The Ultimate Road Trip Planning Guide

If you know me at all, you may already know that I LOVE a good road trip. Whether its driving cross-country or a weekend getaway, there are SO many possibilities. Butt, it’s important to have a great road trip planning guide to ensure the best trip.

Again, I am not a full-time traveler. I am an Elementary Teacher who enjoys a summer road trip and many weekend getaways.

This guide will be helpful for others looking to take their yearly family/summer road trip or planning their first short-term getaway.

It is designed for the part-time traveler looking to stay in hotels/airbnbs along the way. As fun as camping is, it does take a bit more planning and packing.

Why should you take a road trip?

Honestly, the United States is SO cool. Whether you have three weeks off or three days, I encourage you to get out and explore.

Road trips are the best because (with a bit of planning) you can be spontaneous.

You can spend quality time with your road trip partner, see the hidden gems of the world, and explore the road less traveled. Hint::: Check out these bucket list hikes…ALL in the United States!!

You don’t have to worry about your flight being delayed, or spending thousands of dollars to fly across the world.

ANNNDDD you can bring your dog with (my favorite part),

Did I convince ya yet? 🙂 If so…keep reading!

Planning:

I find road trips SO fun to plan. The options are truly endless. I have listed below the steps I take to planning each and every road trip.

Step 1: Determine you Available Dates and Length of Trip

How long can you travel for? This will of course determine how many stops and how far you can make it.

Personally, I will drive up to 4 hours for a weekend trip (2 overnights) and then further depending on the length of time.

Step 2: Where will you end?

How far are you going to drive? Where would you like to end? This is usually your main goal of the road trip.

It is the most fun to make a list of ALL the places you would want to see. This is the perfect chance to create a BUCKET LIST.

After your list has been made, choose your final destination for this trip. What do you want to see/do the MOST?

Step 3: Plan your stops

I LOVE using the app Roadtrippers. You can use it as an app or on desktop. All you have to do is type in your starting point and ending destination.

It will then design your route and show you attractions along the way.

You can filter what kind of attractions you are interested in (nature, food, camping, roadside attractions) and the distance from your route. You can then add them to your route.

I have found SO MANY hidden gems by using this app!

You can also check Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide, Pinterest, and the explore section of Instagram!

Tip:: I do find that the distance/time is a bit different on Roadtrippers than Mapquest. So I always double-check the time on Mapquest after I determine my stops.

Step 4: Book your accommodations

This will completely depend on your planning style. I will typically book the first night before leaving, then wait for the rest. This allows for flexibility and the ability to spend longer (or shorter) at each stop.

No need to stress about driving a certain amount each day!

Booking tip::: You can use HotelsCombined to search for the best-priced hotel, or check Airbnb to find unique stays!

Step 5: Other Reservations

Book your top activities (the ones you DO NOT want to miss), then save the rest for when you are at the location! This way you can be flexible with times and dates!

Step 6: Pack/Prepare

See the lists below for help packing 🙂

Other things to do before you leave:

1. Get your oil changed/Rotate tires
2. Fill up your gas tank
3. Fill/check tires
4. Print off insurance information
5. Pet Vaccines (double-check to make sure you are up to date)
6. Double Check your Packing List (see below)
7. Download Music/podcasts (you will likely not have service at some point)
8. Stop your mail (if going for a long time).
9. Close up your house (turn air/heat down or up, lock doors, clean, clean)
10. Print paper maps and reservations.

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Road Trip Packing Lists:

In your suitcase/dufflebag

1. Clothes
2. Swimsuit
3. Socks and undergarments
4. Hiking Shoes (These are my FAVORITE…waterproof and so comfy!)
5. Baseball cap
6. Towel
7. Medication (that you take at night or morning)
8. Toothbrush and paste
9. Face wash
10. Shampoo/conditioner
11. Hairbrush
12. Razor
13. Wall Charger
14. Other hair supplies (straightener, curler, blow dryer)
15. Hiking day pack/water pack

Glove Compartment/Accessible while driving:

1. Napkins
2. Wet Wipes
3. Snacks (see below)
4. Water Bottle
5. Sunglasses
6. Motion Sickness Medication
7. Tylenol/Ibuprofen
8. Travel First-aid kit
9. Books
10. Book Light
11. Sun Screen

Pet Packing List:

1. Water dish for car ride
2. Gallon of water
3. Leash
4. Vaccine records
5. Collar with tag
6. First-aid supplies
7. Food
8. Treats
9. Collapsible Kennel

Food Packing List:

Food will of course differ depending on your travelling style and how often you are choosing to eat out, but I have listed some great ideas to get you started.

I like to bring simple snacks and meals to avoid eating fast food for EVERY meal/snack.

In the car:

1. Trail Mix
2. Dried Fruit
3. Granola Bars
4. Fruit Bars
5. Beef Jerky
6. Cheese itz/crackers

In the cooler/trunk:

1. Bread
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly
3. Frozen Hamburger and the fixings for Cheeseburgers (cooking at an Airbnb)
4. Clementines
5. Apples
6. Bananas
7. Brats
8. Lunch Meat
9. Brats and the fixings

PACKING TIP::: Click here for your FREE ultimate travel planner...complete with a full packing list 🙂

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Road Trip Games to Play:

If you are travelling with kids or the kid at heart, its always helpful to have a list of games ready when the road gets long.

Check out this 26-page activity kit that will be sure to keep kids busy (and off of technology). There are word searches, coloring pages, puzzles, travel journal prompts and MORE!

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Road Trip Planning Guide Tips:

1. Don’t Let you car get close to empty (you never know when the next gas station will be)
2. Get AAA- Luckily I haven’t had to use it, but it’s nice to have the peace of mind of roadside assistance… AND you can get discounts at some hotels with it.
3. Book Hotels with Continental Breakfast or Airbnbs with a kitchen to save a bit of money.
4. Try to stay more than one night a couple of times (allows for a bit of relaxation)
5. Do not be afraid of drifting off the plan.
6. ENJOY the journey!

Inspiration:

1. Dog-friendly New Mexico
2. Minnesota North Shore Natural Wonders
3. South Dakota Road Trip with Kids
4. Weekend Getaway to Broken Bow, OK
5. Dog-friendly Weekend Trips from Dallas, TX
6. Utah Girl’s Trip