Think You Could Hit Every National Park in the Lower 48 in One Go?

Let’s be clear: This is a ridiculous quest. Most of us will never in our lifetimes have enough time or wherewithal to visit every national park in the continental U.S. on one single road trip. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream, right?

From El Cap in Yosemite to Cadillac Mountain in Acadia, stopping by each of these parks will lead you on the most epic road trip of your life—but it won’t be easy. We’re talking 15,420 miles and 269 hours of driving time, so this trip is best done over the span of at least three months. Even then, you may be driving 12 hours between destinations.

To make your journey a just a tiny bit easier, we’ve mapped out your route. This trip begins and ends in Maine, but because it’s a loop, you can really begin at any of the listed parks. So throw together some playlists, load up on snacks, and make sure you and your travel buddy are ready for long stretches of road in a very small space.

Here are some of the must-sees along the way.

Must-Sees in New England

While there’s only one national park in the Northeast, what the area lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. Acadia National Park offers breathtaking ocean panoramas and a taste of adventure. Wake up early, and hit the trails before dawn to see the first sunrise in America on top of Cadillac Mountain , the easternmost point in the continental U.S. After you’re done, grab a popover from the world-famous Jordan Pond House , which has been serving outdoor enthusiasts since the 1800s. Rock climb at Otter Cliff, fish in both freshwater and saltwater, and kayak through Somes Sound.

Must-Sees in the South

Forget what you think you know about the terrain of the South. The national parks in the region offer everything from sweeping cliffs to marshes. Head to Florida’s Everglades National Park to view the American Alligator . Walk along the scenic Skyline Drive when you visit Shenandoah in Virginia. Explore some of the best trails  in Great Smoky Mountains, the most visited national park in the country. Explore 400 miles of the underground in Kentucky at Mammoth Caves National Park. And kick back and relax in the warm thermal pools at Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park.

Must-Sees in the Southwest

In addition to offering epic hiking and stargazing, the Southwest is the region to check out ruins and explore archaeological sites. Take a rafting trip down the Rio Grande at Big Bend on the border of Texas and Mexico. Pitch a tent in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico for some of the best stargazing in the country . Go caving and learn to rappel in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Discover the fossilized wood at the Petrified Forest , and walk the rim of the Grand Canyon .

Must-Sees in the West

Some of the most famous parks in the world are located in the West. Prepare yourself for waterfalls, mountains, desert, canyons, and everything in between. Head to Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park to observe 5,000 archeological sites of ancient pueblos. Visit Camp 4, the birthplace of rock climbing in America, in Yosemite. Rent a sled or board to slide down sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. Bring your bike and hit the road in Rocky Mountain National Park . Rock climb in Black Canyon of the Gunnison, home to some of the steepest cliffs in the country, and see the rainbow of colors in Utah’s Canyonlands . Explore Zion’s slot canyons , send some problems on Joshua Tree’s boulders, and watch Old Faithful blow in Yellowstone . Wander through the giant trees in Sequoia and Redwood national parks. See boulders that mysteriously move themselves, crystallized saltwater , and the lowest point in North America in Death Valley. Summit Mount Rainier, and visit the quietest square inch in the country in Olympic National Park.

Must-Sees in the Midwest

The Midwest is one of the less-traveled areas in the U.S., making its parks some of the least crowded you’ll find on your journey. Enjoy the wide, open spaces. Walk through Wind Cave , one of the longest in the world, located under a prairie in South Dakota . Embrace the cold by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing across Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the winter, or hike across it in the summer. Set out on a multi-day canoe trip through the thousands of lakes in Voyageurs National Park and its surrounding waters. Finally, watch the sunset over the buttes in Badlands National Park.

Editors Note: Since publishing this piece we realize an error was made in the map with the omission of Isle Royale National Park in Michigan.