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Are you seeking an adventure that allows for freedom and exploration? Then a road trip is exactly what you need. A road trip is the perfect opportunity to learn new things and make memories with your loved ones. However, before heading out on any expedition, one of the first things you need to know how to do is plan a road trip route.
Careful planning is the key to a great road trip. With this guide, you’ll learn how to create an unforgettable trip, one with the perfect mix of unique destinations, interesting attractions and exciting activities. Keep reading as we go over key steps that you need to know when planning a road trip route.
Road trips can be a great way to explore and make lasting memories, but it all starts with planning your route. If you’re new to planning trip adventures, our comprehensive guide lays out everything from mapping routes to considering layover stops.
Step 1: Choose A Type Of Road Trip
Start by deciding what kind of road trip you want. This mostly depends on your preferences, budget and how much time you have to spend.
What Type of Road Tripper Are You?
There are various kinds of road trippers. For many, a road trip is more than just getting from point A to point B. It’s an opportunity to explore unexpected sights and experiences along the way.
While some people like to plan their trip in detail and see as many places as they can, others prefer easy-going and are ready to chill in one place for hours. Moreover, some road trippers just pack their backpacks and start exploring random places as they go. Plan your route according to your preferences (or don’t plan at all).
What Is Your Main Goal?
To get the most from your road trip adventure, it’s best first to consider precisely what you want out of it. Road trips can take many forms, and you can customise them to suit different preferences and budgets. By identifying your primary goal, you can plan a route that includes activities, destinations and experiences that align with your objectives.
Some popular types of road trips to consider include:
- Scenic Trips: These are trips that focus on enjoying the natural beauty and landscapes along certain routes. You can take a road trip to explore beautiful landscapes across the UK and enjoy some of the most stunning views in the country.
- Urban Road Trips: These trips focus on exploring the cities and towns along a particular route and experiencing the local culture.
- Adventure Road Trips: These trips are for those who love to experience thrilling outdoor activities such as hiking, camping or rafting. Examples include hiking in the Peak District, surfing in Cornwall or kayaking in the Scottish lochs.
- Culinary Road Trips: These trips are all about exploring the food and drink of a particular region. The UK is home to many famous culinary destinations, such as the Scottish whisky trail, the Cotswold cheese route and the Cornish pasty trail.
- Family Road Trips: These trips are for families with children and often include visits to theme parks, zoos and other family-friendly attractions.
- Historical Road Trips: These trips focus on exploring the history and culture of a particular region. Visit some of the UK’s most famous historical sites, such as the Roman ruins in Bath, the mediaeval castles in Wales or the ancient standing stones at Stonehenge. There are also lots of historical sites across Europe and beyond.
Tip: Before embarking on a trip to your favorite destination, have a mechanic inspect your car. Top off all the fluids and make sure the vehicle is in working condition for a smooth drive.
Step 2: Define Key Places
Once you know what type of road trip you want to take, research different destinations and attractions that align with your goal. Look for popular landmarks, natural wonders, cultural experiences and local events that you might want to include in your itinerary. Create a personalised itinerary that covers all the main sites, cities and towns you’ll visit. For example, check out this guide to a great Wales road trip.
Step 3: Set Dates Or Rough Time Interval
Setting dates and times for your road trip is another crucial step in the planning process because it helps you budget your time and finances and ensures that you can complete your itinerary without feeling rushed or stressed. Decide how much time you can take off work or other commitments. This will help you determine how long your road trip can be.
Research how much time it will take to complete your itinerary, including travel time between destinations and time spent exploring each location. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for unexpected changes in your plans.
Step 4: Listing Side Quests
Side quests help add some spontaneity and adventure to your journey. Look for unique experiences such as festivals, fairs, outdoor markets and local attractions that you might not have considered. During the ride, you can also talk to locals and ask for recommendations for things to do and see in the area. Be open to taking detours that might lead to unexpected discoveries.
Step: 5: Use The Technology To Set A Route
Use Google Maps or any other website as a trip planner to set your routes and track your expedition. These platforms allow you to create maps that indicate drive times and mileage between each stop, as well as provide an estimate of the time for the whole drive. You can use this route map to navigate during your drive.
Tip: Google My Map allows you to add up to ten stops per map. There are also plenty of other great trip planners.
A 5-day road trip in Ireland can be a great idea with our plan.
Google Maps: A Comprehensive Guide
This comprehensive guide will show you how to use the Google Maps app or website as a trip planner. Google Maps is only one of many navigation maps available for finding a scenic route.
Google has a variety of navigation apps that make your trip easier. The Google Maps route planner is your perfect travel companion for any kind of journey. The intuitive search bar in Google Maps allows you to quickly and easily enter your desired destination to find the most scenic route.
