Seven days · the American West
Red rock byways, alpine passes above 3,500 metres and coast highway all inside one loop.
A week is enough to link two regions or to loop one properly with two nights in the best base. Keep at least one rest day in the plan.
Days
7 days, 6 nights
Rough distance
1391.9 mi
Daily average
198.8 mi
Best months
Late May to October for the high passes
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Daily distances are set for enjoyable driving rather than maximum ground covered. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 23 March 2026
Day by day
Day 1
About 198.8 mi and 9 hr 46 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 2
About 198.8 mi and 8 hr 23 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 3
About 198.8 mi and 5 hr 41 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 4
About 198.8 mi and 6 hr 17 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 5
About 198.8 mi and 7 hr 54 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 6
About 198.8 mi and 6 hr 52 min behind the wheel including transit.
Day 7
About 198.8 mi and 6 hr 22 min behind the wheel including transit.
Ready made
4 days
Over the Rockies on Independence Pass, down the San Juan Skyway, then out into red rock country.
4 days
Redwoods, the whole Oregon coast and the Columbia Gorge to finish, on the quiet half of the west coast.
3 days
Sandstone, switchbacks and a tunnel with windows cut in the rock, on the long way to the North Rim.
3 days
The North Cascades Highway east, then the shelf road under the hanging valleys of Glacier.
Practical
Las Vegas, Denver or Salt Lake City
6 nights. On anything longer than five days, book two nights in the best base rather than moving hotel every evening.
Budget for roughly 1391.9 miles of driving plus any vignettes or tunnel fees for the countries you cross.
Other lengths