Can't wait for a road trip so you can truly enjoy your Bavsound system?

There's something relaxing about hitting the open road and leaving the highways behind for winding backroads, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and quaint small towns. 

While the main interstates are efficient, they bypass the charm, history, and character of America's small-town gems. 

1. The Great River Road: A Journey Along the Mississippi

  • Route Overview: Minnesota to Louisiana
  • Length: Approximately 2,340 miles
  • Best Time to Go: Spring through Fall

Following the Mississippi River, the Great River Road is one of the oldest and most scenic routes in the U.S., spanning ten states. Along this route, you’ll encounter river towns steeped in history and local culture.

Must-Visit Small Towns:

  • Red Wing, Minnesota: Known for its iconic Red Wing Shoes, this picturesque town boasts Victorian architecture and scenic river views.
  • Galena, Illinois: A beautifully preserved 19th-century town filled with boutiques, wineries, and historic sites. It's a window into the past with cobbled streets and a slow pace of life.
  • Natchez, Mississippi: The oldest town on the Mississippi River, Natchez is home to stunning antebellum homes and Southern hospitality.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway: A Scenic Mountain Escape

  • Route Overview: Virginia to North Carolina
  • Length: 469 miles
  • Best Time to Go: Late Spring, Summer, and Fall (for changing foliage)

The Blue Ridge Parkway is often called "America’s Favorite Drive" for good reason. It meanders through the Appalachian Mountains, offering breathtaking vistas, lush forests, and charming mountain towns.

Must-Visit Small Towns:

  • Floyd, Virginia: A small town known for its vibrant music scene and the famous Friday Night Jamboree, where locals gather for bluegrass music.
  • Blowing Rock, North Carolina: A quaint town with boutique shops, historic inns, and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • Little Switzerland, North Carolina: Nestled high in the mountains, this town offers unique European charm and incredible scenic overlooks.

Check to see which sound system works for your car

3. Pacific Coast Highway: California’s Coastal Charms

  • Route Overview: San Francisco to San Diego
  • Length: About 600 miles
  • Best Time to Go: Year-round (Spring and Fall are ideal)

The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as Highway 1, is an iconic route that hugs the California coastline. While the ocean views are a major draw, the small coastal towns you pass through make this road trip truly memorable.

Must-Visit Small Towns:

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea: A fairytale-like town with cottage-style architecture, art galleries, and pristine beaches.
  • Cambria: Known for its beautiful coastline and quirky attractions like the Hearst Castle, this town has a relaxed, artsy vibe.
  • San Clemente: A charming beach town with Spanish Colonial architecture and a laid-back surf culture.

4. Route 66: The Mother Road

  • Route Overview: Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California
  • Length: 2,448 miles
  • Best Time to Go: Spring and Fall

Route 66, the “Main Street of America,” is perhaps the most iconic road trip in the country. While much of the original route has been replaced by modern highways, many stretches remain, passing through small towns that embody classic Americana.

Must-Visit Small Towns:

  • Pontiac, Illinois: Home to several Route 66 museums, this town is filled with nostalgic murals and old-time diners.
  • Seligman, Arizona: A quirky town known for its Route 66 memorabilia and as the inspiration for the movie Cars.
  • Tucumcari, New Mexico: Famous for its neon signs and vintage motels, this town is a time capsule of the 1950s.

5. New England’s Coastal Byways: A Fall Foliage Paradise

  • Route Overview: Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts
  • Length: Varies depending on chosen byways (typically 200-300 miles)
  • Best Time to Go: Late September to October for fall colors

New England’s coastal roads offer stunning ocean views, historic lighthouses, and small towns that feel like they belong in a storybook. This trip is especially beautiful in the fall when the foliage turns vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.

Must-Visit Small Towns:

  • Kennebunkport, Maine: A quintessential New England town with seafood shacks, quaint inns, and rugged coastline views.
  • Portsmouth, New Hampshire: A historic seaport town with colonial-era homes, boutique shops, and fantastic seafood.
  • Rockport, Massachusetts: Known for its charming harbor, art galleries, and the famous Motif No. 1, a red fishing shack often called the most painted building in America.

Bavsound believes Premium cars deserve Luxury sound

 

6. The Loneliest Road: Highway 50 Across Nevada

  • Route Overview: Ely to Carson City, Nevada
  • Length: 287 miles (Nevada segment)
  • Best Time to Go: Spring and Fall

Highway 50, known as "The Loneliest Road in America," traverses Nevada’s desert landscape. It’s a road trip for those who crave solitude and the stark beauty of the American West, dotted with ghost towns and historic mining communities.

Must-Visit Small Towns:

  • Ely: A historic railroad town with a vibrant arts scene and access to the Great Basin National Park.
  • Austin: A small, remote town with remnants of the old mining days and plenty of Old West charm.
  • Virginia City: A well-preserved mining town with wooden sidewalks, saloons, and historical sites related to the Comstock Lode silver rush.

Time to sit back and enjoy your music the way it was intended to be heard.  Not only do you get to experience amazing views and small towns, but you also won't want to ever turn off your sound system.