In 2015, a climatologist named Brian B. created a 70 degree Road Trip map that has been shared over 10 million times over various platforms. That map was a hypothetical trip through the U.S. with the route tracking where the normal daily high temperature was approximately 70 degrees Fehrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
The map was based on the 1981-2010 climate normals produced by the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). Every 10 years, new climate normals are produced. In May 2021, the 1991-2020 normals were released by NCEI.
It might surprise people that the shift in 70-degree temperatures between 1981-2010 and 1991-2020 was very slight. Instead of updating the map to reflect temperature changes he came up with new routes. The original route was interesting but it left out a lot of options. This time around, there are multiple routes to choose from.
The map consists of three different routes that chase 70-degree weather all year long. You can now choose a Coastal Route, Interior Route, or United States and Canada Route.
In this article, I will focus on what Brian B. calls the Coastal Route. I’ll cover the other two routes in upcoming articles.
Keep in mind you don’t have to do this entire route. You can simply use it as a guide to plan trips using segments at different times of the year. But, if you have the time and resources, it sure would be an epic journey to do the entire route!
Route 1: The Coastal Adventure
The coastal route starts in Tampa, Florida, and ends in San Diego, California. It’s an extraordinary 7,468-mile journey through diverse landscapes and coastal views.
Brian calls it the coastal route because it takes you along the east coast follows the shores of some of the great lakes and finishes off on the southern coast of sunny California. However, this route may be better designated as the exterior or perimeter route.
It has a long stretch across the northern states and a detour inland once you get out west. That’s what is required to stay within the 69-71 degree window.
But, even though it doesn’t take you entirely down the Oregon and California coastline, you’ll still see amazing landscapes every mile of the journey.
I’ll walk you through the journey and link to helpful articles to help you plan your trip.
January
Set off from Tampa, Florida, and make your way east toward Orlando. Enjoy the warm weather, sandy beaches, and vibrant attractions including theme parks, shopping, and dining experiences.
Mileage: 151 miles
- Swim with the Manatees of Florida’s Crystal River
- Myakka River State Park: Place of Abundance Offering Varied Experiences
- 10 Amazing Places to RV in January 2023
February
Head up the east coast of Florida to Jacksonville taking in the pristine coastal views and visiting historic landmarks such as the Fort Caroline National Memorial.
Mileage: 81 miles
March
Continue northward along I-95, stopping by the charming cities of Savannah and Charleston. Reach the North Carolina border where delicious Carolina BBQ awaits.
Mileage: 341 miles
- The Ultimate Deep South Road Trip: Savannah to Charleston
- The Ultimate Coastal South Road Trip: From New Orleans to Savannah
April
Continue traveling up the I-95 corridor to explore the vibrant cities of Richmond, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia while soaking in the East Coast’s rich history.
There are so many museums and historical sites in this part of the country. It’s worth looking for reciprocal memberships to use at museums, botanical gardens, zoos, and more.
Mileage: 447 miles
- Plan an RV Trip to a Museum: How to Save with Reciprocal Memberships
- Appomattox Court House National Historic Park: The War Is Over
- Honoring Bravery at Historic Gettysburg
May
Take in the scenic beauty of the northeast as you drive from Philadelphia through New York City and all the way to Boston. Revel in the flourishing spring atmosphere as you explore cosmopolitan cities and quaint towns.
Mileage: 300 miles
June
Buckle up and get ready to cover a lot of ground this month. In this stretch, you go all the way from Boston, Massachusetts to central Montana. This long stretch rewards you with natural wonders such as Niagara Falls and the vast wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
While 2,388 miles seems like a lot, that’s only 80 miles a day. So, you can still spend time seeing plenty of sights along the way.
