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How to Plan Your Very Own Great American Road Trip

The United States of America is one of the best countries in the entire world for a road trip. The open road here has been romanticized and adored by generations. It has inspired adventures for so many, so there’s never been a better time than now for it to be the backdrop of your very own great American Road Trip!

The only thing you need to remember when doing this is that the country is just far too big to do it all, and by ignoring the little destinations, you lose out on a lot of charm that the open road holds.

To help you create that perfect itinerary that balances out hotspot locations, U.S. national parks and roadside journeys, you will want to follow this guide.

Desert road in Death Valley National Park, one of the Southern California desert parks

Creating Your Itinerary

Before you head off into the sunset, it’s essential to have a general understanding of where you want to go. This doesn’t mean you should plan out every single step along the way, but just that you know your options. A great itinerary will need you to:

Choose a Theme

Love nature? Choose a route that hits several of your favorite national parks. Love history? Plot out how you can visit some of the top historical sites in the country.  Or maybe you’d like to visit all Arizona national parks? Perhaps combine the epic nightlife with the national parks near Las Vegas? By choosing a theme, you can experience how immense this country is.

Of course, if you absolutely want to go from the west coast to the east coast and hit all the major hotspots in-between, go for it! There are no rules, so long as you enjoy what you do.

Create Your Route

One thing far too many people forget about road trips is that it isn’t the destinations that are important. If they were, you would be better off flying or using a train. No, road trips are all about the journey itself, so you will want to create your route based on scenery, pit stops, and even events or festivals you can visit along the way.

Be Flexible

You should be as flexible as possible with your road trip. You never know when you will come across something as incredible as a civil war re-enactment that you simply had no idea was happening until you drove by it. By being flexible, you will have the time to stop by and enjoy the spontaneous experience.

Spitler Knoll Overlook, Shenandoah National Park Sunrise

Choosing Your Wheels

Now that you have your route chosen, its time to pick your wheels.

How to Stock Up Your Own Vehicle

If you are traveling between cities, your own vehicle is often your best bet. Chances are you will stay in town at a hotel or motel and have a bed to sleep in. In this case, bringing your vehicle in to be fine-tuned, and stocking it up on all you need will be enough.

Benefits of Renting Out an RV or Camper

If you really want to explore this country, however, the best way to do it is with an RV or camper. This gives you more flexibility in terms of where you go and where you stay and is often imperative if you want to visit many different national parks.

For example, you can pick up your own rental from a variety of great choices of Las Vegas RV Rentals, and then be ready and on your way to having the road trip of a lifetime to places like Zion National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.

Your road trip can be an absolutely epic experience, so long as you remember what the great American road trip is all about – freedom.