Ah, road trips. There’s nothing like packing up your car and driving hundreds of miles, eating junk food, and listening to that playlist you so meticulously put together. A US road trip is a must for any traveler, as the United States is as varied and unique as its people. There are quite a few ways to make the planning process easier. In this article, I will give you some tips, tricks, and advice on how to plan an American road trip!
Use A Road Trip Planning App
Apps and websites such as Roadtrippers and Google Maps can be lifesavers for a road trip. They both allow you to map out your trip and show you the best routes to get from place to place. However, I suggest using Roadtrippers for original planning.
Roadtrippers is a free site that not only easily maps out a road trip route but suggests activities and accommodation along the way. To really plan out that trip, you can add specific activities, restaurants, and other points of interest to your map. I used Roadtrippers for the first time while planning a trip in October 2018. Roadtrippers also has some incredible paid functions that will really boost your road trip’s potential. You can try a free 30-day trial here!
The app is a great way to discover restaurants and interesting places you may have never considered when you plan your US road trip. Just be sure to download the route in case wifi gets spotty!
To discover popular and recommended activities in the areas you will be visiting, check out Tripadvisor. I often check the site for recommendations in an area I have never been before, even if I am just stopping for a night. You never know what could be in that little town! Booking tours and activities can be completed directly through TripAdvisor as well.
Driving and Navigation Tips
Google Maps is the top app I use for navigation. I keep the app running even if I know where I’m going for the time being (such as staying on a highway for multiple hours) because the GPS tracker will continue to work on the app. If you exit out of the app and attempt to use it again in a spotty cell service area, it may not work! Keep that app running and keep your phone on a charger in the car.
Google Maps can also be used to star locations directly on your phone. So, if you have a particular place in mind, or if someone recommends something to you, you can star it on the map to be able to access it later. This is especially helpful if you forget the name of your hotel. Just star it on the map, and you’ll always be able to access the directions.
I can’t talk about driving a US road trip without talking about gas. Gas costs will make up the bulk of your budget during the trip. GasBuddy is an app that maps out the locations and costs of the nearest gas stations, or gas stations in a specified city. This way, if your budget is tight, you can actually map out where and when to buy gas based on cost!
For my readers NOT from the US, or for those who would rather rent a car than use their own for a road trip, check out Skyscanner car rental deals! This search engine site is excellent at finding deals in an area for car rentals. Check out cars to rent here!
Road Trip Accommodation in the US
Hotels are another expensive item on the road trip budget. However, they don’t have to be! Various apps and websites can help you score discounted or even free accommodation for the night. ALWAYS stop if you are getting drowsy behind the wheel. There is never an excuse for driving while exhausted, even if it means stopping earlier than planned.
HotelTonight is both a website and app that finds discounted hotel rooms for that night. These are rooms the hotel desperately wants to fill, so they are often highly discounted, especially for a last-minute booking. It’s one of my absolute must-have travel apps. Get $25 off your first stay with my referral code, SMINTNER.
Couchsurfing is a website and app that finds locals in the area for you to crash on their couch, floor, or spare bedroom for free. It’s a great way to cut costs and meet locals. Just be sure to pack an air mattress or sleeping bag if you intend to go this route, just in case! Some Couchsurfing hosts allow last-minute bookings, while others prefer to receive requests ahead of time.
Airbnb is a website and app that allows you to book a local’s house or other living quarters, similarly to booking a hotel, but with a homey and often unique experience. Airbnbs used to be a cheaper alternative to hotels, but in the US they are starting to skyrocket in price. They can be worth it if you are looking for a specific experience, but I rarely use Airbnbs on road trips.Â
Skyscanner is a search engine and app that allows you to search for hotels, hostels, and apartments in an area. It’s a great way to find deals ahead of time if you’re nervous about using an app such as HotelTonight last minute.Â
Hostelworld is my favorite app to find hostels. There aren’t a lot of hostels around the United States, especially compared to Europe and southeast Asia, but there are some you can find on the west coast.Â
Take Your Time!
My final, and most important, advice for taking a US road trip is to take your time! Enjoy the scenery in between locations. Explore new areas and don’t over plan. You may just find a secret spot that you love by exploring!
Good luck on your road trip around the United States. Feel free to comment on anything I might have missed or tell me some of your favorite spots!
Search Road Trip Resources
Like this article? Pin it!
I would so love to go on a roadtrip through historical England! Great Post hunny!
That would be so fun!
Great post. I would have loved to see information on how to hire a car in the US. As a Brit I have no clue
That is a very good point. As a US native, it’s not something I typically think about! (I’m technically not even old enough here to rent a car…you have to be 25!)
Hi Jenny! I have recently updated this article to include a site for car rental in the US :)