road trip tips

Your ultimate checklist for an epic road trip

Travel Travel Inspiration Road Trips Epic Road Trip Tips

Road trips are one of the most fun ways to travel and explore a place. Think about it - wouldn’t you rather breathe in some fresh air and get lost in serene landscapes instead of waiting in long lines at the airport? Of course! Now, although road trips can be exciting, they can also get to you if you haven’t planned a few things out. We’ve put together a list of hacks and tips to make sure you have an epic road trip with fewer unpleasant surprises and many memorable ones!

27 Expert Tips For An Epic Road Trip

Below are the tips and hacks you're here for. Read on and thank us later!

#1 Budget the road trip (and stick to it)

Plan your budget beforehand so you can figure out how much you’ll need for the entire trip. Don’t underestimate your total budget because you don’t want to fall short of money. You’ll also want to account for unforeseen expenses, emergencies, and toll gates. Always carry enough cash just in case you can’t use your cards. If you’re traveling with other adults, decide on a budget together. Talk about how much you plan to spend each day and how much you need to set aside for different activities. It’s always good to plan these things out together and set expectations during the planning process.

#2 Alternate coffee with water to stay alert

Although coffee is widely accepted as the beverage that keeps you awake and alert, it’s not the best choice if you’re driving for long hours. the caffeine can make you very dehydrated and lethargic after a while, making things extremely uncomfortable, especially if you’re driving. caffeine acts as a stimulant but often works for a short duration. taking a few sips of plain water or snacking on water-infused fruits every now can really help you stay hydrated and alert for the whole journey., #3 get a thorough car health check-up before you hit the road.

The last thing you want on your road trip is to have your car break down. Head over to the closest garage or mechanic and have them check your car thoroughly. Check the tire pressure for any signs of a possible flat. Fill up the car with a full tank to skip the hassle of finding a station in the first few hours of your road trip. Always keep a spare tire or two in the car just in case you need it on the way, and of course, learn how to change a tire before you hit the road. You just might need it for those areas where road assistance is miles away.

#4 Let your bank know where you’re going

It’s a good idea to inform your bank about where you’re headed in case of any money-related emergency that can crop up on your holiday. Because you’ll be traveling to unfamiliar places, there’s always the chance of running into frauds, even if you’re extremely careful. Keeping your bank informed can ensure that all transactions made on your holiday are looked into and any action needed can be done almost immediately. Put yourself at ease and let your bank know your travel plans before you head out.

#5 Chart a rough itinerary

You don’t want to rely solely on spontaneity, and at the same time, you don’t want to plan every tiny aspect of the trip. What you can do is chart out a rough itinerary, including pit stops, places to visit once you reach, restaurants, and the like. Basically, a rough idea of all the things you want to cover on the trip. This gives you a lot to look forward to but also room for some flexibility. For instance, let’s say you had a long night and woke up too late for breakfast and sightseeing, that’s okay! If your plan is flexible, you can still make the most of the day and see what else you can do.

#6 Carry cash and stash them carefully

Carrying a sufficient amount of cash on your road trip is absolutely essential. You just might need cash for places that don’t accept card payments, especially if you’re traveling through a small town or village. Maybe you want to grab a quick bite at a little food stall or food truck, maybe you get a flat and have to call for road assistance. Either way, keep some cash with you just in case. But don’t keep all of it in one spot. Carefully distribute it across a few spots and make sure it’s safe and hidden.

#7 Fill up gas using a Credit Card that gives cashback

Many banks have exciting cashback offers when it comes to expenses like fuel. You’ll probably need a full tank or three for your whole trip so why not save some money and earn some points/cashback while you fuel up. Call or visit your bank before you fuel up to see if your credit card is eligible for a cashback. If not, check with your road trip buddies to see if any of them have cashback offers. This is super helpful, especially if your journey is going to be a long one and you need to fill fuel more than a couple of times.

#8 Fill up gas every chance you get

Even if you have more than a half tank of gas, it’s always better to fuel up every chance you get. You never know when you might find the next gas station and sometimes it could be several hours before you do. Sometimes it might even be shut. So, even if you do your homework and figure out where all the gas stations are on your way and back, it’s always better to be safe and fill gas whenever you find a station, especially if you’ve used up half or more of your tank.

#9 Opt for truck stops over rest areas

Because you’re traveling to unknown areas, your safest bet is to opt for truck stops instead of secluded pitstops. This is an especially useful tip if you’re traveling with women and children and want to be cautious. Truck stops aren’t just for truckers anymore. With adequate lighting, food, facilities, and a small crowd, it is definitely much safer than stopping at a remote area with no one around. Either way, be cautious about where you pull up and quickly scan the area to make sure it’s safe.

#10 Schedule exercise breaks every 2 to 4 hours

We all know how painful it is to sit in the same position for hours on end. You definitely want to avoid this especially while driving and stop for a quick stretch every 2-4 hours. Doing this will help keep the inevitable back pain and leg cramps at bay. Stop every few hours and stretch it out, especially if you feel your body starting to get stiff. Breathe in some fresh air, pop a few healthy snacks, and stay hydrated so your body is in good shape to get back on the road.

#11 Learn how to change a tire

No one really tells you the importance of knowing how to change a tire, but it is an extremely valuable skill to have. It’s easy to call someone to change your tire when you run a flat in a city, but what happens when you’re in the middle of nowhere? You may not find road assistance close by or they might be miles away and take hours to reach you. You’d rather take the time to learn how to change a tire yourself and save yourself time and money.. If you learn how to do it right, the whole ordeal takes just 10-15 minutes.

#12 Bring a portable charger for your devices

We’re all pretty reliant on GPS, especially when we’re traveling. Your phone is precious in more than one way and you can’t have it drain out before you reach your destination. When you’re on a road trip, you usually rely on your vehicle’s power to charge your device. On the off chance that your car breaks down and you can’t charge your phone for assistance, it's good to have a backup charger. So carry one or two portable chargers for emergencies!

#13 Carry an offline/physical map for when GPS ditches you

Let’s be honest, we’d be pretty lost without GPS, and you can’t have your GPS giving up on you on a road trip! Backups are essential. Although the age of physical maps might be long gone, you never know when it’ll come in handy. You should also download offline maps before you set out in case you lose network and can’t access your GPS. Having all of this sorted ahead of time will save you from being stranded.

#14 Preload your phone with playlists and podcasts

Road trips are always more fun when you have some fun tunes to hum along to. Remember that you’re probably going to be out of range for the radio to function, so put a few playlists together before you hit the road. You might also lose signal sometimes, so maybe download all the songs and podcasts just in case. That way you always have music and entertainment to keep you engaged through the long stretches. Although road trip games are fun, sometimes it’s nice to just sit back, relax, and listen to good music. Don’t forget to keep everyone’s taste in mind when you’re making these playlists.

#15 Get off the highway and take the road less traveled (sometimes)

Driving on the highway can get monotonous and boring. If you have a car that can handle a little bit of off-roading, why not take an alternate route or a short detour and go on a mini-adventure? You never know what you might find in the nooks of new towns, but we’re sure it’ll be worth finding out. That said, don’t take too much of a detour and lose your way completely! Make sure to check the maps before you hit the detour to see which roads will lead you back to the highway.

Ultimate Bucketlist Road Trips In The World

#16 book flexible attraction tickets in advance.

It’s important to have a loose itinerary in mind when you plan a road trip. Although planning and booking things in advance is helpful, you might change your mind once you’re actually there. Booking flexible attraction tickets gives you the option of canceling your tickets or rescheduling them without losing money. This is a great option if you and your buddies are more on the spontaneous side. Have some fun and be flexible with your plans.

Book last minute experiences on Headout , your one-stop digital marketplace for tours, activties and experiences across 100+ cities around the globe.

#17 Snap pictures of informative signs when you enter a city/town and keep them handy

Just like how you might take pictures of where your car is parked in a massive parking lot, you probably want to take pictures of important signs on your road trip. Keep these pictures in handy in case you get lost and need to retrace your path. It’s also a good idea to keep these pictures in case of any other emergency that pops up when you’re on the road in unfamiliar areas.

#18 Download a handy chunk of road trip friendly apps

Nowadays there are apps for pretty much everything. To find a toilet, to find the closest gas station, to chart your road trip itinerary and even to find the nearest parking. Before setting off on a road trip, make sure to download the few recommended road trip apps to help make your trip hassle-free!

#19 Stock up on emergency essentials (more than one of each)

Include emergency essentials on your road trip packing list. You always need to be prepared in case of accidents and emergencies, especially if you’re in for a long drive and help is far off. Some important things that need to be packed include a first-aid kit, road safety kit, car tools, spare tires and other car parts, a flashlight, blankets, and water.

#20 Travel insurance + Car insurance are an absolute must

There’s a reason why accidents are called that - because you never know when they can happen. Make sure you have car insurance and travel insurance and keep a copy or two of them in the car. You want to be prepared for anything when you’re on a road trip, especially when there are other people in the car with you. Insurance is a must when you’re heading out on a road trip..

#21 Know the road rules of the country

Get yourself familiar with the road rules of the place you’re going to visit. Sometimes each state has its own travel rules for the road. Do a bit of research and find tips for travelers from official travel and tourism websites. Whether it’s Europe, the United States, Australia, or Asia, you can find important information about road rules on their government or tourism sites. This little extra step can help reduce any tension when you’re driving and prepare you for the unexpected.

#22 Carry a foldable chair and portable picnic set

One of the most exciting parts of a road trip is finding beautiful spots along the way where you can enjoy the view, take some cool pictures, or better - have a picnic! Carry a few foldable chairs and a portable picnic set with you so you can have an impromptu picnic anywhere, anytime. Light food and beverages are perfect for a picnic, like sandwiches, juice boxes, chips, and whatever else you fancy. Having a small picnic in the middle of your road trip also gives you a chance to unwind and enjoy nature before getting back on the road.

#23 Sunscreens for the windows are a blessing during afternoons

When you crank the air conditioner up, it can slow down your car or burn up fuel much faster. but when you roll the windows down, it can get loud with harsh winds. plus, the car usually gets quite heated up during noon, making it uncomfortable for passengers inside. a bunch of hot, sweaty, irritable people stuck next to each other for a long time inside a car can make things very uncomfortable. invest in sunscreens for the car windows so that even if you’re driving when the sun is at its peak, you can still have a pleasant drive., #24 cover distances during daylight, the best time to start your road trip is at 4 or 5 am in the morning, just before the sun rises. this way you get to beat the morning traffic and be out of the city in time to catch some sensational views of the sunrise. plus, without regular commuters on the road, your journey becomes less hectic and more enjoyable without being stuck in those annoying traffic jams. after all, you don’t want to start off your road trip in a bad mood. leaving early also helps you cover the majority of your distance during daylight when it's the safest to drive., #25 don’t use cruise control at night, as relaxing as it is to put the car on cruise control, kick back, and enjoy the ride, you don’t want to do this after the sunsets. using cruise control at night can be dangerous because it’s harder to see things at night and your reflexes need to be on high alert. the nighttime is usually when truck drivers tend to become more drowsy and little animals tend to set out on adventures, often ending up on roads. so stay off cruise control at night and be ready for anything unexpected..

#26 Keep a close watch on the weather forecast and change plans accordingly

Weather can be so unpredictable sometimes. you most certainly should check the weather forecast while planning the trip to see what clothes to carry, what activities to plan, and so on. but, as accurate as weather forecasts are, there are times when the weather changes unpredictably. keep a close watch on the forecast every day of your trip, especially when you’re planning to cover long distances. have a rough backup plan in mind, in case mother nature decides to throw some weather hazards your way., #27 kit your car out and carry spare parts, even though vehicles are made of a gazillion different parts, sometimes even if one of those parts stops working, you’re going to have trouble. there are some essential parts to a car where it helps to have a spare, so you don’t end up having to ditch your car in the middle of nowhere. spare tires, car battery, water pump, jumper cables, and a timing belt. if you want to keep even more items handy, that’s perfectly alright, but you should at least have these few essentials just in case there’s a breakdown on your road trip..

Lakshmi Menon

Born to parents bit by the wander bug, Lakshmi calls her love for travel "hereditary and habitual". Perpetually ensconced with a book in her hand and a mug of coffee in the other, she has been to over 15 countries in her 23 years of existence and is currently saving miles and money for her solo trip to Iceland. Always hustling towards the least trodden path, she has encountered some wonderful people during her escapades and if you ever meet her, she won't stop gushing about them.

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Road Trip Tips: 21 Mistakes to Avoid When on a USA Road Trip

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Taking a road trip around the USA , or anywhere, will be one of the most epic and memorable trips you’ll take—no doubt.

So don’t F it up…

JK—No pressure. I got your back with all the road trip tips and everything you should NOT do on your trip. This way, you can have more time for fun, snapping pics, chasing waterfalls, hiking to viewpoints, and so many other amazing activities!

Make this a trip to remember with these road trip tips. Learn now, and have fun later. It’s easy! I’ve done a ton of road trips in the USA and around the world, and these are some of my best road trip tips and mistakes to avoid for you to keep in mind.

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Table of Contents

1. DON’T Wait for Gas

Resources for your trip:, 2. don’t underestimate the cost of gas, 3. don’t forget to carry cash, 4. don’t forget about music, 5. don’t be unrealistic with your time, 6. don’t sleep in, 7. don’t buy water and don’t forget to fill up often, 8. don’t forget to download maps (one of the easy road trip tips to forget), 9. don’t assume all roads are paved, 10. don’t get fancy with your meals, 11. don’t be disorganized, 12. don’t plan too much… or too little…, 13. don’t assume all roads will be open, 14. don’t drive at night (a road trip tip for safety), 15. don’t choose the wrong person to go with, 16. don’t underestimate the size of the usa, 17. don’t forget to roll with the punches, 18. don’t forget to check on the season (and not just for what to pack), 19. don’t be a jackass and have fun, 20. don’t forget to insure yourself (and your car), 21. don’t rent the wrong vehicle for your trip (perhaps the most important road trip tip), 17 legendary american road trips, your southwest road trip itinerary (1 week - 2 months), your adventurous arizona road trip, your adventurous utah road trip, seattle to san francisco west coast road trip adventures and waterfalls, your adventurous montana road trip, road trip tips—what not to do on your road trip.

Fill up here, fill up there, fill up ev-ry-where!

The next gas station could be lightyears away in many states around the US.

If you’re the adventurous type who wants to wander down random roads and who will detour in a split second, fill up when you can.

If you don’t, guess who needs to say goodbye to adventurous detours? YOU.

Make sure to fill up at the half tank every time if you can. I often pretend the last half doesn’t count. What did using this road trip tip result in? Never having to worry about running out of gas. That’s a win!

RELATED: 17 Legendary American Road Trips

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Going on from my last thought, unfortunately, this may mean you are stuck paying higher prices for gas because you’re in the middle of nowhere-land, and they are charging the same prices as the bigger towns PLUS your firstborn child.

Sorry little Billy, I sold you for gas money…

Seriously though, small towns are pricier, you may have to pay the price, but you could also top up for just a few bucks to make it safely to the next big town/city.

Either way, inflate the budget here so you don’t get any surprises, and make sure you are definitely topping up in the big cities as often as possible.

Pro road trip tip —Peek at the GasBuddy app often to see where the next cheapest gas station is. This app is a lifesaver!

Those small town gas stations may have a charge for using credit cards, or worse, they only accept cash! So make sure you have some on you.

Also, some state and national parks require cash payments for parking and using facilities.

There isn’t always someone on-site, and you’ll be required to place your cash in an envelope. You’ll need an exact change too. I’m all about using my card, but having some cash stashed away is necessary. It is smart to have a mix of bigger and smaller bills.

Another cash tip to keep in mind is having quarters on you for any parking meters or using laundry facilities.

I know you’re thinking, DUH, Nina. But seriously, don’t forget the music! Radio is almost a non-option unless you enjoy the sweet sounds of static and want to give your index finger a major workout by scanning the channels.

Cell service will also be in and out, so while you may be one smart cookie and have Spotify or the like on your phone, don’t forget to download all those cool playlists to enjoy it offline.

Don’t forget an aux cord if needed unless everything can be connected via Bluetooth. You may also want a portable speaker so you can listen to music outside the car and on the go.

It’s not essential, but this is one of the road trip tips that’ll just make the journey more enjoyable.

READ MORE: My badass road trip packing list , don’t forget a thing!

Did you actually think you would be able to fit those two hikes in AND drive five hours? Ekk!

You really do need to be realistic with your time.

If you get all excited about a bunch of places and you only make it to half, you may be pretty bummed.

But instead, if you get excited about the POSSIBILITY of going to about half of the places on your list, you will ultimately be satisfied with what you got done.

Don’t get your hopes up and try cramming in too much, so you’re rushing, speeding, driving too late at night, not sleeping enough…etc.

It’s OK to pass on a few places; trust this road trip tip when I say your list will only get longer, not shorter. So don’t get flustered when you need to pass things up to gain more time.

READ MORE: Here’s a realistic itinerary for a West Coast road trip !

I would TOTALLY be the annoying friend that pushes you out of the car, shoves a bagel and coffee down your throat, and makes you put clothes on so you’re ready to get on the road no later than 9 am.

Don’t worry, I’m not talking about getting your day started at 6 am.

While I think it can be ideal, probably makes for great sunrise pictures, and you check more things off the list, let’s not get crazy. 6 am is rough.

However, being on the road by 8:30-9ish is totally doable.

Luckily, I refuse to road trip with people who aren’t on the same page as me because I’m a stickler on this one. Also, I’m a terrible sleeper, so I am awake this early anyway!

There are far too many things to see and do—go to bed earlier and get up and go. You’ll thank yourself when the trip is done. (You can sleep when you’re dead, right?)

Fill up water bottles and jugs instead. It would be SO wasteful to buy 100 jugs of water on your trip.

Instead, I buy a few one-gallon jugs and reuse them for my entire trip. I also never travel without my reusable water bottle . At the end of a trip, I recycle the jugs. Most recently I also got this water jug which fits nicely in the corner of my car and I don’t even need other water jugs now!

It’s very easy to prioritize convenience but try your best on your road trip to not be wasteful.

Filling up water is actually very easy. Many of the parks have drinkable water fountains where you can fill up, and Walmarts have water fountains you can use.

A few jugs or one big reusable jug is just what you need. They don’t take up too much room, and they will last you a couple of days, giving you plenty of time to find the next water fill-up area.

Fill up every time you can; it goes without saying that water is NOT something you want to be without at any point and time.

Don’t forget to factor in using water to boil pasta, make coffee, etc.

RELATED: Your Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (1 Week – 2 Months)

Bringing paper maps is not really my thing, but I knew I couldn’t always rely on my phone to have service. I can’t stress how clutch it was to have maps downloaded.

I always have Google Maps AND Maps.Me both downloaded on my phone. And if you’re riding with someone else, make sure they do the same just in case someone loses their phone, forgets to charge, etc.

Oops. I’d venture to say that most of us forget this road trip tip. I know I did.

If I saw the road on the map, I generally thought it was a legit road with something more than loose rocks to follow. Uh, no. Not so much!

Don’t assume you won’t come across many gravel roads, particularly if you want to get a bit adventurous or take some of the less busy roads.

Driving on gravel roads when they weren’t expected can be a bit stressful, not to mention it will cut into your time since you’ll be driving much slower than you thought.

What are you trying to do on your trip? Spend your time cooking or doing and seeing things?

Yeah, that’s what I thought… So why would someone voluntarily choose to make a borderline 5-star meal for lunch is beyond me but let me tell you, you’ll be much happier with an easier meal than a fancy-schmancy one or one that is labor-intensive.

Here’s what I usually eat while road tripping:

Breakfast is 1-2 of the following items:

• Boiled eggs (boil all of them at once and keep them in the fridge)
• Bread /bagels (usually untoasted because ain’t nobody got time for that…nor a toaster)
• Oatmeal with fruit and granola

Lunch is usually a sandwich and or a snack such as:

• Cheese and crackers
• Sandwiches are usually cheese, spinach, a hardboiled egg or some tuna, pickles, and maybe avocado. And then mustard and mayo for condiments.
• A favorite is my “camping charcuterie board,” which is usually a mix of cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, and “rough hummus” (smashed chickpeas with spices and EVOO)

Dinner is one of the following:

• Lentils and rice (I found these amazing, tasty, and easy to make packets to make lentils and rice , it literally takes 2 minutes, and it’s healthy)
• Pasta and sauce
• Frozen vegetables which we would add to both of the items above.
• Beer and or wine 🙂

On a similar note, eating out costs a lot, and if you’re trying to be quick, it’s often pretty unhealthy.

I often try to eat out only when it’s mega worth it or when I’m deep into my trip and need a break from eating out of my car! Making it a treat rather than something expected saves a bunch of cash AND time.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Utah Road Trip

Your vehicle has everything you need BUT, it’s still just a vehicle, which means space is precious and limited.

Get everything in its “home” on day 1 and make sure that item lives in that spot forever and always.

I always have a system down from day 1, and I keep it that way! It keeps everything SO clean and organized the entire time. I usually have zero casualties of items flying out a window, falling out of the car, or going mysteriously missing.

Get your car in order and keep it there! My mantra is “everything has a home” and I don’t put it down, I put it in its home.

I’m not toying with you. Hear me out!

Road trips are supposed to be fun, and a bit spontaneous, so planning too much and keeping yourself to a rigid schedule doesn’t allow for fun, adventure, and random detours.

Plan too little? And you’ll be wasting a large chunk of the day figuring out what you want to do (if you even have internet).

I usually have a few “rules” in place…

On this West Coast road trip , I wanted to drive on a certain route (the inland route, not the coastal route). I wanted to be outdoors and in nature (so no stops in big cities and walking around buildings), and I wanted to do pretty hikes with waterfalls and great views.

I made a rough route with plenty of places to stop that matched my criteria, but nothing was set in stone.

If I didn’t have the time, the spot was too out of the way, or if the road was closed (wait for it…), there was no disappointment and plenty of other things just a few miles away to explore.

Keep your options open and have a few options on the table. Find a balance, don’t set expectations too high, and don’t pigeonhole yourself to an exact itinerary. It will be nothing short of miserable.

This is one of my best road trip tips because it’s really one of the most important to keep in mind for the trip—for your own sanity!

READ MORE:  How to Plan a Road Trip

Yeah, revolutionary information, right? Luckily the USA is pretty good at announcing when a road will be closed. There will likely be signs and even info on a state’s website.

This happened to me on a few road trips, and it threw a wrench into my plans… for a whole two seconds.

Since I’m always loose with my plans (hello, road trip tip #12!), it wasn’t the end of the world, but it did cause me to end up in a few places I didn’t expect a couple of times.

It’s usually not a big deal but just something to watch, particularly if you’re taking the smaller roads like I sometimes do or are driving during fall and winter when road closures are more common.

It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but I’m mentioning this because depending on where you are, you’re increasing your chance of putting yourself (or adorable animals) in danger.

Cute woodsy animals like to come out at night and graze and hop around. Sometimes they wander in traffic. If it’s a little guy, poor thing but at least your car will be fine. If it’s a big boy, you’re totally screwed.

Overall, night driving can be a bit more challenging and you also need to be a bit more careful with choosing your sleeping spot for the evening in the dark.

I always make it a goal to find a place by sunset, and if I go a bit later, it’s not too big of a deal, but I don’t like to push it.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Arizona Road Trip!

Seriously though, don’t underestimate the amount of time and closeness with the other person. Make sure they are cool, and make sure you’re cool too…

This trip will be a disaster if you both don’t jive with each other and work as a team. Luckily I’ve only had one miserable road trip, and funny enough, it was with a very close friend. So even if you’re friends now, make sure you can stand each other for the entire trip.

Seriously, this country is f-ing huge. We literally have 48 small to medium-sized countries on the enormous landmass of the contiguous USA.

Make no mistake, no amount of time is the “perfect” amount to see this place.

Vancouver to San Francisco is only a measly 15-hour drive if you JUST DRIVE. One person could technically do this drive in two long days.

When I road-tripped it, it took 17 days to drive a bit more leisurely, and see things along the way. I could have doubled that and still not had enough time. There’s an insurmountable amount of things to do and see, don’t cut yourself short and try squeezing your trip into a few days; you’ll spend the entire time just driving.

My PNW road trips are anywhere from 1 to 2 months, and I’m just scratching the surface of what I want to do! So one of the best road trip tips you can take in is, don’t overwhelm yourself with things to do and know that driving times will eat up a LOT of your time.

