How to Plan a Road Trip: A Road Trip Locals Guide

If you’re wondering how to plan a road trip, you’re in the right place. We’ve been road-tripping the U.S. since 2019—working full time from the road, traveling with our dog, and mapping smart, efficient routes that stack the best stops without wasting miles. We’ve tested this approach across national parks, scenic byways, coastlines, and small towns, and we’re sharing exactly what works.

Think of this as your road trip playbook. You’ll learn how to choose the right route for your vibe, plan a road trip with Google Maps, organize multiple stops into logical day plans, and follow a simple road trip checklist so you’re ready for anything.

We built this guide from real experience: months-long loops, sunrise starts for timed entries, offline maps in no-service zones, and the on-the-ground lessons that only show up after thousands of miles. Use what we’ve learned to make your next drive smoother, more fun, and absolutely worth the miles!

🎯 RTL Tip: This is a comprehensive guide built from six years (and counting) of road-tripping across the U.S. and Canada. We’ve tested these tips everywhere from quick weekend getaways to months-long national park loops, so you can skip the trial and error.

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to what you need most or read straight through for the full game plan. We’ll start with the five core steps to plan a great road trip, then move into ways to customize your adventure, from budget-friendly routes, dog travel, working from the road, and more. Enjoy the ride!

Table of Contents Show

Step 1: Decide on a Trip Vibe and Pick Your Route

Before you start playing with stops on Google Maps, decide what you want this trip to feel like. There are so many amazing places to visit in the United States and North America, and each one offers its own adventure. Before you lock into a destination, let your wanderlust run wild. This will help keep your plan focused and your route efficient later on.

Do you want mountain vistas or ocean views? Small-town cafés or scenic overlooks? A cozy fall foliage route or a sun-soaked coastal drive? Your trip vibe will shape your route, your packing list, and even the kind of memories you bring home.

We’ve been building routes like this since 2019—road-tripping the U.S. for months at a time, testing out different travel styles, and finding what works (and what really doesn’t). The first step to planning a road trip is to get clear on what’s most important for you to experience.

Do you want to soak up the magic of a winter wonderland? Have the thrill of spotting wildlife in their natural habitat? Are you up for a challenge or a bucket list adventure you'll never forget? Or are you dreaming of sun and sand or hiking through nature for miles on end?

The possibilities are endless! If you’re not sure exactly what kind of road trip you want, here are some trip ideas you might love:

Scenic Drives

If your dream trip is about open roads and stunning landscapes, you can’t go wrong with a scenic-drive road trip. Picture winding mountain passes, ocean cliffs, and forest roads that feel like freedom.

A few of our favorite scenic-drive adventures include:

• The California coastline, where Highway 1 hugs the Pacific for miles

• The Blue Ridge Mountains, especially during peak fall color

• Colorado’s Rocky Mountain byways, where every bend reveals a stunning view

Scenic drives are our specialty at Road Trip Locals. We love connecting the best viewpoints, hikes, and hidden spots into one seamless route.

National Park Adventures

There are 63 national parks across the United States, and these road trips are perfect for nature lovers, adventure seekers, hikers, and anyone who loves crossing multiple travel destinations off their list in one trip.

Whether you’re checking off bucket-list stops like Yellowstone and Zion or planning a regional circuit like Utah’s “Mighty 5,” a national-park-focused road trip is hard to beat.

We love exploring what makes each park unique: the geysers in Yellowstone, the granite cliffs of Yosemite, the red-rock canyons of Utah. To kick off one of our biggest travel seasons, we spent three weeks in Alaska visiting all eight of its national parks (proof that with smart route planning, even the most remote parks are within reach).

Foodie Road Trips

If your travel motto is “eat first, ask questions later,” plan a food-focused road trip around local cuisine. Think Texas barbecue trails, Vermont maple treats, or New England lobster rolls.

