Driving across America is a dream that many young and old people fantasize about for years but never get down to actually doing it. In reality, it is quite a journey, both in terms of experience and in the amount of time that you will be investing in it. Considering that you are crossing a country that is literally a continent on its own, it is going to be time-consuming. If you are planning on just driving from the west to the east in a straight line, you are looking at a trip that is nearly 3000 miles, one way. If you add in the possibility of going slightly off the path and exploring a bit of the north and south, this can very easily cross the 5000-mile mark. Ideally, you should pick one path on your way to your destination and a different path on your way back. That way you kind of get to enjoy two journeys and you make the most of the miles that you have to drive. If you are planning a Great American Road Trip, then here are some of the things you should definitely do.
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1. Research
It’s a big place that you are planning on exploring. Even if you are born and bred in the US, there are a lot of things you probably don’t know. This is not only going to help you narrow down what route you should take but it will also help in a lot of other areas. With the right research, you will know how to incorporate the best places to visit in America along your route and you’ll know what the overall costs are going to be. Considering the number of miles you are covering, you should definitely have reliable vehicle and insurance coverage for the entire trip.
2. Have A Plan
Before you get the car started, think about a few bad scenarios and try to come up with solutions for them. For instance, what is your plan if you run out of cash? What is your plan if someone needs to get home in an emergency? What will you do in the case of an accident? You might be able to talk it out with a private car owner but dealing with commercial vehicles in an accident can be a nightmare. Consider reviewing the FedEx truck accident FAQs to get an idea of how to deal with such a situation. Ideally, you should understand what your options are if you get into an accident with a commercial car or truck on the road. Rather than looking for a hotel when you reach your destination, book a spot in advance. Try to have at least two sources of money, if one card isn’t working you will have an option to fall back on.
3. Avoid the Rush Hour
No matter where you are in America, if you are in a big city, the rush hour is always bad. You could spend several hours in traffic and this could disrupt your entire schedule. It’s a good idea to have a quality mapping service that can also keep you posted on traffic conditions. Also, since you aren’t in a hurry, you can always choose other routes. Rather than taking the freeway, why not go some other route? That will save you time and you’ll get to explore something other than tar and car fumes.
4. Have a Budget
When you are out exploring places you have never been, everything seems like it’s the best attraction ever. Especially when you are in places like Las Vegas where the city is designed to make you spend as much money as possible, it’s very easy to go bankrupt in a matter of minutes. Also, when you make decisions on the spot, you aren’t evaluating all your options and making the best choice. Things like accommodation and food are things you will be spending a lot on and quite frequently. Having a good trip app that tells you about hotels in the area will save you the trouble of having to find the right place and it will also help you get a better deal.
Lastly, make sure you budget for the unexpected. The internet is a great resource for information but there are going to be a lot of things that you won’t consider in your research. When you are exploring a new place you might find something that you want to spend more time exploring, a place where you want to stay, an activity that you want to do. Make extra time in your plan so whenever you see something like that you don’t have to think twice about extending your stay in that place by a day. Also, try and get off the highway and explore the real environment of the city or area you are in. The urban areas are great, but the real experience is when you see the less-seen things that you can only enjoy in person.