It might be smart to target just certain parks, or perhaps focus on just one state. Whatever it is, don’t underestimate drive times.

I have to tell you something. And it’s going to happen on your road trip! It’s a guarantee… Ready for it?

Things won’t always go as planned.

Shocking, right? If this road trip tip seems so obvious to you, just remember while on the trip, that’s how you felt when reading this.

Sometimes we get caught up in the moment, want things to be perfect, and when one string frays, we break apart. You’ll run into a delay, a park is closed, a flat tire… Something.

It’s a guarantee that SOMETHING will go wrong, so just accept it when it does. You’ll only make it worse by having a meltdown.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Montana Road Trip!

You’ll need to check the specification of the states you’ll be rolling through to be sure that you pack accordingly. Do you need more scarves or more swimsuits? Both?!

You’ll have to research to make sure, but aside from clothing, you’ll need to know what else happens in certain states.

Being from Florida, I can tell you that road tripping around August and September could mean potential hurricane weather.

I spend a lot of time in Oregon and the entire West Coast. The past two summers have been LIT. And not in a good way; forest fires during July and August can get really bad and make the air quality terrible, obstruct views, and even close down roads.

While on a West Coast road trip a few years back, a bunch of forest fires had just died down. However, there were still tons of signage warning of potential dangers from the loose ground from the fires and a fire ban in most places.

There were even trails and campsites that were closed because of this.

Remember, there are people from all around the world, the USA, and Canada on the road!

The USA is eclectic; avoid getting road rage, don’t be the ass who doesn’t let someone merge, don’t stop in the middle of the road for pictures, don’t litter, recycle when you can, and just be a good person. There are so many different people on the road; try to be accommodating and understanding.

Oh, and have fun! 🙂

No matter where you’re traveling—you want everything and everyone covered! For road trips anywhere in the world, you can look into using World Nomads (they cover Americans in the US if you’re over 100 miles from home!), Safety Wing (for Americans abroad), or check out my travel insurance post for more options, don’t get caught without it!

For your vehicle, it’s always smart to have your vehicle insured, and more often than not, it’s required! There are many ways to go about this.

If you’re in the US, your car will be insured but getting AAA can prove to be a lifesaver too – they will tow you, help change a tire, and get you back in your vehicle if you locked yourself out!

Sometimes your credit card can cover car rentals (but be careful, many don’t cover vans and RVs!) check this article on the best travel cards to see which credit cards can help lessen your costs on your trip and can cover your car rental.

It’s going to vary widely how insurance will work for you and your vehicle depending on where you are but the bottom line is – just don’t forget about it!

RELATED: A Guide to Finding The Best Long Term Travel Insurance

So which vehicle are you going with? Your own car? A rental? An RV? A rented campervan? There are tons of options but which is right for you and your trip?

Choosing the right vehicle, especially if you’re renting is probably the most important road trip tip to keep in mind. If you’re renting, here are some options to consider:

• Outdoorsy – One of the best RV and campervan rental sites in the USA
• Northbound – Find your car or campervan in Iceland
• Car Rentals – You can check here for current car rental deals anywhere in the world.
• Indie Campers – Rent a campervan and road trip across Europe!

There’s Wicked Campers for South America, Britz and JUCY for Australia and New Zealand, and tons more options!

I hope these road trip tips were helpful! Have fun on your next road trip!

More USA Road Trips

>>> Even More About USA Road Trips <<<

How to Plan a USA Road Trip & Choosing a Vehicle

Your Road Trip Essentials Packing List and Tips (+ Printable Checklist!)

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15 Comments

Love this list! With covid we have been road tripping more and things like this are super useful. Thank you!

Yay! So happy to hear 🙂 Thank you!

This was the best road trip blog poay on road trips I have seen. I agree with many of your ideas.

I particularly agree on no nighttime driving. Many road trip bloggers mention yhay driving at night is ideal.with kids. While I agree it is easier to drive when the kids are sleeping, it is not as safe as driving during daylight hours. Your vision is decreased and you are driving in unfamiliar areas. Unless you work at night you are not ised to being awake at night either. Safety is paramount

I like that you said that while on a road trip it’s a guarantee that something will go wrong, so just accept it when it does. My husband and I are thinking about going on a road trip because we think it would be a great way to spend more time together while also getting to see some beautiful scenery.

Driving home now from a twenty- eight day road trip with my hubby, 9 yr old and two yellow labs. Drove from Florida to Seattle and visited over twenty-five national parks. 80 dollar annual pass for the parks was the best investment .

YES! Those passes are a great idea!

I like to do a bit of research first before going on a trip. This was so useful.

So happy to hear! 🙂 Have fun.

Next time, invest in Sirius SATELLITE radio and a rent a sat phone. You will NEVER be out of contact, or music, again.

Keep enjoying those road trips.

Another important thing: every state drives differently. Californians speed like crazy and a lot of slower drivers sit in the passing lane. Oregonians appear to have no clue where their going and you’ll get a ticket for going 1mph over the speed limit, and Washingtonians pace each other for miles so no one can pass and their traffic is starting to compete with LA.

So true!!! Cross the state border and you could be in a new world of drivers for sure.

Thank you for this list, it will come in handy this summer when my boyfriend and I roadtrip from Kentucky to Galveston, TX

Yay, glad to hear this was helpful, Tara 🙂 Have fun!

Loved your tips! Most we (my son and I) live by when we road trip around the US. Only 7 states left to visit but so many to go back and visit again!

Thanks, Shyla!

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Planning a Road Trip: The Complete Guide

For many travelers, nothing beats a good old-fashioned road trip—you’re treated to scenic views along your journey, you have the flexibility to stop wherever and whenever you please, you can set your own schedule, it’s usually less expensive than flying, and you can pack as many bags (and liquids!) as your heart desires. It’s no wonder 73 percent of Americans would rather road trip to their destination than fly, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Ford.

As with any mode of transportation, there’s no shortage of tricks and tips to help make your road trip experience more enjoyable, efficient, safe and cost-friendly. Whether you’re prepping for your first time or you’re a bona fide veteran, your next road trip is sure to benefit from our complete planning guide.

Planning Your Trip

You can learn a lot about a traveler based on his or her road trip style. Some road trippers are content throwing a last-minute backpack in the trunk and letting their mood dictate the route and final destination. Others pre-plan every last detail for weeks, mapping out each rest stop and which sights to visit along the way. Most fall somewhere in the middle, combining a rough plan with a little carefree flexibility. And that’s the beauty of road tripping: it literally puts you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to control almost any variable except traffic, road construction, weather, and speed limits.

The destination and time of year you’re going should be taken into account when deciding how much or little to plan ahead. “During holidays and peak summer travel seasons, travelers should plan out their trip in advance, including booking their hotels and scheduling their activities,” says Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “If travelers are going to remote areas, they may even want to schedule their stops for gas and food.”

Additionally, if you’re heading to a city that’s hosting a special event (such as a festival, conference, or concert), it’s a wise move to pre-book your hotel room, rental or campsite—otherwise, you could end up sleeping in your vehicle upon arrival. For some road trippers, this is a right of passage; for others, a mistake they won’t soon repeat.

“Some attractions and parks have capacity limits, so plan those in advance if there is a must-do activity on your trip,” suggests Casselano. The same advice holds true for activities and national parks that require pre-purchased tickets or have a permit lottery system. 

Renting vs. Driving Your Own Vehicle

A couple weeks before your road trip, you’ll need to evaluate whether your vehicle is the most appropriate option for not only the road trip you’re planning, but the destination itself—and then determine if you need to rent a different vehicle before you hit the road. For instance, if you’re going camping or skiing, does it have enough cargo space for all your gear? If you’re heading to a mountainous region, will you need four-wheel drive or a higher ground clearance? If your car is leased, will this trip put you over your allotted mileage and result in extra charges from your dealership down the road? Is your vehicle older, unreliable, or in need of repairs? Are you headed to the beach, where a convertible would be more fun? There’s a lot to assess, so take your time and consider all vehicle specs accordingly.

And if you do decide to drive your own vehicle, make sure it’s up-to-date on maintenance in order to minimize the risk of a breakdown or accident. “Our cars have become so complex, it can be difficult to change out wiper blades or a headlamp yourself, let alone determine if your car is mechanically sound," says Fix.

Have a trusted mechanic check the tires and pressure, brakes, battery, engine, wiper blades, and top off engine oil and fluids as needed. Also, be sure to book your appointment far enough in advance of your road trip to allow adequate time for any repairs.

What to Bring

With luggage only limited by the amount of cargo space your vehicle has, it can be tempting to pack everything but the kitchen sink when embarking on a road trip. Resist the urge and instead focus on practicality.

For starters, AAA recommends keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle. Consider the below list of things to include (depending on location and season), and be sure to replenish any depleted items as needed:

• Cell phone and car charger
• First-aid kit
• Drinking water and snacks for everyone in the car, including pets
• Flashlight with extra fresh batteries
• Rags, paper towels, or pre-moistened wipes
• Basic set of tools, along with duct tape and car emergency warning devices (such as road flares or reflectors)
• Ice scraper/snow brush/shovel
• Jumper cables/jump pack
• Traction aid, such as sand, salt, or non-clumping cat litter
• Tarp, raincoat, and gloves
• Paper map or printed directions (in case GPS or Wi-Fi aren’t working)
• A car sun shade

“If you’re heading from a warm climate to a cold climate, make sure to bring a snow brush, ice scraper, and hand warmers,” suggests Lauren Fix , an ASE-certified technician, race car driver and award-winning author of three automotive books. “And if you’re going into the mountains, you will need snow chains. If you’re heading from cold climate into warm, make sure to have washer fluid, paper towels, and glass cleaner to clean the bugs off your windshield.”

Next, you’ll need to pack clothes, toiletries, medications, prescription glasses or contacts, electronic devices and their corresponding chargers (camera, laptop, tablet, fitness watch, wireless earbuds , etc.), and any other necessities. Depending on the weather and your itinerary, don’t forget coats, rain jackets, hiking boots, an umbrella, and sunglasses. Plus, you’ll need to pack the required equipment for any planned or impromptu activities, such as swimsuits, beach and pool gear, and tennis rackets or golf clubs.

“If you are traveling with small children, bring extra food, supplies, and changes of clothes, and plan stops more frequently and around their feeding and nap schedule,” advises Casselano. It’s also a good idea to pack board games, a deck of cards, books, toys, a tablet filled with movies, their favorite pillow or blanket, and stuffed animals to keep little ones busy during the drive.

Budget-Friendly Tips

While traveling by car tends to be inherently cost-conscious, there are at least 10 ways to save money on a road trip that you may be overlooking. The following habits will help make your wallet even happier.

Be flexible. “Road trips are most popular during the summer and during the winter holidays when school is out of session,” says Casselano. “These are also the times of the year when travel is more expensive.” When possible, choose to travel during shoulder season or during the week for better deals on hotels and attractions.

Bring your own snacks. Snacks and road tripping go hand-in-hand, but purchasing food and drinks at each rest stop adds up fast. Instead, plan ahead for your cravings, and load up on your favorites at a big box retailer before you hit the road. You can also pack a cooler to keep everything fresh.

Download helpful apps. Don’t be shy about leaning on technology to act as your co-pilot. Use them to find the lowest gas prices (GasBuddy, which also made our list of the eight best travel apps for a Great American road trip ), the least-expensive routes (TollGuru), the least traffic, and construction (Waze), and the nearest public restroom (Flush).

Shop around for rentals. If you decide renting a car is the way to go, follow these tips to save the most: Compare prices at various locations around the city (airport locations typically cost the most), consider discount brands, namedrop your memberships (such as AAA or Costco), and reserve the most economic car tier you and your travel companions will feel comfortable driving in (you may even luck out with an upgrade due to supply/demand on the day you pick it up).

Increase fuel efficiency. Aside from saving at the pump, you can also manage your fuel efficiency by avoiding roof-based luggage when possible (which makes the car less aerodynamic), driving at or below the speed limit, using cruise control on long stretches of open road, and keeping your tires properly inflated.

There’s a palpable sense of excitement when hopping in the car for a road trip that truly stands apart from other forms of transportation. The open road is positively brimming with possibilities, so feel free to choose the road less traveled. With each trip, you’ll gain a better sense of how to plan, what you’ll tweak next time, and, most importantly, where the next adventure will take you.

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25 Practical Tips for Long Road Trips

By Jason Barnette | Travel writer and photographer with 15+ years of road tripping experience

• Last Updated on May 26, 2023
• Published on July 7, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Affiliate Disclosure here .

You’re finally ready to embark on that epic road trip that will take you across the country from sea to shining sea. The gas tank is full, you’ve checked off every item on the packing list, and you’re ready to hit the road. But are you actually ready for a long road trip?

The longer a road trip, the more complicated it can get. I didn’t say would get, but it certainly can get complicated. Have you packed enough clothing for the entire trip, or will you need to do laundry along the way? Are you ready for chilly nights, rain, and unexpected adventures? Unfortunately, these are the kinds of questions many people don’t consider until the road trip is underway – and it’s too late to make many changes.

These 25 practical tips for long road trips will help you get prepared long before you leave home, save money along the way, and help you spend more time enjoying the road trip and less time dealing with those pesky complications.

Buy food at grocery stores instead of gas stations

Road trip snacks are almost as necessary as gasoline for the car – they even perform similar functions. But one of the worst things a person can do on a road trip is to buy the snacks spontaneously at random gas stations along the way.

Save money and time with those snacks at grocery stores or bulk purchase stores. Stock up on all the snacks, drinks, and coffee at a fraction of the price of buying it along the way. The more you save, the longer you can drive.

Get your car inspected

Before leaving home, get your car inspected. Most national chain auto repair shops offer free inspections because they want your business when they find something wrong with the car.

But it’s an excellent way to get all the fluids topped off, tires rotated and balanced, and the hundreds of moving parts of a car inspected before you leave. Spur of the moment auto repairs during a road trip can be prohibitively expensive – not to mention you might have to shack up at a roadside motel for a few days while the work is done.

Keep your car maintained

Did you know properly inflated tires can lead to better gas mileage? Under-inflated tires cause a drop of 0.2% miles per gallon for every 1 PSI of all tires. That may not seem like much, but it can add up on long road trips.

Consider a 5,000-mile road trip in a vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon. This would require 167 gallons of gas to complete the trip. However, if all four tires are underinflated by an average of 4 PSI, that means the vehicle is only achieving 27.6 miles per gallon. This would require 182 gallons to complete the trip – an increase of 15 gallons.

Beyond tire pressure, be sure to maintain fluids for the radiator, brakes, and engine oil to prevent damage to the engine. Replaced burned out headlights and taillights immediately. Keep up with oil changes and tire rotations for trips longer than 5,000 miles.

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Set a reasonable daily mileage goal

The point of a road trip is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Driving 500 miles per day on the interstate highways doesn’t make for a very enjoyable road trip adventure. Driving that far on two-lane roads is incredibly tedious and exhausting.

By the time you stop at a couple roadside attractions, go for a hike in a state park, sit down for lunch, and take a short detour, the number of miles you’ll be able to cover in a single day will be limited at best. But that’s the point of the road trip! Set a limited number of miles to drive each day, giving yourself plenty of time to enjoy everything you’ll discover along the way.

Avoid rush hour traffic and peak dinner times

Sitting in congested traffic and waiting for food are two of the biggest examples of losing time on a long road trip. In fact, those are the biggest time wasters for just about any kind of travel. But there is a simple way to avoid losing time: avoid rush hour and peak dinner times.

Eat breakfast after 9 a.m., get lunch around 2 p.m., and consider dinner either early at 4 p.m. or wait until 7 p.m. During those time frames, you’ll get seated faster, and food served quicker. Also, when driving around town or between destinations, avoid the rush hours of 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.

As an added bonus, use a navigation app or dedicated GPS device in your car that includes traffic information – this information will help you spot potential traffic jams from congestion, construction, or accidents and usually includes optional detours. Using an app like OpenTable ( iOs | Android ) will allow you to make reservations at many restaurants – cutting down the time spent waiting for a table to open.

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A void Small Town Travel on Sundays and Mondays

Roll into almost any small town with a population of less than 20,000 on a Sunday or Monday, and you’re likely to find every restaurant, museum, and attraction closed. It’s not from the owners’ lack of business sense but rather because the owners often work in their businesses, and they want a couple of days off each week.

Sundays and Mondays tend to be the most common days these local businesses are closed. However, it may also include mid-weekdays like Tuesday and Wednesday. Instead of visiting the small towns, consider spending the night in state or national parks, driving scenic routes, or just taking a couple of days to relax.

Pack everything – including the kitchen sink

I own six rain jackets, four sets of trekking poles, and two pairs of Crocs Swiftwater shoes . It’s not because I want a particular color combination for each day of the week, but instead because I kept leaving the items behind, thinking I wouldn’t need them.

Pack everything you can possibly fit into your vehicle for a long road trip. Go beyond your tentative itinerary and think about things you enjoy doing that you might want to do along the way. Take those golf clubs or stunt kites, pack the fleece hoodie, and bring more than two pairs of shoes. Although it’s impossible to prepare for every eventuality, every little bit helps save money in the budget.

Fill the gas tank on Monday

GasBuddy ( iOS | Android ) conducted a survey a few years ago to determine the best and worst times for gas prices. Interestingly, Mondays were the cheapest day of the week to get gas on average, with the best time coming around 10 a.m.

Also, interesting – though not surprising – was that the worst day to get gas was Friday or the day before a major holiday. During those days, gas prices tended to spike first thing in the morning.

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Don’t rely on cellular service

One universal constant of any long road trip is the eventuality of running into a cellular dead zone. Rural areas in the Midwest, rugged terrain in the Rockies, and sporadically throughout the Southeastern United States are areas in between cellular towers that will leave your cellphone or tablet as useful as screen doors for submarines.

Be prepared to eventually lose cellular service during your long road trip. Download Google Maps ( iOS | Android ) for offline use, make sure all your apps are up to date, and download movies for entertainment. Doing as much of this as possible while connected to WIFI will prevent you from breaching a monthly data limit.

Plan to do laundry on the road

Depending on the length of the road trip, the activities you plan to enjoy along the way, and your fashion style, it just might not be possible to pack a new outfit for every single day. So rather than pack five suitcases stuffed with every stitch of clothing you own, consider doing laundry somewhere along the way.

As a rule of thumb, pack at least five of each type of clothing. Shorts, pants, tees, polos or blouses, underwear, and socks. On top of that, pack something for chilly nights and rain. This will give you about a week of clothing – but you’ll need to get used to wearing those shorts and that shirt more than once in between washing.

Buy a laundry bag and take it with you on the road trip. However, do not buy laundry detergent ahead of time. The heat and humidity will ruin most detergents and leave your car with an overwhelming smell. When you finally decide to do laundry, be sure to take enough quarters to complete your load, never leave your laundry unattended, and always use a laundromat during daylight hours.

Get organized

Organizing all your clothing, gear, food, and accessories is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of any long road trip. But, after two, three, or four weeks of restacking bags, hunting for that small item, and shifting cargo around every curve of the road, you’ll be on the edge of losing it.

Buy stuff sacks or use gallon-sized Ziplock bags to organize smaller items. Buy midsized duffel bags or plastic totes for organizing smaller bags. Stackable totes that can lock together are best for keeping the totes from sliding around in the vehicle. Label everything and always leave the most frequently used items on top.

Get plenty of sleep

The first few days of a long road trip, you’ll likely feel energized by the excitement and tempted to stay up 18 hours a day. I can typically keep that level of stamina going for about the first three weeks of constant travel – but eventually, everyone slows down.

Getting plenty of sleep is important to maintaining your mental and physical health, not to mention keeping morale high. Spending too much time traveling and not enough sleeping will eventually lead to exhaustion, depression, and moodiness.

On a long road trip, plan to take one or two days a week off from travel. Find a nice roadside motel, splurge on a super nice hotel with a free hot breakfast, or settle into a campground for two nights. Avoid the temptation to go out and explore the area – just focus on rest and relaxation.

Road Trip Along the Scenic Route from Gatlinburg to Asheville

Keep the car clean (inside and out)

The day before any road trip begins, I always find one of those really nice car washes with the conveyor belt that pulls the vehicle through a wash cycle. Then, after getting the exterior cleaned – included RainX and a tire shine – I visit the vacuum cleaners. There is no greater feeling than starting a long road trip with a squeaky-clean vehicle.

On long road trips, it will probably be necessary to do a little cleaning along the way. Car washes are easy enough. Instead of relying on their vacuum cleaners – or paying for them – consider buying the THISWORX Car Vacuum Cleaner . It uses 12v power with a removable collection bin and comes with a nice travel bag.

For an added touch, the Little Trees Vent Wrap Car Air Freshner’s “new car smell” will make your vehicle smell brand new after getting it clean.

Join a roadside rescue plan

Most auto insurance companies and cellular providers offer some sort of roadside assistance rescue plan. If you don’t have the option for either of those, consider buying a AAA membership to access their roadside rescue plan.

At the very least, roadside rescue plans will unlock a vehicle, tow your vehicle to safety, and provide gas in case you run out. Better plans will include longer towing distances and more gas. It’s the one thing you never think about until you need it – so this time, plan ahead.

Road Trip on the Scenic North Carolina Waterfall Byway

Keep up with monthly bills

Only about 40% of Americans use auto pay for monthly bills like utilities and credit card payments – I’m not one of them. One of the biggest mistakes with long road trips that last more than a month is forgetting to take care of those bills before you hit the road or somewhere during the trip.

It’s easy to pay those bills with the home computer with your login information saved, but could you pay those bills on the road with a cellphone or tablet? Be sure to take your login information with you and keep it in a safe location like a locked glovebox or portable security case. Add the due date for any bills to your travel itinerary – and remember that cellular service is not a guarantee everywhere.

Life Pro Trip: Many credit card companies and certain utilities allow you to choose a due date for your monthly bill. Aligning all these bills for the same due date makes it easier to keep up with – especially while you’re traveling.  

Leave room for souvenirs

I know I said “pack everything – including the kitchen sink” earlier, but don’t go overboard and fill the entire vehicle before you hit the road. More than likely, you will want to buy some souvenirs along the way.

Smaller souvenirs like clothing, décor, and Christmas ornaments – my favorite type of souvenir to buy – are easy enough to pack into a bag or tote in the vehicle. But if you buy more oversized items like artwork, glassware, or large gift items, ask the retailer if they can ship them to your home or a relative’s home for safekeeping. Often, the shipping is included, especially in areas of high tourism where they expect the buyers to be non-locals.

Insider Tip: An easy way to keep up with souvenirs on a long road trip is to mail them to a friend or relative. The Flat Rate boxes at the United States Postal Service come in several sizes and are indeed a single flat rate – ranging from about $5-$15 per box – no matter where you ship it in the continental U.S.

Bring your favorite ___________

Do you have a favorite coffee mug? Slippers? Or what about a television series you love to watch? Just because you’re going on a road trip doesn’t mean you can’t bring some of those with you.

Bringing your favorite items with you on a long road trip can help you feel more at home and relaxed. Instead of missing that perfect coffee mug or comfortable slippers, you’ll feel much better having them with you.

Have an itinerary but leave room for spontaneity

It’s always good to have a travel itinerary. It’s essential to know the business hours of museums, restaurants, and attractions, so you don’t arrive too late or on a day when they are typically closed. Building an itinerary can help you avoid those frustrations.

However, leave room for spontaneous detours that will inevitably come along during a long road trip. Be prepared for entire destinations to change as your route progresses. Take advice from locals and be willing to give something new a try!

Road Trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Fill all prescriptions and bring extra

For three years, I worked as a certified pharmacy technician at CVS/Pharmacy in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. During the hectic – sometimes chaotic – summer months, we would sometimes fill thousands of prescriptions in a single day. The most common type of prescription was for someone who had left the medication at home.

If you have any kind of regular medication, be sure to pack that for your trip. But for long road trips that last more than 30 days, you might run out while on the road. Make sure your prescription has refills on file with your pharmacy or take a new prescription with you – as long as it is not a controlled substance. If your insurance allows, consider getting two or three months’ worth filled at one time for your long road trip.

Watch out for 140-degree heat in the car

On sunny days during the summer months, vehicles’ internal temperatures can rise 30-40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. When I was a kid, I remember going for a walk to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse during a family vacation. When we returned, my mom opened the back of the car to make snacks – only to discover the Cheese Whiz had exploded all over the car!

