Taking a road trip is such a soothing experience. Sometimes you just need to clear your head, and what better way to do that than traveling miles?
You can’t begin to understand how fulfilling road trips are unless you go on one yourself. To you, It may not sound like the bravest thing you could do, but for me, it is both an exciting and adventurous experience.
When planning a road trip, there are many things to consider. For example, the number of persons, miles, route, internet, and supplies. This is why you should pre-arrange and plan.
Supplies: Most of the supplies you need for your road trip can be obtained from a supermarket or shopping mall. Nothing fancy but things needed for your survival. This includes; personal supplies, first aid, entertainment, and lots of snacks.
Internet: Trust me, your phone data won’t be enough to keep you connected. Before your trip, you’d need to get a travel router. Travel routers are better for trips because they have inbuilt batteries and stronger cell signals than mobile phones. I recommend Nomad Internet’s travel router. It works anywhere in America.
Route: The route you take would depend on your trip arrangements/destination. If you are not familiar with the road, use Google maps. At Least that’s what I use when I’m in an unfamiliar area, and it’s been very helpful. The distance you’d cover depends on your route. Endeavor to stop for a gas refill.
Logistics: From an expense point of view, you’d need money for gas and supplies. While road trips are not necessarily cheap, it’s definitely cheaper than other ways of getting around. Remember to keep extra money on the side for emergencies, food, Airbnb, and repairs.
Although the USA is one of the world’s most populated countries, outside of its cities, you can find some remote roads that are free of traffic and have the most memorable and breathtaking views.
If you’re in for an adventure, here are 5 Road Trips that will change your life.
Skyline Drive, Virginia
The Skyline Drive in Virginia, left, is a 105-mile road with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains along the spine of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. And what’s best? You don’t even need to leave your car to enjoy the views. And if you are in the mood for some hiking, you should explore some of Shenandoah's 200,000 acres of the untouched mountain landscape.
Highway 50, Nevada
One of America’s most famous cross-country drives, more than 3,200 miles from the East to West Coast. The route follows the legendary Pony Express. Nicknamed the ‘Backbone of America’, highway 50 has some of America’s most awe-inspiring sights and landscapes—including the famous millennia-old rock art and numerous historic ghost towns. Sights to look out for include; The Rocky Mountains, Lake Tahoe, and the deserts of Utah and Nevada.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, Visalia, California
For spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, head to the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. The byway descends 2,700 feet to the wild and scenic Kings River, past the massive 2,000-foot marble walls of the famous Portals of the Kings. At 8,200 feet deep, Kings Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in North America and 2,000 feet deeper than the Grand Canyon. The road ends at Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. Note, The road closes for the winter, so plan your tour and make the visit way before the winter comes.
Highway 46, North Dakota
Have a kink for living life on the edge? Then head to highway 46. The stretch between Hickson and Streeter of North Dakota highway 46 is considered the longest and straightest road in America.
Highway 49, Austin, Texas
Texas is a place for people who enjoy self-care and taking a ‘break from it all. And what better way to do that than taking a drive through the Texas 49, near Austin, Texas, considered the quietest and least traveled road in the USA. The 61-mile route begins in Mount Pleasant and ends near the Louisiana state line.
Whether you are looking for magnificent views, adventures through national parks, a clear head, or moving across states, road trips provide plenty of opportunities for every kind of traveler to explore the United States.
Picking the route for your road trip is only a part of preparing for this adventure. There are other important things to consider. From what snacks to pack to which playlist or podcast to listen to and what popular food places to visit, these additional resources will help you prepare and enjoy your road trip.