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Hi, I am a student doing a research project about road trips. I am interested in learning how to plan a good road trip in a 4 day to two-week time frame. What would you guys do in that amount of time? Where would you stop and what kind of things would you go see? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!
RoadTrip America's forums are chock full of advice to travelers on how to plan a RoadTrip. All you have to do is to read through them (do a little research) and compile that advice (write a project report.) But what you're actually asking is for us to tell you what the result of that research would be (i.e. do the research report for you!)
AZBuck
The object of your project strikes me as quite ambiguous. Will your research be on actually planning a roadtrip? or on the process of what is involved in planning a roadtrip?
Don't confuse *how to plan a good road trip* with actually planning one. The actual planning process, the *how to plan* is quite different from where one may choose to go, or what one wishes to see. Some folk plan a road trip with an almost hour by hour itenary. Others hop in the car and see where the road may lead them. And still more fall somewhere in between.
So what exactly is the focus of your project?
Lifey
What separates a road trip from an organised tour is that you get to go where you want, when you want and at what pace you want, it's unique to the individual. A common theme you will find here as you research, is that there is no single 'best' route, or 'best attraction', because it all depends on the interests of that particular group, their budget and the time available. A group of people on a stag [or hen] party trip will more than likely be looking for different things to what they might if they were travelling with their Mother-in-law' ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by new tripper
So the main point is that in planning a good road trip, it is not about finding out what others would do, or see, it's about what you [the traveler] want to do and how you can make the jig-saw fit, time, budget, mileage etc. Planning a trip is about doing your own research, reading up on places that appeal and studying a map, then you can seek advice and guidance from experienced travelers like those found here at RTA to see what's possible, what isn't and get alternative suggestions. If you are travelling as a group it's important to know that everyone is on the same page as to expectations of the trip and everyone should have some input in the planning, we even recommend including the kids on family trips, so that they take more interest in the journey and get more out of it.
Personally I look at the planning process as part of the journey and enjoy every moment of it.
Good luck with your project.
Are you from Amherst, NH by any chance? If so, you might want to give the members a little more heads-up on what kind of project you're working on. On the other hand, if you are not that person, here are some places to begin your search....
Click on the tab that reads "Planning Tools" at the top of this page. You will be taken to a page that lists several of our trip planning articles. Just skim a few, and you'll begin to get an idea of what most of us consider when planning a trip.
One of the things we suggest to anyone, of any age, who is contemplating a road trip, is to have each member of such a trip take this quiz and then talk about their answers with the other members of the group.
And you might find the Main Menu page helpful -- there are thousands of pages of resources on this site...
Mark
Hey. Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't mean to come off as lazy. I have been reading some of the articles and will continue to read more. I was just hoping I could ask you guys any more specific questions, if I can't find everything I'm looking for in the discussion. I'll do some more reading and come back with better questions.
Lifey,
Thanks for the help. I hadn't thought about it like that before. I'm interested in the actual planning of a road trip, but also the road trip itself. I wanted to learn more about traveling with groups, planned and unplanned stops for food or attractions, personal preferences on your favorite types of trips to take are, and things like that. I think I need to read around the site some more and develop some more specific questions, though.
Please do come back with specific questions. We will be happy to answer them.
Thanks Dave! That's definitely helpful. I guess I was trying to gather information on deferent personal preferences on the different types of road trips you guys like to take.
You said that you really enjoy the planning process. Do you like to plan everything to the mile and the minute, or do you leave time for unexpected things that you may see signs for along the way?
No, I'm from VA. I was just trying to gather some info. on the different types of trips people like to take and how they may plan them differently based on where they're going or who they are with. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, though. I'll definitely check this pages out!
