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17 BOREDOM BUSTING THINGS TO DO ON A ROAD TRIP (FROM A FULL-TIME ROAD TRIPPER)

Looking for some fun things to do on a road trip to pass the time? Whether you’re traveling with friends, on a family road trip, or driving solo, we’ve compiled a list of things to do in the car to save you from the dreaded road trip question, “Are we there yet?”

After our own cross-country road trip adventure and our years of living as a full-time travel family , we have come up with an arsenal of things to do on long road trips. Everything we suggest is things we’ve done ourselves and truly find entertaining . So while the license plate game is a classic road trip game…does anyone actually have fun playing it?

Whether you’re looking for unique road trip activities or fun road trip games, you’re sure to find something that will help pass the time. Scroll through our list of the best things to do on long car rides and see what gets you excited.

WANT MORE ROAD TRIP CONTENT? CHECK OUT THESE POSTS:

How To Plan A Cross Country Road Trip How To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler The Only Road Trip Packing List You’ll Ever Need How We Renovated Our 1979 Camper For $650 An Epic Itinerary For A Road Trip Through Utah’s Five National Parks 160 Road Trip Questions To Keep The Conversation Flowing The Ultimate Road Trip Food List

*This “Things To Do On A Road Trip” post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we genuinely think are helpful.

17 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON A ROAD TRIP

• CONVERSATION STARTER GAMES

Before you dive into the endless scroll on Instagram, how about getting to know your travel mates better? The open road is a great place to put down your phone and have an engaging conversation. Scroll through our list of fun, deep, and silly road trip questions to get the conversation rolling. Perhaps you’ll learn something you never knew before!

• DREAM UP A BUCKET LIST

We’ve been road-tripping together for over 15 years now, and one of our favorite things to do on a road trip is to dream up an adventure together. We pull out some pen and paper and write down our top ten places we want to go. On a car ride to Northern California, is where we first started to dream up our grand trip to Croatia . Some advice–dream big and don’t get caught up in the grounded reality of “how” it’s going to happen. Figure that part out later. For now, it’s about dreaming up all the places you would love to visit. You can use an old-fashioned notebook or have a special bucket list journal as we do. You can also check out our bucket list for families post if you need some inspiration.

• ROAD TRIP TRIVIA

I’m a trivia lover. Inside my head is a bunch of totally useless information that is only helpful for when I’m playing a game like trivial pursuit. The best way to pass an hour or two on a long car ride is to test out your own trivia knowledge. You can narrow the topic down to a specific topic like 2000’s trivia and travel trivia or you can go for a general trivia deck. If you don’t want to purchase a trivia deck, you can also check out our post with 41 road trip trivia questions about the USA, travel, and road trips.

• MUSIC GAMES

If you’re more of a music buff, play a fun music trivia game to test your music knowledge. Are you sure you can remember the name of that top 40 hit from the ’90s? Download a music trivia app and play it into your car speakers so everyone can play together.

• AUDIBLE BOOKS

If you’re looking for things to do on a car ride by yourself, then an Audible book is the reigning champion of car activities. Long car rides are a perfect place to learn about a new skill, read a murder mystery, or a frivolous comedy that quickly passes the time away. If you don’t have an audible membership, you can look at doing a free 30-day trial here . Don’t forget to download the books before leaving so you aren’t using data or relying on a good signal.

Also, if not everyone wants to listen to the Audible together, make sure to bring your headphones (if you’re the passenger), so you can listen to your heart’s content.

For more road trip essentials, check out our complete road trip packing list.

If you’re looking for road trip entertainment, a podcast can offer a more engaging experience since they tend to have interviews and a more traditional talk radio format. The range of topics is immense, from family-friendly storytelling to educational discussions to creepy murder plots, so do a quick search in a subject you might be interested in or look through a list of the most popular podcasts .

• LEARN A LANGUAGE

Now is the time you will FINALLY learn how to speak Cantonese. Live out your dream of fluently speaking a different language and mixing in with the locals by downloading a language-learning app and listening to it in your car. Top language learning apps are Rosetta Stone and Babbel .

• 20 QUESTIONS GAME

Twenty Questions is the quintessential car ride game to pull out when you’re brainstorming things to do on a road trip. If you haven’t played the game, the basic idea is that someone can ask 20 yes or no questions to help them guess what you’re thinking about. You’ll set a topic like “celebrities” and ask away. For example, “Is this person a singer?” or “Are they alive?” and so on until you can guess the person.

This game is so trivial, but gosh darn it, we love playing this game when we need things to do on a long road trip. I honestly think we’ve managed to pass an entire hour away going back and forth with the ABC game. The game goes like this: You set up a general category like “fruit” or “animals” and then go back and forth, listing fruit in ABC order. For instance, partner A says “apple,” and partner B says “banana,” and so on.

• CHECK OFF YOUR TO DO LIST

I might be revealing how much of a parent I am right now, but long drives in the car are where I can often get banal stuff done. Something about being strapped into a car with nowhere to run allows me to check things off my list, like planning out our meals for a month or plotting out a content calendar for our blog. If you’re a passenger, grab your calendar and check things off your to-do list you’ve meant to do but never manage to. Maybe that long car ride is when you finally clear out your inbox with 10,000 emails dating back to 2001.

• PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

On the flip side of trying to fill every moment in your life with something to do, you can go the opposite way and meditate, do breathwork, or practice mindfulness in the car. When I used to have a 45-minute commute from work, I would often put on my breathing app and listen to it the entire ride home so I could ground myself before going into the onslaught of mom life. Even if you’re not a parent, our minds chatter away all day, so having a dedicated time to ground and listen to a guided meditation or guided breathwork is a fantastic alternative to getting stressed by traffic and everything that life throws your way. You can choose to do it self-guided or download an app that guides you through the process. I used Headspace, but there are hundreds to choose from. Check out this article for some good recommendations.

Also, if you’re the driver, it’s best to stick to guided breathing rather than a meditation that suggests you close your eyes. Because, you know…road safety.

• HAVE A PINTEREST PICNIC

Road tripping can often mean gas station burritos or fast food burgers that leave you feeling sluggish and guilty. Change it up by having a Pinterest-worthy picnic complete with gourmet charcuterie, pinot noir, and a red checkered picnic blanket. You don’t have to have those specific things, but having a pre-packed picnic with nicer food is a fun change in energy when you’ve been spending a few hours on the road. Instead of packing a cooler or an oversized wooden picnic basket, use a picnic backpack like this that comes with silverware, wine glasses (for the passengers), plates, cutting board, blanket, napkins, and more. Check your Google Maps for a park that’s right off the highway, or try out a picnic table at a rest stop.

For food suggestions, check out our post on the best road trip foods .

• SCOUT FOR ROADSIDE ODDITIES

While getting from Point A to Point B, take a detour to see some oddball roadside attractions. Oh gosh, there are so many weird things to see in the US. We stopped by Cadillac Ranch, an outdoor art installation featuring 10 Cadillacs buried face down, when we were driving through Amarillo, Texas. Visitors are encouraged to grab a can of spray paint and leave their own artistic mark on the retro cars. You can see videos and pictures of it here on our Instagram. Fun, quirky, and totally worth the 30-minute stop! Finding peculiar roadside attractions feels like a must-do when looking for what to do on a road trip. You can use an app like RoadTrippers to discover what’s on your route.

How long has it been since you’ve played Mad Libs? I think it might be time to bring them out when you’re scheming up things to do on a road trip. There are various mad-lib games available to you, so search for the booklet that hits up your demographic whether you’re traveling with kids or going on a road trip with friends. Start here on your search for the most epic game of road trip mad libs.

• YOUR TOP 5 GAME

A great conversation starter game is to have everyone list their “top 5.” Someone comes up with a topic like the top 5 songs of all time or your five favorite meals of all time. If you are playing with kids, you might want to reduce the number to your top 3. You can write it down, but I find it’s more relaxed to talk about your answers as they come. Other fun topics are the five people who would be at your dinner party, your top five movies, your top five celebrity crushes, or your top five travel destinations.

• CROSSWORD PUZZLES + SUDOKU

For those moments when you’re looking for quiet things to do in a car, pull out a booklet of challenging brain puzzles. I’m always a fan of crossword puzzle booklets and sudoku booklets , but you might like a general brain teaser book with an assortment of puzzles and trivia.

• DOCUMENT THE JOURNEY

Document the road trip journey in a creative way. You can make a travel scrapbook where you collect mementos like postcards or kitschy roadside gifts, or you can take photos or videos of the trip. One fun idea is to ditch the iPhone or Go Pro and opt for an updated but old-fashioned Polaroid camera like this one . If you have kids, you can buy a kid-friendly camera like this one . Just be sure they realize that the camera doesn’t have an infinite supply of photos! The road trip is such a classic adventure that going old school with a Polaroid feels kind of perfect.

Here’s to hours of fun things to do on a road trip! If you have your own unique things to do on a road trip, let us know in the comments below.

We hope the journey is as fun as the destination.

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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100+ Best Road Trip songs (to sing along with as you drive!)

Looking for good road trip songs? Honestly, the right driving songs in the right playlist can make or break a road trip! Here are 100+ best road trip songs to sing along with as you drive!

And don’t forget to download your FREE road trip planner below , to help you plan your road trip.

*We work hard to make this the best motorhome travel blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. The website is supported by our readers, so if you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission- at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain our own .

If you find this post useful, you can also treat us to a coffee – we promise to enjoy it while creating more useful content like this- we might even indulge in a biscuit (or two!)

JUMP AHEAD TO...

Best Road Trip Songs

Planning a road trip or long drive is tough. There are a million things to think about. And one of the things often overlooked is a road trip playlist!

Whether you’re travelling by car, RV, camper or bike, this list of the 100 best road trip driving songs is guaranteed to make the miles fly past!

We’ve got a mix of great driving songs to sing along too: songs for girly summer road trips, classic rock, all-American, a bit of country and some modern 2020 tunes- all designed to create the PERFECT playlist for your journey. And with over 100 road trip songs to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something for everyone to sing along with on the road.

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How to create a great road trip playlist with sing-along songs!

The window wound down, the stereo cranked up and some awesome tunes you can sing along to; perfection, right? But if you’re anything like us, your phone/iPod is a random mix of all sorts of music- including a Christmas album or 7.

That’s why a road trip playlist is so important- you don’t have to worry if the next tune will be great, you already know it will be! 

• Make sure the songs are downloaded onto your phone/ ipod. Otherwise, you’re going to use up a lot of data and/ or run the risk of being in an area with bad signal and no music!
• Like listening to things as you drive? Check out Audible – you can get podcasts, audiobooks and more- it’s a perfect way to pass the time on a long drive.

You might be able to get 3 MONTHS FREE music at Amazon. Click HERE to take advantage 

I’ll be honest- there was some…. let’s call it “discussion”… over the best travel songs to include on this list. My husband prefers classic rock for driving songs. I like songs you can sing along with in the car and songs to drive fast too (NEVER above the speed limit though… right?!)

We compromised on creating a road trip playlist with song choices from all of us, so we hope there’s something in here for you!

So, let’s get to the best road trip songs.

(Update: This post started off as 100 of the best road trip songs… it’s growing as we add more in, so no idea how many are here now!! )

20 Rock Classics- the BEST Road trip Rock songs

• Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins
• Nutbush City Limits – Ike & Tina Turner
• Dude Looks like a Lady – Aerosmith
• American Pie – Don Mclean
• Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/ DC
• Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
• Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses
• All Night Long – Rainbow
• Cats in the Cradle – Ugly Kid Joe
• Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
• Jump – Van Halen
• We Built This City – Starship
• Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams
• Hell ain’t a Bad Place to Be – AC/DC
• The Boys are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy
• Rio – Duran Duran
• Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting – Elton John
• Who are You – The Who
• Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
• Love Walked In – Thunder

Best Driving Songs- All-American road trip songs

• Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
• Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Walk This Way – Aerosmith & Run DMC
• My Life – Billy Joel
• Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
• Footloose – Kenny Loggins
• One of these Nights – The Eagles
• Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf
• Nothing but a Good Time-  Poison

Planning a road trip? You might find these posts useful:

• How to plan a road trip
• The BEST printable road trip planner (FREE!)
• Most useful road trip apps
• 100 inspiring road trip quotes

25 Modern road trip songs to sing along with (2020 update)

Our favourite modern (ish!) driving songs, all of which are perfect to sing along to in the car and belt it out- especially in a traffic jam with people staring at you!! Add any (or all!) of these to your perfect summer road trip playlist.

• Physical- Dua Lipa
• Stupid Love – Lady Gaga
• Dance Monkey – Tones & I (you know you love it…)
• Take Me Back to London – Ed Sheeran
• All the Good Girls go to Hell – Billie Eilish
• What a Man Gotta Do – Jonas Brothers
• Castle on the Hill – Ed Sheeran
• Uptown Funk – Mark Robson & Bruno Mars
• Rockstar – Nickelback
• Looking for a Good Time – Lady Antebellum
• It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
• Take me to Church – Hozier
• Hold Back the River – James Bay
• Shut Up & Dance – Walk the Moon
• Happy – Pharell Williams
• The Pretender – Foo Fighters
• Hall of Fame – The Script
• Centuries – Fall Out Boy
• Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
• The Kill – 30 Seconds to Mars
• Mr Brightside – The Killers
• My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark – Fall Out Boy
• Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time – Panic at the Disco
• Knights of Cydonia – Muse
• If I had you – Adam Lambert
• All the Small Things – Blink 182

The ultimate girl’s road trip playlist- perfect songs to sing along with in the car!

