Studies show that the good, old-fashioned road trip is making a comeback. A 2024 survey revealed that over 60% of Americans who are planning to take a vacation this year will travel exclusively by car. Road trips are a fantastic way to discover incredible places and move at your own pace, but it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There are potential stressors and pitfalls that can derail your plans. To help you avoid trouble and enjoy a memorable trip for all the right reasons, we’ve put together a handy guide to make your next adventure on the roads magical.
Choosing the right destination
One of the most advantageous reasons to choose a road trip for your next vacation is the range of available destinations. You can reach almost anywhere by car, providing you don’t want to traverse oceans or cross continents within a short timeframe. If you plan to visit Europe, or you’re organizing a great American road trip, you can reach remote villages or take winding coastal roads without worrying about navigating public transport networks or relying on expensive cabs to get you from A to B.
When you’re considering locations for your road trip, focus on your priorities and preferences. How far do you want to travel? What do you want to see? How do you want to spend your time? Do you want the whole trip to be a vacation, or are you planning to drive to one destination and spend all your time exploring the local area? Research destinations that match your criteria, read travel guides and blogs and get ideas from fellow travelers. Think about your budget and select destinations that are suitable for road trips. To make the most of your vacation, you’ll need to be able to travel by car safely and with minimal hassle. You don’t want to get to your final stop and find that it’s impossible to get anywhere on four wheels.
Selecting a suitable vehicle
Many of us have rose-tinted visions of road trips thanks to Hollywood movies and TV shows. In theory, it may seem idyllic to cruise down the highway with the wind blowing in your hair as you gaze upon crystal-clear waters, but in reality, road trips aren’t always the most glamorous adventures. You might want to travel in style in a classic car or supercar but consider the practicalities. Can you transport everyone in your party comfortably? Will you have enough space for luggage? If you have children, or you’re going away for a long period and you’ve got cases and bags, it may be wise to ditch the dream and embrace more practical solutions, such as using a family car or hiring an RV.
If you don’t want to travel in your own vehicle, explore rental options and compare prices. If you rent an RV or a motorhome, it may work out cheaper than paying for a hire car and hotels, motels and resorts along the way. Conversely, you might want to enjoy a more luxurious vacation and treat yourself to some nights in sumptuous accommodation or embrace outdoor adventures and go camping or glamping. Once you’ve figured out whether you want to use your vehicle to sleep or not, you can narrow down your vehicle options.
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Exploring accommodation options
There are two main types of road trips. The first involves traveling in an RV, truck or motorhome and staying in the vehicle overnight. The second involves using your vehicle solely to travel and transport your belongings and staying in accommodation en route. There are pros and cons to each option.
Staying in the vehicle may be better value for money and it eradicates the need to find and reserve hotels and apartments, but there may be limits on where you can park and stay for prolonged periods. Booking hotels, finding campsites and staying in resorts is more effort in terms of planning and it may be more expensive, but it can also enhance your stay. You may be more comfortable and relaxed, especially if you push the boat out and explore lavish hotels or luxury oceanfront estates. If you don’t have the budget for indulgent stays throughout the trip, you can mix and match to save money. One night you could camp out under the stars and the next, you could enjoy a pamper session at a 5-star hotel with a spa. If you’re staying in one place for several nights, you could also look into options like renting an apartment or a beach house.
It’s always wise to explore your options before you decide where to stay. Weigh up the pros and cons of hiring a suitable vehicle and sleeping in it and using your car and staying elsewhere. Compare prices and think about the type of trip you want to plan. Set a budget and calculate how much you can afford to spend on accommodation. This will help you narrow down the options. Once you know what kind of lodgings you want, you can read reviews and get quotes to find the best options.
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Planning a bespoke itinerary
Road trips are brilliant because they allow you to travel at your own pace and stop whenever you want. You’re not restricted by timetables, flight times or scheduled stops like you are when you fly or take a coach or a train. Make the most of this freedom and flexibility and plan an itinerary that caters to your tastes, requirements and preferences. Consider what you want to do and see and plan the route accordingly. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to visit a specific city or a museum, or you’ve dreamed of taking a meandering coastal road or mountain track. Maybe you promised the kids a trip to a theme park or a zoo, or you want to show them landmarks or places of interest that you visited when you were small. Arm yourself with a map and a notepad and jot down some ideas. You can also take inspiration from popular itineraries in travel books and online guides.
When you’re planning your itinerary, think about how much driving you want to do each day and how frequently you want to stop. If you’re the only driver, you might want to break up longer journeys to get some rest and enjoy a change of scenery. Mark places to stop, eat, drink and stretch your legs and pinpoint attractions, landmarks and places of interest along the way.
If you’re traveling in a group, try to get everyone involved in the planning process. Your itinerary should cater to all members of the party. This will help to ensure that everyone has a brilliant time and reduce the risk of tension and disagreements.
Making the most of long journeys
Long journeys can be boring and stressful, especially if you have kids or you’re planning stretches without regular breaks, but they provide opportunities. Embrace the chance to chat, catch up properly and spend time together. How often do you get hours to talk to friends, your partner, or your kids or parents without interruptions or distractions? Enjoy the long journeys. Make them fun with personalized playlists, games and discussions about where you’re going and what you’re going to see and do. Make sure everyone is comfortable, stock up on snacks and drinks and figure out where you’re going to stop for fuel, breaks and food before you set off.
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Road trips provide golden opportunities to create incredible memories and explore amazing places at your own pace, but they’re not always stress-free. To make your next road trip a success, follow these simple steps. Think carefully about where you want to go, how far you want to travel and what you want to see and do on your vacation. Plan a bespoke itinerary that caters to every member of the party, choose a suitable vehicle and explore accommodation options and places to visit en route. Prioritize comfort, enjoy the time you have together and plan your route in advance.