How to Plan a Road Trip: 7 Essential Steps for an Epic Adventure

Do you want to plan the perfect road trip? Well, then, you’ve come to the right place! Hi! I’m Cindy, your personal road trip planning guide. Having moved to seven different US states and spent three years on the road as a full-time RVer, I have spent countless days on the road and have locked down on the most essential steps to take when assessing how to plan a road trip.

My road-tripping background, combined with my strong organizational and planning skills derived from my media production background, make me uniquely equipped to prepare you for the open road!

In this article, I outline the essential steps for planning your dream itinerary, including budgeting tips, tools to use, vehicle prep tips, and some crucial items worth bringing with you on your trip.

Don’t get me wrong, some wild occurrences on road trips are unavoidable. (I’ve had some crazy stuff happen on the road, from spending the night on I-15 while it was shut down for ice to having my truck stall in the line to get into the Hoover Dam!) But the fact that these instances can occur shouldn’t prevent you from hitting the open road! Instead, they should encourage you to hit the open road as prepared as possible so you can tackle any goofy mishap that might come your way. After all, there’s so much opportunity to be gained from exploring via a road trip.

This guide promises to make planning and taking your next road trip a breeze!

Step 1: Think Out Your Dream Road Trip Itinerary

The first step to planning the perfect road trip is considering your ideal itinerary.

Here are some key questions to help you plan the perfect route and recommendations for finding road trip inspiration.

Pick Where You Want to Go

The first thing to decide is your destination. Consider whether you want to stay in your home state or travel out of state, head to the coast, visit a city, spend time in the mountains, or find a secluded spot off the grid. This crucial step will help shape the rest of the planning process!

Decide Your Road Trip’s Time Frame

The next important step is choosing your timeframe. Decide whether your trip will be over a long weekend, a week, several weeks, or even a few months. During this step, you’ll also want to consider your available vacation days and time off work.

Look for Inspiration

There are countless online resources for finding road trip information, such as Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, podcasts, and travel blogs. Using any of these platforms is a great way to get to know different destinations better and inspire your next adventure.

Step 2: Assess Your Road Trip Budget

Another crucial aspect of planning a road trip is setting your budget.

Below, I’ve highlighted key considerations for determining your budget to be aware of in advance.

Select Your Means of Transportation

Before starting your road trip, decide what type of vehicle you want to drive. This could be your own RV, car, truck, or even a motorcycle. 

Also, consider whether you’ll use your own vehicle or rent one for the trip.

Using your own vehicle can help reduce costs, as car rental fees can quickly add up. Plus, many rentals have mileage restrictions, and exceeding them can result in expensive charges per mile over the limit.

However, renting a road trip vehicle may make more sense if you lease your daily driver and don’t want to put a lot of miles on it.

Calculate What Your Gas Will Cost

Gas can quickly add up on a road trip, so estimating your fuel costs before leaving is important. Compared to larger vehicles like RVs, a car with good gas mileage will save you money. 

If you’re deciding between different types of transportation, use this trip calculator to compare the fuel costs for each option.

Decide Where You Would Like to Stay Each Night

If you plan on staying on BLM land or boondocking on free land, you’ll save significantly.

However, the cost will be higher if you plan on staying at campgrounds, hotels, or vacation rentals.

Before taking off, consider how much you can spend on staying somewhere each night and which type of destination that means will work better for you.

Step 3: Plan Your Road Trip Route and Stops

Once you’ve assembled your budget, your next step in planning your road trip is creating an itinerary.

These are some important considerations to keep in mind while drafting your plan:

Prep Your Route

There are always various routes to take on a road trip. Use Google Maps to explore route options, such as paths that avoid tolls, backcountry roads, or major cities.

Then, choose the ideal route based on your preferences and how much time you have for your trip.

Keep Your Daily Miles Low

One of my top tips is to limit your daily driving distance. There are several reasons why it’s best not to be on the road all day:

First, it’s essential to remain flexible. If you plan for long hours of driving and encounter bad weather, traffic delays, or accidents early on in your road trip, you won’t get as far as you had hoped, and your whole schedule for the rest of the trip may become thrown off.

Another reason to keep daily driving distances short is to ensure an enjoyable road trip. You don’t want to spend the entire day stressing behind the wheel.

Last, if you’re traveling with pets or kids, they’ll likely need extra stops along the way, which will slow things down a bit.

