Road-tripping anywhere across the United States requires careful planning, physical stamina, and a spirit of adventure. After all, you have one chance at getting this right. Once you head out to the open road, there’s no turning back. Sure you could wing it and plan as you go but you risk being disappointed later when you realize you’ve missed out on visiting some iconic destinations if you had just taken the time to do a little research.
Last year when I got home from a cross-country road trip with my son, I realized we drove through Tennessee and passed up a golden opportunity. Little did I know the finance guru that my husband and I listen to on the radio had his show based there. How cool it would have been to have snapped a picture in front of the building of Dave Ramsey Solutions and to have visited the lobby of the building during his live studio hours. I wished I had planned my route better and researched what I wanted to see.
Planning
It’s important to plan out how many days you’ll be gone, where you’ll want to go, where you’ll stay overnight, and what to pack in your cooler. Yes, a cooler is paramount for bringing along on road trips. When hunger strikes, you will lose precious time and spend a lot of money if you pull off the highway every time you want an iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts or hummus and raw vegetables at Wawa. Despite your best efforts, gas stops, caffeine urges, and bathroom breaks don’t always coincide.
Last year, I asked my sister if she’d like to go on a road trip to visit our sister in Arizona. Before I said another word, she said “I’ll pack the cooler.” I’d soon learn that she was the “cooler master.” Before we started our journey, she prepared her Igloo MaxCold Profile 54qt Roller Cooler and kept it stocked with ice and beverages throughout the entire trip.
Her cooler preparation was a work of art. First, she layered ice on the bottom and stocked it with our favorite beverages; water bottles, flavored seltzers, Diet Coke, and iced coffees. Then she asked me what kind of cold cuts and cheeses I liked. She packed ham, turkey, Swiss, and American, wrapped them in paper towels in a ziplock bag so they wouldn't get slimy, and tucked them into a Tupperware container so they wouldn’t get waterlogged. It worked. Then she brought an 8 pack of croissants. We had these sandwiches every day for breakfast to offset the cost of meals when we splurged for dinner at an outdoor cafe or restaurant. Lunches were granola bars on the road or local fare such as corn dogs at the San Diego Zoo, or In and Out Burger on the road.
Stamina
When driving across the United States, I recommend sleeping in hotels instead of camping (or heaven forbid, sleeping in the car). Going on a road trip is challenging enough without the added stress of having to set up camp in unknown territory or waking up tired and with a stiff neck because you didn't want to spend the money on a room. And the last thing you want to do is pitch a tent when you’re tired, hungry, and just want to chill out for the night after driving all day.
My favorite hotel for comfort and economy? I like staying at the Comfort Inn and Suites or Sleep Inn by Choice Hotels. Not only are they affordable but I always get a good night’s rest sleeping on their fluffy pillows, comfortable mattresses, and clean sheets and blankets. They also have free hot breakfasts, and on-site washers and dryers. One morning, my son and I did a much-needed load of laundry at a Sleep Inn in Billings, Montana while leisurely enjoying our breakfast of hot coffee, eggs, and waffles.
While driving, you must be able to stay alert for many long hours. I suggest driving no more than 8-10 hours per day. Anything less and you don’t feel as if you’ve made enough progress. Anything more and it’s plain, not fun.
When my 18-year-old son and his friend road-tripped from New Jersey to California several years back, they decided to take turns driving through the night while the other one slept. They continued driving until they arrived bleary-eyed and exhausted at their destination. Sure they got there in record time, but he now hates driving the 2,700-mile trek to visit the family and will only make his semi-annual trips by airplane.
I also recommend getting in good physical shape before a road trip. Two years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to pick up my aunt in Florida and bring her back home to New Jersey. She used a walker to get around. We stopped in Maryland to use the restrooms which were located up a steep hill and very far from the parking lot. It took us a grueling 20 minutes to get to the ladies’ room and back to the car.
I also recommend getting in good physical shape before a road trip. Two years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to pick up my aunt in Florida and bring her back home to New Jersey. She used a walker to get around. We stopped in Maryland to use the restrooms which were located up a steep hill and very far from the parking lot. It took us a grueling 20 minutes to get to the ladies’ room and back to the car.
You never know what conditions await you when you “gotta go.” Furthermore, being in shape will allow you to hike through a trail or walk around the city after a nice evening meal at your desired location. Starting a walking program per your doctor’s recommendations before your trip will ensure you will be able to endure whatever adventures come your way.
