Tips for road tripping through the US

On the road to Monument Valley

The US is THE country for road tripping. Land of legendary roads, huge distances and open spaces, some say you haven’t lived until you have experienced a road trip in the US. We’re sharing a few tips to help you get ready if you are a road trip newbie.

Make sure you have all the basics

For a hassle-free road trip, there are a few things you should make sure to have before getting on the road. These include a cell phone with a car charger, which will be helpful to call road assistance if needed but also to locate hotels, tourist attractions or gas stations. This is especially valid in a country like the US, with great distances between cities in less populated states like Montana or Washington! Fortunately, main roads have signs indicating the last gas station in 300 miles, for example, but if you want to hit the back roads you’ll be grateful to have your phone with you!

I find American roads to be really well indicated, and it’s quite easy to drive around, even in large cities. However, you might want to bring a GPS and make sure maps are up-to-date. In some remote places like Alaskan country roads, GPS coverage doesn’t work, but you won’t need it anyway.

Make sure your ID documents are up-to-date and at hand, including your driving license (you’ll need an international one if you’re not American), ID card or passport.

Road controls are quite common, especially near the Canadian and Mexican border. Just smile, answer the questions honestly and do what the officer says, and you’ll be fine.

Did you know?

With 120 gas pumps, Buc-ee's Sevierville location, in Tennessee, is the world’s largest gas station.

Oh, and don’t go in. Don’t trust the friendly beaver.

You’ll end up eating way too much and spending all your money, because it’s like a department store/restaurant in there. Only in America!

Another basic for any road trip is music. Prepare some cool playlists in advance and get ready to sing! There are tons of road trip songs suggestions online. Some personal favorites: Into the Wild and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtracks. They just fit perfectly!

Finally, get some human fuel: beef jerky, coffee and candy bars are almost compulsory! In some states like California, you’ll see lots of fruit sellers along the road. Perfect for a healthy and local snack!

Stop when you get tired

Most American roads are in excellent conditions, cars are comfortable, and you might be tempted to drive many hours without stopping. Stay on the safe side, stop regularly for coffee and exercising, and when you start to feel tired. Unless you’re camping, you might not be able to find many hotels or motels depending on where you are, so don’t wait until the next one… which might be in 200 miles!

Most American motels are really nice and usually include breakfast for a decent price. Even if you’re camping, you might consider alternating with motels to get good nights of sleep from time to time.

Don’t worry about food

As a European, I didn’t grow up with food readily available 24/7. But in the US, worry not: there will always be a fast food chain in the next 5 miles — except in less populated states like Montana or Alaska.

Here at Waffle House!

Choose your ideal co-pilot

If you are not on your own, share the driving and pick the right co-pilot! What does it mean? Well, the perfect co-pilot should keep you awake but should also allow you to concentrate on the road and enjoy a bit of silence! Personally, I can’t stop singing and yelling when I see beautiful landscapes, and I know this gets on Jake’s nerves!

Co-pilots should also be good with maps and orientation (I’ve traveled with people who hesitate between their left and right), and give you some heads up of the right direction to take. There is nothing more frustrating than somebody shouting you to “tuuuuuurn here!!!”, when it is already too late.

Finally, your ideal co-pilot will gather some tourist information before the trip and use a travel guide along the way to spot the attractions to see, the best restaurants, etc. This, I can do!

Check your car before you go (or before you rent it)

Before you hit the road, make sure to have your car checked. This will save you a lot of potential hassle and expenses during your trip! Check your insurance to make sure you’re covered in each state you plan to visit, especially if you come from another country.

In Alaska, the car rental company warned us about moose and bear jams: when cars stopped to watch wildlife!

If you’re renting a car, make sure you know how it works before you leave the rental agency. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff to show you. American cars, for example, are quite different from European cars, as most are equipped with automatic transmission.

If you’re renting a camper van, you’ll definitely need somebody to show you everything before getting started. Check and film the car, and report any unmarked damage before leaving.

Bear in mind that most rental agencies will require an extra fee for coverage if you’re planning to visit Mexico or Canada. Do inform them in advance to avoid unnecessary trouble later on.

Have things at hand

If you’re not very organized, get a tidy co-pilot. Although your car will probably get dirty with all these cool unpaved roads and muddy hikes, it doesn’t mean that it should be a mess. To save time and make the most of your trip, try to have everything at hand and assign a place for food, another one for clothes, etc. Avoid large suitcases, which take a lot of space in the car boot and are not very handy, and prefer backpacks.

Driving in the Everglades: watch out for aligators!

If you’re camping, space will most likely be a challenge, and you don’t want to leave visible things in the car, as potential thieves will deduce that your trunk is full. Choose a tent which can easily be folded and get an inflatable mattress. Try to identify what’s really essential (do you really need camping chairs and a folding table?). If you haven’t thought about it, you can hide many things underneath the seats!

Penguin Trampoline tip:

Keep a few basics at hand like a swimsuit, a rain jacket and hiking boots, so you can enjoy every interesting spot along the way!

Have a flexible plan

Finally, have a flexible plan. Try to find the right balance between planning every detail and travel randomly with no plan at all. If your time is limited, you’ll want to plan your global itinerary to make the most of your trip, while allowing some extra time and flexibility for a bit of adventure along the way. You’ll most likely find special places, meet cool people, and it’s nice to allow yourself to stay a bit longer!

Here is my personal Thanksgiving playlist, which I think also works well for a US trip:

I hope these few tips will allow you to get ready for the road trip of your life. And remember, “Life is a hiiighway”!