The high internal temperatures of vehicles can ruin more than just pressurized cans of food. Contact lenses, prescriptions, electronics, and coolers are all susceptible to damage from temperatures over 100 degrees.

You can reduce those internal temperatures by using a windshield sunshade. Close the sunshade on the moonroof. You may even consider buying curtains for the side windows – it’s not as silly as you might think.

Set a daily and final budget

My first road trip adventure of 2021 was a spontaneous, itinerary-free adventure along the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores, Alabama, across Florida to Vero Beach. After a week exploring that area of Florida, I was considering heading south to Key West for what would have been my first visit. But when I looked at my bank account, my heart hit the floor when I realized my travel budget was at an end.

I’ve never been good at creating or keeping to a travel budget, and that resulted in a road trip cut short. So the better method is to create a daily budget and stick to it. But also give yourself leeway for those rare opportunities to do something awesome and set a final budget for the entire trip.

The advantage of a long road trip is that if you’re on the road long enough, you might just get an extra paycheck while you’re traveling. So how many vacation days do you have saved up for your long road trip?

Only travel by day

Some people only travel at night to avoid any traffic congestion at all – and that’s a good idea. But driving on unfamiliar roads at night poses some safety issues – not to mention what would happen if your vehicle broke down at 3 a.m.

The safest and surest way is to only travel by day. It will be much easier to keep aware of the unfamiliar road ahead, and you’re certain to get roadside assistance faster during normal business hours.

The Ultimate Road Trip on the Skyline Drive Through Shenandoah National Park

Choose the best road trip route

My #1 Rule for Road Trips is no interstate highways. There is just no reason to take a road trip route onto the interstate – you’ll miss everything along the way.

But what is the best road trip route? National scenic byways are a good start – there are dozens across the country. But sometimes, the most scenic or exciting road trip route is just a simple country road connecting interesting destinations. The best way to find those is to ask the locals – they always know the best route.

Document the trip

After returning home from an epic long road trip, it might be difficult to remember precisely where you found that amazing cheeseburger or savory salted caramel ice cream cone or watched that stunning sunset. It can be downright frustrating when you realize you don’t have a single photo to share or any clue where to find the name of that restaurant.

But what exactly does it mean to document the trip? I am not advocating for ten thousand photos plus an additional five thousand selfies from your long road trip. Don’t become one of those people who jump out of the car on the Blue Ridge Parkway just long enough for a selfie and then leave just as quickly.

It starts with the photos. Capture an exterior photo of every restaurant, museum, and attraction you visit – and be sure to include the name of the business. Capture an interior photo and then one or two photos of every meal or activity.

Take a journal. Jot down notes of the places you visit. Feelings. Smells. Sights. Take note of the business name, details of the food you eat, and reaction to museums. Draw pictures and maps, create word maps, put any word to paper that comes to mind. It will all be wonderful to see all the photos and notes again when your long road trip is finished.

Keep in touch with regular updates

One of the most important safety measures you can take during a long road trip is to let someone know where you are and where you are going by the end of the day. Particularly in places where cellular reception could be spotty, it’s good to tell someone that by nightfall, you should be at a particular destination and able to call them again.

That way, if your vehicle breaks down while in a cellular dead zone with little traffic, at least someone knows the route you were driving to send rescue your direction.

5 Responses

Great tips. Do you have a good app that we can use to track how our car is doing. So like we put in the mileage and it does the calculations for us of how many miles to gallon and stuff like that?

The best app I know about is called Mile IQ. It’s meant for contractors who have to keep up with their mileage for bookkeeping, but it works for road trippers as well. Give that a look and let me know if it works~!

Wrote down some of the tips that I want to remember before the trip. Changed the idea of minimizing clothing to being sure to cover (see what I did there) all bases. Like having a warm hoodie even though I am planning a trip, late June, to the South. Having something & not needing it is so much more logical that getting something I already have but not bringing it. Thank you for your tips.

Thank you very much for taking the time to put these tips together! Very helpful!

Great tips, thank you! My son is traveling the month of May on a solo road trip for the first time so wanted to pass these tips on to him!

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37 Must-Know Road Trip Hacks I Learned from Driving Through 48 States

• By Traveling Anne
• February 25, 2024
• In Travel Tips

Ahh, nothing quite a long road trip. One lasting several days, weeks, or possibly even months! These 37 best road trip tips  cover -

• The Planning Stage

Sightseeing along the way

• Tips for an extended stay on the road
• How to keep socially sane
• Safety issues

These tips are based on our experience road-tripping across 47 US states and 4 Canadian provinces! Our road trips were all long! They included -

• Three weeks in California and Arizona
• Five and a half months across the Western US and Canada
• Four and a half months - coast to coast and back!
• Two and a half months in Washington, Oregon, California, and Utah
• Two and a half months driving from Los Angeles to Alaska and back !
• A month of touring the Rockies

We road-tripped as a family, starting when the boys were aged 5 and 7. On our last trip to Alaska, they were 14 and 16! Time flies! And now, without further ado, our tips!

Planning Stage

1. don't be afraid of the long road trip.

It's doable. Promise. Even with kids.

I know many people who fantasize about a long road trip and never fulfill their dreams. Don't let that be you. Go out there and do it. You'll have fun and create memories that will last your entire life.

And if at all possible - make it long.

In our experience, it takes time to get into the "road trip ambiance," to shed off the stress and worry of everyday life, and get into the right state of mind.

That's why I think a decent road trip should last at least weeks, preferably months. And don't worry, at least in North America, I guarantee you'll never run out of things to do and see or roads to travel.

2. Research your route

The essence of road-tripping is about freedom. The freedom to move where you want, when you want. As one of the ultimate road trip songs says,

"We can pack tomorrow, tonight let's flip a coin. Heads Carolina, tails California."

I am so all for that! I love that song !

However - spontaneity does not negate research and planning. 

There's such a wealth of information available online; it would be a shame to drive past this incredible attraction and miss out on it, wouldn't it? I always thoroughly research the area we plan to be going through.

I use sites like Roadside America and Trip Advisor to provide me with unusual ideas for small stops along the road, too. I try to document everything in my notes - or at least keep it somewhere in my head.

3. Have a plan in place

Based on my research, I do create a plan. I have a spreadsheet outlining our route, including all those places - big and small - that I found while researching.

I jot down the mileage we'll need to cover every day and the time it could take to make sure it's even feasible. That way, I don't have to flip coins to decide our route. At least, not daily 😉

Sometimes, it's easier to know where you're going next.

4. Be spontaneous

Yes, I know. I just said how vital planning was. I'm not changing my mind here. On the contrary, I firmly believe good planning allows you to be flexible and spontaneous.

Dwight D. Eisenhower said -

A plan is nothing but planning is everything

The more time you invest in the planning stage, the more familiar you'll be with your route, including the various attractions and alternatives to them.

Then, once you hit the road, you can decide and be more spontaneous with your choices.

After all, if you choose to do X, you're giving up on doing Y. Which could be a great decision! It's easier to make that decision when you know what X and Y mean.

5. Don't book motels in advance (usually)

In other words, stay flexible. That goes hand in hand with the spontaneity we just mentioned.

Now, there's a reason for me to qualify this with "usually."

There are times and places where booking in advance makes sense. It makes a lot of sense. The list includes -

• Popular national parks
• Other super popular destinations
• Any combination of the above

Book in advance if your road trip takes you to Yellowstone National Park and you want to spend a night or two inside the park. Do that even if you think you'll stay in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Jackson. If you don't, you could end up without a place to stay - or have to pay exorbitant prices for accommodation.

6. Allocate time for mundane everyday tasks

If your trip is going to last for a week or more, you'll need time for the following -

• Washing clothes
• Shopping in a supermarket
• Going to the ATM or possibly the bank
• Just generally unwinding

The longer the road trip, the more free time you'll need. Avoid creating a tight schedule of sightseeing for every day. You won't be able to accomplish that and will end up exhausted from trying.

Some of our road trips were so long we had to stop for haircuts!

7. Take weekends and holidays into account

I mentioned these briefly when talking about booking accommodation in advance. There's more to holidays than that, of course.

Holidays mean attractions will be busy, and roads will be congested.

If you're going through Monterey on Memorial Day, expect the aquarium to be very crowded. And if you're driving out of Denver at the beginning of Labour Day weekend, know that you'll get stuck in traffic on the i-70—two authentic examples from our road trips.

Now, these things happen on long road trips. You're on the road, and the nation goes on holiday. The trick is to know that in advance and plan around it. Try to spend the busy days resting, away from busy roads and crowded museums.

Even better, stay put in one town and enjoy local celebrations. Like we did on this 4th of July, in Jackson, WY -

8. Don't be fooled by Google Maps time estimates

I've helped many people plan their road trips, so I often see this happening.

You want to get from Los Angeles to Page, AZ, on the same day so you can rent a boat on Lake Powell the next morning.

Great. That's doable.

Just don't think it will take you 8 hours and 23 minutes - which is what Google Maps says it is. Don't assume you can spend 2 hours sightseeing in the Grand Canyon on the way and maybe stopping in Seligman along Route 66 for ice cream because you only have eight and a half hours of driving time.

Realistically, you'll be lucky if it will take only nine and a half hours to cover the distance.

Why? Because you can't drive for eight hours straight. You need to stop for gas, bathroom breaks, food, etc. That adds at least another hour.

And then there are those notorious LA traffic jams. That estimate that Google Maps gives you does not consider your starting location in LA or traffic issues leaving the city.

In real life? The last time we were in LA and headed east towards Arizona, it took us three hours to get out of the LA afternoon rush hour gridlock.

So, while Google Maps is a great tool, remember to adjust its time estimates to your real-life circumstances. As a rule of thumb, add 10% to its estimate. 15-20% if you're traveling with young children.

9. Prepare for toll roads

You can avoid toll roads if you like - but sometimes they're just the easier route to take in a not-very scenic area.

Find out in advance how you're supposed to pay and gear up. Alternatively, avoid those roads when planning your route.

10. Get your travel papers in order

No, you don't need a passport to cross US states. However, when we go on a long road trip, I make sure to keep the following where I can find them -

• Driver license (of all available drivers)
• Car registration papers (rental agreement in our case)
• Passports - in case we'd like to cross the border

What's more, I take photos of all of the above and make sure I have them stored online for safekeeping. You never know when a bag - or the entire car - might get stolen. It's best to have copies.

If you're renting a car like us, here's another time-saving tip: Take a photo of the vehicle's license plate. You'll be asked for that plate number every time you stop for the night in a motel. It's easier to browse through your phone than to go outside and look. I made that photo my home screen image when we were on a long road trip.

11. Get your meds and prescriptions in order

Depending on whether you're traveling in your own country or not, you may need to get medications for the entire trip in advance.

Even if you're an American taking a road trip to the US, some types of medication may have limitations on where you buy them.

Talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist in advance to ensure you have all the medications you need and the documentation required to get more of them.

12. Look for scenic byways

Whenever I plan a long road trip, I go to the official Scenic Byways website  and check the states that we're about to go through. If possible, I will work at least one or two on our route.

Give yourself time to explore these byways. They are often dotted with interesting points where you can stop for scenery or attractions.

13. Try to work national parks into your plans

National Parks are always worth a stop. Always.

In the planning stage, I search Google Maps for national parks along the route. I look for national monuments, national historic sites, etc. Anything that the National Parks Service runs.

Now, here's the thing.

Some of these park units are worth dedicating several days to. If you're going through Yellowstone National Park and this is your first visit, you should allocate a minimum of three days for that detour. Check out my post about Yellowstone to see why.

Other places may only require 1-2 hours to see in full. Or maybe half a day. My point is to take a few minutes to check beforehand so you can plan accordingly.

Oh, and do yourself a favor and buy the National Parks Pass . You can get it in the first park unit you'll visit or order it online in advance. It costs around $80 per vehicle and will cover your future visits to any NPS units for a year. It's a bargain for any long road trip in the US.

14. Some state parks are worth visiting too

State parks are trickier.

Many state parks are not worth going out of the way for. They're recreation areas designated by various states. This is great if you're a local who wants to spend the weekend fishing and ambling by a lake, but it's not worth a stop during a road trip.

Some state parks are worth a detour during a road trip. To mention just a few of our favorites  -

• Custer State Park, South Dakota
• Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
• Point Lobos State Park, California
• Ecola State Park, Oregon
• Watkins Glen State Park, New York
• Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

And there were many, many more. So do your research and allocate time to the better state parks, too.

15. Follow the seasons

Some places are perfect during some seasons but not so much in others. Traveling, you have at least some ability to go to the right place at the right time.

For example, it was during a July heatwave when we first visited New England. Not so much fun. We celebrated the 4th of July in Maine and headed out west to cooler areas.

When we returned in early October, New England was entirely magical. Fall colors and crisp, clear air. This is the view we had from Mount Washington -

16. Look for festivals and special events

Don't let the crowds deter you. Festivals can be the secret ingredient that would make your road trip perfect. It can be a local Pumpkin Festival or 4th of July parade, a State/County Fair, or something as big as the Balloon Fiesta, which we attended in Albuquerque -

Whenever I plan a road trip, I actively look for festivals and fairs along our route and in nearby states. Some events are well worth going out of the way for. We have great memories of many such occasions.

17. Look for wildlife sighting opportunities

Wildlife is always a huge attraction on a road trip. We've seen over 100 bears in the wild during our travels. Our animal sightings included bison, elk, moose, pronghorn antelopes, beavers, snakes, bald eagles, seals, sea lions, and whales.

While many sightings are spontaneous, there are ways to increase the odds of seeing animals.

• Hike in national parks.
• Find out where animals are usually sighted and go there.
• Go out at dusk and dawn.
• Take tours such as whale-watching cruises.

18. Check opening hours ahead of time

Imagine going out of your way to visit a special museum only to find out they're closed on Mondays. And yes, you arrived on a Monday.

You're not likely to stick around while on a long road trip, so you'll miss out on that museum. Checking their hours ahead of time could have given you some flexibility. You could have rushed things a little to make it a day earlier or spent an extra day along the way to make it a day later.

19. Have time for unplanned detours and adventures

You never know - and that's part of the fun on a road trip!

During one of our road trips, we stopped for the night in a small motel in a tiny town in Wyoming. The owner was fascinated by our adventure and the fact that we had been traveling with two young boys.

The following morning, she introduced us to her husband, who turned out to be a drag racing instructor. We spend the next couple of hours with racing cars and trucks - quite an adventure and an unexpected one! Fortunately, we had the time for it.

So, don't rush things, and enjoy the unexpected opportunities during your journey.

While on the road

20. download maps in advance.

You won't always have access to online data as you're crossing vast empty spaces with few inhabitants. This means an online navigation app like Waze could run out of map resources.

Now, usually, this isn't much of an issue. If an area is so remote that it has no cell reception, that usually also means there won't be too many turns to take along the way. It would be best if you had no trouble finding your way relying on signposts. That's how we crossed the Alaska Highway .

To be on the safe side, here's what we always do.

Start your navigation app when you still use the motel's WiFi or some other internet connection. Let it download the map for your day's journey, and only then head out. This shouldn't take more than a minute or two.

21. Watch the weather forecast

Weather and the elements are always part of a long road trip.

During our road trips, we've encountered tornado warnings, snow, hailstorms, massive forest fires, and more. It's part of the adventure!

Just keep an eye on the forecast for the area you're going through. Watch the fire situation if you're traveling in the West during summer or fall. We've had to change our plans more than once due to severe smoke conditions - to the point of roads being closed.

22. Get a cooler

A spacious cooler is a must-have in your vehicle. Ice is easy to get at any motel you overnight at - or in gas stations. It's such an easy way to keep fresh food with you on the road. Which brings me to my next tip -

23. Have snacks and drinks in the vehicle

A cold drink is a godsend when you're driving for 3-4 hours straight without a break. Fresh fruit, string cheese, or other healthy snacks can revive both driver and passengers.

We always carry both fresh and dry snacks with us. We stock up every few days and ensure we never run out of snacks and drinks for the kids or the grownups.

24. Eat right while on the road

It's too easy to fall into the junk food trap when road-tripping. Don't do that.

Here's how we keep eating healthy on long road trips -

• Eating out? Always order a salad first - even McDonald's has them.
• Buy plenty of healthy food and prepare your meals. A healthy sandwich from wheat bread, low-fat cheese, and lots of veggies makes a great - and cheap - lunch or dinner.
• Keep your snacks healthy, too. You can buy pre-washed and pre-cut fruit and vegetables and keep them in your cooler. Delicious and very beneficial!

25. Don't carry too much stuff

This is something we've learned over several trips. It's easy to pack too much - and it's not necessary. You can do your laundry on the road, which is not a problem. We do that once or even twice a week. This means there's no need to carry too many sets of clothes.

26. Use a plastic drawer set to organize things

On the first day of any long road trip, we buy a Sterilite plastic organizer with several spacious see-through drawers. It's great for storing all those little things we always need while on the road.

Utensils, plastic bags, socks, first aid - whatever we might need while on the way are kept in that storage device.

27. Keep things inside baskets

Cheap plastic baskets cost only a few dollars and are great for storing shoes and other large items in the back of an SUV/minivan. We try to get the collapsible ones. That way, we can store them flat and pop them out when we need additional compartments in the back of the vehicle.

28. Document the trip

Consider getting a road camera for the trip. It's fun to document the drive, and it can also come in handy should you get involved in an accident.

29. Backup your photos

We take lots of photos pretty much every day of a long trip. Mainly just using our phones. A week into the trip, the phone usually gets filled up.

We used to manually back up everything on our laptop at the end of every day. Fortunately, it's much easier now, as our phones back up everything directly to Google Photos when we connect to the WiFi at the end of every day.

People Issues

30. plan activities for the whole family.

If you're traveling with kids, plan to make sure they don't get too bored. Our kids loved taking the Junior Ranger programs in every park we visited.

They each have a collection of over 60 Jr Ranger badges and patches! I can highly recommend that for kids aged 4-12.

Generally, ensure the mix of activities is balanced so people of all ages feel they're doing something fun every day. Sitting in the car without anything to do, day after day, isn't enough.

31. Don't overcrowd the vehicle

When spending 5-12 hours a day in the exact vehicle, everyone must have enough personal space.

In our experience, a 7-seater was excellent for a family of four. I wouldn't have liked to take a long road trip in a smaller vehicle.

32. Arrange to meet people on the way

Whether you meet friends and family or other traveling families via a Facebook group or forum, don't miss out on a chance to meet people.

When on a long road trip, it's good to get some variety and get the chance to talk to people other than your trip mates.

33. Consider Couchsurfing

We found Couchsurfing a great way to meet new people, get to know locals and gain fantastic, memorable experiences. Read my guide about Couchsurfing as a family to learn more about our experiences.

Here are a few more safety tips

34. know your driving limitations.

Long road trips often cover a considerable distance. That's part of their appeal.

Don't be rushed to cover more distance than you can do safely. Just how much depends on your driving abilities and experience.

Be mindful of your limitations and how they change. If the weather turns bad or you feel tired - don't push it. Safety comes first, and a road accident is the most significant risk on a long road trip.

35. Check your car regularly

Modern vehicles are very good at letting you know how they're doing. Keep an eye on the car and ensure it's current on oil changes, etc. If you don't have an air pressure monitor, check your tire pressure manually regularly.

You're putting a lot of strain on your vehicle when road-tripping. This usually isn't a problem with newer cars, but with older ones, it can be.

36. Mountain driving and other special conditions

Road-tripping is likely to take you through some fantastic scenery. It could also mean going through types of terrain that you may not be used to driving through in your daily life. I'm talking specifically about mountain passes.

If you're from a flat area and don't have mountain driving experience, refresh yourself on the basics of mountain driving. Know how to use the lower gears of your vehicle. Don't go too fast; use pullovers to let faster drivers take over safely.

37. Watch for wildlife on the road

This is a good rule, pretty much anywhere where there's wildlife. However, when road-tripping, you're more likely to drive through areas where wildlife could be an issue.

Take special care when driving early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Look for signs warning you against the presence of animals. They're there for a reason.

38. Don't leave valuables in the car

In the end, the real danger is from humans - not animals. Other than traffic accidents, as a traveler, you're also more at risk for burglary and theft. Follow these basic rules -

• Lock your car when you leave it.
• Take the most essential valuables (wallet and phone) with you.
• Avoid leaving cameras, laptops, and other valuables in the car - and cover them if you are forced to leave them in the vehicle.

You can also look into insurance, but we never take one. We accept the risk of theft as part of the traveling experience and "cover ourselves." So far, I'm happy to say we have never had anything stolen from us during more a year and a half of road-tripping in the US and Canada.

39. Carry first aid with you

Having a small first aid kit in the car is always a good idea. You never know when someone will get a small cut or minor injury. It's easier to have that with you rather than start looking for a pharmacy in the middle of nowhere.

Please don't go overboard with it, though. Unless you're a paramedic, you're not likely to need much more than some antiseptic and band-aids.

Hey, that is actually sort of a tip, too! Try to get into the road trip mood. For us, that usually takes a day or two, but once we're "in the zone," there's nothing quite like it—just rolling from one beautiful place to another, leaving your worries behind you!

How about your road trip tips?

I'd love to hear from fellow road-trippers! Do you have your special tips for a successful road trip experience? Please don't be shy and leave them here in a comment!

Thank you in advance for sharing this post on social media. Here are a couple more images for Pinterest.

Like the rest of the photos in this post, they were all taken during our road trips -

I really appreciate your advice that on really long drives it is better to have more space! About a week ago, I was talking to my sister, and she mentioned that she wants to plan a big road trip for both of our families. I think it would be great if we could all drive together so that we can bond. We should look into busses or minibusses that could hold all of us comfortably.

Hi Greta, That’s definitely an interesting idea!

Thank you for sharing! I am currently planning a month long road trip through Washington, Oregon, and California for next summer! This will be the second trip my four travel mates and I will make!

Enjoy your trip! Our next one comes up in March and I’m already super excited about it!

Thank you so much for sharing your memory of your adventures. I learned so much from you. Nature is one God’s beautiful creations. Through nature, God is able to teach us, speak to us, and provide for us. God bless you for encouraging us to follow your footstep.

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The Complete Guide to Road Trips

By Meredith Carey

As travelers look to ease back into exploring after months at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, road trips are among the first ways to get back out there. A generally low-risk, socially distant method of transportation, road trips give travelers almost complete control over who they're with, where they're stopping, how clean the space is, and more. And now, as more destinations, national and state parks, and beaches reopen, we're looking to the roads to take us there.

But while previous road trips were driven by the spontaneity of detours, this year it's all about planning. You'll need to take more precautions with your route to ensure you're not running into state-specific quarantines ( AAA has a map for that). Picking the right car or perfect RV to match your passengers' needs is a must to make sure you're all comfortable on long rides with fewer stops. And you'll want to have all of the essentials on hand , like cooler bags, phone mounts, and even cleaning supplies for the inevitable back seat mess.

Here, we run through how to take our favorite road trips and all of the tools—from the insurance and the car rental to the road trip-friendly credit cards and packing essentials—you need, no matter where you choose to drive.

Road trip inspiration

If you're unsure where to even start when it comes to planning a road trip, we have some iconic American options to choose from, whether the classic Pacific Coast Highway or the southwest's national parks (and Vegas) are calling your name. You can read more about our 14 favorite road trip routes in the U.S. (and some pointers on where to start planning) here .

Looking to start planning a 2021 adventure outside the U.S.? We've got picks for you on that front too, with day-by-day excursions in Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe , New Zealand's North Island , Namibia's Mad Max -esque desert , or Scotland's northern coast , among others. Discover more of our favorite road trip itineraries —and be sure to read up on whether or not you need an international driver's license .

This year, you'll need to do a little extra work to map out a road trip.

Planning tips and tricks

Once you've mapped out your general route, it's time to start dropping pins on a map app so you know exactly where to go and stop along the way. Condé Nast Traveler contributor Ashlea Halpern suggests using the Google Map's My Maps feature to customize your itinerary, since using the app without the feature means you're capped at 500 interest points and 10 directional stops.

If you're looking for what stops to add along your route, you can find more than 100 important civil rights landmarks to visit on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail's interactive mapping tool , use apps like All Trails to find hiking paths, and look to groups like Refuge Restrooms , an online database that helps transgender and gender-nonconforming people find safe bathrooms on their route, to round out your itinerary. You can read up on some of our best tips for planning a stress-free road trip here , and check out this list of road trip apps that can help you get the most out of your drive.