Ah- I LOVE girly road trips, especially in the summer. There’s nothing better than some sunshine, good friends and some GREAT songs on the stereo. Here are some of our favourite road trip songs for girls (although we don’t mind if you boys listen to them too! 😉 )

20 Modern road trip sing-along songs for girls

• Rolling in the Deep – Adele
• Waking Up in Vegas – Katy Perry
• Trouble – Pink
• Everytime We Touch – Cascada
• According to You – Orianthi
• Bang Bang – Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Menaj
• Black Magic – Little Mix
• Heartbeat Song – Kelly Clarkson
• Sax – Fleur East
• Can’t Be Tame d- Miley Cyrus
• Fight Song – Rachel Platten
• The Best Damn Thing – Avril Lavigne
• Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
• U and Ur Hand – Pink!
• Part of Me – Katy Perry
• Shake it Off – Taylor Swift
• This is Me – Greatest Showman Soundtrack
• Raise Your Glass – Pink
• Living la Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
• Baby one more time – Brittany Spears

20 Classic road trip songs for girls to sing along to in the car!

• Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves
• Bitch – Meredith Brooks
• Everything I do, I do it for you – Bryan Adams
• Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler
• Wake Me up before you Go-Go – Wham
• It’s Raining Men – Weather Girls
• Love Shack – B52s
• I’m so Excited – Pointer Sisters
• Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
• 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
• Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
• Heaven is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle
• Man! I Feel like a woman – Shania Twain
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
• Poker Face – Lady Gaga
• Burning Love – Wynonna (I much prefer this version- sorry Elvis!!)
• Love My Life – Robbie Williams
• Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
• Proud Mary – Tina Turner
• Summer Nights- Grease

14 Driving Songs with ‘road in the title’- perfect for a road trip playlist!

• Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
• Every Day is a Winding Road – Sheryl Crow
• Take me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
• The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles
• Bright Side of the Road – Van Morrison
• Long Road To Ruin – Foo Fighters
• Road Trippin’ – Red Hot Chilli Peppers
• Back on the Road Again – REO Speedwagon
• Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
• Road to Hell – Chris Rea
• Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads
• Old Town Road – Lil Nas X
• Roadhouse Blues – The Doors
• Road Less Traveled – Lauren Alaina

15 best songs about driving and cars

Some of the best songs about driving (and cars!) – all perfect for a road trip playlist!

• Mustang Sally – The Commitments
• Bat out of Hell – Meatloaf
• I Drove all night – Roy Orbison
• Rhythm Made Me Do It – Shania Twain
• Drive By – Train
• Greased Lightnin’ – Grease Soundtrack
• Paradise by the Dashboard Light – Meatloaf
• Bad Habit – The Offspring
• Car Wash – Rose Royce
• 2,4,6,8 Motorway – Tom Robinson Band
• Little Red Corvette – Prince
• Pink Cadillac – Bruce Springsteen
• Route 66 – Chuck Berry
• Drive – The Cars
• Drive My Car – The Beatles

Planning a long drive? These post might help

• 15 Essential road trip tips you NEED to know
• Things to remember before you leave
• Healthy snacks for road trips

Best Driving songs to drive faster to (and sing along with!!)

Yes, we’ve already had some AMAZING road trip songs for the playlist, but here are some more to crank it up and sing along with (just watch that speed limit!!)

• Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
• Monkey Wrench – Foo Fighters
• Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
• Beat It – Michael Jackson
• 50 Ways to say Goodbye – Train
• River Deep, Mountain High – Tina Turner
• Cherry Pie – Warrant
• I would do anything for love – Meatloaf
• Addicted to Love – Robert Palmer
• Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard (one of the best songs about sugar ever 😉 )
• Any Way you Want it – Journey (or the Rock of Ages version!)
• DOA – Foo Fighters
• Lowlife – Theory of a Deadman
• Making it Hard – Hinder
• Oblivion – Terrorvision
• Haven’t Had Enough – Marianas Trench
• Angel with a Shotgun – The Cab
• Silent Majority – Nickelback
• Run to You – Bryan Adams
• Thanks for the Mmrs – Fall Out Boy
• The Anthem – Good Charlotte
• Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
• High School Never Ends – Bowling for Soup
• Seven Nation Army – White Stripes
• Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
• Build Me up Buttercup – The Foundations
• Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry
• Come As You Are – Nirvana
• Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus

20 Quieter Road trip songs- for when the kids are sleeping!

These songs are perfect when you want to turn it down a little bit. Admittedly, we tend to turn them up, but then we don’t have young kids anymore!

(Top tip for parents- these children’s car games won’t drive you crazy. Promise!)

• Livin’ Thing – Electric Light Orchestra
• All I Need is a Miracle – Mike and the Mechanics
• Everybody wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears
• Money for Nothing – Dire Straits
• In the Air Tonight – Phil Collins  (just remember to air drum quietly!!)
• I don’t want a lover – Texas
• The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
• The Gambler – Kenny Rogers
• Stay with Me – Rod Stewart
• All Night Long- Lionel Richie
• No Son of Mine – Genesis
• Easy Lover – Phil Collins & Philip Bailey
• Every Little Thing She Does – The Police
• It’s a Beautiful Day – Michael Buble
• Jesus, He knows me – Genesis
• The Day We Caught the Train – Ocean Colour Scene
• All Right Now – Free
• Another Brick in the Wall – Pink Floyd
• Mama Told Me not to Come – Tom Jones
• Boys of Summer – Don Henley

Classic road trip driving songs for EVERY trip

These are some of our favourite driving tunes- but they didn’t really fit anywhere else (or they did, but my OCD with the numbers wouldn’t allow it!) Still, don’t forget to put these onto your ultimate driving playlist!!

• Africa – Toto
• Waterloo – Abba
• Like I Roll – Black Stone Cherry
• Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
• I Love Rock n Roll – Joan Jet
• Counting Stars – OneRepublic
• Song 2 – Blur
• Only The Good Die Young – Billy Joel
• Dreadlock Holiday – 10cc
• Englishman in New York – Sting
• Stacy’s Mom – Bowling for Soup or Fountains of Wayne
• The Power of Love – Huey Lewis and The News
• One of Us – Joan Osborne
• Won’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
• When the Going gets tough – Billy Ocean
• I Can’t Dance – Genesis
• Losing My Religion – R.E.M
• We Are Family – Sister Sledge
• Video Killed the Radiostar – The Buggles
• Hit Me with your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
• I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
• Graceland – Paul Simon
• Since You Been Gone – Rainbow
• Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
• Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz
• I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2

Spotify Link for this road trip playlist

If you’d like to download this playlist on Spotify, you can do so here.

And if you found it helpful and like our playlist, feel free to buy us a coffee 😉

Best Road Trip Songs- how did you like our Playlist?

Every single one of these songs makes us turn the volume up and sing along like crazy people- much to the amusement of anyone around us!

These are driving songs to embarrass yourselves to and enjoy every second.  I hope it’s given you some great ideas for your own road trip playlist- let me know what you include on yours!!

How else can I help you today?

• Record your trip in one of these beautiful road trip logbooks
• How to plan an epic RV trip for beginners
• The BEST gifts for road trippers
• Essential road trip kit
• Best Children’s car Games

Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.

Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.

If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.

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16 comments.

Wow that is a great list. You have a few I had forgotten. Very complete list of all music genre. That is the only problem I have with things like Sirrus and XM you have to select only one type. I love Pandora but as you mentioned DATA, DATA, so Ipod it is for roadtrips.

Thank you! We had a lot of fun writing it and listening to old songs 🙂 Yeah, Data is definitely something worth considering- it can get expensive quickly otherwise!

You missed out poison alive Cooper got to be on

thanks for the information

You’re welcome!

What an awesome song list. Thanks for sharing this list. take care…

You are very welcome- glad you enjoyed it. Happy Road trip!

Great lists. I made playlists on Spotify that can be accessed by anybody. Makes it easy if you have Spotify.

How do I access the playlist that you made

Rockin’ down the highway by The Doobie Brothers

Is there a way to automatically click a link or something so my Apple Music will automatically take and start playing the 150 song list

Wow. Now I have something to do while waiting for lockdown to end. I’ve never heard of some of yours! You won’t have heard of some of mine! Each to his own. I will start with Stones, Clapton, John Mayalls Bluesbreakers, Sonny Boy Williams……….Can’t stop, I’ve got to get my iPod.?

This is a really lovely list. I would also recommend Dead American Presidents’ Peaches for trips through farm country.

I miss the golden Earring with Radar love.

Can’t believe you don’t have and Go-Go’s songs listed!! I can think of a few that are awesome road trip songs !!

What song list to drive faster would not include Deep Purple – Highway Star??? Definitely put your pedal to the metal on that song.

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The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist: Tips and Tricks for any Epic Road Trip Adventure

last Updated: September 12, 2023 road trip

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Heading out on road trip in the near future and looking for the ultimate road trip checklist? Keep reading for tons of these long road trip tips and tricks from highly experienced roadtrippers, and learn what to do before, during, and after your drive!

Road trips are always a good time. However, if you come unprepared, road trips can take a nasty turn for the worst. Should we book a hotel in advance? What about gas? Will there be food and restaurants nearby? How can we entertain ourselves for hours on end? Won’t the kids get bored? Am I allowed to do x in x country? AHHHH! It’s all so much!

That’s why this road trip checklist will definitely come in handy – I know I’ve learned a thing or so from my travel companions! Be sure to keep these long road trip tips handy!

I love me a good road trip. Over the past few years, we’ve road tripped the National Parks of Utah , through Fjords and glaciers in Norway , down the California coast , dreamed of driving from San Francisco allll the way to Seattle , hiked our way through Crater Lake National Park , moved from NYC to San Francisco on a massive cross-country road trip , and driven to a multitude of California hot spots ( Big Sur , Mendocino , Yosemite , Lassen National Park , and Napa Valley – I’m looking at you). I’ve even compiled the best long weekend trips from San Francisco that I’m eager to check off – many being road trips.

There’s nothing like throwing caution to the wind, grabbing those keys and driving off into the sunset. In reality, a road trip needs careful planning with a number of things taken into consideration. Enter this road trip checklist! Make sure to read each and every point before your next road trip adventure!

So get reading, understand the importance of each tip on this road trip checklist, and plan your next epic road trip adventure.

Psst: I commonly use this booking site when searching for low-cost car rental options, and like Skyscanner  (which I use to find low-cost flights) , I frequently find great deals on there!

I like to search  via this site  in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price.

Road Trip Checklist: Long Road Trip Tips and Tricks

Safety tips.

Know the Laws Where You’ll be Driving

The most important advice I can give you before setting out on a road-trip is to brush up on the laws for the country you’ll be driving in. The world may seem to be getting smaller by the day, but the road laws around the world can be very different. Did you know that it’s illegal to drive barefoot in Spain?

Or that you have to have your headlights on 24hrs a day in Sweden? And that it’s illegal to stop on the Autobahn on Germany? I’m not saying you need to know them all the laws, but 10 minutes of browsing Google before you set out could save you some embarrassment, frustration or, worse in the long run.

Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

• What are the basic speed limits?
• What should you do if you have an accident?
• What type of license do you need? – Hopefully you checked this before hiring a car!
• Is there any equipment you have to carry?
• What is the drink-drive limit?
• Who has the right of way at junctions and on roundabouts?

Ben | The Sabbatical Guide

Share the Long Drives

Taking a road trip is a worthwhile travel experience. One of the challenges of a road trip is the long drive. It could be several hours, half a day, or even days before you reach your destinations. For drivers, fatigue kicks in after driving for hours. We handle this situation on our road trip by dividing and conquering the task. One person drives for at least 2 hours while the other person in the front passenger seat navigates.

Even if we use the GPS navigation device for directions, it helps to have another set of eyes to watch for upcoming signs, landmarks, and even other vehicles. After the 2 hours is up, we find the nearest rest stop off the highway or somewhere safe off the road for a quick break and then switch roles. It helps to share the driving and navigating responsibilities with others and to have a more enjoyable ride.

Jackie and Justin | Life of Doing

Do Pre-Car Checks

If you are not renting a car for your road trip, it’s a good idea to do a few quick checks to make sure your car will run smoothly.  It will only take a few minutes but could catch a problem that would derail your trip. First, inspect your tires to make sure that the tread is not too worn.  

If the tread doesn’t look good, you might want to get new tires before heading out on the road. Also, check your tire pressure and adjust so that it meets the level recommended in your owner’s manual.  This will help prevent a blowout or flat tire.

It’s also a good idea to check your oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels and add more if you are running low.  Then check to make sure all your lights are working, Finally, it’s a good idea to fill up with gas before your road trip so you don’t have to stop right away.

Anisa | Two Traveling Texans

Always Have a Paper Map and Know How to Read It

Having a paper map can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a GPS or cell signal. Even if you do have a GPS, you can’t always count on technology. Sometimes the power cords break, the device breaks, or for one reason or another, it just doesn’t work. Or, if you’re like me, you still get lost with a GPS because you turn down the wrong road 85% of the time when it says “turn here.”

Like with anything else, though, what good is it if you don’t know how to use it. I suppose it could still be of use in the form of kindling to start a fire if you get really lost.

Reading a paper map isn’t really that hard of a thing to do. One way to learn how to read a paper map is to find your home or a notable location on the map. It’s the same concept when you are out and about.

