Somewhere between San Luis Obispo and Monterey, California, I wondered if the rain would ever stop. Severe storms followed me on my two-week solo road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, so much so that the Pacific Coast Highway was closed to motorists through Big Sur—one of my planned pit stops. While I carefully planned drives and trips up to the hour, I never once considered a backup plan for something as simple as a closed road. Wondering what to do, I scrambled to find an Airbnb in the remote area for the night. According to seasoned roadtripper and blogger, I unintentionally broke the top road trip rules Laurie Black.
“It’s a good idea to have a plan B and C,” she says
For almost as long as cars have been on the road, Americans have practiced the art of road trips. In the 1910s and 20s, motorists drove from cities to more remote areas Setting up camp next to their car. After World War II, Road trips were the preferred family vacation, many visit national parks and other cities with extended family. The humble road trip has been immortalized in countless movies over the years National Lampoon’s Holiday, lost in america And Little Miss Sunshine. Many are hesitant to travel by air during the pandemic Americans chose adventure by car. Even in the post-pandemic years, the love of the open road hasn’t wavered: a recent poll found that 73 percent of Americans do Likes to drive Instead of flying to their vacation destination.
While road trips allow travelers to avoid the hassle and expense of air travel, there are plenty of considerations roadtrippers should keep in mind. From planning a practical itinerary to keeping the peace with your travel companions, road trip experts offer their best tips for planning a vacation on wheels.
Be realistic when planning a trip
Blalock’s road trip planning starts with a timeframe and then a list of sites and stops he wants to see — not the other way around. “A lot of people reverse it,” he said. “People know where they want to go, but then they don’t have enough time, and then they end up with road trip failures, because where they want to go doesn’t fit into their time frame.”
Map out your route based on the time you have and then determine your must-sees and attractions, whether it’s a national park or a brewery. Estimate how long you’ll spend at each destination — be generous — to avoid rushing from place to place. Have an idea of what you can do instead if a trailhead is closed due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If you only have three days to get from point A to point A and back, you don’t want to feel overwhelmed racing from one roadside attraction to the next. The trip should be as much about the journey as the destination.
When it comes to planning trips for clients, Sam Highley, CEO and founder of Road Trip Travel Company All roads are north, focuses on “in-between places”: off-the-beaten-path towns, restaurants and parks. Routes are on scenic backroads rather than highways.
Don’t overlook lesser-known landmarks. “National parks are the treasures of the United States and they form a large part of our travel itinerary,” Haley said. “But I think there are a ton of other state parks, public land wilderness areas that can be equally beautiful and rewarding, and you can probably be there with a tenth of the people that experience in a national park.”
Don’t leave home without downloading these apps first
Google Maps: Get directions and save points of interest.
AAA TripTik: Map out gas stations, attractions, restaurants and camping sites along your route. The app even suggests locations to stop for a break.
AAA Gas Cost Calculator: Plug in your starting point, destination, and car make and model and get an estimate of how much gas it will cost.
Waze: Get directions and live traffic updates.
Roadtripper: Search for and add stops like restaurants, shopping, and music venues to your route.
gas body: Locate the cheapest gas prices near you.
charge point: Locate electric vehicle charging stations near you
Spotify/Apple Music: Create collaborative playlists or queue podcasts with passengers.
If you need some inspiration for the towns and cities you’ll be passing through, check out tourist board websites, suggests podcast host Danielle Dacey Corbett. Road trip ready And Thought card. He also discovers unique pitstop destinations from travel blogs, vlogs and Instagram posts As you plan, save Instagram posts in a road trip inspiration folder or create Pinterest boards to organize your research, says Desir Corbett.
Book your tickets and lodging ahead of time for popular spots, like camping in tourist-heavy national parks or Instagram-famous motels, says Black. Book a hotel as soon as you know which city you want to spend the night in, says Desir Corbett. Likewise, secure tickets to can’t-miss museums, cooking classes, pick-your-own produce and other experiences. “It’s not something you have to do months in advance,” says Desir Corbett. “It can be weeks that you plan everything.”
Leave room for spontaneity, too, says Desir Corbett. If you see a billboard for an interesting museum or farmer’s market while you’re driving, don’t be afraid to check it out. These unplanned trips are part of the magic of road trips. When you stop for gas at a welcome center or rest stop, pick up pamphlets for local tourist attractions. Ask bartenders, hotel front desk employees or other locals for their recommendations, says Desir Corbett. “You can either fit it during this trip or put it in your back pocket for your next adventure,” she says.
Make sure your car is in top shape
A perfectly planned itinerary is only as good as the car that gets you there. A few weeks before you leave, take your car in for a routine maintenance check, says AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz. This way, you won’t be delayed when your car needs repairs that may take days. Make sure your tire pressure, car battery, oil level and windshield wipers are in working order. Try to fill up your gas tank or charge your car the night before you leave home and the night after the trip.
Don’t forget to pack essentials (like snacks).
Aside from the clothes and other essentials you plan to bring with you, there are several things you should have in your car to keep you comfortable or break down. Diaz recommends keeping a jumper wire, a flashlight, wet wipes or baby wipes and a first aid kit on hand. Depending on the time of year, you may want to keep blankets or personal fans around. Keep multiple chargers for your phone, tablet, or other device in case you lose one or more people who need charging at once. Black recommends packing a portable tire inflator and a kit for repairing flat tires.
Desir Corbett and Highley recommend packing a cooler with easy-to-eat, non-perishable foods, such as sandwiches, yogurt pouches, granola bars, nuts, popcorn, and water — items that won’t melt or melt. Desir Corbett recommends bananas, grapes, cheese and crackers for kids’ roadtrippers because they’re not too sugary or sticky.
Take security seriously
While you may be motivated to barrel through the eight-hour drive, experts recommend taking breaks or switching out drivers every two hours or so. “Drowsy driving, just like distracted driving, is a problem and can be very dangerous,” Diaz said. Try to set off in the morning on each day of your trip to maximize daylight driving. Either find a rest stop, fast food spot, or an interesting attraction to take a break and stretch your legs. If you have kids with you, expect to stop more often, says Desir Corbett. Try to find a park or rest stop with a playground so they can run off energy. And always put your phone away and don’t be distracted while you drive.
Don’t annoy your travel companions
If you’re traveling with kids, you want to make sure they’re comfortable and entertained. In Desir Corbett’s travel experience with a toddler, limited mess snacks and drinks are a must, as is entertainment. “We’re not afraid to take out our iPads, and we have some holders in the back of the car,” she says “We can put on one of his favorite shows. We also try to listen to his favorite songs.” Make sure any devices are fully charged (and have a backup charger) and download movies or shows in case you lose service.
Diaz recommends playing games with kids, such as imagining where other cars on the road are going. “Try to turn on their imagination and engage with them,” she says.
For adults in the car, Blalock likes to assign passengers roles to keep the peace. Knowing who is in charge of navigation, music, snacks, and driving puts everyone in charge. Allow passengers some time for themselves if necessary. For example, Black says her daughter sometimes pops in headphones and listens to her own music during their road trips.
Keeping cars clean and organized can prevent fights, Black says. Keep a bag for trash and organizational bins for camping supplies, food, and other essentials like hygiene products.
Regardless of who you’re traveling with, road trips can be the perfect opportunity to choose your own adventure and uncover offbeat treasures along the way. Make sure you do your homework first.