If you're making your way in an RV, whether it's for the first or 50th time, you'll also need to do a bit more legwork this year, since rental company RVShare reports that bookings have doubled compared to this time last year. That means more demand for already highly competitive campsites and RV hookups. Look to Campendium and Kampgrounds of America for insight on what spots are still available. And if it is your very first time in an RV, check out our guide to make sure you avoid the most common rookie mistakes.

How to prep your car for a road trip

If you're taking a rental on this adventure, you'll want to make sure you're choosing the right car, whether you need a backseat that will fit leggy teens, plenty of cargo space for a cross-country drive's worth of luggage, or a strong roof capable of supporting a tent. Luckily, you don't have to do too much hunting for the right vehicle, since Traveler contributor Kym Allison Backer broke down the best types of rentals for all of the concerns above. Just read up on what car rental insurance you need—and what your credit card might already cover. Speaking of credit cards, we've also compiled a list of the best credit cards for road trips, whether they bring in extra points at gas stations or offer additional roadside assistance.

Whether you're renting or driving in your trusty vehicle, you're going to want to pack some essentials to get you through the trip— starting with snacks . (We're fans of sour candy.) Plus, you may need items like an audio splitter for the kids in the backseat, a towel for roadside picnics or beach stops, and a collapsible dog bowl. We've got a full list of the essentials you might be forgetting to add to your pre-trip checklist. Among them? Cleaning supplies , especially important now not only to mitigate messes and spills but to keep your car sanitized. We've built a kit you can keep in your car at all times, not just on road trips. (Rental car companies are doing additional, thorough cleanings, too, and you can read more about their new sanitization measures here .)

With that, you're ready to hit the road.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

This article was last published in May 2019. It has been updated with new information.

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41 road trip essentials: what you need on your next road trip.

Add these items to your road trip packing list to help you travel more comfortably.

Road Trip Essentials

Getty Images

A road trip is a great way to see the country. Consider stocking up on these accessories before you go.

If you're planning a road trip, you're going to have a lot of work to do before you pack the car and head out of town. You'll need to map out a general itinerary, plan your overnight stops and create a list of must-see sights along the way. And don't forget about all the stuff you need to pack to ensure your family is safe, comfortable and entertained.

While you don't necessarily need a lot of things to make a road trip a success, U.S. News searched far and wide to find the best gadgets and gear that will make your time in the car the highlight of your trip. These are all items you'll want to consider adding to your road trip packing list.

As you pack your bags and get ready for an epic road trip, here are a few last-minute road trip essentials you might want to add to your arsenal, organized by category.

Personal care and hygiene

Entertainment, comfort and convenience.

Keeping a reliable flashlight stored in your car is a good rule of thumb for all drivers heading out on a road trip. In roadside emergencies, the Anker Rechargeable Bolder LC90 LED Flashlight can illuminate a distance of nearly 1,000 feet with a battery life of up to six hours. Its durable design makes it ideal for use in inclement weather, and its five settings include an SOS signal and a strobe light. Meanwhile, the Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp – which features a 400-lumen beam and red LED night vision – is ideal for when you find yourself changing a tire in the middle of the night. Both products earn rave reviews from consumers for their powerful light.

Portable power bank

Goal Zero's Sherpa 100AC power bank is a portable power bank you can use to recharge tablets, phones, cameras and laptops on the go. It features two USB ports, plus four cables are included and it's lightweight at just 2 pounds. Recent customers loved the power bank's versatility, but recommend charging it every two to three days for the best results.

Jumper cables

Jumper cables from AUTOGEN can easily fit in your trunk and could save the day if your battery dies and you're unable to start your car while out on the road. Many travelers also say you can't go wrong with these heavy-duty cables from Energizer. These 25-foot-long cables are perfect for any car type and come with a travel bag for easy storage – they're a must for any road trip packing list.

Portable tire inflator

A portable tire inflator can be a lifesaver if you find your tires have a slow leak during your trip. The AstroAl Air Compressor Tire Inflator is compact, so it won't take up much space among the other gear in your trunk, and it includes an LED flashlight with independent switch control. It is programmed to stop automatically once it hits the preset tire pressure and it comes with a 36-month warranty. Other travelers prefer the ViAir 88P - 00088 Portable Compressor Kit , noting it works well with a wide variety of vehicles. In addition to a 12-foot air hose and 9-foot power cord, the kit comes with alligator clamps that power your air compressor by attaching to your car's battery.

Jump starter

Picture this: You're having the time of your life on your road trip when your car battery dies in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, a high-quality jump starter is all you need to avoid this disastrous scenario. In addition to being water-resistant and compact, the NOCO Boost Plus GB40 comes with a built-in flashlight and a USB port for charging devices like smartphones and tablets. The Hulkman Alpha 85 2000A Jump Starter also comes highly recommended by travelers thanks to its easy-to-use design and powerful battery life (a single charge can hold up to 60 jump starts).

Waking up in the morning to an icy windshield isn't a pretty sight. Prestone AS244 Windshield De-Icer instantly melts ice upon contact, so you don't have to worry about waiting for your car to defrost when you're in a rush. As an added bonus, the can comes with a built-in scraper tool for easy ice removal. Recent customers have called this product a lifesaver during harsh winters.

Bringing a trusty multi-tool on your road trip is a simple way to make sure you're prepared no matter what situation you run into. Leatherman products impress consumers time and time again thanks to the company's high-quality and lightweight multi-tool designs. Customer-favorites include the Leatherman Bond and the Leatherman Wave+ , which offers 18 powerful tools like pliers and wire cutters.

Car charger

Frequent car travelers recommend always staying connected with the TECKNET USB Car Charger . Featuring four fast-charging ports, this adaptor can be used to charge smartphones, tablets and more. If you're hitting the road with the whole family in tow, or you simply want to charge more than one device at a time, travelers say this powerful charging adaptor is a must-buy. Pair it with an extra-long charging cable that can easily reach everyone in the back seat.

Dashboard phone mount

Keep your eyes on the road by installing a dashboard phone mount before your journey starts. The iOttie Easy One Touch 5 comes with a telescopic arm, a magnetic cord organizer and a strong-hold suction cup. Plus, its easy one-touch lock-and-release mechanism (a feature that is much appreciated among recent customers) makes taking your phone on and off the holder a breeze. If you don't like the rigidity of traditional dashboard phone mounts, consider choosing a phone mount with a flexible arm instead.

Document holder

Whenever you're hitting the open road, you want to prepare for the worst. In the event that you get into a car accident or are pulled over by the police, having easy access to your car's registration, insurance information and owner's manual is crucial. Recent travelers say that this Samsill car registration holder is great for keeping all your important documents organized.

Roadside emergency kit

To give yourself peace of mind while you're on the road, travelers recommend this STDY car roadside emergency kit from Amazon. Equipped with a tire pressure gauge, a utility knife, safety gloves, cable ties, a tow rope, tire repair tools, a raincoat and more, this compact kit has everything you need when life throws you an unexpected curve ball.

Extra-large body wipes

Extra-large body wipes from Busy Co make it easy to wash up when you can't take a shower. Cloths are suitable for dry, oily and combination skin types, and address a variety of skincare needs, including clarifying, toning, soothing and nourishing. Recent customers appreciated the large size of the wipes and said using them made them feel refreshed while traveling.

Lysol wipes

Disinfecting Lysol wipes are a must-have on your travel packing list. These cleaning wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, so you can feel protected while on the road.

Disposable toilet seat covers

Disposable toilet seat covers from Amazon will help you avoid germs and stay clean when you stop for restroom breaks at gas stations, port-a-potties and campgrounds.

First-aid kit

A comprehensive first-aid kit can't be overlooked when packing up the car for your next road trip. Recent customers say this 298-piece kit from Amazon will get you the most bang for your buck, with bandages, antibiotic ointment, gauze, Band-Aids, pain reliever and much more. Although this will arm you with the basics of what you may need in a medical emergency, it's always a good idea to personalize your kit according to your needs.

Nausea Relief

Long hours in the car might sound daunting to anyone prone to motion sickness. In those cases, having preventative nausea medicine like Dramamine can be a lifesaver. If you prefer a drug-free alternative, Sea-Bands are anti-nausea wristbands that use acupuncture as a natural remedy to reduce motion sickness. Travelers say these bands are highly effective at reducing nausea.

Hand sanitizer

From gas pumps to ATMs, you never know what germs you may encounter on a road trip. Protect yourself against viruses like the cold and flu by adding a travel-size hand sanitizer to your road trip packing list and keeping it in the car during your trip.

If you'll be spending long hours in the car, it's important to remember to wear sunscreen. Sun Bum's SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray is broad spectrum, moisturizing and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. And if you'll be heading for the ocean on your trip, make sure you pack a reef-safe sunscreen like this one from Reef Repair to protect marine life and coral reefs from harmful chemicals. Although some customers reported a white cast upon application (due to the zinc oxide), many reviewers thought the trade-off was worth it to maintain healthy ocean environments.

Toiletry bag

This chic Sonia Kashuk Weekender Makeup Bag features two zipper compartments, a center organizer and carrying handles that make it perfect for transport. Customers particularly love that the bag is compact without sacrificing storage space. For durable, leak-proof travel bottles, check out this Getaway Travel Kit from Ban.do . It comes with four pearlescent bottles, two jars, a spatula, a funnel and a zippered pouch for storage. Plus, it includes a fun set of sticker labels so you can organize your toiletries in style.

[Read:  The Top Travel Toiletry Bags .]

Sitting in the car for hours can be painfully boring at times, but there are plenty of ways you can enjoy your time while road tripping. With the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite , you have access to thousands of books at your fingertips. The device boasts up to 10 weeks of battery life, adjustable warm light and a glare-free display, which recent reviewers said made marathon reading sessions a breeze. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids , which offers a special font for children with dyslexia and comes with a two-year warranty.

Carefully curated Spotify playlist

Whether you prefer jamming out to tunes or listening to thought-provoking podcasts, having a Spotify playlist ready to go before you get on the road is a must. Take some time before your trip to curate a playlist or two so you can keep your eyes on the road and your hands off your phone while road tripping.

Audible subscription

Long drives call for catching up on all those books you've been saying you were going to read this year. With an Audible subscription, you can make the most out of traffic jams by enjoying some words by your favorite authors.

Choose a reliable duffel bag like the Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel for your next road trip. This bag is water-resistant, strength-bearing and perfect for when you need your luggage to fit in a small space. It also comes with lockable zippers and can be worn as a backpack or carried as a tote, a top feature according to recent reviewers. And if you're planning on hiking during your trip, travelers say the Daylite Duffel 30 from Osprey can fit everything you need with room to spare. This bag can be worn comfortably all day long and comes with a mesh water bottle pocket and functional harness straps.

[Read: The Top Rolling Duffel Bags .]

This YETI Hopper Soft Sided Backpack Cooler makes it easy to bring drinks anywhere without worrying about leaks. The cooler, which comes with a dryhide shell and a magnetic closure, can hold up to 18 cans (or 26 pounds of ice), and comes highly recommended by travelers thanks to its durable design. It's ideal for road trippers who plan to get out and explore, and need to stay hydrated or keep food fresh.

Rooftop Cargo Carrier

Save some space inside your vehicle by opting for a car roof cargo carrier. With an anti-slip mat and reinforced adjustable straps, the waterproof FIVKLEMNZ 15 Cubic Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier from Amazon is suitable for any car type. Recent customers say that they had no problem getting it to stay in place even on high-speed roads.

Car organizer

A car seatback organizer lets you arrange road trip essentials on the back of the driver's or passenger's side seat, where they're within reach of small hands. Many buyers said this seatback organizer from Amazon.com took some of the stress out of traveling with kids, thanks to its multipurpose storage compartments, including a place for a tablet and plenty of other spots to store key items for your trip. You can also maximize your space by stashing your essentials in a trunk organizer. This one from Drive Auto comes with multiple storage compartments, waterproof lining and tie-down straps to keep items in place while you're driving.

Car trash can

There's no doubt about it – road trips can generate a lot of trash. Keep your car clean on your next adventure with this Hotor car trash can from Amazon. Complete with an adjustable strap, mesh side panels for storage and a leak-proof interior lining, this useful accessory comes highly recommended by travelers who find themselves frequently on the road.

Reusable bags

Whether you're stopping for snacks at a gas station or running into the grocery store for those last-minute essentials, a reusable bag is an easy way to reduce your plastic consumption. Recent reviewers said these versatile and water-resistant reusable bags can even be used as laundry bags, garbage bags or beach bags in a pinch.

Electric car blankets

Electric car blankets allow you to stay warm on the road no matter the temperature outside. This Stalwart electric car blanket takes up very little space, is surprisingly lightweight and plugs into any vehicle with a 96-inch-long cord. While some travelers noted that this blanket alone won't be enough to keep you warm in extremely cold weather, many say it was a welcome addition nonetheless.

SleepPhones soft headband headphones let you enjoy the open road while listening to music, audiobooks, meditation, white noise or talk radio. These headphones are expertly padded, which reviewers say makes them more comfortable for long-term wear than earbuds. You can buy the classic version or a wireless version at SleepPhones.com.

Travel pillow

Pick up an ergonomic travel pillow from Cabeau if you need extra neck and shoulder support when you ride in the passenger seat. The pillow features supportive memory foam, a front clasp to ensure it stays put and a removable cover that you can wash. Recent customers also loved that the pillow comes with straps that can be attached to any headrest, making sure you don't fall forward while catching some shut-eye. For kids, this Cloudz plush animal neck pillow comes in a variety of colorful animal options, such as a unicorn, a ladybug, a dinosaur and more.

[Read:  The Top Travel Neck Pillows .]

A battery-operated mini fan from SkyGenius can help you stay cool and comfortable. This fan comes with a rechargeable and replaceable battery, and is ideal for the car and for camping. For even more cooling capacity, opt for a fan with dual heads like the XOOL Electric Car Fan from Amazon. Both mini fans earn glowing reviews from travelers thanks to their powerful airflow capabilities.

Shield your eyes from the sun by picking up a good pair of sunglasses before your trip. Choose sunglasses that protect against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, and are polarized to block glare. Travelers love that these Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses come in a variety of tints and can even be customized to fit your needs. For a more budget-friendly option, check out these SUNGAIT Ultra Lightweight Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses from Amazon, which recent customers say are very comfortable and perfect for road tripping.

Window shade

The sun beating down on your car all day can heat it up quickly. To keep your car cool, travelers recommend the EcoNour Car Windshield Sun Shade , which protects your vehicle from UV rays and helps maintain your car's interior temperature at a comfortable level. Pair it with these car window shades to protect your backseat drivers from UVA and UVB rays while you're on the road. The shades come in two different sizes and transparency levels, and previous buyers say they are very easy to install.

Travel towel

A travel towel is one of the most versatile accessories you can bring on a road trip. Whether you are cleaning up a spill or want to go for an impromptu beach day, having a spare towel on hand is always a good idea. This odor-resistant and quick-drying 4Monster travel towel from Amazon comes in several sizes and includes a compact EVA box, which recent reviewers say makes it perfect for travel.

Reusable water bottles

Skip the plastic bottles and opt for a high-quality reusable water bottle on your next trip. This 40-ounce bottle from Hydro Flask keeps drinks hot for 12 hours and cold for a full day. It also comes with a lid with a built-in straw, which consumers say makes it convenient for driving. For kids, a durable water bottle like this 12-ounce YETI rambler fits the bill – its stainless steel bottle is dishwasher safe and shatter-resistant, a feature that parents love.

Cubcoats are two-in-one stuffed animals that transform into hoodies. Your child's furry friend (think bunnies, sloths and puppies) doubles as a soft, zip-up sweatshirt, and you get to save some space in your suitcase.

Inflatable car booster seat

If you're flying to another destination to pick up a rental car for your road trip, consider bringing inflatable car booster seats along. This BubbleBum backless inflatable booster is suitable for kids 4 to 11, and comes with a seat belt positioning clip for optimal comfort and safety. Recent buyers said it was portable and extremely easy to use.

Kids travel journal

A kids travel journal makes it easy for your child to document their road trip and all the fun things they see and do. This one from Peter Pauper Press includes world maps, puzzles, fun facts and more, and many parents said it made their kids' time in the car fly by.

Activity books

A family road trip means long hours in the car, and bored children are every parent's worst nightmare. Activity books can keep your kids occupied for long periods of time while you catch up on some much-needed quiet time.

Backseat travel tray for kids

If your co-pilot is constantly turning around to pick up toys or pass out snacks, a backseat travel tray is in order. The LUSSO Gear Kids Travel Tray comes with a safety strap that can be secured to any car seat, and includes a dry erase board table, a cup holder, a storage compartment for toys and a no-drop tablet viewing stand. Reviewers loved the tray's whiteboard area and said it was a great way to keep kids entertained on long car rides.

Shop in bulk

Check out Boxed.com for specially curated bulk items that are perfect for road trips and other types of travel. From sunscreen, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to Fruit Roll-Ups and snack-size packs of Pringles, Boxed.com is a convenient site to order bulk hygiene and snack items in one place.

Bring spare cash

Debit cards, credit cards and mobile phone payments may be the way of the world nowadays, but you may still run into a few places on your journey that are cash-only (for example, some national and state park entrance fees must be paid in cash). Be on the safe side by keeping some spare cash on hand in case of emergencies.

Save on gas

It's no secret that sky-high gas prices can put a damper on your vacation. Save some money on fuel by using apps like GasBuddy , which will show you the cheapest gas prices in your area. Go the extra mile by signing up for a gas rewards credit card to get the most bang for your buck.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Travel Backpacks
• The Top Sleeping Bags
• The Top East Coast Road Trips
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• The Best Cheap Travel Insurance Companies

Tags: Travel , Vacations , cars , Road Trips , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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Home » Blog » 16 Must-Know First Time Road Trip Tips

16 Must-Know First Time Road Trip Tips

There’s always a first time for everything. If you haven’t been on a road trip before, it’s time to plan one. Trust me, road trips are a whole different kind of travel experience. Especially if you’re an adventure traveler, road tripping is 100% the way to go! You can get completely in tune with the area, dive deep, find hidden gems along the way, and actually experience traveling instead of just arriving.

So if you’re on the verge of going on your first long road trip and feeling a little nervous about it, don’t worry. That’s 100% normal. No matter if you’re trying to hit every National Park in the United States or you’re just wandering outside of your hometown, there are a few things you can do before hitting the roads in order to have the best road trip experience possible.

Being on the open road for the first time is both an exciting and enriching experience. It gives you the opportunity to explore small towns, big cities, national parks, bond with nature and your travel buddies, and see the country in a different light. However, there’s a lot to be prepared for! While road trips are amazing, they can be dangerous and costly if you don’t plan accordingly.

So today’s post is dedicated to all first-time road trip adventurers. Specifically, I’m sharing my favorite first-time road trip tips ! Use these tips and you’ll be off to a great start on your first road trip journey!

Disclaimer : This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers. Learn more about my affiliate policy  here . Thank you for the support!

First Time Road Trip Tips

# 1: Take your vehicle to the mechanic for a final check-up

Embarking on a road trip without being sure my vehicle is good to go, doesn’t seem like a very good idea to me. What if your car breaks down before you reach your final destination? What if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere? Where will you go to fix it? How will you pay if the repair shop doesn’t take credit cards?

Those are all the tricky situations that might pop up if you brush off doing a final check-up of your vehicle. I’m sure you don’t want your car to become your archnemesis while on the open road. So take it for a full tune-up before leaving!

#2: Fill up the entire gas tank before you go

Filling up the gas tank might sound like the most obvious thing in the world. But you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget about this amidst all the preparations!

It’s important to start long road trips with a full tank in case you get lost, can’t find any gas stations, or simply forget to refill. Plus, driving with the gas tank light on for extended periods of time can cause damage to your vehicle . Just fill the tank before hitting the roads!

#3: Plan your itinerary, trip pace, and must-do destinations

Planning is a must if you want to have a successful first long road trip. Your entire travel team needs to be on the same page about the itinerary and trip pace. Is this a get-lost type of road trip? Or will you be hitting must-see destinations every single day?

Grab a map, gather your buddies, and get started. Make a detailed itinerary of everything you want to accomplish on your first road trip!

Looking for road trip ideas and itineraries! Here are some of my top suggestions:

• Ultimate Utah National Parks Road Trip: Explore Utah’s Mighty 5
• Ultimate Yellowstone To Grand Teton Road Trip Itinerary
• EPIC 7 Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary

The ULTIMATE New England Fall Road Trip Itinerary

#4: make a road trip budget.

This one really goes hand in hand with planning your itinerary. You’ll need to make a road trip budget for everything from gas, to food, to hotel stays, and money for activities.

You’ll also want to plan for emergencies. You never know, anything can happen. So set some money aside or have an emergency credit card just in case. If you’re on a tight budget, read this post on how to road trip on a budget .

#5: Book all accommodations before departing

As you can probably tell, planning is the key to a smooth first road trip! And detailed planning includes booking your accommodations in advance . This is the best way to ensure you have somewhere to sleep each night of the trip.

Don’t get me wrong, sleeping in your car on road trips is great! But perhaps you prefer to rest on a bed for your first open road adventure. If that’s what you’re looking for, then book your stays before hitting the roads. Or at least search for potential accommodations in the area! And if you do plan to sleep in your car any of the nights, read this post to make sure you’re prepared to sleep in your car on a road trip.

#6: Make sure your home is in order

This one doesn’t necessarily have to do with your actual trip, but it is truly important. The last thing you want to do while you’re on a road trip is worry about your house . So make sure everything is in order.

Lock the doors, close and lock the windows, throw away food that is close to going bad, take out the trash, give a trusted neighbor your key just in case, etc. Be ready to leave your home for a while knowing all is well there.

#7: Get plenty of sleep each night

The last thing you want to be while driving is exhausted. It’s dangerous. Plus, driving isn’t fun if you’re tired. So make sure you plan to get ideally at least 8 hours of sleep each night in between all the driving and enjoyment at each location. Try to avoid driving through the night for your first road trip, trust me.

#8: Download all the road trip apps, playlists, and podcast episodes

The more that you get done before hopping in your vehicle the more time that you have to enjoy your road trip! So go ahead and create the perfect road trip playlist before leaving.

It’s also a good idea to put aside a couple of podcast episodes to listen to while you drive. And make sure to download them in case there’s no wifi or data available on the open road!

Another thing you can’t forget to download in advance is road trip apps, like Gaia GPS ( click here to get 20% off your premium membership ), or The Dyrt (use code reneeroaming to get a 30-day free trial). Here’s my ultimate roundup of the best road trip apps if you want more helpful resources!

#9: Pack a paper map just in case

I know. Nowadays we have Google Maps , Waze , and a dozen other digital resources to get by. But sometimes you just can’t beat an old-fashioned and reliable paper map. Think about it. Maybe your phone dies, there’s no data or wifi available, or a couple of small towns you wanted to visit aren’t even on the digital maps. What will you do then? Better safe than sorry! Just bring a few paper maps. Rest easy knowing you’re covered if anything happens.

Another thing I like to do is download the app Maps.Me . With this free app, you can download offline maps for instances when you don’t have phone service or wifi. I will say though, Maps.Me isn’t always 100% accurate when it predicts distances and times, so use Google Maps whenever you have service. Another thing to note is that you need to  download the maps before you go offline  and they can take up quite a bit of storage on your phone if you have many downloaded at a time.

#10: Plan your rest stops

If you’re driving far, you may need a place to rest , stretch your legs, and refuel both you and your vehicle. So take a look at your map to find the best areas to stop for a quick rest. Make sure wherever you’re stopping has a gas station, place to eat, or maybe even something quick and fun for you to do.

#11: Sit with good posture

Okay, I know this sounds like a strange tip. However, I promise it makes all the difference on road trips. If you’re a first-time road tripper, you might not realize how taxing it can be on your body. Sitting is the new smoking after all. Driving in the car is no different.

If you sit for too long in a position with poor posture , you’re setting yourself up for more aches and pains. So stopping to rest is definitely important, but sitting with an ideal posture is also going to make a big difference and give you more longevity on your trip.

#12: Keep your car clean and organized

Trust me, you’ll rack up a lot of trash in the car if you’re not intentional about cleaning up . This can make all the difference in how enjoyable your trip is. If your car is filled with trash, you won’t be as comfortable or able to enjoy the moment. So make a point to keep things clean and organized throughout your trip!

