- One‑tank getaways from major U.S. cities unlock desert landscapes, sea breezes, mountain hideaways, and cultural gems just beyond the city limits, offering some of the most rewarding escapes close to home.
- From New York City to Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta, travelers can discover coastal retreats, epic escapes in the great outdoors, hilltop hideaways and more.
- A single tank of gas can take travelers from beaches to mountains and breweries to boardwalks, proving that “one tank of gas" can go pretty far.
Adventure doesn’t always require a boarding pass. Some of the most rewarding escapes can be found close to home. With just a single tank of gas, road trippers can discover desert landscapes, sea breezes, mountain hideaways, and cultural gems just beyond the city limits.
Here’s where to hit the road for the best one-tank getaways from the metropolises of New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta.
From New York City: Coastal Retreats & Northern Treasures
A short drive beyond the city and skyscrapers, New Yorkers can discover tranquil beaches, historic towns, and vibrant upstate escapes.
Coastal Towns & Seaside Escapes
Just a few hours away from the city, the Connecticut shoreline offers charming towns, salty breezes, and classic New England scenery—perfect for a low‑key coastal reset. Spend the day exploring seaside communities, strolling marinas, and soaking up the region’s maritime history before settling in nearby Mystic, where family-friendly attractions pay homage to the area’s seafaring history. Enjoy a relaxing, straightforward stay at Spark by Hilton Mystic Groton, situated near downtown. The hotel offers a coffee and bagel bar for easy mornings and an outdoor pool for laid-back afternoons. It's an ideal spot to refresh after exploring the coast.
Pizza lovers can try a totally different type of ‘za in New Haven where, in addition to world-famous eateries, they’ll enjoy access to both beaches and museums from the comfort of a stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton East Haven New Haven. Then, head inland to Bristol, where small-town Americana pairs with family friendly attractions. Enjoy theme parks and water parks in summertime and stay at the centrally located Home2 Suites by Hilton Bristol for the evening.
Head Upstate
For those craving a taste of lake life, New York’s Finger Lakes captivate with their rolling hills, waterfalls, scenic trails, award-winning wineries, and farm-to-table dining. Here, inviting towns like Syracuse are enchanting, boasting historic character alongside modern hotels such as Hampton Inn & Suites Syracuse Dewitt.
Travelers seeking an upstate excursion fueled by craft brews will love the revitalized downtown of Schenectady, where the recently renovated Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady serves up river views, complimentary hot breakfast every morning and spacious suites. Meanwhile, racetrack action and a Victorian-era atmosphere are the stars of Saratoga Springs, only a 40-minute drive.
Closer to home, the Hudson Valley offers a quick getaway that feels worlds away from the city streets. Hit the road and make your way to Nanuet for a long weekend exploring nearby towns, scenic trails, and riverfront views that make this region an easy, restorative escape.
From Los Angeles: Epic Escapes in the Great Outdoors
A single tank from L.A. opens the door to desert adventures, waterfront hideaways, and even cowboy country.
Dive In
Adventure seekers don’t have to venture far from La La Land to dive into Southern California’s sun-soaked escapes. Make Anaheim your home base for theme-park thrills and easy access to nearby beaches, then unwind at Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort, where comfortable accommodations help you recharge between days of exploration.
Dry Off
Those who appreciate arid environs filled with surreal scenery flock inland to Joshua Tree National Park, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts collide to create twisted trees, massive boulder formations, and star-filled night skies. Spark by Hilton Yucca Valley Joshua Tree offers easy access to this natural wonderland.
Or for something unexpected, steer on over to “Horsetown USA.” Here, in the town of Norco, horse trails replace sidewalks, and locals ride through town on horseback. Bring Fido along to the pet-friendly Tru by Hilton Norco Eastvale, stroll the country-inspired shops, and enjoy a quirky taste of cowboy culture.
From Chicago: Europe-Inspired Streets & Eats
Midwesterners looking for charm on a tankful can wander through Dutch-inspired villages or savor cheesy, beer-filled getaways.
Go Dutch
Situated along Lake Michigan, Holland, Michigan, is an attractive hideaway with an apt name. A trip here feels like stepping into a Dutch postcard with tulips, historic windmills, and quaint shops lining cobblestone streets. It’s convenient, drivable locale makes it a budget‑friendly alternative to international travel—and a favorite stop for road trippers.
Just outside the city center, Hampton by Hilton Holland offers an easy base for exploring local dining and shopping, starting the day with a free hot breakfast featuring the iconic Hampton waffle and winding down with a soak in the indoor pool area, featuring a hot tub after time at Holland State Park and the lakeshore.
