fizzing neon signs, blues bars, BBQ joints and record stores – and  Graceland , former house of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Elvis’ mansion lives up to the hype thanks to a stylish tour that takes visitors past the Jungle Room and to the singer’s grave.

The music pilgrimage continues on the road – on Route 61, or the "Blues Highway", to be specific. The road wiggles down through Mississippi to Clarksdale, where Morgan Freeman co-owns Ground Zero Blues Club  (check the website for updates) next door to the small yet sweeping Delta Blues Museum  (open with reduced capacity). It then continues on to Jackson, home to blues clubs and juke joints like Blue Front Cafe , just outside the city – check the Facebook page for events.

Salt Lake City to Bryce Canyon, Utah

There's truly gorgeous scenery striking out in all directions from Salt Lake City. This is Utah, after all. Visitors can breathe in the hip, high-perched city’s crisp air and take in the mountain views – so perfect they look like stage backdrops – before motoring south.

The road passes peaks and hiking trails, and those who take the slower, scenic route through Manti-La Sal National Forest  can stop to explore aspen groves, sandstone canyons and mountain lakes. It’s a good way to build up for setting eyes on Bryce Canyon  – this jagged sprawl of red and apricot hoodoos, towering above stretches of alpine forest, is jaw-droppingly beautiful.

Now discover the best place to stay in every state with your motorhome

Santa Fe to Taos, New Mexico

Galleries, markets and Pueblo revival architecture fill New Mexico’s enchanting state capital , where centuries-old plazas and chapels sit comfortably alongside contemporary art installations and murals. Next,  the aptly named High Road  winds and curls through thick forest that opens up to views of the red-and-gray Jemez Mountains.

The road continues to the traditional weaving village of Chimayó and El Santuario de Chimayó, a church dating back to 1816 whose “miraculous dirt” is believed by some to have healing properties.  Taos Pueblo , with its still-occupied 1,000-year-old adobe buildings, is temporarily closed, but check for updates. Finally, visitors can return to Santa Fe via a different route: the Low Road loops back from Taos and unveils entirely different landscapes, weaving down to the banks of the Rio Grande and ducking through a narrow canyon.

New York City to Cayuga Lake, New York

The excitement of New York City’s buzzing streets and the wide-open, natural beauty of the Finger Lakes are a classic combination. Visitors can gaze at Manhattan’s gleaming skyline, and pound streets lined with brownstones and boutiques, before swapping it all for a landscape of skinny, jagged lakes, wineries and wildlife. The NYC GO website has info on citywide attractions and protocols. 

What to see and do in New York City

The traffic thins out and life slows to a leisurely pace at Cayuga Lake, one of 11 spindly stretches of water that make up the Finger Lakes . They’re all beautiful but Cayuga ’s two dozen wineries – some of which can be accessed via boat or kayak – make it stand out (check with individual outposts for their opening status). An 86-mile (138km) road skims the lake’s edge and passes parks, villages with art studios and Montezuma Wildlife Refuge , home to bald eagles and waterfowl. 

Austin to San Antonio, Texas

It's easy to motor between these two Texas Hill County cities in just over an hour. And, from Austin’s hip nightlife, music scene and beloved BBQ joints to the restaurants and art that flank San Antonio’s Riverwalk, there’s plenty to keep visitors occupied. But adding in Fredericksburg really completes the triangle.

The German-settled town  of Fredericksburg, surrounded by wineries, combines proud heritage with modern twists on its past, from food to art. Visitors can also take a detour to hike up the huge granite boulders of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area  (reservations required for weekends and holidays), before looping down to San Antonio, where disused brewery  Pearl  is the place to hang out. The micro-district, just off the Riverwalk, has boutiques, a food hall, restaurants and a hotel in buildings once dedicated to brewing beer. 

Chicago, Illinois to Ann Arbor, Michigan

Cities don’t come much more stylish than Chicago . Public art installations, including the famous Cloud Gate sculpture or "The Bean”, have become as integral to the landscape as the Art Deco skyscrapers, water views and deep-dish pizza.

