Capital Region Self-Drive

Drive a 700-mile loop through Virginia and Maryland starting and finishing in Washington D.C., and visit a beautiful national park, historic towns, and seaside cities along the way.

The Capitol Region of the USA is a treasure trove of the nation’s history, culture, and natural beauty. It’s an easily explorable region with manageable journeys between the highlights. Virginia is home to the capital, Washington, D.C., the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park, and lovely towns like wine-producing Charlottesville and colonial Williamsburg. You’ll drive through Maryland, too, with the chance to get to know a couple of the Atlantic beach towns and see where the Jamestown colonists landed.

Self-drive
8 nights
Washington D.C. Shenandoah National Park, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Baltimore

Itinerary overview

Washington D.C.

Power play

Touch down in Washington, D.C., a city steeped in history and culture. The White House and the Ca...

Shenandoah

The Skyline Drive

Drive west from Washington, D.C., and you’ll reach Shenandoah National Park. The scenic 105-mile-...

Charlottesville

In Albemarle County

A short drive south from Shenandoah brings you to Charlottesville. Stroll along the historic down...

Williamsburg

A chapter of history

Drive southeast through Richmond to Williamsburg, a town known for its well-preserved historic di...

Virginia Beach

To the coast

Continue your south-easterly drive to the Atlantic Coast and Virginia Beach. This beach city is k...

Ocean City

North on the Delmarva Peninsula

Drive north up the Eastern Shore that sits between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and...

Baltimore

O, say can you see

Drive 150 miles west, crossing the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge to Baltimore, a c...

Washington D.C.

Back to the D.C.

It’s just a short drive back to Washington D.C. from Baltimore, closing the loop on a memorable r...

Washington D.C.

Power play

Touch down in Washington, D.C., a city steeped in history and culture. The White House and the Capitol Building may be the headline landmarks, but there’s plenty more here besides. Dive into the numerous Smithsonian Museums (they’re free to enter) or take a tour of the Arlington National Cemetery. Spend a couple of days exploring the city and relaxing over delicious food at the city’s best restaurants before picking up your hire car.

Shenandoah

The Skyline Drive

Drive west from Washington, D.C., and you’ll reach Shenandoah National Park. The scenic 105-mile-long Skyline Drive runs through the park and along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains – bound to be a highlight of your trip. It takes around three hours to complete the drive, with a maximum speed of 35mph, making sure to stop at plenty of the 75 lookout points as you go.

Charlottesville

In Albemarle County

A short drive south from Shenandoah brings you to Charlottesville. Stroll along the historic downtown, lined with farm-to-table restaurants, independent shops, and bijou galleries. Take advantage of a visit to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, which is a fascinating place to explore. This beautiful area is also home to the Monticello Wine Trail, with ample opportunities to sip some of the producers’ best tipples on vineyard tours.

Williamsburg

A chapter of history

Drive southeast through Richmond to Williamsburg, a town known for its well-preserved historic district. As you visit the Governor's Palace, the Capitol Building, and the Bruton Parish Church, you'll feel like you've travelled back to the era of early American colonists. Check out Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum where you can watch reenactors dressed in period clothing demonstrating traditional crafts, cooking techniques, and other aspects of daily life in colonial times.

Virginia Beach

To the coast

Continue your south-easterly drive to the Atlantic Coast and Virginia Beach. This beach city is known for being where the Jamestown colonists from England landed, and you can see America’s first lighthouse here. If you want to continue exploring US history, the Military Aviation Museum houses an impressive collection of vintage planes, including World War II aircraft.

Ocean City

North on the Delmarva Peninsula

Drive north up the Eastern Shore that sits between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, and cross into Maryland, where Ocean City sparkles. This popular beach destination is known for its wide sandy beaches, on-the-water adventures, and eight-mile boardwalk.

Baltimore

O, say can you see

Drive 150 miles west, crossing the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge to Baltimore, a city with a rich maritime heritage, historic neighbourhoods, and delicious seafood. The city is also home to several historic sites, such as the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, which played a pivotal role in the War of 1812 and the place that inspired the words that became the US national anthem.

Washington D.C.

Back to the D.C.

It’s just a short drive back to Washington D.C. from Baltimore, closing the loop on a memorable road trip through the USA’s Capitol Region. Perhaps you’ll have time to visit anything you missed when you first arrived before your international flight jets you home to the UK.

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