Picture this: the open road in front of you, your favorite song playing on the radio as you drive toward a dream destination. You’ve decided to embark on one of the ultimate travel opportunities — a cross-country road trip.
While this is a bucket list adventure for many people, it can also be daunting until you understand how to plan a cross-country road trip that appeals to your preferences and budget.
No matter what direction or top travel destination you’re headed towards, AAA is here to help with our best-in-class recommendations. From the planning phase to safety, essentials and budgets, read on for our tips to help you plan your perfect cross-country road trip.
8 Steps To Plan Your Dream Road Trip
Follow these steps to learn how to plan a cross-country road trip you’re guaranteed to love.
1. Define Your Destination and Route
Whether traveling east to west, taking a west-to-east-coast road trip or exploring any direction in between, it’s important to determine your final stop and how you'll get there. Setting a start and end point for your trip allows you to estimate how long your journey will be so you can budget your time accordingly.
Knowing your destination also means you can map out potential routes and the stops you want to make along the way. For example, if you’re starting your cross-country road trip in Boston, do you want to drive south to make stops in Washington D.C., Nashville, Dallas and Phoenix? West to make stops in Chicago, Kansas City, Denver and Las Vegas? Or take a mixed route with a combination of stops?
While researching potential directions and stops on your road trip, take the following considerations into account:
- How much time do you have for your road trip?
- Will a specific route make your trip longer?
- Are there specific places you’ve been wanting to visit?
- What attractions would you like to see on your cross-country road trip?
- How far would you like to travel per day?
- Are there any popular road trips you’d like to add to your itinerary, such as national parks, route 66 or scenic highways?
2. Set a Budget
Knowing how to plan a cross-country road trip on a budget will allow you to stop and see as much as possible without overspending. Treat your cross-country road trip like other vacations you’ve taken, meaning you should set a budget and research the cost of essentials and activities where you plan to stop.
Remember that different regions of the U.S. have different costs for various necessities. For example, the cost of regular gasoline per gallon in California will typically be closer to $5, but in Tennessee, it’ll be around $3.
Along the route you’ve chosen, check the cost of the following to determine a realistic budget for your road trip:
- The average cost of gasoline per gallon in the states you’re driving through
- Accommodation costs of where you plan to stop, whether at campsites or hotels
- Cost of tolls along your route
- The associated cost of different options for food, including buying groceries, fast food, casual dining and upscale dining
- Fees for any activities and sightseeing you plan along your route
In addition to the above costs, also consider money for souvenirs, pet supplies (if you’re bringing them along) and any potential emergencies.
3. Choose Your Travel Companions
In the planning stage of your cross-country road trip, you must consider who you’re bringing with you. Remember, with multiple stops, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your travel companion(s), so compatibility is extremely important!
Travel compatibility includes ensuring everyone is on board with all plans, especially driving rotations. Map out a schedule to set expectations early on and assign roles to everyone (i.e., driver, direction giver, snack distributor, etc.).
If you’re planning on bringing a pet companion with you on your cross-country road trip, remember to consider their needs when making plans. This includes making more stops for bathroom breaks, booking pet-friendly accommodations, bringing travel water and food bowls and more.
4. Plan Your Itinerary
With your route mapped out and stops decided on, it’s time to create an itinerary for your cross-country road trip, where you’ll decide how long you’ll stay in each location and what you’ll do while there. You can utilize a cross-country road trip planner or take a DIY approach.
Some tips to keep in mind while creating your cross-country road trip itinerary include:
- Researching points of interest along your route
- Noting the attractions on your must-see list
- Utilizing inspiration guides to discover recommendations on things to do and see in various locations
- For example, visit our guide to fall road trips for scenic views of foliage across the country.
- Accommodating your interests by spending more time in locations with more on your to-do and to-see lists
As you develop your itinerary, remember to be flexible and leave time for spontaneity — especially if you’re planning a relaxing road trip. Sometimes, the unexpected happens, upending your plans, or you can stumble across hidden gems by simply exploring on your own with no agenda.
5. Book Your Accommodations
Once your itinerary is established and you know how long you’ll be at each stop, the next step in planning a cross-country road trip is booking accommodations. This is especially true if you’re traveling during a peak season, like the summer months, or a popular travel time, like the holidays, when places to stay are busier and there are fewer options available.
Where you choose to stay while on your journey will vary depending on your preferences and mode of transportation. For example, if you’re taking a cross-country camping trip in an RV, you’ll book RV campgrounds.
However, when most people think of a road trip, they picture driving a car. This gives you more options for accommodations including campsites, motels, hotels and vacation rentals. Remember, take your trip budget into account as you search for places to stay and try to book accommodations with flexible cancellation policies in case your plans need to be adjusted along the way.
