Q: Do you have any road trip tips for a cross-country drive?

A: Sure do! I spent 2020 road-tripping and picked up some tricks along the way!

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Although I had to put my international travel plans on hold in 2020, I was gifted a unique opportunity to spend my year road-tripping across the USA. While I always wanted to visit the National Parks, I had NO idea how vast and beautiful this country truly is. Most of my favorite memories on the road were in "flyover" towns smack dab in the middle of nowhere. This country is full of rich culture, diversity, and traditions. Even if you're not yet ready to travel across oceans in a post-Covid world, consider gassing up your car and expanding your horizons domestically. An American cross-country road trip is sure to scratch your travel itch!

Check out these tips for planning a cross-country American road trip!

Before your trip

• Get your car ready. When was the last time you changed the oil? Before heading out on the cross-country road trip, you *definitely* want to have a trusted mechanic do a THOROUGH tune-up. I learned this one the hard way! I took my car into a highly-rated yelp mechanic in Utah when my brakes started to squeak. He said I was losing my mind and sent me on my way. By Nevada, the squeaking got louder, and the brake light popped on. I couldn’t NOT get a second opinion. What was the verdict? That my brakes were about to give out… completely. Like, don’t drive this car another hour without new brakes. Avoid my near-fatal mistake and take care of this beforehand with a mechanic you trust!

• Pack jumper cables. You likely already have these in your trunk, but don’t forget to double-check they’re really there! And make sure you remember how to use your jumper cables! When in doubt, remember — start with “red on dead”!

• Consider bringing an empty gas can in the trunk. Why not stash it if you have the room, just in case?!

• Plan out fun pitstops in advance! When I start thinking about a road trip, I’m always excited to make random visits to the largest ball of yarn or a greasy restaurant I saw on Diners, Drive-in’s and Dives. Somehow though, once I’ve been on the road for a few hours, those fantasy diversions go out the window! The thought of pulling off the road and delaying my arrival time becomes sooo unappealing! If you’re serious about getting the most out of your cross-country American road trip, you should definitely download the Roadtrippers App!! It’s the PERFECT way to find lesser-known attractions en route, and once they’re part of your official itinerary, I’d wager you’re more likely to make the stop!

• Prep your digital distractions. Make sure to download all the music and all the audiobooks in advance while you have strong wifi! A cross-country road trip is a great excuse to brush up on another language or dig into some classic novels. And, don’t forget a couple of portable chargers for the road! I also recommend a phone holder to keep it out of your hands, and who couldn’t use extra USB ports!? Check out more of my technology travel necessities in this guide for a long-haul flight!

On the road

• Keep a garbage bag accessible. Since this car will basically be your home away from home while on the road, it’s essential to clean it up frequently! I like to stash a grocery bag in the front seat or somewhere easily reached to trash wrappers. Once it’s about full, I toss it at the next gas station!

• Stop often. Speaking of gas stations, I recommend stopping at them often! I like to keep about half a tank of gas in my car to cushion for times when I find myself TRULY in the middle of nowhere… looking at you, Wyoming and Big Sur. Stopping also provides an opportunity to stretch out your back a bit, since sitting all day can put your body in KNOTS! Also, if you’re not desperately sitting on empty, I like the GasBuddy app to compare nearby prices!

• Keep track of your miles. The mechanic usually recommends an oil change every ~6 months, but depending on how much you’re driving, you may need a follow-up tune-up while on the road! Keep an eye on that odometer!

• Google maps is a phone battery killer! If I’m stuck on a long stretch of road for 100+ miles, I exit the app and take a picture of the subsequent turn-by-turn directions. That way, even if I lose service, I have a solid idea of where I’m going and a fully charged phone to get me there!

Other random suggestions!

• Consider signing up for AAA or another auto service program. Safety first!

• Campsites sell out early. If you’re looking to go camping on your cross-country road trip, make sure to book this in advance (like, up to 6 months in advance if you’re hoping to camp in a U.S. National Park)!

• Make sure your money is working for you. Be strategic about which credit cards you’re using for gas, hotels, and restaurant charges; certain cards have points multipliers for different charges!

• Are you hoping to eat something other than fast food? Some U.S. fast-casual restaurant chains with healthier options include Noodles and Company (they have zoodles!), Chipotle (salads and cauliflower rice bowls), and Panera (salads, soups, etc.). I’m also a big fan of stopping at the local grocery store prepared foods section for individual portions of deli salads or a way to store up on fresh fruit or yogurt!

• Hotel parking isn’t always free. Especially if you’re driving through a big city (where parking charges can be half the cost of the hotel room itself), make sure to check the nightly parking rates before committing to an accommodation!

• Avoid makeup. There’s no one to impress at the local gas station, and this is a FANTASTIC time to let your skin truly breathe!

I hope these planning tips are getting you excited for a cross-country American road trip! The scenery, food, and culture are memories I’ll forever cherish!

Do you have any other unique suggestions for cross-country road trips?