posted on September 6, 2026
Warm gingerbread cookies, freshly-cut pine trees, and the soft glow of a crackling fireplace can only mean one thing: the festive season is fast approaching. If you’re heading home for the holidays, take this as your sign to turn this seasonal travel moment into an unforgettable holiday road trip.
From twinkling small towns to scenic snow-dusted drives and even spots to escape the bitter cold of winter, the holidays are the perfect time to hit the road and embrace the holiday spirit. This guide covers how to make the classic trip home a little more of an adventure, how to plan and stay safe on winter roads, and where to go if you’re looking for something a little different this season.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Turning your trip home into a road trip
- Planning a smooth and safe holiday road trip
- Best stops for festive lights and Christmas markets
- Best stops for cozy small-town charm
- Best stops for scenic snowy drives
- Best stops for a warm-weather winter escape
- Fun stop: towns with holiday names
- Frequently asked questions about holiday road trips
An overview of holiday road trips
| Mood | Example spots to visit | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Festive lights & markets | Leavenworth, WA; Chicago, IL; Philadelphia, PA; Natchitoches, LA; Frankenmuth, MI; McAdenville, NC | Big, bright, market-forward; go if you want the full holiday experience |
| Cozy small-town charm | Helen, GA; Woodstock, VT; Solvang, CA; Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA | Quieter, storybook feel; go for a slower, low-key holiday |
| Scenic snowy drives | Park City, UT; Durango, CO; Stowe, VT; Lake Tahoe, CA/NV | Mountain views and a real shot at a white Christmas |
| Warm-weather winter escape | Cambria, CA; Newport Beach, CA; coastal Florida and Arizona routes | Holiday spirit without the cold; good for combining with a getaway |
| Fun/novelty stop | North Pole, AK; Santa Claus, IN; Bethlehem, PA; Noel, MO; Christmas, FL | Quirky bucket-list detours; go for fun festive town names |
Turning your trip home into a road trip
For many of us, a “holiday road trip” is simply an annual drive to see the family. But that doesn’t mean this seasonal moment needs to be purely functional.
In fact, with a little extra planning, heading home for the holidays can be a way to see more of the US and get into the holiday spirit early in the season. Whether you’re road tripping over Thanksgiving or spending Christmas with your extended family, the destination might be fixed, but your journey doesn’t have to be.
- Pick one or two intentional stops, not a dozen: The goal is to add a little adventure to a familiar drive, not turn a home visit into a full road trip. A single small-town lunch stop or scenic overlook is enough to shift the feel of the drive.
- Route through a town instead of around it: Many holiday routes have a small town or two just a few minutes off the highway. Taking the slower road through Main Street for coffee or a look at the local lights can be worth the extra 15–20 minutes.
- Time a stop around golden hour or dusk: Lights and decorations look best as the sky starts to dim, so if the route allows, timing a stop for late afternoon rather than midday adds to the atmosphere.
- Build in a “just because” stop: A scenic overlook, a roadside diner, a local bakery, something with no functional purpose beyond making the drive feel like more than a commute.
- Loop in a nearby light display or market if the timing works: Rather than treating the destination as the only holiday moment of the trip, checking whether a well-known display or market sits near the route turns the drive itself into part of the celebration.
Planning a smooth and safe holiday road trip
The holiday season typically runs from the end of November to January each year. This coincides with winter, which can mean cold temperatures, a high chance of snow, and unpredictable driving conditions. If you’re planning an extended road trip over the holidays, keep these driving tips in mind for a safe road trip.
Staying safe on winter roads
Snowy roads, icy conditions, and wet highways are easier to navigate with a bit of planning and preparation:
- Check road conditions and weather forecasts before departure, especially for mountain/northern routes.
- Get ahead with basic winter car prep, such as good tire tread, working wipers/washer fluid, and ensuring you have a full tank/charge before setting off.
- Keep an emergency kit in the car (including a blanket, flashlight, phone charger, water, and snacks) in case of unexpected delays.
- Build in extra buffer time for icy or snow-affected routes rather than driving to a tight schedule.
Best time to leave
Every year, millions of Americans travel at least 50 miles from home during the peak holiday season (December 20 to January 1). Family road trips are one of the most common transportation options, meaning timing is everything to ensure a safe, comfortable journey.
Typically, the busiest days on the road include the weekend before Christmas and the week of New Year’s Eve. Leaving the day before or after a major holiday also tends to see heavy traffic and road congestion.
| Day | Worst time to drive | Best time to drive |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend before Christmas | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm | After 9:00 pm |
| Dec 22–23 (final workdays before Christmas) | 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Before 10:00 am |
| Dec 24–25 (Christmas Eve & Day) | Minimal traffic impact expected | Anytime |
| Dec 26 (post-Christmas return trips) | 11:00 am – 8:00 pm | Before 11:00 am |
| Dec 29–30 (pre-New Year’s) | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Before 10:00 am |
| Dec 31–Jan 1 (New Year’s Eve & Day) | Minimal traffic impact expected | Anytime |
Keeping kids entertained
If you’re traveling with little ones in the car this holiday season, keep the family entertained by:
- Downloading shows/music/podcasts for areas with spotty signal.
