How to Plan a Road Trip

How to Plan a Road Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide

ByJulia

Mastering the art of planning a road trip can be complicated and takes practice. To help you learn this art form, we’ll walk through step-by-step all the things you need to consider before hitting the road.

One of the best ways to travel is by car. It opens the doors to new travel possibilities as you’ll see so much more along the way than if you flew. This makes your trip far more about the journey than just the end destination.

However, learning how to plan a road trip can be challenging if you’ve never done it before. How often do you stop? Where do you stop? Should you rent a car or take your own? What should you pack? How much do road trips cost?

There are a lot of questions that you need to answer to make your road trip a success. Fortunately, these steps to planning a road trip will enable you to hit the ground running (No seriously, you’ll be taking a motor vehicle…) and start building out your road trip experience to take in all of the sights along the way!

Let’s take a look at the steps to plan a road trip.

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1. Set Your Beginning and End Points

Knowing where you will be starting your road trip and your end destination are key to planning out your route, understanding how many stops you can make along the way, and more.

Two key considerations on planning your start and end points are whether you’re starting from home or an airport and if you’re wanting to do one big loop route or just an end-to-end one way journey.

Start from your home city or fly to your starting point

If you’re interested in starting your road trip in your home town, you’re in luck. You can take your own car and all of the conveniences you might need for the road trip. On the other hand, if you’re flying into an airport and renting a car, you have other advantages, like being able to do a one way road trip to avoid backtracking.

Plan a one way journey or a loop

Depending if you are renting a car or taking your own car will weigh in on taking a one way road trip versus making a loop. Knowing up front whether you need to drive back to the starting point will also help you understand what you have time for and how to plan your trip.

If you must drive back to your starting point, plan a different path on the way back to keep your drive interesting!

2. Determine How Many Days You Have

How many stops you make on your road trip and how far you need to drive each day depend heavily on how many days you have for your journey. If your vacation length is set in stone, then you will need to seriously prioritize your stops, but if you have flexibility, you can customize your trip a lot.

Factor in travel time to the starting point

To determine how far you’re going and how many days you’ll need, start by estimating how far your total drive is. From your beginning point to your end point, it could be only 5 hours or it could be 24 hours or more!

While it isn’t a determining factor for how long you need for your road trip, it will provide guidance on what to expect on the road in terms of how far you need to drive each day, where you should stop, and more.

Know your max driving time per day

Understanding how much you can drive in a day may be critical to your planning. If you want to drive long distances, ultimately, you will want to make frequent stops both to stretch your legs but also to really value the journey along the way.

However, if you’re tight on time, this could make your driving times quite lengthy each day, so weigh this in to your road trip planning. It’s recommended to plan no more than 8 hours of driving each day to maximize enjoyment!

3. Map Out Places of Interest

Determining where to stop is one of the most critical points of knowing how to plan a road trip. Surely there are places that have inspired your desire to road trip from Point A to Point B, so start with those places of interest and fill in around them.

How to Find Places of Interest

To start pinpointing things of interest along your route, take a look at the cities you’ll be driving through as well as identifying nearby places of interest. Some of the best ways to do this are:

  • Zoom in on your route on the map and see where you’re passing through or near to
  • Review top things to do in each city you’re driving through on Google and TripAdvisor
  • Read blogs about your destinations and road trip itineraries
  • Check for nearby National Parks and Nature Reserves
  • Search social media for ideas, such as looking up related hashtags on Instagram

Pin places of interest to a map

One of the best ways to keep track of your points of interest is to pin them to a map. You can do this on either Google Maps or the app Maps.Me. As you find them and pin them, you can start to see what the best route might look like based off of your must-see points of interest and where they are located.

It will also help you identify places that might be too far from your path and are better kept for another trip.

Pro Tip: As you hear about places that interest you, even when not planning a trip, pin them to your map so that you have them marked for future adventures in that area!

4. Plan Your Road Trip Route

Perhaps the single most important factor of a road trip is creating the perfect route! This gets easier as you start marking the places you want to stop as you’ll see patterns start to emerge.

Prioritize your places of interest

Once you have identified all places of interest on your road trip route, you’ll have to prioritize them. It’s quite possible some of them are too far off your path or potentially that there is too much to do in the time you have!

Whatever the case, start prioritizing the “must-dos”, the “want-to-dos” and of course the “not this time”. You can actually color code the icons on Google Maps and Maps.me to depict each of these to help you visualize your route better.

