9 Things I’ve Learned Road Tripping Solo 

Lots of the issues that make highway journeys so nice — the sensation of freedom, the deal with the countryside, the solitude — are magnified once you set out on a solo journey. For a quick interlude, it’s simply you, your automotive, and the highway. It’s fantastic, however it may be daunting too.

Trying again, I understand I’ve all the time had a tender spot for highway journeys, beginning with a magical journey to the Oregon Coast within the household station wagon once I was 7 years previous. I bear in mind gazing up at large redwoods, splashing within the ocean for the primary time, and climbing large sand dunes.

Since then, I’ve taken road trips to nearly each western-U.S. state, and to the Canadian Rockies and Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.

Up till just lately, although, my highway journeys have been considerably sporadic and sometimes taken with household or mates when flying wasn’t sensible. That modified in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted journey choices for me and everybody else. Impulsively, the one cheap strategy to journey gave the impression to be by automotive. For me, that meant solo highway journeys.

I’ve since taken highway journeys to each nook of my dwelling state of Arizona, the California coast, Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, southern Utah’s many state parks and national monuments, New Mexico’s White Sands National Park, Texas’s Big Bend, and the Guadalupe Mountains nationwide parks.

My journeys have all been nice adventures, however there have been a couple of classes as nicely. Listed below are 9 issues I’ve realized highway tripping solo.

1. Pre-Planning Is A Should

With out navigational enter from a fellow traveler, I’ve discovered that it’s crucial to establish my routes and research the main points (the principle highways, main turns, and fascinating factors) earlier than I head out.

I often begin by looking out level A to level B on my laptop computer pc, try the 2 or three different routes, after which program my most well-liked route into my cellphone’s mapping app. I take advantage of the Apple Maps app, however many individuals desire the Google Maps app.

One other apparent cause for having a set itinerary is security. By letting somebody know your route earlier than you go, you’ve gotten some backup in case you run into bother alongside the best way. It’s additionally smart to verify in with these folks once you arrive at your vacation spot.

2. Reserving Lodge Stays In Advance Is Advisable

Central to a solo traveler’s pre-planning must be resort, campsite, or short-term rental reservations alongside the best way.

Nowadays, particularly in the summertime, you’re prone to end up with no place to remain with out correct planning. Street journeys are extra standard than ever, and plenty of motels alongside main highways grow to be booked weeks prematurely, whereas tenting at nationwide parks generally requires reserving months prematurely. The stress of in search of lodging en route is compounded once you’re alone since you don’t have one other individual to analysis vacancies when you drive.

Professional Tip: I’m an enormous fan of my Marriott Bonvoy rewards card and I often attempt to discover a Marriott model resort for my nights on the highway. There are many different loyalty and rewards programs to take a look at as nicely, together with VRBO for short-term leases, and Hipcamp for tenting websites.

3. Frequent Fuel Ups Present Peace Of Thoughts

My automotive will get about 40 miles to the gallon, so I might conceivably drive greater than 500 miles earlier than I must gasoline up. For my peace of thoughts, I by no means wait wherever that lengthy and often cease to fill gasoline each 250 miles or so.

A part of the reason being that gasoline station stops give me an opportunity to stretch my legs, get a chilly beverage, and take a restroom break. One other half is the uncertainty of once I’ll have the ability to refill once more. Particularly once I’m driving on distant roads in Texas, Arizona, or Nevada. I by no means take an opportunity on ready for the subsequent gasoline station.

Professional Tip: Cellphone apps like Gas Guru may also help you identify the place the subsequent gasoline cease can be, and the bottom costs.

4. Having Full Management Over Your Journey Is A Blessing And A Curse

Sure, solo highway tripping provides a sense of freedom by providing you with full management over your route, your stops, and the size of your stays. Keep in mind that the tradeoff is that it additionally means you’ve gotten whole accountability for the entire driving and little choices alongside the best way.

There are undoubtedly instances once I’d like a second opinion on a route or grow to be tired of the drive. That’s when pre-planning is useful.

5. In-Automotive Leisure Is Essential

Whether or not it’s music, audiobooks, or podcasts, having one thing to maintain my thoughts occupied as I drive makes all of the distinction on this planet on my solo drives.