This route loops around a corner of vast Lake Michigan, en route to Ann Arbor, which has been stealing some of the limelight from Detroit recently. The University of Michigan Museum of Art  (check the website for updates) has a collection covering everything from African architecture to Picasso, while – like many university cities – Ann Arbor's food scene is drawing attention too. There's everything from trendy brunch spots to classics like Zingerman’s Deli , which typically also runs food tours. 

Savannah to Jekyll Island, Georgia

Savannah wears its Southern charm like its majestic oak trees wear soft Spanish moss – with pure, old-fashioned elegance. Georgian mansions line the streets, brewpubs and art galleries take up old cotton warehouses by the waterfront, and cemeteries are filled with sculptures, tall mausoleums and yet more oaks.

Jekyll Island , an easy, scenic drive along a coastline laced with beaches, marshes and barrier islands, packs up the same charm and elegance and takes it to the seaside. One of Georgia’s Golden Isles, it’s accessible by car but feels cut off from the rest of the world. Windswept oaks and tangles of driftwood form a backdrop to soft-sand beaches, while trails wind into the woods. 

Now discover more of America's most charming seaside towns

Miami to Key West, Florida

From beautiful people strutting on South Beach to free-range cockerels strutting on Duval Street, Miami  and Key West are both the same – and eons apart. Both cities share a free spirit and a strong sense of fun but, while Miami wears its character like a slick designer jacket, Key West wears just whatever it feels like at any particular moment. In other words, it’s weird and proud of it.

Driving on the Overseas Highway, which soars over the water, is alone worth the trip. Visitors can stop at Islamorada , Bahia Honda State Park  and Marathon’s adorable and thought-provoking Turtle Hospital before arriving in quirky Key West. Here, there's a colorful buoy which marks the southernmost point in the continental US.

Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska

The George Parks Highway, or Parks Highway, joins Anchorage and Fairbanks, slicing through 323 miles (520km) of wilderness, rivers and lakes, with sightings of North America’s tallest peak, Denali, along the way. Anchorage is the glorious starting point, with its galleries, museums and live music scene. 

The highway follows the eastern edge of Denali National Park before cutting across a corner of the vast wilderness, which sprawls over six million acres. The park’s alpine forest and mountain slopes are home to curly-horned Dall’s sheep, wolves, grizzlies and black bears. Fairbanks’ forested riverbanks and downtown offer further adventure. Visit in summer for the midnight sun, or from August to April for a chance to see the sky swirl with the Northern Lights. 

Portland to Ogunquit, Maine

There are only around 40 miles (64km) between these two coastal beauties, but most visitors choose to take their time, meandering down roads that skim past bays, beaches and breakwaters. Portland itself is wonderfully walkable, with a lovely stretch of bars and restaurants tucked along the cobbled streets of the Old Port by the waterfront. There's also a rich art scene, including works by Warhol and Monet at the Portland Museum of Art  (check the website for opening times). 

Drivers can stop at Cape Elizabeth to see the lighthouse and walk out onto the craggy rocks, stroll on the sandy beaches of Kennebunkport, and hike around the salt marshes of Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge . In Ogunquit, the lobstermen of Perkin’s Cove pull in their catch, then deliver sweet seafood to the town’s shacks and waterside restaurants.

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Politics latest: Tories expecting to lose by-election and hundreds of seats in council contests

Millions of people across England and Wales have been voting in today's local elections - and now the counting begins. Follow all the results and reaction through the night live on the Politics Hub.

Friday 3 May 2024 00:05, UK

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• Counting under way after polls close in local elections across England and Wales
• Vote 2024: Watch a Sky News special programme live now in the stream above
• What's been voted on?  |  When will results come in?
• Check the result where you live
• What will a good - and bad - night look like for major parties?
• Senior Tories expect party to lose Blackpool South by-election
• Beth Rigby:  Labour confident - but key contests on a knife-edge
• Boris Johnson turned away after forgetting photo ID
• In pictures:  Dogs, dogs, and more dogs at polling stations
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Former home secretary Suella Braverman has just been spotted at the local election count in Fareham, between the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton in south east Hampshire.

