Last Updated on January 13, 2020
If this summer you’re hoping to travel around the US, you may not know where to begin. One of the best ways to see lots of different destinations while traveling is by planning a road trip. These are a great vacation choice as they’re fun, flexible, and make perfect group trips. The only downside to planning a road trip is that there’s a lot that needs to be organized beforehand. If you know what you’re doing, you should be okay, but if you’re a road trip newbie, it can be hard to know how to go about planning your trip.
Where do you want to go?
First things first, you need to take some time to think about where you want to go. Do you want to tour the state where you live or do you want to drive across the country, through various states? The most popular US road trips have to be touring the Eastern shoreline, the New England coast, or going from South Carolina to Texas on a ‘BBQ trail’. However, there are hundreds more you could choose to do – it all depends on what you want to get out of your trip. Spend some time working out where you would like to go, to get an idea of the route that you would need to take.
How long would you like to travel for?
The next question to ask yourself is how long you would like to travel for. This is important as this will impact where you are able to go and what you are able to do. If you’re only able to travel for a week or so, it’s best to stay close to home – in-state travel is a good option. However, if you have longer to travel, such as a month or maybe more, you can go wherever you want to. When time is of the essence, the sky’s the limit.
Who will you be traveling with?
Make sure that when you think about your destination and how long you’ll be away for, that you take your travel buddies into account. If you’re traveling with friends, you need to choose where you go and what you see and do as a group. If for example, you’re traveling with kids in tow, you’ll need to be more choosy about where you go. There are plenty of child-friendly routes, such as North Carolina to Tennessee, that is a fantastic trail for nature lovers.
Choose a suitable vehicle
Out of all the planning that comes with organizing a road trip, this has to be one of the most important parts. If you don’t get your vehicle right, the whole trip can fall apart. A lot of people choose to hire cars to travel around in. While this is the cheapest option, it’s not always the best one. An RV or a toy hauler trailer is another option; this is a popular choice as it provides you with accommodation as well as transport.
Think about where you will stay
Leading on from that, take the time to think about where you will stay. If you opt to travel in an RV or with a trailer, you will be able to camp wherever you like each night. If, however, you choose to travel via car, you’ll need to book accommodation in advance. This means that your trip will need to be more scheduled, to ensure that you arrive at each place on time. Camping is another option, as you can store your camping equipment in your car and then camp wherever you end up each night.
There you have it, all my top tips for planning a fantastic summer road trip in the US.