#13: Make sure you have a first aid kit and spare tire

You don’t want to risk it while on the open road. That’s why safety should be a must on your final checklist! And two items you can’t forget to pack for emergencies are a spare tire and a first aid kit . Both of them will save you in the most unexpected circumstances, those that no amount of planning can prepare you for. So pack these two items in the trunk before you bring anything else to your vehicle!

#14: If you’re a hardcore planner, give yourself a little wiggle room

I’m well aware that I’ve just spent half a blog post telling you about the importance of planning. Still, it’s also necessary to plan for unexpected delays or changes of plans! You won’t enjoy your first road trip if you treat it with the same rigor as your work schedule. It’s a vacation, after all!

So give yourself a little wiggle room and don’t make every plan back-to-back . Just in case there’s a delay on the open road or you prefer to spend an extra day in a new destination.

#15: Pack snacks, on-the-go meals, and beverages

This one is a no-brainer, but it’s always good to remind first-timers to pack food as well! There are so many things that can make it tough to find food while on the open road.

Maybe there’s a traffic jam and you haven’t eaten in six hours. Or you’ve run out of cash and the local cafe doesn’t take credit cards. It could happen! So just pack a picnic basket with all the food essentials you might need. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

#16: Book a roadside rescue service

This might be the final of these first road trip tips, but it’s by no means the least important. Sure, chances are you won’t get stranded on the side of the road on your first road trip adventure. But it happens even to those who plan the most. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about it. Except for purchasing roadside insurance !

If you get stuck in the middle of nowhere, this rescue insurance will ensure you can call someone who will connect you with local tow services and mechanics. Otherwise, you would be pretty helpless unless you know your way around the place. You’ll be glad you spared yourself from all that hassle later!

What are your tips for a successful first road trip adventure?

Now you know everything you need to do before heading off on your first road trip ! It’s always key to plan ahead and be prepared for the unexpected when traveling. Especially if you’re on a vehicle spending multiple days on the open road. If you want more road trip advice and itinerary examples, don’t forget to head over to the Road Trip section of my blog. Happy travels, everyone!

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10 (and a Half) Tips for Road Trips

Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. He wrote for IndependentTraveler.com for more than 20 years, producing hundreds of columns on travel and offering his expertise on radio and television. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel.

An avid surfer and rower, Ed has written about and photographed rowing competitions around the world, including the last five Olympic Games.

He's passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

There is no denying that the lure of the road is undeniable and probably eternal; it almost seems embedded in our very makeup. There is a richness to traversing the land an inch at a time that is absent from the experience of climbing into a metal canister and climbing out at your destination. To get the most of your experience, don’t miss these road trip tips.

1. Clean your car before and during your trip.

Go ahead, leave the napkins and gum wrappers under your seat. Leave the receipts from your last business-related drive in the glove box. Don’t sweat the dog hair in the back bed … but you’ll be sorry. A few days into your trip, when the old gum wrappers are joined by new fast food wrappers, when the glove box starts overflowing with hotel receipts and local maps, when dog hair starts sticking to your luggage and your gear, you’ll rue the day you failed to pull out the Shop-Vac.

As your trip proceeds, take time every couple of days to purge your car of undesirable flotsam and jetsam. Even if you can tolerate some chaos (as I can), the accumulated junk and minor filth will start to drive you mad in the close quarters that define a road trip.

2. Check your vehicle.

About a week before you leave for a long road trip, have your mechanic check your car’s fluid levels, brakes, tires, and anything else that could cause problems. Be sure your spare tire is fully inflated and that you have jumper cables and extra wiper fluid on hand.

The Best Snacks for Road Trips

3. Have a loose plan.

Delays are the one thing that you can count on when driving significant distances. Admittedly, the archetypal “BRIDGE OUT” sign is a rare sighting these days, but the flashing “Road Work Ahead, Merge to One Lane” message is not. You don’t have to have seen a lot of Chevy Chase movies to know that things aren’t always going to go your way. If you overschedule your road trip, you’re almost guaranteed to find yourself slogging the last few miles long after you had intended to be asleep, trying to cancel one hotel reservation so you can pay for another well short of your originally planned destination.

On the other hand, having no plan at all is only recommended for the hardiest souls. On a trip through New England a few years ago, our plan was simply to pull over when we got tired to crash in a hotel; after taking three exits without success, we finally stopped at a place at which the front desk person asked, “Are you staying the whole night?” Ugh.

4. Get off the highways—but beware the Blue Highways.

Unless you have a specific destination and a strict schedule, there is little point in hitting the roads to see the country if you don’t spend some time on the back roads. However, some “blue highways” (as certain back roads were called in the popular book by William Least Heat-Moon ) are not much more than endless strip malls.

Most U.S. road maps have some indicator of whether a “back road” is an interesting one; the map I use most has small red dots along those roads recommended as scenic routes. I have found these recommendations to be fairly reliable; most have at least a few miles of interesting local scenery, offer driving experiences ranging from a rambling bucolic feel to truly stunning views of America the Beautiful, and pay off handsomely for those with the time, patience, and inclination to wander a bit. Roadtrippers.com , which is both a website and a mobile app ( iOS | Android ), can also help you find such scenic drives.

However, that being said…

5. …have an escape plan to get off country roads.

When I was a kid, my family took a trip down the East Coast by cutting inland to take the Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive is certainly beautiful and occasionally visually stunning, but after a few official overlooks and an intensifying bout of car sickness on the winding roads, the kids in the car were ready to come down from the hills. It was also fantastically slow going; average speeds were about 35 m.p.h., which, starting in New Jersey, gets you to Florida in about four days of 10-hour drives. After about 600 sharp turns surrounded by a whole lot of trees and mist, I-95 never looked so good.

7 Ways to Stay Awake on Long Drives

6. Anticipate trouble spots.

If you are grinding out long miles on a road trip, it’s not hard to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time—like trying to cross the Hudson River at rush hour or driving the long bridges to Key West on the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend . You’ll want to plan ahead so you cross the Hudson at, say, 10:30 a.m., or blast down to Key West on a Thursday.

7. Preload your phone with entertainment options.

The days of regional radio offering a musical or informational palette that you can’t find anywhere else are almost all but gone, so tapping into the local vibe via radio is far less satisfying than it used to be. That means you’ll want to make sure your phone is set to keep you entertained over the long hours of driving, whether you’re tapping into your own collection of music, streaming tunes via an app like Spotify ( iOS | Android ), or listening to your favorite podcasts or audiobooks .

If you’re road tripping in your own car, you probably already have a phone charger that will plug into the console and keep you powered up. If you’re renting a car for your road trip, be sure you have the right technology to plug into whatever power outlet is available in that vehicle (cigarette charger, USB port, etc.).

8. Tend to division of labor.

Some people are good at navigating; others couldn’t read a map if they tried. Some people are good at planning meals, while others think a big bag of chips counts as a good dinner. Know who does what well, and what really matters to your traveling companions, and you will divvy up tasks in a way that gets things done efficiently and to the satisfaction of all.

10 Strangest Places to Stop on a U.S. Road Trip

9. Join a roadside rescue service.

If you take enough road trips, eventually you will end up stranded on the side of the road outside East Gibbip a few miles from Podunk, equidistant from the four corners of Nowhere. Having that 800-number that immediately ties you in to approved local tow services and mechanics is going to save you a lot of hassle, and also shield you from some of the dangers of the road that none of us wishes to encounter.

10. Have your documents and a clean record.

I don’t know about you, but it sometimes seems like my new insurance card takes days or weeks to get into my glove box. If you are traveling without current documentation of license, registration, or insurance, you could be in for some trouble if you are pulled over for any reason. Further, you may want to clear up any old traffic and parking tickets before you go; under the right (or perhaps wrong, in this case) circumstances, your car can be impounded for your scofflaw sins.

5 Ways to Book a Car During the Car Rental Shortage

10 1/2. Know when to hold ’em, and when to fold ’em.

Sorry for the hokey country song phrase, but sometimes on the road you need to play the hand you are dealt. On an eight-week, 15,000-mile circle of the border states of the United States in 1991, we were driving up Route 1 near Big Sur with a mind to staying with friends in Santa Cruz. We pulled over to stretch our legs near a restaurant/hotel, fully intending to get back behind the wheel in short order to continue grinding northward. It took only two or three deep breaths for us to decide we were going no farther that day. It ended up being one of the best long afternoons of the trip.

However, later on the same trip, we woke up in a state park in Wisconsin with about a week to go with a plan to linger in Chicago and Detroit, cut across Canada to Buffalo, come down through the Finger Lakes region, and generally finish off our trip at a leisurely pace. As we headed for a gas station to fill up for the day, we turned on the radio to listen to the news from the previous evening that the United States had invaded Iraq to repel its advances into Kuwait. When we arrived at the gas station, we found that gas prices had spiked about 25 percent, and the proprietor told us to expect more increases in the next few days. We quickly made the decision to make a stop in Chicago—we couldn’t blow off one of the country’s greatest cities—and then to bolt eastward to get ourselves home. It turned out that the sight of our front door and our own bed was more welcome than we had anticipated; we weren’t home early, but rather right on time.

Here’s wishing that your road tripping finds you on time and in the right place, even when you least expect it.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist: Tips and Tricks for any Epic Road Trip Adventure

last Updated: September 12, 2023 road trip

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Heading out on road trip in the near future and looking for the ultimate road trip checklist? Keep reading for tons of these long road trip tips and tricks from highly experienced roadtrippers, and learn what to do before, during, and after your drive!

Road trips are always a good time. However, if you come unprepared, road trips can take a nasty turn for the worst. Should we book a hotel in advance? What about gas? Will there be food and restaurants nearby? How can we entertain ourselves for hours on end? Won’t the kids get bored? Am I allowed to do x in x country? AHHHH! It’s all so much!

That’s why this road trip checklist will definitely come in handy – I know I’ve learned a thing or so from my travel companions! Be sure to keep these long road trip tips handy!

I love me a good road trip. Over the past few years, we’ve road tripped the National Parks of Utah , through Fjords and glaciers in Norway , down the California coast , dreamed of driving from San Francisco allll the way to Seattle , hiked our way through Crater Lake National Park , moved from NYC to San Francisco on a massive cross-country road trip , and driven to a multitude of California hot spots ( Big Sur , Mendocino , Yosemite , Lassen National Park , and Napa Valley – I’m looking at you). I’ve even compiled the best long weekend trips from San Francisco that I’m eager to check off – many being road trips.

There’s nothing like throwing caution to the wind, grabbing those keys and driving off into the sunset. In reality, a road trip needs careful planning with a number of things taken into consideration. Enter this road trip checklist! Make sure to read each and every point before your next road trip adventure!

So get reading, understand the importance of each tip on this road trip checklist, and plan your next epic road trip adventure.

Psst: I commonly use this booking site when searching for low-cost car rental options, and like Skyscanner  (which I use to find low-cost flights) , I frequently find great deals on there!

I like to search  via this site  in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price.

Road Trip Checklist: Long Road Trip Tips and Tricks

Safety tips.

Know the Laws Where You’ll be Driving

The most important advice I can give you before setting out on a road-trip is to brush up on the laws for the country you’ll be driving in. The world may seem to be getting smaller by the day, but the road laws around the world can be very different. Did you know that it’s illegal to drive barefoot in Spain?

Or that you have to have your headlights on 24hrs a day in Sweden? And that it’s illegal to stop on the Autobahn on Germany? I’m not saying you need to know them all the laws, but 10 minutes of browsing Google before you set out could save you some embarrassment, frustration or, worse in the long run.

Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

• What are the basic speed limits?
• What should you do if you have an accident?
• What type of license do you need? – Hopefully you checked this before hiring a car!
• Is there any equipment you have to carry?
• What is the drink-drive limit?
• Who has the right of way at junctions and on roundabouts?

Ben | The Sabbatical Guide

Share the Long Drives

Taking a road trip is a worthwhile travel experience. One of the challenges of a road trip is the long drive. It could be several hours, half a day, or even days before you reach your destinations. For drivers, fatigue kicks in after driving for hours. We handle this situation on our road trip by dividing and conquering the task. One person drives for at least 2 hours while the other person in the front passenger seat navigates.

Even if we use the GPS navigation device for directions, it helps to have another set of eyes to watch for upcoming signs, landmarks, and even other vehicles. After the 2 hours is up, we find the nearest rest stop off the highway or somewhere safe off the road for a quick break and then switch roles. It helps to share the driving and navigating responsibilities with others and to have a more enjoyable ride.

Jackie and Justin | Life of Doing

Do Pre-Car Checks

If you are not renting a car for your road trip, it’s a good idea to do a few quick checks to make sure your car will run smoothly.  It will only take a few minutes but could catch a problem that would derail your trip. First, inspect your tires to make sure that the tread is not too worn.  

If the tread doesn’t look good, you might want to get new tires before heading out on the road. Also, check your tire pressure and adjust so that it meets the level recommended in your owner’s manual.  This will help prevent a blowout or flat tire.

It’s also a good idea to check your oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels and add more if you are running low.  Then check to make sure all your lights are working, Finally, it’s a good idea to fill up with gas before your road trip so you don’t have to stop right away.

Anisa | Two Traveling Texans

Always Have a Paper Map and Know How to Read It

Having a paper map can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a GPS or cell signal. Even if you do have a GPS, you can’t always count on technology. Sometimes the power cords break, the device breaks, or for one reason or another, it just doesn’t work. Or, if you’re like me, you still get lost with a GPS because you turn down the wrong road 85% of the time when it says “turn here.”

Like with anything else, though, what good is it if you don’t know how to use it. I suppose it could still be of use in the form of kindling to start a fire if you get really lost.

Reading a paper map isn’t really that hard of a thing to do. One way to learn how to read a paper map is to find your home or a notable location on the map. It’s the same concept when you are out and about.

Chasing Departures

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

Before heading out on an epic road trip, get a good night’s rest the night before. To avoid drowsy driving, it’s recommend that you sleep an absolute minimum of 4 hours, but 7-8 hours comes highly recommended. In reality, who can even function, let alone drive long distances, on only 4 hours of sleep. Also if you plan to drive at night consider delaying your trip by a few hours or wait until the morning if you are feeling sleepy. Remember, safety first!

Danielle | The Thought Card

Practice Driving on Difficult Roads Beforehand

Try and take the driver’s seat and practice driving on challenging and twisted roads across valleys and other difficult terrain before heading off on your road trip. You don’t exactly know what types of roads you’ll encounter, and it’s best to improve your driving skills and feel comfortable before setting off! I have seen lot of improvements in my driving skills now after implementing this strategy over time.This has helped me to drive on the most challenging and deadliest roads without any problems or issues.

Somnath | Travel Crusade

PLANNING TIPS

Leave Yourself More Driving Time Than You Think You’ll Need

The reason that road trips are so wonderful is that anything is possible. Leave yourself a large buffer of time, so that you can follow the road markers or signs you see on the side of the road to the magical places that the world has to offer that you didn’t even know existed. Most countries have a certain sign to mark historic sites. Sweden has three different kinds to show what kind of attractions you may find. Enjoy your road trip!

The Daily Adventures of Me

Plan Multiple Stops on Long Driving Days

What’s the point in going on a roadtrip if all you see is the highway itself? For us, the most essential thing while being on the road is to make a list of things we want to see on the way – and this is our top priority. We rather have a smaller distance of kilometres travelled, but at least see lots of things.

The best thing to do is to start you travel day by making a list of things that you pass along the route that you want to travel today. Doing so, you won’t miss anything and still have a super relaxed and fun day on the road.

Also, when it comes to stopping on the way, why not plan a picnic at a lake you wanted to see anyway? Having lunch has probably never been that nice before.

Travellers Archive

Forget the Map and Just Drive

Orrrr how about you just don’t plan at all sometimes? I’m not sure I could actually do this, but it’d sure make for a fun adventure!

Whenever you say road trip, people will instantly think about maps. Planning ahead, watching the map so that you know which roads to follow. But what if you forgot about any maps whatsoever? What if you just hop in your car, van, camper, bike, and just go wherever the road takes you.

Being curious on a road trip may prove to be the key ingredient for having memorable experiences. If you happen to spot a road that surprisingly doesn’t appear on your map, you might want to explore it. It could lead you to some incredible places, to some off-the-beaten trails and authentic destinations.

Don’t just stick to the main roads. You might just wake up in a forgotten village, or in a picturesque place, surrounded by wildlife. Don’t be afraid to get lost as the best road trips are not the ones when you simply follow the dotted lines!

Andra | Our World to Wander

Choose Your Travel Companions Wisely

If you are going to go on a road trip, choose your travel mates wisely. For days on end, you will be sharing close quarters and you don’t want to be stuck with someone that doesn’t travel the way you do or gets on your nerves.  Before committing to a long road trip, spend some time together when possible as a trial run.

Consider each other’s travel style and personality. Do they thrive on structure when you like to plan as you go?  Does one of you like to make record time while the other likes to make random stops along the way? Do you eat similar foods? If one people is a vegan who will only eat at Whole Foods while the other prefers fast food all the time, you are going to run into some issues.  

As you are planning, talk about budget and priorities to make sure you align on the types of things you will do and see on your trip. You don’t have to be a perfect match, but you need to know what you are getting into so you can prepare to have a great time.

Dan | HoneymoonAlways

Download Offline Maps

If I could give someone just one road trip tip it would be to download an offline map before you go. Google Maps allows one to easily do this with their app. We have been using it for years and find it to be the most reliable app out there for navigation. Simply go to the area you will be road tripping and download it to your phone.

Then you won’t need a WiFi connection to get turn by turn navigation. It’s all saved in your phone for 30 days. No GPS rental, no WiFi, and no hassle needed. Just make sure not to lose your phone!

Natasha & Cameron | The World Pursuit

Overcompensate for Time

My top road trip tip is to allow yourself extra time, even if you think you don’t need it! Overcompensating for the journey is crucial not only practically speaking, but also to lets you really get the most out of your trip.

You’re bound to stop along the way when driving through incredible landscapes. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the best views would you?! Additionally, stopping off will allow you to just enjoy your surroundings rather than being cooped up in a stuffy car all day. Enjoy the outdoors when you can!

Practically speaking, on unfamiliar roads you should allow yourself time to make mistakes, drive slowly, check directions, and find a parking spot. Finally, getting lost is both the best and worst thing about road trips. You’ll never know what you’ll find, but off-the-beaten-track also means extra travel time!

Keeping time-conscious will help you have more fun while sticking to the schedule, so it’s always worth remembering to add a little extra on the clock.

Suzy | Suzy Stories

Book Your Hotels and Accommodations in Advance in More Remote Areas

A road trip is a perfect time to just throw the plan out the window and just let open road flow.  This sounds really idealist. Except when you are ready to stop for the night, and suddenly find that the next hotel is an hour or three away.  This can be a horrific end to your day.

This issue is especially prominent in the mid-western regions of the United States.  These states are sparsely populated and towns can be few and far between. Towards the end of your day, start checking how long to the next town before leaving a town with hotel options.

Jennifer | National Park Obsessed

PACKING TIPS

Take Along a Spork and Water Bottle with Filter

One of the best items you can bring on a road trip is a spork and a water bottle with built in filter. With these two you can save lots of money and at the same time reduce your use of plastic. A spork is a fork, spoon and knife in one, which is perfect if you just want to buy some foods from the supermarket or some takeaway food – it’s not always that they offer cutlery!

And with a water bottle with built in filter you don’t need to buy water bottles. You just fill up the bottle with tap water, and it filtrates out 99,9% of the bacteria and gives the water a better taste. Even though the tap water is safe to drink in many countries, it’s not always that it tastes so good – and that’s where the filter water bottle comes in handy.

I never travel without my spork and filter water bottle, because they make life a little bit easier and saves me money!

Christine | Christine Abroad

Carry Water and Toilet Paper

Always carry water and lots of it. Not only for drinking but for a variety of reasons. You may need it for cleaning hands, shoes or worst case scenario filling up a radiator in an overheated car. Having baby wipes on hand can also cover cleaning, spillages, sticky fingers and freshening up.

My other top tip is to always have a spare toilet roll in the boot of the car. When nature calls, it calls! You may have to find a public toilet on the road and sometimes they aren’t maintained regularly. Don’t rely on there being a fresh supply of toilet paper at every public toilet. There is nothing worse than going to grab some paper and find out there is nothing there!

Travel Drink Dine

Pack More than Enough Activities for the Car

Long hours on the road can be difficult.  Having activities readily available for children, and some adults, will reduce the stress on the whole family.   Today, this is not as big of a problem as it once was, with cell phones and tablets, but a continuous stream of screen time is not the best way for our families to spend the drive.

Solve this problem with personalized entertainment packs.  Packs can contain a number of things, including magnetic games, small coloring books, puzzles, and reading material.  

We also recommend including a journal and camera, and some learning activities based upon the destinations to be visited.  This encourages discussion among the whole family. For learning activity ideas try online homeschooling resources, or a subscription service such as Little Passports.  

To minimize space impact, keep packs compact and convenient, by using a neatly organized lunch boxes.  Each child can keep it in their own space, and their snacks for each day can be kept inside too.

Roxanna | Gypsy With A Day Job

Cooler for Drinks and Snacks

I grew up road tripping around the United States, and one thing we never left home without was a small cooler for drinks and snacks. Buying drinks at gas stations and rest areas gets expensive, so before we left home, we’d hit the grocery store and grab bottles of our favorite drinks (bottles can be resealed, cans can’t) and bags of candy and chips to keep us going in between meals.

Pro tip: don’t buy anything that can melt like chocolate and gummy bears if you’re traveling in the summer.

We’d stash the cooler on the floor between our seats so we’d always have access to cold drinks. Hotels usually have ice machines, so you can refill your cooler with ice before setting out for the next leg of your trip. You’ll save tons of time and money on your road trip by bringing along a cooler full of drinks for everyone to share.

Kris | Nomad by Trade  

Take Along a Car Inverter

A car inverter is a fantastic road trip accessory and one we never knew we needed but now we can’t travel without! So what exactly is a car inverter? Simply said, an inverter allows you to charge your electrical gear in your car via the cigarette lighter charger in your car. It can be used to charge through both electrical plugs and USB. We use ours to charge all our travel gear such as our laptops, camera batteries, cell phones and drone batteries while on the road.

The ability to charge our gear in the car during a long journey between destinations is so useful and it ensures we never miss a photo due to a dead battery. Our inverter has saved us so many times, especially as we use our cell phones for navigation on road trips which runs down the battery very fast!

Elaine & David | Show Them The Globe

and with all that being said…

Don’t Take TOO Much Stuff

My best road trip tip is not to overload the car with stuff, though the temptation will be great! If you’re playing Tetris in the trunk at the beginning of your trip, you’ll face a disaster by the end. As with any other trip, take just a few days’ worth of clothing and plan to do laundry. Staying organized and having a place for everything is important so that you don’t have to re-pack the car at every stop.

You might have one small suitcase each for cold weather and warm weather clothing (if you’re changing seasons), a bag for things you’ll need at every overnight stop (like toiletries and chargers), a separate bag for swim gear, a cooler and snack bag in the back seat.

If you’re traveling with kids, try to minimize toys and other “kid junk” since it takes up plenty of space and seems to explode everywhere.

Melissa | The Family Voyage

STAYING SANE on the road / in the car

Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks

Music is essential for a road trip, everyone knows that, but I find music can only hold my attention for so long. I like to take a variety of audio with me, particularly for long road trips where I’m driving all day.

Podcasts, especially serialized podcasts like Serial and S-Town, are great for keeping you entertained, especially during the least interesting sections of road. Some podcasts are so gripping that you actually want to keep driving just so you can find out what happens next.

As well as podcasts and music, I also make sure I have some audio books and standup comedy to hand. You never know when you’ll want something different, and it’s great to have options to hand.

Some people just prefer music, of course, and that’s fine, and the rule should be that whoever is driving gets to listen to what they want to listen to.

James | This Travel Guide

Create A Memorable Trip Playlist

No road trip is complete without its very own soundtrack in my humble opinion. Make yourself a

playlist of your favourite tunes of the moment, or songs in the theme of your trip. It’s so fun to groove along while you’re on the road but even better when you get home. Hearing those road trip tunes  immediately takes you back to your vacation.

I love hearing Bastille’s epic pop anthem Pompeii. It transports me back to our trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, driving along the winding cliff top roads. I can almost taste the salty air, seafood pasta and Aperol  spritz cocktail as soon as the opening bars come on the radio.

Deeper in my past, Paul Simon’s Graceland album was the soundtrack of the beach road trip vacations  of my childhood. And these are some of the sweetest travel memories of all.