For me, nothing beats an audiobook to assist move the hours. Not solely do I grow to be immersed in an interesting story, however I’m in a position to transport myself to faraway locations. Some latest audiobooks I’ve beloved for road-tripping are Amor Towles’ The Lincoln Freeway, Elin Hilderbrand’s 28 Summers, and Lucy Foley’s The Paris Condominium.

I additionally like to take a look at the channels on my SiriusXM subscription. On one memorable summer season journey by way of Arizona and Nevada in 2020, I listened to the complete countdown of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Prime 100 hits on the Tom Petty Channel. I’ve additionally been identified to tune in to Comedy Central Radio’s hilarious units and The Pulse’s latest hits.

Listening to podcasts is one other entertaining possibility that many vacationers swear by. Two fascinating decisions to take a look at are Serial and This American Life.

Professional Tip: Free loans of audiobooks can be found with a library card at many public libraries, by way of the Overdrive or Libby apps. I all the time maintain my Overdrive account stocked with books in order that I’ve loads of decisions on my lengthy drives.

6. A Nicely-Serviced Automotive Is A Life Saver

As a highway journey approaches, I make some extent of getting my automotive in for service — if doable, by timing my common oil modifications with my journeys. Then, I all the time point out to the service technicians that I’ve an enormous highway journey arising and ask them to take a look at essential components just like the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, air-con, and fluids.

If and when unexpected emergencies do come up, having a roadside help coverage is essential. To cowl all my bases, I’ve towing protection by way of my automotive insurance coverage and now have a membership with AAA (American Vehicle Affiliation).

7. It’s Vital To Pack Strategically

Though I usually subscribe to the mantra that it’s finest to pack mild, I imagine a solo highway journey is a chance to overpack a bit within the curiosity of being well-prepared. In spite of everything, you’ve gotten the entire automotive to your self!

I often pack a jacket or two, together with an assortment of denims, capris, blouses, sweatpants, a hat, and swimming fits. As a hiker, I wish to have loads of shoe decisions, together with climbing sandals, hiking boots, sneakers, flip-flops, and a few climbing packs.

I don’t like to hold every part into my resort room every evening, so I maintain the sneakers, jackets, and packs in separate large-size packing cubes that I go away in my automotive the place they’re simple to seize, as wanted.

Professional Tip: To cope with points that come up on the highway, I maintain a provide of useful devices and merchandise in my automotive, together with jumper cables, a photo voltaic flashlight, disinfectant wipes, bandages, and duct tape. I additionally pack tenting gear, together with a tent, a sleeping bag, a pillow, and an air mattress — simply in case.

8. Don’t Overlook The Snacks And Drinks

To make sure that I’ve a provide of chilly drinks, recent fruit, and veggies for snacking, I maintain a big 5-day ice retention Igloo Max cooler within the cargo space of my automotive, and a small cooler within the entrance seat the place I can simply entry it whereas I’m driving. I commonly replenish issues from the bigger cooler into my small cooler and add ice to each.

I wish to inventory my coolers with bottled water, glowing water, tender drinks, and snack-size baggies stuffed with grapes, orange slices, and mini carrots.

9. Discovering Your Consolation Zone Enhances Security

I’ve discovered that I can comfortably drive 8 to 10 hours in a day, however something past that turns into taxing. As I map my route, I maintain that in thoughts and make my resort reservations accordingly.

It’s vital to seek out your road-tripping rhythm, private consolation zone, and by no means proceed driving once you’re drained. Generally a fast nap in your automotive at a relaxation space can do wonders, however all the time bear in mind to decide on your spots with security in thoughts. I carry small window shades that connect utilizing suction cups to the glass to offer some privateness.

Professional Tip: The adage of “it’s extra in regards to the journey than the vacation spot” isn’t more true than on a highway journey. For that cause, I remind myself to be current, take all of it in, and cease typically to scent the roses (or the daisies or sunflowers or lupine). I like to recommend programming at the very least two hours of leeway into every day’s schedule to permit time to discover surprising scenic byways and charming downtowns you encounter alongside the best way.