Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in West Coast USA
A self-drive tour throughout West Coast USA is the ultimate road trip. Travel off the beaten path, stop for photo breaks whenever you want and craft the perfect itinerary tailored to you. Whether you hire a car, a campervan or a motorcycle, these 13 tours are guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience.
10 best road trip & self-drive West Coast USA tours
Compiled by
MelissaWest Coast USA travel expert at TourRadar
- In the exciting West (14 nights)
- Natural beauty of the west coast
- California Road Trip - Across the Golden State
- California Bucketlist: Beach Lovers & Road Trip Summers (9 destinations)
- Road Trip California: Golden Gate Meets Hollywood Hills
- California Road Trip West Coast Wonders & Golden Cities
- Washington Road Trip: Seattle Sights & Olympic Mountains
- Taste of California
- California Beach & Sun
- California's Coast: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, and Big Sur
Take the Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Barbara wine country and stop at Solvang, a Danish village, before reaching Monterey's Cannery Row. You'll see Yosemite National Park's granite cliffs and waterfalls, then head to Death Valley's desert landscape sitting 300 feet below sea level.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Oakland, Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Death Valley National Park, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon National Park, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Joshua Tree National ParkSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,424
Take Highway 101 from Seattle to San Francisco and see some of the West Coast's best scenery. You'll pass through Olympic National Park's Hoh Rain Forest, check out the massive redwoods in Redwood National Park reaching over 380 feet tall, and stop at Cape Perpetua to see Thor's Well and Devil's Churn.
Duration 15 days Destinations Seattle, Port Angeles, Bainbridge Island, Olympia, Forks, Portland, Mount St. Helens, Seaside, Newport, Cannon BeachSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,529
Duration 10 days Destinations Los Angeles, Venice, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Big Sur, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park Age Range Ages 1-5 Operator Worldee From
- US$1,380
No departure dates availableDuration 12 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, OceansideSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 12 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Carmel, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave Desert, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Big Sur, Carmel, Morro BaySee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 11 days Destinations Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park, Cannon Beach, Forks, Olympic National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Santa Barbara, Los AngelesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
- US$1,025
Take the 17-Mile Drive for Pacific coast views, then head to Yosemite National Park to see 2,400-foot waterfalls and granite cliffs. Try Zinfandel tastings at Temecula Valley, stay 14 nights at Tenaya Lodge and Hyatt Regency Monterey, walk around Carmel Mission from 1770, and hike Joshua Tree's Sonoran Desert trails.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Carmel, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, San DiegoSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator MEIERS WELTREISEN From
- US$1,772
Duration 4 days Destinations Carmel, Big Sur, Monterey Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
- US$726
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in West Coast USA
When is the best time for a Self Drive tour on the West Coast USA?
The West Coast USA Self Drive tour works best from May to September. The weather is reliable though San Francisco and Seattle often have fog throughout the year. Inland spots like Yosemite National Park and Palm Springs offer clearer conditions. Mountain areas like the Sierra Nevada can be tricky to drive in winter. Holiday Inn Express Monterey serves as a good base during peak season with TourRadar travelers noting the "perfect weather for coastal driving."
What are the best coastal towns to stop at during a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
The Pacific Coast offers several distinctive stops. Monterey draws visitors to its historic Cannery Row while Carmel-by-the-Sea stands out for its art galleries and boutiques. Santa Barbara showcases classic Spanish colonial buildings. Consider staying at Casa Munras Garden Hotel in Monterey or the DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Barbara. As one TourRadar traveler shared "The small coastal towns offered the perfect break from driving with each having its own unique character and charm."
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
A thorough West Coast USA Self Drive tour needs 14-21 days to cover the route from Seattle to San Diego properly. Most travelers spend 2-3 nights in major cities like San Francisco at the Hotel Abri or Los Angeles at the Hilton Checkers. Smaller towns usually warrant one-night stays. TourRadar travelers suggest "Two weeks allowed us to explore at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed between destinations."
What are the must-see national parks on a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
The key national parks include Yosemite's granite landscape Redwood's ancient trees and Olympic's varied environments. Convenient bases include Cedar Lodge in El Portal near Yosemite and Red Lion Hotel Eureka close to Redwood National Park. One TourRadar traveler noted "The contrast between the coastal redwoods and Yosemite's vast valleys made for an unforgettable driving experience."
How should I plan my daily driving distances on a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
Keep daily drives to 200-300 miles (320-480 km) maximum. Popular routes like San Francisco to Monterey or Los Angeles to San Diego span about 120 miles each allowing time for stops. Holiday Inn Express locations serve as reliable overnight spots. A TourRadar traveler suggests "Breaking up longer drives with overnight stays in coastal towns made the journey more enjoyable."
Are there any scenic routes I shouldn't miss on a West Coast USA Self Drive tour?
Key routes include Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive the coastal stretch of Highway 1 through Big Sur and Oregon's Columbia River Highway. Elizabeth Oceanfront Suites in Newport Oregon provides a good base for exploring these roads. According to a TourRadar traveler "The views along Big Sur were absolutely spectacular - plan extra time for photo stops and short hikes."