Image by Adam Derewecki from Pixabay
If you’re planning an American road trip and you don’t know where to start then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’re looking to take a short trip to another state or you want to cross a number of different states at once, you need to be sure you’re as prepared as you can be. From looking into the basics of a road trip to planning the best route for you, the more you’re planning in advance the better. Whilst it may seem difficult at first, there are lots of advice you can use to make your trip the best it can be. With that in mind, here are 14 tips and tricks for the ultimate American road trip:
– Research, Research, Research
One of the first things you need to ensure you’re doing when you start planning your trip is research, as this will ensure you’re as prepared as you can possibly be. Whether it’s researching the best routes to take or research general tips and tricks for a road trip, you need to know as much as you can before you set off on your journey. Even if you’re on your 100th road trip, a little bit of prep and research can’t hurt.
– Make Sure You’re Setting Yourself A Budget Beforehand
Once you have started doing your road trip research, you need to think about your overall budget for the trip. Not only will setting a budget to allow you to stay within your means when it comes to money, but it will also give you a rough idea of how much you’re going to need to save.
The best way to approach your budget, of course, is to think about each individual aspect of the trip. From hotel stays and activities to fuel and snacks, you need to be sure you’re thinking of absolutely everything. Once you know how much each aspect will cost, you can then start to put together an overall budget for the trip. If needed, you can use your research as a way to see where you may also be able to cut your costs. For a more detailed guide to setting a budget for a road trip, you can visit this site here.
– Think About The Route You’re Going To Take
As you start to put together the finer details of your road trip, you need to think about the route you’re going to take. Although this may be subject to change, having a starting and finishing point is a good place to start. If you’re traveling back home afterward, you may want to find a route that will bring you full circle. Although it may take some time to plan out the best route, it will save you a lot of time when you’re on the road.
If you do prefer to take things one day at a time, however, it’s absolutely okay to create the route as you travel. For a guide to creating the ultimate road trip route, you can visit this site here.
– Plan In Some Incredible Stops
Once you know your route, you can start to look at all of the incredible stops you can make along the way. America has a vast amount of places to visit and in just one road trip, you could make loads of quick stops to explore. Whether you’re stopping and spending a few days in a new city or you’re pulling up at the side of the road to admire the view, knowing where you plan to make these stops along the way will ensure you don’t miss anything. If you’re struggling, spend some time looking at your route on the map, thinking about nearby towns and attractions that you may see.
– Research Attractions In Advance And Book Tickets In Advance
Speaking of attractions, you need to think about whether or not it’s easier to book your attractions in advance. Although you may not know where you’re going to be and when having a think about the attractions you definitely want to visit might help when it comes to creating some structure for your trip. If you’re looking to save money, it’s definitely easier to book tickets in advance. Whether you’re going to Disneyland or a game, the earlier you’re booking the better.
If you are looking for affordable Disneyland tickets, you might want to consider joining the Disney Vacation Club as they offer discounted tickets for DVC members.
– Think About Breaks And Tiredness
Road trips can be incredibly tiring and if you’re not taking enough breaks, you could and up being a hazard on the road. Although you may not feel like you need a break at the time, you need to ensure you’re stopping every four hours for a quick break. Whether it’s a chance to go to the bathroom or an easy way to take your eyes off the road for 30 minutes, the more breaks you’re taking the better.
It’s also important to ensure you’re not driving late into the night. Have a cut-off limit for when you want to stop driving each night and ensure you’re sticking to it without fail. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.
– Consider Your Accommodation For Each Night
Speaking of cutting off your driving at the end of the night, you need to think about where you’re going to stay. Depending on what you’re driving in, you may be able to sleep there.
If you don’t have a campervan or an RV, it’s important you’re finding a safe and comfortable place for you and your road trip buddies to sleep. From hotels and hostels to apartments and campsites, you might want to consider researching each of the options available to you before you commit to a booking.
If you’re looking to save money, camping might be one of the best routes to take. Although it’s not as comfortable as booking a hotel, a pitch is the fraction of the cost. For tips and tricks when it comes to camping in America, you can visit this site here.
– Make Sure You’re Packing Enough Snacks And Plenty Of Water
Another important thing to consider when it comes to your road trip is whether or not you have packed enough snacks and drinks for your trip. Although you’re going to be making plenty of stops, you need to ensure you have everything you need just in case. If it helps, you might also want to consider packing some emergency supplies just in case. Whilst it might be tempting, these shouldn’t be used unless you’re in an emergency.
– Pack Clothes For Different Weather Conditions And The Activities You Do
You may also want to ensure you’re packing clothes for different weather conditions. As you travel across America you will come across different temperatures and if you’re prepared, you may find yourself having to dip into the budget to find suitable clothes. The best thing to do is research the average temperature in each of the places you’re going at that time of year. It won’t be fully effective, but it will give you a good idea of what you need to pack.
If you’re going to be camping, you may also want to consider that it may drop cold at night.
– Ensure Your Car Is Safe And In Good Working Condition
Another important thing to do is to ensure your car is in good working condition. Although you may be using it every day for small journeys, you need to be sure it can handle a long trip too. If you’re unsure, it might be best to contact your local garage. They’ll be able to give it a once over and let you know if you need any work done. It will cost you, but it’s better than being cut short whilst you’re traveling.
– Pack And Emergency Kit Just In Case
Speaking of safety, you need to ensure you’re packing an emergency kit just in case. This should include blankets, a flashlight and a map.
– Consider Social Media And Location Tagging As You Travel
Another important thing to consider when it comes to your safety is tagging your location as you travel. If people can see where you’re traveling and where you’re staying, you’re potentially opening yourself up to be robbed. Try not to tag locations and hotels and if you do, wait until you’ve left a couple of days later.
– Don’t Be Afraid To Take A Small Detour
If you find something you want to visit and it wasn’t in your plan, don’t be afraid to stop and take a detour. As long as you make it to your accommodation for the night, a little stop on the way won’t hurt.
– Follow Road Trip Accounts On Social Media For Inspiration
Finally, if you’re looking for inspiration, you might want to start following road trip accounts on social media.
Are you planning an American road trip? What do you need to consider to ensure you’re as organized as you can possibly be? Did we miss anything? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.