We often structure these trips around towns known for great bites, like our Foodie Road Trip through Stowe, VT, which mixed scenic drives with farm-to-table dining and craft cider stops. It’s a delicious way to get to know a region.

Town, State, or Landmark Hopping

If you love variety, you can build a multi-stop route that hops between charming towns, cities, and famous landmarks. These trips mix a little of everything—history, scenery, food, and culture—while keeping your drive times manageable.

Examples we’ve loved:

• A New England State-to-State Loop combining Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine

• A Destination-Hopping Route in Ontario, connecting Niagara Falls, Toronto, and Canada’s ice-wine region

This kind of trip keeps every day fresh and lets you experience an area from many angles.

Lake Placid, New York

Step 2: Research Like a Pro

Once you know your general route, it’s time to dig into the details and start researching your destination. This is where your road trip really starts to take shape.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during this step by how much there is to see, but remember: You don’t have to do it all. Every trip has layers, and whether you’re sticking to iconic highlights or chasing local gems, it all counts. The beauty of road-tripping is that you can always come back.

Keep the reason you’ve picked this destination in the forefront of your mind and use this step to get even more excited about the incredible place(s) you’re about to explore.

Search Google, browse travel blogs, look through guidebooks, and talk to family and friends. Notice any attractions that catch your eye, restaurants that have great reviews, or insider tips from travelers who’ve been there before.

Even a small amount of research will go a long way in making your road trip memorable, so take some time to gather ideas for things that look fun and appealing to you.

Here’s how we research and plan our trips step-by-step.

Start with a Simple Search

The easiest way to start is by typing “best things to do in [destination]” into Google.

As you read through the results, note any attractions, hikes, or restaurants that catch your eye. Don’t worry about organizing yet—just collect ideas.

We like to keep everything in one place (a Google Doc or spreadsheet works perfectly) so we can cross-reference as we go.

🎯 RTL Tip: As you find places that look interesting, save them directly in Google Maps. Hit the “Save” button and choose a list name like Summer 2026 Road Trip. You’ll end up with a visual map of everything you want to do, and you can use it later to plan your stops efficiently.

Check What Each Place Is Famous For

Next, take a few minutes to learn what your destination is known for. Sometimes that’s obvious; other times, it leads to unexpected adventures.

When we visited New Hampshire for fall foliage, we discovered we were staying just 20 minutes from Rumney, one of the top sport climbing destinations in the U.S. We love the concept of when in Rome while traveling, so we hired a guide to test out a few pitches and learn the basics of outdoor rock climbing. This was such a memorable part of our trip because outdoor rock climbing was something neither of us had ever tried before, and it felt like we were experiencing New Hampshire in a totally different way than we had originally expected.

The same thing happened in Ontario. We planned the trip for Niagara Falls, but quickly learned about Canada’s ice wine region just down the road, and then we even squeezed in a stop in Toronto to break a Guinness World Record!

Whether you know a lot about your destination or simply heard someone mention it one time and have wanted to visit ever since, we highly recommend taking a few minutes to research what makes an area famous. You might find something surprising.

🗺 Bonus Resource: If you’re visiting a national park, look up what it’s most known for—landmarks, hikes, or drives—and note anything that requires reservations or permits. (Pro tip: if it requires a timed entry or a lottery, it’s probably worth the effort.) Recreation.gov is your go-to for park reservations, lottery systems, and permits.

Use Google Maps As a Travel Planning Tool

Google Maps is not just for navigation; it’s one of the best road trip research tools out there.

Here’s how we use it when planning:

1. Search for your destination and click Nearby to explore local restaurants, hikes, or attractions.

2. Hit Save and create separate lists for categories like “Eats,” “Hikes,” “Photo Spots,” or “Lodging.”

3. Zoom out to see how everything fits geographically. This is how you’ll start to plan your road trip with multiple stops efficiently.

🎯 RTL Tip: Color-code your pins (green for hikes, yellow for food, blue for stays). It makes trip planning—and your map—easier to follow on the road.