Add Fun Stops Along Your Route

Adding amusing stops along your road trip route is a great way to make a long drive more enjoyable. These stops could include quirky roadside attractions, picturesque viewpoints, fancy dining spots, or entertaining activities.

Fun stops can spice up dull travel days and give you something to anticipate. Roadside America is great for finding options along your route.

Step 4: Utilize Road Trip Apps and Tools

There are several tools and apps designed specifically to simplify road trip planning. Over my years of traveling, I’ve tested numerous, and below, I’ve listed my favorite recommendations to make the trip-planning experience even better.

Use Navigation Apps

One of my top suggestions is utilizing navigation apps to map your trip. Great navigation tools include RV LIFE Trip Wizard, Roadpass Pro, CoPilot, and Google Maps, Sheets, and Docs. These apps enable you to plan your trip route and include stops along the way.

RV LIFE Trip Wizard is my favorite if you’re road-tripping in a vehicle larger than a car.
👉 Find out more about RV LIFE Trip Wizard here.

Use Gas Apps

My top pick for gas apps is GasBuddy, which helps you locate the most affordable gas stations nearby. 

Another excellent app is iExit, which displays your location on the interstate and provides information about upcoming exits. This app is beneficial as it eliminates the need to constantly search for signs indicating gas stations and restaurants. It also reduces last-minute panic when your exit approaches and you must get over!

Use Accommodation Apps

The era of spontaneous road trips, where you can arrive at a destination and find accommodations on the spot, is disappearing. Nowadays, booking your accommodations in advance is crucial, especially during busy travel seasons, whether at a campground, vacation rental, or hotel. Many places fill up weeks or months ahead, so the sooner you book, the better.

Hotel Apps

Handy apps for finding places to stay on road trips include Booking.com, Expedia, VRBO, Hostelworld, and trivago.

It’s good to have a few options if plans change and you need to find a different place to stay.

Camping Apps

If camping is part of your road trip plans, I suggest downloading some camping apps. A few I like are Ultimate CG, Boondocking, The Dyrt, Hipcamp, iOverlander, and Campendium.

Like accommodation apps, it’s good to have a few ready in advance for trip assistance, as you never know when you might need to find another place to stay.

Download Road Trip Entertainment

Music, podcasts, and audiobooks are great ways to stay entertained while on the road. I recommend downloading them in advance so you have them keyed up and ready! 

Step 5: Get Your Vehicle Ready for the Road

Another top recommendation is to get your car ready before your trip. Below, I’ve highlighted two important aspects of preparing for any road trip. 

Inspect Your Tires

Before hitting the road, regardless of the length of your trip, I suggest checking your tires to ensure they’re in good condition and filled appropriately. After all, you wouldn’t want to encounter a flat tire an hour into your journey. Then, you would have to go through the steps of changing a tire and finding a shop nearby for further assistance.

Check Your Spare Tire

Your vehicle most likely came with a spare tire. If it did not, be sure to pick one up before taking a long trip.

The road can be untrustworthy, and punctures may happen, especially if your trip is headed to a more remote area. (Vehicle issues have a way of cropping up when help is far away.) A spare ensures you’ll make it to the next town for a repair.

Along with the spare, carry a decent jack and know how to use it to change a tire.

Look to See if You’ll Need an Oil Change

Another crucial aspect of preparing your vehicle for a road trip is checking whether it needs an oil change. If it needs one, be sure to get that taken care of before taking off. This helps to avoid the risk of your car breaking down during the trip.

Sign Up for Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is clutch to have if you get stuck in a sticky situation.

If you don’t have roadside assistance with your auto insurance policy, purchase a supplemental add-on plan before hitting the road.

I’ve always been a fan of AAA, an auto service that can help you with flat tires, a broken-down vehicle, and much more. 

Step 6: Pack for Your Road Trip Like a Pro

Here are some key items to bring on your road trip for a smooth journey.

Pack a Roadside Emergency Kit

If you spend enough time on the road, you’ll eventually get into car trouble. Moreover, there are still regions of the United States where cell service is non-existent.

It’s great to have a roadside emergency kit with you. Even if you don’t expect to use it, it can be incredibly helpful in various situations. Make sure your kit includes essentials like jumper cables, flashlights, flares or reflective triangles, a first aid kit, and any other items you believe are necessary.