Chasing Departures

The Importance of a Good Night’s Sleep

Before heading out on an epic road trip, get a good night’s rest the night before. To avoid drowsy driving, it’s recommend that you sleep an absolute minimum of 4 hours, but 7-8 hours comes highly recommended. In reality, who can even function, let alone drive long distances, on only 4 hours of sleep. Also if you plan to drive at night consider delaying your trip by a few hours or wait until the morning if you are feeling sleepy. Remember, safety first!

Danielle | The Thought Card

Practice Driving on Difficult Roads Beforehand

Try and take the driver’s seat and practice driving on challenging and twisted roads across valleys and other difficult terrain before heading off on your road trip. You don’t exactly know what types of roads you’ll encounter, and it’s best to improve your driving skills and feel comfortable before setting off! I have seen lot of improvements in my driving skills now after implementing this strategy over time.This has helped me to drive on the most challenging and deadliest roads without any problems or issues.

Somnath | Travel Crusade

PLANNING TIPS

Leave Yourself More Driving Time Than You Think You’ll Need

The reason that road trips are so wonderful is that anything is possible. Leave yourself a large buffer of time, so that you can follow the road markers or signs you see on the side of the road to the magical places that the world has to offer that you didn’t even know existed. Most countries have a certain sign to mark historic sites. Sweden has three different kinds to show what kind of attractions you may find. Enjoy your road trip!

The Daily Adventures of Me

Plan Multiple Stops on Long Driving Days

What’s the point in going on a roadtrip if all you see is the highway itself? For us, the most essential thing while being on the road is to make a list of things we want to see on the way – and this is our top priority. We rather have a smaller distance of kilometres travelled, but at least see lots of things.

The best thing to do is to start you travel day by making a list of things that you pass along the route that you want to travel today. Doing so, you won’t miss anything and still have a super relaxed and fun day on the road.

Also, when it comes to stopping on the way, why not plan a picnic at a lake you wanted to see anyway? Having lunch has probably never been that nice before.

Travellers Archive

Forget the Map and Just Drive

Orrrr how about you just don’t plan at all sometimes? I’m not sure I could actually do this, but it’d sure make for a fun adventure!

Whenever you say road trip, people will instantly think about maps. Planning ahead, watching the map so that you know which roads to follow. But what if you forgot about any maps whatsoever? What if you just hop in your car, van, camper, bike, and just go wherever the road takes you.

Being curious on a road trip may prove to be the key ingredient for having memorable experiences. If you happen to spot a road that surprisingly doesn’t appear on your map, you might want to explore it. It could lead you to some incredible places, to some off-the-beaten trails and authentic destinations.

Don’t just stick to the main roads. You might just wake up in a forgotten village, or in a picturesque place, surrounded by wildlife. Don’t be afraid to get lost as the best road trips are not the ones when you simply follow the dotted lines!

Andra | Our World to Wander

Choose Your Travel Companions Wisely

If you are going to go on a road trip, choose your travel mates wisely. For days on end, you will be sharing close quarters and you don’t want to be stuck with someone that doesn’t travel the way you do or gets on your nerves.  Before committing to a long road trip, spend some time together when possible as a trial run.

Consider each other’s travel style and personality. Do they thrive on structure when you like to plan as you go?  Does one of you like to make record time while the other likes to make random stops along the way? Do you eat similar foods? If one people is a vegan who will only eat at Whole Foods while the other prefers fast food all the time, you are going to run into some issues.  

As you are planning, talk about budget and priorities to make sure you align on the types of things you will do and see on your trip. You don’t have to be a perfect match, but you need to know what you are getting into so you can prepare to have a great time.

Dan | HoneymoonAlways

Download Offline Maps

If I could give someone just one road trip tip it would be to download an offline map before you go. Google Maps allows one to easily do this with their app. We have been using it for years and find it to be the most reliable app out there for navigation. Simply go to the area you will be road tripping and download it to your phone.

Then you won’t need a WiFi connection to get turn by turn navigation. It’s all saved in your phone for 30 days. No GPS rental, no WiFi, and no hassle needed. Just make sure not to lose your phone!

Natasha & Cameron | The World Pursuit

Overcompensate for Time

My top road trip tip is to allow yourself extra time, even if you think you don’t need it! Overcompensating for the journey is crucial not only practically speaking, but also to lets you really get the most out of your trip.

You’re bound to stop along the way when driving through incredible landscapes. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the best views would you?! Additionally, stopping off will allow you to just enjoy your surroundings rather than being cooped up in a stuffy car all day. Enjoy the outdoors when you can!

Practically speaking, on unfamiliar roads you should allow yourself time to make mistakes, drive slowly, check directions, and find a parking spot. Finally, getting lost is both the best and worst thing about road trips. You’ll never know what you’ll find, but off-the-beaten-track also means extra travel time!

Keeping time-conscious will help you have more fun while sticking to the schedule, so it’s always worth remembering to add a little extra on the clock.

Suzy | Suzy Stories

Book Your Hotels and Accommodations in Advance in More Remote Areas

A road trip is a perfect time to just throw the plan out the window and just let open road flow.  This sounds really idealist. Except when you are ready to stop for the night, and suddenly find that the next hotel is an hour or three away.  This can be a horrific end to your day.

This issue is especially prominent in the mid-western regions of the United States.  These states are sparsely populated and towns can be few and far between. Towards the end of your day, start checking how long to the next town before leaving a town with hotel options.

Jennifer | National Park Obsessed

PACKING TIPS

Take Along a Spork and Water Bottle with Filter

One of the best items you can bring on a road trip is a spork and a water bottle with built in filter. With these two you can save lots of money and at the same time reduce your use of plastic. A spork is a fork, spoon and knife in one, which is perfect if you just want to buy some foods from the supermarket or some takeaway food – it’s not always that they offer cutlery!

And with a water bottle with built in filter you don’t need to buy water bottles. You just fill up the bottle with tap water, and it filtrates out 99,9% of the bacteria and gives the water a better taste. Even though the tap water is safe to drink in many countries, it’s not always that it tastes so good – and that’s where the filter water bottle comes in handy.

I never travel without my spork and filter water bottle, because they make life a little bit easier and saves me money!

Christine | Christine Abroad

Carry Water and Toilet Paper

Always carry water and lots of it. Not only for drinking but for a variety of reasons. You may need it for cleaning hands, shoes or worst case scenario filling up a radiator in an overheated car. Having baby wipes on hand can also cover cleaning, spillages, sticky fingers and freshening up.

My other top tip is to always have a spare toilet roll in the boot of the car. When nature calls, it calls! You may have to find a public toilet on the road and sometimes they aren’t maintained regularly. Don’t rely on there being a fresh supply of toilet paper at every public toilet. There is nothing worse than going to grab some paper and find out there is nothing there!

Travel Drink Dine

Pack More than Enough Activities for the Car

Long hours on the road can be difficult.  Having activities readily available for children, and some adults, will reduce the stress on the whole family.   Today, this is not as big of a problem as it once was, with cell phones and tablets, but a continuous stream of screen time is not the best way for our families to spend the drive.

Solve this problem with personalized entertainment packs.  Packs can contain a number of things, including magnetic games, small coloring books, puzzles, and reading material.  

We also recommend including a journal and camera, and some learning activities based upon the destinations to be visited.  This encourages discussion among the whole family. For learning activity ideas try online homeschooling resources, or a subscription service such as Little Passports.  

To minimize space impact, keep packs compact and convenient, by using a neatly organized lunch boxes.  Each child can keep it in their own space, and their snacks for each day can be kept inside too.

Roxanna | Gypsy With A Day Job

Cooler for Drinks and Snacks

I grew up road tripping around the United States, and one thing we never left home without was a small cooler for drinks and snacks. Buying drinks at gas stations and rest areas gets expensive, so before we left home, we’d hit the grocery store and grab bottles of our favorite drinks (bottles can be resealed, cans can’t) and bags of candy and chips to keep us going in between meals.

Pro tip: don’t buy anything that can melt like chocolate and gummy bears if you’re traveling in the summer.

We’d stash the cooler on the floor between our seats so we’d always have access to cold drinks. Hotels usually have ice machines, so you can refill your cooler with ice before setting out for the next leg of your trip. You’ll save tons of time and money on your road trip by bringing along a cooler full of drinks for everyone to share.

Kris | Nomad by Trade  

Take Along a Car Inverter

A car inverter is a fantastic road trip accessory and one we never knew we needed but now we can’t travel without! So what exactly is a car inverter? Simply said, an inverter allows you to charge your electrical gear in your car via the cigarette lighter charger in your car. It can be used to charge through both electrical plugs and USB. We use ours to charge all our travel gear such as our laptops, camera batteries, cell phones and drone batteries while on the road.

The ability to charge our gear in the car during a long journey between destinations is so useful and it ensures we never miss a photo due to a dead battery. Our inverter has saved us so many times, especially as we use our cell phones for navigation on road trips which runs down the battery very fast!

Elaine & David | Show Them The Globe

and with all that being said…

Don’t Take TOO Much Stuff

My best road trip tip is not to overload the car with stuff, though the temptation will be great! If you’re playing Tetris in the trunk at the beginning of your trip, you’ll face a disaster by the end. As with any other trip, take just a few days’ worth of clothing and plan to do laundry. Staying organized and having a place for everything is important so that you don’t have to re-pack the car at every stop.

You might have one small suitcase each for cold weather and warm weather clothing (if you’re changing seasons), a bag for things you’ll need at every overnight stop (like toiletries and chargers), a separate bag for swim gear, a cooler and snack bag in the back seat.

If you’re traveling with kids, try to minimize toys and other “kid junk” since it takes up plenty of space and seems to explode everywhere.

Melissa | The Family Voyage

STAYING SANE on the road / in the car

Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks

Music is essential for a road trip, everyone knows that, but I find music can only hold my attention for so long. I like to take a variety of audio with me, particularly for long road trips where I’m driving all day.

Podcasts, especially serialized podcasts like Serial and S-Town, are great for keeping you entertained, especially during the least interesting sections of road. Some podcasts are so gripping that you actually want to keep driving just so you can find out what happens next.

As well as podcasts and music, I also make sure I have some audio books and standup comedy to hand. You never know when you’ll want something different, and it’s great to have options to hand.

Some people just prefer music, of course, and that’s fine, and the rule should be that whoever is driving gets to listen to what they want to listen to.

James | This Travel Guide

Create A Memorable Trip Playlist

No road trip is complete without its very own soundtrack in my humble opinion. Make yourself a

playlist of your favourite tunes of the moment, or songs in the theme of your trip. It’s so fun to groove along while you’re on the road but even better when you get home. Hearing those road trip tunes  immediately takes you back to your vacation.

I love hearing Bastille’s epic pop anthem Pompeii. It transports me back to our trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, driving along the winding cliff top roads. I can almost taste the salty air, seafood pasta and Aperol  spritz cocktail as soon as the opening bars come on the radio.

Deeper in my past, Paul Simon’s Graceland album was the soundtrack of the beach road trip vacations  of my childhood. And these are some of the sweetest travel memories of all.

So put some thought into your road trip soundtrack and pump up the volume as you take to the road.

Katy | Untold Morsels

Have Your Camera Ready

One tip for a memorable (with photographic proof) road trip is to have your camera ready to go at a moment’s notice.  You never know when you might come across a fox with a baby in a field or a moose on a lake or an elk in a forest. Or maybe you will find an incredible view with nowhere to pull off the infrequently traveled road.  Or maybe you’re in Africa or Asia and you drive by a local event along the road.

I always have my camera by my side ready to go. If you have time, make sure you roll down the window to avoid glare and reflections. Please only follow this tip if there are no cars around or you can safely pull off to the side of the road.

TheHotFlashPacker

CAR RENTAL TIPS

Choose Your Car Rental Company and Car Insurance Wisely

One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning a roadtrip is the rental car. It’s very important to choose it smartly, because you are going to spend many hours in the car and it has to be as comfortable as possible.

The first thing to have in mind is choosing the car rental company that suits your needs for the trip. There are many websites that compare the different car rental companies and offer you the best price.

Once you choose the car rental company, you should choose the size of the car, which should be adjusted to the number of passengers and the number of suitcases you want to carry inside. Also, if the road trip destination includes mountains or unpaved roads, it’s better to rent a 4×4.

The last thing you have to keep in mind when renting a car for your roadtrip is the car insurance. Normally car rental companies include basic insurance, but it’s recommended that you extend it to full risk insurance, as that way you will avoid problems and pay a lot of money if you have an accident or you have a flat tire.

Sara | Mindful Travel by Sara

Know the Limits of Price Comparison Websites

Price comparison websites will almost always find the best prices and options for car hire, but it is also important to follow and fully understand the conditions of the hire. As almost all car hire companies will require credit cards these days when booking online, and these must be under the name of the driver. But even if the car hire company offers a refund in failing conditions, the online booking agents rarely share the same policy. So refunds are unlikely. Also, it is best to hire a car that best suits the conditions and terrain of a road trip, for example, engines of cheaper budget cars will likely struggle with mountainous terrain. And before driving from the lot, be sure to report and photograph any damage to the hire, know the fuel type and the fuel policy (full-to-full is generally best), as well as how to open the tank.

Allan | Live Less Ordinary

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Rent and Return the Car in the Same City

A road trip is definitely my favourite way to discover a region. Flexible, you meet more local people and visit not-renown spots. I have a tip to give to say some money when organising a road trip. A tip that I learnt making this mistake myself. If you need to hire a car, organise starting point and arrival in the same place because rental agencies charge extra fees to bring back the car to the original location.

