5 Places in America Where You Can’t Drive Cars

Americans love their cars, yet a handful of destinations keep engines out entirely. If you are looking for car-free places in America, these five spots offer a slower pace, quieter streets and a very different way to travel.

1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinac Island is the best-known car-free destination in the country. Visitors reach it by ferry and get around on bicycles, on foot or in horse-drawn carriages. The island has kept cars off its roads for well over a century, and the clip-clop of horses is part of its charm.

2. Fire Island, New York

This barrier island off Long Island restricts cars in high season in communities such as Ocean Beach and Saltaire and in the National Seashore. Most visitors drive over the Robert Moses Causeway, park, and then walk or rent a beach cruiser to explore.

3. Supai, Arizona

Deep in the Grand Canyon, the Havasupai community of Supai has no motorways and cannot be reached by car. Visitors need a permit and hike an eight-mile trail to reach the village, where mail is still delivered by mule.

4. Governors Island, New York

A short ferry ride from New York Harbor’s waterfront, Governors Island is a green escape for walkers and cyclists. With no private cars, it is one of the easiest car-free trips for city travellers.

5. Santa Catalina Island, California

Tourists are strictly forbidden from driving on Catalina’s few roads. Reached by ferry, the island is explored by golf cart, bicycle or on foot.

Other Car-Free Places in America

• Monhegan, Maine: a ferry-only island village with mostly unpaved roads.
• Tangier Island, Virginia: a Chesapeake Bay island where residents rely on boats, bicycles and walking.
• Bald Head Island, North Carolina: visitors leave their cars at the ferry and go on foot.
• Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia: a living history area kept close to its 1700s look.

Tips for Visiting Car-Free Places

Check ferry timetables in advance, pack light because you will carry your own luggage, and book accommodation early, as many of these destinations are small and popular in summer. For planning details, visit the official Mackinac Island tourism website.