Spring is one of the best times to explore the United States. Some of the country’s best flower festivals will be in full swing, snow will be melting, wildlife will re-emerge, and you won’t have to worry about the peak summer crowds and prices.

If you’re looking for a Spring road trip, then check out these epic road trips in the U.S.

This roundup list doesn’t include traditional “Spring Break” beach towns and theme parks. Instead, I’m giving you options with natural wonders, cultural events, and good weather that will let you avoid most of the crowds.

Ready to plan your getaway? Then here are the best Spring destinations in the U.S.!

Southeast

St. Augustine. As one of the best budget destinations in the U.S., St. Augustine is a perfect Spring destination. The city is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, beaches, Anastasia State Park, and Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress.

Charleston. The magnolia trees will be blooming, the sandy beaches will be warm, and the Charleston Food + Wine Festival is held in March. My favorite restaurants in Charleston are Poe’s Tavern, The Obstinate Daughter, Delaney Oyster House, and Aqua Terrace Roof-Top Bar. Check out these incredible vacation homes in Charleston.

Savannah. This is one of the best getaways in the Southeast any time of year, but Spring has the best weather – warm and sunny, but not too humid. The city’s gardens will be bright and lush, the water will be warming up for swimming and paddling on Tybee Island, and you’ll love the city’s rooftop and open-air restaurants.

Chattanooga. Many people drive through Chattanooga without stopping to explore this vibrant, must-visit city. Chattanooga is home to Rock City, one of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world, and an incredible craft beer scene.

Northeast

Coastal New England. Take a road trip along the New England coastline. Start in Newport, Rhode Island, then visit Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Next, go north Portsmouth, New Hampshire, then Portland, Maine, and end at Acadia National Park. Check out my full road trip itinerary!

New York City. “The Big Apple” is stunning in Spring. The city will be covered in flowers, and the weather will be warm. Spring isn’t a peak travel time for NYC, so the famous tourist spots won’t be as crowded. And if you wander off-the-beaten-path some, you’ll find that New York can be refreshingly un-crowded, tranquil, and relaxing during these months. Check out the best vacation homes in NYC!

Washington, D.C. Spring is cherry blossom season in D.C. The city will be covered in pink and white flower petals, and the weather will be clear and warm. My top recommendations when you’re here are to visit the International Spy Museum, take a riverboat cruise, and see the city from the observation deck at the top of the Central Place Plaza skyscraper. Browse the best vacation homes in Washington, D.C.

Midwest

Badlands National Park. This is one of my favorite U.S. National Parks, and it’s one of the best stops on a South Dakota road trip. The prairies will be covered in wildflowers, the wildlife will be abundant, the roads will have re-opened, and the crowds won’t arrive until summer. The best activities to do when you’re here are stargazing, driving the Badlands Loop Road, seeing the prairie dogs at Prairie Homestead, and hiking the Fossil Exhibit Trail and the Cliff Shelf Nature Trail.

Holland, Michigan. Holland is a small western Michigan town that goes all-out with its tulip festival. Millions of tulips cover the city and the Veldheer Tulip Gardens during the annual Tulip Time Festival. There are parades, crafts, food, concerts, dances, and a 250-year-old windmill.

Chicago. Spring in Chicago can still be wet and cold, but that means the city will still be relatively empty of tourists. Chicago is on this list because the city hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the country. Check out the best hotels and Airbnbs in Chicago!

Southwest

Sedona. March-May is the best time to visit Sedona because the desert wildflowers are stunning in the Spring. When you’re here, make sure you drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway, paddle on the Verde River, hike to Devil’s Bridge, and stay at one of these hotels or vacation homes.

Waco. Most of us discovered Waco through the HGTV show Fixer Upper, and Magnolia Market at the Silos is a must-do experience when you’re here. I also recommend eating at Heritage Creamery, walking across the Suspension Bridge, and touring the Dr. Pepper Museum.

Texas Hill Country. If you’re a wine lover, then the Texas Hill Country is for you because it’s one of the best wine regions in the country. The Texas Hill Country is a large area, so plan your accommodation, tours, and tastings so you don’t spend your whole trip in the car driving long distances every day.

Santa Fe. This is one of the best getaways in the Southwest U.S. Santa Fe is known for its Pueblo-style architecture and arts scene. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, the city is still centered around a traditional Plaza with cobblestone streets and historic adobe landmarks.

West

Utah’s Mightly Five. The five national parks in Utah – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands – are all easy to visit in one road trip. These are some of the most popular national parks in the U.S., so you’ll need to plan ahead. If you have time, I highly recommend incorporating Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and Goblin Valley State Park into your itinerary.

Las Vegas. Spring is a wonderful time to visit Las Vegas. The city will be sunny and cool, and if you avoid the Spring Break weeks, the crowds will be manageable. I highly recommend visiting Valley of Fire State Park when you’re in Vegas, and I’ve rounded up the best hotels and vacation homes in the area. I’ve also got the top things to do in Vegas for a birthday trip, romantic getaway, girls’ trip, and bachelorette party.

Rocky Mountain National Park. It’ll still be cold here in the Spring, so bring layers. The wildflowers will be gorgeous on the scenic drives, the snowmelt means waterfalls will be spectacular, and the popular hikes and overlooks won’t be crowded yet.

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. These are two of the best destinations in California, especially during Spring. The temperatures will be pleasant, and the crowds and prices will be relatively low until the summer. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are the perfect trip pairing because they’re close together, and they give you vastly different desert experiences.

Oregon Coast. Driving U.S. Route 101 along Oregon’s Coast is one of my top recommendations for the Pacific Northwest. The best stops along this route are Cannon Beach and Astoria (where scenes from The Goonies were filmed), Thor’s Well, and Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. I highly recommend visiting Oregon’s Coast as part of a Pacific Northwest Road Trip.

Skagit Valley, Washington. Home to one of the largest tulip festivals in the country, this is one of the most iconic Spring destinations in the U.S. You’ll also be just an hour’s drive from North Cascades National Park, which is also a beautiful place to visit in the Spring.

Hawaii

Hawaii is a year-round destination, but the Spring months are a shoulder season when you can score some great (by Hawaii standards) accommodation and airfare deals. March is the end of the whale-watching and surf seasons. April and May will be less hot than the summer months and drier than the winter months, so the weather will be perfect.

Tips for Traveling To Hawaii on a Budget

All four of Hawaii’s main islands – Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai – have some of the best beaches, national and state parks, water sports, and outdoor activities in the world. So I’ve rounded up the top 101 things to do in Hawaii and the best adventure activities in Hawaii. I’ve also got the top things to do for a birthday, honeymoon, mother-daughter trip, and bachelorette party in Hawaii.

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This article about the best Spring destinations in the U.S. is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the best Spring destinations in the U.S. are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.