You can travel in a circle, as I did in Spain. I started from Madrid and visited Avila, Salamanca, Valladolid and Segovia, before going back to the Spanish capital. On the other side, when I visited Romania, I booked a flight to Timisoara and bought a return ticket from Bucharest.

While it was my favourite road trip, I had to pay the extra-fees for returning the car to Timisoara. Plan better, save money and use it for other activities!

Mario | Human Italian

KID-SPECIFIC TIPS

Bring the car seats for your kids along

It is really very easy to bring your car seats when you’re flying somewhere before your start your road trip. Low cost carriers will probably charge you to bring the car seat but it is worth it. You can just check it in.

The airline will put it in a plastic bag in most cases and you will find your car seat at the ‘unusual luggage spot’ which is mostly located next to the carousel where your normal check-in luggage arrives or at a special desk.

Car rental companies do offer car seats but nobody knows how to put them in the car AND for THEIR insurance, employees are not allowed to help you install the car seat. So to save yourself the frustration of trying to figure out a car seat you don’t know, just bring yours along. It is more practical, probably cheaper and most importantly you KNOW that your child will be safe.

Jessy | Planet Pilgrims

Take Regular Breaks

One of my best tips for road trips with little kids is taking regular breaks. We lived in Sydney for a while and would regularly do the Sydney to Melbourne drive which is 8 hours if you drive directly. We would do it in about 10 hours with a few 30 minute breaks here and there for the kids. We always found somewhere that had a little park so they could stretch their legs and expel some of their energy, we then found they would better settle into the next part of the drive.

We alway found just stopping for a toilet break was not enough and we would get back in the car and they would be fighting before we hit the highway again. A little play and run around made all the difference and if we were really lucky, at least one of the three would have a little sleep after a bit of a run about.

I also recommend regular healthy snacks with water only, we didn’t need any sugar highs in the back seat.

Sally | Our 3 Kids v The World  

A tip that has helped us in a pinch is when driving late at night, with the intention to stop and sleep at a hotel, call the hotel about 20 minutes in advance of your arrival to have the pull-out couch made up if you are needing one. That way you can just carry a sleeping child into the hotel and put them right to bed!

Momma To Go

Hopefully these long road trip tips have taught you a few things! When is your next road trip?!

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August 27, 2020 at 4:56 am

I love to camp and travel. Thanks for sharing such an amazing list. It is truly a great and useful piece of info.

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Road Trip Tips: 21 Mistakes to Avoid When on a USA Road Trip

Taking a road trip around the USA , or anywhere, will be one of the most epic and memorable trips you’ll take—no doubt.

So don’t F it up…

JK—No pressure. I got your back with all the road trip tips and everything you should NOT do on your trip. This way, you can have more time for fun, snapping pics, chasing waterfalls, hiking to viewpoints, and so many other amazing activities!

Make this a trip to remember with these road trip tips. Learn now, and have fun later. It’s easy! I’ve done a ton of road trips in the USA and around the world, and these are some of my best road trip tips and mistakes to avoid for you to keep in mind.

Don’t lose this! Click to pin it now.

Table of Contents

1. DON’T Wait for Gas

Resources for your trip:, 2. don’t underestimate the cost of gas, 3. don’t forget to carry cash, 4. don’t forget about music, 5. don’t be unrealistic with your time, 6. don’t sleep in, 7. don’t buy water and don’t forget to fill up often, 8. don’t forget to download maps (one of the easy road trip tips to forget), 9. don’t assume all roads are paved, 10. don’t get fancy with your meals, 11. don’t be disorganized, 12. don’t plan too much… or too little…, 13. don’t assume all roads will be open, 14. don’t drive at night (a road trip tip for safety), 15. don’t choose the wrong person to go with, 16. don’t underestimate the size of the usa, 17. don’t forget to roll with the punches, 18. don’t forget to check on the season (and not just for what to pack), 19. don’t be a jackass and have fun, 20. don’t forget to insure yourself (and your car), 21. don’t rent the wrong vehicle for your trip (perhaps the most important road trip tip), 17 legendary american road trips, your southwest road trip itinerary (1 week - 2 months), your adventurous arizona road trip, your adventurous utah road trip, seattle to san francisco west coast road trip adventures and waterfalls, your adventurous montana road trip, road trip tips—what not to do on your road trip.

Fill up here, fill up there, fill up ev-ry-where!

The next gas station could be lightyears away in many states around the US.

If you’re the adventurous type who wants to wander down random roads and who will detour in a split second, fill up when you can.

If you don’t, guess who needs to say goodbye to adventurous detours? YOU.

Make sure to fill up at the half tank every time if you can. I often pretend the last half doesn’t count. What did using this road trip tip result in? Never having to worry about running out of gas. That’s a win!

RELATED: 17 Legendary American Road Trips

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Going on from my last thought, unfortunately, this may mean you are stuck paying higher prices for gas because you’re in the middle of nowhere-land, and they are charging the same prices as the bigger towns PLUS your firstborn child.

Sorry little Billy, I sold you for gas money…

Seriously though, small towns are pricier, you may have to pay the price, but you could also top up for just a few bucks to make it safely to the next big town/city.

Either way, inflate the budget here so you don’t get any surprises, and make sure you are definitely topping up in the big cities as often as possible.

Pro road trip tip —Peek at the GasBuddy app often to see where the next cheapest gas station is. This app is a lifesaver!

Those small town gas stations may have a charge for using credit cards, or worse, they only accept cash! So make sure you have some on you.

Also, some state and national parks require cash payments for parking and using facilities.

There isn’t always someone on-site, and you’ll be required to place your cash in an envelope. You’ll need an exact change too. I’m all about using my card, but having some cash stashed away is necessary. It is smart to have a mix of bigger and smaller bills.

Another cash tip to keep in mind is having quarters on you for any parking meters or using laundry facilities.

I know you’re thinking, DUH, Nina. But seriously, don’t forget the music! Radio is almost a non-option unless you enjoy the sweet sounds of static and want to give your index finger a major workout by scanning the channels.

Cell service will also be in and out, so while you may be one smart cookie and have Spotify or the like on your phone, don’t forget to download all those cool playlists to enjoy it offline.

Don’t forget an aux cord if needed unless everything can be connected via Bluetooth. You may also want a portable speaker so you can listen to music outside the car and on the go.

It’s not essential, but this is one of the road trip tips that’ll just make the journey more enjoyable.

READ MORE: My badass road trip packing list , don’t forget a thing!

Did you actually think you would be able to fit those two hikes in AND drive five hours? Ekk!

You really do need to be realistic with your time.

If you get all excited about a bunch of places and you only make it to half, you may be pretty bummed.

But instead, if you get excited about the POSSIBILITY of going to about half of the places on your list, you will ultimately be satisfied with what you got done.

Don’t get your hopes up and try cramming in too much, so you’re rushing, speeding, driving too late at night, not sleeping enough…etc.

It’s OK to pass on a few places; trust this road trip tip when I say your list will only get longer, not shorter. So don’t get flustered when you need to pass things up to gain more time.

READ MORE: Here’s a realistic itinerary for a West Coast road trip !

I would TOTALLY be the annoying friend that pushes you out of the car, shoves a bagel and coffee down your throat, and makes you put clothes on so you’re ready to get on the road no later than 9 am.

Don’t worry, I’m not talking about getting your day started at 6 am.

While I think it can be ideal, probably makes for great sunrise pictures, and you check more things off the list, let’s not get crazy. 6 am is rough.

However, being on the road by 8:30-9ish is totally doable.

Luckily, I refuse to road trip with people who aren’t on the same page as me because I’m a stickler on this one. Also, I’m a terrible sleeper, so I am awake this early anyway!

There are far too many things to see and do—go to bed earlier and get up and go. You’ll thank yourself when the trip is done. (You can sleep when you’re dead, right?)

Fill up water bottles and jugs instead. It would be SO wasteful to buy 100 jugs of water on your trip.

Instead, I buy a few one-gallon jugs and reuse them for my entire trip. I also never travel without my reusable water bottle . At the end of a trip, I recycle the jugs. Most recently I also got this water jug which fits nicely in the corner of my car and I don’t even need other water jugs now!

It’s very easy to prioritize convenience but try your best on your road trip to not be wasteful.

Filling up water is actually very easy. Many of the parks have drinkable water fountains where you can fill up, and Walmarts have water fountains you can use.

A few jugs or one big reusable jug is just what you need. They don’t take up too much room, and they will last you a couple of days, giving you plenty of time to find the next water fill-up area.

Fill up every time you can; it goes without saying that water is NOT something you want to be without at any point and time.

Don’t forget to factor in using water to boil pasta, make coffee, etc.

RELATED: Your Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (1 Week – 2 Months)

Bringing paper maps is not really my thing, but I knew I couldn’t always rely on my phone to have service. I can’t stress how clutch it was to have maps downloaded.

I always have Google Maps AND Maps.Me both downloaded on my phone. And if you’re riding with someone else, make sure they do the same just in case someone loses their phone, forgets to charge, etc.

Oops. I’d venture to say that most of us forget this road trip tip. I know I did.

If I saw the road on the map, I generally thought it was a legit road with something more than loose rocks to follow. Uh, no. Not so much!

Don’t assume you won’t come across many gravel roads, particularly if you want to get a bit adventurous or take some of the less busy roads.

Driving on gravel roads when they weren’t expected can be a bit stressful, not to mention it will cut into your time since you’ll be driving much slower than you thought.

What are you trying to do on your trip? Spend your time cooking or doing and seeing things?

Yeah, that’s what I thought… So why would someone voluntarily choose to make a borderline 5-star meal for lunch is beyond me but let me tell you, you’ll be much happier with an easier meal than a fancy-schmancy one or one that is labor-intensive.

Here’s what I usually eat while road tripping:

Breakfast is 1-2 of the following items:

• Boiled eggs (boil all of them at once and keep them in the fridge)
• Bread /bagels (usually untoasted because ain’t nobody got time for that…nor a toaster)
• Oatmeal with fruit and granola

Lunch is usually a sandwich and or a snack such as:

• Cheese and crackers
• Sandwiches are usually cheese, spinach, a hardboiled egg or some tuna, pickles, and maybe avocado. And then mustard and mayo for condiments.
• A favorite is my “camping charcuterie board,” which is usually a mix of cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, and “rough hummus” (smashed chickpeas with spices and EVOO)

Dinner is one of the following:

• Lentils and rice (I found these amazing, tasty, and easy to make packets to make lentils and rice , it literally takes 2 minutes, and it’s healthy)
• Pasta and sauce
• Frozen vegetables which we would add to both of the items above.
• Beer and or wine 🙂

On a similar note, eating out costs a lot, and if you’re trying to be quick, it’s often pretty unhealthy.

I often try to eat out only when it’s mega worth it or when I’m deep into my trip and need a break from eating out of my car! Making it a treat rather than something expected saves a bunch of cash AND time.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Utah Road Trip

Your vehicle has everything you need BUT, it’s still just a vehicle, which means space is precious and limited.

Get everything in its “home” on day 1 and make sure that item lives in that spot forever and always.

I always have a system down from day 1, and I keep it that way! It keeps everything SO clean and organized the entire time. I usually have zero casualties of items flying out a window, falling out of the car, or going mysteriously missing.

Get your car in order and keep it there! My mantra is “everything has a home” and I don’t put it down, I put it in its home.

I’m not toying with you. Hear me out!

Road trips are supposed to be fun, and a bit spontaneous, so planning too much and keeping yourself to a rigid schedule doesn’t allow for fun, adventure, and random detours.

Plan too little? And you’ll be wasting a large chunk of the day figuring out what you want to do (if you even have internet).

I usually have a few “rules” in place…

On this West Coast road trip , I wanted to drive on a certain route (the inland route, not the coastal route). I wanted to be outdoors and in nature (so no stops in big cities and walking around buildings), and I wanted to do pretty hikes with waterfalls and great views.

I made a rough route with plenty of places to stop that matched my criteria, but nothing was set in stone.

If I didn’t have the time, the spot was too out of the way, or if the road was closed (wait for it…), there was no disappointment and plenty of other things just a few miles away to explore.

Keep your options open and have a few options on the table. Find a balance, don’t set expectations too high, and don’t pigeonhole yourself to an exact itinerary. It will be nothing short of miserable.

This is one of my best road trip tips because it’s really one of the most important to keep in mind for the trip—for your own sanity!

READ MORE:  How to Plan a Road Trip

Yeah, revolutionary information, right? Luckily the USA is pretty good at announcing when a road will be closed. There will likely be signs and even info on a state’s website.

This happened to me on a few road trips, and it threw a wrench into my plans… for a whole two seconds.

Since I’m always loose with my plans (hello, road trip tip #12!), it wasn’t the end of the world, but it did cause me to end up in a few places I didn’t expect a couple of times.

It’s usually not a big deal but just something to watch, particularly if you’re taking the smaller roads like I sometimes do or are driving during fall and winter when road closures are more common.

It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but I’m mentioning this because depending on where you are, you’re increasing your chance of putting yourself (or adorable animals) in danger.

Cute woodsy animals like to come out at night and graze and hop around. Sometimes they wander in traffic. If it’s a little guy, poor thing but at least your car will be fine. If it’s a big boy, you’re totally screwed.

Overall, night driving can be a bit more challenging and you also need to be a bit more careful with choosing your sleeping spot for the evening in the dark.

I always make it a goal to find a place by sunset, and if I go a bit later, it’s not too big of a deal, but I don’t like to push it.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Arizona Road Trip!