So put some thought into your road trip soundtrack and pump up the volume as you take to the road.

Katy | Untold Morsels

Have Your Camera Ready

One tip for a memorable (with photographic proof) road trip is to have your camera ready to go at a moment’s notice.  You never know when you might come across a fox with a baby in a field or a moose on a lake or an elk in a forest. Or maybe you will find an incredible view with nowhere to pull off the infrequently traveled road.  Or maybe you’re in Africa or Asia and you drive by a local event along the road.

I always have my camera by my side ready to go. If you have time, make sure you roll down the window to avoid glare and reflections. Please only follow this tip if there are no cars around or you can safely pull off to the side of the road.

TheHotFlashPacker

CAR RENTAL TIPS

Choose Your Car Rental Company and Car Insurance Wisely

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a roadtrip is the rental car. It’s very important to choose it smartly, because you are going to spend many hours in the car and it has to be as comfortable as possible.

The first thing to have in mind is choosing the car rental company that suits your needs for the trip. There are many websites that compare the different car rental companies and offer you the best price.

Once you choose the car rental company, you should choose the size of the car, which should be adjusted to the number of passengers and the number of suitcases you want to carry inside. Also, if the road trip destination includes mountains or unpaved roads, it’s better to rent a 4×4.

The last thing you have to keep in mind when renting a car for your roadtrip is the car insurance. Normally car rental companies include basic insurance, but it’s recommended that you extend it to full risk insurance, as that way you will avoid problems and pay a lot of money if you have an accident or you have a flat tire.

Sara | Mindful Travel by Sara

Know the Limits of Price Comparison Websites

Price comparison websites will almost always find the best prices and options for car hire, but it is also important to follow and fully understand the conditions of the hire. As almost all car hire companies will require credit cards these days when booking online, and these must be under the name of the driver. But even if the car hire company offers a refund in failing conditions, the online booking agents rarely share the same policy. So refunds are unlikely. Also, it is best to hire a car that best suits the conditions and terrain of a road trip, for example, engines of cheaper budget cars will likely struggle with mountainous terrain. And before driving from the lot, be sure to report and photograph any damage to the hire, know the fuel type and the fuel policy (full-to-full is generally best), as well as how to open the tank.

Allan | Live Less Ordinary

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Rent and Return the Car in the Same City

A road trip is definitely my favourite way to discover a region. Flexible, you meet more local people and visit not-renown spots. I have a tip to give to say some money when organising a road trip. A tip that I learnt making this mistake myself. If you need to hire a car, organise starting point and arrival in the same place because rental agencies charge extra fees to bring back the car to the original location.

You can travel in a circle, as I did in Spain. I started from Madrid and visited Avila, Salamanca, Valladolid and Segovia, before going back to the Spanish capital. On the other side, when I visited Romania, I booked a flight to Timisoara and bought a return ticket from Bucharest.

While it was my favourite road trip, I had to pay the extra-fees for returning the car to Timisoara. Plan better, save money and use it for other activities!

Mario | Human Italian

KID-SPECIFIC TIPS

Bring the car seats for your kids along

It is really very easy to bring your car seats when you’re flying somewhere before your start your road trip. Low cost carriers will probably charge you to bring the car seat but it is worth it. You can just check it in.

The airline will put it in a plastic bag in most cases and you will find your car seat at the ‘unusual luggage spot’ which is mostly located next to the carousel where your normal check-in luggage arrives or at a special desk.

Car rental companies do offer car seats but nobody knows how to put them in the car AND for THEIR insurance, employees are not allowed to help you install the car seat. So to save yourself the frustration of trying to figure out a car seat you don’t know, just bring yours along. It is more practical, probably cheaper and most importantly you KNOW that your child will be safe.

Jessy | Planet Pilgrims

Take Regular Breaks

One of my best tips for road trips with little kids is taking regular breaks. We lived in Sydney for a while and would regularly do the Sydney to Melbourne drive which is 8 hours if you drive directly. We would do it in about 10 hours with a few 30 minute breaks here and there for the kids. We always found somewhere that had a little park so they could stretch their legs and expel some of their energy, we then found they would better settle into the next part of the drive.

We alway found just stopping for a toilet break was not enough and we would get back in the car and they would be fighting before we hit the highway again. A little play and run around made all the difference and if we were really lucky, at least one of the three would have a little sleep after a bit of a run about.

I also recommend regular healthy snacks with water only, we didn’t need any sugar highs in the back seat.

Sally | Our 3 Kids v The World  

A tip that has helped us in a pinch is when driving late at night, with the intention to stop and sleep at a hotel, call the hotel about 20 minutes in advance of your arrival to have the pull-out couch made up if you are needing one. That way you can just carry a sleeping child into the hotel and put them right to bed!

Momma To Go

Hopefully these long road trip tips have taught you a few things! When is your next road trip?!

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August 27, 2020 at 4:56 am

I love to camp and travel. Thanks for sharing such an amazing list. It is truly a great and useful piece of info.

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Raising a glass to Portugal’s best wine regions

There’s no question about it; road trips are awesome. Regardless of what country you’re driving in, Thelma & Louise and Jack Kerouac won’t be far from your mind – even if you are sleeping in 5-star hotels and driving a top-of-the-range BMW.

A successful road trip will stay with you for life. The ability to just get up and go and the absolute thrill of uncertainty; where will you sleep? Where will you eat? When will you get to your next stop?

It’s up to you to choose where to go, when to go and what kind of budget you’ll have. Our 17 travel tips cover all kinds of road trips, in all kinds of countries – consider this your road trip 101.

1. Google Maps

A great place to start. Enter your start and final destination, and get an idea of timing. Adjust the route and see where you can go and how long it’ll take you (you can also see if you’re just a few hours shy of somewhere you might not have originally thought of, but would love to visit). Make sure you’ve got your basic route worked out, your A to B, but don’t have every single mile written in stone. You’ve got to have room for the unexpected turns, the snap decisions and the ‘I wonder what’s down here?’ moments.

2. What car?

What kind of car you need depends on your destination, trip type and how many people you will be. Think about how likely you are to need 4-wheel drive, high clearance or a convertible, and book accordingly. Make sure that you book in advance, choose unlimited mileage (unless you’re absolutely positive about the length of your trip), and insure yourself!

If your trip is going to be a long one, a couple of months or more, you might want to think about buying a used car and selling it on when you’re done. Make sure you get it checked over before signing anything though – the last thing you need is a break down in the middle of nowhere!

Few things go together as well as music and the open road. There’s going to be plenty of time for tunes, so make sure you’ve downloaded some playlists to your smartphone (and don’t forget the USB cable). That said, it’s wise to check out local radio as well to hear the kind of music you probably wouldn’t listen to back home, probably won’t think you’ll like, but probably come to love.

To help get you in the mood, check out momondo’s road trip playlist (if your browser is having trouble, use this link instead).

4. Roadtrippers

Check out the great site Roadtrippers . It’s a gold mine of information, from quirky roadside sights to accommodation. Covering the entire globe, it includes millions of the world’s most interesting destinations and sights.

5. Roads less traveled

Highways might be fast, but you’ll miss a lot. If possible (given time and terrain), take the road less traveled. You’ll see so much more, meet the locals and venture down paths you’d never even have seen. On a similar note: take that detour!  See a sign for an odd sounding ghost town or weird tourist attraction? Follow it! Now’s your chance. Spontaneity rules on road trips.

6. Eat local and stay local

Give the local grub a go – even if you have no idea what it is. After all, it might be the only chance you get. The same goes for accommodation: it might be tempting to stay at the shiny new resort, but why not stay at the unique B&B/kitsch motel/mom and pop place down the road?

If you can’t decide, check the Near Me Tonight feature on our app (for iPhone and Android ), and see the available rooms near you for that night.

7. Cool bag

Who knows when you’ll next be able to grab a bite to eat? Pack a cool bag – or splash out on an electric car cool box – and store drinks and snacks in case you get hungry (or in case you get a little lost …).

8. Camp (even in your car)

Depending on your budget – and on your wheels – you might consider camping instead of hotels or motels. It’s cheap, easy and a great way to meet people. If you’ve got a large car or van, you can even sleep in your vehicle at some campsites, RV campsites, and in some petrol stations and Walmart stores .

9. Travel mate

Road trips can make or break a friendship. Sure, they make you laugh, but imagine being stuck in a car with them for six hours straight, when the GPS breaks and they can’t read a map … If that all sounds fine, think tastes: are they as interested in local history as you, or are they more interested in finding the nearest bar?

Make sure you find the right travel mate to match your temperament, can do something well that you can’t do at all (e.g. read maps, speak a local language), and one who can handle you when you’re at your best – and worst.

10. Buy a GPS

Don’t hire one. The daily charges will soon run up to much, much more than it would cost to buy one – and you can use your own over and over again, at home and abroad.

Read more: get more tips for travel gadgets you need to own

11. Go offline

Yes, Google Maps is great, but there’s something about a paper map– you know, the things you occasionally see gathering dust in the back of taxis or your parents’ car. You’d be surprised at how useful it can be – both for finding out where you are, and for note taking on impromptu stops (and think of the nostalgia value when you’re home).

12. Book ahead

Certain attractions, e.g. Alcatraz, Chateau de Versailles, sell out months in advance. Try to find the main sights you want to see, and work your trip around these. The same applies for some hotels in popular spots, like The View Hotel in Monument Valley . Make sure you don’t miss out and book ahead !

Read more: get the best hotel deals with these five exclusive insider tips

13. Rules of the road

Make sure you’re down with the rules of the road for the country you’re visiting. You can find tips and advice on Europe from The AA , Australia from the official tourism site , and the US (note that each state has its own rules), from USA.gov .

If you’re traveling to a country in Asia, be sure to check for driving advice for tourists on that country’s government or official tourism site.

14. SIM card

If your phone is unlocked, pick up a local SIM card to make sure you keep your costs down, and to make sure people can contact you easily. There’s always Skype and WhatsApp Messenger, but those do need a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection to work.

Read more: check out our ultimate travelling checklist to make sure you’ve got the essentials covered

15. Gas stations

Gas stations can be a godsend. The bigger ones have toilets, semi-decent food, drinkable coffee and all kinds of treats for the weary traveler. Some might even let you use their facilities and park overnight in their carpark.

16. Stay safe!

Go down those small roads, get out of your comfort zone and explore – but be sensible. Listen to advice, always let someone know where you are and where you’re going – and don’t be a hero.

On a more practical note, keeping a few gallons of water in your car at all times can literally be a lifesaver. If you have the room, a gallon of gas is a good idea too.

17. Download apps

Make sure your smartphone is loaded up with useful apps. For a good start, check out our incredibly useful top travel apps that aren’t strictly travel apps – you might be surprised!

Chances are you’ll be passing through a city or two on your trip, so check out our momondo places city guide series for iPhone: 14 (and counting), free city guide apps in English, with 200+ local tips, each colour-coded by mood and offline maps (no data roaming).

Now you’ve got the basics covered, it’s time to start thinking about booking your Thunderbird car to get the best deal . Hit the road!

Whatever country you’re headed to, have a search on momondo Inspiration – it’s full of  expert news and tips on where to eat , what to see , where to stay and what to do . If you’re still dithering, find out how you can accomplish your travel dreams and get going!

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USA road trip: discover the canyon country of the American Southwest

Tips for the perfect Southwest US road trip

Frommer’s deems momondo best airfare search site for 2024

10 eco travel trends to look out for in 2020

How to Pack for a Road Trip + Packing List (2023)

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: March 13, 2023

One of the quintessential vacations is the classic road trip. If you’re getting ready to hit the road, you’re probably needing a road trip packing list and some tips for how to pack your car. After taking dozens of road trips over the years, here are my expert tips for things to bring on a road trip along with some organization tips for the car.

What to Pack for a Road Trip?

Planning and packing for a road trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re going on a short weekend getaway or a long cross-country journey, there are plenty of things to consider.

You’ll be putting together your car emergency kit, creating your ideal playlist, and loading up the trunk with all the road trip essentials . Here’s what you need to know about packing smart and preparing for any unexpected challenges when taking a road trip.

Affiliate links are included in this post, if you purchase from my link I may earn a commission.

What should an adult pack for a road trip?

As an adult, there are some of the best things you should pack for a road trip. What you choose to pack may be a lot different than what a child or an entire family chooses to pack. Here is a list of ten items to pack for a road trip to make sure you have a good time in the car.

1. Toiletries

Pack the essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrush, soap, razor, and other items you may need if you’re overnighting in a hotel. But also think about personal comfort/grooming on the road. Do you want to pack a hairbrush, lip balm, eye drops, hand lotion, etc?

2. Clothing 

Be sure to pack comfortable clothes for the weather you will be traveling in. Consider if you need a change of clothes for overnights or if you’re driving to a different climate than you started in.

Include a pair of slip-on shoes for the car but also a pair that is suitable for walking in case you decide to take a hike or explore somewhere new. I have a few ideas for great road trip outfits .

3. First-Aid Kit 

No matter where you are going, it’s always a good idea to have a basic first-aid kit handy in case of an emergency. Pack all your prescriptions, bandages, antiseptic creams, pain relievers, etc., so you can deal with minor injuries while on the go.

4. Electronics & Accessories 

Your smartphone, laptop, and camera should be at the top of your packing list because they’re essential for keeping memories and staying connected with family and friends during your travels. Don’t forget adapters, chargers, and extra batteries if necessary. 

5. Maps & Road Directions 

You never know when technology will fail you when looking for directions! Be sure to bring along a road atlas , physical maps, and/or a GPS device to help guide you on your journey safely and efficiently. 

6. Comfortable Blankets & Pillows 

Having comfortable blankets and pillows can help passengers stay comfortable and even take a nap. They’re also needed if you plan to take sleeping breaks in the car during a long drive.

7. Snacks & Drinks

Pack road trip snacks like granola bars or trail mix for an energy boost throughout the day, plus something refreshing like bottled water or cold drinks that won’t go bad after several hours in the car.

Make sure to include towels so you can quickly dry yourself off after a quick swim or even rainy weather! Compact travel towels are best since they don’t take up much space in your luggage/carrier bag(s).

9. Money & Identification

Bring along some cash just in case credit cards don’t work wherever you go, plus your driver’s license! Also, make sure to bring your passport if you’ll be crossing the border. And make sure you have your car registration and insurance packed as well.

10. Entertainment 

It’s always nice to keep yourself entertained, especially during long road trips! Consider bringing books, magazines, music, and/or movies depending on what type of entertainment suits you best! Audiobooks are a great option on long trips, you can often get a good deal with Audible or Audiobooks.com .

Kindle Paperwhites are also great for bringing lots of books without taking up a lot of space and can be read in the dark or bright sun. If you’re an avid reader, check out Kindle Unlimited . I have it and love that I can read unlimited free books continuously.

What should you pack for a child on a road trip?

Packing for a road trip with a child can be tricky. It’s important to make sure you have everything your little one needs, without adding unnecessary weight to your vehicle. Here’s a list of essential items that you should pack when taking a road trip with a child :

1. Car Seats 

When driving long distances, it’s important that children are safely and securely strapped into their car seats. Ensure your car restraints are up-to-date and suitable for your child’s age and size.

2. Healthy Snacks & Drinks

Try to avoid too many sugary drinks and snacks while on the road, as they can increase crankiness in young kids. Opt instead for healthy road trip snacks such as fruit, vegetables, and crackers that will fill them up without the sugar rush later on.

3. First Aid Kit

You should always carry basic medical supplies in the vehicle, especially when traveling with children. Items like antiseptic cream, saline solution, bandaids, and ibuprofen are helpful for travelers of all ages. Depending on what age group the kids are in, you might want to add child-safe versions of medications like Benedryl and pain relievers.

4. Clothes & Toiletries

Depending on how long the journey is it’s important to pack several changes of clothes including underwear and socks along with toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo, especially if you’re planning extended trips or staying overnight.

5. Favorite Toy & Blanket From Home

Nothing soothes a child more than familiar objects from home; it makes them feel safe and secure in an unfamiliar environment away from home comforts. Pack something small like their favorite blanket or teddy bear from home to take away some of the homesickness during times of restlessness on the road trip. A pillow can also come in handy for helping kids nap.

6. Activities & Games

Keep boredom at bay by packing some creative activities for kids to do while traveling in the car such as picture drawing books, travel games, or sticker collections! If space is limited, digital devices preloaded with fun educational apps, cartoons, or reading material can be just as beneficial!

When my girls were really young, I tried to plan for a new activity, toy, snack, or show for every 30 minutes of the drive. Taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs and let kids run around can also help break up the long drive.

7. Activity Board & Bin

Kids might be coloring or drawing and will need a flat surface for their work. An activity lap desk can come in handy for kids. You might also consider an organizing bin for helping them store all their activities. If your kid will be watching shows on a phone or tablet, a headrest mount might be useful.

8. Sun Protection & Insect Repellents

If you’re planning outdoor activities it’s always helpful to have sun protection like sunscreen and hats handy, often overlooked but equally essential are insect repellents which come in effective spray bottles compatible with any kind of climate!  

Packing may feel overwhelming initially but these road trip essentials will ensure your little ones travel safely and enjoyably along the way, stress-free!

Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

Sometimes you don’t think about the individual items you may need on a road trip! This list of simple items is just as important as the big items! Use this list and my blog post of road trip essentials for all things you need on a road trip!

I’m including a printable road trip packing list you can sign up for at the bottom of this section.

Driver’s License

A driver’s license is an essential item for any road trip. It allows you to legally operate a motor vehicle while on the open roads, and also serves as a form of identification if needed at airports or other travel hubs. It is necessary for renting a car if that should be needed during the trip. Having a valid driver’s license before taking to the highways is always recommended!

Car Insurance & Car Registration

Car insurance and registration is an important element of any road trip, as it protects against unexpected damages or liabilities that may arise during your journey. Driving without the right coverage can leave you vulnerable to costly legal bills if an accident occurs. 

Car insurance can provide access to roadside assistance services if your vehicle breaks down, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal disruption. Having the right car insurance in place before hitting the open road is a must, as it can save time and money while providing peace of mind.

A spare tire is also an essential item to bring on a road trip. You never know when a flat tire may occur, and having the right equipment to replace it can save you time, money, and headaches. 

A spare tire also allows for greater flexibility if unexpected road conditions prevent your vehicle from proceeding safely. A spare tire can be beneficial in emergency situations where you need to get off the highway or drive through harsh terrain. Having a reliable spare tire ready at all times is important. 

Roadside Emergency Kit

Every road trip should include an emergency roadside assistance kit . Make sure you take a well-stocked kit with you that includes important road trip essentials like jumper cables, a tarp, bottled water, rags, plastic bags, gloves, flashlights and batteries, jumper cables, flares or reflectors, tire jack and tools to change a tire, and extra oil and fluids for your vehicle.

Having these items on hand can help you handle unexpected breakdowns or repairs quickly and confidently, reducing the hassle of being stranded on the side of the road. 

Car Phone Mount 

A car phone mount is necessary if you plan on using your phone while driving on a road trip. Not only does a car phone mount keep your device within easy reach, but also provides a secure place to store it so that you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. 

Car phone mounts come in a variety of styles and offer features such as adjustable positions for improved visibility, auto-clamping, gravity hold for easy use, and wireless charging capabilities. Having a reliable car phone mount will make your road trip much more enjoyable and safe. 

Car Power Adaptor

Car power adapters are available in different styles and allow you to charge phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and other USB-connected devices while you drive. Having a reliable car power adapter eliminates the need for frequent stops to recharge, enabling you to focus on enjoying your journey without worrying about losing power.

Packable Cooler

Taking a packable cooler along on your next adventure can be extremely helpful. Not only does it keep food and drinks cool and fresh, but it also helps save on space. Perfect for camping trips, or just a day at the beach, these easily-packed coolers are great for any outdoor activity. 

They come in many sizes to accommodate different amounts of food and drink supplies, making them an ideal choice for those who need to bring snacks and refreshments along with them. You can even buy plug-in coolers to act like a mini-fridge for keeping snacks and drinks cool.

Trunk Organizer

A trunk organizer is a great way to organize your car’s cargo area. It allows you to maximize the space in your trunk while also keeping things tidy and easy to find. Trunk organizers come in many different sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that works for you. 

They are perfect for holding items such as sports equipment, groceries, emergency items, and more. With a trunk organizer, you can be sure that all of your items will be stored properly so they don’t take up too much space or get jumbled together. Just keep in mind how your suitcases will fit if you choose to use an organizer.

Travel Picnic Kit

If you’re looking for the perfect way to enjoy your lunch on the go, a travel picnic kit is an ideal solution. Whether you’re at work, on vacation, or exploring a new city, having a portable set of dinnerware, utensils, and food containers can make all the difference. Even just bringing a portable picnic blanket works well.

Not only does it save time by letting you eat wherever you are, without worrying about packing up leftovers, but it also allows you to create tasty meals that are healthier than restaurant food or fast food. Plus, with colorful designs and fun patterns available, a travel picnic kit adds a bit of style and personality to your meal-time experience.

Taking a travel mug with you on a road trip is an excellent way to save money and reduce waste. Making sure your car has adequate cup holders is essential. It’s always nice to have your favorite hot or cold beverage nearby while traveling, so don’t leave home without one!

If you’ve ever forgotten your sunglasses at home, while taking a road trip, then you know this was a huge mistake. Pack a few pairs of sunglasses, so you can protect your eyes while you drive or even sit in the front seat. 

Printable Road Trip Packing List (PDF)

Sign up for my email list in the box below and my road trip packing list pdf will be sent straight to your inbox!

Apps You Need For a Road Trip

Google Maps

The most important app for any traveler, Google Maps allows you to easily plot out routes and check traffic in real time. You can plan your road trip with Google Maps to include gas stations, rest stops, attractions, and more. It offers spoken turn-by-turn directions that make navigating easier than ever before. 

If Google Maps isn’t enough for you, then Waze is worth looking into as well. This app provides crowdsourced reports on traffic conditions that allow drivers to make driving decisions based on where they are currently located. In addition, it has community alerts that notify drivers when there are police officers or road obstructions ahead. 

One of the essential road trip apps has to do with fuel; specifically finding affordable fuel quickly along your route. GasBuddy makes this happen by helping users find nearby gas stations with their lowest prices listed before they stop. No more worrying about running low while searching for cheaper fuel options,  this app will take care of it all! 

TripIt helps travelers organize every detail of their trip into one streamlined itinerary including flight times, hotel reservations, and car rental information. Plus, it keeps track of any travel confirmations that come through emails so you don’t have to waste time manually entering data from each confirmation email into another program or writing everything down on paper. 

Spotted by Locals

This unique app allows people to explore like a local wherever they go by providing authentic recommendations from local experts who live in the cities they’re visiting. Get off the beaten path and discover hidden gems that only locals know about: restaurants, bars, events, and more are at your fingertips with Spotted by Locals ! 

Roadtrippers Plus

One of my favorite apps for sightseeing road trips is RoadTrippers Plus. It’s an app that helps you find all the best attractions and restaurants along your route, along with reviews of the attractions. Sign up and use code BTR5QTP to get $5 off.

Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, SoundCloud

Don’t forget to load up your favorite music streaming service before taking off! Long trips tend to get boring without good tunes keeping everyone entertained during long stretches of driving, plus music can really set the mood while exploring new cities or playing silly car games to break up monotonous highway miles.  

Best Snacks to Pack for a Road Trip 

When on a road trip, you probably get extremely hungry. That’s where your favorite snacks to pack for a road trip come in. You’ll want to add some munchies that each traveler. These are some road trip snacks you may want to consider. And don’t forget a few trash bags for easy disposal!

• Granola Bars – A classic favorite made with oats, nuts, and honey that is easy to eat while driving. Make your own or buy some prepackaged ones.
• Trail Mix – A combination of dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and sometimes chocolate pieces that makes for a tasty snack on the go. 
• Sandwiches or Wraps – Whole grain bread filled with lean meats make great portable meals that can be eaten quickly at rest stops.
• Homemade Muffins – Perfect for a sweet treat on the road; these handheld snacks can be filled with wholesome ingredients like quinoa and chia seeds.  
• Beef Jerky or Pretzels – Classic salty snacks that have been around for years! Searching for organic versions may even be possible in gas stations these days! 
• Cereal – Dry cereal can make an excellent road trip snack. Some of our favorites are cheerios and chex.
• Nuts and Seeds – Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds provide a good source of protein and healthy fats to keep you full while on the go. 
• Gummy Bears or Fruit Snacks – These will appease your sweet tooth cravings in a somewhat healthier way depending on which you choose.
• Applesauce or Yogurt Smoothie Pouches – Easy to eat and pack; these make a great snack for anyone in the car.  
• Popcorn – Pop some before your trip or buy any of the popular bags sold in most grocery stores. 
• Fresh Fruits or Vegetables – Carrots, celery sticks, cucumber slices, oranges, and grapes are light enough to not weigh down your stomach after a long drive, plus they’re healthy!

