If you've taken a road trip before, you know it's not easy to plan. Read below to find out how to plan everything smoothly.
Steps
Step 1. Plan
This is a car trip and costs money. However you can make it cheap or expensive depending on your accommodation, meals, etc. Do a search for the place you want to bet first and you'll be glad you thought about it.
Step 2. Make a list of 10-15 places you want to visit
It is easier to make a list so that you stop at the circled places. If you want to choose places creatively, print a map of the region or country you are going to visit and grab a push pin. Place the map on the wall, cover the eyes of a family member with a blindfold, make him turn three times in a circle and point the map: where he will put the pin, that will be your final destination. When you have the destination, plan the route to get there.
Step 3. Decide exactly where you will go and how long you will stay
(ex: Atlanta-Georgia 2 days)
Step 4. Make sure both you and your travel companions have time
Step 5. Go online to some sites specifically to plan car trips:
they allow you to plan based on the people you are traveling with, WHAT you would like to do (even if you don't know WHERE to go and WHEN) and finally, they ask you HOW LONG you want to travel (e.g. how many km you want to travel per day, if you want to do or not freeways, etc.). In these sites you can choose where to stop for the night, eat, go, where to shop and what you will need during the trip. You can also book hotels and rental cars.
Step 6. Alternatively, you can design everything manually then go to one site (https://www.expedia.com) and book different hotels at the best price you can find
Or stop at roadside motels.
Step 7. Once daylight comes, pack your bags and enjoy your vacation
Step 8. Make a couple of copies of the road map, just because you never know
Advice
- Most car journeys are spontaneous in the sense that it's like escaping. So if you are not with family, bring friends, lots of snacks, linens and a guide. Get lost, run out of money, whatever. Planning is a relative term. It might mean throwing everything in the car and going with a detailed itinerary, or just grabbing some food and a friend and letting your imagination guide you.
- Look for a cheap hotel to hold as an emergency, book, while on the go check out the website and find something that has better rooms.
- Try purchasing a roadside assistance plan.
- Find everything you can cheaply.
Warnings
- Some hotels report being five stars and in reality they are tiny hovels, check carefully by crossing the information on multiple sites before booking.
- Respect the traffic rules. They vary from place to place.
