How to plan a road trip: 10 tips for the perfect getaway

• Smart road-trip planning includes mapping your route, pacing the drive, and setting a budget
• Key preparation involves vehicle checks, packing essentials, and taking regular breaks
• Using planning apps, downloading offline maps, and booking accommodation in advance can contribute to a smoother experience

Knowing how to plan a road trip is key to making your journey enjoyable and straightforward. Whether you're considering a short scenic drive, dreaming of exploring the vineyards of Northern Italy, or planning an epic journey across the US, a little road trip planning can make a big difference.

Here are a few ways to help you prepare for your next road trip.

1. Make a plan (but keep it flexible)

First, you should consider the basics of your road trip: The kind of journey (coastal, mountains, or city trip?), how much time you have, who's going, and your budget.

Answering these questions helps define the scope, whether it's exploring local regions or venturing further afield. Having a general theme or destination gives you somewhere to start.

2. Map your route

It’s a good idea to look at maps and decide between the fastest routes (major highways) or more scenic secondary roads. Try to identify key places you want to visit and sketch a suitable path connecting them. You’ll also need to consider potential traffic, seasonal weather, border crossings, and road conditions, which can vary significantly.

3. Consider using apps

Technology can be your best friend when taking a road trip. Apps like Google Maps are useful for navigation, estimating driving times, checking traffic, and finding services offering fuel or food. You can save routes, pin locations, and download maps for offline use.

4. Find points of interest

It’s worthwhile researching interesting stops along your route like parks, landmarks, unique attractions, viewpoints, local eateries, or charming towns. Another option is to use travel guides, articles, tourism websites, or apps. Adding stops turns the drive into more of an experience – list all the possible stops and try to realistically integrate as many of them as you can into your schedule.

5. Spread it out

It's best to avoid trying to cram too much into your road trip. You will feel less rushed by reviewing your route, planning stops, and being realistic about what you can comfortably do each day. Exploring fewer places well is often more rewarding than trying to see as many as possible. Factoring in buffer time for delays or spontaneous stops is also a good idea.

6. Set daily driving limits

Before you set off, it’s good to decide on a comfortable daily driving limit. For most people, six to eight hours is sensible to avoid feeling exhausted. Things to keep in mind include whether you're sharing driving duties, the time of day you'll drive, road types, conditions, and your personal energy levels. Knowing how much you can drive helps you figure out where to stop each night and plan where to stay. And if you're driving on the other side of the road than you're used to, you'll need to give yourself extra time to adjust and focus.

7. Find accommodation along the way

On most road trips, you'll need places to stop and rest. Depending on your travel style and trip, you might look to book ahead or be spontaneous and find places as you go. Booking in advance is a good call during peak seasons, vacations, or if you have specific needs like accessibility or pet-friendly properties.

Finding places as you go means you can change plans easily, but you might find fewer options or have to pay more, especially in busy or remote locations.

Choosing accommodation types that suit your budget and preferences for each stop makes the trip more comfortable. Common choices range from budget-friendly motels and hotels to unique guesthouses, B&Bs, and apartments with kitchen facilities or vacation homes.

8. Make it fun

Making the drive itself entertaining is important, too. Think about lining up some music playlists, podcasts, or audiobooks. If you've got company, chatting, or playing some simple car games like "20 Questions" helps pass the hours. Don't forget things like travel pillows or blankets for extra comfort.

9. Stay safe on the road

Staying safe on the road should be your number one priority. It’s good to look up local traffic laws for your destinations, as well as speed limits and how people generally drive there before you go. You’ll also want to make sure you have all the necessary documents with you (license, insurance, etc.). Letting someone know your basic route is a good idea too.

Other ways to stay safe include monitoring the weather and road conditions, avoiding driving if you're tired and taking regular breaks. When you do stop, it’s worthwhile paying attention to your surroundings, locking up, and keeping valuables out of sight. It’s also helpful to have local emergency numbers just in case you need them.

10. Enjoy the trip

Once all the planning is done, it’s important to actually enjoy the trip. This means enjoying the open road, staying flexible when plans change, taking pictures, trying local things, and appreciating the experience you've created.

How to prepare for a road trip

Whether you're using your own trusty car or renting one for the adventure, it's important to make sure your vehicle is road ready.

If it's your own car, you’ll want to check essentials:

• Tire pressure: Including the spare and tread
• Fluid levels: Oil and coolant
• Brakes: Listen for noises and check the feel
• Battery: Look for battery corrosion (and testing if it's old)
• Lights: Make sure all lights are working (including the spare)
• Wipers: Ensure the wipers are working and filled with wiper fluid

Considering a mechanic check-up for long trips are also good ideas.

