Long Distance Solo Road Trips...

Ever taken a long distance road trip on your on before? I have.

Here is the advice I offer anyone looking to do it:

Route your trip. I've recently discovered Google Maps and love it not only for the directions, but the easy to read maps and ability to find local attractions such as grocery stores, movie theatres and hotels. Make sure your in-car atlas is up to date as well. Nothing worse than making a turn onto a road that no longer exists...

Let your friends and family know where you're going. Send them an itinerary (including phone numbers and addresses of places you're staying) so they can check on your progress, or keep you company on the phone.

Stop in to see a therapist before you go...get all your shit out on the table before turning the key in the ignition. There is no place darker, scarier and more intimidating than your own mind. Be sure to schedule a follow up appointment before you leave so you are guaranteed a “decompression” upon return. You may think I'm kidding with this one. But you'll understand what I'm talking about when you've hit mile marker 1200 and have just spent the past 20-hours listening to yourself think about ALL the things you work very hard to NOT think about in everyday life...

If you are using said trip as a way to escape problems (like I have, to get away from the boyfriend who just dumped me or stress at work), make sure you have LOTS of “anytime” minutes and a car charger on your mobile phone.

Have LOADS of music on hand (an iPod, stacks of CD’s or XM radio work very well).

Check out some books on tape (or CD) from your library. That way you don't have to hand a wad of money over to the chain bookstore in the mall for something you're probablly only going to use once or twice in your lifetime.

Research local NPR radio stations so you know where to go for good talk radio and programs (I am a fan of “This American Life”, “the Car Guys” and “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”). Thing of it is, no matter how much music you bring, you still get bored of it WAY before it all runs out and I find it incredibly soothing to listen to people talk.

Remind yourself that you are neither mentally unstable nor outright insane for wanting to drive 9+ hours a day alone...you can even do this out loud, since no one is in the car to hear you converse with yourself :)

Don’t be afraid to space out for short periods of time. Sometimes it’s nice to just not think at all...hat’s what cruise control, is for. But always be aware of what's going on around you.

Caffeine is bad. While it does a great job of keeping you awake, it also makes you jittery, messes with your stomach and hyper activates your bladder. For all the time I spent at rest stops relieving myself, I could have taken two 45-minute naps and been much better off.

Fast food is not fast. As much as possible, I recommend stopping in grocery stores for food you can make (sammiches, fresh fruit, pre-made things from the deli). Bring a small cooler for perishables. The amount of colonic distress that is caused by the food flavored salt they hand out at rest stops is not worth it. Again...for the time spent “clearing my system” I could have made a ham sammich at a rest stop, enjoyed the sun and been on my way. Three times over.

Finally. You are never really alone. People at rest stops, roadside towns and attractions are, for the most part, very nice. Talking to strangers is not only good for stretching out your vocal cords, but can also lead to some interesting side trips and long time friends. I once met a woman at a gas station who told me about an isolate hot springs lodged in the crook of two mountains, outside Spanish Forks, UT. Armed with a hand drawn map, a full tank of gas and my hiking boots, I managed to spend one of the most memorable days of my life, with nothing but the hot water and two very naked love-birds to keep me company (to this day remember those two, whoever they are, much more vividly than I would like...but those are the quirky things that make life worth living).

And I think that's about it. Every trip is different for every person, but having expereinced several long distance solo trips, I can safely say that everything on this list would have (and has) helped me.

Bon Voyage, have fun and be safe!
~j

My Solo Road Trip History...
one way: Key West, FL to Madison, WI (1991)
one way: San Francisco, CA to Minneapolis, MN (1993)
round trip: Minneapolis, MN to New York City, NY (1995)
round trip: Madison, WI to San Francisco, CA (1999)
round trip: Milwuakee, WI to Quebec, QC to Philadelphia, PA and back (2005)

Awesome post! Great suggestions!

