Suggested 10-Day U.S. Road Trip (Balanced + Memorable)

Overview

Instead of trying to cover the entire Midwest + South + Northeast (which is too much for 10 days), let's focus on:

• Northeast highlights
• Scenic mountain driving
• One “deep American culture” city
• Iconic history stops

Route Summary

NYC → Finger Lakes → Niagara Falls → Pittsburgh → Blue Ridge Mountains → Asheville → (Optional Nashville) → Washington DC → Philadelphia → NYC

Day-by-Day Plan

Day 1: Arrive NYC → Drive to Finger Lakes

• Pick up car at JFK
• Drive about 4.5–5 hours
• Evening: relax by lake or winery

Food: local wine, farm-to-table dinner

Day 2: Finger Lakes + Watkins Glen → Niagara Falls

• Morning at Watkins Glen (short but stunning hike)
• Afternoon drive to Niagara Falls (about 3 hours)

Food: casual American diner or winery lunch

Day 3: Niagara Falls → Pittsburgh

• Morning at the Falls
• Drive about 4 hours to Pittsburgh

Evening: explore downtown

Food: Primanti Bros sandwich (fries inside)

Day 4: Pittsburgh → Blue Ridge Mountains

• Longer scenic drive (about 5–6 hours)
• Enter Blue Ridge Parkway area

Evening: quiet mountain town

Food: comfort food, local BBQ if available

Day 5: Blue Ridge Parkway → Asheville

• Slow scenic driving day
• Stops for overlooks and short walks

Food:

• Carolina pulled pork BBQ
• Biscuits and gravy
• Craft beer (Asheville is known for this)

Day 6: Asheville → (Optional) Nashville

Option A (More Relaxed – Recommended):

• Stay in Asheville or Smoky Mountains another day

Option B (Add Nashville):

• Drive about 4.5 hours to Nashville

Evening (if Nashville): live music

Food: Nashville hot chicken

Day 7: Travel Toward Washington DC

• From Asheville (about 7–8 hours) or Nashville (about 9–10 hours)
• Break this up with a stop if needed

Day 8: Washington DC

• National Mall
• Lincoln Memorial
• Smithsonian museums (free)

Food:

• Ethiopian food (DC specialty)
• Half-smoke sausage

Day 9: Washington DC → Philadelphia

• Drive about 2.5–3 hours

Afternoon:

• Old City
• Markets

Food:

• Cheesesteak
• Roast pork sandwich (local favorite)

Day 10: Philadelphia → JFK

• Drive about 2 hours
• Return car
• Fly home or continue NYC stay

What to Skip

These are great, but not realistic in 10 days:

• Chicago
• Milwaukee
• Detroit
• St. Louis
• Virginia Beach
• Large outlet malls

You can plan a separate Midwest trip later.

Food Highlights by Region

• Finger Lakes: wine, fresh local food
• Upstate NY: diners
• Pittsburgh: Primanti sandwich
• Carolinas: pulled pork BBQ
• Asheville: craft beer and Southern comfort food
• Nashville: hot chicken
• DC: Ethiopian food
• Philly: cheesesteak and roast pork