5 Road Trips Where You Won't Need AC

When you think of summertime road trips, you might picture blasting the car air conditioning and still feeling overheated. This might be the case if your travel to San Diego, Phoenix or Miami this summer, but some road trip destinations are in climates so cool that you don’t need to worry about running your AC. Consider opting for an unusual summer vacation by road tripping to one of these cooler places in North America.

San Francisco

Sandwiched perfectly between the chilly San Francisco Bay and the immense Pacific Ocean, this Central California city guarantees moderate temperatures all year round. In the summer, expect daytime temperatures in the mid to high 60s while snapping pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge and soaking up the historic Victorian houses.

If you’re traveling from the south, be sure to stop in San Jose for a tour through the Tech Museum of Innovation. If you’re coming from the north, you’re sure to enjoy a day in Point Reyes National Seashore, a 70,000-acre park preserve on the Point Reyes Peninsula.

Olympic National Park

Not only does this northwest Washington State park deliver stunning ocean and forest views, but it’s one of the chilliest spots to visit in the continental US during the summer. Daytime temperatures hover in the mid to high 60s all summer long. Just be prepared for a chance of rain during your visit, as is the typical Washington way.

A road trip through this part of Washington calls for a visit to Seattle. Take in all the sights, including the futuristic Space Needle, before taking US-101 up to Olympic National Park.

Denali National Park

Located in south-central Alaska, Denali National Park is home to jaw-dropping mountain ranges, beautiful Horseshoe Lake, backcountry hiking trails and the chance to glimpse plenty of wildlife. Plus, the daytime highs in the summer are usually in the 50s or 60s, so you’ll love the chance to escape the heat!

The trip up here isn’t for the fainthearted. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll probably want to fly into Anchorage first, and then drive the remaining four hours to the park entrance. You’ll pass through Denali State Park on the southern border of the national park on your way there, which also has plenty of scenic sights to enjoy.

Acadia National Park

The east coast of North America has plenty to offer, too! The 47,000-acre Acadia National Park in southern Maine offers mountain hiking trails, picturesque Atlantic beaches and invigorating cliff side air that rarely reaches into the 80s.

As you travel up I-295 toward I-95, be sure to stop in Portland for a glimpse of river and mountain views, Victorian-era homes, and the Victoria Mansion museum. You’ll love how cool it is here, too.

Nova Scotia

If you’ve made it this far north and have your passport to travel over into Canada, Nova Scotia could be your next road trip destination. Enjoy cooling breezes off the North Atlantic Ocean that keep the temperature around 70 degrees here in the day. Go whale-watching on the Bay of Fundy, visit the star-shaped Citadel in Halifax, and walk through Victorian-era gardens open to the public all around the province. And don’t forget to try the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted!

There’s nothing like a road trip to the northern climates of North America to bring some much-needed relief from the summer heat. If you find that your air conditioner needs some attention when you return from your travels, please contact Aire Serv®. We can repair or replace your AC to keep you comfortable for the rest of the season.