Secrets to a Better Road Trip
Road trips are often romanticized.
We picture scenic highways, charming small towns, spontaneous detours, and unforgettable views.
What we don't picture is realizing your hotel is 45 minutes from where you actually wanted to be, arriving after dark with nowhere to eat, or discovering that the "must-see" attraction on your itinerary is closed the day you're passing through.
The truth is that great road trips aren't just about where you're going. They're about everything that happens in between.
The Best Stops Usually Aren't the Famous Ones
One of the biggest mistakes road trippers make is focusing exclusively on major destinations.
The hidden beach. The roadside bakery. The scenic overlook that isn't in the guidebook. The local café you'll talk about for years.
Those are often the moments people remember most.
That's especially true when traveling with children or dogs. Some of the most famous attractions can involve long lines, crowded spaces, limited shade, or restrictions that make them less enjoyable for your travel companions. Sometimes the quiet park, small-town ice cream shop, or lesser-known trail ends up being the highlight of the entire trip.
A well-planned road trip leaves room for discovery while still providing enough structure to avoid unnecessary stress.
Driving Time Matters More Than Most People Think
On paper, six hours of driving may not seem like much.
In reality, six hours can quickly become eight or nine once you factor in fuel stops, meals, traffic, construction, scenic detours, and bathroom breaks.
When planning a road trip, I always recommend thinking about how you want to feel when you arrive, not just how long the drive appears on Google Maps.
This might mean planning to travel only 100 miles in a day on a scenic stretch of road instead of 200, so you have plenty of time for impromptu stops to take in the scenery. Or it could mean planning a shorter stretch to make sure you get to your hotel early one night, so that you can enjoy sunrise over the mountains the next morning.
Being overly ambitious about how many miles you can do in one day may mean more distance covered, but you could miss out on some of the best parts of the trip that way because you don’t have time to stop and enjoy any of it.
If there’s ever a choice, my vote is always on a shorter distance roadtrip versus a longer one. This always gives you more days to spend taking in the roadside diners, small town boutiques, national parks, and views over the horizon.
Where You Stay Changes the Entire Experience
A hotel is never just a place to sleep on a road trip.
The right property can put you within walking distance of restaurants, waterfronts, trails, and local attractions.
The wrong property can leave you spending half your vacation sitting in traffic, or you’re worried your car’s going to get broken into in the middle of the night.
Famously, on one road trip I took, I found myself stranded in the middle of Kansas where all the hotels off the interstate were mysteriously booked for a softball tournament. Finding a place to sleep ended up adding two hours onto an already long travel day. I haven’t made the same mistake since.
Choosing accommodations thoughtfully and strategically (and in advance!) often has a bigger impact on a road trip than adding another scenic attraction. It also helps set the stage for your route if you’re struggling with stitching together an itinerary.
Pack One "Grab-and-Go" Bag
Instead of digging through your luggage at every hotel, keep one bag with your overnight essentials that’s easily accessible in your car.
This bag will be where you keep things like your toothbrush, toothpaste, contact solution, pajamas, and a change of underwear, as well as your dog’s food and water bowl.
You'll thank yourself when you're only staying one night and don’t have to unpack the whole car.
Road Trips Can Be One of the Most Affordable Family Vacations
Traveling with children can get expensive quickly.
Airfare for a family of four, checked bags, airport meals, rental cars, and transportation costs can add up before the vacation even begins.
Road trips allow families to control costs while maintaining flexibility. You can pack snacks, bring strollers, and stow extra gear without worrying about baggage fees. Road trips also provide the flexibility each day to adjust your schedule based on everyone's energy levels.
Perhaps most importantly, road trips make it easier to build an itinerary around your family's interests instead of forcing your family to adapt to a rigid travel schedule.
The best family road trips often include a mix of major attractions, outdoor spaces, and plenty of opportunities to simply stop and explore along the way.
Road Trips Are Perfect for Travelers With Dogs
One of the reasons I love road trips is that they're often one of the easiest ways to travel with dogs.
You can pack what you need, stop when you want, and explore destinations at your own pace.
With the right accommodations and route planning, road trips can be an incredible way to create memories with your four-legged travel buddy.
Dog-friendly road trip itineraries are also a unique look at a destination that dog-less travelers miss.
Traveling with your dog, you naturally end up in more rugged (and beautiful) trails because they allow dogs off leash, whereas the more popular and crowded trail across town doesn’t. Or you strike up a conversation with a local at the dog park while both your dogs play and get a local’s recommendation for what to do for the night. And then you end up at a fun and lively restaurant with a stunning outdoor patio because it has a menu specifically for dogs. All gems you would have missed out on if you took the more convenient (and less dog-friendly) route.
Road Trips Are One of the Best Ways to Travel Solo
I’ve traveled solo (as a woman) on the road both in the US and abroad, and never once felt unsafe. If I can do it, you definitely can, too!
What I love most about it? You control the pace.
Want to spend an extra day in a town you love? Stay.
Want to skip an attraction that no longer interests you? Move on.
Unlike group tours or fixed itineraries, road trips give you the freedom to follow your curiosity while still providing the comfort of having your own transportation and a plan in place.
That said, a little preparation goes a long way. Booking accommodations in advance, identifying safe overnight stops, and planning realistic driving days can help you feel confident while still leaving room for spontaneity.
Some of the most memorable trips I've taken have involved getting off the highway, following a recommendation from a local, and discovering a place I never would have found otherwise. When traveling solo, you have even more room for this kind of spontaneity, because there’s no one in the car to negotiate pit stops with. I highly encourage that you take full advantage of that freedom to make the travel itinerary fully your own!
So What Does a Travel Advisor Actually Do?
I and many other travel advisors specializing in road trips can help with:
Route planning
Hotel recommendations
Scenic stop suggestions
Dog and kid-friendly accommodations
Activity recommendations
Transportation logistics
Travel insurance guidance
Most importantly, we help turn a collection of destinations into a cohesive trip.
The Journey Is the Vacation
Road trips are one of the few types of travel where the journey is just as important as the destination.
The best road trips feel effortless while you're taking them.
That's usually because someone took the time to think through the details beforehand.
A little planning won't eliminate spontaneity.
It creates more room for it.