Road Trips: Reader Photos

By Joshua Pramis
August 15, 2011
Everyone’s experienced that moment: you’re driving a long stretch of road when suddenly something catches your attention. Something photo-worthy. Better act fast, before that image fades into rear-view oblivion, if you want to get that perfect road-trip photograph.

One reason that these photos are so special is, by definition, you don’t stay in the same place for long when on a road trip. So the photos serve as tangible memories, often of places that you were just breezing by to get to your final destination—but that may be even more memorable.

Thanks to our talented T+L community members, we’ve got a window into recent road-trip experiences, including iconic routes like Hawaii’s Hana Highway and California’s Redwood Forest. Some shots frame the landscape up ahead; other travelers with a keen eye choose to zoom in on a quirky roadside attraction or a particularly dramatic feature.

One of our favorite road-trip photos depicts a frosty mountainside tunnel that appears straight out of Dante’s Inferno. The entrance to the tunnel is adorned with huge, spiky icicles, while the glow of orange overhead lights from within the tunnel makes it appear like the passage to a fiery underworld.

A more lighthearted photo reminds us how much fun it can be to bring along a furry four-legged companion when taking to the road. One T+L community member—riding in the passenger seat, mind you—snapped a playful shot of a dog sticking its head out of the back window. The wind blowing against its face creates an adorable smile effect that could cure the worst of moods.

But let’s not forget about the value of capturing a photo of your destination. One such example, taken in Moab, UT, shows a small tent propped up against the stunning backdrop of a lake, mountains, and a strikingly blue sky with fluffy cotton-candy clouds. It’s the kind of picture-perfect image you hope for when you hit the road—and that will keep you feeling inspired once you’re back home.

Read on to see our all our favorite road-trip photos, and be sure to upload your own images to our T+L community. You never know: you just might be featured in our next photo roundup!
Start Slideshow

1 of 20

GrossglocknerHigh Alpine Road, Austria

The long and winding road that leads to…the Alps.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Canada

Crossing the U.S. border from Canada.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

3 of 20

Moab,UT

Think the neighbors will mind if we start a campfire tonight?

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement

4 of 20

WillowRiver State Park, WI

3…2…1…liftoff!!

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

5 of 20

TallulahGorge State Park, GA

Hmph. I don’t wanna wait in the car!

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

6 of 20

Hana,HI

It’s Hawaii. Take it slow and enjoy the scenery.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Hollywood,CA

Nothin’ but palm trees and sunshine.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

8 of 20

Co. Kerry, Ireland

Let’s hope this is a one-way road…and that we’re going the right way.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

9 of 20

MonumentValley, UT

Traffic here is an absolute nightmare.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Victor,ID

Who’s up for a huge plate of French fries?

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

11 of 20

KenaiPeninsula, AK

Follow this road to the pot of gold.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

12 of 20

JacksonHole area, WY

One of these things is not like the others.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

California

Something old meets something new.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

14 of 20

GreaterLas Vegas area, NV

Only one way to find out what lies beyond that bend….

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

15 of 20

MountTamalpais, CA

From the perspective of your car tires.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

SomewhereAlong Rte. 66

“Get your kicks on Route 66.”

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

17 of 20

YosemiteNational Park, CA

Icy road…meet fiery tunnel.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

18 of 20

LocationUnknown

Would hate to see this road in the winter.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

SierraNevada Mountains, CA

Could you ask for a more picturesque winter drive?

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

20 of 20

NorthCarolina

Hindsight is 20/20.

Enter this month’s photo contest for a chance to win prizes and be published in T+L!

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Joshua Pramis