- Playing simple road trip games (license plate game, road trip bingo) that don’t rely on connectivity.
- Planning snack and stretch breaks timed to coincide with fuel stops, so the stops do double duty.
Planning fuel stops and breaks
There’s a subtle art to getting road trip breaks right. As a general rule of thumb: the longer the driver and the more challenging the road conditions, the more often you should stop and stretch your legs.
In snowy/rural regions, it’s worth fueling up more often than usual rather than waiting until low, since gas stations can be less frequent. Use the handy table below to help you plan when to stop during your holiday season road trip.
| Time/distance | Priority at this stop |
|---|---|
| Every 2 hours / 100–150 miles | Stretch, quick fuel/charge check, reassess road conditions |
| Midway point | Longer break; meal, restroom, swap drivers if traveling with others |
| Before mountain/rural stretches | Top off fuel; stations can be sparse; don’t wait until low |
| Near dusk | Reassess remaining distance vs. daylight and forecasted conditions |
Best for festive lights and Christmas markets
Ready to soak in some festive magic? From Chicago’s Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza (packed with German treats and mulled wine) to NYC’s famous festive hubs like Union Square Holiday Market, Columbus Circle, and the Bryant Park Winter Village, there are plenty of festive markets to explore during your holiday adventure.
As for twinkling holiday lights, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn offers block-after-block of mesmerizing light displays, while St. Augustine in Florida delivers the “Night of Lights” festival (illuminating the historic downtown area with over three million tiny white lights).
Here are some of the best festive light and Christmas markets to visit in the US:
- Leavenworth, Washington: A Bavarian-style village with a lighting festival featuring hundreds of thousands of lights, plus carolers, sledding, and weekend holiday markets.
- Christkindlmarket in Chicago, Illinois and Christmas Village in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Large-scale European-style markets in major cities, good anchors for a city-based holiday itinerary.
- Natchitoches, Louisiana: Hundreds of thousands of lights displayed along the riverbank with a distinctive Creole holiday twist.
- Frankenmuth, Michigan: A Bavarian-themed town built around a massive year-round Christmas store, a strong add for readers who want the festive-market feel outside of a major city.
- McAdenville, North Carolina: Locally known as “Christmas Town USA,” known for its elaborate residential light displays throughout the town.
Best for cozy small-town charm
From the smell of hot cocoa to frost-tipped branches and snow-dusted rooftops, there are plenty of cozy towns dotted across the US. Get in the festive spirit at these must-see spots, oozing old-world charm and that joyful holiday spirit leaving you feeling like you’re in a Christmas movie:
- Helen, Georgia: A Bavarian-themed mountain town in North Georgia that leans fully into an Alpine Christmas look. Twinkle lights and shop windows line Main Street, with visitors strolling the Bavarian-inspired storefronts for hot German beer, fudge samples, and old-timey photos.
- Woodstock, Vermont: A classic New England small town with a quieter, storybook holiday feel. The town’s centerpiece event is Wassail Weekend in mid-December, featuring a horse-drawn carriage parade around the village green, caroling, and an artisan market.
- Solvang, California: A Danish-style village offering small-town charm with milder West Coast winter weather. The village also hosts a seasonal Julefest, running from late November into early January, with a European-style holiday market and evening light displays throughout town.
Best for scenic snowy drives
Bundle up and get ready to tackle winding mountain roads. Renting a reliable car is a must if you’re looking to venture into the Rockies, Green Mountains, or Sierra Nevada region. Before tackling these scenic snowy drives, be aware that roads can be slippery in icy conditions. Check the road conditions before departing, ensure you have the right equipment, and reduce speed in bad weather.
- Park City, Utah: Mountain scenery with a strong chance of a white Christmas, plus holiday markets and sleigh rides. Local ranches run horse-drawn sleigh rides through snow-covered meadows and forest trails around town, and Historic Main Street hosts holiday markets alongside its boutiques and shops, making it easy to pair a sleigh ride with an afternoon of holiday shopping.
- Durango, Colorado: A historic mining town with scenic mountain train rides, including a seasonal “Polar Express”-style route. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Polar Express ride takes passengers on a scenic journey to a “Santa’s village” stop, complete with a light show and a visit from Santa. Beyond the train, the surrounding San Juan Mountains offer skiing at Purgatory Resort and nearby hot springs for a quieter winter stop.
