How to Plan a Cross Country Drive

If you're looking for a way to see more of the country that you live in, a cross country drive is a perfect way to do it! Planning a huge trip like this can seem like a momentous task, especially if you haven’t done it before. Thankfully, you can plan your cross country drive while leaving room for spontaneous activities to get the most out of your trip.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Route Planning

1
Map out your route with an online tool. If you aren’t familiar with the areas you’re going, an online mapping tool can help you decide which route is the best. Apps like Road Trippers and Furkot will also suggest potential stops along the way, which can be helpful when you're figuring out what to do. If you’re looking for a more basic mapping tool, go for Google Maps or Apple Maps.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Check out AAA's route-planning tool called TRIPTIK (https://triptik.aaa.com/home/index.html). It provides maps and directions, helps you find gas stations along the way, and suggests fun places to stop. Plus, it's mobile-friendly and allows you to save your trips!
- You can also share your route with others if you’d like to send your itinerary to multiple people.
- If you want to go old school, you can always plan your route on a paper map. Just make sure it’s up to date!
2
Take the scenic route if you aren't in a hurry. For some road trips, there are a few different ways you can go: the one that gets you to your destination the fastest, and the one that lets you see the sights. As you look at your route, decide together which one you’d like to take and how long you want to spend on the road in total.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Fast routes usually take you on major highways, so you won’t see much scenery at all.
- Scenic routes are more beautiful, but they may be smaller, more winding roads. Talk to your travel partners about motion sickness when you decide which route to take.
- You can also check online for heavy traffic areas (like major cities) and construction zones.
Advertisement
3
Plan to stop for a break every 2 hours or so. Driving a long way can get tiring, and you and your passengers will probably need to stretch your legs after a while. If you can, try to pull the car over and get out for a short walk every few hours. It doesn’t have to be a long break (10 minutes is fine), but you can let off some steam to gear up for the next stretch.^{[3]XResearch source}
- This is also a good time to get gas, grab some snacks, and use the restroom.
- Your total driving time per day is up to you. If you can drive for 10 to 12 hours at a time, go for it! If you feel yourself getting tired, switch drivers or pull off to a rest area.
4
Find landmarks you want to visit along the way. Search the places that you’re stopping in to find their main attractions, like museums, art installations, national parks, and historic sites. If you need to buy tickets ahead of time, make sure you do that before you head out on your trip so you can actually get in to see the sites.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Most attractions will have a website detailing how to buy tickets if you need to.
- You can also look up any festivals or special celebrations happening that you might want to take part in.
5
Pinpoint a variety of restaurants along your route. Eating fast food can get a little old. If you’d like to really experience the area, search up some highly rated restaurants around where you’ll be staying so you can get a feel for the diversity of the food.^{[5]XResearch source}
- For instance, in the United States, New England is known for their hearty dishes like pot roast, baked beans, and lobster, while the South is known for fried chicken, barbecue, and soul food.
- If traveling across the United Kingdom, you can try haggis in Scotland, pea pudding in Northumberland, and scouse, a lamb stew, in Liverpool.
6
Leave room in your schedule to make surprise stops. While it's good to plan, it's also important that you leave space in your schedule so you can adapt to what happens on the trip. You shouldn't turn down unique or fun experiences like visiting roadside attractions or specialty stores. If you are traveling and you see signs for special stores or attractions, you can amend your original plan to find something unique.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Pick one or two must-see locations, and be flexible when it comes to the rest of your stops.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Logistics