How to Pack Your Car For a Road Trip 

Whether you’re embarking on a short road trip or a long one, packing your vehicle correctly is important. To make sure everything goes smoothly, here are some tips for getting your vehicle ready for a road trip.

• Make a List – Before you start packing, make a list of all the items you need to bring with you. Consider the type of trip you’re taking and include clothing, toiletries, snacks, maps and emergency supplies in your list.
• Pack Smartly – When it comes to loading up the car, pack heavier items first and closer to the back of the vehicle. Place lighter items such as blankets and pillows near the front and above heavier items so that they are easy to reach during the drive. Make sure everything is securely fastened down with bungee cords or straps so that it doesn’t move around while driving
• Clean out Your Vehicle – Before leaving on your trip it’s important to give your vehicle an interior clean out. This includes taking out any unnecessary items like empty water bottles or old takeout containers that won’t be needed during your journey.
• Consider Comfort – During long trips comfort should be the top priority when it comes to packing up your car. Bring along a small pillow, blanket, or set of headphones to help make the ride more comfortable if there will be multiple people in the car at once.
• Leave Space – Don’t overpack! Remember to leave some space in case you need more room for souvenirs or something else while on your journey
• Double Check Everything – Before getting behind the wheel of your vehicle, double-check that all maintenance has been taken care of so your car is ready for the trip. Items such as spare tires and jumper cables should also be checked off before leaving home just in case something unexpected happens while driving. 

First, I suggest that each person (including kids) pack a small bag or tote of their favorite toys/activities. This will be kept nearby and contain things that will keep you busy.

For adults, this might be magazines, books, or electronics. Kids might pack some books, coloring books or journals, electronic toy(s), printable activities/games, dolls, or legos.

A food bin is a big must for any road trip. I like to use a small box to store all our road trip snacks .

I make each of our girls their own plastic container of special snacks, this was learned after one too many, “but Mom, she already had two granola bars…”. If each child starts with the same number of “fun” snacks, they can’t argue if they eat all of theirs.

We also pack some general snacks that everyone enjoys, but the special snacks — like granola bars and fruit snacks — are limited.

Following these simple steps can help ensure that both you and your car are safe for whatever journey lies ahead!

Diagram to Pack for a Road Trip

1 – Passenger Seat

This is where the main passenger (usually me) keeps their stuff. I like to pack magazines, my iPad, and my purse in a narrow tote. I’ll also store some lip balm and eye drops in my bag

2 – Main Console

We keep electronic chargers here along with many of our road trip essentials. Depending on how your car is built, what you can store in this space might be limited.

Some essentials that should be stored nearby the front seats are paper towels, wet wipes, kleenex, dental floss, hand sanitizer, lotion, and a travel first aid kit .

See my full list of road trip essentials we bring on our road trips and figure out where best to store them in your car. Keep in mind what you’ll want to access easily while driving and what can be stored in the back for use at stops.

3 – Garbage

We have a special car trash can that loops around my seat belt latch and has an elastic opening so things don’t fall in or out accidentally. You can also use a plain plastic grocery bag looped around the gear shift.

I recommend each row of passengers have its own trash bag. If you’re traveling with kids you might even want to give each kid a garbage bag they can keep near their seat.

Having easy access to garbage bags will be a huge help in keeping your car clean and organized during your road trip .

4 – DVD Players

We’ve always had dual DVD car screens that we bought at Target, but now that our girls received tablets for Christmas, we like these  tablet headrest mounts .

Our girls love watching some of their favorite movies while on a road trip. Of course, you may decide to skip this. One of my big tips, if you are buying DVD players for multiple kids, consider buying a set that offers independent playing options.

As our girls got older sometimes they’d want to watch the same movie, but other times they didn’t and our players let them watch their own movies or they can watch the same one.

5 – Kid Bags

Each of your kids should bring a bag of personally selected items for the road trip. It could include a book or journal, or a special activity/toy. Our girls use their school backpacks.

If you’re wanting to keep things off the ground, you might consider a  backseat organizer that lets kids store misc stuff in pockets on the back of the seat. We’ve also used one of these middle seat organizers for the girls to share (see #7 below).

You can also consider packing a plastic lidded bin that is placed below your child’s feet. Just make sure it’s easy for the top to be removed while seated.

Related Post:  Best Kids Travel Bag Activities to Pack

6 – food.

This is where we keep all the road trip snacks. We often use one of these clever crates and place it in an easy-to-reach location for each person.

For kids, I recommend making them each their own snack bag or box so that there are no arguments about who’s had too many of one kind of snack. Each kiddo should get the same amount of fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. Make sure you remember wet wipes & napkins.

Another tip is to bring lidded/sippy cups for young kids. They work great for sharing a bottle of juice or water, and no spills!

For adults, consider a thermal mug if you’re a coffee drinker. Your hot drinks will stay much warmer than those disposable cups from the store. Bring reusable water bottles, too.

7 – Kids Activities

This is normally another bag and carries more kids’ activities and games. We normally have a blanket for each kid in this space too. If the road trip isn’t too long, this could be the only space you store kids’ activities. We’ve used boxes and this backseat organizer for placing between the girls’ seats.

8 – Luggage

Bags and stuff you don’t need to access while driving go in the back. We often have one hotel stop on our main road trip drive, so we pack one overnight bag with all of our stuff for that hotel night so we don’t have to bring in each person’s luggage.

Another tip is to keep some extra snacks/treats or special drinks and such back here so you can dole them out when you stop. You can also store some of the other road trip essential items back here.

FAQs for What to Pack for a Road Trip 

What should go in a car emergency kit.

A car emergency kit should include a first aid kit, jumper cables/battery starter, flares or reflective triangles for safety if your car breaks down on the side of the road, a flashlight with extra batteries, an emergency tool (like a hammer or a window breaker/seatbelt cutter combo). It should also include blankets and warm clothing in case you are stranded in cold weather. 

Don’t forget water, energy snacks, and basic tools like screwdrivers and wrenches. It’s also good to keep items such as windshield washer fluid, fuel line antifreeze, and deicer spray in your vehicle in case the weather turns bad.

What should you pack if you’re traveling through a cold state?

If you are driving through a cold state, it is important to pack winter road trip items such as warm clothing and blankets, as well as a winter car kit. This should include items such as jumper cables, windshield washer fluid, de-icer spray, fuel line antifreeze, and an emergency tool (like a hammer or window breaker/seatbelt cutter combo). 

Consider packing snacks that contain healthy energy sources like nuts and fruits. Bring along extra batteries for your flashlight and any other electronic devices you plan to use on your trip.

What type of shoes should I pack on a road trip?

When packing for a road trip, it is important to choose shoes that provide comfort and support. Depending on the nature of your journey, you may want to pick shoes with features such as waterproofing or ankle support. The best shoes to pack are:

• Running shoes – Athletic shoes are great for long days of driving, as they offer plenty of cushioning and shock absorption. I prefer slip-on loafer sneakers for road trips.
• Hiking boots – These sturdy boots provide support for walking around during stops and exploring in unfamiliar territory.
• Sandals – For warmer climates where days might be spent primarily outdoors, sandals can be comfortable and stylish. Try to avoid slide sandals as they aren’t great for driving in.
• Rainboots – In the event you encounter bad weather during your travels, rainboots can protect your feet from wetness and mud, but it might be easier to pack a pair of water-resistant sneakers or hiking boots.
• Ballet flats – When space is limited, ballet flats are easy to pack away but still provide comfort during walkabouts in town or at a rest stop along the highway.

What should I pack for a 12-hour drive?

If you’re embarking on a 12-hour drive, packing the right items can make all the difference in having a comfortable trip. Making sure your car is stocked with essential items will help ensure that you don’t run into any unexpected issues along the way.

• Snacks: It’s always a good idea to pack some snacks for your journey. Choose nutrient-dense snacks such as fruits, nuts and granola bars that will give you lasting energy along the way.
• Drinks: Whether it’s water or a caffeinated beverage, make sure you have enough drinks to stay hydrated throughout your journey.
• First Aid Kit: Accidents and injuries can happen, so make sure you pack a first aid kit in case of emergency.
• Cash: Have some extra cash on hand in case you need to use toll roads or if there’s an unexpected stop along the way.
• Entertainment: Bring along some books, magazines, or music to keep you occupied during your drive.
• Blanket and Pillow: Make sure you have a comfortable blanket and pillow to help make the journey more bearable.

By packing these essential items for your 12 hour drive, you can have a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. With a little bit of planning, you can ensure that your trip is as stress-free as possible.

What are 3 tips to prepare for a road trip?

1. Plan your route – Make sure you have a good idea of the route you’ll be taking and plan out stops along the way if needed. Consider alternate routes in case of traffic congestion or detours, too!

2. Pack light – When packing for a road trip, consider bringing only the essentials so that you don’t have to lug around too much luggage. This will make the journey more comfortable, and you can always stop to pick up items if needed.

3. Bring entertainment – Make sure you have some form of entertainment such as books, music, or games for both adults and children in the car so that everyone stays busy during the drive. This will help make the journey fly by!

Bonus Tip: Have your vehicle inspected. Before you head out on a road trip, make sure to get your car checked for any potential issues. This will help ensure that you don’t have any problems during the drive and can get safely to your destination without any surprises!

Whether you’re a road-tripping expert or spending several long hours in the car for the first time, with these packing guides and road trip tips, you’ll be ready to head on a family road trip any time of year!

Check out my full list of road trip tips .

Share and Save This Post:

Thursday 6th of May 2021

This is amazing. Thank you.

Catherine Brady

Sunday 15th of March 2020

Love all of the practical tips in this post!! Also, the related spin off posts are super useful as well-especially the one on organization and the first aid kit!

Susan Summers

Thursday 5th of December 2019

Thanks for the tips. We're planning on doing our first road trip in France next summer. Can't wait!

Friday 6th of December 2019

Great, Susan! Hope you have a fabulous trip!

15 Brilliant Road Trip Hacks – Two Frugal Moms

Sunday 16th of July 2017

[…] 10. How To Pack Your Car For A Road Trip […]

Erica Gilbert

Wednesday 21st of June 2017

Nice tips and love the visuals! Glad you’ve mentioned the first aid kit. It’s important to check this before the trip and keep it where it’s easily accessible, especially when you’re traveling with kids. I usually keep a travel size pain relief oil, since it works for multiple situations. Also, a roll of toilet paper comes in handy to quickly clean up any spills or to wipe something.

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Home › Blog › 17 Crazy Smart Must-Have Road Trip Tips and Hacks

17 Crazy Smart Must-Have Road Trip Tips and Hacks

By Christine Jerry

Published Apr 04, 2024

Traveling for the holidays or enjoying family vacation? Road trips with kids can get crazy. Use these must-have sanity-saving road trip tips!  We have found the must-have genius road trip tips to make car travel around town and long road trips with kids so much easier – and even fun!

If you’ve been a regular here at One Crazy House, I’m sure you’ve become accustomed to our lists of hacks.  Our goal with providing hacks and helpful tips is to help make it just a little easier for you.

Road Trip Tips To Make Traveling With Kids Fun

With the busiest travel days ahead of us, we figured it’s time to get prepared with a few road trip tips. As any parent who has ever ventured on a long road trip can tell you, road trips with kids can be a challenge – unless you use these tips!

1. Stay Organized with Front Doormats

Getting mud in the floor, or crumbs or all. the. things. is one of the things that both decreases the cleanliness of the vehicle, but also decreases the value! But, typical car floor mats don’t always fit or offer the coverage AND STYLE that we know you want!

Outdoor-front doormats to the rescue! They are easy to cut with a utility knife and you have custom and stylish car mats, that truly work to contain the mess.

2. Make Sections with Shower Curtain Rods

Another genius tip we have to help you make the most of your trunk space is to use bins, totes, and a tension shower curtain rod to help make “sections” in your trunk. 

This part of your car becomes usable when it’s not a pile of items bouncing around.  Put the items you need occasionally towards the back of your trunk, and keep the easy-to-access space up front for things you need to grab quickly.

3. Plan Your Road Trip Like a Prep Pro

No matter where your road trip is taking you, preparation can make it stress-free and adventurous.  I love using a planning guide and this camping planner can help guide you through the process even if you never spend one night in a tent! The $7 spent on the Camping planner  is well worth it!!  Your sanity is worth it!!

3. Get Your Car Inspected

This is SO important. Nothing can derail your road trip plan faster than an unexpected mishap. Although we don’t have control over everything, we have to do our best to take preventative measures.

Before you hit the road and pack the car, make sure to get your tires checked and your vehicle inspected. You don’t need any surprises along the way if you can avoid them. There are many tire shops that are willing to do an inspection for free, so there’s no excuse not to take this preventative measure.

If the worst happens and you DO need some car repairs, you may be able to take care of them yourself! Here are 11 easy car repairs that you can do on your own .

4. Plan for Seasonal Conditions

This is particularly true if you’re traveling in the winter! You’ll want these winter car hack tips if you have to deal with snow. If you are like me and don’t deal with winter often, these hacks are essentials!

5. Pass the Time with Post-it Notes

Write down specific times on Post-it Notes stick them on the dash just below the clock. When the clock displays each time written down, give the kids a surprise. It will give them something to look forward to at regular intervals.

6. Get Crafty to Keep Toddlers Busy

This next idea from Kids Activities Blog would be PERFECT for toddlers since they are completely obsessed with clips and zippers. Check out their tutorial for this DIY Clipping Toy. Your kids will stay busy with clip after clip…

7. Save Tons on Eating Out

Eating out along the way can be very expensive, especially if you have the whole family in tow. Thankfully, meal prep for the road doesn’t need to be hard!

A good cooler will get you a long way on your meal planning goals. Fill it with bottles of water, and healthy snack foods such as:

• hardboiled eggs
• cheese sticks
• baby carrots and/or cucumbers
• pre-packaged containers of hummus
• deli meat or shredded chicken
• juice boxes
• water bottles

Then, in a separate bin, keep food items that do not need to be chilled. I like to pre-package everything into small ziplock bags so all I need to do during the trap is pass them out to everyone. I put:

• homemade trail mix
• tortillas (these are great for a quick meal – just fill them with hummus and shredded chicken and cheese from your cooler!)
• protein bars

I try to keep our food within the car fairly healthy and lower in sugar. It only takes a few hours with hyped-up children trapped in the car to clean up my diet! 

Pssst…don’t forget the napkins and eating utensils and an extra supply of wet wipes.

8. Buy a Car Trash Can – or Two!

I seriously did not realize how life-changing a simple car trash can would be for us! This is one of my favorite road trip tips! I recommend getting 1-2 smaller trash cans that can fit plastic grocery bags as the liner or use a cereal container. Whenever you stop for gas or to eat, simply grab the bag and toss it in the trash.

9. Turn Any Mug into a Spill-Proof One

We’re somehow always running out of travel mugs – thankfully, this simple hack will let you turn any cup into a spill-proof one!

10. Stretch Your Dollar

Get better gas mileage by using your cruise control feature and making sure your tires are inflated at the optimal PSI. I know it’s tempting to get to your destination faster, but keeping a steady pace will save you from filling up more frequently.

11. Use Cupcake Liners to Keep the Cupholders Clean

This is one of my favorite car hacks of all time for cup holders. If you always end a road trip with sticky cupholders (bleh!), this is one of the road trip tips just for you! Line your cupholders with silicone cupcake liners . Once they get gross, simply take them out and wash them before putting them right back!

12. Make a DIY Car Sick Bag

Got a child (or adult!) who gets car sick? Make a car sick kit by gathering up plastic bags, Dramamine, an electrolyte drink, some saltines, and disinfectant. Keep them at the ready…just in case!

5 More Car Trip Tips to Try

• Love this idea to stock up on shower caddies for the car from Grey House Harbor . An inexpensive shower caddy with a suction cup can be placed on the car window and act as an extra holding spot for toys and snacks. Genius!
• Anyone who has road tripped with kids knows that the backseat is guaranteed to be filled with crumbs by the time you get home.  With this fun road trip hack from Lemon Lime Adventures , this problem in solved! Wrap duct tape sticky side out around your kids’ feet and let them play footsies to see who can pick up the most crumbs!
• Keep your kids unplugged and entertained in the car with a printed sheet of license plates from each state from Living Well Mom . Once they have found it on the road, they can check it off and keep searching for the rest!
• I love this idea from A Girl and a Glue Gun ! Use a tackle box to put together a portable emergency kit that can join you on all your road trip adventures.
• I love this smart solution from HGTV that uses a shower caddy to hold food and snacks.

I hope you found a few helpful ideas for your next family road trip. No matter what chaos may occur, remember you’re making memories and that’s the most important thing.

For more travel tips, make sure to check out our Traveling Tips to Make Your Next Trip a Breeze , it’s full of incredible tips and tricks you’ll definitely want.

They might not always seem fun at the time, but they will always be memorable. Happy travels!

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10 of the Best U.S. Road Trips for Families

Create memories with your kids on these short but sweet journeys that feature stunning scenery and unique landmarks.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

A road trip is a classic American vacation, but it takes planning to make it great — especially when little ones are involved. To help you plan your family's next journey, we've rounded up some of the best road trips around the United States for families with kids, from single-day jaunts to journeys that can take more than a week. With stops the whole crew will enjoy, these drives are sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia

Explore two popular Southern cities on one trip with this short-distance getaway. The drive from Charleston straight to Savannah takes just under two hours, but we'd recommend extending your itinerary over a few days so you can stop to enjoy the outstanding hotels and beaches along the way. You can stay at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island an hour south of Charleston, or fill up the tank for a beach day at Hilton Head , only an hour farther. Once you've passed through Savannah, drive one more hour south for a stay at The Cloister at Sea Island . This five-star resort is another good option for families, with plenty of swimming, fishing, and nature walks.

San Diego to Los Angeles, California

At around two hours, this drive is easy for parents and just long enough to be exciting for the kids. San Diego, Los Angeles, and the stretches of coast between them are packed with beaches and a plethora of crowd-pleasing attractions. Explore the San Diego Zoo, Legoland California, and Disneyland, about a 30-minute from downtown L.A. in Anaheim.

New York City or Boston to Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Whether you choose to stay in a shingled cottage or beachfront apartment, your kids will fall hard for the Cape . Wellfleet is a particularly great destination for families, reachable in two hours from Boston or five hours from New York City. You'll want to stop in other charming towns along the way, like Falmouth and Chatham, before settling in the sands of the Outer Cape. Once you're there, no trip is complete without a visit to Mac's on the Pier , where you can gaze out at the harbor and feast on whole belly clams. Exploring one of the Cape's kettle ponds, which families often have all to themselves, is also a must, as is checking out the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary , home to five miles of trails and salt marshes.

Pacific Coast Highway, California

Beginning in Orange County's Dana Point and reaching north to San Francisco, this popular drive can be completed in under eight hours. But why keep it short? With many major stops — from Los Angeles to Carmel-by-the-Sea — you could make this road trip last for days. Driving northward, head to the top of the Topanga Lookout in Malibu for incredible views of the San Fernando Valley. A few hours north in Santa Ynez wine country, relax with a glass of vino as you plot your visit to Hearst Castle. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the media magnate's vast estate, with its sprawling gardens, Roman-style pool, and extensive art collection.

New York City to Philadelphia to the Poconos

At Woodloch Resort in the Pocono Mountains, you'll feel like you're back at summer camp — in a good way. On and off the property, there's plenty to do, including golf, paintball, fishing, and more. A variety of accommodation options are available, too, perfect for families of any size. Whether or not you're headed to the Woodloch, though, the Poconos are an easy getaway for East Coasters. New York City is about a two-hour drive and Philadelphia is about three hours; the two cities can easily be combined with a Poconos visit for a fun multiday adventure.

Boston, Massachusetts, to Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, Vermont, is a great destination in all seasons for families road tripping within New England. Just three hours from Boston, the town offers some of the East Coast's best skiing in wintertime and an abundance of outdoor adventure in summer. On your warm-weather visit, cool off with the kids at the Waterbury Reservoir in Waterbury Center State Park , or enjoy the fresh mountain air with a hiking or biking excursion.

There are few roads as iconic as Route 66 , so why not take your kids on this classic American trip? Whether you embark on the full journey from Chicago to Los Angeles or opt for a smaller section, you're bound to have a memorable time. Little ones will love the route's kitschy roadside attractions (world's biggest ketchup bottle, anyone?), while adults will be wowed by the scenery, from the wide-open spaces of west Texas to the mountains of Santa Fe.

Tucson to the Grand Canyon, Arizona

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Take in some of the country's best views on a multiday road trip through Arizona . Start in Tucson and visit Saguaro National Park to see the namesake cacti before heading to Scottsdale. Next up, drive to the stunning, red rock-surrounded town of Sedona. Finally, continue north to Grand Canyon National Park for a couple of days in the great outdoors, reveling in this massive natural wonder.

Rocky Mountain Loop from Denver

If you'd like to swap red rocks for snowy mountaintops, set off on a Colorado road trip through some of the state's incredible national parks and charming small towns. From Denver, head northwest to Boulder and Estes Park, a perfect home base for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park . Drive farther into the mountains to check out towns like Glenwood Springs, Telluride, and Durango, all located in the western part of the state. Spend a day at Mesa Verde National Park , home to ancient Native cave dwellings that will fascinate kids and grown-ups alike before turning back east. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Colorado Springs are great stops en route back to Denver.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Beautiful year-round but especially colorful in spring and fall, the Blue Ridge Parkway makes for an excellent family road trip. Connecting Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park , the Blue Ridge Parkway offers scenic mountain and foliage views across the Appalachian landscapes of Virginia and North Carolina. Plus, there are plenty of great hikes for all skill levels and places to camp along the parkway if you want to spend a few nights under the stars.

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5 tips for a stress-free road trip

It's that time of year where travelers are gearing up to hit the road for their next adventure. Before you leave, make sure your vehicle is road-ready so you can enjoy your trip worry-free.

Inspect your car battery: Your car battery is the heart of the vehicle. When it dies, you aren't going anywhere. Batteries can fail without warning, so it's important to proactively check its health status.

Call AAA for a car battery inspection to make sure it's fully charged and ready to roll.

Change your oil and check your fluids: If the battery is the lifeforce of your car, then its fluids are the lifeblood! Your car has six essential fluids that keep it running.

Change the oil and check the fluids for the radiator, brakes, power steering, transmission, and windshield wipers.

Check your brakes: The most important safety feature of your car is the brakes. Bad brakes can cause serious accidents.

Visit a AAA Certified Auto Repair shop to have the brakes inspected by an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician. Find a location near you here.

Keep your tires rolling: Don't let your vacation fall flat. Check your tire treads, making sure they are 1/16th of an inch and evenly worn.

Use a pressure gauge to check the air in each tire. Verify the correct amount for your vehicle: most cars recommend 32 – 35 psi. This information can be found on the sticker inside your driver's door.

• Download the AAA Mobile app: Download the AAA Mobile app and add 1-800-AAA-HELP to your phone. If something does go wrong while you're on the road, AAA is here to help 24/7. We'll come to you and get you on the go!  

Extend your car battery life

Preventative maintenance helps ensure you don't find yourself with a car that won't start at the most inconvenient of times, like when you're miles away from home on a road trip. A lead car battery usually lasts for three to six years, depending on various factors.

Extreme heat or cold, harsh wear and tear, short, infrequent drives, and age all affect its lifespan. When your vehicle sits unused for long periods, a few simple steps can help keep your car battery running.

Like the human body, your vehicle needs regular exercise to stay in good working order. Driving your vehicle for at least 30 minutes per week, preferably on the highway without stop-and-go traffic, gives it a good workout.

One of the best ways to extend your car battery's life, especially when it sits unused, is to attach a Battery Tender®. This inexpensive device provides small amounts of electricity to keep the battery charged during long periods of inactivity.  

The AAA Mobile Battery Service Program

Rest assured, the AAA Mobile Battery Service Program continues to be here for you when you need us. When the time comes to replace your battery, a Battery Service Technician comes to you – on the road, on vacation, at home, almost anywhere – to deliver and replace it onsite. They also safely recycle your old battery.  