Once you’ve done that, start mapping out the driving time between each destination. This will help you determine how each of your precious days will be spent and where you will spend the night.

Be realistic about Your road trip

Time passes quickly when you’re having fun! Not to mention, those gas and bathroom breaks and any traffic jams you hit can eat up precious time. Don’t overbook yourself. Leave some time to stop and enjoy the unexpected things you encounter along the way. You’ll appreciate not being on too tight of a timeline, and it will make the trip all the more enjoyable!

5. Create Your Road Trip Budget

Maybe you’re starting your road trip planning with a strict budget in mind, or maybe you just want to know what to expect. Either way, knowing how much your road trip will cost is crucial.

Cost of Rental Car vs. Your Personal Vehicle

If you’re planning to rent a car, do some research to determine what this will run you per day, including any insurance needs. As a perk, you will be able to rent a car that meets the needs of your road trip, such as 4WD or a large SUV.

If you have a personal vehicle that you’re planning to take, know how much it could cost you in the long run for wear and tear on the vehicle. (In 2023, the IRS estimates it at $0.65 per mile!)

And of course, you’ll want to factor in gas. What’s your road trip itinerary distance look like? How many miles do you get out of a tank of gas? What does it cost to fill up your gas tank? Add it in! Also note that some states have lots of toll roads which can nickel and dime your road trip budget to death!

Pro Tip: Check out Discover Cars to search and compare over 500 car rental companies. It will help you find the best rates for your trip, as well as coming with 24/7 support and free cancellation! Search rental cars now.

Select accommodation options

Your road trip budget will depend heavily on what type of accommodations you’re looking at staying in. If you’re looking for something inexpensive or simply affordable, plan to book accommodations ahead of your road trip to make sure you don’t end up way above your budget.

If you are more flexible on budget, this may not be an issue, and you can find hotels ahead of time to book or show up the day of and hope for a room. Either way, remember to factor in cost of parking, if there is one! It can really add up in big cities.

Setup Food and Entertainment Budget

Even though its a road trip, you don’t need to live off of fast food. Keep a budget for your road trip snacks, the sights you’ll see along the way that have entrance fees, and of course any dining out that you plan to do. This could be low if you mainly plan on natural sights, or it could be quite high if you’re hitting up cities with lots of entertainment venues and amusement parks.

6. Start Booking Your Accommodations

Unless you’re planning to sleep in your car or are driving an RV, finding accommodation is key! Even then, knowing where you can park overnight will make your trip go so much smoother. It’s time to start that research!

Booking ahead vs. finding accommodation on the road

There are of course two different ways to handle accommodations. You can book everything ahead, or you can leave it all to chance. For better budgeting and having an end destination each day, book ahead.

For greater flexibility, leave it all to chance and find accommodation as you go! Unfortunately, this can also leave you in a scramble to find someplace each night which can land you in some less than savory road side motels or really blow your budget when you get stuck in a pinch.

Pro Tip: There is an app called HotelTonight, which is made specifically for last minute reservations, although it seems very hit or miss depending on the location. My favorite remains the Booking.com app as it has special mobile rates available.

Pay attention to cancellation policies

If you do choose to book your accommodations in advance, pay attention to the cancellation policies. Many options on Booking.com allow you to cancel until the day before, which means you have both the security of booking ahead but also some flexibility on the road if you find yourself traveling faster or slower than expected.

Read more: 5 Best Websites for Finding Affordable Accommodations

7. Prepare the Car

One of the most critical pieces of a road trip? Of course it’s the car! Before you set out on the road, make sure the car is ready. This could be securing the needed rental car or preparing your own vehicle for some distance driving.

Check the maintenance schedule

If you’re taking your own car, ensure it’s up-to-date on its maintenance. You certainly don’t want to find that you should have gotten the oil changed before you left! Also ensure that you have it (and you) properly insured. Validate you have a spare tire and the necessary equipment, like a roadside emergency kit, and knowledge to change the tire in case you hit a bump in the road.

Consider getting AAA

Another great option for a road trip is to get a AAA membership. They provide roadside assistance which can really save you and your road trip if you have car trouble. The only downside is if you hit an area with no cell reception, it can be quite difficult to call for help!