That's exactly what Dave was getting at - there is no one size fits all answer to that type of question. Some people like a rigid schedule, some people don't do any planning at all and just get in the car and go, most people probably fall somewhere in the middle. With a roadtrip, you plan the trip that fits you best.Quote:
Originally Posted by new tripper
As Michael said, everyone has different ways of going about their planning, [or not planning] but trips that are planned to the mile and the minute rarely work out. There are always surprises, unexpected delays, places that hold your attention for longer, and those that don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by new tripper
What I do is research to find the places I want to visit, well I actually have a long list already. ;-) With that list I then see how best I can create a route to include as many as possible within the time I have without being overly rushed, the remainder get put to one side for another day. I then start to build a trip based on my main points of interest and then research the areas in between and start to fill in the gaps with other possible options. Knowing what those options are is one thing, but there is no way you will get to see everything and still have time for the unexpected along the way, so 'in between' is always open to change.
Like me, most have to work on a tight time schedule, so if I have 5 main points of interest, I will get those booked up to secure lodgings as they are usually popular spots, such as a National park, and that also helps to keep me on some type of schedule so I don't end up turning the rental car in late and miss the flight home ! The days in between I will just see how things pan out and take it as it comes, if you plan everything you end up spending most of your time watching the clock and thinking ahead, rather than simply enjoying where you are.
The road trip is as much about the journey as it is the destination and for that reason I don't try to clock up too many Interstate miles per day, I try and use the State Highways and By-ways as much as possible and allow a nice amount of time to stop. Our trips are always based around natural wonders and open road as that is what we prefer.
I look forward to the day when I have worked through my list and I have more time available and just hit the road, approach a junction and flip a coin to decide whether to head left or right and see where the road takes me.
I guess I should have said I really enjoy the researching rather than planning, when you are travelling knowledge is not a burden to carry. ;-)
Dave.
My husband and I have planned many road trips, and I can say that we've planned a little differently for each one. For us, there's a difference in planning a road trip for a car-motel trip vs. either a camping road trip or with an RV. That's because we go a bit slower and don't usually do a "speed run" when camping or RV'ing, but we wouldn't hesitate to do a "speed run" (600 miles in a day) with just a car. There's also a lot of difference in planning when we are sticking to a few states, vs a long trip to cover many states.
Some things that are normal for any of our trips:
* We travel with maps and an itinerary of where we are going. Like others above, we don't have all the time in the world (yet) and want to see as much as we can in the time that we have, without feeling rushed. Our maps always include a complete atlas, individual state maps, AAA tour books (sometimes), and a GPS. (We only use the latter for short haul planning such as finding a local address, not long-haul planning.)
* We always have a "packing list" ready, long before we go! Though some things CAN be purchased along the way if you forget them, there are other things (like medications) that aren't as easily replaced. Once items are packed, I have a habit of checking and double-checking the list to make sure that things actually left the house and got put in the vehicle.
* We always have someone to keep an eye on our residence while we are gone. Nothing would be sadder than coming home to a house that had been flooding for days because of a broken pipe. (We do leave the water on, though some people turn their water off.) The person/s watching our house have a copy of our itinerary and our cell numbers, as well as phone numbers of anyone we may stay with along the way. In addition, we take a few phone numbers with us too. These days that's so much easier with the advent of cell phones!
* Speaking of....electronics. The packlist should always include the charger cords for all electronics. I got 2 days into a trip when I realized that I didn't have my iPod cord with me. UGH, had to buy a new one.
Donna
*
On the other hand..... When I hit the road, I know where I need to end up, I know when I need to be there, and maps of all States I will traverse. Other than that, I do very little planning.
Wherever the road leads is where I head. If I see a sign to something interesting, or note a point of interest on a map, I go and see what it is all about. This way I have stumbled upon some amazing gems.
When I stop I speak with the locals ask where they like to go to get away from it all. Some of these places are not on maps, not in books, just known to the locals.
Of course I have all the things I need, but that really does not take 'planning'. That just means going through every cupboard and drawer and taking out what I think I may need. Anything forgotten I am happy to go without. If it is really drastic, I will buy it along the way.
Even before I had my van, I rarely booked a bed anywhere.
Lifey