Get Visual Inspiration

There are generally a lot of things to do in any given area, and a quick Google search will populate lists as high as the 100 best things to do in a destination. These kinds of lists can get overwhelming since you’re probably visiting for a timeframe that won’t allow you to do everything.

To help filter and find the best things for your trip, use the Images tab in Google. This is my favorite way to search for things to do in an area based on what it looks like. If you’re a visual traveler or a photographer, this is one of the most fun steps for planning a road trip!

I’m a visual traveler, so what an area looks like is important to me. Google is the first place I go when researching for an upcoming road trip. You can also use Pinterest, YouTube, or Instagram. Searching on Instagram is generally harder than Google, Pinterest, or YouTube since it’s not built to operate as a search engine, but take note of any cool places you stumble upon when scrolling. (Fun fact, I entered an in-person lottery 15 days in a row after seeing a picture of The Wave on Instagram.)

When a photo catches your eye, click through to find the location. Sometimes the image name or caption reveals the exact place. Add those spots to your map or notes.

🎯 RTL Tip: If the destination of the photo is not listed clearly, try right-clicking, then hit “save image” and see if the destination is listed in the image file name. You don’t need to actually save the image; you’re just looking for identifying information about the location.

You might have found a viewpoint along a scenic drive, a picture taken on a hike, or a state park you didn’t know about. Or you might simply stumble upon a beautiful photo that inspires you to add a new activity to your trip, like biking through a gorgeous forest or kayaking on a picturesque lake.

Looking at photos of a new place is one of the most fun ways to get inspired for your next road trip!

Scout the Best Hikes

If hiking is part of your trip, AllTrails is your best friend. Just pop your destination into the search bar and browse.

We personally filter for (1) dog-friendly hikes since our dog goes most places we do and (2) the most popular hikes because those tend to be worth the effort.

This is how we found out about hiking the Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire, and how we found a dog-friendly Grand Teton “dupe” hike that turned out to be one of the most incredible mountain hikes we’ve ever done. (I shared all about it over on my passion project, Dreamy Travelogues. I told you… I’m all about the views!)

Then search phrases like “best hikes in [destination]” or “easy hikes near [town]” on Google for even more options. Pair what you find with your visual research for a route that fits your interests perfectly. We fell in love with the Precipice Trail in Acadia and Angel’s Landing in Zion this way!

Factor in the Season

As you research, consider when to visit.

• Spring and summer bring long daylight hours and open roads. This is why it’s our favorite time of year to road trip.

• Fall adds color, festivals, and cooler weather.

• Winter means shorter days and possible closures, but also fewer crowds and snow-dusted beauty. If you’re traveling in winter, check for road closures and have backup plans for weather days.

🎯 RTL Tip: Research doesn’t end when your trip starts. Some of our favorite discoveries have come from conversations with locals or other travelers once we arrive. Use your Google Maps lists as a flexible guide—not a strict plan—and always leave space for a few spontaneous detours.

Planning winter road trips is different from planning trips any other time of year, as you’ll have to factor in things like weather, road closures, and daylight hours.

Step 3: Set a (Loose) Itinerary—How to Plan a Road Trip with Multiple Stops

Alright, road trippers. Now that your route is mapped and your destinations are picked, it’s time to create a loose itinerary. Think of this step as the bridge between dreaming and doing.

The goal isn’t to script every hour. It’s to give your trip structure without boxing out spontaneity. The best road trips have both: a plan that makes sense and space for surprises.

Start with the Big Picture

First, decide whether this is a drive-from-home trip or one where you’ll fly and rent a car once you arrive. Factor that travel time into your overall plan, and be realistic about how far you can comfortably drive in a day.

Then, open a fresh document or note and label it: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3…

Under each day, list your must-do stops—the hikes, viewpoints, restaurants, or experiences that matter most. Don’t worry about filling every minute; this outline just helps you see the rhythm of your trip.