A mylar blanket, gloves, and a hat also won’t hurt when traveling in a colder climate.

Pack Plenty of Snacks

While on your trip, you’ll likely want to dine at restaurants along the way, but it’s also wise to pack your vehicle full of your favorite snacks. You never know when hunger might strike, when you might encounter lengthy traffic delays, or when you might break down. Having extra food on hand is a wise choice.

Bring Extra Water

Water is essential for any road trip. Staying hydrated is crucial for your health, well-being, and overall enjoyment. Be sure to sip on water during your trip and have plenty of extra water on board in case of unexpected delays or a breakdown.

Bring Paper Maps

Paper maps might seem old school, but they can be incredibly helpful when phone batteries die or service is MIA. It’s wise to pick up a paper map of the area you’ll be driving through, just in case. They are generally available for free at rest stops and visitor centers.

Also, before heading anywhere new, it’s always a great idea to download Google’s Offline Maps of the area you are headed into before leaving home. That way, if you drive into areas with no service, you can still get around with Google Maps as long as your phone is charged.

Step 7: Make the Most of Your Time on the Road

Having invested considerable time on the road, these are my top tips for enjoying a road trip.

Talk to Locals

Swinging by a visitor center is always a good move in a new destination. The staff there is usually happy to answer any questions you may have about your current location.

However, chatting with locals at spots such as breweries and gear stores is one step better. This is truly a great way to get insider tips. The people who live in the area you’re visiting know the best places to eat, directions around town, attractions worth seeing, and so much more.

I believe in this so much that I started a podcast series, Locals Know Best, in which I chat with outdoorsy local experts who guide us through the perfect day in their area.

Stop Often

Taking frequent breaks is vital to staying alert and content during your journey. It’s generally advised to stop every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes. This practice boosts your mood and benefits your physical well-being by allowing you to stretch your legs and take a leisurely stroll, whether around a rest area or just to the restroom at a gas station!

Be Flexible and Embrace Detours that Call to You

Stay flexible during your road trip. Don’t worry if your route changes due to construction or unexpected delays. And be sure to embrace detours that catch your interest, like roadside attractions or good places to eat.

Your itinerary is a guide, not a strict plan. Going with the flow makes for a smoother trip.

FAQS: How to Plan a Road Trip

Now, I’ll answer a handful of questions I frequently get about planning a successful road trip.

What is the most vital element in road trip planning?

The most vital element in road trip planning is deciding your final destination. After all, you must pick your final spot to avoid driving around without knowing where to go or what to do. 

How do I plan around busy season?

To plan around the busy season, you’ll want to book accommodations and tours as early as possible. Also, get started on your day earlier. US vacationers tend not to make early morning plans.

How much should I budget for a road trip per day?

The amount you need daily on a road trip will vary based on your destination, vehicle type, dining preferences, planned stops, nightly accommodations, and other considerations. Setting a budget ahead of time and then picking destinations that fit your budget range will be key to staying within your financial parameters.

How many miles should you drive a day on a road trip?

You should drive between 100 and 500 miles daily on a road trip. 

I personally believe ~300 miles (usually ~5 hours if you’re spending a lot of your travel time on the highway) is the sweet spot. However, if you’re traveling far distances and looking to stretch your budget, going a little further each day can help you shave off a hotel stay, saving you a bit of money.

How often should you rest on a long road trip?

You should rest on a long road trip every 2 hours for 15 minutes or longer. 

Conclusion: 7 Steps for Planning a Road Trip

I hope this guide has helped you plan the most epic road trip! Due to all the details involved, from planning to budgeting to packing, preparing for a road trip can feel overwhelming. However, even though it may seem daunting at times, remember that it’s ultimately all about embracing the journey and savoring the beautiful views along the way!

Read more about some of my favorite road trip destinations:
🚗 St. Augustine in January: 18 Outdoor Adventures + Your Complete Guide to Winter Fun
🚗 DIY Bike-n-Ride Traverse City Tasting Tour (Wine & More)
🚗 A Local’s Guide: What to Do at Frankenmuth, Michigan
🚗 16 Best Bryce Canyon Hikes and Experiences at Bryce Canyon National Park
🚗 What to Do in the Black Hills: 70+ Awesome Ideas for Outdoor Adventurers in 2025 (Plus Where to Eat, Where to Stay, and Which Museums to Visit)