I'll always suggest a CB radio. Talk radio, music, and books-on-tape/CD can only do so much to keep a person alert and stimulated. Even if you aren't tired, highway hypnosis can get the best of you. Interactive conversation is a great way to stay in alpha consciousness and if you have thick enough skid and can take truckers with a grain of salt, most of the conversation can be humorous. Not to mention all of the great route info they can spew at the drop of a hat.

My solo road trip history:
Boston, MA to Madison, WI to Omaha, NB, to Boulder, CO, to Dinosaur, CO, to Salt Lake City, UT to Seattle, WA, to Victoria, BC to Mt. St. Helens, WA to Crater Lake, OR to Brookings, WA to San Francisco, CA to Monterey, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA to San Diego, CA to Idyllwild, CA to Las Vegas, NV to Denver, CO, to Omaha, NB (again) to St. Paul, MN, to Chicago, IL to Boston, MA. Whew! 10,000 miles, August 26 to October 28, 2000

What a wonderful post! I have only taken one significant solo road trip (from Sacramento, California to Xenia, Ohio in a Volkswagen Rabbit) but it was extremely memorable. I recommend everyone take a significant solo road trip at least once in their lives.

Thanks for sharing your tips and interesting experiences!

I remember four years ago taking my first significant solo road trip, from MA to Ft. Myers, FL. It was all the therapy I needed, it's part of the reason I went back to college the next year. So far, so good. I know that I'm much better off than I otherwise would have been!

Those miles and miles of listening to yourself think can be draining, but in the end a lot of issues can be resolved that way. It's meditation. And the implied self-sufficiency can do wonders for your self esteem.

"Car Talk" is a road trip staple for me, too. When my AM radio was working, I'd try and see how far away I could pick up at night (farthest from MA was Cleveland, OH AM 1100).

That being said, I much prefer the company of significant other on long trips.

My trip four and a half years ago also preceded my going back to college a year later. And I also now prefer the company of my girlfriend, whom I mere months after returning from said trip. If I wasn't so attached to her, I think I'd be up for solo trips again! :)

I'm looking forward to reliving the western leg of my solo trip with her sometime in the next couple of years.

AM radio! I'm a conservative, so I love Glenn Beck, Rush, Savage Nation, and all of those guys. In fact, I hardly even listen to FM. It keeps me sane. I bring along a CD with background music on it that I sing to. I'm dricing to Cleveland this summer from SC, so just the two of those things should keep me sane.

sorry to revive an old post, but in my many solo trips, ive learned a few things.

Cracker Barrel is gods gift to roadtrips, if your in the east, they're everywhere and usually easily found. The food is cheap and even better, the food is awesome. A perk, books on tape, you buy one, and you can TRADE it in for another at the next cracker barrel you come across. great for those reaaaaaal long trips. Even better, rather then "hunting" for Cracker Barrels, when you check out after your awesome, cheap meal and your book purchase, they have FREE roadmaps beside the registers, not so much a good road map, but a roadmap that lists every single crackerbarrel location across america.

another thing, i agree with the caffeine, and energy drinks as well... they can ruin a road trip, nothing worse then having enery to build a bridge, but being stuck in a car... bad for those who don't like cruise control also. and the stuff it does to your stomach when you are unable to move around and let it work its way through "naturally". nothing worse then caffeine stomach for 3 days straight

i have to back up the cooler suggestion. put some jelly, peanut butter, spicy mustard, mayo if you like it, 2 packages of lunchmeats, bag of lettuce, all in a cooler, buy a loaf of bread and now you have breakfast, lunch and dinner.. if thats how light you prefer to go. or you can really get creative, buy cans and cans of tuna, salmon and chicken. each can be had for anywhere from 1.00-2.00/can, and when any of these are mixed with a little spicy mustard, some dillseed seasoning, maybe a dash of mayo if you like, you have quick and easy chicken/tuna sandwhich, even better if you tear up lettuce into smalll pieces and mix it with your spicy mustard/dill/mayo mix.. makes it more filling and something about it is just awesome, even better on pita but now your overpacking :) plus its loaded with good stuff, low in fat, high in protein, good carb - protein ratio and tastes oh so good.