1
Set a budget. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for gas, lodging, and food along the way, as well as tickets to any attractions you might want to see. The size of your budget depends on how long you’re traveling and who you’re going with, so talk to your travel partners about how much you’re willing to spend on your trip.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Plan for a few unexpected fees along the way, just in case.
- A typical road trip for a family of 4 can cost up to $1,000, depending on how far you’re going.^{[8]XResearch source}
2
Get your car inspected if you’re driving your own. If you aren’t renting a car, take your vehicle to a mechanic and have them check your engine and fluids to make sure it’s trip ready. If there’s anything crucial that needs to be done, you should probably spend the money to make sure your car doesn’t break down on the road.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Make sure you pack a spare tire, a jack, and jumper cables, just in case.
- If you have roadside assistance, keep their number somewhere you can see it easily in case you need help on your trip.
- If you don’t want to take your own car or it’s not road-ready, try renting a car instead.
3
Reserve your lodging along the way. If you’re planning on staying at a hotel, hostels, or Airbnbs along the way, make sure you make a reservation to keep your spot. Motels and hostels are usually cheaper than hotels, so if you’re on a tighter budget, stick with those. You can also reserve camp spots ahead of time if you’re planning on camping so you have a place to pitch your tent at night.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Even if you’re on a tight budget, don’t be afraid to splurge every once in a while! Staying at a fancy hotel for one night probably won’t break the bank.
- There may be some spots you can camp for free or without a reservation. Check the camp site’s website to learn more.
- If you really want to cut down on costs, reach out to family and friends and plan your road trip around staying in their homes.
4
Fill up with gas whenever you have less than half a tank. Since you’re driving such a long way, your gas will probably go quickly. If you notice your gas is getting lower than a half tank, check your map or road signs and keep an eye out for a gas station nearby.^{[11]XResearch source}
- This is especially important when you’re on long stretches of road without a lot of towns nearby.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Packing

1
Bring enough clothes and toiletries to last the trip. There’s nothing worse than running out of clean clothes on the road. Try to calculate how long you’re going to be gone and be sure to bring enough underwear, pants/shorts, shirts, and socks for the trip. You should also grab your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and hairbrush to bring along with you.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Don't forget any medicine you take, your glasses or contacts and solution, and anything else you use on a daily basis!
- If you’re going to be gone for a long time (say, longer than a week) consider packing some quarters and hitting a laundromat in the middle of your trip.
- If you’re planning to go on hikes or nature walks, pack a few reusable water bottles and some extra shoes, too.
- When the weather is cold, be sure to bring your winter coat and a hat to stay warm.
2
Stay safe with a first aid kit. Scrapes and bumps could happen on the road, and it’s better to be over prepared than under. Grab a small first aid kit and keep it in your glove box in case you need a bandage, some pain killers, or a piece of gauze.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Most large department stores carry first aid kits.
3
Grab some small bills for toll roads. Most toll booths only accept cash, and they can’t let you through until you’ve paid. Get some small bills out of the ATM just in case you need them along your route.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Some modern toll booths will take a photo of your car and send you a bill later on, but it’s always better to be prepared.
4
Keep your insurance and registration in the car. Just like you would when you’re driving normally, it’s important to keep your vehicle information handy. It’s not likely you’ll need it, but it’s illegal to go without it.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Make sure your insurance card is up to date! Most expire after 1 year.
5
Get a cooler full of food to cut down on costs. If you’re trying to stick to a budget, consider bringing a large cooler and packing it full of snacks before you head out. That way, you can buy food from the grocery store instead of eating out every time. All you need is a few bags of ice to keep your food chilly.^{[16]XResearch source}
- You could bring lunch meat, fresh fruit, veggies, juice, and cheese for a few yummy snack options.
- It’s also nice to have snacks in case you’re driving through a desolate area that doesn't have much.
6
Pack your chargers for any devices. If you have young kids in the car, you might be bringing a tablet or a phone loaded with shows and games. Make sure you pack the all-important charging cable so you aren’t left with a dead device hours after you get onto the road!^{[17]XResearch source}
- Try downloading TV shows, movies, books, and games before you head out to keep everyone in the car entertained.
Advertisement

Road Trip Help

Road Trip Checklist

Road Trip Tips and Tricks

Sample Road Trip Games

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Daytona Beach to San Diego but avoiding LA and TX?
Community Answer
To go from Daytona Beach FL to San Diego CA you can take I-22 to I-40, but then to avoid Texas you have to make a detour to I-412 to I-25 and then get back on I-40 to San Diego. This will cause you to drive north of the state. There are a ton of interesting things to see on the way.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 6
Question
Can you take a recreational vehicle for a road trip?
Hannah Madden
Community Answer
Yes! Taking an RV can cut down on lodging costs, so it's a great way to do a road trip. Be sure to get it inspected before you head out to make sure it's up for a long trip, and try to stick to larger roads if you're in a big recreational vehicle.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3