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Turn your road trip into an adventure .

Find amazing stops along your route.

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The Gemini Giant

Wilmington, IL

World's Largest Catsup Bottle

Collinsville, IL

Blue Whale of Catoosa

Catoosa, ok.

Golden Driller

Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM

You’re always a short detour from an

Extraordinary place.

Our collection of more than 300 Extraordinary Places will take your trip to the next level. Look for the illustrations on our maps and read our takes on what make these places so special. We’ve been there, and we think you should go, too.

Yellowstone National Park

Mammoth, wy.

Salvation Mountain

Walt Disney World

Lake buena vista, fl.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Keystone, sd.

Graceland Mansion

Memphis, tn.

Glacier National Park

West glacier, mt.

World's Largest Buffalo Monument

Jamestown, nd.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite valley, ca.

Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo, tx.

Acadia National Park

Bar harbor, me.

Mothman Statue

Point pleasant, wv.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand canyon village, az.

Statue of Liberty

Liberty island, ny.

Las Vegas Strip

Paradise, nv.

The Fremont Troll

Seattle, wa, build your perfect road trip.

Tell us where you want to go and what you'd like to see and do. Roadtrippers will help you find all the best stops along the way.

• Sights & Attractions
• The Great Outdoors
• Bars & Restaurants
• Hotels & Unique Stays
• Fuel & Rest Stops

On all your devices

Any trips you've saved or places you love will sync automatically across devices.

In-app RV navigation

Hit the road with safety and ease by using turn-by-turn directions, designed specifically for your RV. Simply enter your rig’s size and propane restrictions, and we’ll find the best routes to your next destination.

Ready to start your adventure?

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Miss the turns on your terms.

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Dates, distances and directions

Always wanted to travel across US but were not sure if you have enough time for that? Did you ever try to figure out how long it takes to drive from Yosemite to Yellowstone or from Lisbon to Rome?

Start clicking on the map. Choose your destination and have Furkot calculate how much time you need to get there. Set daily limits on the travel time so none of your sightseeing has to be done under moonlight — unless, of course, that's what you want.

Don't worry about putting stops in order. Furkot attempts to plan a route for your trip in the most efficient way. If you don't want efficient, you can drag your stops around or even reverse your itinerary .

Tell us how long you want to drive every day, and we will show you where to stop for the night Furkot suggests overnight stops along the route based on your schedule and preferences.

Furkot can help you with all your travel plans: a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a continent-crossing road trip. And driving is not the only option . You can also schedule motorcycle rides, biking excursions and walking tours with Furkot.

Read more …

It's not just about driving

It's also about all the things you do on the way. Leave your car parked for a couple of hours and hike one of the trails from the vast Everytrail collection.

Need some hints? Make sure to check interesting places described on Wikipedia . They are one click away from ending up on your road trip stop list.

If your car resembles ours you can't drive on water, but Furkot will route you to the closest dry land point for those spots that do require a boat ride. You can drive and dive with Furkot.

Are you after fresh powder? Or maybe shredding corduroy is your thing? Trees or bowls? Skis or snowboard? Regardless of the answer, you can use Furkot to find ski resorts — courtesy of Liftopia .

You can even plan meal stops and add gas stations to your itinerary. Not to mention biking paths, museums, monuments, climbing routes , national parks, scenic views — add as many as you want. Furkot will keep you on track. You just need to show up.

Campgrounds? Motels? Hotels? Staying with friends?

Whatever your lodging preference is — hotel, campground, apartment — Furkot will show you scores of accommodations on the map and will help you find the perfect place for every night of your trip.

Furkot makes it easy to decide which hotels offer the best combination of cost, amenities and convenient location. Whenever available, Furkot displays exactly what you are going to pay (including taxes and service fees). You are in charge of what they charge.

When you are ready to book, Furkot will take you directly to your favorite booking site and pre-fill the check-in and check-out dates so that you don't have to worry about reserving that hard found lodging on the wrong night.

Booking all hotels for your trip can be a daunting experience: multiple cities, multiple booking sites and many dates and details to mistype? Let Furkot help with that. We will take you through the whole process page by page and hotel by hotel. All you need to do is to keep pressing Next until you are Done .

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• Plan a Road Trip
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• All Questions

"Trippy is the best road trip planner"

Get advice from real travelers who have done the same trip:, recent questions.

• 15 minutes ago someone asked : about Banff and Calgary       " how far is calgary from banff "
• 15 minutes ago someone asked : about Vallejo and San Antonio       " vallejo to san antonio tx "
• 15 minutes ago someone asked : about Dover (Delaware) and Pleasantville (New Jersey)       " driving from dover, delaware to pleasantville, new jersey "
• 20 minutes ago someone asked : about Mill Spring (North Carolina) and Eagle Lake (Maine)       " Mill spring to eagle lake Maine "
• 20 minutes ago someone asked : about Beaufort       " things to do in beaufort sc "
• 25 minutes ago someone asked : about Chicago and Montreal       " Chicago to Montreal road trip "
• 30 minutes ago someone asked : about Nashville and Memphis       " Nashville to Memphis "
• 35 minutes ago someone asked : about Bella Vista       " Bella Vista AR "
• 40 minutes ago someone asked : about Oceanside (California) and San Clemente       " Drive from Oceanside to San Clemente "
• 1 hour ago someone asked : about Franklin Park (New Jersey) and Elizabeth (New Jersey)       " map of driving directions from franklin park, nj to elizabeth, nj "
• 1 hour ago someone asked : about Cleveland       " Caldwell, NJ to Cleveland, Ohio "
• 1 hour ago someone asked : about Newport Beach and Las Cruces       " newport beach to las cruces "
• 1 hour ago someone asked : about St. Louis and Imboden (Arkansas)       " st louis to imboden, ar "
• 1 hour ago someone asked : about Brattleboro and Barre       " brattleboro to barre vermont "
• yesterday someone asked : about Sarasota and Bothell       " Best driving directions "
• yesterday someone asked : about Stockton and Tucson       " make it a three day drive "

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BOOK YOUR FLIGHT

Book your hotel, save more when you bundle, all packages, map layers (*available when zoomed in), app language, dropdown lists, triptik options, enhanced options, email your triptik, covers & inserts, roadtrip names goes here, saved places name here, restaurants, attractions, campgrounds, auto repair, aaa/caa offices.