Mileage: 2,388 miles
- Explore the Amish Heritage Trail
- a-MAIZ-ing Corn-fused Roadside Attraction
- Wall Drug: America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction
- Doorway to Forever: Badlands National Park
- Custer State Park: A Black Hills Gem
- American History Alive In Stone: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Badlands Meet History in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
July
Traverse through the stunning terrain of western Montana, Idaho, and Washington on I-90. End your month in the lush surroundings of coastal Washington.
Mileage: 965 miles
- La Conner: Charming, Picturesque & Quaint
- On the Road to Mount St. Helens
- The Best National Parks to Visit in July
- 9 Beautiful Places to Escape the Summer Heat
August
Journey south along breathtaking coastal highways making your way to Newport, Oregon. Marvel at the Pacific Ocean’s rugged beauty and discover charming coastal towns.
Mileage: 289 miles
September
Thread your way through eastern Oregon on lesser-traveled mountain highways. Conquer I-84 in Idaho and I-15 in Utah, soaking in the picturesque landscapes.
Mileage: 962 miles
- 13 Essential Stops on an RV Tour across Utah
- If the Outdoors is your Thing, Utah is your Place
- Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks & Must-See Hidden Gems
- Here’s the Proof that Utah is the Most Beautiful State
- Utah Runneth Over With National Parks
- The Ultimate Guide to the Mighty 5
October
Explore the enchanting rural highways of the Southwest, driving southeast from Utah to Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Immerse yourself in the region’s rich culture and natural splendors.
Mileage: 546 miles
- Wake Up In New Mexico
- 4 Things to Know Before Visiting New Mexico
- Santa Fe Never Goes Out of Style
- Spotlight on New Mexico: Most Beautiful Places to Visit
- A Monumental Road Trip through New Mexico’s National Monuments
- The Mind-Blowing Enchantment of New Mexico: San Antonio & Bosque del Apache
- Las Cruces: Rugged Beauty, Endless Sunshine, History & More
November
Venture west on I-40 from Albuquerque to Flagstaff, then head south on I-17 to Sedona and Phoenix. Witness the mesmerizing Arizona landscape including the iconic Grand Canyon.
Mileage: 467 miles
- Kaleidoscope Colors and Serene Landscape Shine in Petrified Forest
- Grand Canyon: Where UPS and FedEx Fear to Tread
- The Most Beautiful Places in Arizona (That Aren’t the Grand Canyon)
- Absolutely Best Road Trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon
- The Seducing Magic of Sedona: 20 Ways to Fall in Love
- 15 Amazing Places to Discover in Phoenix
- Top 10 Day Trips From Phoenix
- Family-friendly Road Trips Through Arizona: Phoenix and Tucson
- Why Tucson Is Your Next Great Outdoor Adventure
- Saguaro National Park: 11 Planning Tips
December
Conclude your coastal adventure taking I-10 from Phoenix to Los Angeles, followed by I-5 to San Diego. Celebrate your journey’s end while basking in the warmth of California’s sun-kissed beaches.
Mileage: 531 miles
- Absolutely Best Road Trip from LA to the Grand Canyon
- The 10 Best Day Trips in Southern California
- California’s Timeless Getaway: Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
- Spotlight on California: Most Beautiful Places to Visit
- Out and About In Southern California
- Road-tripping on California’s Less-traveled Lanes
- Temecula Valley: Historic Old Town, Wine Country and More
Make It Round-Trip!
As you see, this 70-degree road trip takes you three-quarters of the way around the United States. You can continue your road trip through the southern states to complete your loop around the United States.
You’ll lose your 70-degree weather but you won’t have to deal with the Southern heat as it’ll be December or January when you start heading back to Florida.
- The Ultimate Guide to Interstate 10: 32 Delightful Stops
- Texas Hill Country Is the Ultimate Road Trip
- Cool-As-Hell Louisiana Towns You Need to Visit (Besides New Orleans)
And don’t forget, I’ll be back with two more routes that chase 70-degree weather through the interior United States and all the way through the U.S. and Canada.
Worth Pondering…
Shoot for the moon, Even if you miss it you will land among the stars.
—Les Brown