How to Plan a Road Trip: What I Learned From 100,000+ Miles on the Road

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with road trips. I’ve driven over 100k miles of solo road trips and even more miles with family and friends. In my opinion, road tripping is the best way to travel. It allows you to explore a destination on your own schedule and really get to know it.

But coordinating and learning how to plan a road trip, especially a cross-country road trip with various destinations and stops, can be challenging. After road tripping all 50 states I have a method I use every time I plan a road trip. And it works for beginners and road trip veterans.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it step-by-step — from choosing your destination and route to mapping stops and how to decide where to overnight.

How to Plan a Road Trip

The difference between a road trip and a successful road trip is good preparation and planning. I know it sounds like a lot of fun to grab a bag and ride off into the sunset but in reality it isn’t very practical.

If you aren’t prepared and don’t have a well thought out plan, then you’ll waste time, drive around needlessly and maybe even miss some special things. So, before you start planning a road trip, there are two things you need to ask yourself:

1. Do you have enough time to get to where you want to go?
2. How much can you comfortably drive in a day?

These two questions will have a big impact on how successful your road trip is. Here’s why.

Step 1 — Do You Have Enough Time to Get to Your Destination?

Before you start planning a road trip, it’s important to consider how much time you actually have. Whether you know exactly where you want to go or you’re still figuring that out, your timeframe is the first thing that should drive — no pun intended — your decisions.

Because road trips are supposed to be fun. You want enough time to slow down, find unexpected places, take the detour and linger over lunch in a small town — not feel like you’re racing a clock. If you’re rushed, whether from poor planning or just not being realistic about the time you have, it stops being a road trip and just becomes a drive.

Whether you’re working around limited PTO, a long weekend or a flexible schedule, your timeframe will determine everything — from how far you can go to how many stops you can realistically make. Be realistic. Don’t over plan. Trust me — I learned this the hard way.

Step 2 — Know How Many Miles You Can Drive

The next step in planning a road trip is calculating how much you can comfortably drive in a day. It might seem like a minor detail, but if you’re not used to long-distance driving — or most of your daily driving is short or in only city traffic — then a long or cross-country trip can be overwhelming.

Why? Because the more miles you need to cover, the more pressure you feel to stay on schedule. Every stop, detour or unplanned activity adds time and feels like a burden. Before you know it, you’re behind, exhausted and trying to make up time. Again — it’s not fun anymore.

To prepare, it’s best to do some practice runs. Try a long weekend road trip and gauge how long and how many miles you’re comfortable driving in a day. Experts recommend driving no more than eight hours a day and stopping every two to three hours to stretch your legs and take a break. This breaks up the monotony and revitalizes you physically and mentally.

It might take a few trips to find your sweet spot but you’ll get there. Once you decide to bite the bullet and take a longer or cross-country road trip you can always take someone along for support if you don’t want to do it alone. Two drivers — or even three — are best. Taking turns driving means no one person is overly exhausted. Another tip: rest areas were made for rest. Use them.

Step 3 — Choosing a Road Trip Destination

Once you have the timeframe nailed down — and how much you’re comfortable driving — it’s time to choose your destination if you haven’t already. As I mentioned previously, most people usually have someplace in mind when they start planning a road trip.

If you don’t, or just have a vague general idea, and need some inspiration, then it’s time to check out your favorite travel blog, YouTube channel or social media for ideas. I personally keep a list of places I want to visit as well as a few saved road trip itineraries in my Google Maps.

Here’s a helpful way to gauge how far you can realistically go:

• 3–4 days: Stay close to home or explore one region
• 5–7 days: Choose a single state or a small multi-stop route
• 7+ days: Consider a longer, multi-state or cross-country road trip

Still not sure? Start with your interests. Love nature? Consider a national park road trip. Grouping parks together, is a smart way to maximize your time and create a more efficient itinerary. Utah and its Mighty 5 national parks – which includes Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches – is a great place to start.

What about focusing on a specific state? Arizona is perfect for road tripping. Start with the Grand Canyon – a park everyone should visit – and Sedona – add in a few lesser known cultural and historical sites in the state and there’s your itinerary. Keeping a road trip in one region means less driving and is smart for first time road trippers.

Do you like quirky road side attractions? Maybe a Route 66 road trip or a southern road trip is right for you. Anything can be turned into a road trip. I know people who visit ball parks, lighthouses and wineries – with a designated driver of course, on road trips. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Step 4 — How to Plan a Road Trip Route

Now that you know where you’re going — let’s figure out how to get there. Will you follow major highways, take scenic back roads or a mix of both? I usually recommend a combination — since the best discoveries on a road trip usually happen when you leave the highway.

There are plenty of road trip builder apps to help plan and choose your road trip route but I’m old school so Google Maps works just fine for me. It’s pretty simple — just enter the destination, or multiple destinations, and search from your starting point. Then browse the various routes suggested. You can filter out major highways and toll roads if you only want to travel secondary roads.

