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New York City, Broadway and Times Square

New York to New Orleans

Visit NYC, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Shenandoah NP, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Nashville, Tupelo, Memphis, Natchez & New Orleans.

Wow! 3 weeks exploring some of the greatest cities in America

21 Nights from £2,399pp
i
‘from’ prices are based on off peak travel, 2 people sharing a standard car, economy flights and 2-3* Hotels. All trips are completely bespoke so just tell your expert any requirements you have.

Wow! Three weeks exploring some of the USA’s greatest cities and prettiest roads from NYC to New Orleans. You’ll admire scenic drives and visit two of the most visited National Park in the US, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and enjoy a southern music city tour with stops in Nashville, Tupelo & Memphis along the way. The Big Apple to The Big Easy is an epic adventure for any lover of American road trips.

Key road trip highlights:

  • Visit the outstanding Northeastern cities of New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC before moving on to the fabulous Southern cities of Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans.
  • Drive along two of America’s most famous drives – Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • Marvel at the stunning natural beauty of Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  • Discover charming and historic towns like Blowing Rock, Asheville, Natchez and more.
  • What’s included? Direct flights with a premier carrier like British Airways, accommodation to your desired standard and length of stay, car rental and a detailed road trip pack.
New York City to New Orleans route with The American Road Trip Company

Our Favourite Hotels

We’ll suggest properties to match your preferred budget, be it low-cost, mid-range or high-end luxury that you’re looking for. We can also mix it up so you’ll experience a range of standards and experiences along your road trip.

The Civilian Hotel New York City

Hotel:

The Civilian Hotel

Location:

New York City

Skyland Resort, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway

Hotel:

Skyland Resort

Location:

Skyline Drive

Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown

Hotel:

Hyatt Place Downtown

Location:

Nashville

The Eliza Jane New Orleans

Hotel:

The Eliza Jane

Location:

New Orleans

New York Marriott Marquis, Manhattan Times Square, New York

Hotel:

New York Marriott Marquis

Location:

New York

Virgin Hotels New Orleans

Hotel:

Virgin Hotels

Location:

New Orleans

Elvis Presleys' Guest House at Graceland, Memphis

Hotel:

Elvis Presleys' Guest House at Graceland

Location:

Memphis

Thompson Hotel, Nashville

Hotel:

Thompson Hotel

Location:

Nashville

Road Trip Itinerary

All of our American road trips can be tailored to meet your requirements. Do you have more or less than 21 days for your road trip? No problem, we can bolt on extra nights to allow more time to explore or shorten the number of destinations as required.

1

The world's greatest city - New York City

Enjoy four unforgettable days exploring arguably the world’s premier city. An epicentre for the arts and America’s dining, theatre and shopping capital – New York City wears many crowns. Suppose you still have the energy after your flight and you arrive early enough. In that case, we recommend you start your adventure with an open-top bus tour of the city. This will help you familiarise yourself with the Big Apple’s layout and tick off many of its famous sights. Your Road Trip Pack will be full of recommendations of where to eat and what to see and do during your stay.

Location:

New York, NY

Drive:

0 miles

Manhattan, New York to The Hamptons, USA. City Skyline
2

The Big Apple has so much to see and do

Potential highlights today include shopping on 5th Avenue, Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, Times Square, Broadway and the Rockefeller Centre – just make sure you leave time to visit either the Top of The Rock or The Empire State Building as the sunsets, to witness the city’s lights come alive across the Big Apple.

Location:

New York, NY

Drive:

0 miles

Manhattan, New York, USA
3

Head Downtown on your third day in New York

A third day to explore New York, go downtown to the business district or the uber-cool neighbourhoods like Greenwich or Soho. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty can be visited by catching a boat from Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan. The Financial District is also located downtown and is anchored by Wall St, home to the New York Stock Exchange, and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

Location:

New York, NY

Drive:

0 miles

Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, New York City, USA
4

A fourth and final day to enjoy New York City

Manhattan’s Central Park offers a break from the pace of city life, watch joggers and dog walkers stretch their legs amongst more than 800 acres of well-maintained lawns, boating ponds and even a castle and a zoo. While in uptown Manhattan, you can visit the world-renowned Natural History Museum on the Upper West Side, or if art is more your thing, head to the Upper East Side’s Met and Guggenheim Museums.