EXPLORING THE OPEN ROAD MADE EASY

The one travel planner for every road trip get directions and maps. find gas stations. know where to stop. plan things to do..

Maps & Directions Get directions for a cross-town drive or map an epic journey.

Saved Trips Save TripTiks to make planning your journey quick and easy.

Mobile-friendly On the go? No worries everything you need in the palm of your hands

THE RETURN OF THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP IS ALREADY UNDERWAY!

Looking for a summer vacation option for you and your family? AAA TripTik helps you plan road trips to millions of destinations and now includes easy access to your favorite National Park! Check out some of our signature road trips to these National Parks!

SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ROAD TRIP

229.4 miles : 5 hours , 19 minutes

BLACK HILLS ROAD TRIP

169 miles : 5 hours

NORTHERN CA & SOUTHERN OR COAST ROAD TRIP

380.1 miles 8 hours , 3 minutes

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP

307.4 miles : 6 hours , 52 minutes

YELLOWSTONE TO GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS ROAD TRIP

401.6 miles : 10 hours , 26 minutes

Why AAA TripTik is the ultimate road trip planner

For a basic drive, simply enter a starting point and destination to map your route and get turn-by-turn directions, or enter up to 25 stopovers to create a complete road trip.

Use the points of interest icons to locate and get information about nearby restaurants, attractions and events, and to find and book hotels that meet AAA standards for quality and cleanliness.

Display the gas station icons to know where to fill up along the way. Station listings show the fuel grades offered and the latest per-gallon gas price.

Planning to bike or walk instead? Choose the icon to adjust the routes.

Traveling with your pet? No problem.  AAA has quick and easy ways to let you know which hotels are pet-friendly.

EXPLORE TOP DESTINATIONS WITH AAA

LEARN more with AAA TRIP CANVAS

• Expedia.com
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• Ticketmaster.com
• Raileurope.com
• BikesBooking.com
• Track Travel Expenses
• 8 /26 Checklist

Creating a trip has never been easier! Tripety is a travel planning platform that makes your trips convenient and hassle-free. Simply enter your travel details and places to visit into our  itinerary planner  to get a clear overview of your journey. Organize each day, use checklists to ensure nothing is forgotten, and keep essential documents all in one place. Also, you can manage and track your spending during your travel. Check out the itinerary maker to see how simple it is!

Want to coordinate travel plans with family, friends, or colleagues? Invite your friends or trip companions to Tripety for an easy way to discuss the details of your journey. Generate ideas or arrangements, track your spending, and use our group travel itinerary planner to explore new places together.

Is the process of planning your favorite part of the trip? Are you a detailed-oriented person who wants to use the  best business travel planner  or organize your family vacation tour? Then Tripety, an online trip management platform, is perfect for you! Dream, organize, share, manage your business and personal trips within our easy-to-use,  intuitive travel itinerary manager as your planner . It will keep all the needed information in one place and track everything, as it’s a flight tracker, road trip planner both in one.

Tripety helps manage and keep track of your finances before and during your journey. Monitor spending with the help of our convenient budget tool. See and manage your expenses ‘as you go’ to stay on top of your budget.

Planning a trip or vacation shouldn’t be tiresome and complicated. Easy to use, an intuitive and neat Travel Planning Platform that we created is for travelers like YOU! Tripety helps you compile, organize, and share your travel arrangements. Keep an eye on your travel budget while on vacation or business trip. We are trying to make your world a bit more colorful and a lot more relaxed. Tripety, add travel to your life!

Planning a trip can become quite challenging, especially when you have to go over many big and small details. The last thing you want is to run into problems while you’re away. This is why you must always plan all the details of your trip beforehand.

Thankfully, now you can use Tripety, a travel planner and itinerary maker, to plan each and every detail of your trip. From budgeting to group collaboration, we ensure that you have a smooth planning process. We also have an online road trip planner that’s sure to give you the hassle-free trip of your dreams.

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The 10 Best Road Trip Planner Apps for 2024

Save time, money, and energy with these apps so you can focus on the fun instead

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We love road trips! Planning them can be fun but, let's be honest, also stressful. The right road trip planner apps can take some of that stress away by helping you plan, organize, and manage travel before and during your trip. We've researched and tested these apps to help give you peace of mind so that you can spend more time enjoying your trip.

The Ultimate Map App for Planning Your Route: Roadtrippers

Access to free and convenient travel guides.

Share-ability so friends can join in on the planning process and suggest places to visit.

The app can use up the battery life of your device quickly. Take a car USB charger with you.

Built for travelers, Roadtrippers helps you create your route while allowing you to discover great places as you plan it out. Add a new place to your itinerary to work it into your trip.

The app features an easy-to-use interface. In addition to covering the U.S., it also covers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Download For:

Automate Your Trip Planning and Organization: Google Travel

Automatic trip organization via Gmail integration. 

Offline access so you can see your trip information even when you don't have an internet connection.

Limitations with customizing some day trips exactly the way you want.

You can count on Google to make your trip planning a breeze. Pre-constructed day plans are available for hundreds of the world's most popular destinations, which you can customize to your liking.

It's one of the most versatile travel planner apps out there, giving you one convenient place to see your hotel, rental car, and restaurant bookings.

Find and Book a Last-Minute Place to Stay: Hotels.com

A fast, easy-to-use booking feature.

For every 10 nights you book through Hotels.com, you get one night free, provided it's the average daily rate of those 10 nights.

No option to easily cancel if you change your mind.

Whether your road trip itinerary changed, or you haven't decided on a place to stay yet, Hotels.com can help you find a place and book it when you're on the go, even when it's super last-minute. You can sort and filter hotels, see the amenities they have to offer, compare prices, and catch a glimpse of how many rooms are available.

This is the app you'll want to have handy if you want to see in-depth hotel details at a glance and need to find a place to crash ASAP without breaking the bank.

Find Local Restaurants, Read Reviews, and Make Reservations: OpenTable

Lots of great filter options and suggestions.

Access to gorgeous, high-quality images of menu items and informative reviews from other users.

Reported problems and inconveniences with their built-in reward system.

Searching for specific restaurants is more difficult than simply looking at what's around in the area.

