I love a road trip and have been road tripping since i was a kid with the parents and as a UCLA student when I would drive to Rosarito in Mexico or to Palm Springs for spring break. I would also drive back to my home town in China Lake to visit friends or go skiing in Mammoth. I remember the beautiful drive from the gritty busy concrete jungle of Los Angeles to the open spaces and gradual sightings of joshua trees and the majestic Sierra Nevadas.
There are many places that deserve a good road trip. A few of the places are remote so there is no other way to get there besides driving, like places that are in the middle of the desert or up a winding road tucked into mountains. Other places deserve a deep dive into the entire region (see my spain road trip blogs) so visiting one city or village will not do. And then there are the places and discoveries that are close to home. These road trips are the best – no stress, jump in the car and go.
Road trips that are short or are between cities or villages take a bit less planning. Oftentimes, like my recent road trip in Spain, we rented a car and we just threw our luggage in the trunk, put our destination for the day in google maps on my phone and we were up and running. Simple. We did not have to worry about accommodations because we were in cities so there are a lot of options. Other road trips, especially solo road trips, I like to be prepared. I want to have everything I need with me so I can drive, explore and enjoy without worry.
Sleeping in hotels is an easy way to approach your first solo road trip. Camping or car camping is another approach that takes a bit more planning. When you are driving in remote places you need to worry about gas, food and places to sleep. Often there is not a gas station, food or places to sleep for miles: a little preparation goes a long way.
Below is my beginner guide for planning your first solo road trip and hitting the open road with confidence. You control the music, the snacks, and the schedule. Let’s go!
pick your destination
There is so much to explore! How to narrow it down? Just know that some of the most breathtaking views, old school roadside diners, quirky historic points of interest, and hidden natural wonders are often just a few hours from your front door. For your first road trip you do not need to drive across the country. Make it manageable and pick something close ish.
It’s your road trip, you can visit friends, look for quiet beaches, visit ghost towns, Michelin star restaurants, national parks, state parks, historic small towns, scenic byways. historical places and landmarks. There are even newly discovered ancient sites all over the U.S. The possibilities are endless.
On your first road trip the goal isn’t to drive across the country though; it’s to discover the sites in your own backyard that may be interesting for you.
AI and search engines are the best resource for planning and research. Use them. For example type in Google search what are the top 10 things to do in an area that you want to visit. Then ask ChatGPT to plan a road trip. If you have certain interests then be specific in your prompts or questions. You could say ‘plan a road trip from Grand Junction to Paonia highlighting any wineries and peach farms that have tastings and/or sell their product. Add a bit of intersting history of the highlights. Also map out the best boutique hotels in the area’. Use IG, Tik Tok or Pinterest for travel related posts and ideas. Information is literally at your fingertips.
what type of road trip you will have?
If you are driving through cities and towns you probably will stay in hotels or airbnb’s. If you are in the country you may find bed and breakfasts. If you are in wilderness areas then you may want to either camp or car camp.
Planning ahead is never a bad idea especially if you are traveling during summer or holidays. When looking for hotels and airbnb’s ask about available parking. I never want to drive all over looking for parking, have to pay or get a parking ticket.
If you will be driving through the country, or in wilderness areas you may be looking for camping spots, car camping, or sleeping in local hotels, airbnb’s, HipCamps etc.
Preparation levels increase when camping and car camping is involved. When you plan your route you need to figure out the available camping options. Are there camp sites, BLM land, or private spaces to sleep in?
Check out my resources below to find a safe camp spot.
packing essentials / Camping
Camp Gear: tent, tent stakes, sleeping bag, sleeping pads, stove, propane, light, head lamp, chair, cooler, utensils, cookware, food, water
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, face and body lotions, feminine hygene, chapstick (with sunscreen),
Will you be in bear territory? You need bear cans for food, bear spray just in case.
Car Camping
Essentials include a sleeping pad and sleeping bag, a fleece blanket. I would have my ipad, book, eyeglasses and head lamp or reading light.
When I car camp I am mobile and will explore during the day, look for restaurants for meals and basically just sleep in my car so I do not need the amount of gear you do when you are camping and staying put for several days.
Know that if you are traveling during high seasons like summer and need a bed or a spot you should book ahead. When I have car camped, sometimes it has been challenging to find a spot to sleep, especially as a solo traveler because i do not want to be by my lonesome out in the wilderness.
Road trip essentials
Car Stuff to Check:
✅ Tire pressure (including the spare!), windshield wiper fluid, headlights, oil and water levels.
✅ Driver’s License
✅ Ensure your insurance and registration are current and easily accessible in the glovebox.
