How to plan an unforgettable road trip

Léelo en español 🇲🇽 🇨🇴

Road trips are so much fun! You get to plan, move things around, and stop to see places along the way. We love how liberating they feel and how much more we get to visit when traveling by land. That is why road trip planning is one of our favorite things to do!

Now that traveling is a bit more restricted, you might be considering visiting some local places. Those that you haven’t seen because they are close by so you can “go any weekend”. Well, now it’s your time to do so! 

Planning a road trip is not hard if you have the right tools to do so. So we made an easy guide for you to plan your trip and have the best time! We also made you a template for a calendar that you can download for free, so you can visualize your trip and get a better idea of your timings and things to see. 

Another awesome thing about road trips is that you can be flexible. Even if you have a destination or a time limit, once you are on the road there is room for improvisation and change of plans. Just keep in mind your limits, don’t burn out trying to see everything along the way, or drive while tired.

Please be aware of your limits and how tired you are while driving. People that drive while tired tend to have more car accidents or fall asleep on the wheel. 

Also, check your car’s mechanics, breaks and liquids to make sure everything is working smoothly. 

⇣ Save this to your travel tips Pinterest board for later ⇣

how to plan an unforgettable road trip
Cover image

ROAD TRIP PLANNING 101

Now that you have chosen a destination and your vacation days it’s time to get planning!

1. MAKE A CALENDAR

It might sound a bit excessive, but making a calendar will help you visualize your time, each day’s activities and keep track of the things you want to see.

opt-in_vacation calendar

You can download our “road trip planning calendar” template for free! It will help you organize your trip and have all the important information in one place. All you need to do is fill it in, grab a map, and hit the road! 

2. HIGHLIGHT THE POINTS OF INTEREST 

This is the most fun part of road trip planning! Grab a map or go on google maps and see what places you might want to visit during your road trip. 

Look up what there is to do, what museums, restaurants, sights, and even hikes there are around. Try to mark up as many things as possible.

3. LOOK AT A MAP AND CREATE A ROUTE

Once you have all your points of interest, you will get an idea of the best route to make sure you hit all the highlights and places you want to see. This will save you time on the road, money, and some stress. 

Remember it doesn’t need to be super strict, but having a general idea always helps. 

4.CHECK OPENING TIMES AND PRICES

After you decide which places are an absolute must, check their opening times and if there is an entrance fee. With this information, you can plan accordingly your days and route. 

5. BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN ADVANCE

The best idea is to book your accommodation in advance. This will give you more flexibility since you don’t have to look for a place to stay every night (and waste time doing so).

If you are camping or you have a van, you can call ahead and ask if the campsites have space, allow your van, and what amenities they have. We haven’t done a van road trip but we know there are tons of apps that show you campsites near you. 

By using the calendar template you can also visualize how many nights you need at each place so you can book things properly. 

ONCE YOU ARE ON THE ROAD

Now that the road trip planning is done, it’s time to get going! 

REMEMBER TO REST

If your tip is long or you know you get tired while driving, keep track of the rest stops, restaurants, and even holes along the way. You can also mark those on your map/itinerary. 

BRING FOOD

Having snacks is a huge part of road trip planning 101! 

This will allow you to stop and enjoy the view with a picnic, recharge your batteries or even just distract yourself. The worst thing is being hungry and knowing the nearest restaurant or supermarket is hours away. 

Having food will also save you money and time since you don’t have to stop at those overpriced gas stations in the middle of nowhere. 

HAVE THE NECESSARY SUPPLIES

If you normally get dizzy or car sick, remember to bring plastic bags, medicine, or anything you might need. 

It is a good idea to also have toilet paper, wet wipes, and trash bags in case there is an accident inside the car. 

Thank you for taking some time of your day to read our blog, we truly appreciate it. We hope this road trip planning guide helps you! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions and share it with someone that might find it useful. 

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram for more ideas and tips.

Signature MR

join our newsletter logo

yes, please

yes, please

Other things you might like

traveling on a budget cover photo
the ultimate packing list cover image
why you should study abroad cover

  1. […] you are planning a road trip you might find our guide on how to plan an unforgettable road trip very […]

Comments are closed.