Visit the link below or call 1-800-AAA-HELP for car battery service.

AAA Mobile Battery Service

Epic Road Trip Ideas to Plan With Your Best Friends

• May 7, 2024

If you’re around my age, I just know the idea of a road trip conjures up long, cross country car rides stuffed in the backseat of a station wagon. Dad’s driving and Mom’s either fiddling with the radio or giving directions from a paper map. More likely than not, she’s also packed a cooler full of food to be eaten once you’ve reached your motel for the night. Everyone piles into one room at said motel. Mom and Dad are in one bed and as many siblings as you can fit are in the other. The unlucky one or two get relegated to the floor with extra pillows and comforters.

For so long, the idea of a road trip has centered around families, and when I was growing up, it wasn’t so much about the journey but getting to the destination as quickly as possible with everyone in one piece. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a family road trip . And with podcasts , Bluetooth, navigation systems, and all that modern technology brings, they’re a lot smoother than those station wagon days. 

But the next time you think about planning one, why not plan it with your best girlfriends (or boyfriends!) instead? As impossible as dedicating a week or two to a road trip with just you and your friends sounds, I promise with some planning it’s totally possible . And if you’re not sure where to go, just try one of these destinations around the world!

Fantastic Road Trip Ideas Around the World

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

Starting up north in County Donegal and ending all the way down south in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way stretches 1,553 miles along Ireland’s West Coast. If you want that classic Irish scenery from jagged cliffs to crashing waves and misty air, plan your getaway here. Now, you could spend weeks, even months, exploring every single stop along this route. However, for something more manageable, I’d recommend picking just one part and simply taking your time driving. I loved the drives around County Donegal and County Limerick in particular.

Jeju, South Korea

I know what you’re thinking – driving in Korea? Am I crazy? While I don’t know about driving on mainland Korea (and I especially can’t imagine navigating the craziness of Seoul ), I do think Jeju Island is doable for even the most nervous driver. The island is much quieter than the mainland especially if you come in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. Plan to pick up your car from Jeju Airport and then drive in a circle around the coast. Either direction will let you do a full loop. In the spring, you’ll have all the time to chase canola fields and cherry blossoms, and in the fall you’ll catch all the foliage. Take advantage of your wheels and look into more remote pensions and guesthouses.

Route 66, USA

Route 66! Who doesn’t love everything Route 66 symbolizes? Rock n’ roll, Americana, free spirited adventure… There’s a lot of ground you could cover between Chicago and Santa Monica Pier, so instead of trying to manage the entire 2,448 miles, cut it down to one section or even one state. My girlfriend and I had entirely too much fun exploring everything along Illinois’s Route 66 . From underrated historic monuments to recreating The Blues Brothers opening at Old Joliet, it was the perfect few days for two moms looking for some fun!

Coastal Maine, USA

With 3,400 miles of coastline to choose from, Coastal Maine will always be a fantastic road trip idea. Since New Hampshire is so close, I can remember coming up here often growing up, not realizing just how special this place was. Start in beautiful Kennebunkport and just plot where you want to stop on your way to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Do not miss the many lighthouses along the way!

And for those flying in for this road trip, I recommend actually starting further south. Fly into Boston and then pick up your car and drive along Massachusetts’ coast and then New Hampshire’s Seacoast before getting to Maine. 

The Golden Circle, Iceland

Iceland is another country that’s great for anyone newer to driving internationally. The roads are more often than not empty and because many, many people have done these routes, you’ll find plenty of first hand advice and experiences. Depending on how much time you have, I’d at least try the Golden Circle route, which starts in Reykjavik and goes in a loop out to Gullfoss Falls. Along the way you’ll find hot springs, Geysir (where geysers get their name), walk between two continents at Þingvellir, and so much more.

And if you have even longer, check out the Ring Road which goes all around Iceland.

Oregon, USA

Oregon is an absolute treasure trove of landmarks whether you go inland or stick to the coast (or both). In just this one state, you can find every kind of landscape imaginable with just a few hours of driving – coast, mountains, forests, and even desert! It’s also a great state to rent an RV in since there’s quite a lot of free or low cost places to park overnight. Start in the wonderfully quirky Portland and then plan your route from there. Depending on how much time you have, I’d start going east towards Mt. Hood and Fossil. Then southwest towards Bend, Eugene, and Willamette Valley before going back north along the coast. 

The Great Ocean Road, Australia

About 150 miles long, the Great Ocean Road in Australia is perfect for a shorter, scenic road trip. Stretching between Torquay and Allansford, it was actually built by returning World War I veterans to honor the fallen and is considered the largest war memorial in the world. Start in Melbourne and make your way towards Torquay. Some people see the Great Ocean Road in a day trip, but take at least three days to fully enjoy all the scenery. Besides the famous Twelve Apostles, you’ll find yourself driving by waterfalls, forests, lighthouses, and beaches. Plan for short hikes to really enjoy your surroundings and stretch your legs.

Hudson Valley, NY, USA

I’ll never stop singing Hudson Valley’s praises! As a New Yorker, it’s right in our backyard and for those of you with tight schedules, it’s the easiest road trip to plan. Just pick up your car and drive up one side of Hudson River and down the other. Only have a weekend? Easy, stick to one of the counties like Dutchess County . Have a week? Go all the way up Albany. There are so many adorable small towns and historic sites dotting each side of the river, you’ll have plenty to see no matter how long you plan for.

Top of South Island, New Zealand

You could easily spend quite a while road tripping both North and South Island in New Zealand, but for those who want a shorter route, I recommend planning an itinerary that’ll take you from Christchurch to Nelson and back again. Along the way , you’ll get your fill of dramatic landscapes, two different wine regions, beaches, quirky stops, some Lord of the Rings scenery, and the potential to visit at least three national parks. 

Tuscany, Italy

Beautiful Tuscany ! So many visitors only visit the main cities and do maybe a day trip or two out to small villages or wineries. Why not rent a car and plan a road trip all around Italy’s most famous province? After all, some of the best places in Tuscany are the kind you randomly pull over and get out to see. Stay over at agriturismos (farms that also operate as bed and breakfasts). Plan your trip around tiny villages perched up on hillsides. Do not miss the many wineries, especially if you can try some chianti.. And, of course, it’s okay to go out of your way for a little pasta restaurant that only opens for a few hours a day.

Southern California, USA

The Pacific Coast Highway in California is, of course, the ultimate getaway, and there’s a very good reason it’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. However, if you want something a little more off the beaten path, might I suggest sticking south and going inland ? Start in San Diego and make your way towards Big Bear Lake. Along the way you’ll find the best apple pie in Julian, see the stars and some other metal creatures in Borrero Springs, and sip wine in Temecula Valley. Extend your trip even further towards Joshua Tree National Park, and you’ll be able to explore Greater Palm Springs as well.

Andalusia, Spain

While I don’t recommend trying to drive around Barcelona or Madrid, I do recommend renting a car to explore Spain’s southernmost region, Andalusia (or Andalucía). You’ll find even in summer, driving is fairly calm and finding parking is both easy and inexpensive. Start off in Malaga and do a circle route that takes you to Granada, Cordoba, and Sevilla with stops in between at smaller towns like Frigiliana. If you have time, extend the circle to include Cadiz and Ronda.

Miami – Key West, FL, USA

Miami – Key West is another popular route for good reason – it feels like you’ve been transported to the Caribbean without needing a passport! Spend a day or two enjoying all that Miami has to offer from Little Havana to colorful Wynwood before renting a car and making your way south through the Florida Keys . Take advantage of driving and stay in the smaller keys or spots along the highway instead of the main spots like Key West or Islamorada.

And there you have it – some epic road trip ideas around the world. Any I should add to the list?

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Are you already dreaming of summer? If your plans include a road trip, Consumer Reports has tips to help you stay safe, save some money, and manage those unexpected bumps on the road.

Before you hit the road for a family getaway, Consumer Reports recommends a few things before packing your bags and leaving home.

Inspect your tires for signs of damage, such as cuts, cracks, and sidewall blisters that might result from potholes. Also, check the tire pressure and adjust it to the number listed on the driver’s door jamb. Properly inflated tires are safer, last longer, and make your car more fuel-efficient.

You can make your car more fuel-efficient by reducing aerodynamic drag. If you’re not using it, take off anything like a roof rack and or bike rack. And sticking to the speed limit can also save fuel. Consumer Reports’ tests show you lose about six miles per gallon at 75 instead of 65 mph.

And when it’s time to fill up the tank, many gas stations will offer a lower price if you pay with cash. A credit card with cash-back rewards on gas could actually be a better deal, especially if you’ll be spending more on gas than you typically would in a month.

And if you run into mechanical trouble or a flat tire, paying out of pocket for long-haul towing can run in the hundreds of dollars. It pays to look into a roadside assistance plan like AAA or Good Sam before you hit the road. Or you might already be covered by your auto insurance or credit card at no cost to you.

Apps and websites like GasBuddy and Waze can help with real-time prices at nearby gas stations when you’re filling up in an unfamiliar area – and while many gas stations will offer a lower price if you pay with cash, a credit card with cash-back rewards on gas could actually be a better deal.

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The Complicated Reality of EV Road Trips

Lessons learned taking a tesla road trip..

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EV chargers are just one of many things to consider before an EV road trip.

Photo by The Bold Bureau/Shutterstock

The trip started in thrilling fashion, with my husband and I discovering our Tesla 3—delivered to our curb via rental car company Kyte —had a setting akin to “ludicrous speed”. We didn’t realize we were in ludicrous speed until we went from zero to 40 mph on a one-way residential street in Brooklyn in seconds, braking abruptly way before the stoplight. Not because I hit the brakes—just because I took my foot off the accelerator.

This tale may sound familiar to first-time users of an electric vehicle (EV), be it a Tesla (ours was the standard model) or an everyday battery-powered stallion . My husband and I received an introduction to EV road trips two summers ago on a weekend getaway from New York City to Montreal meant to recharge our batteries in more ways than one. We thought we were so clever. We estimated we would save on gas (it cost $28 to go 280 miles then) and didn’t even choose our first pit stop—our friendly robot car, heretofore known as “Kit,” would map the route for us.

But there are a lot of habits to unlearn after decades of pulling up to gas stations, navigating via dialed dashboards, and using brake pedals to, you know, brake. Here are a few realities every EV road-tripper should anticipate as they embark on this next generation of car travel.

EVs embrace technology with features like phone apps and touchscreens.

Photos Courtesy of Laura Dannen Redman

Driving an electric vehicle requires some practice

Humble thyself when driving an EV for the first time. It’s not quite as bad as learning stick shift but some things are just . . . different. Many EV brands open with a key card or a phone app, which means you can open the car remotely or cool it off before you get in. And consider the role the “go” pedal plays: Taking a foot off the accelerator activates regenerative braking, which means the car slows and feeds power back to the battery. I barely touched the brake and had to get the feel of decelerating. Meanwhile, standard acceleration for a Tesla 3—what I thought was ludicrous—is zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, aka fast enough to fling passengers against their seats and make anyone riding in the back feel like abandoning ship. Until I discovered “chill mode,” which limits acceleration, there was a lot of unintentional flinging.

The absence of a traditional dashboard—with its speedometer and gas gauge, circles and lines and arrows and numbers—can also feel unnerving. In its place is a 15-inch touchscreen that does all the necessary monitoring (battery duration, GPS, tire pressure) and entertaining (Apple Music, arcade games, “caraoke,” even a virtual fireplace and, to my kids’ delight, whoopie cushion sounds). Keeping one eye on the road and one on the touchscreen, horizontal to the driver’s eyeline, felt spasmodic. It helped to have a copilot navigate the touchscreen, especially when it came to looking for a charging station.

EV trips differ depending on location

We had a 375-mile drive ahead of us, which would normally take about six hours. In a gas car, we would stop halfway in Saratoga Springs , home to the famed race track and excellent chipotle beef chili at the Olde Bryan Inn. In a Tesla, we could go 300 miles on a single charge . . . though when the car was dropped off by Kyte, we had about 130 miles of battery life. (Note: We couldn’t just plug the car in at the house—only a DCFC, or direct current fast charger, can fill the battery in 20–30 minutes. Without that, it could take 40–50 hours, or more, to get a full charge on 120 volts.)

Kit the Robot Car had all the Tesla DCFC “Superchargers” programmed into its navigation, so it showed us the most strategic spot to “refuel”: New Paltz, 83 miles or an hour and a half away. Thankfully, this stop was next to a diner.

As of today, the state of New York has 84 Tesla Superchargers , with more being added every year as the United States continues to invest in EV infrastructure. (Look at President Biden’s Build Back Better infrastructure plan for how broadly this extends: The goal is to have 500,000 public chargers nationally by 2030.) Yet in 2023, five states accounted for nearly half of the nation’s 64,187 charging stations, according to Consumer Affairs. (California holds 25.5 percent; New York comes in second with 6.1 percent, followed by Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.)

In the past, Tesla Superchargers could only be used by Tesla drivers, a company-man mark of ego that was eliminated in late 2021, when Tesla opened its network of Superchargers to non-Tesla EVs. There are currently Level 1 and Level 2 chargers across the USA , charging EVs in 4–10 hours (or days), as well as more DCFCs of the non-Tesla variety. The website and app ChargeFinder come in handy for tracking down all kinds of plugs.

Your charging experience can vary depending on the charging station’s location

Photo Courtesy of Laura Dannen Redman

Embrace the roadside rest station

When it comes to an EV road trip, mapping a route in advance is a little futile. Plans will likely be dashed when Tesla’s “red alert” comes on to recharge; the car really wants you to plug in around a quarter-battery.

Much like a gas station, there are about 6–8 plugs (instead of pumps) at a Supercharger, and they’re sometimes all taken. However, unlike a gas station, cars don’t pull in and out in a handful of minutes. It’s hard to know how much time a car has left to charge without peering into a car’s front dash like a creeper.

Despite our best efforts to anticipate when we would need to charge next—and what Kit would suggest—we ended up pulling off at multiple exits to find a charger with an element of charm or convenience. We made the best out of an unexpected 30-minute pit stop with freshly scooped ice cream at the gas station in who-knows-where New York. If the next way station was in a Target parking lot? Jackpot.

Was it worth it?

On a great road trip, the detours turn the journey into something as memorable as the destination. And there were definitely thrills, like the time spent with the car on autopilot, and moments of delight and serendipity. But by the time we pulled into the parking lot of Montreal’s Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth , we had been on the road for seven and a half hours, in need of a break and a beer.

The detours of the Great American (EV) Road Trip were emotionally draining, but also served big lessons—namely in slow travel and letting go of control.

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9 Tips to Visit Grand Canyon on a Budget

Plan a fun and amazing vacation to this arizona park without spending a ton of money..

A vacation to one of the world’s seven natural wonders sounds incredible…until you start calculating costs. Getting to the remote northern part of Arizona where Grand Canyon National Park resides can be costly. Factor in lodging, meals and gas and it can seem untenable. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. After countless visits to the Grand Canyon, and other parks across America, we’ve honed in on a few strategies that help save cash and stretch your wallet further. These are our best tips for planning a vacation to Grand Canyon on a budget, without sacrificing any of the fun.

1. Weigh Driving vs. Flying

The first thing you’ll need to decide is how to get to the Grand Canyon in the first place. If you live in the Southwest and have the time, driving is probably going to be your cheapest option. If you live in other parts of the country, the decision becomes more complicated. While you might get sticker shock looking at airline prices, especially for a family with kids, driving long distances can be expensive too, when you factor in gas, lodging and meals along the way, plus the wear and tear on your car.

Even given these factors, we still prefer driving over flying unless you find a really good deal. When you drive, you won’t have to worry about renting a car, which can be a major cost saver. Driving also lets you bring more gear, meaning you can pack a cooler and campstove to make affordable meals on your tailgate, pack camping equipment to spend the night under the stars and carry along bikes for a free activity in the park.

Depending on what kind of vehicle you’re road tripping in, you might even be able to cut costs on hotels by sleeping in your car. Saving on lodging in an RV is a no-brainer. Along the way stay in campgrounds, catch a few hours of shut-eye in a Walmart parking lot, or opt for a unique and free night’s stay with Harvest Hosts . Even if you don’t have an RV, bigger vehicles like minivans and SUVs (or even hatchbacks if you’re short) are easy enough to turn into sleeping quarters for the budget minded with a couple of pads and sleeping bags.

The most affordable option, no matter where you’re coming from, may be a combination of both flying and driving. Fly into a more affordable airport that may be several hours away, rent a car and then complete the trip on the road. Plus, when you drive you can take your time and see more along the way. Check out our favorite road trips to the Grand Canyon from major cities across the West.

2. Find the Cheapest Place to Fly for a Trip to the Grand Canyon

Flying into a bigger hub is almost always cheaper than a small, regional airport. While Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is just over an hour from Grand Canyon’s South Rim, it likely won’t be the most wallet friendly option as flights are more limited. Phoenix Sky Harbor is approximately 3.5 hours from the South Rim and Harry Reid International in Las Vegas is approximately four hours away. Because these airports are serviced by more airlines and rental car agencies, you’ll likely find cheaper, direct flights from a major airport close to your home, along with better car rental deals. Fly into one or the other, rent a car (or an RV) and drive the rest of the way to the national park. Consider road tripping on the front end to a major airport if you don’t live near one.

While you’ll probably find decent deals at one of the two major airports near the Grand Canyon, it’s still worth casting your net farther afield. Use a tool like Google Flights to check airports across the Southwest. Los Angeles or Salt Lake City might have amazing deals that are worth considering. Start looking early as flight prices change often and randomly.

Wherever you choose to fly into, keep an open mind about airlines and dates for the best deals. Leave the date fields blank in Google Flights and browse the calendar to see which days in your preferred season are the cheapest to fly. Unless you have miles on a certain airline or need Southwest’s free bags, it’s worth letting go of allegiance to get the cheapest seats. Don’t forget to confirm what your ticket comes with before booking. These days, many airlines’ most discounted fares don’t include checked or carry-on bags. Unless you’re traveling extremely light, factor in baggage fees.

To get the most bang for your buck, do your research first. Rather than booking an amazing flight deal the second you see it and learning the hard way that hotel rooms are astronomical on your trip dates down the road, look into the big three (flights, rental car and hotel rooms) before choosing dates to get the most out of your trip.

3. Search for Grand Canyon Hotel Deals

You can’t beat the convenience of staying inside the park, but you pay for that privilege. Grand Canyon hotels can be expensive. Especially El Tovar Hotel and Bright Angel Lodge. Thunderbird, Kachina and Maswik lodges are less expensive, but in 2024 will still set you back more than $300 per night. Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim and the Frontier Cabins at Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim are the most affordable options inside the park. If you have your heart set on waking up right next to the rim, book early. Each property has several types of accommodations and the most affordable tend to fill up the quickest. Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim opens reservations a year in advance, all South Rim properties open reservations 13 months in advance.

Otherwise, stay at a hotel or vacation rental outside the park for the best deals. Tusayan is right on the doorstep of Grand Canyon’s South Entrance and offers a wide selection of hotels, giving you more options to find a deal. Williams and Flagstaff , an hour, and an hour and 20 minutes away respectively, are also great basecamps for your stay with tons of hotel options at every price point and a wide variety of restaurants. Pick a lodging option with free breakfast to save time and money before hitting the trails for the day.

When searching for hotel deals, use a tool like Hotels.com to compare prices. Under the same umbrella as Expedia and Vrbo, the company’s One Key rewards program is one of the most accessible travel loyalty schemes out there. It’s worth signing up for the free program if you’re booking multiple elements of your trip (think hotel rooms, flights and rental cars) as you’ll quickly work your way up the rewards tiers and unlock discounts, upgrades and extra cash back. Another way to save money when it comes to booking travel is by checking your credit card’s perks. Many offer cash back or extra discounts when booking directly through certain brands or using third party sites like Hotels.com. If you travel often and are looking to maximize your savings, it may be worth looking into travel specific credit cards with perks like these.

4. Stay at a Campground Instead

By far, the cheapest way to stay in or near the Grand Canyon is by camping. The park has four frontcountry campgrounds, three on the South Rim and one on the North Rim. The three managed by the National Park Service (Mather and Desert View on the South Rim and the North Rim Campground) cost less than $20 a night. Trailer Village RV Park , which has full hookups, is more expensive, but you’ll still find a site for less than $100 per night. Camping inside the park is very popular, so make your reservations well in advance. NPS campground reservations open on Recreation.gov six months in advance on a rolling basis. Trailer Village campsites can be reserved 13 months in advance at VisitGrandCanyon.com .

There’s also a variety of private and National Forest campgrounds near the canyon if you can’t get a reservation inside the park.

Even if you don’t own camping gear or flew in without your tent, don’t dismiss the idea altogether. Some outdoor stores, like Flagstaff’s Babbitt’s Backcountry Outfitters, rent everything from tents and sleeping bags to backpacks and hiking poles.

5. Visit During Off Season

The majority of Grand Canyon’s visitors plan trips to the park in the summer, closely followed by spring and fall. Because of this, these are the most expensive times of year to travel. If you want to stretch your budget farther, plan a trip in the least visited months: January and February. Just beware; the North Rim is closed this time of year and you’ll want to stick to the above-rim trails on the South Rim thanks to snow and ice in the winter months. It’s worth it for more affordable hotels and snow-dusted views. For milder weather, try November or March, which still see fewer visitors but are also more temperate.

Curious about the pros and cons of each season? Check out our comprehensive guide .

6. Eat Well, But Affordably

National parks are known for a lot of things, but incredible food is not one of them. Grand Canyon has quite a few restaurants, ranging from casual grab n’ go options to the elegant El Tovar Dining Room, but across the board the food tends to be overpriced and underwhelming. If you’re a history buff you may want to have a drink at the El Tovar Lounge, and grabbing an ice cream cone after biking to Hermit’s Rest is always fun, but one of the easiest ways to save cash and eat better is to plan your meals outside the park.

Here’s our suggestion. If your hotel offers a free breakfast, take advantage of it. Before heading out for the day, make a stop at a grocery store outside the park (this will be cheaper than the park store) and fill your cooler with snacks and lunch fixings. This can be as easy as granola bars and PB&J, or as complicated as whipping out your campstove and making a hot lunch at one of the park’s picnic areas. There’s a Safeway in Williams, or Flagstaff has tons of options including Walmart, Fry’s, Safeway and Sprouts Farmers Market. You can opt for this route for dinner if you’re really trying to save money, otherwise, review menus online and find restaurants outside the park that are affordable and delicious. These are the spots near the park we go back to again and again.

7. Save On Entrance Fees

The standard 7-day Grand Canyon pass will get everyone in your vehicle into the park, but if you plan on visiting other parks, national monuments or recreation areas throughout the year, it might be worth it to buy the $80 America the Beautiful pass. This annual option gives you access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country. Chances are you’ll find several near your home or on your drive to and from the park to take advantage of. If you’re over 62, the Senior Pass includes the same benefits at the same price, but is good for lifetime access. Active duty military and their family members, veterans and those with disabilities are eligible for free lifetime passes.

Traveling with an elementary schooler? Fourth graders and their families are eligible for free annual passes through Every Kid Outdoors .

Otherwise, plan on visiting during one of the National Park Service’s free days : MLK Day in January, the first day of National Park Week in April, Juneteenth, August’s anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, National Public Lands Day in September and Veterans Day in November.

8. Fill Up Your Tank Cheaply

Grand Canyon is big and remote. Especially if you’re visiting both the South and North rims in one trip, you’re going to want to be very aware of your gas tank levels. Planning your fill-up stops in advance can save you a surprising amount of money, especially if you’re traveling in an RV or other big rig that doesn’t get great mileage. The park’s only gas station is on the east side at Desert View and is expensive. Likewise, Tusayan gas stations could be as much as a dollar or two more per gallon than Williams or Flagstaff. If you really want to make sure you get the best deal, use a tool like Gas Buddy to see prices in different locations from your phone.

9. Find Free Activities

One of our favorite things about national parks is that once you get there, it’s easy to have fun without spending additional money. Hit the park’s many trails by foot, hop on and off the free park shuttle to explore different viewpoints, go on a self-guided history tour of the Grand Canyon Historic Village District or check out the Yavapai Geology Museum.

Be sure to check out the park’s special events calendar for free events. Ranging from informational ranger talks, to astronomy nights, cultural demonstration and art exhibits, there’s tons of free things to do all year long at the park.

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