When I was a teenager, my cousins and I dreamed of taking a road trip across the country. Part of it was living out our “Britney Spears in Crossroads” fantasy, but we also just wanted to see the world. At least, our slice of it. Long story short, our parents said no; however, we still talk about taking that drive every now and then. A road trip through the United States can be a fun and liberating time. For some, it’s even a rite of passage.
As the U.S. is such a huge and diverse country, there’s so much to see and do. The journey is just as much of a part of the trip as the actual vacation itself! If you’ve never taken a road trip, planning one can feel a bit daunting. The good news is that there are steps you can take ahead of time to make sure you get the most out of it. Whether you’re driving a car you’ve just bought from a reputable dealer, such as edmunds, or if you are planning on renting a vehicle, the choice is up to you. Here are some of our top tips for taking a road trip in the United States.
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Have a rough idea of where you want to go ahead of time
While one of the best things about a road trip is the freedom. You also want a rough idea of where you’re going. This means you can calculate your route, work out fuel costs and factor in any places that you want to visit. You can leave a lot until the last minute, but by having the rough details in place, it makes the whole process a lot easier!
Pack smart
As stated, you have a lot more freedom when packing for a road trip. However, be aware that you’ll be packing and unpacking a lot along the way. Don’t take an unnecessary amount of luggage, and instead try to limit your belongings as much as you can. If you’re stopping at multiple hotels, you can use packing cubes to consolidate your outfits for each location. It’ll make it a whole lot easier to find what you’re looking for.
Book your activities before you go when you can
If there are certain places you want to go and activities you want to do, it’s always better to try and book them ahead of time. Booking in advance means you can make the most of discounts and off-peak season prices. It also means you can likely go when you want without fear of it being sold out. Look for promo codes when you book ahead of time, too. It’s better to know the attraction will definitely be open rather than turning up on the day and finding out it’s shut down or sold out, which would ruin your plans.
A road trip through the States is a memorable experience. The landscape alone is extremely diverse, not only between regions of the country, but between states. You can travel just a few hours and be somewhere that’s completely different in terms of weather, culture, and experiences.
What are some of your top tips for taking a road trip in the U.S.?
Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
Header: Zoe Saldana, Taryn Manning, and Britney Spears in Crossroads (MTV Films, Paramount Pictures)
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