8. Plan Ahead to Avoid Unwelcome Surprises

Even the best laid travel plans come with interruptions. Minimize these unwelcome surprises by expecting the unexpected! You’ll be able to carry on as though nothing out of the ordinary happened.

Expect no cell reception

Depending where you go, you may encounter a lack of cell service. This is particularly true if you’re taking a road trip through the western part of the United States. You’ll find large expanses that have no reception. Plan ahead for this, and it won’t be a problem!

Download offline maps

To help hedge your bets for if you lose cell reception, download an offline map. Google Maps offers this option as does the Maps.me app. It even allows you to route using the downloaded maps. It can be a lifesaver if you happen to end up off the grid and can’t load your directions!

Take a paper atlas

When in doubt, you should keep a paper map handy. It may seem super old school, but you certainly don’t want to get lost in the grasslands of Wyoming and drive hours in the wrong direction just because there is no cell reception! Pack that paper atlas in the trunk, and hope not to use it!

Prepare for varied road trip weather

Depending on how you’ve planned your road trip route and the time of year you’re going, you may need to prepare for less than idea weather on the road. With hurricanes in the east, fires in the west, scalding summers in the south, and blizzards hitting the north in the winter, check the weather before you hit the road.

It will help you fill your road trip itinerary with activities that fit the season as well as allow you to pack properly. When in doubt, over pack. It’s one of the perks of being in a car!

9. Pack the Car

Packing for a road trip can be a bit overwhelming. You need to make sure you have all of your personal belongings, everything you need for just in case something goes wrong with the car, things to keep you entertained, road trip food to keep you satiated along the way…. the list never ends!

Select road trip snacks

Don’t leave hunger to chance, pack some snacks. Whether you eat because you’re bored, eat to stay awake, or actually eat because you’re hungry, road trip snacks are of the utmost importance. Of course, you don’t want to pack just chips, prepare ahead of time with some healthy snacks as well. The best way to do this is to bring a small cooler and a set of silverware.

A few road trip snack recommendations include dried fruits, nuts, and of course peanut butter, jelly, and bread for when you need something a bit more substantial. Another pro tip would be to throw a case of bottled water in the trunk. It helps you stay hydrated along the way but is also great in case of emergencies.

Check out 80+ Ideas for Awesome Road Trip Snacks!

Download entertainment

Often times during a road trip, you’ll go through dead zones where you have no cell reception. Plan ahead by downloading music, podcasts, audio books, etc. This way you’ll have no shortage of things to listen to while you drive. It’s especially helpful to keep you engaged and focused on the road once night falls.

Prepare in car essentials

Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have your driver’s license, car insurance, and car registration, but there are other essentials! For one, you definitely need a car charger for your phone. This is particularly important as the battery will drain quicker when you’re using it for maps!

If you’re taking an international road trip, you’ll also need your passport and potentially an international driver’s license. You’ll also want to ensure you have international cell service or a WiFi hotspot to keep your directions handy! Some car rental companies now rent WiFi hotspots to make it easier – but factor it into your road trip budget.

Additionally, make sure your travel insurance covers you for road trip adventures abroad. Most should, unless you are taking a vehicle type, like a motorbike, which you are not properly licensed to drive.

Know what to pack with a complete Road Trip Packing List!

10. Hit the Road

Now that you know how to plan a road trip, it’s time to go live the dream!

Helpful Apps for Road Trips

Technology has made road trips way easier with purpose built apps for road trips. They help you find anything from direct routes to cheap gas to convenient parking. Here are some of the best apps to keep you company on the road:

Stay safe on the road

Having carefully planned your road trip, you’re well on your way to having a safe and fun road trip. However there are a few more things to keep in mind:

  • Don’t leave valuables visible in the car, ever. Stick everything in the trunk. If the trunk is part of the main part of the vehicle, like in an SUV, cover everything with some kind of screen or blanket.
  • Always lock your doors. In the car, at the hotel, anywhere you are, lock the doors behind you!
  • If you’re tired, pull over. Take a nap. Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Don’t do it! Wherever you pull over, especially at night, make sure it is a well lit area.

Find more travel safety tips: 35 Critical Safety Tips for Solo Travel

FAQs about Planning a Road Trip

While many aspects of preparing for a road trip may have clicked in place by now, there are always some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address. After all, is there such a thing as being too informed?!

What is a road trip?