Sense of Adventure
After all your planning and preparations have been completed, it’s time to enjoy the open road and the surprises that will come your way. It helps to keep perspective as you are sure to encounter both disappointments and adventure.
On one cross-country road trip, my son and I took an entire day out of our already tight schedule to visit Yellowstone National Park. This park was huge. It had five entrances spanning three different states, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. We had hoped to see moose but only saw a few bison upon arriving. It was so disappointing. We didn’t see any other animals the rest of the day and to top it off, we exited the park in the wrong state adding extra driving hours to our trip.
On the other hand, while on the same trip, we didn’t know we would be in for the adventure of our lives. One afternoon while driving through Badlands, South Dakota, I saw lightning coming from the sky. It was twilight, the lightning was way up in the distance, and I figured no big deal let’s keep driving. We were in the Great Plains and there was nothing around for hours. Even gas stations were few and far between.
As darkness fell, the rain began coming down in buckets. We couldn’t see 10 feet ahead of us. The lightning was hitting our car multiple times a second. I felt the sensation of the lightning penetrating my whole body as it hit the car. There was one other car on the road. He was racing at 90 mph to get through the storm. It seemed he knew what he was doing but there was no way I could keep up with him in the rain.
I thought we were going to die. No kidding. It was the month of June and my son put Christmas music on to lighten the mood. It didn’t work. We couldn’t go back the other way, we had gone too far in. The storm wouldn’t relent. We had to go through it. I gave up hope of coming out of this alive.
Sense of Adventure
After all your planning and preparations have been completed, it’s time to enjoy the open road and the surprises that will come your way. It helps to keep perspective as you are sure to encounter both disappointments and adventure.
On one cross-country road trip, my son and I took an entire day out of our already tight schedule to visit Yellowstone National Park. This park was huge. It had five entrances spanning three different states, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. We had hoped to see moose but only saw a few bison upon arriving. It was so disappointing. We didn’t see any other animals the rest of the day and to top it off, we exited the park in the wrong state adding extra driving hours to our trip.
On the other hand, while on the same trip, we didn’t know we would be in for the adventure of our lives. One afternoon while driving through Badlands, South Dakota, I saw lightning coming from the sky. It was twilight, the lightning was way up in the distance, and I figured no big deal let’s keep driving. We were in the Great Plains and there was nothing around for hours. Even gas stations were few and far between.
As darkness fell, the rain began coming down in buckets. We couldn’t see 10 feet ahead of us. The lightning was hitting our car multiple times a second. I felt the sensation of the lightning penetrating my whole body as it hit the car. There was one other car on the road. He was racing at 90 mph to get through the storm. It seemed he knew what he was doing but there was no way I could keep up with him in the rain.
I thought we were going to die. No kidding. It was the month of June and my son put Christmas music on to lighten the mood. It didn’t work. We couldn’t go back the other way, we had gone too far in. The storm wouldn’t relent. We had to go through it. I gave up hope of coming out of this alive.
We prayed. We sang. We sweated it out.
At around 1 am, we saw a little shack that looked like a motel. We pulled over to get some shuteye and relief from the storm. The motel keeper said his home was five hours away and he lived at the motel. It was how he made his living. He went home to see his family only a few days a month. We stayed the night. We were in the middle of nowhere. We had survived. It was one of the most thrilling adventures I had ever had.
Road-tripping is not for the finicky, faint-hearted, or inflexible soul. It takes careful planning, physical strength, and endurance to do it right. But if done well, you’ll also find it is one of the most memorable and satisfying experiences you’ll share with friends and family for generations to come.
Road trip anyone? And don’t forget to pack the cooler.
At around 1 am, we saw a little shack that looked like a motel. We pulled over to get some shuteye and relief from the storm. The motel keeper said his home was five hours away and he lived at the motel. It was how he made his living. He went home to see his family only a few days a month. We stayed the night. We were in the middle of nowhere. We had survived. It was one of the most thrilling adventures I had ever had.
Road-tripping is not for the finicky, faint-hearted, or inflexible soul. It takes careful planning, physical strength, and endurance to do it right. But if done well, you’ll also find it is one of the most memorable and satisfying experiences you’ll share with friends and family for generations to come.
Road trip anyone? And don’t forget to pack the cooler.
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