As a AAA member, you can book AAA Preferred Hotels with accommodation deals to help you stay within budget.
6. Pack Smartly
Going on any trip means packing strategically, and this is especially true for a road trip. Since you’ll be traveling cross-country, you need to prepare for various climates, temperatures and weather conditions. Remember, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is different in the humidity of the southeast versus the arid southwest.
As you begin putting packing tips to use for your road trip, look at the average temperature and conditions along your route and then consider your planned activities to determine your necessities. Some must-haves include a variety of clothing to be able to layer as needed, weather essentials such as a raincoat and a reliable pair of walking shoes.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely purchase souvenirs along your way, so you shouldn’t pack your car to the brim. Ensuring you have the essentials will allow you room to add on as you venture forward. Continue reading for our list of road trip essentials, including clothing!
7. Get Your Vehicle Ready to Hit the Road
If you're using your personal vehicle for your cross-country road trip, it’s essential to make sure it's good to go for the journey ahead. Follow a car maintenance checklist and schedule a pre-trip inspection to ensure everything is operating properly and to minimize any car issues you may encounter on your trip.
A short list of what you should check includes:
- Tires
- Brakes
- Fluid levels
- Warning lights
To further ensure your safety on your cross-country road trip, prepare a car emergency kit with essentials. If you already have a kit in your car, double-check to make sure it's properly stocked before departing.
8. Plan for Entertainment
You’re going to have a lot of downtime while on your cross-country road trip, especially if you’re traveling with companions who will share in driving duties. While on long stretches of various highways, you will want some form of entertainment. This can include reading a book or playing an audiobook, listening to a podcast, listening to music, playing games on your devices or even playing a classic travel car game, like I Spy.
A great way to prepare music in advance is to curate a road trip playlist with all of your favorites in a range of genres — make sure your companions add their selections, too. Don’t forget to pack any chargers you’ll need for your devices to keep you endlessly entertained!
Road Trip Safety Tips
When venturing on a trip, you must always make safety your top priority.
Here are some road trip safety tips to keep top of mind:
- Avoid distractions: No matter if you’re going down the street or cross-country, it’s imperative that you aren’t looking at your phone while driving. Keep any noise in your car to a minimum to further limit distractions.
- Be mindful of the weather: Know what weather patterns you’ll likely encounter on your trip. Whether you’re driving in winter weather in the northeast, encountering monsoon season in the southwest or wildfires in California, preparing for what’s ahead will make you safer.
- Share your itinerary and location: Whether you’re traveling alone or with companions, you should always share your itinerary and current location with someone at home. In an emergency, your contact person will be able to inform the proper authorities of where you are and your plans.
- Keep your phone charged: You need to be able to stay in touch with your emergency contact back home and reach authorities in an emergency. Keeping your phone charged to a reasonable level will help you do so.
- Follow traffic laws: As you drive, follow the general rules of the road, but also make sure to research the general traffic laws in the states you’ll be traveling through. For example, all states have a move-over law for emergency vehicles, but some extend the law to disabled vehicles on the side of the road.
- Stay alert: Road safety means being alert whenever you’re behind the wheel and knowing your limitations. Schedule regular breaks every couple of hours to get some fresh air and stretch your legs. If you’re too tired to continue driving, see if your companion can take over or add a stop to your journey.
- Be prepared: Research your route and the traffic patterns you can expect. When packing, make sure you have versatile and comfortable clothing options nearby that you can quickly change into on the road when needed.
Road Trip Essentials
Packing for a cross-country road trip can be overwhelming when thinking about all of your stops and what you’ll need. Use this list of road trip essentials to help you as you prepare to load up your car:
*Note: this list is not meant to be all-encompassing and contains suggested items.
Safety Equipment
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Matches/lighter
- First aid kit
- Maps
- Tools
- Gloves
- Car battery charger
- Jumper cables
- Blanket
Documents
- Drivers license
- Car insurance
- Car registration
- Health insurance card
- Medication list
- Bank information
- Emergency contact list
*Tip: Make copies of these documents, keep one set in your glove box and leave another set with your emergency contact.
Clothing
- Weather-appropriate clothing for your stops and destination
- Comfortable clothing for driving
- Walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate shoes (i.e., sandals, rain boots, winter boots)
- Raincoat and/or winter coat
- Hats
- Extra undergarments
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Skincare items
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash/soap
- Hair products
- Hairbrush
- Razor/shaver
- Body lotion
- Body spray/perfume/cologne
- Medication
Electronics
- Cell phone
- GPS
- Tablet
- Laptop
- E-reader
- Headphones
- Portable charger
- Portable speaker
- Smartwatch
- All applicable/corresponding chargers
Planning for a Road Trip on a Budget
Want to plan a cross-country road trip but need a more strict budget? Follow these tips to save money and maximize AAA membership discounts on your adventure:
Save Money on Food
Food expenses can quickly add up while traveling. To stick to a food budget, utilize the following tips:
- Pack snacks for the car instead of stopping along the way.
