If you ask me, there isn’t anything more fun and exciting than hitting the open road to explore! I’ve rounded up all my tips, tricks and to-do list before you head out!

Before you hit the open road it really is important to have a plan. This keeps things fun, safe and not disappointing. I’ve written a detailed post on how I plan my trips on the road (and for travel in general) here! In this same post are some resources I use - including the Google Sheet Template - when planning our adventures!

Car Maintenance

Packing

DO NOT HITCH HIKE. I was scared straight at a very early age never to do this. Having traveled all across North America I can’t tell you enough how essential it is to not do this. While I have seen and experienced so much good, kindness and honest help in sticky situations traveling, you need to trust your gut and protect yourself, especially when traveling solo.

Stay Hydrated! You might think being in a car all day and road tripping around won’t impact your need for water but you actually will be more dehydrated! I don’t know about you, but when I’m dehydrated I get awful headaches, feel pretty lousy and just generally am in way less of a good mood. The last thing you want it so be in a mood that makes your adventure less than exciting! Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up on your stops!

Know your limits. Whether it be how long you can be on the road in whole or in a span of driving it is essential you know your limits and don’t push them, especially when driving if you’re tired. The longest I’ve driven solo is about 26 hours. Being able to drive that long even then was really hard and not something I learned to do over night. After years of road tripping solo and with family I’ve learned so much and knowing your limits - especially how long you can go without sleep - is one of the most important ones!

Always have cash! No matter where you are, having a stash of cash can be incredibly helpful! Whether its for gas, a meal or an emergency there are many times you will find yourself somewhere that only accepts cash and you do not want to get stuck in this situation with no way out. Don’t feel the need to bring TONS of cash, just be smart and always have enough to get you out of a situation (think full tank of gas, etc.).

Try kicking your trip off in the AM. Whether I’m solo or with others I ALWAYS start my drive in the morning. I make sure to get a good nights sleep and am up and at em really early not only to avoid traffic and make the most of my first available day on the road. Even if you’re not a morning person this can seriously transform your travel experience! My favorite part? Treating myself to coffee on the way out of town!

Always make sure to share your itinerary and schedule check ins with people not with you- especially if you’re solo traveling or in location with poor/non-existent cell service. I’ve seen nearly all of the California NP’s solo in Winter and early Spring and I knew throughout my route would not have cell service. I arranged check ins with family and friends with very specific guidelines for them to worry when/if I didn’t check in. It may seem like a silly precaution but it makes all the difference in case of an emergency!

When evaluating what route to take be sure if you or any of your fellow trippers have special needs you account for that in your route. Need restrooms a little more often? Bringing a furry friend who gets car sick? Need cell service? Phobias you need to accommodate for? Do your research to ensure everyone’s safety is taken into account to have an amazing time on your trip!

Be aware of changing/different weather conditions of your destination and routes. When I traveled all over California in March of 2018 on a ten+ day road trip with a majority of it solo, knowing the weather conditions literally saved my toes, car and whole life. I knew to bring different layering clothes, boots and chains for my tires as well as emergency gear for me in the case of breaking down or being stuck. Even though it was 70+ degrees in Tempe where I started and even warmer in my first stop in Death Valley NP, my other stops up in the mountains reached temps of -20 degrees at night and mid-teens and twenties during the day. Without this planning I would have been miserable and unsafe!

Do research in how far out you need to book! In high school I spent some time studying at UC Berkeley and afterwards explored San Francisco for the first time. When my family & I showed up to tour Alcatraz we were informed you had to book tickets at least a year in advance due to demand! While it made sense it totally changed our plans for the day. Though we ended up having SO much fun, it taught me a lesson early on to plan ahead and do the extra digging even if it seems unnecessary!

If price is a determining factor on an experience, double check for discounts! So many places I’ve been to and experiences I’ve had offered student discounts, veteran discounts, child discounts, retiree discounts and more! If none of their discounts apply to you, look into purchasing a pass - like the American The Beautiful NP Annual Pass - to save major bucks! For my 2018 California Road Trip, I bought the ATBNPAP and ended up saving well over $100 and the $80 pass payed for itself after two entrances to parks.

Apps To Use:

Road Trippers: an amazing app that lets you add destinations and creates the perfect route for you based on where you want to stop. Available on mobile and desktop!
Google Maps: on desktop and mobile you can plan absolutely every stop of your trip in your very own map with multiple layers! I use this for every trip once I’ve got my itinerary and it makes GPS a breeze!
Gas Buddy: If you’re looking to save money and get the most bang for your buck on gas, be sure to download this app! I use this all the time even when not traveling and it has saved me major money especially when trekking into less populated and more rural/off-the-beaten-path areas.

Get Your Car Checked Out! While you might have planned the perfect trip with these tips, be sure your means of getting there and back is ready for the work! A general tune up & diagnostic is typically all you need! Sharing details about where you’re headed like weather, land make up (hills, steep, long climbs, etc.) will help them better serve you and your car in preparation for the adventure!

I hope you found these tips, tricks and resources helpful! I will be updating and adding as new experiences and knowledge come!