- Stowe, Vermont: Classic New England mountain scenery with a strong ski-town holiday atmosphere. The town’s signature event, “A Traditional Christmas in Stowe,” features a tree lighting, a children’s lantern parade, and a holiday bazaar, while Stowe Mountain Resort offers scenic gondola rides and sleigh rides through the woods for visitors who want the mountain views without skiing.
- Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada: Dramatic lake-and-mountain scenery, with lodges and towns on both the California and Nevada sides. The Heavenly Gondola offers sweeping views of the lake and surrounding peaks, especially striking during the holiday season with festive lights below.
Best for a warm-weather winter escape
Ready to skip the cold altogether? This holiday season, why not chase the sun and head to warmer temperatures?
Popular spots to soak in the sunshine include Florida, Arizona, and California. Coastal towns like Cambria, California decorate for the holidays without the freezing temperatures northern markets require. Plus, you can continue your drive to Newport Beach, California, which offers a fun annual holiday boat parade to experience.
A warm-weather escape is a good fit for travelers combining a holiday getaway with an actual vacation; ideal if you’re taking extra PTO during the holidays.
Fun stop: towns with holiday names
Did you know the US has a surprising number of towns that lean fully into the holiday spirit, right in their name? If your route happens to pass anywhere near one of these, it’s worth the detour just for the novelty.
- North Pole, Alaska takes its Santa connection seriously: candy-cane-striped poles line the streets, and the town’s Santa Claus House has been keeping Christmas alive year-round since 1952, complete with a giant Santa statue and a Christmas tree that never comes down.
- In Indiana, Santa Claus has its own post office tradition: local volunteers help answer the flood of letters kids send to Santa each year.
- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania brands itself “Christmas City, USA” and hosts its own Christkindlmarkt, channeling European holiday market energy into a Pennsylvania winter.
- Noel, Missouri is known for its special holiday postmark, making it a favorite stop for anyone mailing Christmas cards.
- Christmas, Florida is home to a fully decorated tree that stays up all year long.
None of these need to anchor your whole itinerary. Think of them more as a fun mailbox stop, a quirky photo op, or a reason to route your trip through somewhere you wouldn’t otherwise think to go.
Frequently asked questions about holiday road trips
What’s a good way to make the drive home for the holidays more fun?
Building in one or two intentional stops (a small town for lunch, a scenic overlook, or a nearby light display) can turn a routine drive home into something closer to a road trip, without adding much time to the route.
What’s the best small town to visit for Christmas?
It depends on the vibe you’re after when choosing a small town to visit for Christmas. Leavenworth, Washington offers a large-scale Bavarian lighting festival, while towns like Woodstock, Vermont or Helen, Georgia offer a quieter, more storybook small-town holiday feel.
Are there real towns named after Christmas?
Yes; towns like North Pole, Alaska; Santa Claus, Indiana; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Christmas, Florida all lean into their holiday-themed names with decorations, events, and even special holiday postmarks.
Is it safe to drive in winter for a holiday road trip?
It depends on the holiday road trip route. Mountain and northern routes can involve snow or icy conditions, so checking road conditions ahead of time and building in extra buffer time is worth the planning. Southern and coastal routes generally stay mild through the holiday season.
When is the best time to leave for a winter holiday road trip?
Traveling a day or two before or after the peak holiday, and departing earlier in the day, tends to mean lighter traffic and (in colder regions) less ice than later in the day.
Hit the road for the holidays with Turo
However you’re spending the season, the right vehicle makes all the difference. A reliable, well-suited car means fewer worries about winter road conditions and more time enjoying the twinkling lights, cozy stops, and serene moments that make the season feel special.
With a wide range of vehicles to choose from, renting through Turo means you can pick something built for the trip you’re taking, whether that’s an all-wheel-drive option for snowy mountain routes or something spacious enough for gifts, luggage, and the whole family. Flexible pickup and drop-off make it easy to fit around a packed holiday schedule, however it shakes out this year.
Ready to hit the road? Browse available cars on Turo and start planning your holiday road trip today.
Share your car, earn extra cash
Cover your car payments or earn some extra cash by sharing your car whenever you’re not using it.
Get startedHit the road
Browse thousands of cars for every occasion and budget near you, or wherever you’re going.
Browse cars
Lucinda Starr
Lucinda Starr is a travel and automotive writer with 5+ years of firsthand experience road-tripping across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. She writes road trip guides for Turo, drawing on her experience behind the wheel to share practical insights on long-distance drives, destinations, and vehicles. Her travels have taken her across Australia’s East Coast, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, and both islands of New Zealand. One of her most memorable journeys was an 11-day, 2,600+ km route from Auckland to Punakaiki and Queenstown. Lucinda has a particular passion for classic, rugged 4WD vehicles and the freedom they bring to exploring new places.
