How to plan for an American-style road trip

No matter the country you’re driving in or your chosen steed, road trips are awesome. A great road trip will stay with you for life. You’ll encounter situations, people and locations that you simply wouldn’t have a chance of interacting with during a loop of the M25 and which will provide endless dinner table stories. It’s up to you where you go, the type of car you use and the budget you’re willing to set against it, but we’ve picked out six brilliantly simple ways to plan for an American-style road trip (i.e. the best kind!).

1. Hit Google Maps

Where do you want to go? The beauty of today’s technology is that it immediately gives you tools to plan anything, and a road trip is best served by Google’s beloved mapping tool. Chances are, you’ll have a few destinations in mind, so tap them into Maps and scout out the roads and adjoining towns and cities. Get inspired!

2. Pick the right car

Warning: this will probably be the hardest part of the planning process. As you’ve reached our website, we’re going to assume you’re something of an enthusiast, therefore, again, you’ve probably got a few ideas about the motor you’d like to accompany you on the trip. You may already have it, but if you haven’t, give plenty of thought to the type of car that will best serve the journey. Think about the terrain, distance and level of comfort (and reliability) you’re comfortable with.

3. Check out Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is full of brilliant information and contains an awesome route mapping tool for destinations across the world. Beyond destinations and routes, it also lists some of the key sights and things to do for your road trip - a simply brilliant resource.

4. Plan your eateries - to a degree

While much of the adventure from a road trip comes as a result of finding food stops that are off the beaten track, it’s sensible to plan a few in, too. Do some research before you go and try and suss out enough eateries to fill out the journey (and pay particular attention to those that double up as hotels).

5. Take a tent

Who said you have to stay in hotels and motels during your road trip? Let’s say you’re passing an idyllic beach, just as the sun is setting. Imagine being able to jump out of the car, pop up the tent, crack open a beer and grab your own slice of heaven… A tent won’t take up too much room and you might be surprised by how often you decide to make use of it.

6. Get a few playlists ready

Sometimes, it’s the small things that turn an ordinary road trip into an unforgettable one. The soundtrack to your trip will make it memorable, so make you sure you put together plenty of playlists that can be blasted out while you’re munching the miles.

Have fun!

Forget your bog-standard beach holiday - a road trip is a far better way to dust off the cobwebs, recharge your batteries and remind yourself of what’s really important in life. Image credit