Embarking on a road trip across America is an exciting adventure filled with diverse landscapes, cultures, and experiences. A user asked the forum, “What is something I need to know when planning a road trip across America?”
The original poster also added the following information, “Three (maybe four) girls all around 20. We’re basically planning on leaving the northeast, driving across to Washington, down California, and then back diagonal to the northeast.
Camping as many nights as possible, eating as cheaply as possible, and just taking our time exploring. What is your best advice?”
Here are the top responses.
LEARN HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE
“Knowing how to change a tire is very important on a long drive like that.”
PACK AS LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE
“Pack as lightly as possible and have cash on hand for emergencies. Get some nice socks and boots for exploring. Get paper maps. Never trust technology to last. Also, have something on hand in case you need to defend yourself.”
DO FUN THINGS
“If you see something that looks like fun, do it. Example: passing a shack labeled ‘world best burgers’ in the middle of a dust storm near Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 100+ miles from any signs of civilization in west Texas.”
LEAVE TIME TO EXPLORE RANDOM THINGS
“Don’t plan the trip out before you go other than a general outline, and leave time to explore random things you discover along the way.”
FILL UP YOUR TANKS
“Never pass up an opportunity to fill up your tank. Be prepared to break down several times. Have lots of water on hand for drinking and your radiator. Use real maps, preferably an atlas.
Don’t speed, and wear seat belts. Have an emergency kit. Take great music, but listen to local radio, too. Call home every day to update progress. Be prepared to spend some money!
You can only plan some details, but that is the point! Let the journey unfold.”
GET THE NATIONAL PARKS CARDS
“Get the National Parks Card. It’s $ 80 for a pass to get into any National Park to camp, access showers, etc. You only need one per car.”
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY
“Contact your credit card company and ask them to place a note on your account about your planned travel. Include the states you plan to be in and the approximate time frame.
When your card is denied at the gas pump because you’ve traveled through multiple states, you can call them and already have the note on the account.”
YOU NEED A LOT OF SLEEP
“You need a lot of sleep. You don’t want to sleep while driving.”
STAY OFF THE INTERSTATES
“Stay off the interstates unless you’re trying to get somewhere in a hurry or someplace congested. The numbered state and United States highways are always exciting and full of memorable sights and experiences. At least in my experience, this is true west of the Mississippi.
Also, before you go, get an oil & oil filter change at the bare minimum and check the tread on your tires to ensure they’re ready.”
PACK WATER FOR FOUR PEOPLE
“Water. Always have water with you for four people. A minimum of a 24-pack case. Plus, a weapon you are comfortable with.”
DON’T DRIVE DURING CERTAIN TIME PERIOD
“Do not try to drive around the District Of Columbia (DC) between 7 am-10 am or 3 pm-7 pm on a weekday. You will sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours and be miserable.
Plan to hit DC on a Saturday or Sunday for easy driving. If you must be in the area during the weekday, plan your travel hours accordingly, and either way, use the public transit to get into and out of the city for touristy sightseeing.”
CARRY A TOWEL
“Always make sure you have your towel.”
CARRY MORE MONEY
“Make sure you have 1.5 or even 2x more money than you need. You’ll need more because there are expenses you didn’t think about.”
TAKE NOTE OF ROAD SIGNS
“Take note of road signs. In many states, there are road signs with three-digit numbers you can call for the highway patrol. If you are lost, and the GPS (Global Positioning System) isn’t working or available, you can call them for help. I did this twice in Miami because the road system was confusing, and I took the wrong turn several times.”
TRAVEL WITH PEPPER SPRAY
“If you are all girls, I recommend traveling in pairs, especially if you are uncomfortable with a particular area. It may also be wise to have at least one canister of pepper spray. Better safe than sorry.”
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This article was originally published on Mrs. Daaku Studio.