- Grocery shop as you go to restock on essentials like water, snacks and fruit.
- Cook meals as often as possible, especially if your accommodations have a kitchenette or grill.
- Eat where you can gain or use rewards. AAA members can get 10 percent off their applicable checks at Hard Rock Cafe and Landry’s Restaurants locations.
Save Money on Accommodations
Cross-country road trips mean a lot of time on the road but also the need for several stops and accommodations along the way. When needing to get some rest while on a budget, consider the following tips:
- Bring camping gear to spend the night at a trusted campsite instead of splurging on a hotel.
- Rent a camper van or RV for your road trip. Find well-lit places to park and sleep before getting back on route.
- Book rooms at budget hotels for a less expensive lodging option while still having a room and bed to sleep in.
- Stay at AAA Preferred Hotels to get a discount and earn hotel-specific rewards for your stay.
Save Money on Transportation
A vehicle is absolutely necessary for your journey, but saving money on your road trip across America is still possible. Follow these tips to budget your transportation costs:
- Travel with companions to split any costs instead of driving separately.
- Plan the most fuel-efficient and direct route to your destination. Use GPS to avoid rerouting and to avoid longer detours.
- Rent a car to avoid costly wear and tear on your vehicle. Your AAA membership can get you discounts on car rentals through Hertz, Thrifty and Dollar Car Rentals with your AAA membership.
- Enroll in the Fuel Rewards Program ® at Shell, available with your AAA membership, to save every time you fill up your gas tank and earn rewards.
Save Money on Activities
One of the main reasons most people choose to embark on a cross-country road trip is to experience different attractions throughout the U.S. — however, the cost of these activities can quickly add up. Follow these tips to save money on attractions during your trip:
- Explore national parks for a variety of recreational activities.
- Visit state parks for localized recreation.
- Visit museums and check for free or reduced rate days (often weekdays).
- Visit historical sites to learn more about U.S. and local history, and check for reduced rate days (often weekdays).
- Explore the outdoors via hiking trails.
- Check local events pages for free concerts, festivals and markets happening during your visit.
FAQ
Have questions about how to plan a cross-country road trip? See the answers to some frequently asked questions below.
How Long Does It Take To Plan a Cross-Country Road Trip?
How long it takes to plan a cross-country road trip depends on the length of your trip and the level of detail going into your plans. Basic plans with a smaller itinerary will take only a few weeks to plan, while a more detailed and scheduled itinerary will take several months to plan.
When Is the Best Time of Year To Take a Cross-Country Road Trip?
Spring and fall are the most popular times of year for a cross-country road trip due to the fair weather. However, the best time of year to take a cross-country road trip will depend on your personal preferences and comfortability driving in different weather conditions. When deciding what time of year to take your road trip consider what the weather will be like, crowd sizes, road construction and any seasonal activities you want to partake in.
Remember, winter months come with shorter days and less light, potentially limiting the time you have to see certain sights.
How Much Does a Cross-Country Road Trip Cost?
The total cost of a cross-country road trip depends on a variety of factors, including destination, route, accommodations, transportation needs, activities, personal spending and splitting costs with companions. To track your spending and know the total cost of your trip, create and stick to a budget.
How Do I Choose a Route for My Cross-Country Road Trip?
When choosing a route for your cross-country road trip, consider the following questions:
- What are you interested in seeing?
- Are there any locations you’ve always wanted to visit?
- How long do you have for your trip?
Once you’ve answered these questions, research some popular routes and use online maps to develop yours.
Should I Plan Every Stop or Be Spontaneous?
A balance between planning and spontaneity is ideal. You should plan the main stops but leave room to make additional stops as needed or desired. If you want to do specific activities in specific areas, try to book those in advance to guarantee admission.
How Many Miles Should I Drive Each Day?
Ideally, aim for six to eight hours of driving per day to avoid fatigue behind the wheel. The actual amount of drive time per day will vary depending on road conditions, weather and your personal preference.
What Are Must-See Stops on a Cross-Country Road Trip?
Must-see stops on a cross-country road trip will depend on your interests and where you’re going. Generally, popular attractions include national parks like the Everglades or Badlands and iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building or Fisherman’s Wharf. Some people prefer to visit charming small towns, especially places that transform for Christmas. Decide what interests you most and plan your must-see stops from there.
Plan Your Next Road Trip With AAA
With so much to see and do in the U.S., knowing how to plan a cross-country road trip can be difficult. AAA Travel is here to help with guides, discounts and more as you discover road trip ideas and plan the best cross-country road trip for you. Become a member today to take advantage of all AAA offers while you hit the road!