Plan the optimal road trip
Pick places from ready-made lists. Your browser works out the fastest route through all of them. Or skip the planning and take one of our trips.
By Dr. Randal S. Olson, whose 2015 road trip map went around the world.
Ready-made road trips
Each one is proven to be the fastest possible loop through its stops.
2026 U.S. Landmarks
The top landmark in each of the lower 48 states and D.C., as picked by 14 travel lists, on the fastest possible loop.
2026 U.S. National Parks
Every national park in the lower 48, in the order that takes the least time behind the wheel.
Build your own road trip
Pick your stops on the map or from the list and choose a loop or a one-way trip. Your browser finds the fastest order and proves it, usually in a few seconds. Then take the route with you as GPX or KML, or open it in Google or Apple Maps.
Free to use with no account and no tracking.
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A trip made for you
Send me a list of places, like stadiums, breweries or every county seat in Ohio. I'll send back the best possible route, a map page, route files and an optional poster.
Past clients include Outside Magazine, Thrillist, TRAVELBOOK.de, Chevrolet and Science Friday.
Custom tripsOn your wall
Both 2026 road trips are coming soon as posters. Email hello@optimalroadtrips.com to hear when they're ready.
See the postersHow it works
Every route runs on real roads from OpenStreetMap, and each 2026 trip is proven to be the fastest possible loop through its stops. The landmarks are the places travel writers name most often.
Drive times assume no traffic and don't count time spent at each stop. Read more.