Deciding on a place to eat in a new area is quick and hassle-free with OpenTable. See what's nearby, filter restaurants by cuisine, see photos of what's on the menu, make reservations, and get personalized recommendations based on your preferences.

OpenTable is known to be one of the top  location-based food apps  available, so you know you can trust its information when you're dying for something to eat.

Navigate Like a Local: Waze

Hands-free navigation with voice commands.

Alerts-only mode for road hazards and police.

Share up-to-date ETA with friends.

Spotify and Apple Music widgets get in the way.

Cluttered maps can be confusing.

Higher battery usage than Google Maps.

Waze  is a community-driven travel app that shows you the shortest possible route to your destination. Like Google Maps, Waze makes real-time adjustments for traffic jams and other obstacles—but Waze is often more accurate since it caters specifically to drivers.

The app syncs with your Google Calendar and can tell you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic. There's also a cool option to record your own voice and use it for directions .

Know Exactly When and Where to Make a Pit Stop: iExit Interstate Exit Guide

Access to detailed summaries of what's at the next exit (including gas prices at nearby gas stations).

Search for the next 100 exits from your location.

The app can only be used on major U.S. exit-based highways.

No offline access, so you'll use your data plan while you're on the road.

Making a pit stop for food, gas, or a bathroom break is easy when you have the iExit app. Using your device's GPS, the app offers helpful suggestions for when and where to stop based on your location along the highway.

Whether you're looking for well-known franchises like Starbucks and Walmart to convenient amenities like free Wi-Fi and truck or trailer parking, this app has you covered.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Nearby: GasBuddy

An in-app gas payment feature.

Opportunity to save 10 cents per gallon on your first fill-up and five cents per gallon on every fill-up after.

The app can take up a lot of data and battery life as it runs in the background.

GasBuddy is an app specifically designed to find nearby gas stations and save money on gas. Use it to find the cheapest gas in your area and filter gas stations by amenities like car washes, restaurants, and bathrooms.

It's the app you want to have if you're serious about finding the cheapest gas around. Information comes from users like you, so you have the most up-to-date prices.

Download For :

Never Forget an Item: PackPoint Premium Packing List

Access to a built-in library of items to pack with the ability to add or remove items as needed. 

An elegant, intuitive app interface.

Can't input multiple destinations for a single trip.

Not a free app.

PackPoint helps you make sure you have everything you need based on where you're going and what you're doing. In addition, the app takes into consideration the length of your trip and the expected weather conditions. Perhaps best of all, this app turns a mundane chore into something that's actually quite fun.

Find Out Where to Park and How Much It Will Cost: Inrix ParkMe

ParkMe is the only app that also includes street parking and parking meter rates where available, in addition to parking lots.

Real-time updates on available parking spots.

Rates and hours may be inaccurate in some areas.

ParkMe claims to be the world's largest and most accurate parking database. It allows you to purchase your parking spot through the app and compare prices across parking providers to help you save more money.

If you're road tripping around major cities in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, this app can be a huge help. You can even compare parking options and prices so that you always get the best deal.

Automate Your Itinerary: TripIt

Automatically creates itineraries from your inbox.

Widget displays trip details on your home screen.

Annoying amount of alerts by default.

If you're planning a trip, you'll likely have a lot of confirmation emails for hotels, appointments, restaurants, and attractions. TripIt syncs with your inbox and uses that information to compile an itinerary so that you don't have to scramble for it.

The free version is fine for road trips, but if you ever fly, the premium version gives you the option to upgrade seats and track reward miles.

In addition to your phone, laptop, and tablet, other travel tech essentials include chargers, headphones, travel adapters, cameras, luggage trackers, and off-grid communications

Yes. You can use Google Maps as a trip planner through the “Places” and “My Maps” features. Both the Google Maps website and app let you save locations to lists and get directions.

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• Scenic Drives

Road Trip Planner

Find a Scenic Drive

• Massachusetts
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• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Unlimited stops
• Plan trips worldwide
• Divide your trip into days
• Export to GPS or Print
• — and more handy features!

Ready for Every Adventure

Having an America the Beautiful Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to visit over 2,000-federal recreation sites. Often called a National Park Pass, it offers 1-year unlimited entrance to so much more, and includes National Parks, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, Bureau of Land Management sites, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites! Share time outdoors with family and friends. Make memories exploring the diverse, natural beauty of our public lands.

myscenicdrives.com

How it works.

Download Pebblar APP Now

Collaborative map-based itinerary planner

From idea mapping to detailed itinerary planning, have everything on one map. collaborate with your trip buddies in real time.

Build your list of cities

Save ideas under each city

Create daily itinerary

Road-trip mapping

The easiest way to map and track your next road-trip with unlimited stops; travel distances automatically calculated and fully integrated mobile apps for on-the-road access

European holidays

From putting together your list of cities and travel ideas to creating a detailed itinerary; from pre-trip planning to on-trip access – all done in one place

Professional quality PDF

Professional quality PDF (with your own logo) or access via our iOS / Andriod apps

Saving travel ideas

One centralised place to store all your travel ideas even if you don't have a clear travel date

Other cool features

Real-time collaboration and team coordination

Access anywhere with our fully integrated mobile apps

Automatic travel time and distance display

Integrated with 3 leading navigation apps: Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps, as well as Ford vehicle integration

As featured in

Testimonials

“You seriously cannot find a more effective travel planning tool than Pebblar. Gone are the days of screenshots of maps and messy collages of travel notes on maps. Forget about typing up collective itineraries on word, Pebblar is the exciting new tool for effective multi-destination travel planning. It syncs all the useful information internet has to offer perfectly into an easy simple to use App. Brilliant.”

"Throughout my day, I am constantly fantasizing about travel in my head. Whether for an upcoming or far-future trip, I use Pebblar to keep track of the cities I want to visit, sites I want to see, restaurants I want to try; and to plan the possible path between location. Pebblar is amazing for helping me organize my ideas in easy, virtual form." Chloe Skye

"The Google Maps integration is excellent and we can easily print off a whole itinerary before we leave, or use the app when we get there to help us get around and have a smooth journey. I would recommend Pebblar to anyone planning an upcoming trip." Rufus Holmes

41 Best Road Trip Planning Tools and Apps in 2024

Is a road trip in your future? These road trip planning tools will help you choose destinations, find a place to stay, get there, and so much more.

