solo road trip advice reddit

The intrepid road-tripper’s first-time guide to going it alone

Essential tips and tricks for road-tripping solo travelers.

I love road trips and I love solo travel, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally combined the two. I decided to drive from my home in Portland, OR , down to Southern California and back again, covering about 2,600 miles along the way. Over the course of two weeks, I visited places I loved and spots I’d always dreamt of seeing, like Big Sur and Joshua Tree National Park . I saw familiar faces and made new friends, camped among the trees, and did plenty of driving.

Of course, I didn’t go into it without worry. I had safety concerns, and I feared that my lack of automotive knowledge could land me in trouble. But I went ahead, thanks to some pre-trip prep, and came home with great memories and a major confidence boost when it came to traveling alone as a woman. Here, what that first trip taught me about how to ace solo road-tripping—and how you can, too.

Prepare yourself—and your car

Road trips require plenty of prep whether you’re traveling with others or solo. I am very much a planner, so before I set out, I made a rough itinerary of where I would go and how long I’d stay in each spot. I made a few (refundable) accommodation reservations and spent a lot of time on Google Maps, plotting possible routes. However, I also kept a few days at the end of my trip open so that I would have the freedom to make spontaneous pit stops or detours—or leave destinations early (or late)—without feeling tied down to set-in-stone plans.

Before I hit the road, I did all of the pre-trip basics: I made sure my AAA membership was up to date, got an oil change, had my tires rotated, and got a free safety inspection from my local tire center to ensure my brakes, shocks, and battery were in tip-top shape.

I also made sure I had everything my brain and body needed to tackle the open road. I packed plenty of snacks (PB&Js are my go-to) and made a playlist of podcasts that would keep my mind active on the drive ( Stuff You Should Know is my road-trip fave).

Tip: Download your Google Maps offline , so that you can access maps through your phone’s GPS system, even in areas where you don’t have cell service.

Pace yourself when you’re the only driver

While some people feel comfortable driving upwards of eight hours a day, it can be a bit much when you’re on your own. I’ve found that the more you get used to driving, the easier it is to tackle longer distances.

On my first solo road trip, I increased my time on the road incrementally, starting with a five-hour drive on my first day and gradually increasing my drive times the following days. I still tried to limit myself to around 6.5 hours per day—after all, I was in California to see the sights, not just drive.

I also took breaks every two to three hours, stopping at rest stops and scenic viewpoints to stretch my legs and rest my eyes. I even popped into a few branches of the gym I belong to for energizing jogs on the treadmill.

Get creative with your accommodations

Road-tripping isn’t always the cheapest way to travel, particularly when you’re footing the entire bill. Even if you’re saving on gas by driving an electric or hybrid vehicle, the cost of hotel rooms and eating out can add up when you’re going it alone. Staying in hostels or vacation rentals where you can cook your own meals, or camping in an established campground—such as in a state or national park—where you know there will be plenty of other people around, are great ways to save.

On this route, I stayed with friends in Mendocino , San Francisco , and L.A. I also secured a last-minute spot in a shared cabin at the Esalen Institute , a hot springs retreat center on the Big Sur Coast, where meals were included. For my Santa Barbara lodging, I relied on Couchsurfing , a hospitality exchange site, and was hosted by a 92-year-old travel enthusiast, someone I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to meet otherwise. I even spent a night camping at Yosemite National Park , which cost me a fraction of what I would have spent had I booked a night at one of the park lodges. If you don’t have a tent, you can still get the camping experience by booking a night in a glamping tent or cabin (such as those found at Yosemite’s Curry Village ).

Tip: If you want to rent gear, check out a local outdoor stores on your route or check out a nationwide gear rental companies such as Outdoors Geek —just be sure you’ve set up your tent on your own at least once before hitting the road to make unpacking at your campsite stress-free.

Leave your shyness at home

When I was camping at Yosemite, a couple at the site next to me invited me to come sit by their campfire. I was initially anxious and a bit shy, worrying that I’d be putting them out. I almost refused, but didn’t want to be rude, so I hopped right over to their site and plonked down next to the fire. We ended up having a wonderful, winding conversation that was entirely free of the small talk so many of us dread.