Location:

New York, NY

Drive:

0 miles

Central Park, NYC. New York to LA
5

Collect your car and head to Philadelphia

Start your road trip by heading south to the “Birthplace of America”, Philadelphia. Known as Philly to locals, you’ll have two nights to get familiar with the capital of Pennsylvania. In the evening, you may want to take a riverside stroll and head to Race Street Pier for incredible sunset and nighttime views of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Location:

Philadelphia, PA

Drive:

105 miles

Philadelphia - Independence Hall, East Coast America
6

A second day to discover Philadelphia's highlights

Any visit to Philadelphia will only be complete by consuming an authentic and delicious ‘Philly Cheese Steak’ sandwich. You can enjoy these guilty pleasures in the foodie heaven that is Reading Market and at establishments all over the city. To burn off those calories, recreate the famous scene from the film ‘Rocky’ by climbing the 72 steps outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art (pictured).

Location:

Philadelphia, PA

Drive:

0 miles

Philadelphia, USA - Museum Of Art, East Coast America
7

Drive from Philadelphia south to Washington, DC

Your detailed Road Trip Pack will be the perfect companion to explore Washington, DC and all the other destinations along this route. You may want to begin by taking a self-guided tour of some of Washington’s iconic buildings. The White House, Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Memorial are just some of the key buildings that can be visited. Arlington lies across the Potomac River, a must-see for history and military enthusiasts.

Location:

Washington, DC

Drive:

139 miles

Capitol Building, Washington DC, USA
8

A full day to discover more of Washington's sights

You may want to dip into some of the famous Smithsonian Museums today, and there are many to choose from. The most famous, the Air & Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History, are on the National Mall, in the city’s heart. Best of all, they’re free to visit. Our favourite is the Newseum, which has impressive artefacts chronicling how ‘news’ has changed over the last 100 years.

Location:

Washington, DC

Drive:

0 miles

Cherry Blossoms. Washington Monument in Washington DC, USA
9

From Washington DC to Shenandoah National Park

Front Royal marks the start of the legendary Skyline Drive, which cuts through the heart of Shenandoah National Park. Stunning surroundings, abundant wildlife and a 35mph speed limit, mean you’ll easily spend the day meandering this 105-mile leg of your journey. Why not pull into one of the scenic lay-bys and stretch your legs on one of the many trails.

Location:

Shenandoah NP

Drive:

112 miles

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park in the autumn
10

The glorious Blue Ridge Parkway awaits...

The best way to explore the Blue Ridge Mountains area is to drive Skyline Drive through the middle of Shenandoah National Park and then the famous Blue Ridge Parkway down towards Great Smoky Mountain National Park. These are two of America’s truly great roads, making the most of the stunning mountain views with the famous blue haze.

Location:

Peaks of Otter, VA

Drive:

105 miles

Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, USA
11

Another day cruising along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The world-famous Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail roll across this picturesque mountain region. As you cruise south, you’ll witness outstanding scenery around every corner. Old-time mountain music can be heard regularly, and wineries and craft breweries offer tastings in small towns and on mountain slopes.

Location:

Blowing Rock, NC

Drive:

190 miles

Balloon over the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains USA
12

Next stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway... Asheville, NC

Our route will continue south along the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville, North Carolina. Some of today’s drive’s primary points of interest will include Lynn Cove, Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls. Asheville has numerous farmers’ markets to try, and the restaurant scene takes advantage of the seasonal produce sold there.

Location:

Asheville, NC

Drive:

98 miles

Blue Ridge Parkway , USA - Linn Cove
13

Asheville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You’ll complete the Blue Ridge Parkway on your way to Great Smoky Mountains National Park today. You’ll find ridge upon ridge of forest, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The Smokies is world-renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

Location:

Great Smoky Mountains NP

Drive:

92 miles

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
14

A second day enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited National Park, so a second day to scour its gorgeous landscape for wildlife is essential. Look out for furry residents roaming the region; these include black bears, bobcats, racoons and elk. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year; however, during autumn, the trees put on a dazzling show of colour for hikers and drivers to absorb.

Location:

Great Smoky Mountains NP

Drive:

0 miles

Great Smoky Mountains National Park -Water Falls
15

Time for city life again, welcome to Nashville

Nashville is the home of Country Music, and it’s so very proud of it. Music City boasts about its musical heritage at every turn, no more so than in the fantastic Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s not all about country music, though, this fast-growing city also has a rich blues history, along with singers and songwriters from every other musical genre who call ‘Music City’ their home.

