If there is one thing I am completely obsessed with, it is traveling. The past couple of days I've been nonstop searching and planning the perfect cross-country road trip, and I haven't been able to stop. I've been on a couple of long-distance drives, but this will be the first that is a full trip in itself, lasting about two weeks. I've found plenty of resources to help plan my trip. Here are some of the best I've found, as well as some from my own experience.
1. Use a road trip planning website.
While it is nice to go the old-fashioned way or just drive aimlessly, if you have places you want to hit, then a road trip planning website will make your life so much easier. I've been using Furkot, which lets you pick from a variety of customizations, like direct or roundtrip, highways or the scenic route (I personally enjoy the scenic route). Another handy website is Roadtrippers, which is probably the most popular road trip planner. This one is nice because it also has an app, so while you can plan on your laptop, you can pull it up on your phone while on the road.
2. Have a good playlist.
I feel like this goes without saying, but make sure that you have a good playlist of music. It is essential to have good music on a car ride or it gets really boring really fast. Make sure that you are traveling with someone that has a similar music taste, or mesh your playlists together so you each have something that you like. One of my favorite road trip playlists is Road Trippin' by Jilly Hendrix on Spotify.
3. Bring a map.
If you don't have a GPS, there are some data-less places where your phone might deem itself useless (yes, I'm looking at you, Montana). In that case, it is a good idea to always have an old-fashioned map with you. When you enter a new state, stop at the welcome center to pick up a map. Or use a needle and thread to outline your entire route beforehand. Even if you do have a GPS, retreating back to the "olden" days will be a nice adventure.
4. Be open minded with lodging.
You might not be able to afford five-star hotels while on the road, and honestly, why would you want to? I personally like the idea of living with the minimum while on the road, so I would be more likely to stay at a motel. Airbnb has become a major hub for alternative lodging options where you can find people renting rooms or apartments in the city where you are looking to stay. Camping is probably going to be your cheapest option and could be an unexpected need, so invest in a tent. Or, you can always sleep in the back of the your car.
5. Download travel apps.
One app that has been getting all the buzz is GasBuddy. This app uses your phone's GPS and helps you find the cheapest gas in the area, so it is definitely a must-have for long-distance trips. Goodbudget helps you keep track of how much money you are spending so that you don't go over your budget. How cool is that? Some other cool travel apps that are essential for a good road trip can be found here and here.
6. Bring food with you.
Just be smart about food in general. Eating out for three meals a day can get expensive really fast. So pack a lot of food when you leave and stop at grocery stores when you can in order to avoid paying at restaurants. Many hotels also offer free breakfasts so definitely take advantage of those.
7. Pack an emergency kit.
Always have a large bag of emergency items. These can include a first-aid kit, a spare tire and tools, toilet paper, water, snacks, an old mobile phone, or a blanket. Anything that you might need, put it in the kit. You never know when you might get caught in a snow storm and need to shovel your wheels out of the snowy terrain.
8. Be prepared for changes.
If you can, try not to book hotels on specific nights, because then you are locked in for that place. Things may come up and you might want to take a detour. You wouldn't be able to do that with a reservation. Also, be prepared for anything to go wrong and keep a positive attitude. You might hit some bad weather on the road and it could mean unexpected changes; you're car could break down and it might take a while for someone to find you (especially on the scenic route) or you might have to stop for the night until it is safe to drive again. The important part is to not let changes in a scheduled plan keep you from having a good time.
9. Do the FREE stuff.
While on a road trip, make nature your best friend. Go to the park or go hiking to experience the natural beauty of the area. Find museum free days and plan your trip accordingly. This will help you save so much money because activities and attractions can rack up the price and they aren't something that you NEED to spend money on, like fuel and lodging.
10. Pack clothes lightly.
If you can, pack as little as you can. Things like pants and sweaters can be worn again, so only pack a couple of those and stock up on items like shirts and underwear. Also, always bring five extra pairs of underwear than you think you will need. While packing your bag, put the things that you might need on top for easier access, like a rain jacket.
11. Bring a friend.
Always travel with a friend, or more. Not only will it get less lonely while you are on the road, it'll be much cheaper because you will have someone to split the costs with. You also need someone to be in charge of everything that needs taken care of while you are driving (i.e. music, navigation, and food handling). Just make sure you have a multi-charger power plug for your car.