for snacks, i like to carry sunflower seeds, crackers(water crackers), nuts(unsalted), fresh fruits, vegetables(baby carrots are great snacks), yogurts, JERKY, anything small and easy to eat while driving really.. saves $ at gas stations buying snacks and candy bars that are filled with bad-for-you's and you's wallet.

also, car charger for phone, CAN OPENER, KNIFE, updated map, JACK, roadside emergency kit(includes flares, pump, toolkit, towropes, etc all for 25$ or less), flashlight, means of fire, WOOL BLANKET, pillow, sleeping bag, and anything else you decide to bring

i ALWAYS drive in slideon sport sandals on roadtrips.. wether its -12 or 104 outside, just wear some good socks if its cold, makes the trip much more comfortable to take your shoes off and let them breathe

bring more music then you think you'd ever need.. youll need more.

thats all i can think of now. obviously just suggestions, but i like to be prepared for everything

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Originally Posted by NickF829

sorry to revive an old post, but in my many solo trips, ive learned a few things.

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Wellcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum -- this thread is "always revived" (it has been designated as a "sticky" and so is always on the front page of this section). How many solo trips have you done? Over what time period?

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Cracker Barrel is gods gift to roadtrips

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I used to enjoy them -- but they serve way too much fat-laden food for my diet these days. But I do like the table puzzles provided at each table.

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for snacks, i like to carry sunflower seeds, crackers(water crackers), nuts(unsalted), fresh fruits, vegetables(baby carrots are great snacks), yogurts, JERKY, anything small and easy to eat while driving really.. saves $ at gas stations buying snacks and candy bars that are filled with bad-for-you's and you's wallet.

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Here are a few more yummy treats for roadtrip munchies.

Thanks for the ideas!

Mark

im 21, so ive only been driving 5 years, but in those 5 yearsive done 2 3000+ mile trips, and plenty of 1000 milers

most recently was this january, a snowboarding roadtrip: northern va, to NYC for pizza and attractions, to VT, to Quebec City, QC, to Stoneham and St Anne and Massif, QC(about 5hours from us border), back into VT to Jay Peak, Stow, Stratton, Smugglers notch, Killington and back into NYC for pizza and bagels then home to northern Va, just around 3000 miles, 10 days, lowest temp hit -12 with a 75 mph gust on Jay Peak, highest temp was 51, with rain, in Quebec, in January...the locals hated us "americans bringing our crappy weather". 8 resorts total, 2 good days of snowboarding, about near 800$ in gas, 1 wreck, 1 beer festival, temps so cold and wind so strong, that with vehicle on, heat on high, seat warmers on high, you can still feel the cold and the wind sitting in the drivers seat... it was "fun". i slept in the truck every night of that road trip, me and a friend.. the truck was on all night w/ heat on high, windows vented all around to let any built up co2 out.

the previous was a solo from northern va, to nyc, to houlton ME(canadian border in maine), then took nothing but backroads through so many small towns and through all of new england, broke down outside of burlington VT, 5 miles from canada, nearest town was 40 miles, barely had cell service, had to get towed back into burlington, get a room and fix the car in 10 degree weather in the morning with a cheap walmart toolkit.. it worked and it got me home, with a few more sights to see on the way including the NW newyork mountains, ticonderoga, and a few other historical parks and cities along the way.. very good "thinking" trip.. solo's are sometimes best

i hear ya on the crackerbarrel fat-town. its a nice treat if you decide you just need to feel "at home" its the best place to go and fill up. but other then that its probably a good idea to not make it a normal dinner for you

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Originally Posted by NickF829

im 21, so ive only been driving 5 years, but in those 5 yearsive done 2 3000+ mile trips, and plenty of 1000 milers

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That is impressive.

