Craving a cheesy, saucy adventure? Pack your stretchy pants and hit the highway—we’ve mapped out the ultimate pizza road trip that’ll turn you into a dough-slinging, crust-crunching legend. From coast-to-coast classics to wild regional twists, here’s how to taste America one slice (or square) at a time.
🍕 Coast-to-Coast Classics
West Coast Wonders
Start in LA at Pizzeria Mozza, where Nancy Silverton’s wood-fired Margherita dazzles with blistered crust and tangy San Marzano sauce. Three hours east in Phoenix, geek out over Chris Bianco’s legendary Margherita at Pizzeria Bianco—it’s so iconic, they’ve been known to sell out by noon.
Want authentic Neapolitan pizza without flying to Italy? Visit L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in LA, a stateside branch of the famous Naples pizzeria that makes pizza so good it’ll bring tears to your eyes.
Midwest Magic
Detour to Detroit for Buddy’s Pizza, where Motor City magic happens with their brick-cheese-loaded square pies. The “Detroiter” (pepperoni, cheese, and tomato sauce *under* the crust) is a rite of passage for any serious pizza enthusiast.
In Chicago, you can’t miss Lou Malnati’s deep dish with that buttery, flaky crust that’s practically a meal in itself. It’s like pizza and pie had a delicious baby!
East Coast Icons
Roll into New Haven, Connecticut, for Frank Pepe’s coal-fired apizza—their white clam pie with briny littlenecks is Connecticut’s edible crown jewel. Then sprint to Brooklyn’s Di Fara, where each slice gets a generous snip of fresh basil before serving. Finish with a classic foldable slice from Joe’s Pizza in NYC for the complete East Coast experience.
🌟 Hidden Gems & Regional Stars
Southern Comfort
In Little Rock, U.S. Pizza Co. serves award-winning pies that locals swear by. For Creole flair, Dean-O’s in Lafayette, Louisiana, piles shrimp and andouille sausage on their Cajun-inspired crust that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Southwest Surprises
Austin’s Home Slice Pizza does New York-style so perfect you’ll forget you’re in Texas. Feeling adventurous? Phoenix’s pizza scene offers weekly specials like bourbon-braised short rib with pickled onions that’ll make you rethink what belongs on pizza.
🤪 Wildcard Wonders
For Instagram-worthy oddities:
– Fong’s Pizza (Des Moines, IA): Crab rangoon pizza with cream cheese and sweet chili sauce
– Quarter Sheets (LA): “Toast pizza” with whipped ricotta and seasonal fruit
– Dean-O’s (Louisiana): The “Cajun Executioner” loaded with alligator sausage
– Beau Jo’s (Colorado): Honey served on the side for dipping your mountain-thick crusts
🗺️ Pro Road Trip Hacks
1. Timing Is Everything
Hit spots right at opening to avoid lines—popular places like Di Fara get slammed by noon.
2. Slice Strategy
Order different styles (Neapolitan, Detroit, New York, Chicago) to taste regional differences without getting too full.
3. RV Life
Consider renting an RV to turn parking lots into impromptu pizza picnics and save on hotels.
4. Beat the Clock
February 9 is National Pizza Day—time your trip for festive discounts and limited-edition pies.
Pizza Fact Break!
– 🧀 Americans eat approximately 350 slices of pizza per second
– 🇺🇸 93% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month
– 🍕 The average American consumes about 23 pounds of pizza annually
Ready to roll? With 3 billion pizzas sold annually in the U.S., your greatest challenge won’t be finding phenomenal pies—it’ll be deciding when to stop. Tag #PizzaRoadTripWarrior when you hit your 10th pie…we’ll send virtual Lactaid.
What’s your favorite pizza style? Are you team thin crust or deep dish?