Planning a road trip is one of the most exciting parts of the experience. When you first decide to go on this adventure, you’re filled with anticipation and possibilities.

But it can also be overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you find interesting places? How do you keep everything organized?

Don’t fret; I’ve got you covered. I’ve found the best road trip planning tools to help make the process fun and easy.

I’m somewhat obsessed with road trips, and have written a few books about them (including Planning Your Perfect Road Trip ) as well as dozens of articles.

With the help of the right road trip planning tools, you can make the process much simpler, more organized, and fun!

Below are some of the best road trip planner apps, websites, and real world tools to help you plan your next road trip. They’ll help you find great places to explore, figure out how to get there, and keep track of it all.

Ready to plan a road trip?

FREE Road Trip Packing Lists

36 best road trip planning tools and apps.

There may be affiliate links in this post, which means we may get a small commission. It’s at no extra cost to you and helps keep TLT free. Everybody wins!

Before you go, check out this road trip packing list .

15 Useful Websites for Road Trippers

There are approximately 1.3 gazillion travel websites, give or take a few bazillion. There’s no way to keep up with all of them. I’m not even going to try. Instead, I’ve curated some useful favorites.

This selection of trip planning websites is by no means comprehensive (because that would be impossible), but these should provide a plethora of ideas.

America’s Byways

fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/bywaysp/

If you’re looking to drive a scenic route that’s been designated as such by the Federal Highway Administration, visit here first.

National Scenic Byways & All-American Roads lists a collection of 184 “distinct and diverse roads.”

To be officially designated, a National Scenic Byway must be considered regionally significant, and an All-American Road needs to be a “destination until itself.”

For example, the Santa Fe Trail follows one of the country’s early trade routes and is a National Scenic Byway.

Beartooth Highway , which provides access to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park , is an All-American Road.

America’s State Parks

stateparks.org

Our National Park System gets lots of love, and rightfully so, but you know who else deserves your outdoor affection?

State parks.

The America’s State Parks website, hosted and developed by the National Association of State Park Directors, is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a resource to help you find every state park in the country.

Their Locate a Park function links to each state’s official parks system website.

Atlas Obscura

Welcome to the atlas of the obscure . If you’re looking for interesting places, this is the site for you.

A cool function is to search nearby. Let the site use your location and it’ll pull up attractions close to you.

For example, near me there’s a funeral home with a mini-golf course inside and a house without corners – because the owner wanted spirits to feel more comfortable.

Back Road Ramblers

Back Road Ramblers focuses on family-themed travel in the US, emphasizing slower-paced journeys and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

If you want to visit someplace new and know how far you’re willing to drive, CalcMaps will show you what’s within that distance.

Draw a circle and it’ll show the radius in miles, or enter an address and the miles you’re planning on driving. A circle overlay will display on the map, which you can resize with the drag of a mouse.

You can then browse within that circle and start researching potential cities, towns, parks, and attractions. It’s important to note that mileage is based on straight lines and not the routes you’ll take.

For example, from my home to Des Moines, Iowa, is less than 280 miles as the crow flies. To drive it would be around 320 miles. However, you can at least get a rough idea.

Find Your Park

Find Your Park is a collaboration between the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation to help plan visits to NPS sites.

You can choose from a range of activities, including geocaching, off-roading, and whitewater rafting.

Historical Marker Database

If you’re the type of person who pulls over at every historical marker, Historical Marker Database is going to be your new best friend.

You can browse thousands of listings or you can plug in an address. If you give it permission to see your location, it’ll show markers near you.

Individual listings display an image of the marker, a transcription of the inscription, and usually an audio recording. They include the latitude and longitude so you can plot the exact location.

Topics are also listed, which comes in handy when planning a road trip themed around Native Americans or the Civil War, for example.

National Park Service

If you plan to visit any of the 423 units of the National Park System , start at the source. NPS.gov includes all their sites, including National Battlefields, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Scenic Trails, National Seashores, etc.

They also help you plan your trip with lists of ideas. There are trip ideas by park, activity, topic, duration, and more.

You can also purchase your America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, which provides admission to every fee-based NPS unit.

National Register of Historic Places

History geeks rejoice! Part of the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places offers tools and resources for researching historical sites deemed worthy of preservation.

RoadTrip America

Online since 1996, RoadTrip America is one of the original sites for online travel planning. In addition to tons of road tripping advice, there’s also a route planner.

It’s free, and if you want to save, print, or modify your route, you’ll need to register. That’s also free and provides access to their Great American RoadTrip Forum where you can connect with other road trippers.

Roadside America

Roadside America ‘s also been around since the 1990s, and in all that time it’s amassed a giant collection of curiosities. Or, as they say, “little pushpins of peculiarity.”

Browse by state or search by keywords or city to find your road trip inspiration, like a giant ball of twine or a 30-foot-tall old-fashioned bicyclist.

See something intriguing? Save it to “My Sights.” When you’ve accumulated the ones you want, you can create a route that includes them all.

There’s a Roadside America app, but sadly for us Android users, it’s only available for Apple devices. 

The Local Tourist

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include my own website. It has been around since 2002, after all.

The Local Tourist is a good resource for outdoors, culture, history, kitschy attractions, and road trips (duh).

As of 2024, destinations are primarily in the Midwest and Western United States. But, I’m working on covering the whoooole country, and eventually, the world! Muah ha ha.

TV Food Maps

Want to eat at a place you’ve seen on the telly? TV Food Maps not only has a searchable database, but they’ll also show you results based on your road trip route.

Shows include the obligatory Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Man vs Food . There’s Cheap Eats when you’re on a budget. Chopped fans can find the winners’ restaurants.

It’s a veritable smorgasbord of places to eat.

Related: check out all my tips on eating on the road .

Visit the USA

visittheusa.com

Visit the USA is the official travel site of the United States. There’s a ton of information for people traveling internationally, but it’s also good for US residents.

Browse iconic landmarks, trip ideas, and experiences. You can search geographically. There’s also a cool “this or that” quiz that provides recommended trips based on your answers.

