Plan A Flexible Road Trip Itinerary
Minimize Stress and Maximize Fun
Choosing the Right Route
One of the first steps in planning a road trip is deciding where you want to go and how long you have. Unlike other trips, road trips come with the extra challenge (and fun!) of mapping out the ultimate route. With so many possible roads to take—both literally and figuratively—it can feel overwhelming at first.
I always start by determining how much time I have, and let that guide my route:
Longer trips → A loop route gives me time to explore without backtracking.
Medium-length trips → An out-and-back route lets me cover more distance while still making plenty of stops.
Shorter trips → I focus on one or two key locations and spend more time fully experiencing an area.
Having a flexible plan gives just enough structure while leaving room for spontaneity—the heart of any great road trip. No matter which route you choose, the journey is always the best part.
Different Routes to Take
Option 1: Out and Back (My Favorite)
Pros: Choosing an out and back route means doing your entire route twice because you are retracing your steps on the way back. You can pick a further “end destination” which will allow you to visit more places. The out and back route ensures you won’t feel rushed to beat the daylight each day because whatever you miss on the way out you can make a mental (or physical) note to see it on the way back.
Cons: This is not the most ideal for shorter trips because you’re more likely to be able to fit all you want to see in a day and retracing your steps can feel pointless and redundant. This is not family friendly and not ideal for people who do not like moving camp every day.
Option 2: Loop
Pros: Picking a route that is a loop still allows you to pick a further destination without going to the same place twice. You can choose the size of your loop to determine how much time you want to give yourself to spend on stops along the way. A loop will often let you see the most places in your given timeframe. Loops can be very flexible so they can work for longer or shorter trips.
Cons: If you run out of daylight/ before getting to your campsite you might miss out on stops along the route and you would either have to double back to see them or take away time on the end of the trip as you’ll be rushing to get back. Loops also often follow a scenic route on the first half but you will most likely end up on a highway or freeway at some point. This is not family friendly and not ideal for people who do not like moving camp every day.
Option 3: Picking a Few Destinations
Pros: Planning a few destinations gives you a set route with the option to stop along the way but the places you stop will get a more in-depth visit. Out and backs, and loops you would move camp every night to continue along your way, but by picking just a few destinations you could settle in a little more and stay a few nights somewhere before moving to your next stop. This is a much more relaxed while still feeling like a road trip.
Cons: If you are wild camping it can be difficult to find a place to park for a few nights in a row without drawing attention. If you are camping at a campground you might be limited in availability of having the dates you want. You also could get to a place and realize you don’t like it, while you can always leave it would be a waste of money to do so. It will require a little more planning and a little less spontaneity, though theres always room for adventure.
Option 4: Basecamping
Pros: Picking one destination lets you get to know a place much more intimately. You get more time to for slow travel and let yourself get immersed in your destination. It is also ideal for the Type A planner because you will get to research places to see and things to do. One destination also gives you more of an opportunity to learn about a places culture and local spots. This is ideal for cities or festivals or National Parks. This is also the best option for families as packing up and moving every night is not ideal for kids.
Cons: Similarly to picking a few destinations, picking one destination will have limitations with availability. Campsites may be unavailable for the dates that you choose which can prevent you from being able to staying at the place you really want to within your timeframe.
Timing and Pacing Your Trip
How Much Driving Per Day?
The ideal driving time depends on your travel style and trip length.
Relaxed Pace (my favorite): 2-4 hours per day; this allows for more stops and deeper exploration. This is the perfect timing for someone who is looking to do short day hikes along the way. This is also the perfect time for the very scenic routes like the pacific coast highway.
Balanced Pace: 4-6 hours per day; this offers a mix of driving and sightseeing and will have you covering more distance. This is perfect for those cross-country trips where you might be driving on highways and deserts and not need to stop as much.
Road Dog: 6-8+ hours per day; this is usually when the destination becomes more important than the journey. I usually only choose this when I am excited to get where I'm going and don't care about stopping so much. I rarely do this one unless I have to.
*It's important to listen to your body. If you are planning long days you might need to take a rest day so you don't burn yourself out.
How Many Stops Should You Plan?
I love planning, so keeping a trip flexible used to feel difficult—until I realized that planning for flexibility is one of the most important parts of a road trip. No matter how much research you do, it’s impossible to predict everything you’ll come across. One day you’re stuck in standstill traffic, the next, you’re on an unexpected ATV ride across the Oregon dunes (true story for another time!).
The key is finding a balance between structure and spontaneity. Here’s a general guide to trip lengths and how to plan for them:
Short Trips (Weekend Getaways)
When I have the itch to travel but not much time, I become a weekend warrior. It’s amazing how driving just a few hours away can feel like stepping into a whole new world. When I worked a 9-5 job, this was my go-to trip length—it was manageable, budget-friendly, and didn’t leave me exhausted at the start of the workweek. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to travel, short trips are the way to go.
Medium Trips (5-10 Days)
This is my favorite type of trip. A 5-10 day road trip allows me to cover more distance without feeling burnt out or homesick. I usually:
● Spend a couple of days driving 10-12 hours away from home.
● Take a rest day in a cool city or scenic spot.
● Leisurely make my way back, stopping along the way.
This trip length is perfect for teachers over spring break and still allows for budget-friendly travel, especially with car camping.
Long Trips (2+ Weeks)
Long trips are something I’m only just now getting to experience because they require a certain level of privilege—whether that’s the ability to take extended time off work or work remotely from the road.
While these trips are an incredible way to travel, they can also be exhausting, so rest days are essential. One of my favorite ways to stay energized is planning stops where I can visit friends—a familiar face and a comfy couch can be the perfect reset during a long adventure.
Other Things to Consider
● Rest and Reset Days: Dont skip them! It can be so tempting to push yourself on road trips because you get caught up in the destination but scheduling "zero drive" days can help you catch up on rest, reset, explore one area in-dapth without worrying about packing up, do laundy, restock, and just relax. I'm the pot calling the kettle black on this one because I only just started planning them into my trips, but if you can't take a full zero drive day then at the very least book a hotel room for halfway through the trip. That is a rule I never skip!
● Factoring in Daylight and Seasons: Summer trips have longer daylight hours which allows for more driving and sightseeing in one day while winter trips have shorter days and the potential for bad weather. This could mean driving less, stopping earlier, and having back up plans. I usually pick 1-2 destinations for winter trips.
● Shoulder Seasons (Spring/Fall): These are my favorite times to visit tourist towns because they are much less crowded! But this is also the time to be extra vigilant about checking if seasonal places are still opened or not. I have been burned my fair share of times getting excited to visit a campground or restaurant only to find it closed a week or even a day before.