1. Detroit, Michigan: Start your journey in the Motor City, where the first van was produced by Dodge in 1964. Visit the Henry Ford Museum to see some of the earliest vans and learn about the history of their production.
2. Allentown, Pennsylvania: Head east to the Mack Trucks Historical Museum, where you can see some of the earliest vans and trucks produced by the Mack company.
3. Akron, Ohio: Visit the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, where many of the first van tires were produced. See how the technology has evolved over the years.
4. Los Angeles, California: No van road trip would be complete without a visit to the West Coast, where vans have played a prominent role in pop culture. Start at the Petersen Automotive Museum to see some of the most iconic vans from movies and TV shows.
5. San Francisco, California: Visit the Haight-Ashbury district, where the 1960s counterculture movement gave rise to the “hippie van” and other customized vans. Take a drive down Lombard Street, which was featured in the opening sequence of the 1970s TV show “Streets of San Francisco.”
6. Eugene, Oregon: The Pacific Northwest has long been a haven for van enthusiasts, and Eugene is home to the Oregon Country Fair, an annual event where van owners gather to show off their customized creations.
7. Austin, Texas: Visit the Lonestar Roundup, an annual hot rod and custom car show that often features some of the most impressive van builds in the country.
8. Gulfport, Mississippi: Finish your trip at the Gulf Coast Van Council’s annual Van Nationals, which attracts van enthusiasts from across the country. See some of the most impressive van builds and meet fellow van lovers.

This route covers some of the most important points of interest in the history of van development and pop culture references to vans in the US. Of course, there are many other locations that could be added to this list, depending on your interests and available time. Enjoy your journey!