🎯 RTL Tip: Start with one “anchor activity” per day (like a hike, park visit, or scenic drive), then build around it with smaller stops nearby. It’s easier to stay flexible when your must-do moments are clear.

Outline Your Trip (Without Over-Planning)

Even though we call this a “loose itinerary,” it’s incredibly helpful to write it down. Once you see your days laid out, you’ll have a better sense of what’s realistic.

Add your key stops, travel time between them, and where you’ll sleep each night. If you’re traveling with someone else, this is where the friendly debates begin: what makes the cut, what gets skipped, and which scenic detours are non-negotiable. (If it comes down to it, we recommend the classic rock-paper-scissors method.)

Keep the focus on flow, not perfection. You’re aiming for a plan that connects destinations efficiently while still leaving space for unexpected finds.

Maximize Your Miles

You’ve got your must-dos penciled in. Now, let’s see what else you could do on your way to and from those attractions. You’re looking for smart clusters, or places that make sense geographically to combine in one outing.

This is what we call the “mini-road-trip method.” Instead of hopping all over a region, group nearby attractions into smaller loops. You’ll save time, money, and energy, plus see more in a day without feeling rushed.

For example, our Foodie Road Trip in Stowe strings together local cideries, scenic drives, and small-town restaurants in a perfect half-day loop. Same idea as our Burlington Road Trip. We grouped hikes, overlooks, and breweries by proximity so each drive felt seamless.

Use Google Maps to visualize your plan:

1. Pin all your stops (from your saved lists).

2. Drag to reorder until the route looks logical.

3. Check drive times between clusters.

4. Save “mini loops” as separate map layers if you like.

🎯 RTL Tip: Scenic byways are your secret weapon here. Many states have designated routes—like Colorado’s San Juan Skyway—that naturally link the best stops together. Search “[state] scenic byways” for inspiration.

Be Realistic About Drive Time

As you fine-tune your plan, balance drive hours with daylight and downtime.

A good rule of thumb:

• 2-4 hours of driving on sightseeing days

• 6-8 hours of driving on travel days

• Add buffer time for photos, meals, and spontaneous stops

Driving through changing scenery—mountains, farmland, tiny towns—can be just as memorable as the destination itself. (And if you’ve ever driven through Colorado, you know: sometimes the drive is the attraction!)

Step 4: Go Local (and Improvise Well)

This step is the reason to keep your road trip itinerary flexible.

Once you’ve mapped out your must-do attractions and maximized your miles between stops, it’s time to discover the local moments that make every trip memorable, like the unplanned detours, hidden gems, and community experiences that add character to your route.

In this step, we’ll share our favorite ways to find local experiences and weave them naturally into your trip.

Events and Festivals

One of the best ways to add local flavor to your trip is to look for events and festivals happening while you’re in town.

Before your trip, search phrases like:

• “events in [city name] this weekend”

• “[city name] festivals [month]”

• “farmers markets near [destination]”

You might be surprised at what you find, such as small-town celebrations, seasonal markets, live music, or quirky community traditions. Even if you just stumble into one by accident, these moments often end up being highlights of the trip.

Whether it’s a small-town farmers market or a lively music festival, local events help you experience the heart of a place and meet the people who live there.

During our past road trips, we’ve unexpectedly found:

• An Oktoberfest Party in Vail, Colorado

• Canada Day festivities in Hamilton, Ontario

• A Dallas Mavericks game in Charlotte, NC (before we ever dreamed we’d move across the country for them)

• Halloween Night celebrations in Salem, Massachusetts, complete with costumes, haunted happenings, and the best people-watching you’ll ever experience

🎯 RTL Tip: When planning your trip, check the town or state tourism website for a calendar of events. Many small towns list seasonal happenings months in advance, from harvest festivals and county fairs to film festivals and live music nights.

Adapt Your Everyday Routine

You don’t have to overhaul your entire schedule to experience a new place. Sometimes, it’s as simple as adapting your everyday routines to your new surroundings.