Seriously though, don’t underestimate the amount of time and closeness with the other person. Make sure they are cool, and make sure you’re cool too…

This trip will be a disaster if you both don’t jive with each other and work as a team. Luckily I’ve only had one miserable road trip, and funny enough, it was with a very close friend. So even if you’re friends now, make sure you can stand each other for the entire trip.

Seriously, this country is f-ing huge. We literally have 48 small to medium-sized countries on the enormous landmass of the contiguous USA.

Make no mistake, no amount of time is the “perfect” amount to see this place.

Vancouver to San Francisco is only a measly 15-hour drive if you JUST DRIVE. One person could technically do this drive in two long days.

When I road-tripped it, it took 17 days to drive a bit more leisurely, and see things along the way. I could have doubled that and still not had enough time. There’s an insurmountable amount of things to do and see, don’t cut yourself short and try squeezing your trip into a few days; you’ll spend the entire time just driving.

My PNW road trips are anywhere from 1 to 2 months, and I’m just scratching the surface of what I want to do! So one of the best road trip tips you can take in is, don’t overwhelm yourself with things to do and know that driving times will eat up a LOT of your time.

It might be smart to target just certain parks, or perhaps focus on just one state. Whatever it is, don’t underestimate drive times.

I have to tell you something. And it’s going to happen on your road trip! It’s a guarantee… Ready for it?

Things won’t always go as planned.

Shocking, right? If this road trip tip seems so obvious to you, just remember while on the trip, that’s how you felt when reading this.

Sometimes we get caught up in the moment, want things to be perfect, and when one string frays, we break apart. You’ll run into a delay, a park is closed, a flat tire… Something.

It’s a guarantee that SOMETHING will go wrong, so just accept it when it does. You’ll only make it worse by having a meltdown.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Montana Road Trip!

You’ll need to check the specification of the states you’ll be rolling through to be sure that you pack accordingly. Do you need more scarves or more swimsuits? Both?!

You’ll have to research to make sure, but aside from clothing, you’ll need to know what else happens in certain states.

Being from Florida, I can tell you that road tripping around August and September could mean potential hurricane weather.

I spend a lot of time in Oregon and the entire West Coast. The past two summers have been LIT. And not in a good way; forest fires during July and August can get really bad and make the air quality terrible, obstruct views, and even close down roads.

While on a West Coast road trip a few years back, a bunch of forest fires had just died down. However, there were still tons of signage warning of potential dangers from the loose ground from the fires and a fire ban in most places.

There were even trails and campsites that were closed because of this.

Remember, there are people from all around the world, the USA, and Canada on the road!

The USA is eclectic; avoid getting road rage, don’t be the ass who doesn’t let someone merge, don’t stop in the middle of the road for pictures, don’t litter, recycle when you can, and just be a good person. There are so many different people on the road; try to be accommodating and understanding.

Oh, and have fun! 🙂

No matter where you’re traveling—you want everything and everyone covered! For road trips anywhere in the world, you can look into using World Nomads (they cover Americans in the US if you’re over 100 miles from home!), Safety Wing (for Americans abroad), or check out my travel insurance post for more options, don’t get caught without it!

For your vehicle, it’s always smart to have your vehicle insured, and more often than not, it’s required! There are many ways to go about this.

If you’re in the US, your car will be insured but getting AAA can prove to be a lifesaver too – they will tow you, help change a tire, and get you back in your vehicle if you locked yourself out!

Sometimes your credit card can cover car rentals (but be careful, many don’t cover vans and RVs!) check this article on the best travel cards to see which credit cards can help lessen your costs on your trip and can cover your car rental.

It’s going to vary widely how insurance will work for you and your vehicle depending on where you are but the bottom line is – just don’t forget about it!

RELATED: A Guide to Finding The Best Long Term Travel Insurance

So which vehicle are you going with? Your own car? A rental? An RV? A rented campervan? There are tons of options but which is right for you and your trip?

Choosing the right vehicle, especially if you’re renting is probably the most important road trip tip to keep in mind. If you’re renting, here are some options to consider:

• Outdoorsy – One of the best RV and campervan rental sites in the USA
• Northbound – Find your car or campervan in Iceland
• Car Rentals – You can check here for current car rental deals anywhere in the world.
• Indie Campers – Rent a campervan and road trip across Europe!

There’s Wicked Campers for South America, Britz and JUCY for Australia and New Zealand, and tons more options!

I hope these road trip tips were helpful! Have fun on your next road trip!

More USA Road Trips

>>> Even More About USA Road Trips <<<

How to Plan a USA Road Trip & Choosing a Vehicle

Your Road Trip Essentials Packing List and Tips (+ Printable Checklist!)

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15 Comments

Love this list! With covid we have been road tripping more and things like this are super useful. Thank you!

Yay! So happy to hear 🙂 Thank you!

This was the best road trip blog poay on road trips I have seen. I agree with many of your ideas.

I particularly agree on no nighttime driving. Many road trip bloggers mention yhay driving at night is ideal.with kids. While I agree it is easier to drive when the kids are sleeping, it is not as safe as driving during daylight hours. Your vision is decreased and you are driving in unfamiliar areas. Unless you work at night you are not ised to being awake at night either. Safety is paramount

I like that you said that while on a road trip it’s a guarantee that something will go wrong, so just accept it when it does. My husband and I are thinking about going on a road trip because we think it would be a great way to spend more time together while also getting to see some beautiful scenery.

Driving home now from a twenty- eight day road trip with my hubby, 9 yr old and two yellow labs. Drove from Florida to Seattle and visited over twenty-five national parks. 80 dollar annual pass for the parks was the best investment .

YES! Those passes are a great idea!

I like to do a bit of research first before going on a trip. This was so useful.

So happy to hear! 🙂 Have fun.

Next time, invest in Sirius SATELLITE radio and a rent a sat phone. You will NEVER be out of contact, or music, again.

Keep enjoying those road trips.

Another important thing: every state drives differently. Californians speed like crazy and a lot of slower drivers sit in the passing lane. Oregonians appear to have no clue where their going and you’ll get a ticket for going 1mph over the speed limit, and Washingtonians pace each other for miles so no one can pass and their traffic is starting to compete with LA.

So true!!! Cross the state border and you could be in a new world of drivers for sure.

Thank you for this list, it will come in handy this summer when my boyfriend and I roadtrip from Kentucky to Galveston, TX

Yay, glad to hear this was helpful, Tara 🙂 Have fun!

Loved your tips! Most we (my son and I) live by when we road trip around the US. Only 7 states left to visit but so many to go back and visit again!

Thanks, Shyla!

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4 Things I Always Do When Going on a Road Trip (and One I’ll Never Do Again)

Food and travel influencer Shay Spence shares his hard-won lessons from a recent road trip through the southeastern U.S. on his way to Dollywood

Courtesy of Shay Spence

As someone who travels and eats for a living, I cherish road trips because of the opportunity to find pockets of the country (and hyperlocal cuisine) that I would never find by merely flying the skies. Each summer, my husband and I pick one region that we’ve never explored before and set aside at least 10 days to really do a deep dive of a drive.  Last year it was a New England journey from Maine to Boston, savoring all of the area’s best lobster rolls (much to the detriment of our wallets and potentially cholesterol levels). This summer we went south, starting in Charleston and making our way to Memphis at a slow southern pace, fulfilling lifelong dreams of riding every roller coaster at Dollywood and having a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich in Graceland. While we generally do shorter distance trips in order to maximize time in each spot (we can handle a maximum of about 8 driving hours per day before divorce proceedings begin), I’ve come up with a list of road trip tips that are applicable even if you’re cruising across the country. 

Don’t Settle for Sub-Par Gas Station Meals or Generic Fast Food

Obviously desperate times call for desperate measures, but you’ll almost never catch me eating at McDonald’s on a road trip. Not because I’m above it: You’ll actually find me under my local golden arches in the parking lot scarfing down a 6-piece McNugget (with hot mustard and sweet and sour sauce) on a weekly basis. But that’s precisely why I would never settle for that on a road trip!

If you want quick roadside eats, there are regional fast food chains you won’t find anywhere else that are usually just off the highway; think In-N-Out on the west coast, Taco Cabana in Texas, or Skyline Chili in Ohio. Better yet, do your research ahead of time and find truly local gems. On my most recent trip I found a kitschy spot called North Gate Soda Shop in Greenville, South Carolina that feels like you’ve traveled back at least ten presidential administrations, and they serve $9 pimento cheeseburgers, which are a local South Carolina delicacy. You’ve got a thin layer of pimento cheese with just enough mayo to tie the room together plus a thick ripe tomato almost the same size as the beef patty; it’s a recipe for magic that took about as long and cost about as much as it would to get a Big Mac. 

As for how to find these local hidden gems, my little secret is to head to Reddit–even small town communities have a thread of locals giving their input on the best dining spots, so I just search ahead of time and then find a place that’s not too far off the highway.

Plan and Reserve Hotels Ahead of Time (and Treat Yourself to at Least One Great Night’s Sleep)

Growing up doing road trips with my family, I remember driving until my parents just got too exhausted and fed up to go on and we’d stop at any roadside motel we could find. As an adult, I now know that is not the way. Plan to stop in towns or cities that you actually want to explore–or at least, have a non-continental breakfast in.

I always look into accommodations ahead of time to find the coolest place to stay. And that doesn’t mean more expensive! On my Tennessee road trip, I stopped for a night at the Dive Motel in Nashville where each room is equipped with a disco ball and shag carpeting, and prices start around $160 per night.

I do always recommend one splurge, if you can swing it in your budget, though. For this trip, we went to the new Dollywood HeartSong Lodge and Resort , which really feels like a cozy mountain cabin even though it’s just minutes away from a theme park. Never underestimate the power of a road trip recharge in a comfortable bed with room service. In this case, Dollywood’s famous cinnamon bread can be delivered directly to your bed. (See evidence in the photo at the top.)

But if you’re not one to plan ahead, sometimes that works to your advantage: Always look on the HotelTonight app to find nice hotels in the area that have available rooms at a discount (prices tend to get even lower later in the evening.)

Download Podcasts and Music to Your Phone Ahead of Time

This may seem obvious, but one of the biggest rookie road trip mistakes I’ve made is to rely on radio, Sirius, or streaming apps for my audio entertainment needs. You’ll always be surprised by how many stretches of road in this country have shoddy cell service, and then you’ll be stuck in silence and totally kill the momentum. I always download a mix of podcast vibes–politics, history, pop culture…you never know what mood you’ll be in when you’re stuck out in the sticks.

Find the Kitschiest Stops Along the Way

If you don’t want to do prior research to find the world’s largest roadside paper mache pink elephant, download the Roadside America app on your phone before the trip. You put in your route and it populates the kitschiest, coolest (and sometimes odd and morbid) spots to stop along the way. 

On my route from Nashville to Memphis, I found a large buffalo statue outside of Loretta Lynn’s dude ranch restaurant on the way to the world’s largest Bass Pro Shop (which also houses the extremely unusual yet luxe pyramid-shaped Big Cypress Lodge hotel ) thanks to the help of this app, and for that I will be forever grateful. We also found the daily march of the ducks to the lobby of the historic Peabody Hotel … where Elvis had his prom.

Don’t Try to Do an Overnight Drive

Just because Celine Dion drove all night doesn’t mean you have to, or that you ever should. No matter how tempting it is, never try to pull an all-nighter, even if you’re switching off drivers. Successful road trips are all about stamina , and you won’t enjoy the journey if you’re exhausted!

Use all of my previous tips: a good night’s sleep in a nice hotel, eat some good local food and have some actual fun–you didn’t take this PTO to be sleepy and miserable. And if you’re ever in Dollywood , ride the Wild Eagle…it’s the best coaster!

Related Articles

These 10 Best Road Trip Destinations In The United States Will Have You Packing The Car

According to a new study, these routes are the most searched for in the nation.

Are summer road trips fun? Obviously. They’re a blast — a real rite of passage. But there’s so much to be said for waiting until the stifling heat of summer starts to shuffle off, leaving in its place the near-perfect 60- and -70-degree days of fall . In most parts of the United States, the weather in early fall is cool enough to actually enjoy rolling along with the classic music-up, windows-down setup but not so cold that you have to worry about icy roads or snow hazards. Ready to load the car up with the good snacks and hit the road? First, we have to figure out where we’re going.

If you need a little direction in that department, no worries; a new study has revealed some of the most popular road trips across America. Conducted by student travel company Rustic Pathways , the research analyzed average monthly searches for different road trip routes across the U.S., according to Google search volumes. By cross-referencing the routes’ names with keywords (think “itinerary” and “road trip”), the study narrowed down the road trips that generate the most buzz.

So, whether you’re looking for a great excuse to get your family out of the house for some fall-break fun or want to plan a getaway with your best mom friends, let these most-searched-for American road trips (counting down to No. 1) be the sign you need to make it happen.

10. Lincoln Highway

If you’re feeling ambitious, you could tackle the 10th most-searched-for route: The Lincoln Highway , which runs from New York all the way to San Francisco, covering 3400 miles and spanning 13 states.

9. Beartooth Highway

You’ve been dreaming of visiting Yellowstone, so let this be the nudge you need. Beartooth Highway nets more than 15,000 average monthly searches, and for good reason — this particularly scenic route to Yellowstone National Park takes you across the breathtaking borders of Wyoming and Montana. Bonus? The Beartooth Mountains include the highest point in Montana: Granite Peak, towering at over 12,800 feet.