Of course, overcoming shyness is easier said than done, but even if you’re fond of solitude, connecting with other humans can be a good thing. Even if you aren’t one to strike up conversations, try to stay receptive to them when they come along. You just may surprise yourself.

Play it safe with (and without) the help of technology

Whether you’re traveling halfway across the world or hiking in a nearby woodland, it’s always wise to keep others informed of your plans.

Although I’ve been traveling solo since I was 18, my parents were particularly concerned about how safe it would be for me to take a solo road trip, given that I’d be spending many hours driving through unpopulated areas, sometimes without a cell signal. To put them at ease, I signed up for Life360 , a location-sharing app that allowed them to track where I was throughout my journey. The app uses both the cellular network and GPS, meaning my parents could track me, even when I was in an out of coverage area. I also shared my accommodation details with those close to me for extra peace of mind.

While I’m a huge fan of using technology to stay safe and connected, it’s important to recognize its limitations—and plan accordingly. Always remember to pack a regular road map as a backup (you can get these for free from most automobile associations and state tourism boards). That way, if your phone dies or breaks, you won’t feel stranded. It’s also wise to pack a warm blanket, a first-aid kit, and plenty of drinking water in your car. After all, while phones are great tools for communication and navigation, they are pretty useless when it comes to staying warm—or hydrated.

The essential road-trip guide

Solo Road Trip Planning Guide: Tips for Traveling Alone

Hit the road with these essential tips for planning your first solo road trip – including where to camp, gear to pack, finding fun activities, eating well, and staying safe.

Find this post helpful? Learn how you can support Bearfoot Theory’s work here . You can also shop for gear through the affiliate links in this blog post where we get a small commission at no cost to you. It helps keep our team running and the lights on. THANK YOU! -Kristen

A few winters ago, I spent three months traveling around New Zealand in a van. It was my first-ever solo road trip, and I learned a TON of helpful road trip tips in the process – from how to plan, what gear to pack, and how to eat well on the road.

Since returning to the states, I put many of these road trip tips into practice, from a week long solo road trip around Nevada in my Subaru to traveling solo for months in my first Sprinter Van .

Your first solo road trip can be a little intimidating – especially as a female – so I wanted to share some of the things I learned from my experiences being alone on the road.

With this guide to planning your first solo road trip, you can travel smarter and safer, all while having a blast in your own company.

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Planning Tips for Your First Solo Road Trip

Here are a few road trip tips to keep in mind when planning out your route and your solo road trip overall.

Take the Scenic Route

I always recommend taking the scenic route. It’s about the journey, not just the destination, right? So plan your route to be enjoyable and take time to enjoy the landscapes you pass through.

During my road trip to Nevada a few years back, my goal was to get off-the-beaten-path as much as possible, and the old country roads ended up being the best part of my trip. Fewer cars meant less stress, I could focus more on the scenery, and I could pull over wherever I wanted.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Give yourself plenty of time so you can stop at viewpoints and grab a bite to eat at that cute little cafe you happen to come across when cruising through town. It’s no fun being rushed, so plan extra time into your route and know that with all the stops, it’s probably going to take you longer than you expect to drive those miles. That way, if you see something unplanned that strikes your interest, you’ll be able to stop and check it out. If you find yourself feeling rushed, alter your route if possible so you can cover less ground and actually have time to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Find Cool Stuff to Do

Road tripping isn’t just about sitting in the car. It’s about finding fun things to do along the way. Do your research ahead of time and make note of the places you’d like to visit on your road trip, but be open to possibilities as well. You never know what local gems you’ll find by talking to people. Coffee shops, local stores, and visitor information centers can be great places to seek out info from the locals who know best. Also, don’t pass up quirky roadside attractions or an intriguing sign pointing down a dirt road. Stop to check it out! Some of the best stuff you won’t find in a guidebook.

While being spontaneous can lead to some of the best memories, you’ll also want to have a few stops in mind. National Parks are a great place to start. If you don’t have one already, consider getting an America the Beautiful Pass which grants you free admission to all national parks and public lands for $80 a year. Read more about how to save money in National Parks here .