In addition to the site, there’s a trip planner, too. Put in your starting point and your final destination and the dates you’ll be traveling and you’ll get a suggested itinerary.

Not every place is listed, however. My hometown is missing, so I entered the closest bigger city.

Want more road trip tips? Download Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road

World Waterfall Database

If you love waterfalls (and who doesn’t?), you’ll love World Waterfall Database . It’s a comprehensive resource that ranks waterfalls and allows users to browse by state and country.

6 Online Trip Planners

Trip planners are fantastic tools for, you guessed it, planning your trip.

Road trip planners are especially useful when you have an idea of where you want to go. You plug in your start and end destinations and fill in “waypoints,” or stops.

With their interactive maps, you can experiment with alternative routes. Each tool has a different interface and offers different features.

I recommend experimenting with each to see which works best for you.

Furkot is an online road trip planner that offers a range of features to help you plan and organize your trips effectively.

To begin, you enter your starting and ending destinations, what dates you’ll be traveling, how long you want to travel each day, and more.

You can also enter what type of accommodations you like and whether you prefer to drive highways or toll roads. Traveling with pets? You can include that, too.

If you’re not sure where you want to go, you can click on “Inspire me” for suggestions.

Google Maps

Did you know you can use Google Maps as a trip planner? When you find a place that looks interesting or you know you want to include on your itinerary, you can save it.

For example, search for Rocky Mountain National Park. Then tap the “Save” icon. From there, you can add it to Favorites, Want to go, Travel plans, or Starred places.

You can also create your own lists, which will make it easier to plan an entire trip.

Once you add a place to a list, you can add a note.

Maybe Aunt Sue recommended the peach pie at a diner. Write it down in the notes. Then when you’re planning your itinerary, you’ll know why you added that diner to your list.

You can keep your list Private or you can choose to share it. This comes in handy when there are multiple people planning the trip.

Google My Maps

Google My Maps is a powerful tool that can be extremely useful for planning a road trip. It allows you to create custom maps with your own locations, routes, and markers.

One of the most useful features of Google My Maps is the ability to create custom routes. You can add as many locations as you want to your map, and then easily connect them to create a custom route.

This can be helpful when planning a road trip with multiple destinations, as you can see the entire route and estimate the time and distance between each stop.

You can add markers to your map, which can be used to indicate points of interest, hotels, gas stations, rest areas, or other places you want to visit or stop at during your road trip.

You can add notes, photos, and videos to the markers, which can be helpful for remembering more details about a place.

Google My Maps also allows you to share your maps with others, which can be especially useful when planning a road trip with a group of friends or family.

You can share a link to your map, and others can view and edit it, making it easy to collaborate and plan your trip together.

Another useful feature of Google My Maps is the ability to export your map to a GPS device, which can be helpful when you are on the road.

This allows you to use your custom map offline, without an internet connection and navigate with turn-by-turn directions even in areas with limited cell service.

Overall, Google My Maps is a powerful and versatile tool for planning a road trip. With its custom route and marker features, collaboration options, and offline capabilities, it can help you plan and navigate your road trip more efficiently and enjoyably.

Roadtrippers.com

Roadtrippers.com allows you to plug points into a map, but it’s so much more than that.

Once you’ve added your starting point and your destination, Roadtrippers displays attractions along your route. The more you zoom in, the more attractions you’ll see.

You can add the type of vehicle you’re driving and its estimated fuel efficiency and Roadtrippers will calculate your approximate expenses.

Besides plotting the route itself, there’s a ton of user-generated content offering recommendations for attractions, restaurants, places to stay, and great photo ops.

Previously you could specify whether you wanted to drive interstates or not per segment of your trip. That’s no longer the case, and to choose any routing options you’ll need to upgrade.

However, upgrading enables you to collaborate with other users and increases the number of waypoints from three in the free version to up to 150.

There are three levels of membership, with Premium getting you the most benefits with downloadable maps, live traffic, and special discounts.

At time of publication, Roadtrippers membership ranges from $35.99 to $59.99 per year, and there’s a seven day free trial. If you upgrade, you can save $5 off your first year with code BTR5QTP. Click here to start your free trial .

TripTik by AAA

triptik.aaa.com

AAA’s TripTiks have come a long way since the spiral-bound guides of my youth. Today you can plan your trip online or on your phone.

Plug in your starting and ending points and add up to 25 stops. Specify how often you’d like to stop and it’ll build breaks into your turn-by-turn directions.

You can choose to display gas stations, attractions, campgrounds, hotels, restaurants, AAA savings, and rest areas.

My Scenic Drives

myscenicdrives.com

My Scenic Drives is a completely free trip planner that lets you add as many stops, or waypoints, as you like. After you create an account, you can plan away.

Plan road trips either by adding your own locations or by choosing one of their existing scenic drives. Those are somewhat limited.

At time of publication, only Great River Road and Stagecoach Trail are listed for Illinois, skipping Route 66 , the Ohio River Scenic Byway, the National Road, and Lincoln Highway.

Depending on how many miles your trip will be, My Scenic Drives may split it up into days. You’ll also see an estimated fuel cost, although I’m not sure how accurate that is.

If you’re planning on visiting any National Park Service sites, you can buy an annual pass through My Scenic Drives.

The interface is a little awkward and they don’t have an app, although their site is mobile friendly.

16 Best Apps for Road Trips

From before you go to when you’re on the road, there are tons of tools to help get the most out of your road trip. Because of the fluidity of online tools, I’m only recommending a few that I know are likely to continue.

You can learn more about these apps in our Best Road Trip Apps guide.

Search the Apple or Google Play stores to download them to your device.

Like to hike? Bike? Go for a walk? AllTrails is a great app to help you discover hiking and biking trails based on where you’re located.

You can read reviews, store trails you’d like to explore, and record the hikes you do take. You can choose to make your hikes public, or keep them private.

There’s also a premium version, which allows you to download offline maps.

With Expedia , you can easily search for and compare prices on rental cars, hotels, and activities along your route. Rates are often discounted, and you have the opportunity to earn rewards.

When you sign up for an Expedia Rewards account, which is free, you also get access to member prices.

The app is easy to use and keeps an itinerary with your confirmation numbers.

Until electric cars have battery life that will take you through the country’s most remote stretches, gas is a necessary evil of the road trip.