Think about what you do at home and find local versions on the road:

• If you run each morning, search for a scenic trail nearby.

• If you start your day with coffee, find a local coffee shop instead of your go-to chain (or lean into the regional favorite: Tim Hortons in Canada and Dunkin’ Donuts in New England are part of the local experience).

• If you’re traveling with your dog, check out local neighborhood parks or walking paths. Lincoln has led us to more great trails and scenic spots than we could’ve ever found on Google Maps.

• If you’re a sports fan, see if there’s a local team playing while you’re in town. Even small-town games can offer big atmosphere and community connection.

It’s an easy way to keep your rhythm while still making every day feel new.

Ask the Locals

This is the simplest (and most powerful) way to uncover what guidebooks miss!

If you can, ask locals for recommendations before your trip, but honestly, it’s even more fun once you arrive. Whether you’re grabbing lunch, chatting with a park ranger, or checking out at a local shop, just ask: “What’s your favorite thing to do around here?”

We’ve gotten some of our best road trip tips this way:

• A park ranger at Grand Canyon North Rim told us about the best (and least crowded) sunset viewpoint, and it did not disappoint.

• My cousins in Charlotte, NC, insisted we try a restaurant called Cowfish, famous for its “burger-sushi” fusion. (As a burger lover married to a sushi lover, it was a match made in heaven.)

• My sister, after spending a month in Maine, told us about her favorite sunrise spot in Acadia National Park—and it wasn’t Cadillac Mountain. It became one of our favorite memories from that trip.

We’ve also had fellow travelers share hiking recommendations while on other hikes, restaurant tips from locals at gas stations, and festival invites from shop owners who overheard us planning our next day.

The longer your trip, the more chances you’ll have to connect with people who know their hometown best, and their advice almost always leads to something special.

🎯 RTL Tip: When in doubt, ask this question: “If you only had one day here, what would you do?”

Haunted Happenings, Salem, MA

Step 5: Arrive, Then Drive

You’ve researched, mapped, and planned your road trip itinerary. Now comes the best part: exploration!

This final step is one to keep in mind once you arrive at your destination. It’s all about seeing what unfolds when you’re on the road.

Once your trip begins, don’t be afraid to explore off-route. Some of the best road trip memories happen when you make a quick detour or follow a hunch. Keep an eye out for places that grab your attention, such as scenic pullouts, interesting restaurants, roadside shops, or local attractions that never showed up in your original search.

🎯 RTL Tip: If you see multiple cars pulled off the road, there’s usually a reason. That often means there’s a great overlook, waterfall, trailhead, or swimming spot nearby. Pull over (safely) and see what all the fuss is about.

The goal of this step is simple: stay open to new experiences and let yourself be inspired by the surroundings. You might find something you never would’ve discovered from behind a screen.

We’ve stumbled on hidden swimming holes, quiet beaches, off-the-beaten-path hikes, and dog-friendly restaurants just by following curiosity. These are oftentimes the moments we’re still reminiscing about years later.

Bonus: Customize Your Road Trip

Every traveler’s version of the perfect road trip looks a little different. Once you’ve built your route and itinerary, you can tailor your trip to fit your lifestyle, your travel companions, and the kind of experience you want to have.

Whether you’re bringing your dog, working remotely, or hitting the road for an extended trip, here’s how to customize your adventure:

🐾 Road-tripping with your dog? Don’t miss our complete guide, 5 Steps to the Perfect Road Trip With Your Dog. It covers everything from keeping your pup comfortable on long drives to finding pet-friendly hotels, hikes, and patios along the way.

💰 Road-tripping on a budget? You don’t need a huge wallet for a huge adventure. Check out our full guide: How to Plan a Road Trip on a Budget for smart money-saving tips, from where to stay and what to pack to how to stretch your gas and food budget.

