Start Here
Plan a Road Trip You Will Remember
New to road trips or planning a big one? Start with the route, then the timing, then the practical details. Everything you need is here, in that order.
Plan Your Trip
Four Steps Before the Keys
A good road trip is mostly decided before you leave: here is the order we follow for every route.
01
Pick the route
Choose a region and a season, then sketch the loop or the one-way line on a map.
02
Count the days
Keep driving to four or five hours a day so there is time left for the stops.
03
Book the essentials
Rental car, first and last nights, and the few places that sell out in high season.
04
Pack the car
Offline maps, snacks, a playlist and a little slack in the schedule.
The Mother Road
Route 66, State by State
Where it starts and ends, how long it takes and the diners, museums and motels worth the stop.
Travel Planning
Maps, Cars and Snacks
Car rental traps, route planners, weather tools, food with no fridge and games for the back seat.
Iconic Drives
Roads Worth the Detour
Six classic routes, from the Mother Road to Alpine passes, with where to stop and when to go.
Route 66
Chicago to Santa Monica
Pacific Coast Highway
California
East Coast
New England to the Florida Keys
Texas Hill Country
Texas
Dolomites and Tuscany
Italy
Andalusia
Spain
Road Notes
Questions Before You Go
How long is Route 66?
About 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, across eight states. Plan two weeks to drive it without rushing, or pick one state for a shorter trip.
How many hours a day should we drive?
Four to five hours of driving a day is a comfortable pace: it leaves time for viewpoints, museums and long lunches. Beyond seven hours, the trip becomes a transfer.
What is the best season for a road trip in the USA?
Late spring and early fall are the sweet spots almost everywhere: mild weather, fewer crowds and open mountain roads. Desert routes are best avoided in the heat of July and August.
Should we rent a car or take our own?
Your own car is cheapest for a loop near home. For a one-way route or a trip abroad, a rental makes sense: compare one-way drop fees and insurance before you book.
Which apps help plan a road trip?
A route planner for stops and distances, offline maps for areas without signal, a weather app and a fuel price app cover most needs. Our planning guides compare them.
Can we suggest a route?
Yes, write to us from the contact page: we add new itineraries based on the routes readers ask about most.