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very good "thinking" trip.. solo's are sometimes best

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Yeah, the co-founders of RTA do 2-3 solo trips each year -- good for the soul and the mind.

Mark

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Originally Posted by Editor

-- good for the soul and the mind.

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Besides a good week long hike or something like that, it is very true that a good solo road trip is good for the sould and the mind. People don't realize what happens in your brain when you're alone exploring, becoming one with the road. I find it even better if I don't have any specific destination in mind. I just drive around exploring until I feel content then I return home.

I do that locally as well, not just weekend or week long trips. I used to find some really neat places and viewpoints just wondering around Chelan and Douglas Counties in Washington State, and even here in Phoenix, AZ.

I used to do this alot when I work a shift that gets off late at night. I find myself just driving around the city. I unwind better that way.

-Brad

My last solo run was a few years ago and I am in dire need of another one. My schedule being what it is wont allow for me to travel anywhere for at least another three months, maybe a little longer. The last time I went I took my 59 galaxie over the top of Lake Michigan to St Ignace and back home again, it burnt an awful pile of gas along the way(it was set up for drag racing, not extended highway running). This time I am planning on taking the little brother to my galaxie, similar body style, smaller engine set up for highway running to make the gas expense easier. The trip that I took was only five hours one way away from home, but sometimes even less than that is a good thing for the mind, body and soul.

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Originally Posted by Arizona Brad

I used to do this alot when I work a shift that gets off late at night. I find myself just driving around the city. I unwind better that way.

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I do that quite often when I finish work late; particularly in the summer when the sun is just starting to come up when I finish. Glasgow's sandstone buildings look beuatiful in the pinkish light, especially the University tower which you can see from all over.

One memorable solo trip was a four hour drive through London on Christmas Day many years ago; I'd taken my father to work and got lost on the way back so I spent a surreal noon til 4pm driving through areas I'd never seen, seemingly the only car on London's usually jam-packed streets (everyone else was presumably indoors listening to the Queen's traditional yuletide speech). With rain falling by the bucket, and a stereo turned right up, it was the most incredible sort of isolation right in the midst of seven million people.

I usually do the 420 mile journey between my parents' house in London and Glasgow University alone and it's a great way to adjust my mood from one state to another, it always feels like leaving / returning to the nest, but in either direction it's comforting to know that's there. Even at 33 years old, thoughts of my mother's cooking push life's problems aside!

All the advice on here is great, just let me say.

Im 19 to be 20 in september, and im heading out on a 3 week solo shot from Jersey to Wyoming, taking mostly "blue highways", small roads through small towns. Its gonna great. And its much more than just a roadtrip for me, as i am a photographer, and when you think Jersey, mountains and lakes and such dont really come to mind, so im super excited to get my hands on some real nature for once.

i think i got everything i need (see my post http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...ad.php?t=11193 ), and as far as my route is concerned, i really just have a rough idea, ill be deciding most of it as i go.

I will most certainly be visiting Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and the Wind River Canyon, even though they are touristy, ill deal with it to see what there is to be seen.

In essence, i want to experience the part of america where less than 20% of the population resides. I want no part of the big metropolises, I want the small towns that barely have a mark on the map.

If you're going on a solo roadtrip and are concerned about falling asleep and/or highway hypnosis, go to your doctor and speak with him.

Hugs

Trish
Road Trip Narcoleptic

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Originally Posted by jimilkowski

Let your friends and family know where you're going.

Stop in to see a therapist before you go... There is no place darker, scarier and more intimidating than your own mind.

