Are travel plans on your 2026 bucket list? If your idea of adventure involves snacks, playlists and interesting (and some questionable) wayside stops—may we suggest a road trip?
With two weeks of vacation and a reliable sense of optimism, we set out on a cross-country drive a few months back, from Virginia to Las Vegas. The plan was simple: See some sights, get in some hiking, spend time with friends and family and sample local dining as much as possible along the way. Stops included Memphis, Little Rock, Amarillo, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Sedona before we finally rolled into Las Vegas.
Here are a few highlights and lessons learned from the road…