GasBuddy uses crowd-sourced data to provide real-time information on gas prices at different stations.

With GasBuddy, you can easily find the cheapest gas prices near you, as well as see which gas stations have the best deals on certain days of the week or at certain times of the day.

In addition to displaying fuel prices, you can save more when you sign up for Pay with GasBuddy.

Pay with GasBuddy also gives you access to Deal Alerts, which knock the price down even more.

Check out our complete guide to saving money on gas with GasBuddy .

I almost feel like this goes without saying—but I’ll say it anyway (obviously): if you have just one road trip app, make it Google maps.

Not only can you get directions and the best routes, but because it’s Google you can find anything around you, too.

One of the route options you can choose is which is most fuel-efficient, and you can even select the type of fuel: Gas, Diesel, Electric, and Hybrid.

Another great feature of Google Maps is the ability to download maps for offline use.

This is helpful if you’re planning a road trip to a rural area or somewhere with limited cell service.

By downloading the maps in advance, you can still access them and navigate even if you don’t have an internet connection.

Google Maps can also be used as a trip planning tool, and there’s more on that in the Online Trip Planners section.

HotelTonight

If you’re looking for a last minute hotel room, HotelTonight wants to help. Primarily in larger towns and cities, the website and app can help you find same-day and next-day hotel stays at discounted rates.

The app will find accommodations near you, and you can also search for hotels by location. You can filter your search by price, star rating, and neighborhood.

Taking the interstates? iExit shows you what’s available at each exit, including dining, shopping, restrooms, and attractions. It also pulls up gas stations and gas prices.

The app uses real-time data to provide information on the services and amenities available at upcoming exits on the highway, making it an ideal tool for planning rest stops, gas fill-ups and meals.

You’ll see a list of services such as restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and rest areas along with their distance from the exit. You can filter your search results by categories such as fast food, lodging, and gas stations.

NPS (National Park Service) App

Not only does the official mobile app of the National Park Service show you where to find National Parks, it helps you discover every site in their system. It’s free to use and you can explore by topic, by activity, by state, or near your location.

The app provides information on park hours, fees, and regulations, as well as maps, trail guides, and other resources to help you make the most of your visit.

The commercials ain’t lyin’— Priceline Express Deals are amazing. What’s the catch? You have no idea where you’ll end up. You can see a general area and a star level, but that’s it.

While they no longer give you the option to Name Your Own Price, in addition to Express Deals, they also have pricebreakers. They pick from one of three different hotels.

While you won’t know which one you’re getting until you pay for it, you’ll be able to see in advance what your options are.

Like Expedia, you can search for hotels by location, price, and amenities. You can also search by brand and star level, making it easy to find a hotel that fits your budget and preferences.

Priceline VIP is a rewards program that provides discounts, add-on deals, and Express Deal coupons after your trip is complete.

The app will show you deals on hotels near your location. You can also book rental cars, flights, and cruises.

Knowing what’s happening weather-wise is kind of important when you’re on a road trip. My favorite way to see whether I’ll stay dry or will need to break out the slicker is Rainy Days.

This free radar app has helped my anxiety level on several occasions, especially while driving in North Central Nebraska. It was good to know we were driving the opposite direction of an intense storm.

Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov is the official website and app for making reservations for recreational activities and facilities managed by the U.S. federal government.

You can find campgrounds and lodging, tours and activities, sign up for lotteries for the most popular things to do, and find information on what permits are required near you.

Once you do make reservations, they’re stored in the app.

This is the site and app to use when you plan to visit parks that require vehicle registration, like Glacier National Park, or want a permit to hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park .

You can reserve campsites on the website and app. We did, while sitting at the entrance to a campground in Mississippi. We didn’t realize the park was a NPS site when we drove up, and the kindly gent in the booth directed us to make our reservations through the app.

There’s also a trip planner. Plug in your dates, number of people, your starting location, and your potential destinations.

You can then see all the available options on a map, add them to your road trip itinerary, and then make any necessary reservations.

ReserveAmerica

If you’re planning to camp on your road trip, you’ll want this app. ReserveAmerica enables you to make reservations for campsites all over the country.

Some state park systems use the site, and you can find KOA campgrounds.

Apex Club is ReserveAmerica’s membership. Members get a rebate for a free night of camping (up to $25) at eligible state and regional parks. There are also discounts on gear, accessories, apparel, and activities.

Restaurant.com

Eating where the locals eat is a great way to get a real “taste” for a town. If you want to save some dough on your dining, sign up for restaurant.com .

This app provides discounted certificates, and I’ve found participating restaurants in towns with fewer than 10,000 residents.

You’ll have to spend a minimum amount to use your certificate, and it’s usually double the face value. For example, if you get a $10 certificate for $4, you’ll have to spend at least $20 and you’ll save $6.

You can search for restaurants by your current location and by zip code. You can also choose larger cities, including Chicago, Seattle, and Austin.

Once you’ve narrowed down the location, look at the menu and the ratings. I’ve found several real gems using this app, and they’ve been places I never would have known about or tried without it.

If you’re going to be in any urban areas on your road trip, you’ll definitely want this app.

SpotHero has probably saved me thousands over the years. I’ve been using it since it launched over a decade ago (and the founder used to write articles on Chicago parking for me!).

I found a spot three blocks from the Los Angeles Convention Center on the day of the Grammys and paid $10 for seven hours. The day of the Grammys, y’all!

Driving highways or in urban areas? TollGuru provides detailed information, including pricing, methods of payment, and which transponders (E-ZPass, SunPass, FasTrak, TxTag, etc.) are accepted at tolls.

It will also give you an estimated fuel cost if you include the type of vehicle you drive and the average gas prices.

While Google Maps now provides toll price information, TollGuru gives you more detail.

Upside is a free app that gives you cash back on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Brands include most of the big fuel chains (Shell, Marathon, Valero, BP, etc.).

Upside works similarly to Pay with GasBuddy in that you get cents off per gallon, but you get it in the form of cash back.

For example, at the Casey’s near me I can get eight cents per gallon cash back. To get the discount, I claim the offer, pay with a credit card, and then check in or take a photo of my receipt to upload it.