Remind yourself that you are neither mentally unstable nor outright insane for wanting to drive 9+ hours a day alone...you can even do this out loud, since no one is in the car to hear you converse with yourself :)

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I call someone about every two hours even if I'm just going to Orlando (a 2.5 hour drive from North Fort Lauderdale). It's good for someone to have an idea of where you were at some point of your journey, god forbid something happen to you. If you're driving at night, this is probably hard to do - you don't want to wake friends/family in the middle of the night - but there is always someone who is not so tied to their cellphone that they can't just turn it off when they go to bed so you can leave messages of where you were. Then you also need to be able to call someone who WILL wake up should you come across any emergency in the middle of the night.

One of the things I like about road trips is time alone with my head. I usually will take some motivational/self help books on tape to listen to and I find this time really productive for me to think about things differently or think about making some changes. A therapist is always a good thing to have, I prefer life coaches, but to each its own.

A lot of people don't understand why some of us prefer road trips to flying (no, I am not afraid of flying). It;s just our thing, we are not nuts!

Hugs

Trish

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Originally Posted by JustTrish

I call someone about every two hours even if I'm just going to Orlando (a 2.5 hour drive from North Fort Lauderdale). It's good for someone to have an idea of where you were at some point of your journey, god forbid something happen to you.

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Generally, that is sound advice -- we certainly recommend that travelers have a pre-set time to call "home" and each day and let family members/friends know we are still out there and doing OK. With me, I rarely check in (by telephone) more than one time every 24 hours. In fact, the rule of thumb for my wanderings is a check into the office every 2-3 days by telephone. Of course, I am rarely without e-mail and Forum access for more than 12-18 hours... The staff/family will call out the search units if I go more than 96 hours without contact...

Mark

I think once daily is enough but I'll usually call once in the morning and once at night. Mostly to touchbase with the kids and the husband (who can't always get away to go with me) than to report in. Of course, while I'm calling I also tell them of my plans for the day and where I'm staying that night. I don't think more than that is necessary unless your travel plans just a lot during the day.

Of course, in this day of free nation-wide long distance plans on cellphones, calling home more often isn't a big deal.

If I were to have any late night emergency, I would probably rely on AAA instead of bothering somebody at home who couldn't help me at the moment anyway.

When I first started doing long-distance road trips, my parents, specifically my Mom would require a check later that morning, once at lunch, and then another when we stopped for the evening. In other words, she expected us to call whenever we stopped to put food in our mouths!

She's eased up since then, but I kind of like that rule. Primarily because I'm notorious for hitting the road very very early, so breakfast would usually come about 8 or 9, lunch around 1 or 2, and finally when we stopped for the evening. We also call when ever we make any changes to the plans.

What I've found to be very helpful is to sort of file a 'flight plan' with a family member, with the roads you expect to take highlighted. If you need to change them due to construction, weather, etc., call and advise them of that. That way if something does happen and they don't hear from you for a day or so they are able to go to the police with a route layed out of where you should have been.

I do this on both solo and trips with multiple people. Never had to use it, but it definately keeps Mom from having a heart attack!

-Brad

This thread caught my eye, as in a week I fly to Newark and begin my coast-to-coast journey.

Already I tend to speak to my dad every night (UK time)...I suspect the same will be the case in the states as I make the trek.

I plan to buy a PAYG phone in NYC next week when I land - just a cheap and cheerful one - and will whack on some extra minutes and an international plan so I can call my friends back in the UK.

I never thought about Road Hypnosis - I'd better watch that I guess. I've only got two or three really long stretches that aren't broken up by people I know.

DJ Toast - liked your post about London @ Xmas. Surreal.

I once was hacked off a few years back on a Friday afternoon - drove about seven or so hours north until I passed Inverness and kept going on to ULLAPOOL. Drove back the next day. Phew that was a trek.

Anyway - enough of my babbling.

Cali :)

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Originally Posted by RoadTripper 912

Already I tend to speak to my dad every night (UK time)...I suspect the same will be the case in the states as I make the trek

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I would think that a VoIP account would make more sense. Skype is more-or-less free and is virtually unlimited. With a laptop, headphone and camera you can speak with anyone you want in many places in America.