We haven't had any results confirmed yet, but it could well be a difficult night for the Conservatives.

Join us now on Sky News for a special programme following the results of local and mayoral elections in England and Wales, as details of wins and losses trickle in through the night.

From 12am until 6am, Jonathan Samuels will be joined by political correspondents Tamara Cohen and Gurpreet Narwan , as well as teams from across the country.

You can watch in the stream above - and follow the latest in the Politics Hub.

Today's local elections are the biggest test of public opinion before the general election expected this year.

A bad night for the Tories will increase the pressure on Rishi Sunak and could prove to be a flashpoint for tensions surrounding his leadership.

As this flowchart - from strategic communications firm Portland - demonstrates, it could all get rather messy:

We reported earlier ( see 22.49 post ) that the Tories "do not expect" to win the Blackpool South by-election.

Unsurprisingly, we're now hearing from Labour source that they are confident of taking the seat.

A Labour win would be the party's latest by-election victory this parliament, while it would put more pressure on Rishi Sunak.

Anneliese Dodds, the Labour Party chair, has said the results of tonight's local elections will be "critical" to see if the Tories can "pick up any seats".

However, she said the key contest will be the Blackpool South by-election, which Labour sources are confident of winning.

Ms Dodds tells Sky News: "The key election when it comes to looking at the overall strength of Rishi Sunak against the Labour Party is of course that by-election in Blackpool South.

"It is a critical place of course because of course in 2019 the Conservatives won almost 50% of the vote, so it will be really important to see what happens there.

"But of course then we've got those many council elections.

"The key thing will to be to see whether Labour is moving forward in those areas where it is really critical that we build support before the next general election.

"But it's also going to be critical to see whether the Conservatives can pick up any seats. 

"If they cant pick up seats in these elections, then they're going to be even further behind than (former Conservative prime minister) John Major was in the run-up to the 1997 election."

As our political reporter Alexandra Rogers writes, local elections always provide a good test for how well the governing party is faring with the electorate - and will be of even more value in an election year.

Sky News will be using these local election results to calculate a National Equivalent Vote (NEV) - a figure that estimates the vote share parties would have received had elections been carried out across all local authorities.

Labour peaked in 1995, when Tony Blair's New Labour inflicted huge damage on the Conservatives to take 47% of the NEV. 

The last time these council elections took place, in 2021, Boris Johnson was riding high in the polls following the success of the vaccine rollout - taking his party to their best performance in the locals since 2008.

In last year's local elections - which were for different areas - Labour snatched key battlegrounds from the Tories but not at a rate high enough to indicate it was on course to win a general election.

What also makes these elections significant is they involve the re-election of metro mayors.

The 'Armageddon' result

A key test of Mr Sunak's leadership will be whether Tory mayors Ben Houchen and Andy Street - regarded as success stories - buck the national trend and keep their seats in the Tees Valley and West Midlands.

Speaking on the Political Currency podcast, former Tory chancellor George Osborne said losing the West Midlands would be "pretty bad" for Mr Sunak, while losing the Tees Valley would be "Armageddon".

"There will be people in the Conservative Parliamentary Party saying, 'Change course, change leader'," he said.

"You would never have guessed 20 years ago that the future of the Tory leadership would depend on how people are voting in Teesside. But I think right now, that is the case."

Local elections have been held across 107 English councils, including 31 metropolitan boroughs, 18 unitary councils and 58 district councils.

A total of 2,636 seats - the smallest number of any local electoral cycle - are up for grabs.

There are no local council elections in Scotland and Wales.

Police and crime commissioners

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are also being elected across England and Wales, with 33 in the former and four in the latter.

These figures, who can be associated with a party or be independent, were introduced in 2012 and are meant to make local police forces more accountable to their communities.

There are also nine mayoral elections for combined authorities: the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, and York and North Yorkshire.

Of these mayoral posts, three - East Midlands, the North East, and York and North Yorkshire - are newly created and will be holding their inaugural election, which will use the first-past-the-post system that is used in general elections.

