Road trip guide

The Ultimate Cross-Country Road Trip Guide

Plan smarter. Travel farther. Stress less.

1. Introduction

You've probably seen videos online and read in books and seen on Facebook about how people take crazy trips across the country and think, WOW I would love to do that.

Well good news it's not very hard but just takes some planning and research and you'll be on your way.

I've put this guide together to point you in the right direction and give you some hints and tips.

I've driven all over the US and Canada and I've made my fair share of mistakes. So let me tell you my experience and that way you won't have the same problem 

2. Choosing Your Route

Routes have different styles and vibes to them so it's important to think about what your goal is for the trip.

The 3 categories I put my trips into are as follows.

Direct: You want the fastest most efficient route direct to destination.

Scenic: while you still have a travel time window you'd like to see some of the sights on the way.

Excursion: You want to see the countryside and see stuff the average person doesn't get to.

While the style of your route is important, weather conditions will be the key. 

Research not only the weather at your destination but also pick some key areas along the way. 

Long range trips often have a wide variety of terrain that can bring a lot of different weather and driving conditions so make sure you know what to expect.

When I'm planning my route I usually use Google maps. It's simple and free and answers a lot of the questions I have.

If I'm going offroad or looking for hard to reach spots I'll often use Google maps plus Bing maps to get some good satellite imagery. Unfortunately I've used On X a few times but find a lot of the trails aren't accurate yet but it's still a useful tool in the research.

3. Trip Length & Timing

My general rule of thumb when planning a trip's length is to expect 15 minutes of delay for every hour you drive. While this may be excessive it gives you breathing room whether it be weather, traffic, fuel stops you'll almost always have delays.

As for driving time per day it depends on what your goal is as listed above.

Direct: I try to drive as long as I can safely. I usually do 10-12 hours in a day but sometimes do shorter if I'm tired or longer if I'm feeling good. A buddy system always works great if you have multiple drivers.

Scenic: I try to limit the day to 8 hours. This allows some time for quick stops and sightseeing and time to stretch your legs but still allows you to make up good time.

Excursion: This one is a solid one for me. I only plan to drive 4 hours a day. This allows for lots of stops, having a picnic, even a hike if you've timed it right with your stops.

Remember it's what you're comfortable with and what you have time for. Don't push yourself and risk having an accident.

 

Full Guide Access

You’re partway through the journey.

The sections above cover planning and route strategy. The rest of this guide gets into the practical details that make or break a road trip.

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Vehicle prep checklist

Packing & food strategies

Budget planning tips

Accommodation options

Safety planning for long and remote drives

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