8. Southern Pacific

The Pacific Coast Highway gets so much well-deserved fanfare (more on that in a minute), but don’t sleep on a Southern Pacific road trip. Coming in eighth place with over 22,000 monthly searches, this route follows the old Southern Pacific Railroad, which stretches across seven states and 3,000 miles from California to Georgia. Highlights include the iconic Wild West town of Tombstone, Arizona, the alien-centric city of Roswell, New Mexico, and the Civil Rights Movement National Historic Trail in Alabama.

7. Oregon Trail

Don’t worry; no one will die of dysentery, and you won’t lose any oxen trying to ford the river! What will happen on this historic route, though, is tackle what is arguably the longest and most involved U.S. road trip. Clocking in at over 3,300 miles, US-20 will take you from Columbia Gorge, Oregon, all the way to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Along the way, you can take in famous sites like Mount Rushmore, the Field of Dreams, and Niagara Falls.

6. Going-to-the-Sun Road

It’s little wonder that Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana rakes in over 38,000 average monthly searches — this 50-mile route across Glacier National Park features some of the most magnificent vistas in the entire country.

5. Hana Highway

It’s time to cash in some of those frequent-flyer miles, because this route will require a trip to Maui, Hawaii — and, you know, a rental car (I recommend a Jeep!). If you love chasing waterfalls, you’ll be in heaven on this 64-mile stretch from Kahului to Hana . You’ll even pass near Haleakala National Park’s Seven Sacred Pools, or the Pools of Oheo, an awesome formation of 20 swimmable pools formed along the Palikea stream.

4. Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway ranks fourth most popular, bringing in an impressive 112,000 monthly searches. While some people overlook the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and Virginia because they lack the sheer scale of West Coast ranges, the Blue Ridge Mountains could make a believer in East Coast beauty out of anyone. In addition to breathtaking views and popular stops like the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, this route offers tons of accessible hiking options for beginners and experts alike.

It’s hard to describe the magnificence of Big Sur — it’s one of those places that necessitates saying, “You just have to see it!” Revered for its jaw-dropping mountain and ocean views, this 71-mile stretch of California’s Highway 1 averages over 172,000 searches every month by would-be visitors who want to experience Big Sur’s magic firsthand.

2. Route 66

Our runner-up, with over 191,000 Google searches monthly, probably sounds pretty familiar to you — Route 66 has been featured in movies, books, TV, and more. Although it originally covered 2,400 miles and passed through eight states from Chicago to Santa Monica, it was removed from the U.S. Highway System in the 1980s to make way for the interstate. But you can still do the remaining parts of this historic route, including quirky stops like the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, and the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California; incredible natural attractions like Arizona’s Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon; and lots of kitschy diners, drive-ins, and roadside motels.

1. Pacific Coast Highway

Anyone who has ever made it to the Pacific Coast Highway can tell you that it’s well worth the 257,000 monthly Google searches it gets. Our No. 1 road trip destination runs across California through Highway 1 — and the coastal views are unrivaled.

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Wonder of the Day #1150

Have You Ever Been on a Road Trip?

TECHNOLOGY — Transportation

Have You Ever Wondered...

• Have you ever been on a road trip?
• Why are road trips so much fun?
• Where would you like to go on a road trip?
• automobile. vehicle ,
• Bertha Benz ,
• convertible ,
• destination ,
• enthusiast ,
• positioning ,
• smartphone ,
• technology ,
• tradition ,
• Automobile. Vehicle ,
• Convertible ,
• Destination ,
• Enthusiast ,
• Positioning ,
• Smartphone ,
• Technology ,
• Tradition ,

Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Wonder Friend. Wonder Friend Wonders , “ Have You Ever Been on a Road Trip? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Wonder Friend!

Woo hoo! It's time to hit the open road . Jump on into the Wonderopolis convertible and let's get a move on. We have places to go and things to do and people to meet. It's going to be a wild ride , so hang on!

What are we talking about? We're talking about that fabled American tradition known as the road trip . No, it's not just a vacation . It's not just going to Grandma's house. It's so much more than that.

When you go on vacation , you might fly on an airplane . Or you could take a boat. You might even drive. But the point is that you're going to one particular place and you have a desire to get there as quickly as possible. You have a destination in mind, and the journey to get there is just something you have to do to get from Point A to Point B.

When it comes to a road trip , though, your journey is the destination . Sure, you might have an ultimate place in mind where you will end your travels, but getting to that place is not a task . In fact, on a road trip , it's all about the getting there. It's all about the journey .

Road trips require a vehicle of some sort. What kind of vehicle ? Well, that depends upon you and what type of road trip you want to take. A road trip implies that you'll be traveling on roads, obviously. So whatever vehicle you choose to ride on the open road is fine.

Some people like to go on a road trip in a small car with just one buddy along for the ride . Others might prefer to hit the road alone on a motorcycle. Still others might pile into a minivan with a half-dozen of their best friends for the trip of a lifetime.

Road trips are all about seeing the countryside between your origin and your final destination . They're about taking your time and enjoying the journey . Their focus is on quality time with friends or family members as you all experience new places, people, and things.

A highlight of a road trip might be stopping in an out-of-the-way town to see what someone believes is the world's largest ball of string . Or it could be eating at a small diner in the middle of nowhere and discovering the best piece of homemade apple pie you've ever tasted.

Road trips are about seeing as much of the world around you as you can. On a road trip , you don't need to plan or map out every single detail of your trip . You want to leave room for whimsy to wreak havoc with your schedule. If someone sees a roadside billboard advertising an alligator farm, you want to have the flexibility to live in the moment and stop to make memories you'll have for a lifetime.

Road trips have a long history. The world's first ever road trip by automobile may have taken place in Germany in 1888, when Bertha Benz traveled over 60 miles in an experimental motor car with a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour.

Today, road trips have become an iconic part of American pop culture. College students look forward to road trips with friends. Modern-day explorers of all ages look forward to long drives to explore areas of the country they've never seen before, often using historic highways, such as Route 66 . Many people set out each year to drive from one coast to the other, seeing as much of the country as they can along the way.

Modern technology helps today's road trip enthusiasts make the most of their time on the road . Global positioning system (GPS) devices help them map out their journeys. Smartphones allow Internet access while on the road , so travelers can look up nearby attractions that they don't want to miss. In- vehicle audio and video systems help travelers enjoy their time on the road , as they listen to their favorite music and even watch their favorite movies. 

Wonder What's Next?

This Wonder of the Day has us in a real PICKLE!

Ready to hit the open road? Grab a few friends or family members—preferably someone who can drive!—and hit the road as you explore the following activities:

• Would you believe you don't actually have to leave the house to go on a road trip? It's true! Even though road trips carry a carefree spirit, it's still a good idea to have a destination in mind. Do some online research to figure out exactly where it is you want to go and what things you want to see along the way. Check out Best of the Road's Road Trips website to get started. Click on an area of the United States that you think would be fun to explore. Then have fun checking out all the possible road trips available in that area. These virtual tours aren't quite as much fun as really hitting the road, but they're sure to get you pumped for a real road trip in the future!
• Now that you've gotten a taste of the possibilities for road trips, plan one! Talk with your friends and family members and plan an actual road trip. It doesn't have to be a trip of thousands of miles across the country. You could plan just a short trip to explore the towns and cities close to where you live. Using an atlas or online maps, chart out a route to take. Make sure to mark the highways and streets you'll take on your road trip. Make a list of things you want to see. Where will you eat? Are there special attractions you want to see? What natural resources, such as state parks and wildlife refuges, might be along your path? Have fun charting a course of adventure!
• Up for a challenge? Setting a budget for a road trip is an important part of the planning process. You'll want to make sure you stick to your budget, so you won't spend more money than you have available for your road trip. Today, one of the expenses you'll face is the cost of fuel. Calculate the estimated cost of the fuel that you'll use over the course of your road trip. You'll need a carefully-planned route, so you can use an online mapping website to measure the approximate number of miles you plan to drive. You'll also need to know the approximate cost of fuel at the time you plan to travel. Armed with that information, use the online Road Trip Fuel Cost Calculator to determine about how much fuel will cost you during your trip.

Did you get it?

Wonder words.

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That sounds like a lot of fun and a great road trip, jolen! What were your favorite places in Texas?

That's AWESOME, Halie! We appreciate you sharing your connection! :)

Hannah Lynn

im going to new mexico for spring break. have you ever been there and how many hours do i have to be stuck in the car?

Sounds like a GREAT road trip, Hannah! We encourage you to continue to research your question at your library and online! :)

Wonderopolis

Exciting, Nicole! Have a WONDERful time and be safe! Remember to always keep WONDERing! :)

It would depend on your route! We wonder what you would stop to see on your 2,400+ mile road trip from LA to New York?! The Grand Canyon? Horse parks in Kentucky? Colorado's mountains? So many possibilities! Thanks for stopping by, Lauren!

Oh, no, Lyn! We hope no one was hurt! Thanks for sharing with us, today!

We agree, Hawa! A car is definitely better for a road trip! Thanks for WONDERing with us! :-)

Ms. Tesa's Class

What WONDERful questions from Ms. Tesa’s WONDERing Class! According to today's Wonder, "The world’s first ever road trip by automobile may have taken place in Germany in 1888". Wow, that was a long time ago! You may be interested in a few of our other road Wonders. Check these out, Wonder Friends! Wonder #501: Where Was the Mother Road? Wonder #975: What Is an Interstate Highway? Wonder #985: Why Do Highways Have Mile Markers? Enjoy, and Keep WONDERing with us! :-)

We are so glad that you enjoyed today's video, David! We are sure you will be able to explore more places in the future! Keep WONDERing, David! :-)

Mrs. Ricklic's 4th grade ELA c...

Hello to Mrs. Ricklic’s WONDERful 4th grade ELA class! It is so good to have you all WONDERing with us today! Sorry, about the dizzy spell, Wonder Friends! ;-) We can't take credit for today's Wonder video. It was created by several people traveling across the country. Their names are, Mike Mata, Patrick Brooks, and Sharon Huang. We are grateful that they shared their WONDERful video. However, did you know that you can create your own Wonder Video and submit it to Wonderopolis? We may even use it as the featured video for a Wonder of the Day! Here is an example of a video shared with us by our Wonder Friends in Mrs. Thiessen's 3/4 Grade Class: Wonder #92: Why Do You Get Ice Cream Headaches? Enjoy, and Thanks for WONDERing with us! :-D

How Cool, Max! New York is a huge city. What did you visit while you were in NY? We bet you didn't see any buffalo in the road! ;-) Have you seen our Wonder about the Big Apple? You may be interested in checking this out: Wonder #718: Have You Ever Been to the Big Apple? Enjoy, and thanks for WONDERing with us, Max! :-)

sydney gonzales

WONDERful, Sydney! Keep WONDERing with us! :-)

PC Kindergarteners

You are so welcome, PC Kindergartners! We are so happy to have you WONDERing with us! We can't wait to see your creative drawings! Thank you, for sharing with us today! :-D

Absolutely, Emma! We agree that the "journey is the destination"! Thanks, for WONDERing with us today! :-)

WONDERful, Lisbeth! It seems you answered your own Wonder question. We are so glad that you learned something new today! Keep WONDERing with us! :-)

Thanks for WONDERing with us today, Steven! We agree that traveling by airplane is a lot quicker, but you miss exploring all the places in between the airports. We do have some Wonders about airplanes that you may be interested in exploring. Check these out: Wonder #265: Why Do Airplanes Leave Tracks In the Sky? Wonder #886: How Do You Prepare for Takeoff? Wonder #626: How Far Can a Paper Airplane Fly? Enjoy, Wonder Friend! :-)

It certainly was, Marissa. If you blinked you might have missed something. Speaking of blinking, here are a few Wonders you may enjoy: Wonder #788: Why Do We Need Eyelashes? Wonder #1115: What Brings a Tear to Your Eye? Wonder #1062: Why Don't You Have To Trim Your Eyelashes? Enjoy! :-)

We agree with you, Halie. Today's video was pretty fast. We think it was so fast because it was such a long trip and they wanted to fit in as much as possible. Thanks for WONDERing with us today, Halie!

Hi, Trista! We are so glad that you enjoyed today's video! Here are a few links to some more magical art Wonders: Wonder #1098: Can You Draw with Thread? Wonder #1126: Is Design a Science or an Art? Wonder #1008: How Do You Listen to Music? Enjoy, Wonder Friend! :-)

So glad you enjoyed today's Wonder, Sadie! Keep WONDERing! :-)

PB Kindergarteners

Awesome, PB Kindergartners! You made some WONDERful connections to today's Wonder! We can't wait to see your pictures! Please load a few to our Wonder Gallery! We are so excited to see them! :-)

Dylan clark

Sorry, the video was so fast, Dylan! Just like a road trip, if you blink you might miss something! Thanks, for WONDERing with us today! :-)

PB 1st Graders

Way to go, PB 1st Graders! You have some WONDERful math skills! Thank you so much for sharing what you learned today. We can't wait to see the Lego models! If you don't mind, please upload a few of those pictures to our Wonder Gallery on the right, so that our non-Twitter followers can see them. Keep WONDERing with us! :-D

We are so glad that you enjoyed today's Wonder, Ashanti! Thanks for WONDERing with us today! :-)

Hudson Lewis

Wow, Hudson! That really is a long trip. Maybe you could play a game with your brother and sister to help pass the time in the car. You could look for landmarks, you could identify different State's license plates, or you could come up with your own Wonders about what you can see from the car window! Now, that sounds like a fun trip! Thanks for WONDERing with us today, Hudson! :-)

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Question 1 of 3

The world’s first ever road trip by automobile may have taken place in Germany when?

