Imagine driving through a never-ending scenic route, feeling the breeze on your face and witnessing a beautiful sunset. That sounds so exotic, right? International travel doesn’t always mean flying across the world; sometimes, it can be a meaningful road trip beyond your borders. A road trip is the perfect way to have an interesting travel experience that is unpredictable, spontaneous, and gives a wholesome vibe. There is so much beauty in the world that can only be inhaled through slowing down, stopping at random places, and capturing unique moments. We can sense your excitement but also your unanswered questions of how. No worries, we will help you to plan your road trip like a pro.

Find the right road trip for you

A ride through the snow-covered mountains is mysterious, but a sunny ride surrounded by turquoise waters is captivating. Confused about what to pick? Know yourself before you pick the one for you.

Type of traveller: The first thing you have to consider is what type of experiences you wish for. An adventure soul would want an off-roading path with plenty of outdoor activities, and a leisure seeker would expect picturesque landscapes with tranquil rest spots. It’s time to make your choices.
Duration: How long you want to go on the trip matters to selecting the right destination for you. For a short road trip, consider places that are comparatively nearby. If you are going on a long trip, consider longer routes combining multiple cities and towns.
Travel theme: The nature and occasion of your travel matter in choosing your destination. You can think about exploring remote locations or personal favourite spots for your solo trip. If you are planning a family vacation, you have to give thought to driving conditions and family-orientated activities.
Climate: The weather can be different in various parts of the world at completely different times. When you visit a specific region, it determines the type of experiences you can get. Each destination has its own beauty in each of its seasons.
Research: Lay down your occasion, duration, and expectations before searching for the ideal road trip destination. Narrow your research with the above filters and pick out your favourite road trip route.

Step-by-step guide on how to plan your road trip

You might have chosen a destination, but it is just a needle in the haystack. Here comes the exciting part of setting up your trip the exact way you want from scratch.

Step – 1: Pick out the cities and towns you want to visit with a proper starting and ending point to your tour. Carefully consider the spots and activities you would like to add before choosing your routes.
Step – 2: Have an approximate breakdown of costs to have a hassle-free road trip. Make it flexible, allocating some extra money for unexpected expenses and spontaneous activities.
Step – 3: Map out your routes and create a rough itinerary, including the time you will be spending each day on the road. Make a list of the attractions, activities, and restaurants, but leave room for spontaneity.
Step – 4: The vehicle is the most important part of your journey and the right one needs to be booked before your departure. Book your cars or campers in certified rental companies after going through their terms and conditions.
Step – 5: Plan your stays based on your routes. Whether it’s camping, cabins, or hotels, make sure you make prior reservations to get the good ones at the best prices.
Step – 6: Make sure to carry all the required documents with you, including travel insurance. Also, be ready with offline maps and other navigation tools in case you lose signal. Better safe than sorry.

All set with everything? You are good to go! When it comes to road trips, everything might not go the exact way you want, but that is the beauty of it. Take it as it comes and enjoy the ride.

Also Checkout: How to Plan a Europe trip from India

Budgeting ideas

A road trip can become expensive if you do not have a budget planned beforehand. Are you confused about how to budget your road trip? Let us help you with a few budgeting ideas to make your road trip pocket-friendly and stress-free.

Set your overall budget, considering the distance, duration, and destination you are travelling to.
Calculate the distance and fuel pricing to have a solid breakdown of travel costs.
Research the type of stay you want, compare prices in different tools, and book in advance to get reasonable prices.
Cut down further on accommodation costs by considering hostels and camping options in the vicinity.
Pick out a few affordable diners and food trucks on your route and note it on your map.
Have an approximate daily food budget, including all your meals and snacks for the day.
Note down the attractions costs from the official websites that are in your itinerary. Also, check for discounts and free entry days for each of these.
To not be affected by the unexpected little costs now and then, add a section for miscellaneous expenses.

Must-have travel apps

You might feel left alone on the roads of unknown lands, but there are a few buddies who can stick by your side anywhere and everywhere. Don’t forget to take note of these travel apps.

Navigation: Google Maps, Waze, and Maps.me
Fuel: GasBuddy, Gas Guru, and Petrol Prices
Trip organiser: TripIt, Roadtrippers, and Sygic Travel
Accommodation booking: Booking.com, Airbnb, and Hotels.com
Currency converter: XE Currency, Revolut, and Currency Converter Plus
Translator: Google Translate, iTranslate, and Microsoft Translator
Weather: AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, and Weather Underground
Food and snacks: TripAdvisor, Yelp, and HappyCow
Entertainment: Spotify, Audible, and Pocket Casts

Road trip packing checklist

If you are a when in doubt, pack it all person, you might have to keep in mind a few things about a road trip. The trip is way easier and more convenient when you pack only the essentials, as it can get clumsy otherwise. We just have a list of musts and good-to-haves for you, and the rest is in your hands.

Must-Haves

Driver’s license & other documents
Mobile and related electronic things
Snacks & water
First aid kit
Cash and cards
Sunglasses
Emergency tools

Good-to-Haves

Travel pillow
Power bank
Blanket
Camera
Headphones
Wet wipes

Forgot-This-Once-Never-Again Items

Toiletries
Ziploc bags
Tissues
Duct tape
Sunscreen
Phone mount

Tips to make your road trip interesting

We have already covered the basic and important stuff, but let us also give you some tips on how to have fun and make your road trip the best it can be.

Capture moments: Take photos now and then to capture the beautiful moments and make it a memorable part of your life.
Play music: Have a music playlist that can lift up everyone’s mood and lets you take in the beauty of the world with a soothing vibe.
Take breaks: The point of a road trip is to stop and enjoy the journey. Stop at spots you like and spend some quality time.
Local food: Taste the local flavours along your way with multiple street vendors, small diners, and local markets that you will find on your route.

Also, Checkout: Tips for Your First International Travel

You know what the interesting part of a road trip is? You are never the same person again. Road trips are the best way to bond with nature and also connect with yourself better. Have all the fun in the world, but make sure you are safe and a responsible traveller. Need help with planning? Pickyourtrail can assist you with their international tour packages that you can customise. Get out of the monotonous life and go on an adventure once in a while.Take the bits and pieces of everywhere you go and leave a part of you in each of these places as well. Buckle up and let the open roads take you places. Let’s go!