Ever got hungry on a road trip and wanted something other than McDonald’s? Road trips don’t always mean you have to eat fast food or gas station grubs, you can find some great restaurants along the way. Sometimes it is nice to be able to get out, stretch your legs, and sit down for a good meal.
Cheapism understands the want to find some great restaurants close by the road while you’re on a drive. Don’t want to go too far from your trail, but a good meal can make any road trip better. America is filled with some of the best roadside restaurants and unique cuisines based on where you are located. Enjoy some of America’s favorite roadside spots on your next road trip. Thankfully, one of them is right here in North Carolina so you won’t have to travel too far before it’s time to grab a bite. Check out some of America’s best roadside restaurants.
Peggy Sue's 50's Diner - Yermo, California
Check out Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner along Highway 15. They are serving up Philly steak sandwiches, cheeseburgers, patty melts, homemade ice cream, and more.
The Buckeye Express Diner - Bellville, Ohio
Located off of Interstate 71, the Buckeye Express Diner is a great diner located inside a former train car. They are especially known for their burgers, perch sandwiches, and classic diner fare.
@fosterfamtravels The Buckeye Express Diner in Bellville, Ohio! #foodie #foodietok #buckeyes #buckeyeswag #diner #dinertok
♬ dance(256762) - TimTajBlue Springs Cafe - Highland, Illinois
Grab a slice of Mile High Pie at Blue Springs Cafe off of Interstate 70. This cafe is serving up Midwestern comfort food ranging from baked lasagna and meatloaf to country fried steak and more.
Shrimp Shack - Saint Helena Island, South Carolina
Of course great seafood is located in South Carolina. Shrimp Shack, along U.S. 21, is home to some of the best seafood in the state. Enjoy all of your favorite seafood classics and then some like shrimp burger, fried fish, and more!
Redneck BBQ Lab - Benson, North Carolina
Catch some great BBQ during your next road trip in North Carolina. Redneck BBQ Lab is located off Interstate 40. Its serving up some of the best southern and bbq classics such as slow cooked beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, pulled pork, brisket, and more. The restaurant is owned by Jerry Stephenson, who competed in “Chopped: Grill Masters,” on the Food Network.
Lambert's Cafe - Sikeston, Missouri
Lambert’s Cafe is located near the Interstate 55 and Interstate 57 junction. Their menu features items such as chicken pot pie, hot beef sandwiches, and perfectly fried chicken.
Jalapeño Bucks - Mesa, Arizona
This small gem is located off the 202 Loop in Mesa. They are serving up Arizona barbecue and a new take on Mexican soul food. Try their PB&J brisket sandwich or pulled pork next time you’re in town.
Cruiser Cafe - Eatonville, Washington
Off of Highway 161, Cruiser Cafe is serving up everything from burger and fries to great breakfast options. They also have vegan options for those looking for healthier options.
O'Neill's Irish Pub - Norwalk, Connecticut
This pub is bringing Ireland to Norwalk. Enjoy juicy burgers, fish and chips, stacked sandwiches, sliders, and more. It is located just off Interstate 95 in South Norwalk.
Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que - Williamsburg, Virginia
Located along Interstate 64, Pierce’s is your go to spot for some great road side barbecue meals. With plenty of space to sit down, you can stretch your legs out and enjoy a nice break from the road.
Farmview Market - Madison, Georgia
Just off Interstate 20, Farmview Market, is a farm-to-table cafe in Georgia. They also have a grocery area, butcher shop, and seasonal farmer’s market available.
North Carolina Named One of the Best States for Summer Road Trips
Don’t you just love when you are driving and see those welcome signs into states? Nothing like a summer road trip to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Summer is the best time to hit the road and check some places off that bucket list. It’s your chance to feel that summer breeze, listen to good music, and play fun road trip games. Sightsee across some of your favorite states both near and far!
Wallet Hub curated a great list of the best and worst states to take a summer road trip this year. Of course, North Carolina made the list. Are you surprised? Wallet Hub compared all 50 states and key factors to determine the most fun, scenic, and affordable states to visit on a road trip. After the pandemic and current inflation, road trips are some of the best ways to still experience a nice vacation with your favorite people. So load up the car and hit the road! It’s time to see what states fall into the top 15 best states for a summer road trip.
15. Iowa
Take a drive through or to Iowa and see some of your new favorite views. Visit Iowa Great Lakes, The Amana Colonies, and more!
@pmmathewson Maquoketa Caves State Park 📍Maquoketa, IA #traveliowa #easterniowa #traveltok #stateparks #caves #quadcities #cedarrapidsiowa #daytrips
♬ about damn time x lets get it started by altego - ALTÉGO14. Nebraska
Hit the road to Nebraska! Visit Sandhills Journey, Loup Rivers Byway, Lewis & Clark Byway, Heritage Highway, and more!