When picking a route, don’t forget to check the actual mileage between destinations and the type of road it is. A destination might look close and doable on the map but the road might be a small two lane road that requires more time and patience.

If you use Google Maps to create a custom map, take advantage of the layered maps feature to organize your stops, attractions and overnight stays. This helps keep everything organized and in one place. You can also add or remove layers from view as you need them.

As you plan your route: keep in mind that in many states — especially in the west — wildlife is abundant even along major interstates. This could potentially affect your overall drive time and how far you’re able to travel in a day. Always use extra caution driving at night and build in some additional time for slower speeds.

For international travelers coming to the United States: the U.S. is huge. Pay attention to the distance between destinations. It might look close on the map but be very different than what you’re used to. Some states like Texas are so big, it takes thirteen hours just to drive across. Other states like Montana and California (north to south) also require a lot of driving.

Step 5 — Road Trip Planning and Where to Sleep

The hardest part of how to plan a road trip is figuring out where to stop and sleep for the night. Generally, it’s not a problem if you’re simply road tripping from one location to the next and know your destination — it’s fairly straightforward. But if you have an open-ended itinerary without exact stops, then planning where to overnight can be challenging.

A reservation, or a set place to stay, means you’re on a schedule. Maybe you paid money. So when you stumble on something unexpected along the way and want to spend more time there, you might not be able to because you made your prior lodging arrangements.

To avoid that scenario, it’s tempting not to make any reservations and just wing it. Unfortunately, this can be risky. Hotels and even campgrounds in popular locations — or at busy times of the year — fill up quickly. You might end up having to sleep in the car. I spent a long night in a Walmart parking lot in Hot Springs one time because I decided to wing it.

Making Reservations

What I find helpful for booking lodging is breaking up the road trip into smaller segments in the plan to help figure out where to stay. Here’s what I mean: let’s say I’m driving to California from Georgia and I plan on stopping at Grand Canyon National Park in four days. Since I know that’s a popular, very busy national park, I’ll go ahead and book my room or campsite in that area.

That way, I feel secure knowing that I have set plans for that part of the trip and a place to sleep at the busiest, most crowded stop of my road trip. With those arrangements made, I can then tentatively anticipate where I might be on my route before I arrive at the Grand Canyon and either book more accommodations or wait to see what I find along the way.

The more you road trip, the more skilled you’ll become at figuring out the sleeping part. It wasn’t my favorite part of planning a road trip at first because I like to wander. I can’t tell you how many times I booked a night somewhere and wished I hadn’t because I changed my mind or found somewhere else I wanted to stay.

It’s those wandering road trips that cause you to question your hotel decisions and why it’s a good idea to book accommodations that offer free cancellation. Booking.com shows which properties offer that perk and then at least you’ll have around 24 hours before you check in to change your mind. I also have a whole setup for sleeping in my car just in case.

Southerner Says: If you are on a long haul road trip and plan on camping, you might want to plan a hotel stay or a home stay every few days so that you will have laundry access and a real bed.

Step 6 — Planning Road Trip Stops

Besides the necessary stops for fuel, bathroom and food, you’ll want to plan some fun stops on your road trip too. Roadside America is good for finding interesting places along the way and Atlas Obscura is a good source for unusual attractions on your route.

I always check my Google Map lists — arranged by state — so when I plan a road trip, I look to see if any of those saved places are near my route. From there I have two lists: a must-do list or “A” list with the things I for sure don’t want to miss and a “B list for or bonus stops — things I’d like to do if I have time.

Some of my all-time favorite road trip stops and memories have been the B list places — random stops I decided to make last minute because something else didn’t work out.

Trust me when I say the places you miss because you don’t have a good plan — or enough time — will haunt you forever. I still think about a gas station on Route 66 I passed up way back in 2014 and never found again. I look for it every time I drive across Interstate 40.

Step 7 — Choosing the Best Vehicle for Your Road Trip

The vehicle you choose for your road trip is one of the most important pieces of planning a road trip. It might sound strange since most people assume they’ll simply drive the car they already own. But if you’re planning a cross-country road trip then it’s worth considering whether your current vehicle is the best fit for your trip.

With gas prices, if your vehicle is a larger SUV that consumes a lot of fuel, it’s possible that renting a smaller more economical car could be more practical and money saving in the long run. If you’re road trip involves cold weather or somewhere with unpaved roads like Death Valley National Park then an all-wheel drive or a 4-wheel drive might be best.

Other factors that might affect the vehicle you take on your road trip is: how many people are going? Do you have room for everyone and their luggage? If you plan on camping – how much gear do you need to take? Based on your answers, in some cases, a rental might be the best option.

If you decide to drive your own vehicle, it’s smart to have it inspected by a professional before your trip. At the very least, check a few essentials yourself — like the tires, fluid levels, and battery — before heading out. In a former life, I owned an automotive repair facility and here’s a few things to check on your vehicle before a road trip.

Step 8 — Putting Your Road Trip Together

Once you’ve gotten this far with your road trip plans, I recommend using either a digital calendar or a spreadsheet for all your activities and ideas. That way you can put it all in front of you, look it over and play around with it. Personally, I like to print a calendar and actually write on it. Either way, it’s entirely up to you.