Once the cash back processes, which is usually within a couple days, I can transfer it to my bank account or use it to buy gift cards for places like Domino’s, H&M, and Starbucks.

Upside also offers cash back at restaurants and grocery stores. The offers vary, and when you first sign up there’s an increased discount.

The app saves you a few cents here and there, but they add up, especially when you’re on long road trips.

Download Waze for an alternative to Google Maps. Beyond turn-by-turn navigation, one of the key features of Waze is its crowd-sourced traffic information, which allows users to report accidents, road closures, and other incidents in real-time.

This helps you stay updated on the latest traffic conditions and avoid any delays on your route.

You can set your type of vehicle for preferred routes, including Motorcycle, Electric, and Taxi. You can also add your Toll and HOV passes, and you can tell it to skip unpaved roads.

I can think of a few trips I’ve taken where that option would have come in handy.

In addition to its routing and traffic features, Waze also offers a number of other useful tools for road trips.

For example, the app allows you to find the cheapest gas prices along your route, restaurants, and parking at your destination. If you connect your calendar, the app will tell you when it’s time to leave.

4 Real World Trip Planning Tools

While online discovery tools are wonderful, don’t forget to check out these real-world tools, too.

Travel Shows

Travel Shows are a fun and interactive way to find new destinations. While many people attend hoping to connect with someplace exotic (a.k.a. a place requiring several hours in a plane), travel shows are a wonderful way to find someplace a little closer to home.

I’ve exhibited and spoken at the Travel & Adventure Show for years. At each show, I’ve found new road trip destinations.

Places I’ve visited as a direct result of these shows include Cottonwood, Arizona; Ridgeland, Mississippi; Bishop, California, and Traverse City, Michigan.

The people working the booths at travel shows are, generally speaking, from that destination. They know more than anyone about their home and it’s their job to entice you to visit.

Libraries & Bookstores

Libraries and bookstores are fantastic resources for helping you plan your destinations. It’s fun to browse the stacks to see all the possibilities.

When it’s time to narrow down your choice to specific destinations, you might be able to find a guidebook.

If a book you want isn’t available at your local library, it could be available through a reciprocal lending program, and booksellers are usually happy to special order books they don’t stock.

It’s also fun to read travelogs and travel memoirs for ideas and inspiration.

As an author , one of my biggest thrills is when someone tells me my books provided inspiration for their trips, especially when they go somewhere they never would have considered or had never heard of before.

One of my road trip rules is to always visit AAA before heading out when I’m planning on visiting a new state.

Why? One word: Maps.

Even though GPS is great, sometimes, like in the canyons of Utah or the middle of the Mojave Desert, it doesn’t work. That’s why we always have paper maps.

AAA’s app is also a good resource on the road, if you do have a connection, for finding attractions and restaurants. PLUS, don’t forget their roadside assistance.

If you’re of a certain age (cough cough) you probably remember those spiral-bound TripTiks. When I was growing up, mom and dad would pick up their custom‐made travel guides from our local AAA.

Guess what: the association still offers these route‐planners, only now they’re online.

One of the coolest features is the ability to specify how many hours you want to drive before taking a break and it will suggest locations to stop.

It also shows places that offer discounts to AAA members, including hotels and restaurants. It’s a handy overall tool for any road trip planning.

Local Visitors Bureaus

My favorite part of travel is the people. On our road trip to the Oregon coast and back, not a whole lot was planned. We relied on the kindness of locals to point us in the right direction, and we were richly rewarded.

People who live where you’re going are always your greatest resource.

While you could drive by the seat of your pants, like we did, there’s an easier way:

Visitors Bureaus .

These gems are my (not so) secret weapon.

When you’re planning your trip, make sure you contact these founts of regional knowledge.

In the “biz” we know them as CVBs—Convention and Visitors Bureaus—and DMOs—Destination Management Organizations. These are the Mother Lode of local info.

Once you’re at your destination, ask the people you meet—the gas station attendant, the cashier at the grocery store, the concierge at your hotel, the host of your B&B—where they go to lunch.

Where do they take friends and family when they come to visit? I’ve never been steered in the wrong direction, and have found some real gems just by asking the locals.

I hope you’ve found these road trip planning tools useful. If you want the ultimate guide to how to plan a road trip, get Planning Your Perfect Road Trip, a Step-by-Step Guide to Hittin’ the Road .

How To Plan a Road Trip That's Both Fun and Affordable

When you plan a road trip on a budget, it doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right tips and tricks, you can schedule an enjoyable, affordable vacation. From discovering less well-known destinations to taking advantage of discounts and special offers, there are many ways to plan your next trip without breaking the bank.

Putting together the perfect road trip, like taking a scenic ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon , doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Start by researching potential destinations while keeping your budget in mind.

Many affordable locations can provide a great experience without breaking your budget. Research the costs of lodging, attractions, or other activities to find the best deal.

Consider packing meals and snacks from home to save money on food costs while traveling. Also, map out your route before setting off and plan for plenty of rest stops during your journey.

By doing some research and planning, you can create an enjoyable and inexpensive road trip for yourself and your family or friends.

Researching the Cost of Your Destination

Researching the destination and the path to get there is critical when planning a road trip. The first step should be to determine where you want to go. There are plenty of cheap vacation spots for Americans to go.

Next, determine the best route to take. Consider the weather, time of year, and attractions available in each location.

Look online for helpful reviews on activities, restaurants, and places of interest within your budget. Research lodging options and compare prices to get the best deal for your money.

Fuel cost is also an essential factor when planning a road trip on a budget. Be sure to check gas prices along your route in advance, so you'll know how much it will cost to fuel up along the way.

Additionally, some states have toll roads that may add up if you drive long distances. Research these fees before hitting the road so there aren't any surprises later.

Consider renting a car instead of using your own if it will save more money over time:

• Better fuel efficiency. Rental car companies often offer vehicles with better fuel efficiency than your car. By renting a more fuel-efficient car, you can save money on gas.
• Less wear and tear on your car. You may need to get your car serviced before or after the trip. By renting a car, you can avoid these maintenance costs and save money on oil changes, tire rotations, and other routine maintenance tasks.
• No depreciation. When you drive your car on a road trip, excess mileage can depreciate its value. By renting a car, you avoid this depreciation and can save money in the long run.

