Flying or driving? Plan the perfect road trip with these 5 tips.

Somewhere between San Luis Obispo and Monterey, California, I wondered if the rain would stop. Storms had followed me throughout my two-week solo road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, to the point where the Pacific Coast Highway was closed to vehicles in Big Sur—one of my planned stopovers. While I meticulously planned my driving and itinerary down to the hour, I had never considered a backup plan for something as common as a road closure. Overwhelmed, I hastily found an Airbnb in a remote area to stay the night. According to seasoned road travelers and bloggers, I had inadvertently violated one of the most important rules of road travel. Lori Blaylock.

“It’s a good idea to have a plan B and a plan C,” she said.

Americans have been practicing the art of the road trip since the advent of the automobile. In the 1910s and 1920s, motorists drove from cities to more remote areas, Camping next to the car. After World War II, Road trips are the top family vacation choicemany visiting national parks and reuniting with extended family from other cities. The humble road trip has been immortalized in countless films over the years, including National Lampoon’s Vacation, Lost in America, and Little Miss SunshineDuring the epidemic, many people are reluctant to travel by plane. Americans choose to explore by carEven after the pandemic, people’s love of the road hasn’t waned: A recent poll found that 73% of Americans Prefer to drive Travel to your vacation destination instead of taking a flight.

While road trips allow travelers to avoid the hassle and expense of air travel, there are still many considerations that self-driving travelers need to keep in mind. From planning a practical route to maintaining harmony with your travel companions, road trip experts provide the best tips for planning a road trip.

Blaylock’s road trip planning starts with a schedule first, followed by a list of attractions and stops she wants to visit — not the other way around. “A lot of people do it backwards,” she says. “People know where they want to go, but they don’t have enough time, and ultimately their road trip falls through because the places they want to go don’t fit into their schedule.”

Plan your route based on the time you have, then identify must-see attractions and sites, whether they’re national parks or breweries. Estimate how long you’ll need to spend at each destination—allow plenty of time—to avoid rushing from one place to another. Consider what you can do if a trailhead is closed due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

If you only have three days to get from point A to point B and back, you don’t want to be scrambling to hit the roadside attractions. Travel should be as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

When planning trips for clients, Sam Highley, CEO and founder of Road Trips All roads lead northfocusing on the “middle ground”: out-of-the-way towns, restaurants and parks. The routes themselves are on scenic country roads rather than highways.

Don’t overlook lesser-known landmarks. “National parks are an American treasure and a big part of our itinerary,” Haley said. “But I think there are a lot of other state parks, public land wilderness areas that are just as beautiful and evocative, and you might meet one-tenth the number of people there.”

Podcast host Daniel Desir Corbett suggests that if you need some inspiration on where to go, check out the tourism board websites for the various towns you’ll be passing through. Getting ready for the road and Thought CardsShe also discovers unique stopover destinations from travel blogs, vlogs and Instagram posts. When planning, save Instagram posts to a road trip inspiration folder or create a Pinterest board to organize your research, says Desir Corbett.

Book tickets and lodging for popular attractions ahead of time, such as camping in a well-visited national park or an Instagram-famous motel, Blalock says. Book hotels once you know which towns you want to stay overnight in, Desire Corbett says. Likewise, book tickets in advance for can’t-miss museums, cooking classes, pick-your-own produce and other experiences. “This isn’t something you have to do months in advance,” Desire Corbett says. “This can be the week where you have everything planned out.”

Leave room for spontaneity, too, Desire Corbett says. If you see a sign advertising an interesting museum or farmers market while driving, don’t be afraid to check it out. These unplanned excursions are part of the magic of a road trip. When you stop for gas at a welcome center or rest stop, pick up some brochures on local attractions. Ask bartenders, hotel front desk staff or other locals you meet for their recommendations, Desire Corbett says. “You can take it with you on this trip or keep it in your back pocket for your next adventure,” she says.

A perfectly planned trip is just as important as the car that gets you there. A few weeks before your trip, take your car in for a scheduled maintenance check, says AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. That way, if your car needs repairs (which could take days), you won’t be delayed. Make sure your tire pressure, car battery, oil level, and windshield wipers are in working order. Try to fill up your gas tank or charge your car the night before and every night of your trip.

In addition to the clothes and other essentials you plan to bring with you, you should also have a few items in your car to keep you comfortable or in case something breaks down. Diaz recommends carrying jumper cables, a flashlight, wet wipes or baby wipes, and a first aid kit. Depending on the season, you may want to bring a blanket or personal fan with you. Have multiple chargers for your phone, tablet, or other devices in case you lose one or more that need to be charged at the same time. Blalock recommends carrying a portable tire inflator and a kit to repair a flat tire.

Desir Corbett and Highley recommend filling your cooler with easy-to-eat, nonperishable foods like sandwiches, yogurt pouches, granola bars, nuts, popcorn and water — foods that won’t melt or make a mess. Desir Corbett recommends bananas, grapes, cheese and crackers for kids because they’re not too sweet or sticky.

While you may be tempted to stick with your eight-hour drive, experts recommend taking a break or switching drivers every two hours or so. “Drowsy driving is just as problematic as distracted driving, and it’s very dangerous,” Diaz says. Try to start early in the morning on each day of your trip to maximize your daytime driving time. Either find a rest stop, a fast-food restaurant or a fun attraction to take a break and stretch your legs. If you have children with you, stop more often, says Desir Corbett. Try to find a park or rest stop with a playground so they can burn off some energy. And always put your phone away and turn on the “Do Not Disturb” feature while you’re driving.

If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to make sure they’re comfortable and entertained. According to Desir Corbett, who travels with kids, snacks and drinks are essential, as is entertainment. “We’re not afraid to get out our iPads, and we have some holders in the back of the car,” she says. “We might put on one of his favorite shows. We’ll try to play his favorite music, too.” Make sure all devices are fully charged (and that you have spare chargers on hand), and download movies or shows if you lose internet.

Diaz suggests playing games with children, such as imagining where other cars on the road are going. “Try to spark their imagination and engage with them,” she says.

As for the adults in the car, Blalock likes to assign roles to passengers to keep the peace. Knowing who’s in charge of navigation, music, snacks and driving keeps everyone accountable. Allow passengers to have some time to themselves if needed. For example, Blalock said her daughter occasionally puts on headphones to listen to her own music during the trip.

Keeping your car clean and tidy can prevent arguments, Blalock said. Keep a trash bag and organizers ready for camping supplies, food and other essentials like hygiene products.

No matter who you’re traveling with, a road trip is a great opportunity to choose your own adventure and discover quirky treasures along the way. But be sure to do your homework first.