Google Maps will find the location and also provide details such as opening times, reviews and ratings. Use the route planner for a good overview of nearby attractions and hotels where you can spend the night. You can even get an estimate of how long it will take to get there from where you are now.
Tip: In addition to using Google Maps or other route-planner apps, you can also ask locals for directions when travelling through unfamiliar routes.
Create A Route
Follow these simple steps to get the most out of your multi-stop expedition using the Google Maps route planner.
Create A Map
Log in to your email with a Google account and visit the Google Maps website. When planning a course, we recommend using the navigation app on the desktop version. Open Google Maps and click ‘Create New Map’ in order to open up a pop-up window where you can add a title and description of your route.
Edit The Layer
After naming the route map, proceed to create a new layer. This layer will allow you to add directions as you want. Click the arrow button beneath the search bar to add directions. Similarly to renaming the route map, rename this layer by tapping on its custom icon and editing accordingly. When you’re done, add location markers along your driving route for further clarification of where you are going.
Generate Route Map
You can design your route map to include multiple stops between the start and end points. You’ll need to add the stops one by one, just like you’d add location markers to a map. Follow these steps to generate a route map:
- Enter the chosen destination in the search box, and the route map will generate the fastest route. You can change the destination address anytime by clicking on the edit button in the top-right corner of the map app.
- Add multiple stops to your route map by clicking on the ‘Add Destination’ option. The system will display a pop-up that allows you to enter a new stop address. Add as many stops as you want. You can even import the CSV file for the destination from your computer.
Finally, add the stop to the directions layer and adjust them as you wish. At this point, you can edit or delete any of the multiple stops you added to the route planner map.
Tip: You can create a route and start your navigation, and then go offline since Google Maps will act as if you’re online as long as you don’t exit the route navigation.
Inspect Your Route Map
Before embarking on your trip, double-check that you’ve organised the route planner and added all necessary layers. Make sure to check between the start point and end point to ensure that you have chosen the best route.
Download And Access Map On Your Phone
You can’t download a custom route map on Google Maps. You can only download the map of the particular area. However, this can come in handy if you get stuck on a road that you’re not familiar with without a connection. Here are the steps to do so.
- Open the Google Maps app on your phone and sign in.
- Tap on your profile image (or initials) on the top left.
- Choose ‘Offline’ from the displayed menu.
- Tap ‘Select Your Own Map’.
- Choose the area you want to download by moving the shown rectangle and zooming in/out on the map. You can adjust dimensions and repeat the process countless times to set every map you need.
- Tap ‘Download’.
Tip: You are able to see your location and direction even when offline because your position is based on GPS, not internet access.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips that can help you plan the perfect road trip.
Packing
After planning your road trip route; it’s time to pack. Packing strategically will save you the stress of making countless detours to get important items during the ride.
Plan Thoroughly
Prepare for the trip by creating a checklist. Write down all the items you might need during the journey on the list. This will help make sure that you don’t forget to carry any important items. Toiletries, clothes, bottled water and charger cables are some of the essential items that you won’t want to forget. If you are travelling with your kids, don’t forget to make an extra checklist for them.
Bring Everything You Need
With the checklist ready, you can start packing all the things you need into the suitcase. Tick each item off the list as you place it in the bag or suitcase. Instead of folding your clothes, you can roll them up so they take up less space.
+ ‘Just In Case’ Items
If there is enough space in your luggage box, don’t hesitate to bring along secondary items that may be useful during the trip. Examples of such items are pillows and blankets to make the car comfortable, a cooler with your favourite snacks and drinks, as well as entertainment items such as books, magazines and games.
… But Don’t Overpack
Overpacking is one common mistake that people make during road trips. Packing heavily will only cause unnecessary stress and inconvenience. Pack only those items that are essential and share other travel items like chargers and toiletries if you’re travelling with family.
You don’t need a lot of stuff for a trip across Scotland with our touring guidance. Read here about it.
Vehicle
When planning your next road trip adventure, make sure to factor in the best vehicle option for you. In this regard, you have several options, such as:
- SUV: Sport utility vehicles are ideal for any excursion, with their cosy and spacious interior. Visibility is always a priority, and driving an SUV ensures you can see what’s ahead of the road without sacrificing comfort. Also, they are best for off-roading.
- Minivan: Whether travelling with your closest friends or extended family, minivans offer a dependable way to get around. You’ll enjoy extra legroom and storage space, plus entertainment systems and adjustable climate control for added comfort.
- Campervan: Campervans have beds, kitchens and bathrooms, making them perfect for extended trips.
- Sedan: While not as spacious as an SUV or a minivan, sedans are still a great option for shorter road trips. They are fuel-efficient, comfortable and easy to drive.
