A road trip, at its heart, is about escaping restrictions—so don’t limit your destinations. Sure you can explore the US by car but fun road trips await travelers across the globe. Drive past the striking limestone stacks of The Twelve Apostles from Australia’s Great Ocean Road, meander past breathtaking cliffs and incredible beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way on the Western Coast of Ireland, explore glaciers and untamed coastline of Iceland’s Ring Road, or navigate the sandstone-colored jackpot of national parks in the American Southwest: from Zion to the Grand Canyon.
1. Be spontaneous – remember the journey is the destination – veer off the road to sample the food at that roadside dive you just heard about or stop to see the herds of sheep grazing along the road in New Zealand.
2. But plan a little – You need to have a rough guide of where you are going and staying especially if you are traveling with kids. Driving without a target can be fun but being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no food or place to stay in sight is not. Similarly, check your car, bring snacks even if you think you will stop for food, and plan for emergencies (flares, phone chargers and your roadside assistance card are must haves).
3. Don’t over pack just because you aren’t checking a bag.
4. Go old school - Bring a paper map in case you hit a cell dead zone and can’t figure out where you are going.
5. Make a play list – Get the kids to put their video games down and take the ear buds out. Download podcasts and audiobooks that the whole family can enjoy. It will give you something to talk about while you are sitting in that out-of-the-way diner.
6. Get off the beaten path - Taking a road trip allows you to see actual communities and natural wonders, not just a train track or superhighway. Meandering through the countryside is a great way to relax and find out what it's really like to live in a particular area. Farmers markets, local festivals and state parks are yours to explore.
We can help you plan your road trip from where to go to where to stay. Contact us for more information.