Quintessential Road Trips with Holiday Vacations

When you picture a road trip, you might think of long stretches of highway that, at times, feel like they last forever. On our tours, the journey is part of the fun. While we plan each itinerary for efficient travel, our Tour Directors keep the experience lively with stories, destination insights, and lighthearted activities that help everyone connect. A favorite icebreaker is Two Truths and a Lie, perfect for sparking laughs and new friendships. Trivia, Travel Bingo, and fun facts about the places ahead add even more enjoyment along the way. And don’t be surprised if your motorcoach driver joins in too — they often have fascinating stories to share. 

“What made our tour truly exceptional were the personalities of our Tour Director and bus driver!” – Kathy B., Holiday Vacations Guest 

We often venture beyond the usual stops, giving you the chance to discover hidden gems you might otherwise pass by. These shared moments off the beaten path add a sense of discovery to the journey and create meaningful connections with both fellow travelers and the destinations themselves. 

We asked Linda Postiff, Deb Buchholz, and Terry Whittington – three of our expert Tour Directors – for their thoughts about our road trips. One key aspect they all agree on is that road trips create deeper connections between guests. “I love the extended time to get to know our guests and see them get excited about ticking things off their bucket lists,” Linda shares. Deb says that road trips let travelers connect more with each other. Terry seconds that, and adds that these trips also help travelers connect more with the places they’re visiting.  

Linda says her must-experience tour is Wild West: Badlands to Yellowstone, while Deb is excited for the iconic new Route 66 tour. Terry stands by Alaska being an all-time favorite destination, whether that’s on a road trip, a cruise, or a rail journey. 

When asked about special moments on road trips, Linda fondly remembers celebrating a guest’s 50th-state milestone with a handmade sign. “When we were on a Majestic Parks tour, one of our guests quietly told me that he had been married 55 years, been to 50 countries, and that when we got to South Dakota, he would have been to 50 states.  So, I made a ‘50 states’ sign, and when we crossed the border, we stopped at the Welcome Center and surprised him with the sign. We had fun taking pictures of him and his wife with the sign.” 

Deb recalls a “comedy of errors” breakdown in Wyoming that became part of the adventure. “On a Majestic Parks tour, our motorcoach broke down on the ramp in Gillette, Wyoming which led to a comedy of errors: our replacement bus was one that hauled coal miners and didn't have a microphone. Then when we arrived at Devils Tower, the pay booth was closed, but we were still able to get in. I couldn't figure out how or where to pay for our group to which my guests shouted, ‘That's okay, we're all seniors and have lifetime passes!’ When we got up to the visitor center, that, too, was closed. I had to hop into the middle of a booth that was there to grab park brochures for guests. As I always tell my guests when things like this happen on tour, ‘it's all part of the adventure.’ Everyone was such good sports, and we still got to see what we came to see.” On one of her first road trips in Alaska, Terry shares that the bus driver had a stuffed animal relating to each area they visited, and whenever they spotted that animal, they would hang the stuffed version somewhere on the bus to keep track.  

When it comes to packing for longer drives, they keep it simple: layers, comfortable shoes, a small pillow, and compression socks will keep you comfortable no matter how far you’re traveling.  

All three Tour Directors confidently agree that curiosity makes the experience richer, whether that’s enjoying personal interests or, as Deb recommends, journaling about noteworthy memories along the way. Embark on the trip with an open mind and get ready to discover what the open road has to offer!  

Feeling inspired to set out on a road trip? Browse our list below and find your next getaway! All of these tours include a journey by motorcoach through more than one U.S. state (the only exception being Alaska because it is so vast already), giving you ample opportunity to watch breathtaking scenery pass by. These tours blend the joy of a classic road trip with thoughtfully paced travel, featuring scenic stretches on the road. For guests from the Upper Midwest who wish to skip the flights, we offer Midwest Motorcoach tours, which are a true motorcoach journey from start to finish. If you’re outside of the Upper Midwest, don’t worry – those tours have the option to add airfare so you can still enjoy a fantastic road trip! 

