A drive can look manageable on a map, then get much longer once you add food, fuel, a short walk and a couple of places worth stopping.

How do you plan for that? Do you set a shorter driving limit, choose one main stop each day, or decide when to call it a day as you go?

What changed after your first few road trips that made the driving days more enjoyable?

I plan to take a road trip from Chicago Illinois to Winter Park, Colorado, for a ski trip. I wouldn't really stop to sightsee as mainly looking to just get to skiing and would have a couple of drivers to swap so no need for a hotel. I plan on doing this road trip January 5 and head back the 9th. I have an AWD Toyota Rav 4 and plan to maybe get snow socks in case of really bad weather. Is it a good idea to do this toad trip or should i be worried about the condition's? I would like to book things in advance or should I not due to like storms and stuff. Also would appreciate ant advice!!! Thank you!

Didn’t push as hard today. Only 9 hours. But, decided to stop early and grab a nap at a truck stop. Planning to creep through Atlanta between 2am - 3am.

The trip was mostly uneventful, today. I did make an error in my timing and Memphis rush hour was obnoxious. Arkansas law enforcement presence was super high in both directions of I-40, so definitely watch your speed if planning to pass through, because they certainly are watching. I wasn’t expecting the I-78 to go through a sketchy part of Memphis and also have so many stop lights!

I don’t know why I was routed down, when I’d intended to go up through Nashville, into W. Virginia etc. Apple Maps and Google Maps are different in their routing it seems. This is my first time using Apple Maps. I’m not sure I like it as much.

Hey everyone! My boyfriend and I are planning a quick weekend road trip into Colorado. We’re driving up from Southern New Mexico, so we’re aiming to cap our total drive time around 6 to 7 hours each way so we can maximize our actual time relaxing.

We’re looking for a cozy, scenic destination that works well for a 2-to-3-day trip. We love beautiful mountain scenery, cute downtown areas, good food, and relaxed outdoor activities (casual hiking, hot springs, or cool sights rather than intense backpacking) and any hidden gem spots!

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Driving from Orlando to Metro Detroit. Taking the recommended east route through Georgia, SC, NC, Virginia, WV, and Ohio

First road trip and never been to a lot of these states! I’d love any recommendations for cities that are nice to spend a night out in or any activities that are worth stopping by for. This takes us through Savannah, Charlotte, and Columbus. Thank you!

19 days total, but will likely add another in between Carlsbad NM and home.

Death Valley NP -> Sequoia NP (2 nights, 1 full day each) -> Carmel by the Sea (1 full day, 2 nights) -> Morro Bay (Overnight stay, but 1 full day) -> Los Angeles (4 full days) -> San Diego (3 full days) -> Carlsbad, NM (Overnight, cave hike before going home)

This will be my girlfriend and I’s second roadtrip on our own without parents. Did our best to ensure it isn’t too rushed and I think it’ll be good. Definitely better compared to our TX > LA > Seattle > TX trip we did in 12 days lol, that was rough.

Hello everyone,

I'm planning for a road trip beginning in San Diego and finishing in Seattle. The trip will happen from 03/07 up until 03/21. I have wiggle room to stay more days if it makes sense, but approximately will be around 14/15 days.

My question for whoever's reading is: what are some of the best things that can be done along this trajectory considering it will be March? The path marked here is not set in stone, so I could change somethings up if they are better.

My personal favorite things to do envolve nature, hiking, sightseeing and touristic spots in cities as well, so really looking forward to visiting national parks along the way, but unsure on which ones would be good since it will still be a bit cold.

Also, how much would you consider adequate per day on a budget kind of travel? Male, solo, 26yo, open to hostels n stuff.

Looking forward to hearing from you here since I couldn't find any specific reddit related to this. Thanks in advance.

I’m.. I think.. leaving tomorrow? Honestly don’t have to do anything till the 14 and then I need to be on a plane in NC. But anyways..

What route should I take? I’m happy for cool sights. I’m not rich but I have some money to spend if there’s a lot of cool stuff. I like dispersed camping when I can.

Anyone know of fun Halloween events that might be on the way? Crazy haunted houses? Not going to be with anyone.

In my car as I write this and it sounds kinda strange so wish me luck 😁😁

I'm hoping to travel to the PNW in June 2027. My extent of the west coast is Santa Monica and Hawaii, but my husband and 2 kids (11, 13) have not been west. I'm debating between flying in to Seattle and focusing on Olympic and potentially Mt Rainier or just flying in to Portland and staying more Oregon coast. We are a little unsure of how much time we want to spend driving, so that's why curious about Oregon.

High priority for us:

1. tide pooling and the ocean in general--my kids have never been (from midwest and hot beaches are not our thing).

2. I've been whale watching in Hawaii and it was amazing and I very much want to go again (available in oregon?)Oregon?

3. Light hiking

Thoughts and suggestions?