So sorry for boring you with how to plan a road trip when all you wanted to know was what constitutes a road trip! A road trip is simply any extended trip taken by motor vehicle. This could be done in a car, motor home/RV, motorcycle, etc. anywhere around the world!

How long is a road trip?

Road trips can be any length really. If you are headed on an adventure two hours away, you could consider it a road trip, or if you are driving all the way across the United States, that too would be a road trip! It’s very open to interpretation, but as long as you are traveling a distance by car, you can consider it a road trip!

What is the best road trip planner?

There are a number of road trip planning websites and apps out there, but it depends on how you like to visualize your trip as to what will work best for you. From tracking it in Excel to planning a road trip using Google Maps, there is no right answer.

Check out some of the apps made specifically for road trip planning, like RoadTrippers or TripIt or stop in at AAA to get some help planning. Every option has its own pros and cons. My personal favorite is plotting everything on Google Maps.

Why are road trips so popular?

Whether you’re scared of flying or simply a smell the roses along the way type of person, road trips are awesome! You get to make pitstops any time you’d like making your journey way more fun, informative, and interactive than simply flying into your end destination.

It means you can stop in dozens of cities or at bizarre roadside attractions and really get to know an area and the locals. Road trips are a far more immersive travel experience than flying from point A to point B.

Is it cheaper to road trip or fly?

In most cases, budgeting for a road trip will be less expensive than flying. This is of course dependent on your end destination. If you are traveling quite far, it’s probably better to spring for a flight, but if it’s within “close” driving distance, make it a road trip!

You’ll avoid the expenses of your flight, parking at the airport, renting a car at your destination or taking public transit, etc. However, you will face additional costs like gas and potentially parking at your end destination.

Not to mention driving can be slower than flying so there may be an opportunity cost to think about. If you only have 7 days for a vacation, do you want to spend 2-3 of them driving? This is where you need to weigh the pros and cons of time and money. If you are short on one versus the other, it will help you decide what is “cheaper” for your adventure, a road trip or a flight.

Awesome Road Trip Tips & Ideas

Knowing how to plan a road trip opens up all kinds of travel options. From staying locally to renting a car abroad, you can really get to know the area you’re visiting by planning multiple stops along the way. Continue planning your road trip with these additional posts which will help make your road trip a success.

Plan a Road Trip around the USA

The Great American Road Trip is something many dream about. With 50 amazing states to explore, generally well kept roads, and an extensive interstate network, you can’t go wrong taking a road trip across the United States.

It’s a particularly good way to explore the western part of the US where you can create bucket list worthy road trip routes that wind through many of the most popular American national parks.

If you’re just starting to plan your adventure, these road trip itineraries will get you started with some of the best road trip routes in America!

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Step-by-step guide to planning a Road Trip
How to Plan a Road Trip
How to Plan a Road Trip: A step-by-step guide

Julia is the founder of The Cure for Curiosity, a North Carolina-based traveler with experience across 100+ countries, from the pyramids of Egypt to Everest Base Camp to the Blue Hole in Belize. After years of fast travel and slow travel, solo journeys and road trips, she now helps curious travelers understand how to choose destinations wisely, pace trips intentionally, and experience places beyond the surface.

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8 Comments

  1. I’m planning a long term road trip and love your advice. GasBuddy is a fave of mine but I’m excited to try out your other app suggestions

    Reply

    1. It’s always awesome to find new apps that make life easier! I can’t wait until someone perfects 1 complete road trip app rather than needing multiple to do everything you need.

      Reply

  2. this is an awesome guide! We’re forever looking for the best road trips and we always try to do one way loops as well. Makes it so much easier!!!

    Reply

    1. Glad you found it helpful! I love a good road trip and have definitely spent more than my fair share of time traveling and living on the road. Fortunately, there’s always more amazing road trips to take!

      Reply

  4. Hi your post is great. Any suggestions for North dakota to California road trip ( maximum 5 days trip back and forth).

    Reply

    1. It’s a lot of driving for 5 days, which leaves limited time to explore, but I recommend targeting a couple key destinations on the way there and then taking a different route home with a couple of other key destinations.

      It depends largely on the part of California you’re going to and what you’re interests are, but you could do North Dakota to California stopping in Black Hills/Badlands, SD, Salt Lake City, UT and Yosemite, CA and then drive home through Lake Tahoe, CA and Yellowstone National Park! So many amazing things between North Dakota and California!

      Reply

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