How to Create the Best Local Road Trip There Is

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When it’s time to take a vacation, there are few things as exciting as planning a good old-fashioned road trip. But even the best intentions can go down the drain when your schedule includes days of long stretches of driving. The further you go, the more fatigued you feel..

We’re tired just thinking about it.

The good news is, you don’t have to go that far to have an incredible road trip! With a bit of planning, you can skip the driving dread and put together a road trip to remember in your own backyard (figuratively speaking).

Before you hop in the car and put your foot on the gas, take a look at these nine steps to create the best local road trip you can imagine!

1. Make a Plan But Be Flexible

Making a plan for each day of your road trip is essential to seeing everything you want to see along the way. It helps create anticipation in all the awesome things you’ll get to see along the way. A solid plan is also the best way to pick where you want to stay at night and budget for those accommodations.

But it’s impossible to plan for everything, so don’t get too attached to the details.

Being flexible with your schedule allows you for spontaneous stops during your road trip. Sometimes, unexpected stops are the ones that create memories that last a lifetime. And they’re usually the best stories to tell!

2. Do Your Research

Research is your best friend. It will allow you to put together the best possible road trip based on how much time you have for the journey and what you’ve allotted for your budget.

Just because you’re staying local doesn’t mean you know everything about the area.

Use sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Reddit to discover as much about the area you want to see as possible. Use #roadtrip along with the area you want to travel (#Mississippiroadtrip, #clarkcountyroadtrip, etc.) to find new things in a familiar area!

Once you have a good list of stops along your route, separate them into “must-see” and “if there’s time” categories, so you have your priorities straight.

Don’t forget to find and mark down a good amount of rest stops on the way, especially if you plan to travel with kids. It’s important to cut down on the boredom and get out and stretch every so often!

3. Pack the Essentials

Taking a road trip, even a local one, requires different necessities than standard travel, so make sure you pack everything you’ll need to keep the good time rolling.

First on your list of road trip essentials should always be safety measures.

Depending on when you’re setting off, consider packing a down blanket in your bag. It’s easy to fit without taking up much space, and it’s a great thing to have on hand in the cold winter months if something should go wrong. When it’s hot outside, an extra thermos of water just in case is never a bad idea.

Make sure your car is equipped with all the necessities to keep it up and running during your trip. And don’t forget to throw in a well-packed first aid kit!

A few other essentials include things for fun, such as cards, coloring books, and music. And items for convenience like tissues, a travel trash can, and wet wipes. Also, depending on your destination, you may want to pack some basic beauty essentials. 

Oh yeah! Grab an extra phone charger while you’re at it. You can never be too careful.

4. Check For Discounts

Before you leave, get yourself the best deals on the road so you can save money and have even more room in your budget for fun!

Sites like Groupon and getdiscounttravel.com are great places to search around for discounts on attractions and other fun things to do during your trip. 

Use comparison sites such as Trivago, booking.com, and Expedia to compare hotel prices and find the best deal. Sometimes, the hotel’s website is the best place to look for deals. You can even sign up for rewards programs and earn points for staying somewhere that could get you a free night!

5. There’s an App For That

Like most things in today’s world, there’s an app to help you plan and navigate your perfect local road trip, so you aren’t left guessing on the road.

Waze is like google maps, only better because it has the best traffic reports and a planning map. This feature allows people to report what they see as they drive, keeping you up to date on any delays you may experience.

With Roadtrippers, you can not only plan a route, but then it’s easy to find things to do along the way and mark them right in the app, so you don’t miss them!

GetYourGuide is a big help for finding things to do in big cities, so definitely give it a look if you plan to explore any!

6. Plan Your Lodging

Planning where you’re going to sleep at night comes down to your personal preference. How much time are you going to spend staying in your accommodations? How important is luxury to you? What’s your budget?

There is no shortage of lodging options for an amazing road trip, but let’s look at the most common ones.

Camping out is pretty straightforward. Whether you hit up a campground along your route or pitch your tent in a state park, you’ll save money with this choice. 

Hotels are the most popular place to sleep for road trippers. They’re a great way to go if you’re just looking for a quick stop with a bed and a shower.

Airbnb gives you more convenience and feels more like a home away from home. It’s perfect if you’re hoping for a bit of a longer stay before returning to the road with more comfort.

7. What About Food?

Your food options pretty much come down to which way you’re going and how much money you want to spend. 

Packing lunches for the car will save you some time and money, so you don’t have to stop every few hours to eat. But some people would argue that experiencing the local diners and dives is part of the road trip experience.

Wherever you are, if you’re looking for the best places to eat, make sure you ask the locals! They always know best.

Always make sure to budget for snacks. A road trip just isn’t complete with road trip snacks filling the car. And stock up on water as well. You have to keep everyone hydrated!

8. Create an Epic Travel Playlist

Music can set the mood for your entire road trip. Making a few different playlists will ensure you won’t be searching for something to listen to on the go.

Apps like Spotify and Pandora have some road trip playlists already created for easy listening. Or you can create your own totally from scratch with all of your favorite tunes.

Just make sure you download a few to your phone just in case you end up in an area with no signal. 

If music isn’t your jam, prepare a few audiobooks or podcasts to pass the time instead!

9. Bring Your Game Plan

What’s a road trip without a few road trip games?

Keep things interesting on longer stretches of driving by getting the whole car involved in the fun. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics such as I Spy, 21 Questions, and The Alphabet Game, but there are plenty of other road trip games to try out if you’re looking for something new.

You can also purchase games made specifically for travel, like bingo or a scavenger hunt, to keep everyone busy for the entire ride. Or create your own if you want it more specific for your area.

In Conclusion

Everything about a road trip, from the planning to the very end, is exciting. But there’s no doubt that driving countless hours every day can get exhausting and take away from the fun.

Do yourself a favor and plan an incredible road trip that’s a little closer to home.

Not only are local road trips just as fun as visiting faraway places, but they also give you a chance to find amazing sites you didn’t know about right around the bend. With these steps, you have everything you need to create the best local road trip.

Happy trails!

Author Bio

Kelsey is from Greenville, NC, and is an East Carolina University Alum. She’s a dedicated cat mom of two and has been with Grove at Auburn since July 2019. Since moving to Alabama, Kelsey has fallen in love with Auburn and the SEC life!