Trans-America Trail
America's ultimate coast-to-coast dirt adventure
The Trans-America Trail represents the ultimate American overland adventure: 5,000 miles of dirt roads, two-tracks, and forgotten highways connecting Cape Fear, North Carolina to the Pacific Coast at Cannon Beach, Oregon. Conceived by Sam Correro and refined by decades of riders and drivers, the TAT threads through national forests, BLM lands, and rural backroads across 10 states, including iconic sections through Colorado’s high country and Utah’s red rock wilderness.
This isn’t a technical rock crawling route but demands serious preparation for a multi-week expedition across diverse terrain from Appalachian ridges to Rocky Mountain passes exceeding 12,000 feet. Any reliable 4×4 or adventure motorcycle can handle most sections, though some Colorado segments require high clearance. Best tackled May through September with fuel stops planned carefully — some sections run 200+ miles between services. The payoff: seeing America’s backcountry as few ever will.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 5000 mi / 8047 km |
| Duration | 3-6 weeks |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12100 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD or adventure motorcycle |
| Nearest town | Cape Fear, North Carolina |
| Land manager | Multiple agencies |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | transamtrail.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle the full TAT without modifications?
Yes, a stock 4WD with decent ground clearance can complete the TAT — it's rated moderate, not extreme. That said, all-terrain tires, a basic skid plate, and a recovery kit are strongly advised given the 5,000-mile distance and remote sections through states like Colorado and New Mexico where you're well past help.
What months are actually drivable end-to-end?
May through September is the realistic window for a full crossing. High-altitude sections in Colorado can see snow into June and again by October, and spring mud in Tennessee and Missouri can make early May dicey on the eastern end.
Do I need permits to drive the TAT, and are there fees?
There's no single TAT permit — it crosses federal, state, tribal, and private land managed by dozens of agencies. Most sections require nothing, but a handful of segments cross land that needs specific OHV permits or has seasonal closures; check transamtrail.com and contact relevant land managers for your specific state segments before you go.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The Colorado Rockies segment is widely considered the most demanding — you'll hit exposed high-country two-tracks above 12,000 feet with steep shelf roads, loose rock, and weather that can flip fast. It's not technically extreme, but the combination of altitude, remoteness, and potential for afternoon thunderstorms demands serious route-prep and a vehicle in solid mechanical shape.
How do I handle fuel range across the remote western states — can I make it between towns?
Fuel planning is critical in states like Nevada, Wyoming, and eastern Oregon where gas stations can be 100+ miles apart on dirt. A long-range auxiliary fuel setup or jerry cans are not optional in those sections — map your fuel stops before each state segment, not just at the start of the trip.
Trail track
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