Download Helpful Apps

Download a couple apps ahead of time so you’ll be ready to go when you’re looking for a place to eat or something to do. Here are some of my favorite travel planning apps for road tripping:

• AllTrails – for finding local hiking trails
• MTB Project – for finding local mountain biking trails
• Peak Finder – for identifying local peaks
• Tripadvisor – for restaurant and accommodation reviews
• Yelp – for local services and spots to eat

Gather Resources Ahead of Time

Invest in a couple of guide books for the areas you’ll be exploring. Hiking books, road atlases, trail maps, national park maps, and regional guides like Lonely Planet can also help you plan your trip.

If you’re looking for ideas on where to go, my friend Kristin Addis of Be My Travel Muse has an awesome round up of the 30 Best Solo Travel Destinations in the US , many of which would make for great road trips.

What to Pack for Your Solo Road Trip

What you pack for your solo road trip really depends on you, what you like to do, and whether you’ll be camping or not. Check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing Checklist for a complete list of suggestions. In the meantime, here are a few helpful suggestions to get you started, from apparel to outdoor gear, to entertainment, and more.

Solo Road Trip Basics

Always carry a map in your car for those times when you are out of service and you can’t use the GPS on your phone. I like to buy a road and recreation atlas for whatever state I’m traveling in. They show parks, monuments, campgrounds, dirt roads, and all kinds of other helpful information.

During my Nevada road trip I found that many of the free campgrounds didn’t have any potable water available. Invest in an inexpensive water jug to make sure you always have an adequate water supply both at camp and in case of an emergency. Fill it up before you leave and when it gets low, you can refill it at most truck stops.

Many campsites require a small fee and the only way to pay is cash. Keep a little bit of cash with you so you aren’t caught empty-handed when the ranger asks you to pay up. Cash is also handy for those times when you come across a local farmers market or roadside stand that only takes cash.

Road Trip Apparel

Bring clothes that are functional and can be worn multiple times. You also want your clothes to be comfortable and to breathe well. Think leggings or yoga pants, tank tops, a down puffy, a rain jacket, etc. I also always like to pack a hoody. If there’s a chance you’ll want to go out to a nice meal, bring one nice outfit that won’t wrinkle in your suitcase. As for shoes, I like to bring a trail shoe and my trusty Teva sandals which I can wear on walks, in water or with socks at camp… so fashionable, I know 😉

Shop my favorite road trip apparel

Solo Road Trip Safety Tips

Know the basics of auto repair.

I’m a complete idiot when it comes to mechanics – I barely know how to check my oil (my dad cringes). But in the case of an emergency, it’s a good idea to know a few basics like how to check fluids and how to change a tire, and have things like a car battery charger in your car.

Before you leave, check to make sure your spare tire has air in it. The last thing you want is to get a flat and then find out that your spare is flat too. It’s also a good idea to sign up for AAA or another roadside repair service if your auto insurance doesn’t cover that. If your vehicle is older and hasn’t been serviced in a while, it’s probably worthwhile to take it in to have the fluids checked and topped off.

Finally, always carry the owner’s manual – that’s the best book you can have in your car.

Carry a Communication Device

If you will be traveling on the backroads or anywhere where there is no cell phone service (this includes a lot of National Parks), you should always carry some sort of device that you can use to communicate in case something goes wrong.

I have a Garmin inReach which is a GPS tracker and navigation tool that also lets me communicate via satellite (no cell service needed). With a device like this, you can send and receive text messages to any cell phone number or email address no matter where you are, share your location, send updates, and call for help if needed.

You should also make sure someone close to you has a loose idea of your itinerary and check in with them via text or phone when you roll through a town. And definitely let someone know if you are going hiking or doing any other sort of solo activity away from your car.

How to Feel Safe at Night While Road Tripping Solo

If you don’t feel safe, you won’t be having fun, and choosing the right campsite can make all the difference. When I was on my first solo road trip in Nevada, I tried to choose campsites that had a handful of other campers there. I didn’t want so many people that it felt crowded, but having a few families or couples around assured me that it would be hard for a weirdo to go unnoticed. I was also friendly to my neighbors, but not so friendly that I could be interpreted as inviting unwanted company to my campsite.