• a 1888 Correct!
• b 1900 Not Quite!
• c 1785 Not Quite!
• d 1924 Not Quite!

Question 2 of 3

Which of the following would not be a good way to take a road trip?

• a car Not Quite!
• b motorcycle Not Quite!
• c minivan Not Quite!
• d airplane Correct!

Question 3 of 3

Which of the following is NOT an example of modern technology that can enhance a road trip?

• a GPS receivers Not Quite!
• b smartphones Not Quite!
• c in-vehicle audio and video systems Not Quite!
• d atlas Correct!

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More From Forbes

How jimin and jung kook’s road trip became ‘are you sure’.

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Jung Kook and Jimin enjoyed winter sports in Sapporo, Japan.

Before enlisting for the mandatory military duty required of all able-bodied South Korean males, BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook wanted to take one more road trip and film that trip so fans could virtually tag along. The idea was to create content similar to the travel reality show BTS Bon Voyage , where all the members traveled together. The result of that 2023 road trip became the new Disney+ travel reality show Are You Sure? Naming the show was a collaborative effort between the k-pop idols and the production team, but, according to director Jun Soo Park, the title was inspired by a question Jimin asked more than once.

“It was thanks to Jimin, who kept asking, 'Are You Sure?!' throughout the filming, that the final title came to be Are You Sure?!” said Park.

The itinerary includes a trip to the U.S., then Korea’s Jeju Island then Sapporo, Japan, but the plan did not originally cover that much of the globe. First, the production team suggested a trip to the U.S. because Jimin and Jung Kook had never been there for a casual trip.

“When they set off for the States, they had no plans for the second or third locations—Jeju Island and Sapporo,” said Park. “They were disappointed to end the trip in the States and also wanted to do something more as a gift to fans. With that in mind, they proposed the idea to continue the trip to Jeju Island and Japan. After starting with the States, they went on a trip to the other locations at intervals of two to three months.”

Jung Kook enjoys a quiet moment while kayaking with Jimin in Connecticut.

Before beginning the trip, the production team asked Jimin and Jung Kook if there were any food or activities they wanted to try in those regions. They then used the answers to design the itinerary, acting as travel guides to prepare various options the BTS members could choose from.

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“It is a reality show which fully reflects the two members’ ideas,” said Park. “Right from the start, the show was developed very much in collaboration with Jimin and Jung Kook, who actively shared their thoughts on the locations and activities they wanted to explore.”

As a result, Jimin and Jung Kook got to enjoy some well-earned free time by kayaking and hiking in the U.S., snorkeling and fishing off Jeju Island and skiing in Japan. When visiting the U.S. they initially intended to enjoy outdoor activities somewhere near New York City and wound up in Connecticut.

“While looking for a place within two hours of New York where Jimin and Jung Kook could relax in nature and try out different activities they wanted, we came across Connecticut,” said Park. “It was a location that we weren’t familiar with at first, but it fit perfectly with what we intended to do, so we headed to Connecticut as the first destination for our trip.”

The series is named 'Are You Sure?!' because Jimin kept asking that very question.

While cast and crew tried to avoid attracting attention, it’s hard to be as famous as BTS and not be recognized by someone. Occasionally they were. However, being recognized did not present any problems thanks to the fans that respectfully gave them space.

“We were able to find and shoot mostly in quiet locations,” said Park. “But we were still prepared to handle any situations that might arise at those locations. Luckily we didn’t draw much attention while shooting, and the whole trip went very smoothly. Additionally, the fans, who encountered the members on the streets, were very considerate of Jimin and Jung Kook, and due to this, we were able to wrap up the shoot in safe, enjoyable conditions.”

The show, which was co-directed by Park ( Tomorrow X Together: Our Lost Summer , j-hope In The Box and the drama Gaus Electronics ) and Hana Lee, airs on Disney+.

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11 tips for a smooth EV road trip — without the range anxiety

Thinking of taking a road trip in an electric vehicle? Or are concerns about running out of battery power on a long drive keeping you from buying an EV?

Charging infrastructure has improved over the last few years, and newer vehicles are charging much faster than previous generations. But it still matters what you drive, where you're driving and how much you plan in advance.

Road trips can play a disproportionate role in the public conversation about EVs. The vast majority of EV charging happens at home, not at public fast chargers. Many EV-owning households also have a gas or hybrid vehicle they prefer for long trips.

And some EV owners shrug off range anxiety because they simply don't go on many road trips. Ford CEO Jim Farley, in a recent love letter to EVs , wrote that Ford’s research shows half of Americans go on 150-mile-plus drives "four days or fewer per year.” Owning a car that's cheaper and easier 361 days of the year, but a bit of a hassle on your yearly holiday drive, might beat out having the dream road-trip machine.

Still, being able to go on road trips is a priority for many people. Here are some tips on how to make a battery-powered long haul more relaxing.

Before you decide:

• Consider your vehicle. Aside from a few models (like older Nissan Leafs), most modern EVs can handle a long drive but the experience will vary widely. Some EVs, like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Kia EV6, can charge very quickly, getting back on the road in less than 20 minutes. Others, like the affordable Chevy Bolt, charge slowly, taking an hour or more. Tesla’s routing software is excellent, and Tesla’s Supercharger network — now open to Fords and Rivians — is best in class. If you're renting a car for a road trip, opt for a Tesla or at least a fast-charging option. If you're taking your own car, get familiar with its capabilities.
• Consider your destination. California has abundant chargers, while parts of Wyoming are nearly chargerless. Charger availability can vary widely, not just state by state or city by city but interstate by interstate, neighborhood by neighborhood. Look up your specific route before making a judgment call about whether you'll do it on battery power.

Before you go:

• Prep your car. Just like with a gas car, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure before you hit the road — although there's no need to check your oil, of course! And charge up. A lot of EV owners keep their car at a maximum of 80% charge for day-to-day driving, to extend the life of the battery . But road trips are when that full 100% charge comes in handy, and occasionally charging to 100% does not damage your battery. If you can, schedule the charge so you hit 100% shortly before you leave.
• Check your route. Plug your destination into your car’s on-board navigation or an EV routing app like A Better Route Planner to see which chargers are going to be available along the way. On a road trip, you'll be looking for DC fast chargers, not Level 2 chargers, and preferably chargers that can match or exceed your car's max charging speed. Check reviews, too, and opt for chargers with higher reliability scores. And even if you don’t drive a Tesla, you may want to download the Tesla app just in case there’s a supercharger with Magic Dock (meaning any EV can use it) along your route.
• Look for hotels with EV chargers (and decide if they’re worth it). Charging up overnight at hotels can be convenient, especially if you’re in a slower-charging car. But check reviews (like on the charger review app Plugshare) to make sure the hotel chargers are reliable. Check prices, too. Some hotel charges are free. Others might cost $30 or more to charge a mid-size battery — as much as a fast charger. And have a backup plan, especially if the hotel only has one plug, for another way to charge.

On your trip:

• Pack intentionally. You should never overload any vehicle. But even if you're within your EV's weight limit, if you load your vehicle down or pull a trailer , you’ll reduce your range significantly. That may not be a problem if you’ve planned for it, but don’t get caught by surprise!
• Watch your speed. Of all the things that can reduce your range — temperature, wind, elevation — your speed is the easiest to control. Going faster will mean more charging stops.
• Turn on the A/C. Yes, climate control affects your range — just like it affects fuel economy in a gas car. But A/C in the summer isn’t nearly as big of a drain as a heater in the winter, and a road trip is miserable without it. One thing that can help, in either cold or hot weather, is starting the climate control while your car is still charging. (On a winter road trip, you might also see a meaningful range boost if you rely more on heated seats and less on the heater.)
• Listen to your car. Because external factors can reduce your range — and because some cars are less accurate than others at identifying your probable range — you may need to stop and charge before you expected. If your vehicle is sending up warning signals that it can’t reach its destination without a charge, don’t ignore them.
• Charge to 80%. At a fast charger, charging speeds reduce rapidly after a car hits 80%. You'll save yourself a lot of time by unplugging and moving on once you hit that mark. At slower chargers, like overnight charges at hotels, you can go ahead and charge to 100% if you'll be using the car the next day.
• Multitask. Meal stops. Bathroom visits. Snack resupply runs. Stretching interludes. Playground visits. Shopping. Whenever possible, use your charging stops as a chance to get out of your car. That's not possible at all chargers. But increasingly, companies are vying to put chargers near amenities, which can make a charging stop feel less like a hassle and more like a break.

Copyright 2024 NPR

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A road trip in an electric vehicle doesn't have to be nerve-wracking anymore

Camila Domonoske

11 tips for a smooth EV road trip — without the range anxiety

Electric innovations past and present: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 that NPR took on a road trip stopped at the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park in Edison, N.J., on June 11. It’s the site of the world’s second-largest light bulb (that would be the one on top of the tower, at left) in honor of Thomas Edison. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Snacks, check. Playlist, check. Fully charged car — check?

Electric vehicles are central to automakers’ future. They’re key to climate advocates’ hopes. But most Americans remain leery of taking them on long road trips.

Electric cars have a road trip problem, even for the secretary of energy

And I get it. As NPR’s cars and energy correspondent, I’ve been on EV road trips where overcrowded and broken roadside chargers caused hassles and headaches. I’ve heard from EV enthusiasts who shrug off road trip angst, and from non-EV owners who say it’s a top reason they won’t go electric. And I’ve heard from auto executives and government officials who say improving the country’s charging infrastructure is a top priority.

So, is road trip charging getting any better?

Earlier this summer, photographer Amanda Andrade-Rhoades and I drove more than 1,000 miles, partly to try to answer that very question. What we found was a charging infrastructure at a point of flux. Cars are changing. Chargers are changing.

And things are getting better. Just not evenly.

The electric battery range is displayed on a Hyundai Ioniq's dashboard at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., the starting point for this trip. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Starting point: Washington, D.C.

Andrade-Rhoades and I met up at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., where we got into a borrowed 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited with a fully charged battery. We plugged in a destination near Boston, agreed on our road trip playlist — that would be the highly bingeable podcast Normal Gossip — and hit the road, following the instructions from the car’s built-in navigation software.

We drove, riveted by the tales of other people’s drama, up the busy I-95 corridor.

I want to pause here to note: We spend way more time commuting than on long drives, and EVs handle daily driving with ease . Also, many households have multiple cars, so they might own an EV and never use it for road trips. And yet, Americans do love road trips — so addressing range anxiety matters.

We passed through Baltimore, Wilmington and Philadelphia, with a stop for lunch at Panera and a bit of sightseeing in New Jersey. Who could resist the allure of the world’s second-largest light bulb?

Photojournalist Amanda Andrade-Rhoades (left) and NPR correspondent Camila Domonoske take a selfie at the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park in Edison, N.J. An enormous light bulb on top is lit at night in honor of the famous inventor. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Road Stop 1: The Thomas Edison Memorial Tower at Menlo Park in New Jersey

The Ioniq’s built-in navigation software could identify when we needed to charge and what our options were. After 228 miles it recommended we stop. I vetoed its first suggestion for a charger — the station only had a single plug, which meant if someone beat us to it we could have a long wait.

So instead, we headed to the parking lot of a ShopRite — not quite as scenic as a giant light bulb, but hey, I wasn’t about to complain about a working charger where we needed one.

Domonoske charges up the EV in New Jersey. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Charge Stop 1: Bloomfield, N.J., 21 minutes

At the ShopRite’s EVgo station, we plugged the car (which we had named Serenity) into a charger (which EVgo had named Horatio).

Horatio opened less than two years ago. That's true for more than half of the non-Tesla fast chargers in the U.S., according to NPR's analysis of data from the Department of Energy . That's one sign of just how new America's fast-charging infrastructure is.

But "fast" is relative and varies by car. Next to us, MD Koyes Khan pulled up in his Toyota bZ4X. Fast-charging his EV from 20% to 80% takes “like, one hour … sometimes one and a half hours, depends on the weather,” he said.

And as an Uber and Lyft driver, he’s not making money while he waits to charge.

“It’s not good for us,” he says.

You asked, we answered: Your questions about electric vehicles

Different cars and different chargers have different maximum charge rates. Horatio, our charger, could charge at up to a blistering 350 kW. And the Ioniq 6 is a speedy-charging car; in certain configurations, it's the No. 1 fastest-charging EV on the market according to Edmunds and MotorTrend . (It’s a combination of a battery designed to handle the stress of a superfast charge, and an efficient car that gets more miles from a smaller battery.)

The result? We were back on the road in a hair over 20 minutes. That's longer than a gas stop, but way shorter than an hour. And just a few years ago, that kind of speed was mostly hypothetical.

Domonoske records an animatronic show at Stew Leonard’s, "The World’s Largest Dairy Store," in Norwalk, Conn. And what is a dairy store? Turns out it’s a lot like a grocery store — except a grocery store with animatronics, an ice cream stand and goats. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Goats canoodle at the petting zoo at Stew Leonard’s. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Road Stop 2: A dairy store in Norwalk, Conn.

When we had left D.C., the Ioniq 6 routed us toward Boston along a path that only required one charging stop. But as we got closer, the car said we’d need another one. Maybe it was our road stop detours (in addition to the light bulb, we’d stopped at “The World’s Largest Dairy Store” to get some ice cream and greet some goats). Maybe it was running the AC. Whatever the reason, it was clear we’d need a tad more juice.