Get Cheesy
“America’s Dairyland,” Wisconsin, makes a gouda getaway for foodies. Start in “Brew City,” Milwaukee for brewery tours that give way to hop-filled tastings paired with melty cheese curds, locally made brats, pierogies, and more. Grab delicious eats from Milwaukee Public Market, then retreat to Homewood Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown. For even more flavor, head to Racine for Danish bakeries and a taste of a sweet kringle pastry, then seek suite accommodations at Home2 Suites by Hilton Racine.
From Atlanta: Hilltop Hideaways & City Sanctuaries
A short drive from Atlanta reveals soaring mountain towns, historic cities, and vibrant Southern escapes.
Move Mountains
The mountains are calling. To heed their invitation, head north to Tennessee, where bustling towns like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg thrill with zippy coasters, swaying suspension bridges, sprawling entertainment complexes, and outdoorsy escapades through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For a resort-style pool with a slide and lazy river, check into Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort for contemporary design, welcoming experience and onsite concierge to plan a day of adventure or splash into a refreshing pool with mountain-views at the newly built Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort and discover endless opportunities for fun. Tru by Hilton Pigeon Forge offers a fresh, fun home base near top attractions, ideal for travelers who want to spend more time exploring than checking in.
For a more artsy and eclectic vibe, head to North Carolina, where Asheville is buzzing with craft breweries, colorful murals, galleries, and an acclaimed food scene. Make the most of all this Appalachian appeal during a stay at Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown, which boasts epic Blue Ridge Mountain views from your two-room suite or the onsite rooftop restaurant. Another great option is Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown, where guests can enjoy an onsite restaurant and a rooftop bar with an expansive terrace overlooking the city.
Stay Southern
Beyond ATL, a slew of southern cities brimming with culture and history make for an amazing big(ish) city getaway. To the west, Birmingham, Alabama tells a powerful story of the Civil Rights Movement while also dazzling visitors with a growing arts scene. Heading east, Augusta’s golf history is a major draw, along with its riverfront walks, lush gardens, and historic neighborhoods filled with stately homes. Here, Homewood Suites by Hilton Augusta offers a sanctuary in the suburbs for those after a slower pace.
Another Southern city that’s big on charm is Chattanooga, where outdoor recreation, an inviting downtown, and family-friendly attractions appeal to travelers of all kinds. Head to the riverfront, slip into breweries, and take in colorful public art before settling in for the night at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chattanooga Downtown with two-room suites and prime location to see why this Tennessee gem has become one of the South’s rising stars. Families looking for a fresh, comfortable home base will appreciate the newly renovated Hampton Inn Chattanooga West/Lookout Mountain, wherea seasonal outdoor pool with a waterslide and free breakfast keep travel days simple and stressfree.
From skyscrapers to small towns, beaches to mountains, breweries to boardwalks, it turns out that one tank of gas can go pretty far. Fuel up and hit the road in search of adventure!
FAQ: Fuel Up for the Ultimate Road Trip Getaway on a Tankful
New Yorkers can discover tranquil beaches, historic towns, and vibrant upstate escapes, from the Connecticut shoreline with Spark by Hilton Mystic Groton, Home2 Suites by Hilton East Haven New Haven, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Bristol, to upstate favorites like the Finger Lakes with Hampton Inn & Suites Syracuse Dewitt, the craft‑brew‑filled streets of Schenectady with Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady, and the Hudson Valley for an easy, restorative escape.
A single tank from L.A. leads to theme‑park thrills and beaches with Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort, desert scenery in Joshua Tree with Spark by Hilton Yucca Valley Joshua Tree, and cowboy culture in Norco, where Tru by Hilton Norco Eastvale offers a pet‑friendly stay near country‑inspired shops.
Chicago travelers can wander Dutch‑inspired villages in Holland, Michigan while staying at Hampton by Hilton Holland, enjoy cheesy, beer‑filled getaways in Milwaukee with Homewood Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, and savor Danish bakeries and kringle pastries in Racine with Home2 Suites by Hilton Racine.
From Atlanta, travelers can head to Tennessee for Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with stays at Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort, the newly built Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort, and Tru by Hilton Pigeon Forge; enjoy Asheville’s craft breweries and murals with Embassy Suites by Hilton Asheville Downtown and Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown; or explore Southern cities like Augusta with Homewood Suites by Hilton Augusta and Chattanooga with Embassy Suites by Hilton Chattanooga Downtown and Hampton Inn Chattanooga West/Lookout Mountain.