In London, voters are electing their mayor and there will also be elections to the London Assembly, with 25 seats available.

Fourteen of these are elected using the traditional first-past-the-post system, while the remaining 11 members are elected using the additional member "top-up" system, whereby each voter gets two separate votes - one for the constituency, another for the list seat.

And finally…

A by-election will also be held in Blackpool South to replace the outgoing MP Scott Benton after he was caught in a lobbying sting.

…and it's in Blackpool South.

There's a solitary parliamentary by-election taking place there after former Conservative MP Scott Benton resigned.

He had been involved in a lobbying scandal.

The Tories are defending a majority of 3,690 - much smaller than several of those overturned by Labour in recent years.

Our chief political correspondent Jon Craig is at the count tonight and will provide updates and analysis.

In the meantime, have a read of Jon's piece on the town's political heritage - including a surprise visit by Bill Clinton:

The Conservatives do not expect to hold Blackpool South after today's by-election, a senior party source has told Sky News.

The source said "the stars could not be more aligned against us" after the resignation of Scott Benton, the seat's outgoing Conservative MP.

Mr Benton was suspended from the party in February over his role in a lobbying sting, launching another by-election headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A Conservative source has also told our political correspondent Tamara Cohen that the party expects losses of around 500 council seats tonight.

Tonight is a busy night for those at the count, with local and mayoral elections taking place across England and Wales - and a by-election being held in Blackpool South.

New images from the seaside town show the ballot papers arriving, with a successor to ex-Tory MP Scott Benton now only hours away from being announced.

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Books | The Iron Sheik threatened to kill him. Years…

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Books | the iron sheik threatened to kill him. years later, a road trip would reunite them., brad balukjian, a writer and academic who'd idolized the wwf wrestling star, writes about reconnecting with the legends of his youth in 'the six pack: on the road to wrestlemania.'.

Brad Balukjian, a gangly, socially awkward elementary schooler, loved the Iron Sheik, a villainous character known to wave an Ayatollah Khomeini flag while screaming “Death to America” at matches. So in 2005, Balukjian was set to become the official biographer of his Iranian idol – whose given name was Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, or “Khos” for short – until the project, in spectacular fashion, melted down. (This wasn’t what’s known in wrestling as kayfabe – the term for pro wrestling’s blending of real/fake culture – either; the breakdown between hero and fan was a real one).

Balukjian went on to get a Ph.D. in entomology and became a science writer and a professor of natural history and sustainability at Merritt College in Oakland, but he never fully gave up on turning his Iron Sheik material into something.

So he did. Coming out of peak Omicron, Balukjian set out on a 12,525-mile journey to meet up with a handful of wrestlers who appeared at MSG that night like “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas , The Masked Superstar , Tito Santana , and the man who would claim the belt from Iron Sheik a month later, Hulk Hogan . The author would even reconnect with the Sheik himself .  

Balukjian’s new work “The Six Pack: On the Road to Wrestlemania” is a spiritual sequel to 2020’s surprise hit  “The Wax Pack,” in which he opened a pack of baseball cards from 1986 and went in search of what the players were doing now. For this book, Balukjian spent 62 days on the road seeking out his heroes from the WWF (now known as the WWE). The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: “The Wax Pack” was such an ingenious way to frame a book that I’m curious if you knew you wanted to tell “The Six Pack” in a similar fashion? 

The best answer is, sort of? “The Wax Pack” was rejected 38 times and it took years to get published. People in the industry didn’t get what I was trying to do, which is take readers along on a personal quest, part sports history, part present-day reporting, part memoir, and not just a straightforward biography of baseball players or wrestlers. Once the book got out there and sold pretty well, I knew I had some leverage, but I didn’t want to write a straight sequel where I, say, open a pack of 1991 hockey cards or whatever. Even though it would’ve been fun and an easier book deal to secure, I wanted to push myself creatively but recognized that if I could somehow link the books thematically it could become my personal stamp. 