As far as sleeping, I used to drive a Subaru, and I slept in the back of my car. Now I travel in a Sprinter Van . Sleeping in a vehicle, as opposed to a tent, helps me feel more secure because I lock the doors, and if something goes wrong, I simply hop in the front seat and drive away. My car also has a loud alarm that I could set off using a button on my door key if I wanted to cause a commotion.

If you don’t have a car you can sleep in, think about what you need to protect yourself and to make you feel safe while you are sleeping in your tent . Whether that be a loud alarm that you can sound off, pepper spray, or something else to give you peace of mind – have it within arm’s reach.

If you don’t feel safe camping solo, opt for a hotel or Airbnb (see below)…and have a cushion in your budget just in case.

Keep an Eye on the Gas Tank

This may seem obvious, but if you are traveling in rural areas and you don’t know how far it is until the next gas station…fill up. Nothing can ruin your day faster than running out of gas in the middle of nowhere when it could have easily been prevented.

Have a Hide a Key

What happens if you accidentally drop your car key when you are out on a hike? Having a hide-a-key stashed somewhere outside your car could save you a lot of hassle. Just be smart about where you stash it so it’s not super obvious.

Finding Accommodation on Your Solo Road Trip

Finding good campsites.

Finding campsites while on the road can be a challenge, and you generally want to do so before you get out of cell service range so you can research your options. Check out our entire guide to finding free campsites for all the apps and the exact process I use to find campsites on the road.

Free campsites, also known as dispersed camping, generally have less (if any) amenities and also tend to be a little more isolated so make sure you’re prepared with everything you need and that someone knows where you’re going if you decide to go this route.

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Finding a Last Minute Hotel or Airbnb

If you’d rather stay in a hotel, Hotels Tonight is a great app for finding last-minute deals…although you won’t always find a room especially in smaller towns. If there’s nothing on Hotels Tonight, check Hotels.com and Booking.com.

Check Airbnb too. Again, you won’t always find something in smaller towns, but Airbnb can be great for solo travelers. For the most economical option, check “Private Room” when searching which means you’ll get your own room in a home where someone else is living. When I’m going this route, I always try to find a place where the host has good reviews, and in lucky cases, you might even get some good local intel from your host and make a new friend.

Camp Cooking Tips for Your Solo Road Trip

Make meal prep easy.

Cooking for one during your road trip can be tough. Depending on the length of your trip, consider pre-cooking a few of your meals. Things like pasta salad and quinoa salad save well and can be easily eaten during a quick roadside break or when you get to your destination. Things like spaghetti sauce, soup, and other saucy dishes can be portioned out, frozen, and reheated. Veggies can be chopped and stored in reusable containers or a Stasher Bag for easy cooking. This makes dinner prep and cleanup easier and you’ll probably eat better than if you are making everything from scratch at camp.

Using non-stick pots and pans will simplify cleanup too. For dishes, pack a small dish brush or sponge and some biodegradable soap, and remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles .

If you like cooking at camp, consider making one-pot meals. My friends from Fresh off the Grid wrote a guest post with 6 killer one-pot recipes perfect for road tripping .

Pack Healthy Snacks

Bring plenty of healthy snacks to help avoid binging on chips, candy, and other gas station junk food. Easy to snack on fruit like grapes, blueberries, apples, bananas, and mandarins are nice to have (I wash everything before setting out so they’re ready to go). I also love bringing along pre-chopped veggies and dips like hummus and Bitchin Sauce and other snacks on the healthier side like light popcorn, nuts, and baked chips.

Have you ever done a solo road trip? How did it go? Share your experience in the comments below.

Related Posts

With two decades of hiking and seven years of van life under her belt, Kristen has dedicated her life to helping people experience the positive effects of nature. As a pioneer in the outdoor blogging space, she founded Bearfoot Theory in 2014 and has since authored more than 350 blog posts about outdoor travel, hiking, camping, and van life. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, and Backpacker, and when she’s not on the road, she lives in Park City, Utah with her partner Ryan, their son, and two adventure pups.

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29 Comments

Great article full of useful information! I see you were driving combi – one question to that: do you think it would contain 2 people sleeping in it? Considering that the luggage would be stored on top of the car?

