How to start a road trip in USA
How to Take a Road Trip Across the United States. While most of us are used to winging from coast to coast in a few hours, there’s something romantic about a cross-country road trip. Be sure to stop and see the sights along the way, and take a charming byway – rather than the highway – once in a while so you can experience America’s small towns and back roads.
Buy a map or purchase a software program and plan your route. Also consider joining the American Automobile Association (AAA) and obtaining TourBooks, which are invaluable resources for planning a cross-country trip.
Consider joining clubs such as AAA and AARP, which provide lodging and attraction discounts at various destinations. You will save money in the long run. Carry your membership card with you on the trip.
Make a list of sights you definitely want to see. Figure out how far off the beaten path you’ll have to go and calculate the time you’ll likely spend sight-seeing. Figure this into your daily travel distance and time.
Make camping or lodging reservations before you go if you want to be guaranteed a place to stay every night. If you prefer a certain chain, call and ask for a free national directory to be sent to you well in advance of your trip.
Have your car fully serviced before you leave. Ask your mechanic if there any potential problems you should be aware of. Plan to bring tools, a spare tire, a fan belt, and in summer, spare radiator hoses with you on your trip.
Buy some trip food. Nutritious snacks and plenty of water are extremely important when you are going to spend long hours in the car. Try to keep the junk food to a minimum.
Pack up and leave early in the day with a full tank of gas. Drive in short shifts of 1 to 4 hours, with frequent rest breaks. Continue until your gas tank is half-empty, then stop and refill.
Try to limit your daily driving to no more than 600 miles – or 10 hours – per day. Use this formula when scheduling lodging stops.
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Publish Date
- July 26, 2022