Electric or gasoline? Be prepared for long stretches before a gas station or charging station becomes available. I recently bought an electric car and it seems tricky. I am sure I could drive to Los Angeles, not sure how many stops that would be (a lot) but to do the Glacier NP trip? I do not think there are available charging stations.
Cell service is often spotty in the mountains or rural valleys. Download your route on Google Maps so it works even without a signal. There is also Mapsme for offline maps.
Personal Items: Reading glasses, a basic first aid kit, a portable phone charger, a headlamp, a physical paper map (just in case), a whistle, toiletries, sunscreen, chapstick, vaseline
Snack Strategy: I buy a one gallon or more container of water that i fill my water bottle with, a small cooler or cooler bag with “no-mess” snacks like apples, grapes, cheese, and nuts. I will pack cans of sardines and crackers for easy, delicious and healthy non-perishables.
Don’t Forget: -toiletries-skincare, tooth care (brush, floss, toothpaste), toilet paper, napkins, kleenex, water for drinking, brushing your teeth, washing items and washing yourself.
-utensils, camping bowls, pj’s, sunscreen, book, map – google maps, tent, headlamp, camp lamp, flash lights, sleep bag / bedding, fleece blanket, sleep pad, tent stakes, stove, matches, propane, coffee/food, ice chest
Comfort Gear: A fleece blanket, fleece jacket, a pair of driving shoes, comfy and easy-on/off shoes because sometimes when you stop you want to hike or change shoes, and a solid pair of sunglasses and a sun hat, a warm beanie, warm clothes, pj’s
Helpful Misc Items: Window screens or window covers for extra privacy, an ipad or book, binoculars, trash bags, napkins, toilet paper, utensils, cup, sun hat, bathing suit and camp towel.
Pro-Tip: Embrace the Detour
The “perfect” road trip isn’t about arriving on time; it’s about the things you find when you’re “lost.” If you see a sign for a “Homemade Pie Shop” or a “Scenic Overlook,” pull over. Those unscheduled moments are usually the ones you’ll remember most.
Staying safe as a solo road tripper
I have done many a road trip by myself and overall I have created safe trips for myself. One of the things that I stick to is sleeping around others. I try not to pick sleeping spots that are isolated just in case. This may be me being paranoid or smart, take you pick. I have car camped on residential streets, in camping areas, in a parking lot of a hotel. The most restful sleeps are in camping areas. I feel safe knowing and hearing other campers all around. My last car camping experience I was trying to drive to the trailhead for Mt Elbert so I could wake up and hike but the road was so bad that I had to abort and ended up pulling off the road into a clearing that you could see was used for camping but no one was there. I locked my self in my car and did not sleep very well. This spot was kind of off road and hard to get to which was helpful in my mind. Ha!
Also make sure you are prepared if hiking by yourself. Bring proper gear and be prepared for cold, rain, snow. Bring food and water, sunscreen etc. also bring a phone but pay attention to where you are going. When I was going on a hike in the Grand Tetons I was taking a lot of photos and did not pay attention when the trail lead into a
scree field. So on the way back I missed the trail entrance and i got lost. Luckily i had gps on my iphone and was able to call for help. While waiting for my rescuers (the park rangers) i found two others lost as well. So we waited together and hiked out with the I have done many a road trip by myself and overall I have created safe trips for myself. One of the things that I stick to is sleeping around others. I try not to pick sleeping spots that are isolated just in case. This may be me being paranoid or smart, take you pick. I have car camped on residential streets, in camping areas, in a parking lot of a hotel. The most restful sleeps are in camping areas. I feel safe knowing and hearing other campers all around. My last car camping experience I was trying to drive to the trailhead for Mt Elbert so I could wake up and hike but the road was so bad that I had to abort and ended up pulling off the road into a clearing that you could see was used for camping but no one was there. I locked my self in my car and did not sleep very well. This spot was kind of off road and hard to get to which was helpful in my mind. Ha!
Also make sure you are prepared if hiking by yourself. Bring proper gear and be prepared for cold, rain, snow. Bring food and water, sunscreen etc. also bring a phone but pay attention to where you are going. When I was going on a hike in the Grand Tetons I was taking a lot of photos and did not pay attention when the trail lead into a rangers.
Helpful Resources & Apps
These tools will make you feel like a seasoned pro on your very first trip:
Roadtrippers: The gold standard for finding “offbeat” roadside attractions along your route.
GasBuddy: Helps you find the cheapest gas nearby so you can spend your money on souvenirs instead.
AllTrails: Perfect for finding a quick, beginner-friendly hike to stretch your legs.
Roadside America: A quirky database of the weirdest and most wonderful landmarks in the US and Canada.
- Hipcamp or Recreation.gov for all your favorite campsites in the US
