14 Road Trip Tips for a Great Vacation

Road trips bring an element of freedom that other types of travel don’t have. It really makes the trip about the journey and not the destination. However, as many travelers know, the journey can be stressful. These road trip tips come from my experience taking road trips both in America and abroad like my road trip through Italy.

While many trips on this website are abroad, not all of them! We love taking road trips, long weekend breaks to places like Newport, Rhode Island or Annapolis, Maryland. There are plenty of places to visit near us – including these East Coast weekend getaways.

Discover the art of blending meticulous planning with spontaneous discoveries, allowing you to savor the beauty of the open road. Our tips extend beyond the basics, offering insights into vehicle maintenance, entertainment options, and safety measures to enhance every mile of your road trip.

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Road Trip Tip #1: Pick the right travel partner

Okay, this has to be #1. You’ll be spending a LOT of time together (like 20 hours a day), so if you have a friend that you need space from, a road trip may not be the best idea. Not only may you ruin the trip, but also your friendship.  You want to make sure you have the same style and can agree on a budget.  Fighting about luxury hotel or a campground doesn’t sound like a relaxing vacation. Luckily Spencer and I balance each other out pretty well (even if we don’t like the same music – more on that later!)

Road Trip Tip #2: Determine the level of spontaneity 

Road trips vary based on your style of travel.  If you’re like me and love to plan, the idea of driving until tired and then booking accommodation is a bit nerve-racking. To others, this may seem like an awesome way to spend vacation. Figuring this out before you start traveling is important so that you and anyone else in the car are on the same page.  You can always do a mixture of the two as well where you have to get to certain place in 5 days but you can take your time and stop wherever you want before then. For example, we knew we wanted to visit San Marino, but didn’t have a plan for once we got there – a perfect mix!

Road Trip Tip #3: Plan Accordingly 

Once you figure out your spontaneity level it’s time to start figuring out where you want to go.  Sure you can drive pretty far in one day but that means you’re not going to have a lot of time to explore and discover where you’re actually visiting.  The longest I’ve ever driven on a road trip was 6 hours, from Florence to Rome, and we were staying in Rome for three nights.  

I typically recommend driving between 2 to 4 hours in a day. It gives you time to explore your destination, time to relax and stretch your legs, and you don’t get driving burnout 3 days in.

Travel tip: figure out your navigation style before you get into the car.  Do you prefer GPS or using an app on your phone? Sound on or sound off?

Road Trip Tip #4: Plan for a variety of entertainment

Sure, you couldn’t go by the age-old rule of whoever is driving gets to choose the music but if you and your travel partners hate each other’s taste in music it’s not going to be a fun ride. (Don’t believe me? Ask Spencer who has had to listen to the Hamilton soundtrack numerous times #notsorry) Have a variety of options because you never know what you’re going to be in the mood for. We have an audiobook some days and music other days. If you like them, have a couple of podcasts to choose from depending on your mood. 

Road Trip Tip #5: Do a checkup on your car

Does your oil need a change? Tire pressure good? Need to clean your windshield? A few days before your trip, prep your car. It’ll be more enjoyable if you don’t break down far from home and have a clean car to start your trip. We also keep Windex in the car to clean the windshield from bugs on the highway. A reader gave me the tip of also bringing it to a mechanic for a pre-trip check-up! This is a great idea since I am not a car person (if something’s wrong, I back away slowly and call someone) and the mechanics know what they are looking for!

Travel Tip: If you’re renting a car, take a video upon pick up and drop off so you can document any damage done to the car.

Road Trip Tip #6: Pack a first aid kit

No matter where I’m going I always pack a first aid kit.  You never want a blister to ruin a trip.  For road trips my first aid kit includes anti-nausea medicine for motion sickness.  Even if you’re not typically prone to motion sickness, driving for numerous days in a row can be hard on your stomach.  Also include some basic medication in case you get a cold. It’s a lot easier and cheaper if you already have your own medications then buying it at a gas station. Also don’t forget allergy medication.

Travel tip: pack a reusable water bottle like this one and fill it up at gas stations to save money. You can also just buy a jug to refill in the car as well. 

Road Trip Tip #7: Pack comfortable clothes

I don’t know if there’s anything worse than being uncomfortable in a car for hours on end. So invest in some cute yoga pants because remember you are going to be in a lot of pictures (unless you plan on changing in the car or don’t really care). These slip-on shoes are pretty awesome too! 

Road Trip Tip #8: Use your phone! 

Part of the reason why we love road trips is the freedom we have. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t want to know what’s the top-rated restaurant or lesser known attractions in a town! It also gives you the chance to price shop for hotels or AirBnBs. Be sure to pack a car charger and a portable charger so your battery doesn’t die.  If you’re worried about data usage, download maps offline so you save data! 

Travel Tip: We use Google Fi for unlimited data. It makes sense for us even though it’s not the cheapest plan. We use it regularly in our everyday lives, but also like getting off an airplane and naturally connecting – no special SIM needed.  Be sure your data plan covers wherever you’re driving. 

Road Trip Tip #9: Bring cash and plenty of coins

There is no fear stronger than the fear of coming up to a toll without any cash.  The fees for not being a toll are expensive.  Having coins and quarters on hand is important for any metered parking.  While paying by card is becoming more and more popular It’s always nice to have a couple of dollars handy. When you have coins on hand, you don’t have to worry about pay-to-park places, meaning more places to explore – like the Kelpies during our trip to Scotland.

Road Trip Tip #10: Be mindful of traffic and crowds

If you’re heading into a bigger city, avoid driving during commuting hours (7:30-9:30am and 4:30-6:30 pm typically). No one likes traffic, so plan around it to avoid wasting precious vacation time. If you know you’re going to a big weekend destination (like a beach), try to get there on Friday to avoid the crowds. If you’re renting a car, typically you can return the car and then use public transportation to get around the city.

Road Trip Tip #11: Get off the beaten path! 

This is the whole point of a road trip right? Take the scenic route, take a break at an overlook, eat at the 50’s style diner. Live in the moment. One of my favorite travel stories is when Spencer and I rented a car in Iceland. We were driving south from Reykjavik and saw a bunch of cars in a parking lot next to what we thought was nothing. It ended up being quite the hike to the DC-3 plane crash from World War II!  Awesome find that we would have missed if we didn’t live in the moment. 

Road Trip Tip #12: Don’t assume all roads are paved

This is related to the previous road trip tip! Depending on where you’re going and how often you go off the path, you may run into some interesting roads. Don’t fret- just take it nice and slow! 

Road Trip Tip #13: Start (and stay) organized! 

There’s nothing worse on a road trip than craving snacks just to remember they’re in the trunk. Figure out what items you’ll need during the day and leave them where the passenger can reach them easily. This includes snacks, a portable charger, books, and earplugs! 

Travel Tip: Pack some healthy snacks. This will help you from feeling “bleh” and bloated on the trip.  It’s amazing how much energy we get from our food. 

Road Trip Tip #14: Take your time

Sure you can drive cross country in three days, but unless you NEED to, why would you? This relates back to not driving more than 2-4 hours in a day. If you see a farm stand selling fresh fruits, why not make a pit stop and get a snack? Or that weird local attraction that you spotted on a billboard? Relax, enjoy the journey!

Final Thoughts

After many road trips, I hope you found my essential road trip tips to be a helpful guide to planning your road trip. Don’t forget that you can always email me or reach out on social media for custom trip planning and advice! From safety to planning to enjoying the ride, here’s to an epic road trip and more adventures!

If you have any tips that aren’t included, please let me know in the comments below and I’ll add them!

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