- Convertible: Take the scenic route in style with a convertible road trip experience. A convertible allows you to take in stunning views as you travel. But what is a convertible car?
However, the more important factor than the vehicle type is the vehicle’s condition. For the ones that are not so proficient in checking it, your best bet is cars with not-so-high mileage.
Tip: Don’t get stuck on the side of the road. Make sure the rental vehicle you select for your road trip comes with breakdown cover. That way, if an issue arises while you’re driving, help is just a phone call away.
Route
Here are some things to consider when planning your trip routes:
- Consider the time of year: The time of year can have a big impact on your trip. Optimal times to travel may vary depending on your destination, with certain routes closed off due to inclement weather, while others often become extremely busy during peak tourist months.
- Take into account the length of your trip: For a more enjoyable experience, break the journey into smaller segments and plan for multiple stops where you can take time to relax.
- Research road conditions: Look into any potential route changes before driving so you can reach your destination on time and avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Be flexible: While it’s important to have a general plan, you must also be flexible. By remaining flexible and open-minded during the ride, unexpected opportunities may reveal themselves. Be willing to adjust your routes to explore other fun places.
- Don’t forget about gas stations: Note down places around your routes where you can refuel so you don’t get stranded with an empty tank in the middle of nowhere.
Tip: When you’re in a hurry to reach your favorite destination, cut down the time spent on travel by taking advantage of motorways and toll roads.
What Type Of A Car Is Best For Long Road Trips?
The best car for long road trips is one that is comfortable, fuel-efficient and reliable. When it comes to selecting a car for long road trips, comfort and reliability are key. Sedans, SUVs and minivans offer plenty of space for passengers and cargo, making them ideal choices in such situations. Ultimately, the best vehicle depends on your individual preferences and the number of travellers.
Tip: Only book accommodation or a hotel with a parking space to avoid incurring extra cost for parking.
See here the list of the longest motorways in the UK.
What Type Of A Car Is Best For Rough Terrains?
Off-road cars are the best for rough terrain. These cars are great for tackling bumpy and challenging roads. SUVs and trucks are examples of off-road vehicles that can travel on rough terrain. These vehicles usually have higher ground clearance, four-wheel drive and rugged suspension systems that can handle rough roads and steep inclines.
Off-road vehicles are built to withstand tough conditions and provide excellent traction on unpaved roads. For off-roading success, the key is finding a car that can handle whatever terrain and conditions you’ll encounter. Do some research to ensure your vehicle of choice has all the features you need to navigate safely over tough landscapes.
Tip: Maintaining road safety begins with you! Be sure to obey the speed limit and adjust your driving based on conditions like visibility or weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There A Website To Plan A Road Trip?
Yes, there is a website to plan a road trip. If you’re looking to get creative, plan the perfect route for your next road trip and discover amazing stops along the way, a good place to start is one of four popular websites: Roadtrippers, TripIt, Google Maps or AAA TripTik. These websites can also help the road trip planner map out service stations and overnight stops along the route.
What Is The Best Online Road Trip Planner?
The best online road trip planner is Google Maps. Google Maps offers features like route optimisation and personalised attraction suggestions to make road trip planning easy. Roadtrippers and AAA TripTik are also great alternatives to Google Maps. They can determine the distance between locations and help you navigate the course.
How Do I Plan A Road Trip With Google Maps?
To plan a road trip with Google Maps, you must have a Google account. Visit the Google Maps website or launch the Google Maps app on your smartphone. Input your starting point and final destination into the search bar. Google My Map will create a route for you, which you can edit and save. Google Maps route planner also allows you to see traffic and road conditions and get directions in real time.
How Do You Organise A Long Road Trip?
To organise a long road trip, you need to follow 4 key steps. First, decide on your route and favourite destinations. This can be based on your interests or places you want to visit. Second, set the period for how long that trip should last. Next, plan out your route and schedule, factoring in rest stops, meal breaks and overnight stays. Consider using a GPS or mapping app like Google My Map to navigate your trip. Lastly, pack accordingly. Leave room for unexpected occurrences, either regarding packing more stuff or setting a bit longer period for completing the route.
How Many Days Should A Road Trip Be?
The number of days a road trip should be depends on 4 main factors: your destination, the distance you intend to cover, the list of stuff you want to see and do, and your personal preferences such as travel speed and stop frequency. You only need a few days to complete some trips, but others can take weeks or months. For example, a road trip across a few states or regions may take 3-7 days, whereas a cross-country road trip may take several weeks.
Conclusion
To plan a road trip route, you must carefully consider your destination, routes and personal preferences. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is the amount of time you’ll have for your trip. Depending on your destination and routes, you may need to allow for several days or even weeks to fully explore the places you visit. It’s also crucial to factor in enough time for rest and unplanned stops to enjoy a perfect road trip.
