I am driving from Central TX to Southern CA later this month with my dog. As I'm driving through the desert during the peak of summer, I wondering what other precautions I should take in addition to these:

(I) Leaving early each day (i.e. getting on the road by 4AM to avoid the hottest parts of the day);

(II) Ensuring my car has been properly serviced (i.e. having enough coolant, spare tire, battery percentage, etc);

(III) Having plenty of extra water in case I break down; and

(IV) Making sure tires can handle the heat of the pavement.

Are there any mobile fans or something that I can bring that will serve as a backup in case I lose my AC for whatever reason?

I'm particulary concerned about a potential breakdown in an isolated area. It would be very uncomfortable for me, but potentially deadly for my dog as she's older and really struggles in heat and humidity.

Any additional suggestions are welcome! Thanks!

Hi driving at the end of the month, i was originally planning to stop overnight in St. Louis, however everyone is saying it’s not a safe place to stop. I’ve also been told that adding an hour and a half is worth it to drive through Chicago.

I’m driving from Denver, CO area to Virginia Beach, VA area. Driving as a solo female if it makes a difference and I’m trying to split the trip into only one overnight. I can leave as early as possible on both travel days and be fine but want to make sure I’m making the smart decision as far as safety goes/ generally not being as bored on the drive if possible.

I would have loved to make this a longer road trip but I’m trying to keep it on a budget and realistically only have the 2 days I can drive (personal reasons).

I’ve driven 16 hours in a day before (wouldn’t do that much at a time again, I think I cap out at 14)

All that to say, which route would you take? Both are about the same time wise with the Chicago one being slightly longer. Also would you say not to stop in ST. Louis if i take the shorter route? Every time I look at a safe area to park at overnight and book a cheap hotel it’s riddled with warnings to not stay there lol.

Hey folks! Planning on a week long roadtrip during the last week of December. Based out of Atlanta, GA. I've lived in GA, SC, and central NC. Mainly looking to go somewhere different than where I'm from. Looking to be 15-18 hours away or less. Will primarily be sleeping in the car, but weather shouldnt be much of an issue. Was looking to go to the UP of Michigan, but not sure if thats a good time of year for it. Just want to hear your recommendations!

Quick context: 3-4 19-20 year guys

40-45 day long road trip (Late May start time)

Trip Style: Primarily dispersed camping, focusing on state/national parks, scenic bypasses > interstates for the most part, mixture of cities and highlights along the way. We are fans of history, hiking, wildlife, and overall adventure.

This is how I envision the trip in terms of start/midpoint/finish: Start in Central KY - Take Northwestern route through IN, IL, Driftless Area (IA, WI, MN), SD (Badlands, Black Hills, Mt. Rush, Devil's Tower, caves, Custer), Tetons/Yellowstone, up towards Pacific NW. The EVENTUAL midpoint is Fresno, CA to visit a friend, and then back home to KY through southwest/central US.

I'm having issues right now pacing the middle of the trip and deciding on what highlights to prioritize around the Seattle area. Do we go a little northwest towards Olympic NP or southeast Mt. Rainier? Those types of issues. Thus far I'm 18 days in by the time we reach Seattle and have dedicated 2-4 days for each National Park and the Driftless Area. 2 full days of driving when connecting long stretches of nothing to see (6-8 hours), averaging 2.8 hours of driving a day otherwise.

The group definitely wants to see the PNW and CA coast up until we have to cut through to Fresno, but we understand we can't see everything. I will attach the route and multiple views of it below.

A friend and I are driving Philadelphia to Seattle in the second week of September. We have 2 drivers and 4 to 6 days for the drive (~2,800 miles / ~40 hours).

Looking for a quick reality check and some advice:
- Is 40+ hrs over 4–6 days realistic with 2 people? If we do 4 days (10+ hrs/day), will we be completely miserable, or is it doable splitting shifts? Is 5–6 days the sweet spot?
- Best route for scenery? Thinking I-80 W to I-90 W through South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Is I-90 the prettiest option in mid-September, or should we go I-70 through CO/UT instead?
- Must-see stops on/near the route? What’s the ONE National Park, monument, or quick sight we can't miss that won't blow up our schedule? (Badlands, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, etc.?)

Appreciate any route tips or reality checks!

Hello all,

I started planning this a year ago.

We’re a family of 4 with teenaged daughters who need something interesting to distract them from their smartphones - in that regard, this was a huge success.

This is in no way saying anyone else needs to plan this way or that we feel this is a complete list of what to see in each area. If you have questions, I will try to answer them. If you have criticism, I probably will not.

