28.2 Road Trip Travel Tips

Over the course of my 282 days on the road, I built a list of 28.2 road-trip travel tips. I gathered some of these from wanderers who trekked before me; many others I learned the hard way. I wanted to share them for whenever the road beckons your name as it did mine—whether you’re traveling solo or with others, for a week or for a year. I hope these help you craft your most epic, successful road trip yet.

Onward to the 28.2!

PREPARATION

1. Keep a budget.
From gas to food to sunscreen, costs add up fast. Know where your money’s going—and how much you have left.

2. Load up on the best road-trip apps.
I highly recommend Roadtrippers for predictable and unpredictable roadside finds. GasBuddy helps you snag the lowest gas prices. And it goes without saying: Instagram was made for road trips.

3. Get your car a complete tune-up.
There’s never been a better time to hush those whistling brakes.

DRIVING

4. Drive five miles under the speed limit.
You’ll feel like an incompetent granny at first, but you’ll save gas—and actually see what’s whizzing by.

5. Get regular oil changes and check your tires.
Annoying? Yes. More annoying than being stranded? No.

6. Keep a running road-trip playlist.
All flavors. No shame.

7. Invest in podcasts.
Music gets old sometimes.

8. Invest in silence.
Noise gets old sometimes. Talk to yourself, talk to God, or marvel at the unfurling world.

ACCOMMODATIONS

9. Get (and use) a Couchsurfing profile.
Yes, it’s weird at first. Yes, it’s safe. People make places special—more than the places themselves. (Saving on hotels is just a bonus.)

10. Use social media when you’re stuck.
Post about where you’re headed and your need for a couch. Sometimes silence; sometimes your old high-school classmate’s former college roommate becomes a new best friend.

11. Go camping.
It’s not for everyone all the time, but at least one night under the stars is for everyone.

12. Don’t be afraid to sleep in your car.
Find a secluded rest stop or a Walmart parking lot. Use a windshield sunshade; tie shirts or towels to windows for privacy. Bask in the strange beauty of you, your car, and the road becoming one.

FOOD & DRINK

13. Skip lunch.
Do breakfast and dinner; snack on trail mix and granola bars during the day. Your budget will thank you.

14. Refill a water bottle often.
Dehydration sneaks up on the road.

15. Ask locals where to eat.
Hosts know their cities better than Google, Bing, or AskJeeves ever will.

16. Hit bars and local coffee shops.
Coffee shops especially offer much-needed rest—and a feel for the city.

PICTURES & PLACES

17. Take lots of pictures.
Bridges, parks, rivers, lakes, abandoned buildings—epic backdrops you’ll cherish forever.

18. Experience first; capture second.
Actually look before the photo frenzy. Tragic is remembering the pictures but not the place.

19. Limit selfies and timers.
Make friends with strangers and ask them to take your photo. (Pro tip: ask people under 60, keep the shutter sound on. Trust me.)

20. Limit pre-research—especially photos.
First impressions are better when they’re yours.

21. Wander aimlessly.
It’s okay to find nothing sometimes. The wondrous finds will far outweigh the empty walks.

SNEAKY TIPS

22. Enter national parks very early or very late.
Gates are open; crowds (and fees) are often not. Sunrise scenery is unreal.

23. Park a mile or two outside city centers and walk.
Watch signs, save on parking, get exercise, see more.

24. Keep a journal.
Log thoughts, miles driven, states visited, coffees consumed, gas prices. Tedious now—gold later.

25. Send postcards.
Include others in your journey—especially those now in your rearview mirror.

LIFE LESSONS

26. Balance structure and spontaneity.
Structured folks: loosen up. Free spirits: organize a bit.

27. Loneliness is okay.
You’re right where you need to be—amid the uncomfortable in-between. That’s where growth happens.

28. Embrace every day.
The trip feels endless—until it’s over. You’ll want to go back to sleep, but it’s time to wake up and walk into the new you.

28.2. Travel well out there.

Got road-trip wisdom from personal experience? Add to the list and teach me something for my next big adventure.