I have planned and taken countless road trips in the past 10 years. As fun as they are to experience, I understand that they can be frustrating and overwhelming to plan. I mean the United States is massive and there are SO MANY cool things to see and do. So how do I find the best stops? How do I maximize my time? How do I save the most money? How can I be sure I do not miss a must-see roadside attraction? I have gathered and reviewed my FAVORITE easy-to-use road trip planning tools below!
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Table of Contents
Roadtrippers
My ABSOLUTE favorite tool to use when first planning my road trips. Roadtrippers is an all-inclusive app that allows you to pick your starting point (and ending point) and find cool and unique stops along the way. I have found so many hidden gems this way!
You can sort the stops by category (outside, attractions, places to eat, places to stay) and also by distance from the initial route. After planning your stops, you will also be able to see a gas cost estimate, hotels/stays along your route, and reviews from other travelers.
There is a free version that includes up to 7 stops, BUT the paid version allows up to 150 saved stops, no ads, offline maps and navigation, and even some coupons from travel partners!
HINT! Use this code (BTR5QTP) to save 5 dollars off your yearly subscription. That means you can have a year of Roadtrippers for less than the cost of a pizza (only 25 dollars!)
Alltrails
If hiking is your thing (even if not, I highly recommend you try it), Alltrails will be your new favorite app. It is EXTREMELY easy to use by typing in where you want to hike. You can type in national parks, state parks, or the city/state itself.
The search will initially sort the hikes by popularity, but you can further filter your finds by dog-friendly options, length, difficulty, or location. I then recommend that you read the reviews to find details about trail conditions and any difficult parking situations or unexpected finds.
I just recently caved and bought the paid version, but the free version works great to find all the best hikes. The paid version allows you to download maps without service, get off-trail notifications and offers 3D maps. (Perfect for someone who gets lost on every trail…uh me).
Google Maps
In the past, I always just used google maps to double-check distances and check road conditions. BUT it can be used for so much more. There are filters to check for restaurants, hotels, and gas stations along the way. You are also able to download your map for offline naviagtion.
If you are just using the free version of Roadtrippers, you can also double check your route (traffic and time), by plugging in your road trip stops on Google Maps.
Weelerz
If you are not wanting to put the road trip wear and tear on your own car, or want to have the luxury to sleep along your route, you need to check out Weelerz search engine! Weelerz is basically the Airbnb of RVs and Campervans.
Although it does appear to be initially expensive, you need to take into account that you will be saving money on hotels and the depreciation of your own car.
Its super easy to use by typing in your starting destination. You can then filter the price range, the type of RV, and pet-friendly-ness.
This app is new to me, but I am so excited to have found it and CANNOT WAIT to rent a campervan!
Pinterest is the absolute best place to get all the road trip inspiration (really any type of inspiration). You can type in “best things to see in Maine” and all of a sudden you will want to explore the whole state.
If you are not sure what Pinterest is…it is a visual platform that links directly back to blog posts about the location or attraction. After reading the post, you can then save the pin (picture) on one of your boards (folders). It is a super easy road trip planning app to keep all your inspiration and ideas organized and ready for the planning process.
Instagram may seem like an app you just mindlessly scroll on, BUT if used the “right” way, it can be a great tool for travel. I like to search the location (using location tag or hashtags) I am going to and scroll through the top and recent. From here, I have been able to find some really cool (and sometimes hidden) spots!
Also, follow people that travel the way you would like to (ex: USA road trips, international, camping). They will oftentimes share awesome locations and tips!
Bring Fido
If travelling with a dog, Bring Fido is a helpful starting place to find all the dog-friendly restaurants, stays and attractions. Although not completely all-inclusive, its a great place for ideas. You can start by selecting the category and location then you are able to read through user reviews and find the business information. I usually like to call and double check to make sure no rules have changed since the last review. BringFido is a definite roadtrip planning tool to add to your list!
Hotels Combined
A lesser-known search engine, BUT one of the best. This hotel’s search engine will search all of the competitors to find you the best price. It’s easy to use and will redirect you to the site with the best price! Although airbnbs can be fun, hotels are sometimes easier to book when on a road trip due to unknown routes, changes of plans, and price!
USA Road Trip Inspiration
- Dog-Friendly New Mexico Road Trip– Slide down the dunes at White Sands National Park, search for petroglyphs, and explore the culture-filled streets of Santa Fe…this road trip has it all!
- West Texas (Dallas to Big Bend)- Escape to the wild west to epic hikes, unique glamping, and fun ghost towns!
- Southeast USA Fall Colors Road Trip– Marvel at the fall colors while hiking to all the waterfalls!
- Arizona Weekend Getaway– All the desert vibes, natural bridges, hidden caves, and more on this Sedona to Tucson Road Trip!
For more Road Trip Inspiration, be sure to follow along on Instagram or join our private Facebook Group!
Road Trip Planning Tools Recap:
- Roadtrippers: For the ultimate road trip itinerary!
- Alltrails: To find the best hikes!
- Google Maps: For the best route!
- Weelerz: To rent an RV or campervan!
- Pinterest: For all things inspirational!
- Instagram: For previous experiences and cool insta spots!
- Bring Fido: To find the some dog-friendly ideas!
- HotelsCombined: To search for the best hotel deal!
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