The world is open to travellers again and that means there are more opportunities than ever to broaden your horizons. If you are planning on heading to the US, one of the best things you can do is embark on a road trip. A road trip enables you to see a whole myriad of places in one trip, enjoying a whole host of new experiences all during the same trip. If possible, try to book a trip for as long as you can. This means not only can you fit in more things to do on your trip, but you can also enjoy some down days as well as won’t have to be as jam-packed in your itinerary every single day. There are many destinations to visit in the US that you can do a road trip in so deciding where you want to go and do some planning ahead of time. If you are thinking of booking your US road trip, we have put together some top tips that will hopefully make it that little bit easier to get planning and put your idea in motion.
Decide What You Want from Your Trip Ahead of Time
Before heading off on your US road trip, think about why you are doing it. Are there some specific places you want to see? Is there a certain part of the country you want to visit? There are so many different areas in the US that each one can offer you an entirely different experience. Do your research to find the best places for you and what you want from your trip. If you are looking for theme parks for example, a road trip around Florida can be a good idea as you can head to the theme parks in Orlando. If shopping is your thing, why not add New York? If you want to get some parties in, travel between Las Vegas and California where you can have fun into the early hours.
Make a Rough Itinerary
While a road trip can be great for encouraging some spontaneity, it’s a good idea to have a rough idea of what you want to do when you are on your trip. Once you have decided where you want to go, look into the attractions that are in the area and decide which ones you want to visit. Some might only be open on certain days or require you to book your tickets ahead of time. If this is the case, it’s better to book in advance to ensure you can get in and aren’t disappointed when you get there. It’s also a good idea to research some hotels ahead of time. You might not want to book them ahead of time if that’s not your style, but it can help to have a rough idea of what’s around. Remember to also have all the documentation you will need and do things such as apply for ESTA UK before you leave. This will save you a lot of hassle at the time of the trip if you have it all prepared. Check out the ESTA requirements for UK citizens and look up things such as the visa waiver program.
Work Out an Estimated Budget that You Want to Spend
Without efficient planning road trips can soon add up. Have an idea of what you want to spend and try to stick to this. You will need to keep in mind budgets for things such as your car and the costs involved such as insuring this, adding petrol on your trip and adding extras such as a sat-nav. You will also need to pay for things such as your accommodation, your food and drink and any activities that you do while on your road trip. By making a list of estimated costs you will be able to keep an eye on expenditure much easier and won’t find yourself cut short. You will also need to put aside some spare cash for any emergencies or eventualities that might happen. It can be a good idea to budget a daily spend that if you don’t go over you can use the next day or put into savings.
These are just a few top tips for planning a US road trip that should help you to be as organised and have the most amazing time possible. As long as you are prepared and have a rough idea in place of things such as what you want to spend and how you will navigate your way around, you are well on your way. You will need to think of things such as where you are going to stay, how you will get a car, the car you will get and if you need to pay for any tolls along the way. Have you done a US road trip before? If so, what tips would you advise? Let us know in the comments below!