Bryce, Zion & the Grand Canyon: Discover the dramatic beauty of Utah and Arizona as you explore Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks. Take in the sweeping vistas of Monument Valley and Goosenecks State Park and enjoy meaningful cultural stops from Temple Square to the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.
 

Route 66 Road Trip: Cruise Historic Route 66 through five states and discover classic diners and neon-lit towns, explore the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, admire Cadillac Ranch and Petrified Forest National Park, ride the vintage Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, and wrap up with the Hoover Dam and lively Las Vegas. 
 

Pacific Northwest & Columbia River Gorge: Explore the Pacific Northwest’s natural and cultural treasures while taking in the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, visiting eclectic Maryhill and its Stonehenge memorial, touring the historic Hanford B Reactor, tasting wines in Walla Walla, marveling at Palouse Falls, and riding a jet boat through the depths of Hells Canyon before concluding in Spokane.
 

Wild West: Badlands to Yellowstone (Midwest Motorcoach Option Available): Journey through the Upper Midwest and American West and explore Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Badlands National Parks, ride vintage cars along Going-to-the-Sun Road, marvel at Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower, and enjoy lively local experiences like a steak dinner and musical along the way.
 

Glacier, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons: Experience the majesty of the Rockies by riding vintage Red Buses along Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, exploring Lewis and Clark history and First Peoples Buffalo Jump, cruising Montana’s Gates of the Mountains, spending two days in Yellowstone, touring Grand Teton from Jackson, and celebrating with an Old West barbecue finale. 
 

Grand Adventure: National Parks: Journey through the awe-inspiring American West. Ride Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, explore Lewis & Clark history, spend two awe-filled days in Yellowstone, visit Grand Teton and enjoy a Tabernacle Choir performance in Salt Lake City, then continue to Arches, Dead Horse Point, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon before wrapping up with iconic stays in Zion and near Bryce Canyon. 

Colonial America: Footsteps to Freedom: Journey through Historic America while standing beneath the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, reflecting on the battlefield at Gettysburg, exploring Washington, D.C.’s iconic landmarks and Smithsonian museums, visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and stepping back in time along the 18th-century streets of Colonial Williamsburg. 
 

Autumn in New England (Midwest Motorcoach): Explore the best of the Northeast in autumn. Take in New York City’s iconic sights and a Broadway show, walk Boston’s Freedom Trail and join an immersive Tea Party experience, visit Salem and a Shaker community, enjoy Vermont’s maple traditions and the Trapp Family Lodge, cruise the 1000 Islands, and cap the journey with spectacular views of Niagara Falls.

Lake Superior Splendor: Savor a classic Great Lakes escape as you explore Duluth and cruise past the Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks’ colorful cliffs, traverse the Soo Locks, unwind with two nights on charming Mackinac Island, visit Frankenmuth’s Bavarian-inspired village, and cap it all off at The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.  
 

Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Experience the Midwest’s lakeside charm as you tour Lambeau Field in Green Bay, explore Door County’s lighthouses and vibrant towns, relax for two nights on timeless Mackinac Island with a carriage tour and Grand Hotel lunch, discover Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City, and conclude with a guided tour of Chicago.  

Kentucky & the Smokies: Celebrate autumn in the Appalachian Region! Tour the grand Biltmore Estate, explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park, enjoy Dolly Parton’s Dollywood and lively shows, delve into Kentucky history from Shaker Village to My Old Kentucky Home, savor Evan Williams bourbon, and experience Louisville icons like Churchill Downs and the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular. 

Alaska Agriculture & Kenai Fjords: Experience Alaska’s wilderness as you pan for gold in Fairbanks, explore Denali with a naturalist guide, meet Ice-Age-era musk oxen, and take a stunning Alaska Railroad ride to Seward for a glacier-filled Kenai Fjords cruise. 

We’ll leave you with this wonderful, cheesy wrap-up: at the end of the day, a great road trip is about more than the places you visit. It’s also about the moments in between; the laughter on the motorcoach, the stories shared over meals, and the friendships made along the way. Every mile is part of the adventure. We’d love for you to join us on the open road and discover just how incredible the journey can be!