Eric and I are getting a van within the next couple of months, and we both equally want to road trip across the US. Me being the planner that I am, I have already planned out a trip from a town in South Carolina that I am from to the Alabama Hills in California. The trip will probably take over 2-3 months roundtrip. There are about 11 stops planned going from SC to CA, and about 17 stops from CA back to SC. A majority of the destinations are scenic so I will only include those.
SC-CA
Tallulah Gorge State Park
Tallulah Gorge is located in Georgia. It is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, but they will need a permit to hike the gorge floor. There are many views of waterfalls and the river on the suspension bridge.
Tishomingo State Park
Tishomingo State Park is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Mississippi. The park offers a unique landscape of massive rock formations. The park got its name from the leader of the Chickasaw nation, Chief Tishomingo.
(Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia) 
(Photo Courtesy of Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks)
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is located in Arkansas. The forest is composed of two forests: Ozark is in the Ozark Mountains, and St. Francis on Crowley’s Ridge. The Ozark National Forest covers more than one million acres.
(Photo Courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service)
Palo Duro Canyon
Palo Duro Canyon is located in Texas. Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the country. Visitors can explore the canyon by foot, mountain bike, car, or horseback riding.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona. The Grand Canyon is layered bands of red rock, which reveals millions of years of geological history.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation
Red Rock Canyon is located in Nevada. It includes a 13 mile scenic drive to see the highs and lows of the canyon, hiking trails, rock climbing, biking, and camping.
Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills is located in California. The hills are a formation of rounded rocks and eroded hills between Sierra Nevada and Inyo Mountains. Visitors can participate in rock climbing, hiking while exploring the natural arches, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
(Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia)
CA-SC
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in California. It is best known for its waterfalls, deep valleys, and meadows. Visitors can camp, hike, participate in tours, scenic drives, biking, and so much more.
Pacific Coast Highway
Pacific Coast Highway is a major north-south state highway. The highway is just over 656 miles and the longest state route in California.
Pebble Beach, Monterey County 
Carmel-by-the-Sea 
Big Sur
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is located in Southern California. The park consists of rugged rock formations and desert landscapes. Visitors can camp, hike, bike, rock climb, and go horseback riding.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico. The park is known for its unique white gypsum sand dunes. Visitors can go backcountry camping, biking, drive 8 mile scenic Dunes Drive, hiking, and even sledding!
Talladega National Forest
Talladega National Forest is 392,567 acres located in Alabama. Visitors can go biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, scenic drives, and participate in water activities such as boating and swimming.
(Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey M. Frank)
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is located in Georgia. The park is 120 acres of trails leading to waterfalls, a moss covered springhouse, and mounded earthworks from the Civil War battle of Utoy Creek.