I find a calendar useful because it helps with daily plans. If there’s a firm final destination and end date, I’ll put that on the date I have to be there and work backwards. From that, I can estimate how many miles I need to drive in a day. I can also see (about) where I need to be on certain dates. Then I fill in around those dates with things I want to do.

Once everything is on the calendar, I look at it closely. If I think I’ve got too much planned, or it’s going to be a rush then I remove a few things – moving those the “b” list — remembering I can always add it back if I find I have the time.

Step 9 — Road Trip Entertainment

Whew! You’re almost done planning your road trip. This last step isn’t strictly necessary but it can make your journey much more enjoyable especially if it’s a cross-country road trip. I’m talking about music, podcasts and even audio books.

Music has a way of turning boring stretches of road into something so much more fun. Use Spotify, to create playlists for your road trip. I have a Drive playlist and the songs from my road trip songs article that you can access here and add to your own account.

Not gonna lie, sometimes, I get tired of music so Podcasts are my second favorite thing to listen to on a road trip. My go-to picks are Office Ladies, Smartless and 90 Miles From Needles. And recently, while road tripping through Kansas I checked out a Wild West Podcast.

Finally, audio books related to the area you’re traveling to can be a fun addition. Listening to a book about Bourbon while driving through Kentucky and following the Bourbon Trail really upped my appreciation for the craft and the area.

Southerner Says: Download everything before you leave. You will lose signal — guaranteed — and there’s nothing worse than dead silence somewhere in the middle of the Nevada desert because you forgot to hit download.

FAQ: How to Plan a Road Trip

Do I Need to Plan Every Stop on a Road Trip?

No—you should plan major stops and overnight stays, but leave space for flexibility. Some of the best road trip moments come from unplanned detours.

How Many Miles Should I Drive in a Day on a Road Trip?

This depends on comfort level, but most road trippers aim for 200–400 miles per day so there’s time for stops and sightseeing.

Is it Better to Book Hotels in Advance or Wing it?

A mix usually works best. Book in popular destinations or busy seasons, but leave some nights flexible if you want freedom to adjust your route.

What is the Biggest Mistake People Make When Planning a Road Trip?

Trying to fit too much in too little time. Overplanning leads to rushed driving and less enjoyment of the journey.

Do I Need a Special Vehicle for a Road Trip?

Not necessarily, but you should consider comfort, fuel efficiency, and road conditions when deciding whether to use your own car or rent one

Road Trip Rules & Tips

There are plenty of road trip tips and rules you can use to make your road trip better but I consider these five road trip rules the best ones for a successful road trip.

1. Stay organized. That means from how you pack the car in the trunk and the inside. Boxes and bins can help. It’s also helpful if you put everything back exactly where it was. This will keep you from losing and looking for things over and over. Each person in the car should have their space. Don’t let trash get away from you. We once had quite a few things left over on a long road trip and it got under the seat and interfered with the navigation control unit under the passenger seat. We started checking the car for trash and throwing it out more regularly when we had no GPS.
   
2. Don’t let your gas tank get low. Just go ahead and stop and fill up. Even if you never run out of fuel even a low tank and wondering if you are going to run out is stressful in some areas.
   
3. Have cash on hand. I never leave home without some cash. Honestly, you never know when you might need it. I hit a hole on I-285 50 miles from my house in the rain. I should have called road side assistance but since I was trying to make it to an event and there was a truck stop nearby, I figured there had to be a mobile mechanic too. And there was. I called him and he was quick but only took cash or Apple Pay and I have an Android. Thank goodness I was able to get a hold of my husband and he made the payment. If you want to know, I missed my event.
   
4. Road Side Assistance. That experience is a good reason to have road side assistance because you never know when or where you might have issues — even close to home. AAA saved me another time on the north side of Atlanta when I had a flight the same evening. Yes it took them awhile but once they showed up it took like ten minutes and thankfully, I did make my flight. I love AAA but if you’re looking for a great alternative Good Sam has a solid product.
   
5. A Way to Charge Your Phone. I’m not talking about an extra cord — I mean charging if two cords fail and your lighter doesn’t work kind of charging. An auxiliary battery is really good to have around in this scenario. There are small ones and solar ones but if you spend a lot of time in the car then invest in something that has enough power to charge all your devices. I have this portable power station and it’s been invaluable.
   

How to Plan a Road Trip the Right Way

If you made it this far you’ve learned that good preparation goes a long way when planning a fun road trip. Planning means fewer surprises and more time to enjoy the journey. A little effort on the front end makes for way less stress on the road

If you want to plan even smarter, check out my guide on the most common road trip mistakes to avoid.

Now it’s time to start planning and let the road trip adventure begin. Are you ready? And if all this planning sounds like a lot — that’s what I’m here for. As a travel advisor I help people plan trips they’ll actually remember, road trips included. Fill out this form or send me an email and let’s start mapping out yours.

See you on the road!

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