Hey everyone!
My family and I are from Dallas, TX and we're wanting to got to Nashville and Pigeon for our December vacation.
But my husband is only able to take the days off in the last week of December. What are the road conditions from Nashville to Pigeon Forge and back? Is it safe, icy, snow-y? I know its not possible to give an exact weather prediction but what are some things we should be aware of? Weather-wise?

Any help would be awesome! Thank you :)

My wife and I are going to visit my best friend and his family in Brainerd, MN this late-June. I am planning on this trip being 2-3 weeks in total, and would like to not just drive straight to Brainerd. We haven't planned any of the details yet, but I thought it would be helpful if I could get some insight into the places we had picked so far for our itinerary. We both enjoy hiking, nature, food, and historical parks/museums. Nothing is set in stone other than going to Yellowstone and Brainerd. Any insights would be appreciated as we begin preparing for this trip!

June 17th: Coeur d’Alene, ID

June 18-23: Yellowstone (Is this too many days?)

June 24: Medora, ND.

June 25-29: Brainerd, MN 

June 30: Bismarck, ND

July 1: Medora, ND.

July 2: Missoula, MT or Bozeman, MT

July 3: Home

A buddy and I are leaving next week for a long trip to ND (leaving Monday night and need to be in ND by Friday). I’ve never been past Chicago and would love to see a part of the Great Plains.

Would love to check out some of the National parks, any that are must see this time of year?

Hi im desprate and have very little money and need to get to californa as soon as possable. Im starting my travels via hitchhiking today.

A scenic drive along US-26/US-89 from Alpine to Hoback, Wyoming, takes travelers through Snake River Canyon, a rugged mountain landscape surrounded by the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The highway follows the Snake River past steep forested slopes, rocky cliffs, and lush riverside vegetation, offering opportunities for sightseeing, fishing, rafting, and nature exploration. A roadside stop along the river reveals the region’s rich biodiversity, including native wildflowers such as arrowleaf balsamroot, coniferous trees, horsetails, and insects, which can serve as indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. The river also plays an important geological role by eroding mountain landscapes, transporting sediments, and forming banks of smooth, rounded stones. Part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, this remarkable area demonstrates the close connections between geology, freshwater habitats, plants, and wildlife, making the journey an enjoyable experience for travelers, nature enthusiasts, and science-lovers.

Panning a trip the weekend before thanksgiving with wife and kids to see the spruce goose, and will be renting an RV to decide if we like traveling that way or not. Only lived in this part of the country a couple of years and I’m concerned about snow. Is there one of these routes that would reduce the chance on running into snow/ice? Am I just crazy for even trying this in November?

I plan to monitor the weather and road conditions in the days leading up to departure carefully and as a backup plan we might head to San Diego instead, but hoping people here would have advice on if I’m right to be worried.

Driving from Charlotte to Sedona with 2 dogs. I’ll have 55 hours from the time I leave until I have to be at the Phoenix airport to pick up my wife and kid who are flying in. What are some good stops along the way to kill a little time and stretch our legs?

Hey everyone!
My partner and I (both 28) are planning a 2-week campervan road trip through Southern Spain (Andalusia) in September 2027. It will be our first campervan trip, so we’d love to hear some recommendations and experiences!
Our current plan:
When: September 2027 (flexible with dates)
Duration: 14 days
Travelers: 2 adults, both with a standard EU category B driving licence
Flights: From Hamburg, Germany, preferably to Málaga
Campervan: Ideally a self-contained van with a toilet, shower and basic cooking facilities
Route: Mainly Andalusia, especially the coastline around Málaga, Cabo de Gata, Tarifa, Bolonia and Cádiz
What we’re looking for:
We love nature, beautiful beaches, scenic coastal roads and exploring smaller towns.
We’re particularly interested in staying at quiet, scenic spots near the coast rather than spending every night at traditional campsites.
During a recent trip to Fuerteventura, we saw several campervans parked at beautiful coastal locations, sometimes right by the ocean. That’s exactly the kind of experience we’re hoping for!
However, we’ve read that wild camping is generally prohibited in Spain, while sleeping inside a legally parked campervan can be allowed under certain conditions. We definitely want to respect local regulations and avoid fines.
A few questions:
Campervan rental: Which rental companies would you recommend? We’ve looked into roadsurfer, McRent and Yescapa. Any experiences with them?
Route: What would be your ideal 14-day itinerary through Andalusia? Would you recommend a round trip from Málaga or picking up and dropping off the van in different cities?
Overnight parking: How realistic is it to find quiet, scenic and legal overnight parking spots near the coast, without having to stay at campsites every night?
Regulations: How strictly are overnight parking and wild camping rules enforced, particularly around Cabo de Gata, Tarifa and the Cádiz coastline?
Best time: Is September a good month for this kind of trip, considering the weather, crowds and overnight temperatures?
Budget: What would you expect to pay for a 2-week campervan rental, excluding flights?
We’re happy to use official campervan parking areas or campsites occasionally for showers, water and waste disposal. We’d just prefer a more flexible, nature-focused experience rather than staying at organized campsites every night.
Any recommendations for routes, rental companies, useful apps or specific areas to explore would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance! :)