Mark

Finally! A forum with like-minded people! All of my friends, and family members can't understand why I like driving. They think I'm nuts. I live to drive. (Not a typo). I love to drive, too. I've been known to drive 1000 miles each way to go 4x4in for a weekend. Ok, I might be a little nuts.

I go to school in Rochester, NY, and I took an 8-month Co-op (basically an internship doing entry level work and getting paid an exorbitant amount of money :) ) in Phoenix, AZ. Most people would have flown out, and bought a cheap car to drive while they were were, sold it when they were done, and flown back. No way Jose! I'm not going to be coming to Arizona, home of some of the best 4x4in in the country and NOT bring my truck...That is crazy!

I'm 22 and I've got just under 300,000 miles under my belt in 5 years of driving. I didn't drive much my first year of college, because I wasn't allowed to have a car at the school.

I've done quite a few Long-Distance Solo Trips, and I've made the 400 mile trip from DC to Rochester countless times.

Arlington, VA to Jacksonville, FL - 760 mi - 1 day - Summer 2001, Summer 2003
Rochester, NY to Jacksonville, FL - 1185 mi - 1.5 days - Summer 2004
Arlington, VA to Windrock, TN - 660 mi - 1 Day - Spring 2005 (This one was for the weekend of 4x4in)
Arlington, VA to Colorado Springs to Phoenix AZ - 3 days - 2680 - Spring 2006

And of course the upcoming Phoenix, AZ to Arlington, VA trip next month. Still debating routes and stopovers, etc. I won't be totally solo, as I'll have my two cats with me.

Well I'm glad to see I'm not the only crazy one that likes to do solo trips. I'm dreaming of a 2 week trip out west when I'm done with college in a year or two. I can't wait.

Great forum you guys have here.

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Originally Posted by checkmate

Well I'm glad to see I'm not the only crazy one that likes to do solo trips.

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Over the years, I have done hundreds of them. We have a "rule" around here -- at least twice a year, each of the RTA editors is required to take a solo trip. Some of the best solo excursions are the two hour and the 20-hour varieties.

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Great forum you guys have here.

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Thanks for being a part of it!

Mark

New poster, just browsing...considering a roadtrip from Seattle back home to Virginia sometime this year, most likely September...I haven't been driving long though, and never any significant distances...but I want to go anyway, and I'd like to keep my car, and I think it'd be a good experience, and I haven't really got any reason not to go. So yeah...still very much in the conceptual stages. Don't know what route I'd take or anything. Lovin the info in this thread and others, though.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the info. I'm heading on a 2000 mile trip around southern and central California next week and this has really helped me prepare for the trip. I went on a solo trip up to the Bay area before, but that was a spur of the moment and not really planned. As a result I didn't see much, so this time I have a big list of spots to visit.

I have no idea how long it'll take or how much it will cost (though I'll be doing it all on the cheap when possible), but luckily time and money aren't a major restraint. The only issue I see with my plan is I can't provide friends with a detailed schedule of where I'll be, but I figure I'll call them along the way. Plus with my curiosity I'll end up who knows where as I drive along. :)

Hi. I'm really glad I found this forum! I'm currently trying to talk myself out of a St Paul, MN- to-Prescott, AZ road trip. I want to do it, but am worried about a breakdown in my '94 Plymouth minivan. It's been really reliable but burns a little oil due to leaky valves, I think (I know... I SHOULD know). Anyone want to comment on my insanity or chickenshittedness?
Deb

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Originally Posted by dmcwm

Hi. I'm really glad I found this forum!

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Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

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I'm currently trying to talk myself out of a St Paul, MN- to-Prescott, AZ road trip.

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Sounds like it could be a very cool trip -- is getting a rental car a solution for you? Generally, anytime I am doing a 1000+ mile road trip I use a rental rather than add all of those miles to my personal rides.

Mark