North America Travel Guide: Top Places, Road Trips & Tips
A practical North America travel guide — the best destinations across the US, Canada and Mexico, when to go, epic road trips and what to know before you travel.
North America runs from Arctic Canada to tropical Mexico, with iconic cities, vast national parks and some of the world's great road trips in between.
North America travel guide: what to expect
North America is built for variety: the national parks of the American West, the cities of New York, Toronto and Mexico City, the beaches of the Caribbean coast and the wilderness of Canada. It is a region of long distances, so planning around a few regions beats trying to see everything at once.
Best time to visit North America
Summer (June to August) is peak for the national parks and Canada, while spring and autumn bring mild weather and fewer crowds to the cities. Mexico and the southern US are pleasant in winter, when the north is cold.
Top regions to explore
- The American West — California, the Grand Canyon, Utah's parks and Las Vegas.
- The East Coast — New York, Washington, D.C. and New England.
- Canada — the Rockies, Vancouver, Toronto and Quebec.
- Mexico — Mexico City, the Yucatán's ruins and Caribbean beaches.
Getting around
A car is essential for the national parks and road trips, where public transport is limited. For long distances, domestic flights are frequent and competitive. Major cities have good metro and transit systems, so you can skip the car in places like New York.
What to know before you go
- Check entry rules — the US and Canada use electronic travel authorisations for many visa-free nationalities.
- Distances are bigger than they look on a map; build in driving time.
- Tipping is customary in the US and Canada, typically for restaurants, taxis and hotel staff.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best North America road trip?
Classics include the US Southwest national parks loop, California's Pacific Coast Highway, and Canada's Icefields Parkway in the Rockies. Each can be done in one to two weeks.
When is the best time to visit US national parks?
Late spring and early autumn offer good weather with thinner crowds. Summer is busiest; some high-altitude parks are only fully accessible in the warmer months.
Do I need a visa for the United States or Canada?
Many nationalities travel visa-free with an electronic authorisation (ESTA for the US, eTA for Canada). Check the official requirements for your passport before booking.
Is it easy to travel North America without a car?
In big cities, yes — transit is good. For national parks and rural areas, a car is usually necessary, as public transport is limited.