How to Plan the Ultimate U.S Road Trip

In a country as large and diverse as the United States, it only makes sense that you take the time to fully discover it. With 50 states to choose from, you can plan the most epic U.S road trip.

The best thing about road trips is that they can be as long or as short as you’d like, you are in charge of your own destination.

Here are our top tips for taking the most epic adventure of your life.

1. Create Your Basic Itinerary

Before you begin to map out your route, you should determine what kind of road trip you want to embark on. How many days will your road trip last? Will you choose a pre-determined route or make your own? How many miles would you drive per day? These are important questions you should ask.

2. Make a List of Attractions You Want to See

If you know exactly what you want to see on your road trip, make a list and use this to plan your route. If you have no idea what you want to see, you could opt to do some classic routes. California, The Oregon Trail, Route 66, the Atlantic Coast, and the Great River Road are a few fan favorites.

Other amazing routes to consider include:

San Francisco to Utah
The Deep South: Chicago to New Orleans
Pacific Coast Highway: San Francisco to Los Angeles
Overseas Highway: Miami to Key West
The Las Vegas Loop
The Blue Ridge Parkway
New York, Boston and New England

3. Plan Out Your Driving Route

Once you have a basic idea of the type of road trip you want, you can start to plan the driving route. Search for the locations you want to visit and use Google Maps to map out a step-by-step route. You can then search for restaurants and attractions nearby.

4. Get a Car

If you don't own a car, there are rental locations all over the United States and you can choose from so many cars. Some dealerships allow for dropping off at different locations which is great especially if you are planning a long journey for example coast to coast but don't want to drive back. You will also need to choose between manual or automatic, we recommend automatic due to the long distances in the US. Try to find a car to match your needs, it might be amazing to have a top of the range sports car, but is it comfortable to drive for long distances?

Pacific Coast to Las Vegas Road Trip

United States
2 weeks - 3 weeks / From: £ 2000

New Zealand Active Adventure

New Zealand
3 weeks - 3 weeks / From: £ 2500

New York to New Orleans Road Trip

United States
1 week - 2 weeks / From: £ 1250

5. Take Your Car to The Mechanics

The thing about road trips is that you never know when you could be left stranded on the side of the road or end up in a nasty accident. Before you set off on your great adventure, you should get your car checked by mechanics and ensure that everything is in order. The last thing you want during your vacation is to break down.

6. Prepare For Any Emergencies

To avoid any problems make sure to drive safely, however, if you do end up in an accident, it’s best to contact injury lawyers. If you do have any kind of emergency make sure to seek medical attention if necessary. It’s a good idea to pack plenty of supplies, like food, water, and fuel, to cover you in case of an accident.

7. Get a Playlist Ready

One of the best parts of any road trip is getting to sing along to your favorite tunes with your friends. Make sure to have a few playlists ready, one to fit every kind of mood you may have. Don’t limit yourself to music, include podcast shows and audiobooks too.

8. Have Breaks

The most important aspect of any road trip is that you drive safely and that you get from point A to point B in one piece. Make sure to take frequent breaks and try to take turns whilst driving if you can. It’s recommended that you stop for a 10 to 15-minute break every two hours of driving.