If you're renting a vehicle, the main check happens when you pick up the car. It’s recommended to take a few minutes before driving away to:

• Damage inspection: It's important to look around the car (inside and out) and note any existing scratches, dents, or upholstery tears on the rental agreement. Taking photos or a quick video is smart for proof.
• Basic checks: Check the tire condition, ensure lights and wipers work, and know how to operate essentials like headlights, indicators, and hazard lights.
• Get to know the car: It helps to get familiar with the controls, check the fuel type and note the fuel level ( is it full as agreed?).

Paperwork verification: Checking that the rental agreement details are correct and that you have the necessary insurance and contact info for breakdowns provides peace of mind.

Bring the essentials

Here are some important things to pack (other than clothes):

• Documents: Your license, International Driving Permit (if you need one), passport/visa, registration, and insurance details. It's best to have copies of these too.
• For the car: The manual, a spare tire and the tools to change it, jumper cables/booster pack, and maybe a few basic tools.
• Safety/comfort items: A first-aid kit, flashlight, phone charger/power bank, warning triangle, reflective vests, and paper maps as a backup in case your electrical devices fail.
• Communication help: A basic phrasebook or translation app if you think you'll need it.

Plan breaks and stops

Taking breaks every couple of hours or so during your driving day really helps, even if they're just short ones. These stops are good for stretching your legs, using the restroom, switching drivers, or just taking a break. Looking out for potential rest areas or parks along your route beforehand is useful. Stopping regularly helps you stay more alert on the road.

Pack snacks and drinks

Pack reusable water bottles, a cool box for chilled items (like drinks or sandwiches), and easy non-perishable snacks (such as bars, nuts, and dried fruit). Napkins and a trash bag are also useful items to have.

Download offline maps and entertainment

You might not always have a phone signal or internet connection on the road. Downloading maps for offline use before you go is a good idea. You can also do the same for entertainment like music, podcasts, or audiobooks. That way, you'll still have what you need even if there's no service.

Let someone know your itinerary

For peace of mind, it's smart to share your basic travel plans with someone you trust back home. Give them an idea of your route, planned stops, and your car details (and your rental car info, too, if you have one). Checking in regularly is reassuring for everyone. So, if there's a problem, they’ll know where you were headed and can help out.

Budget your trip

It's a good idea to work out a rough budget for your trip before you hit the road.

• Estimating costs: This involves considering fuel prices, accommodation, food costs, tolls/road charges, border fees/visas, activities, parking, and insurance.
• Emergency fund: Setting aside about 10–20% extra for unexpected things like repairs is a good idea.
• Cash/cards: Carrying a mix of payment methods, including some local currency if traveling abroad, is usually best.

FAQs

How long is the perfect road trip?

There is no perfect length. It's all about how much time you have, your budget, where you're going, and how fast you like to travel. A weekend trip (two and four days) is great for exploring somewhere close by.

A week (seven to ten days) lets you go further or see things in more detail. Two weeks to a month works well for multi-country trips or really exploring a big region. If you're new to road trips, maybe try a shorter one first to get a feel for it.

How do I start planning a trip?

1. Duration: Figuring out where you want to go, when, how long for, who with, and your budget.
2. Plan a route: Drawing a rough path on a map linking your main destinations.
3. Thinking about pace: Estimating your daily driving time and where you might stay overnight.
4. Do some research: Researching places to stay, things to do, and any requirements (visas, etc.) to create the details of your road trip itinerary forms the core of how to plan a road trip.

How do I prepare for an extra-long road trip?

1. Break up the drive: Splitting the total driving time into realistic daily distance (like six to eight hours max).
2. Book accommodation ahead: Reserving places to stay well in advance is usually best for long trips, as it ensures you have guaranteed rest stops.
3. Check the car thoroughly: A full check is vital if it's your own car; inspecting a rental very carefully at pick-up is important too for an extended journey.
4. Sorting your documents: Getting all your licenses, passports, visas, IDP, insurance, and rental paperwork ready.
5. Plan for lots of breaks: Aiming to stop every couple of hours.
6. Pack everything you need: Essentials, snacks, water, offline maps, entertainment, etc.
7. Think about safety: Sharing your detailed itinerary, checking conditions regularly, avoiding driving tired, and sharing the driving if possible.