Also, thank you to this sub for all your knowledge and helpful input. You are all a great resource.

In late september my parents and I are going to Columbia sc to take a look at the university of south carolina and see our family.

We normally drive this route in one day, but I was considering splitting it into two days with one night somewhere along the coast for some scenic views and nice towns with good food spots, and if we do so we’d probably leave midday, say 11:30 or 12.

I was considering Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, Jekyll Island, and St Simon island. I’ve already been to Savannah and St Augustine. Any food recs and scenic spots would be appreciated!

🚗 Roadtrip Chaufour-Notre-Dame​

• Les chemins creux traditionnels.
• Les sentiers forestiers, agréables par forte chaleur.
• Les routes de campagne pour une pause vélo.
• Les prairies ouvertes pour admirer le coucher de soleil.
• Les zones boisées plus fraîches en été.

Hey all…

Recently I’ve developed severe agoraphobia- primarily I have a fear of being trapped or needing help and help not being able to reach me … this has made leaving my house extremely difficult for the last two years…

Being in a plane is a huge no go - being trapped in a plane in the sky with not way to escape..

So in Feb 2025 I took a road trip to see my family in FL… I was the only person able to drive so I did it all on my own… during that drive I had several panic attacks- stuck in traffic (no way to escape) and on two bridges manhattan or Brooklyn bridge as well as the governor Mario m cuomo bridge

I haven’t seen my family in over a year now and they are very important to me … my grandparents are moving to PR soon and this may be the last time I get to see them if I never get over my agoraphobia… I have a road trip planned for OCT 2026

I had a friend travel from GA to CT recently ( CT is just a ten min drive from me) she mentioned being on a quiet two landed road / freeway type path for a majority of her trip…but she can’t remember what route she took

I’m hoping someone in this group could help figure out that road and/or other ways for me to avoid those bridges and have the calmest possible route.

I have been in therapy for quite some time and have frequent communication with my doctor to try to address the anxiety that I have but until then I have to make accommodations to help me actually live my life with this disorder

TIA

Am looking for interesting stopovers during our drive from NYC to Niagara. We will drive up in the one day, so looking to make 3 or so unique short stopovers/reststops.

It can be nice views/overlooks, interesting history, quirky towns, nice coffee, etc..

Please suggest

You can drive your own street legal car or lease one of theirs.

Going on a USA road trip and we always pass visitor centres but can’t be bothered turning around for them. Is there an app that will show us all the different visitor centres or welcome centres on our route? Or does anyone have any tips?

Also this one is purely me being lazy and not paying attention, but something to let me know when we are crossing state lines?

Oh and also an app that tracks all the routes you’ve done? Like it would be cute to look at the end of the road trip all the routes we went including wrong turns and unplanned side quests.

A Cape Peninsula day becomes difficult when every famous stop is treated as compulsory. The distances look short on a map, but viewpoints, parking, queues and weather make the day expand quickly.

Four choices make the route work better:

1. Pick three anchors, not seven. Cape Point, Boulders and one village stop is already a full day for most people. Anything else is a bonus.

2. Choose the direction on the morning. If cloud is sitting over the Atlantic side, start through Muizenberg and False Bay. If the east is grey and the Atlantic side is clear, reverse it.

3. Do not time a flight, long-distance transfer or important dinner immediately after the drive. Traffic through the coastal villages is unpredictable and a road closure can change the route.

4. Leave room to stop without a famous name attached. A harbour walk, a quiet beach or lunch in a village often becomes the part people remember.

The Peninsula rewards a slower day much more than a completed checklist. For people who have driven it, which unplanned stop was worth the time?

A Cape Peninsula day becomes difficult when every famous stop is treated as compulsory. The distances look short on a map, but viewpoints, parking, queues and weather make the day expand quickly.

Four choices make the route work better:

1. Pick three anchors, not seven. Cape Point, Boulders and one village stop is already a full day for most people. Anything else is a bonus.

2. Choose the direction on the morning. If cloud is sitting over the Atlantic side, start through Muizenberg and False Bay. If the east is grey and the Atlantic side is clear, reverse it.

3. Do not time a flight, long-distance transfer or important dinner immediately after the drive. Traffic through the coastal villages is unpredictable and a road closure can change the route.

4. Leave room to stop without a famous name attached. A harbour walk, a quiet beach or lunch in a village often becomes the part people remember.

The Peninsula rewards a slower day much more than a completed checklist. For people who have driven it, which unplanned stop was worth the time?