@bellawilde_ Today, on Places You Didn’t Know Existed 😘 #travel #bucketlisttravel #midwest #nebraska #roadtrip
♬ More Than A Woman - SG's Paradise Edit - Bee Gees & SG Lewis13. Virginia
You’re on your way to Virginia this summer! Visit national parks, beaches, Colonial National Parkway, and more!
@withsunshinesol 5 Things to do in Virginia this Summer #virginiacheck #hiking #roadtrip #dogsofttiktok #girlswhohike
♬ Sunroof - Nicky Youre & dazy12. Washington
Drive across the country and visit Washington State this summer. You’ll see plenty of sites on the way, but once you are there enjoy views of Olympic National Park, The Cascade Loop, San Juan Islands, and more!
@travelingpersson how to make the most of your Washington Road Trip 🚐 #washington #pnw #vanlife #roadtrip #travelrecs #bucketlist #traveltiktok #itinerary
♬ Never Felt A Love Like This (feat. Dotan) - Galantis & Hook N Sling11. Georgia
This is a good one, right and close to home! Visit the mountains, the lake, amusement parks, amazing shopping centers, great food, and more all throughout Georgia!
@bellawilde_ Which one would you like to visit most? ☺️ #travel #exploring #naturelover #georgia #roadtrip #savannahgeorgia
♬ Get Into It (Yuh) - Doja Cat10. Wyoming
If you eve want to drive to Wyoming, take some time to visit the Union Pass Monument, National Museum of Military Vehicles, Wild Horses, and more!
9. Florida
Hit the road and head to Florida. You might want to drive through the entire state but trust me, it will take you a while so you might as well pit stop while you’re there. Drop in to Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa area, Miami, Key West, and more!
@thousandtrails A Florida glamping road trip? Let’s all go! 🚘 #thousandtrails #visitflorida #roadtrip #floridavacation #glamping #adventure #floridaroadtrip
♬ original sound - ThousandTrails8. Idaho
Hit the road in Idaho! Visit hiking trails, national recreation areas, and scenic byways while you’re there.
@kateoutdoors Summer road trip destination ideas pt. 1: Idaho✨🏔🥔 #SummerRoadTrip #RoadTrip #IdahoMountains #HotSprings #Outdoorsy #TravelTok
♬ оригинальный звук - Леся7. North Carolina
You read that right! We’re in the No. 7 spot for best summer road trips. I am sure you know why, look around! Drive through the mountains, on the beach, through the cities, eat good, hike, shop, relax, we have it all!
@bellawilde_ Which one of these would you like to visit most? ☺️ #travel #exploring #naturelover #northcarolina #bucketlisttravel #roadtrip #ChewyChattyPets
♬ Inner Light - Elderbrook & Bob Moses6. Ohio
Oh, Ohio! Drive up North and visit Cedar Point Amusement Park, Put-In-Bay, Columbus Zoo, hiking trails, and more!
@lenasyed Time for an Ohio road trip! Lmk which ones you’ve seen😊#greenscreen #ohio #roadtrip #hiddengems #travelplans #worldslargest #manmade #nature
♬ Pumped Up Kicks（Bridge & Law Remix） - Foster The People5. Maine
Now, maybe you would have never guessed it? I surely did not. But head to Maine and experience national parks, cool loop highways, beaches and more.
@caseylavie Manifesting more travel in 2021 #maine #mainecoast #travel #DailyVlog #roadtrip
♬ Stuck In The Middle - Tai Verdes4. Louisiana
Go to Louisiana and it’s time to have fun! Visit the swamp on a swamp tour, factory tours, historical tours, and more.
@qtsyd My dark humor be playing too much on one of them, if you spot it💀but humor is just how I cope🤷🏽♀️#jokes #madewithlove #louisiana #louisianacheck
♬ I Lived - Kenny Packer3. Texas
Texas is absolutely it! Head to Texas and you could spend days driving through the entire state all you want. Stop in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and more. From the beach, to the city, to the country side you will never run out of things to do and places to eat.
@lostwithlydia Add these to your Texas bucket list! #texastravel #traveltexas #exploremore #livetoexplore #texascheck #hikingtexas #hikingadventures
♬ original sound - Ian Asher2. Minnesota
Hit the road to Minnesota. I know, maybe you did not know it would be No. 2! Take a scenic drive and view beautiful byways, waterfalls, and more.
@lookaboutlindsey Road trip details in my profile! #minnesota #minnesotasummer
♬ Sunroof - Nicky Youre & dazy1. New York
And right at No. 1 is New York! Not only is there the city to enjoy, but many places outside the city in order for you to do. Visit Niagara Falls, mountain views, The Catskills, historical spots, and more!
@bycarlavianna road trip inspo for fall 🍁💫 #newyorkcheck #newyork #upstatenewyork #roadtrip #travelinspo #tiktoktravel #nyc #nyc
♬ Home Cover by Lukmco - Luke