Location:

Nashville, TN

Drive:

223 miles

Skyline of Nashville, Tennessee
16

A second day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Nashville

Enjoy a full day in Nashville. Head to the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (colloquially known in Nashville as the ‘Pedestrian Bridge’), which spans the Cumberland River. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better view of the expanding Nashville skyline anywhere. Tonight, for the complete tourist experience, head down to lively Broadway and stop by a honky tonk or two for a one-of-a-kind night on the town.

Location:

Nashville, TN

Drive:

0 miles

Nashville, USA. Country Music band, American Music Tour
17

Drive west from Nashville to Memphis

Continue west through Tennessee to find Memphis. Second only to The White House, Elvis Presley’s Graceland is arguably the most iconic home in America. Memphis has plenty more to offer visitors, including the legendary Sun Studios and the moving National Civil Rights Museum. Your detailed Road Trip Pack will show you the full range of places to visit during your stay in Memphis.

Location:

Memphis, TN

Drive:

213 miles

Rock guitar, Nashville, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
18

A second day to enjoy the food and music of Memphis

Spend a second day visiting the sights of Memphis and enjoying the delicious soul food on offer. Memphis is arguably the Barbecue Capital of America, so if you’re not a vegetarian, make sure you try a rib joint or two whilst in town. Lastly, Beale Street is an amazing place to socialise with locals and other visitors from around the US and beyond.

Location:

Memphis, TN

Drive:

0 miles

Beale Street, Memphis
19

Through the Mississippi Delta to historic Natchez

Natchez lies on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, with former plantation homes and a few small towns, which gave birth to “The Blues,” dotted along this route through the Mississippi Delta. Depending on your arrival time in Natchez, try to include a visit to Emerald Mound and Grand Village to learn more about the area’s rich Native American heritage.

Location:

Natchez, MS

Drive:

295 miles

Plantation House in Natchez, Deep South USA
20

New Orleans and all that jazz!

Follow the Great River Road south to New Orleans, or ‘The Big Easy’ as it’s also known. Along the way, Oak Alley Plantation is a must-visit for anyone interested in the region’s dark history. After arriving at your New Orleans hotel, which sits at the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River, you can step out into the lively French Quarter, which will be waiting to offer you dinner, drinks, and a grand finale in a unique style that only “The Big Easy” can offer.

Location:

New Orleans, LA

Drive:

170 miles

New Orleans, LA, American Music Tour - Bourbon St
21

Enjoy your final day in 'The Big Easy'

New Orleans is a vibrant, sultry city. This will be your final full day to explore New Orleans’ must-see attractions. Take a ride on a Streetcar, taste a sugary beignet and enjoy a stroll around the Garden District. Whether you call it NOLA, The Big Easy or just plain old New Orleans, we’re confident this vibrant city will stay with you for many years.

Location:

New Orleans, LA

Drive:

0 miles

Fountain in New Orleans

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Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find answers to most of your questions right here. If you still need assistance, Feel free to get in touch, and we’ll be sure to get back to you promptly!

Can I Add Extra Nights To The Road Trips?

Not a problem. If you are lucky enough to have extra time to explore more places or add more rest days, then just let us know and we’ll adjust your trip to match your preferred timescale.

Must I Have Travel Insurance?

We strongly advise that you purchase travel insurance for your holiday to cover you against medical expenses, theft and other financial costs. Should you need to cancel before travelling, some insurance policies may pay out for any loss of funds that have been paid to us and which cannot be refunded under our cancellation policy.

Can I Do A One-Way Rental?

Many of our trips have a different end destination than the starting point, so this is not a problem. Please note a fee sometimes applies for one-way rentals between other regions or states, which will be paid to the supplier directly when collecting the vehicle. We’ll endeavour to inform you of this charge within your quote.

Am I Limited To Certain Hotels Or Chains?

No, far from it. We work with a range of properties from 3* to 5*, so we can adapt the trip to match most budgets. We have access to rooms in more than 800 hotels, motels, lodges and B&Bs across North America.

How Old Do I Need To Be?

The minimum age to rent a car is 21 in the United States or Canada, although, in addition, any drivers under 25 years of age will generally incur a surcharge.

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ARTCo customers can be confident that we only work with the very best service providers, such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Alamo. Any payments made to us are fully protected via the government’s ATOL scheme (Flight packages) or Financial Failure Insurance (Non-Flight Packages).

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