The Ultimate First-Timers' Guide to Road Tripping

The idea of getting in your car and driving across the country can be quite exciting, and daunting at the same time. If we could redo our first road trip, there`s so many things we`d do differently. So many things we didn`t know about, and so many things we didn`t even think of when planning on our first road trip.

To make your first road trip journey a success, here`s my list of things to know before you head out on your first road trip:

1. Have a plan, but know that not everything goes as planned.

2. Leave room in your plan for unexpected detours, whether good or bad … things happen.

3. Road trip with an open mind and a curious heart.

4. Off-the-beaten-path adventures are more fun than “tourist traps” as they’re often quite quirky and different than anything else you’ll see.

5. Try to plan many free activities like parks, roadside attractions and landmarks. This is a great way to save on road trip costs.

6. Consider purchasing a National Parks Pass if you plan to visit 2 or more American national parks.

7. Set a road trip budget ahead of time. We often use Roadtrippers and Google Maps to figure out how long it will take to get from one destination to another, and how much gas we think we’ll need. This is a huge chunk of your overall road trip cost, so good to know in advance.

8. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions. We’ve picked up nuggets of information from locals while asking for road trip directions.

9. Visitor information centers are a great hub of information, and most have free wifi and clean bathrooms.

10. Plan for down days between road trip destinations, you’re going to need it.

11. Know your time zones.

12. Spend time on Google, search for information on the towns you’re visiting. You might find fun things like the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory along your way, and might even be able to do an ice cream tour.

13. Map out where you’re going to sleep, but don’t plan too far ahead as your road trip plans might change.

14. Make sure to do at least one activity in each state or province that you visit.

15. Travel with a spare tire. You never know when you’re going to need it.

16. Travel with a pillow and blanket for quick naps, but also for safety reasons for if you get stuck somewhere remote and can’t find help for a while.

17. Make sure to travel with essentials like food and water for at least 2 days, a cooler for your food/water, a GPS or map, a first aid kid, flashlight, road flares, and any other safety essentials you think you’ll need.

18. Pack a huge stack of CDs or load up your iPod with great music to keep you entertained for days.

And lastly …

Remember that road tripping is supposed to be fun! Enjoy your time exploring, and make great travel memories.

What sort of tips would you offer first-time road trippers?