If you want to rent a car, research rental fees and insurance costs associated with rentals before making any decisions.

Low-Cost Accommodations

Hotels can be a convenient and luxurious option for road trip accommodation. Staying in a hotel allows travelers to recharge comfortably with amenities like air conditioning, TVs, and comfortable beds.

Hotels usually have additional amenities such as swimming pools, spas, and fitness centers that allow relaxing after long days of exploring the area. Additionally, some hotels offer free breakfast buffets or other discounts on meals at their restaurants. However, staying in hotels can be expensive compared to camping. They can also be more challenging to find when traveling through remote areas.

Camping is an affordable alternative for road trip accommodation that allows travelers to explore nature while sleeping under the stars. Tents are lightweight and easy to transport, making them ideal for travelers who want flexibility with where they sleep each night.

A campground also offers excellent opportunities for cooking outdoors over a campfire, which can save money on eating out during travels. Furthermore, camping fees are often cheaper than hotel rates, but this varies from place to place, so it’s essential to research before leaving. However, camping areas may not be available in places that aren't near specific destinations or attractions, making camping less practical than hotels in certain situations.

Keeping Transportation Within Budget

Vehicle rentals are an ideal way to save money on a road trip. Renting a car can be inexpensive, especially if you book in advance or use online search engines to find the best deals.

For large groups, renting a car is usually cheaper than taking public transportation or driving your car for long distances. Additionally, car rentals come with amenities such as GPS and roadside assistance that could help make the journey smoother and more enjoyable.

When planning a road trip, one should also consider fuel costs. It's wise to prepare by looking up gas prices along the route you’ll take so you can budget accordingly. If possible, try to fill up your tank when gas is cheaper (e.g., away from major cities).

Pick a rental car that is energy efficient and runs on regular rather than premium fuel whenever possible. This will help cut down on overall costs drastically in the long run.

You also want to consider the weight of your stuff. Excess weight in a vehicle can use more gas or fuel. The effect of excess weight on fuel consumption may not be noticeable for small loads, but it can become significant for heavier loads or when traveling long distances. Only bring traveling essentials that you really need. There are also some great packing hacks for travel to help you fit in everything you need.

Inexpensive Meal Options

When planning a road trip, budgeting for food and drinks is essential. To save money and still eat well, consider packing snacks like trail mix, granola bars, and sandwiches from home.

Dining out can get expensive quickly, so finding ways to limit the number of restaurants you visit is vital. Bring an insulated cooler with cold drinks and meals easily reheated or eaten cold. Or, invest in a mini electric car cooler to keep things cold even longer.

Also, try to take advantage of local stores or fast food restaurants that offer discounts or promotions whenever possible. Check if any discount chains in the area offer reduced prices on snacks or meals. Finally, buy food from grocery stores where you can buy items in bulk for a lower price than at restaurants.

Free Entertainment on The Road

In-car entertainment doesn’t have to be expensive. Many people are surprised to learn that various free options are available. Here’s how you can keep the whole family entertained without going over your budget:

Music is always a great choice on long drives. Create an entertaining playlist beforehand - or make one together as a family. If everyone can access their device, let everyone take turns playing DJ for the ride. Internet radio apps like Spotify and Pandora can provide endless entertainment with their free versions.

Podcasts are another great way to pass the time in the car. They come in all different genres, and there’s something for everyone - from hilarious comedy shows to gripping true crime dramas.

Download a few podcast episodes onto your phone before you leave so you don’t have to rely on spotty service during your drive. Audiobooks are also perfect for road trips; many libraries now offer digital downloads, so they won’t cost you anything extra. Another fun thing to do is play fun road trip games . These will keep everyone entertained during long boring stretches of highway. There are plenty of other road trip hacks you can use to make the time fly by if you aren't into games.

Benefits and Resources for Planning Ahead

Planning has several benefits when it comes to organizing a road trip. First, you can often find better deals on transportation, lodging, and attractions if you book far enough in advance.

Early planning allows you to compare prices and ensure your budget is realistic. Secondly, planning a road trip itinerary can help save time while traveling.

With advanced research, you can ensure that the detours are needed and that all locations on your list are within proximity. Finally, scheduling stops along your route gives you something to look forward to each day and helps structure the trip.

Regarding resources available for planning a road trip, numerous options exist online or even with apps that help make travel easier. Travel websites such as Expedia or Trip Advisor provide information about flights, hotels, car rentals, restaurant suggestions, and reviews from other travelers at every destination.

Many cities also have tourism websites sharing upcoming events and local attractions worth checking out. Additionally, apps like Roadtrippers offer custom route recommendations based on travelers’ interests so that they can take advantage of hidden gems! Kara from Whimsy Soul says, "I've been using Roadtrippers for years to plan the nitty gritty details of road trips. This handy planning app and desktop version allows you to set your known spots like hotels and major sights, plots the distance, time it takes to drive and gas required between them. It also allows for comments so you can jot down things like ‘remember to bring cash for the park gate' and gives you a holistic view of the trip in one easy place. The really cool part of this app though, is they'll suggest sights for you to visit, many which I miss while planning a trip. Using this app I never have to ask my husband ‘where are we headed next?' since it's in the app."

Final Thoughts

Planning a fun and affordable road trip can be quite a task, but it can be done with little time and research. Proper research is vital, as it allows you to secure the best deals on accommodations and activities while giving yourself plenty of time to find coupons or discounts that may help lower costs.

Additionally, being flexible when choosing travel dates or times can save you money on everything from gasoline to lodging. Finally, remember that while the goal is to save money without sacrificing fun experiences, if something doesn't fit your budget, alternatives are always just as enjoyable. With some careful consideration and proper planning, you will have no problem creating an unforgettable road trip experience at an affordable price.

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life .

The post How To Plan a Road Trip That’s Both Fun and Affordable appeared first on All the Best Spots .

College & Career Pathways (CCP): College and Career Pathways: Planning Your College Road Trip

Join us online for this virtual event on Thursday, March 28th at 5:00 pm, to learn how to plan for and budget a college road trip! We’ll start by creating a list of colleges and then mapping the most convenient way to travel. We’ll end it by creating a budget sheet!

*Patrons must be 13-18 years old to attend.

• Audience: Teens/Young Adults (13-18 years)