Suggestions on a road trip with NO destination

[stephensmommy]

lol

I want to take a summer trip this year. I'm starting to save for it now. I was looking online for ideas and found this site. It is wonderful. This is my first of many posts and I guess I am looking for some suggestions as to where to stop and what would be awesome to see.

I would like to see those random cheesy tourist things. lol Maybe the big hat in Texas.. the Cadillac Ranch.. etc.

Im starting in central Florida with my boyfriend. We like to ride bikes so trails would be nice and we might bring the trailer with the 4wheeler on it, so maybe a stop or two that we can get outdoors and ride around would be nice. Camping a night or two is in the air as well. I have plenty of time to plan this out. We don't have a stopping point.

We are planning on making it last 5 days.

Any help you all can offer would be great and very much appreciated.

Thank You,
Stephanie

[Southwest Dave]

It's great that you found us and you are enjoying R.T.A.

Hello and welcome to the forums !

With just 5 days it will practically take you that to drive to Texas and back with 8 or more hours in the car per day.

Maybe somewhere like the Great smokey mountains would be better suited to a short trip.

Have a search around the forums and in the road trip planning pages for plenty of ideas.

[stephensmommy]

WOW I didn't realize it was that far from me. I guess I should go to AAA and get some maps.. lol I have been looking around and like i said I have plenty of time to figure this out. I am just looking for some suggestions. I do like the mountains. I actually have a cabin in north Georgia. I was trying to stay away from the mountains though pulling a trailer and all. Thank you. I will keep looking around.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Im starting in central Florida with my boyfriend. We like to ride bikes so trails would be nice and we might bring the trailer with the 4wheeler on it, so maybe a stop or two that we can get outdoors and ride around would be nice.

Mosey road trips are the kind that all of the roadtrip enthusiasts really enjoy. And it sounds like you'd rather have time to relax, ride your bikes and enjoy your surroundings -- which is certainly possible -- but like Southwest Dave said above -- you are time-challenged. About the farthest west you can go and still have time for kicking back is a 1000 miles. So, if you trace an arc that would be Shreveport, LA, or Memphis, TN or Dover, DE. And there are plenty of places in such an arc that would fit that bill.

On the other hand if you wanted to drive hard (no off-the-highway sightseeing for two days and in the saddle for two full 10-hour days) you could probably reach Loredo, TX and then you could meander your way back home -- but you'd still have to drive 7-8 hours per day. It's just a long ways to go. I agree that the Great Smokey Mountains or the Blue Ridge Parkway or even the "deep south" exploration that Peter is taking would make more sense for your kick-back road trip!

Mark

[stephensmommy]

So, if you trace an arc that would be Shreveport, LA, or Memphis, TN or Dover, DE. And there are plenty of places in such an arc that would fit that bill.

I like the idea of making an arc. then I guess there really wouldn't be a rush and we could relax. The long drive doesn't bother me I love to drive and require little sleep. lol I will look into somethings to do around those areas. Could you suggest some oddly interesting stops along the way?

Thank you!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I like the idea of making an arc. then I guess there really wouldn't be a rush and we could relax.

Um, I don't think we're on the same wavelength yet. My suggestion of an arc was that you choose a destination or series of destinations within that 1000 mile arc. Rule of thumb for your trip -- is that if you really want to have a relaxing trip, with time for camping, taking rides and some walks-- the total distance away from central Florida should not exceed 1000 miles. If you are going to make an arc -- total distance should probably not exceed 500 miles in any one direction -- that way you could have three driving days and the equivalent of two walking/strolling/camping days.

Mark

[MrsPete]

With only five days and a desire to spend time riding /4 wheeling /hiking, I'd suggest that you choose a nice national park or state park and set up camp for the whole time in one place.

Day 1 -- Drive to destination, set up camp; with a trailer and starting in Central Florida, getting out of your own state's going to take you most of a day
Days 2, 3, 4 -- Time to relax and partake in previously mentioned outdoor hobbies
Day 5 -- Break camp and drive home.

With this timeframe, I'd say two camp spots at most.