With warmer weather and sunny days on the horizon, you might be feeling the pull of wanderlust and the desire to hit the open road. If you’re getting ready to take a road trip—solo or with friends or family—read through our best road trip advice to set yourself up for a fun, safe, and memorable trip!

Planning a Road Trip

Have a Road Trip Budget

Certainly the least exciting part of any travel plan, creating a budget is nonetheless an essential aspect of road trip prep. It will help you decide where you can feasibly travel to, the types of accommodations you should seek, and the kinds of activities, events, or tourist spots you can add to your itinerary. When you’re planning your budget, remember to keep in mind expenses like:

• Gas
• Food on the road
• Accommodations
• Tickets or admission fees for events, theme parks, national parks, etc.
• Parking
• Tolls
• Emergencies (car repair, cancellations or disruptions, medical needs, etc.)

Pick a Destination

Your choice of destination will probably come somewhere in the middle of your budget planning, as you’ll want to choose a destination and route that’s not too expensive, while accounting for specific activities and stops along the way. The US boasts tons of incredible road trips, such as:

• Classics like Route 66
• Impressively scenic and Instagram-worthy destinations
• Historic roads like the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway
• All-time favorites like California’s Pacific Coast Highway

Know What To Pack on a Road Trip

Next, you’ll need to remember what to bring on a road trip. This will vary depending on your destination and the needs of yourself and other travelers, but in general, you should pack things like:

• Car safety items
• First aid kit
• Electronics and chargers
• Snacks for the road
• Water
• Entertainment (music, books, games, etc.)
• Proper clothes and shoes for your destination and route
• Weather necessities like snow chains or sun shades

Long Distance Driving Tips

Are you headed on a cross-country trip, or are you planning on spending long hours on the road? Here are some tips for long road trips and driving safety:

• Perform vehicle checks beforehand
• Make sure your vehicle’s temperature controls are working properly
• Stay alert and minimize distractions
• Get enough sleep and don’t drive while tired
• Take breaks
• Bring a passenger to keep you alert or to switch off driving

Have a safe trip and a fun time enjoying America’s scenic beauty!

Here at Scenic America, we value our country’s scenic beauty and want to see it persist. We work to preserve the Scenic Byways, landscapes, and towns that define our nation’s visual character. Donate today to help us protect our beautiful places and the heart of our country’s character!