In recent years there has been a change in the way people travel. There are many ways to explore new places beyond getting on an airplane or a cruise ship.
Now, many are looking into making road trips. Some even go to the extreme of planning a cross-country road trip. For those who want to travel cross-country, it is essential to be as prepared as possible so they are guaranteed a successful trip.
Plan Ahead of Time
Deciding to take a road trip across the country should not be made impulsively. Planning needs to be done well in advance. At a minimum, planning should begin one month before leaving. This will help gather as much information as possible to create a solid plan. A strict itinerary may not be needed, but at least a general idea would be best. It would also be helpful to create a list of activities or stops along the way.
Leave your trip details with someone before going on your trip and your emergency contact information. This way, if anything were to happen, there is a way for people to contact you. Likewise, should you be involved in an accident, ensuring that you and others have the number to reach out to a professional firm such as Stone Rose Law is essential as you’ll need them for representation and assistance.
Consider the Vehicle to Use
For a cross-country road trip to be successful, it is crucial to have a good, reliable vehicle. It is the backbone of the trip. The main thing to think about is reliability. Some may look into purchasing a new Chevrolet for sale or even renting a hybrid sedan for the trip. It will all depend on how long the cross-country road trip is and how much space will be needed for packing.
Another critical item to do for a successful cross-country road trip is to ensure the vehicle being used has been serviced recently and checked by a trusted mechanic to change the filters, check the fluid levels and the tires. That way, you have the peace of mind your vehicle is ready for the road ahead!
Think About the Finances
A cross-country road trip can become a pricy trip if there is no preparation beforehand. The total cost will depend on the length of the trip, where it is that one is traveling, and how many stops are planned. It would be best to set a reasonable budget without breaking the bank and then look for coupons or discounts at State visitor centers that will help save money.
Pack Like a Minimalist
Packing for a cross-country road trip is also something you want to put a lot of thought into. It is easy to overpack, but since you’ll be traveling by vehicle, it is easier to purchase things that may have been forgotten at home. Use packing cubes to sort and organize when you need, and to reduce overpacking any type of item.
However, certain items are not as easily replaced, such as shoes, medications, or cell phones. To ensure the essentials that cannot be replaced, it would be a good idea to list those items out so you know you have everything you need.
This list should include things like a car charger for a cell phone, jumper cables, a flashlight, a first aid kit, water, blankets, and non-perishable foods. Once these essentials are packed up, next will be the important things, but if forgotten, they can be replaced effortlessly.
Pack Up and Hit the Road!
Going on a cross-country road trip can be an exciting and fun time. By ensuring everything is well-prepared too, you can make it a successful and memorable trip!
Packing is where I really go wrong, on any trip! I would love to do a long road trip, so thank you for the tips.
Planning ahead, choosing the right vehicle, considering finances, and packing smartly are all key factors that I hadn’t fully considered before.
The vehicle does have to be a good trip for a trip. I was driving my new SUV up a hill today and it was barely making it. Made me miss my car for once because it would chug right up that same hill, no problems. I thought I better not take this one on a mountain trip any time soon. I’d have to rent a car for that kind of trip, I guess.
Very important things to consider before hitting the road. I’m having any trip like this but will keep in mind for future trips.
I love a road trip and packing can be a challenging for me 🙂 thanks a lot for your tips and sharing and they are useful for my next road trip 🙂
I traveled all over the US SW for a few years, by train, car, and plane. Those were fun times. Thanks for the great tips.
I am a hopelessly unorganized individual, so these tips will really help next time I go on a trip.
My sister has travelled cross-country to help a friend move, but I never have. And my husband has hilarious stories to tell about their family vacation across country when he was in elementary school, including getting left behind accidentally at a gas station. This article is very useful for this newbie, and maybe I’ll start telling my husband that I want to plan a cross-country trip! Thanks for the inspiration.
I would love to take a long road trip after my kids leave home as I know they would not appreciate it at all.
This is an awesome comprehensive guide on planning a successful cross-country road trip! I can’t wait for my family to try out your tips for our upcoming trip. I especially love your emphasis tips for financial and packing strategies!