💻 Working while you travel? We’ve spent months on the road balancing deadlines and drive days. Start with 12 Things to Know for Working From the Road and 11 Truths About Traveling While Working for practical tips, Wi-Fi hacks, and lessons learned from real road-tested experience. Then, take it further with How to Work Remotely While Traveling, our full breakdown of how to set up your workspace, stay connected, and find balance on the move.

🎒 Becoming a digital nomad? Check out 8 Packing Tips (+ List) for Digital Nomads Who Work From Anywhere. It’s our go-to guide for keeping your gear organized, lightweight, and ready for wherever the road leads.

🗓 Planning an extended trip? Our guide, Month-Long Road Trips 101: How We Travel for Months at a Time, walks through how we plan, budget, and book longer adventures. This is how we find extended stays in our budget and build a routine that helps you feel at home anywhere.

🌎 Need inspiration for where to go next? Don’t miss The Road Trip Locals Superlatives: Our Favorite Road Trips (2025 Guide), our list of the best destinations we’ve road-tripped through so far.

Your road trip doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, and that’s exactly the point. With the right planning and a little flexibility, you can design a trip that fits your goals, your rhythm, and your version of adventure.

Best Road Trip Tips for Beginners

As you can see, we love road trips. We believe they’re one of the best and most immersive ways to travel.

From stunning views along a coast to quaint small towns nestled in the mountains, there’s something special about exploring the open road at your own pace.

However, if you’ve never taken a road trip before, we know it can feel a little intimidating to plan and execute an adventure with multiple stops and attractions. The good news? It’s easier than you think to start small and build confidence along the way.

Here are a few suggestions for beginners who are embarking on their first road trip!

Start with a shorter trip

Test out the road-tripping lifestyle with a weekend getaway or a single scenic drive before planning something longer. This is what we did back in 2019 when we first started traveling. Our first trip was a one-week visit to Virginia Beach, followed shortly by a two-week loop through Raleigh and Asheville, North Carolina.

Those first few trips helped us see what we liked, what we didn’t, and whether we wanted to keep road-tripping. (Spoiler: we did!)

One-stop destinations or scenic drives in your state are great ways to test out road trips. Scenic drives can often be day trips, weekend getaways, or long weekend loops.

Stay closer to home

You don’t have to drive across the country to have an adventure. Look toward scenic drives in your state, nearby attractions that have caught your eye, or destinations within a few hours’ drive that you’ve heard good things about.

Long weekend trips, where you head to destinations four hours away (or less), can help you get a feel for life on the road before planning something bigger with multiple stops.

Pick just one or two top things to see and do

Instead of trying to create an extra-epic road trip with lots of stops, stays, and attractions, focus on just one or two things you really want to do.

By planning to drive fewer miles and visit fewer attractions, your first road trip will feel less overwhelming, so you can focus more on the journey itself.

Similarly, instead of planning a trip that requires a different stay each night, plan one destination and take advantage of day trips during your visit.

Road trip with friends

Planning a trip with friends or family is another great way to test the road-tripping waters. Join along with more experienced road trippers, or split the planning between a group of people.

We love it when friends join our adventures! It’s fun to share our favorite travel style with them, and often they’re introducing us to theirs, too. Some of our best travel memories come from these shared experiences, whether it’s learning “Camping 201” (what we’re calling the next level of camping with multiple tents, morning coffee, and pancakes) or picking up new road trip games. (Shout out to the Boarder family, who have taught us both!)

🎯 RTL Tip: Once you’ve got a couple of shorter trips under your belt, you’ll have a better feel for what kind of road trips you love most, whether that’s scenic drives, national park adventures, foodie trails, or slow travel.

Keep Planning Your Trip

👉 Not sure what to pack? Check out our Road Trip Packing List for the exact things we use and love on every trip!

👉 Want to plan another adventure? Explore our Free Resource Library for road trip itineraries, planning guides, and stories from the road.

👉 And if Yellowstone’s on your list, don’t miss our Yellowstone Travel Guide: your step-by-step companion to planning an unforgettable trip to Yellowstone National Park!

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