Two New Articles

[Mark Sedenquist]

Recently we published a couple of articles that might be helpful to both the novice and experienced roadtripper. Please check out: http://www.roadtripamerica.com/tips/
How-To-Plan-A-Great-Road-Trip.htm and http://www.roadtripamerica.com/travelplanning/
userguidefree.htm and let us know what you think of them.

Thx,

[PNW Judy]

I just checked out both articles. The review of trip-planning/mapping sites is good and would be helpful for those who don't know where to start. It seems it would be helpful to review some of the software packages like Streets & Trips, DeLorme's (can't remember the name), other, as well?

Love your suggestions for planning a roadtrip.

Just some ideas of things to add:
I would think some more suggestions about traveling with kids and/or pets would be good. Maybe with links to sites that list dog-friendly hotels?

Also, information about eating and sleeping cheaply on the road might be good to add. Ideas for meals from the cooler, quick and easy foods to cook that don't require much cooler space, for some examples.

In #4, you might mention some other sites that offer information on wierd and wacky stops/festivals like www.roadsideamerica.com as just one example. I think the information there compliments the information in your website quite well.

In #5, it might be good to list the emergency equipment people should carry (or offer a link to such info). I don't think some people have a clue. Also, links to weather sites so people can get an idea of what to expect. Most have 10-day forecasts that are helpful for that.

These are just some ideas. I think your suggestions are great and would be helpful for inexperienced road-trippers. Hope they inspire more people to enjoy the open road!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Judy,

Have you used any of the trip planning software products? Our stack of products to be reviewed means that an update on planning software is still weeks away.

Good Suggestions and now some of those links within this site: <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/tips/families.htm">Traveling with kids/families,</a> <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/read/pets.htm"> traveling with pets (motel friendly information), </a> <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/destinations.htm">Guide to Festivals and Roadside Americana,</a>
(We are friendly competitors with RoadsideAmerica)
<a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/tips/carcamping.htm">Car Camping Equipment to carry,</a>
<a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/conditions.htm"> for
the very best in Road and Weather Conditions, </a>
Some of our favorite <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/eats/eats.htm">places</a>
& <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/roadeats.htm">resources</a> to eat.

M.

[PNW Judy]

The only software I've used is MS Streets & Trips 2000. It does a very good job but has pluses and minuses like any other software. The directions are often too detailed. Every little jog in the road is listed with distance travelled when I'd rather just get the high points. But I guess more detail is better than less. It sometimes makes things hard to follow and I will sometimes just print the map and then right the major exits, streets, turns on it instead of printing out the entire directions.

Again, I think the article is great. You might add those great links in your e-mail to me to the article? That might help direct people where they can get further information without having to search around too much.

BTW, I have read almost all of your articles on this site and think they are all really informative and helpful. You guys do a great job here. That's one reason why I keep coming back.