The journey is oftentimes more important than the destination when it comes to completing the perfect summer road trip. Therefore, travelers in need of a bit of inspiration should look no further than these 15 iconic bridges when crafting their summer roadmap.

Arizona's London Bridge is out of place considering where it came from. Dating back to the 1830s, the bridge once spanned the River Thames in London prior to being relocated to Lake Havasu City nearly 50 years ago. Located at the California-Arizona border, the bridge is a must-visit for any road trip between Los Angeles and Phoenix.

If you're heading to Virginia Beach or North Carolina's Outer Banks this summer, there's a good chance you'll be traversing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 23-mile fixed link across the mouth of the namesake bay that has been named one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world.

This iconic suspension bridge spans the mile-wide strait connecting the Pacific Ocean with San Francisco Bay and a key moment during any road trip of the California coast. Easily the most photographed bridge in the world, Golden Gate was opened 81 years ago.

If you're planning a summer visit to Ocean City, Maryland, passing over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on your way is a rite of passage and quite frankly, a must. Originally opened in 1952 as the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure, the 4.3-mile-long dual span bridge is a major checkpoint en route to the Atlantic coast.

Known to locals simply as the Skyway, this four-plus-mile-long bridge spanning Florida's Tampa Bay has been open for just over three decades and connects St. Petersburg with nearby Terra Ceia. Be sure to add it to your road trip of the Florida Gulf Coast.

New York City's Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest roadway bridges in the country, having opened in 1883. The bridge spans the East River, connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

Any proper road trip through Boston requires a drive over the Zakim or Bunker Hill Bridge. Opened as recently as 2003 as a replacement for the Charlestown High Bridge, this cable-stayed bridge resembles a massive harp so have your camera ready.

The Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur, California is about as picturesque as bridges come, making it a highlight of road trips along the Pacific Coast. Built for under $200,000 nearly a century ago, the bridge is among the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world at a height of 280 feet.

The Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas and has earned the nicknames Big Mac and Mighty Mac over the years. The bridge ranks in the top 20 worldwide in terms of main span length and is the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere.

Part of the nearly 2,400-mile-long U.S. Route 1, Seven Mile Bridge links sections of the Florida Keys and is a highlight for road trippers making the journey between Key West and Miami. Interestingly, the bridge was developed by the same engineers behind the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

The current Tacoma Narrows Bridge replaced the original span known as "Galloping Gertie" in 1950 after the latter collapsed a decade earlier. The twin suspension bridges pass over the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound and should be added to any road trip itinerary in the Pacific Northwest.

This epic steel arch bridge over the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia is easily the Mountain State's most iconic landmark and is a worthwhile experience for road trippers traversing Appalachia. It's currently the world's fourth-longest single-span arch bridge and sits nearly 900 feet above the New River. If crossing by car or truck isn't an option, walking tours are available.

What makes coastal Maine's Penobscot Narrows Bridge so exceptional is that it features an observatory offering 360-degree views of the namesake river and nearby bay. Opened just over a decade ago, the bridge is similar to Boston's Zakim Bridge in terms of design and construction.

This suspension bridge spanning the Delaware River between Delaware and New Jersey is among the country's most popular as it runs along I-95 between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Although it doesn't take long to cross, the bridge symbolizes a key checkpoint in any road trip along the East Coast, especially for those heading to Philly, New York City or the Jersey Shore.

Typically referred to as the Coronado Bridge, this bridge spans the San Diego Bay to link the namesake city with nearby Coronado, home to the allegedly haunted Hotel del Coronado as well as some of the best beaches on the West Coast. If you're road tripping through Southern California this summer, don't miss out on making this concrete creation part of your journey.