Fortunately, there were plenty of options. We pulled into the back corner of a mall parking lot.

Beth Shapiro pays to charge her electric vehicle in Connecticut. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Charge Stop 2: Westfield Trumbull, Conn., 10 minutes

Are you getting the sense that an EV road trip is a tour of parking lots? That’s mostly true; while some companies are getting better about locating stations near amenities, many chargers have been plopped wherever there’s ample parking and easy access to electricity.

At this Electrify America station, we weren’t charging quite as quickly as at the EVgo, but we only needed a small top-up anyway. During our short stop, Beth Shapiro and her son Isaac Prusky pulled up in her Polestar 2.

She’s taken the car on several road trips and praised the experience. “People are so nice at these charging stations,” she said.

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In fact, she only had one real complaint about driving an EV. “Sometimes I feel like I'm doing a good thing for the world, but then I worry because batteries are a problem,” she said. What exactly does she worry about? “Where this battery's going to go when it has no more useful life," she said, "and what it’s going to do to the universe.”

I told her we were on our way to a battery recycling company near Boston for a story about exactly that. We got back in the Ioniq to continue north.

Overnight charge: Residence Inn, Marlborough, Mass.

In our first day, we had traveled 436 miles over the course of 10 hours and charged for a total of half an hour. If I were traveling just for fun, I’d have sought out charging stops where we could also grab food for maximum efficiency — but since I was reporting, I wanted to use that time to talk to people.

But when it came to hotels, I planned this trip very much like I would a personal road trip, looking for hotels in our price range and along our route that offered chargers. Our Residence Inn had four plugs on the ChargePoint network, and while we slept, the Ioniq went from a 30% state of charge back to fully juiced up.

The next morning, we visited the EV battery recycling facility Ascend Elements in Westborough, Mass. ( Read all about it.) Then we hopped back on the road to return home.

An American flag is reflected in the window of an electric car. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Charge Stop 3: Pompton Lakes, N.J., 22 minutes

Our Day 2 drive required just one stop. We pulled into an Electrify America at the parking lot of a strip mall in this suburb of New York.

In the same parking lot was a Tesla Supercharger — with space for three times as many cars.

Tesla, love it or hate it , has been a transformative company in multiple ways. The Supercharger network was a very expensive bet that investing heavily in road trip chargers was key to getting car buyers to embrace EVs. And it worked. Road-tripping in a Tesla is better than in other EVs. The Supercharger network is the biggest and most reliable EV charger network in the country, without any serious rival.

I walked over to the Superchargers, where I chatted with driver Deepti Bhat. Turns out she’s no Tesla superfan. She had a long list of complaints about her car — the interior gets too hot, some parts get jammed — but none whatsoever about charging.

“Wherever I’ve stayed I’ve found charging nearby,” she says.

For many years only Tesla drivers could use those Superchargers. Now, in a major shift, other companies are embracing Tesla’s charging technology; in exchange, Tesla is gradually opening its network up to other users . Ford and Rivian got access first.

Other brands are still waiting, including Hyundai. So we were stuck at the Electrify America charging station. We got lucky — there was no wait. Jorge Nuñez, who charges at that station regularly, said he sometimes has to wait an hour for a slot.

I asked if he ever looked longingly over at all the empty Superchargers. “I do get jealous a little bit,” he said.

As Serenity charged, I chatted with local resident Agatha Hatzoglu, who pulled in next to Nuñez in her Volkswagen ID.4. She said she’s happy with the chargers in her corner of Jersey, but she prefers a gas car for trips to the Jersey Shore, where the chargers are fewer and farther between.

“I'm sure in the future it's going to be a lot better,” she says, “but I'm too old to wait for the future.”

She’s 76, and she looks great. I ask her for some skincare tips. Her advice? A plant-based diet. Oh, well.

A gap in the network near Allentown, Pa.

From Pompton Lakes we head south. But this time, instead of following the I-95 corridor and its abundant chargers, we turn slightly farther inland.

It’s probably common knowledge by this point that some parts of the country have a lot more chargers than others. California? Oodles. Wyoming? Oof.

The Northeast has lots of chargers, but it’s not just region by region that varies; within just a short drive, the charger map can look very different. That's why Hatzoglu liked driving an EV in some parts of New Jersey but not others. And that’s why coming south on I-78, barely an hour west of where we’d traveled the day before, we hit a stretch of interstate in central Pennsylvania where the closest charger was 50 miles away.

We had plenty of juice to make it through that stretch of highway without sweating it. But if we had unexpectedly needed a charge, it would have been a lot harder than it was in Connecticut.

“And not a single sign on the side of the road to indicate, ‘This is your last chance!’ ” Andrade-Rhoades pointed out. (In general, EV chargers and lack thereof aren’t advertised on highway signs — drivers need to watch apps or their car’s navigation system to know where to exit.)

The entrance to Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, Pa., is reflected in Domonoske's sunglasses. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

People line up for a kitschy ride that shows the process of making Hershey’s chocolate in Hershey, Pa. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Road Stop 3: The Hershey's Chocolate World factory tour, Hershey, Pa.

In 2021, the federal government allocated billions of dollars for public EV chargers to plug gaps like these. And there are chargers planned, funded by that money, on that exact stretch of I-78.

But they’re not there yet. Pennsylvania is actually moving unusually fast to spend this money, with a few federally funded chargers already open and many others in the design phase. But unusually fast is still taking years. In most states, not a single federally-funded charger has opened.

Colton Brown, PennDOT’s EV guy, says there’s a lot of legwork that goes into opening these stations — from finding locations to striking deals with utilities — and the process is new for states. Charging stations aren’t a traditional infrastructure project.

A training program promised jobs working on EV chargers. The market hasn’t lived up

“Departments of Transportation, they're used to roads and bridges,” he points out. “It's a very different space to be in.”

After an overnight at the Best Western Plus in Hershey — where there was only a single charger, but fortunately it was all ours — we squeezed in one more road trip stop: the Hershey's Chocolate World factory tour.

I dropped Andrade-Rhoades off in D.C. and headed toward my home in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

“Roughly 1 in 5 visits to a public charger ends in a failed charge event,” says Brent Gruber, who studies EVs for auto data company J.D. Power. Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for NPR hide caption

Charge Stop 4: Haymarket, Va., 6 minutes

We didn’t drain the battery much on our last — and shortest — day of driving. So the last charging stop took only six minutes. I added about 75 miles of range, enough to make it home to the Shenandoah Valley with battery to spare.

All told, we drove more than 1,000 miles. It took 2 ½ days. And charging? That took just under an hour, total. 

No question, you could refuel at gas stations much more quickly. On the other hand? That's significantly less time than we spent on food and bathroom breaks.

And, notably, every charger we visited worked.

EVs won over early adopters, but mainstream buyers aren't along for the ride yet

Your mileage may vary, of course. “Roughly 1 in 5 visits to a public charger ends in a failed charge event,” says Brent Gruber, who studies EVs for auto data company J.D. Power. That includes chargers that aren’t working, or have vandalized cords, or are so crowded that a driver gives up.

Gruber says we got lucky. But, he says, it wasn’t just luck.

“We are seeing signs of improvement across the board,” he says. “Speed, increased availability … the ease of charging is getting much better.”

My takeaway? The ease of road trip charging still depends on what you're driving, where you're driving, and how carefully you plan .

There’s still a long way to go before public charging infrastructure meets the needs of today’s EVs, let alone projections for the future. But the journey is underway.

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Britain’s Violent Riots: What We Know

Officials had braced for more unrest on Wednesday, but the night’s anti-immigration protests were smaller, with counterprotesters dominating the streets instead.

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By Lynsey Chutel

After days of violent rioting set off by disinformation around a deadly stabbing rampage, the authorities in Britain had been bracing for more unrest on Wednesday. But by nightfall, large-scale anti-immigration demonstrations had not materialized, and only a few arrests had been made nationwide.

Instead, streets in cities across the country were filled with thousands of antiracism protesters, including in Liverpool, where by late evening, the counterdemonstration had taken on an almost celebratory tone.

Over the weekend, the anti-immigration protests, organized by far-right groups, had devolved into violence in more than a dozen towns and cities. And with messages on social media calling for wider protests and counterprotests on Wednesday, the British authorities were on high alert.

With tensions running high, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet held emergency meetings to discuss what has become the first crisis of his recently elected government. Some 6,000 specialist public-order police officers were mobilized nationwide to respond to any disorder, and the authorities in several cities and towns stepped up patrols.

Wednesday was not trouble-free, however.

In Bristol, the police said there was one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle and a bottle was thrown. In the southern city of Portsmouth, police officers dispersed a small group of anti-immigration protesters who had blocked a roadway. And in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where there have been at least four nights of unrest, disorder continued, and the police service said it would bring in additional officers.

But overall, many expressed relief that the fears of wide-scale violence had not been realized.

Here’s what we know about the turmoil in Britain.

Where has the unrest taken place?

Protesters over the weekend took to the streets of a dozen cities across Britain, most of them in England. Trouble broke out from Aldershot in the south to Sunderland in the north and Liverpool in the west. Belfast, in Northern Ireland, was also drawn into the fray.

In some cases, the protesters were merely unruly, but in others the violence was more pronounced.

Where arrests have been reported

On Sunday, rioters set upon a hotel that was housing asylum seekers in the town of Rotherham, in northern England, breaking windows before surging inside as the police struggled to control them. No guests were injured in the melee, the police said.

In Middlesbrough, a group of rioters, some masked, hurled bottles and rocks at officers. Cars were set on fire, and at least nine people were arrested. On Saturday, a library and a food bank were set ablaze in Liverpool as groups damaged and looted businesses, and in Hull, fires were set and storefronts smashed in the city center.

Dozens of police officers were injured, including some who required trips to the hospital.

What set off the protests?

The unrest began after a teenager wielding a knife attacked a children’s dance class early last week in the seaside town of Southport, which is near Liverpool. Three children were killed, and eight were wounded.

The suspect was born and raised in Britain, but online rumors soon circulated that he was an undocumented immigrant. To counter those false claims, the authorities took the unusual step of publicly identifying him. The BBC has reported that the suspect’s parents are from Rwanda. The police have not disclosed a motive for the stabbing attack.

But with migration a flashpoint issue in Britain, especially on the far right, the rumors were all it took to set off violence.

Extremist groups urged their followers to take to the streets, and on the day after the stabbings, they began to do so, starting in Southport.

How have the authorities responded?

The weekend riots prompted a heavy police response. Nearly 4,000 additional officers were deployed, a law enforcement association said. And a government order gave officers in some places special powers to disperse any gatherings or “antisocial behavior,” the police said in a statement .

More than 400 people have been arrested, and about 100 have been charged, Mr. Starmer said after an emergency cabinet meeting on Tuesday — the second in two days.

The prime minister, who has characterized the riots as “far-right thuggery,” encouraged prosecutors to name and shame those convicted to dissuade others from joining the violent rampages.

“I’m now expecting substantive sentencing before the end of the week,” Mr. Starmer said. “That should send a very powerful message to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week and that nobody, but nobody, should involve themselves in this disorder.”

BJ Harrington, the head of public order for Britain’s National Police Chiefs’ Council, said that online disinformation had been “a huge driver of this appalling violence.”

Intelligence teams, detectives and neighborhood officers, Mr. Harrington said, were working to identify the people fomenting the violence.

“They won’t win,” he said.

How are the authorities handling online incitement?

Social media has acted as an accelerant throughout the protests, with disinformation fueling far-right and anti-immigrant groups . Britain and other democracies have found that policing the internet is legally murky terrain, with individual rights and free speech protections balanced against a desire to block harmful material .

In his remarks on Tuesday, Mr. Starmer said that some arrests involved people accused of inciting violence online.

The first person to be convicted over online posts since the riots, according to the Crown Prosecution Service , was a 28-year-old man from Leeds who posted messages on Facebook about attacking a hotel that housed asylum seekers. It said that the man, Jordan Parlour, had pleaded guilty and been convicted of using threatening words or behavior to stir up racial hatred.

Mr. Starmer has called out social media companies over misinformation on their platforms, but holding them accountable could be tricky. Britain adopted a law last year that requires social media companies to introduce protections for child safety and to prevent and quickly remove illegal content like terrorism propaganda and revenge pornography. The law is less clear about how companies must treat misinformation and incendiary language.

What are the political implications?

The riots are the first political crisis for Mr. Starmer, who took office a month ago after his Labour Party defeated the Conservatives, who had been in government for 14 years.

While in power, the Conservatives tried to capitalize on public unhappiness over immigration, vowing to reduce it (though failing to do so). But in recent days they joined Labour in condemning the violent protests.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, now the opposition leader, said the unrest had “nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.” The police, he said, have “our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly.”

Megan Specia contributed reporting.

Lynsey Chutel covers South Africa and the countries that make up southern Africa from Johannesburg. More about Lynsey Chutel

Red Sox lineup: Sweep on line in KC; Tyler O’Neill to IL with leg infection

• Updated: Aug. 07, 2024, 8:04 p.m.
• | Published: Aug. 07, 2024, 5:07 p.m.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 21: Kutter Crawford #50 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) Getty Images

• Sean McAdam | [email protected]

KANSAS CITY — The Red Sox will go for a sweep of the Royals Wednesday night. If that happens, they’ll also return home to Boston in sole possession of third place in the wild card standings.

The Sox have taken the first two games here to cut the Royals’ edge to a half game. Boston is 4-1 in the first five games of this road swing that began in Texas last Friday night.

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