I have a background in science writing, and an inspiration is Mary Roach , who’s created a cottage industry of books with one-word titles, “Stiff,” “Bonk,” “Gulp,” etc. Using the word “Pack” twice as part of the framework was a conscious choice, but “Six Pack” works in the WWF world for: The number of guys I caught up with from that 1983 lineup; the many, many beers they drank; and their ripped ab muscles. I’ve done some interviews with the WWE world where I’ve gotten a little pushback for putting myself in the book – some fans just want the war stories – but I think it’s a much more interesting approach. So the two books definitely have that road trip in common. 

Q: “The Six Pack” also grew out of a book project with your WWF hero, The Iron Sheik, which you abandoned some 20 years ago because, as you write, he threatened to murder you?  

That is the absolutely true story that serves as the “The Six Pack” prologue. He was my favorite wrestler when I was a young 1980s kid, and in 2005, I took a gamble and left a job as a magazine fact-checker in California, moving to suburban Atlanta to write a biography with him. We set off on this path together but the whole thing went sideways because he was too addled by substance abuse. On one occasion, I drove Khos to his crack dealer, so needless to say, the collaboration didn’t work out as I envisioned. 

Q: And then Khos threatened to kill you by dealer’s choice: gun, knife, or broken leg? You went with the “.38 Magnum for my fate,” as it’s the quickest option, but I think a snapped femur would have a higher chance of survival, no? 

Fair point, but I wasn’t thinking too clearly at that moment. To be honest, Khos was in his 60s and had the threat lingered and become truly menacing, I would’ve bolted and run away as fast as I could. 

Q: The Iron Sheik isn’t the only character in the book with a host of problems. Was it surprising how far down stars like Tony Atlas had spiraled? You write that Atlas was basically living on the street due to severe drug addiction because as you declare in the book, “The Road ate people alive…”

There’s a show and podcast beloved by wrestling fans called the “Dark Side of the Ring,” which details what so many of these guys went through with drugs, sex, violence, steroids, and burning through money with no real health benefits.

What I try to add to the mix in “The Six Pack” is a way of looking at these aging men and how they view their lives now, their vulnerabilities and emotions as they look back. These stories hit on real-life issues we all deal with, fathers and sons come up repeatedly, so it’s as much a reflection on the humanity behind the kayfabe as it is ‘Wild Tales of the WWF.’  

Q: As an interviewer, even after all these years, was it hard to portray them, or even just talk to them about their careers, as both human beings and their characters simultaneously? The all-encompassing 24/7 role is its own animal…

Professional wrestling is a totally unique art form and profession. When they sign an autograph, they sign their character name. Actors and musicians don’t do that, they might change their name for professional reasons, but it’s not a character. If you go to a convention today and wait in line to meet Sgt. Slaughter , that’s the name he’s signing, not Bob Remus. These guys inhabited these characters for the majority of their lives.

The whole point of “The Six Pack” is digging into to what extent did they actually become their characters? And once they were done wrestling, could they go back to their real selves? How does that work? So yes, when interviewing them it’s a Jekyll and Hyde dance you’re doing, trying to figure out the line between the man and the alter ego.

Q: You and the Iron Sheik ended on good terms before he died last June , was that the full circle of life piece you needed for “The Six Pack?” 

Meeting up with Khos gives the book a driving narrative tension. What’s it going to be like seeing the man who threatened to kill me 17 years later? I knew he’d cleaned up, quit cocaine, and in working on the book, I had filled in all these gaps – like finding the now-94-year-old wrestling coach who welcomed Khos to the U.S. in 1969 – so I knew we had plenty of ground to cover. Over the years, I called him here and there, so there was some contact but I didn’t go see him in person until 2022. We spent a wonderful evening together, dinner with his family, and catching up. 

He died less than a year later and the family invited me to attend his services. The Iron Sheik and I had a long history together. It was quite a journey from where it started to where it ended, but it marks a new beginning for me. The experiences I had in writing and reporting these two books has convinced me to leave academia and give full-time writing a go. There are plenty of old-school sports stories to be told. Pro wrestling will certainly be a part of it, the WWF left quite an imprint on my babyface childhood.  

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