Myself and a friend were planning a road trip across Europe and wanted to use her combi. I’m just not sure if we would fit in 😉

Is a combi a van or a car with a hatchback? Is so, then I’m sure you’d be fine. Maybe bring a tent just in case you need some extra space?

I do a lot of solo hiking and was thinking of getting a phone tracking app so my husband can see where I am. Do you use one that you would recommend?

Hi Erica – Kristen brings a Garmin inReach Mini when she heads into the backcountry. It has two-way messaging and location sharing. Happy trails!

Sorry combi must be European expression 🙂 It’s the same type of car as your Subaru in the pictures. It’s good news two people can sleep inside. Tent is planned just in case yes. Thanks for your reply 🙂

Great post, lots of good info. I’m going to have to look into getting a SPOT. I plan to travel in a van solo in a couple years once both kids are off to college. In the meantime, we’ll be going to Colorado this summer and plan to do some hiking and camping. The SPOT would be a nice reassurance, just in case.

I got the same Outback as you and getting ready for a month-long trip in South cali, Az, Utah and Wyoming , great tips , thanks. Used to travel in VW bus but this time its a solo trip.

Thats so awesome! You’ll have to come back and tell me how it goes. Safe and happy travels!

I leave for my first solo road trip two weeks from today. I feel like I have done so much reading and research, but I am still super nervous for some reason. Your tips are awesome and I can’t wait to apply them and see where the road takes me!

How did it go? Can you provide any additional feedback or suggestions from your experience? I’m getting ready for my first solo trip in August to see majority of New Mexico!

This is great information! I’m doing a small road trip this winter with my dog, and I’ve been trying to work out all the details. This is definitely helpful so that I’m not missing anything!

I’m one of those solo road trippers and camp quite often. At first it was kinda freaky but got used to it. I do carry but I also have a clip on my keys that I use to clip the zippers together in my tent while I sleep. The keys will sound if someone is trying to open the zipper and it prevents the zipper from opening since the two are bound together by use of the clip.

This is a great idea, just need something in the tent to pee in as unclipping jangling keys to go outside is kind of counterproductive!

Wow great guide! I have always wanted to do a road trip, I think a lot of people are put off because they find it too intimidating, particularly the thought of going on your own, but in reality if you plan ahead you can put yourself in a much better position.

Very cool post. I will be doing a bunch of solo trips myself. I was surprised you took your Subaru and not the Sprinter. What was your motivation?

I didn’t have my Sprinter at the time 😉

I am going on a solo road trip, will be stopping a lot to do photography. Great tips Thank You

Hey there, I’m from Australia and spent two months road tripping around the west mostly tent and car camping. I liked forest service campsites, small, pretty, cheap and everywhere. They also have good clean facilities and often a camp host which can make it feel safer. Lots of families or older couples without kids camp here and are very friendly. Lots of hunters too, initially this made me feel a bit uncomfortable, just me and a bunch of men but I never had any problems. I would tent camp most times and cook at camp to keep costs down, I was travelling in sept/Oct so being able to make a fire quickly is a must and being able to set up camp with a head torch is useful. I slept in the car if it was wet or later in the trip when I parked in BLM areas alone so your tips about keeping the car locked and the driver seat clear make sense. Also important to have enough money to take yourself out to dinner now and again particularly on wet nights as trying to cook eat etc gets irky. And to stay in a motel to catch up on laundry and just veg in comfort for a bit like you would at home. Same with airbnb. Main concern for me was driving in cities on wrong side of road for me! So I hired a car from a regional airport in the middle of where I wanted to be and started in a town that did not feel to overwhelming. It was also quite possible to avoid major city centres for quite some time and when i did i would stay in suburbs and bus to city centre. This driving info will not be helpful to those in the US but may give other solo female travellers from other countries an idea of what is possible if you fear driving out of a major US city as soon as your plane lands!

Looks like the road to Mount Cook in NZ. This is a great and helpful Blog.

As I find your tip about going as off-the-beaten-path as possible in order to reduce stress, focus on the scenery, and be able to pull over wherever one wanted, what if one wants to do the solo trip around a certain city or country abroad? If I were to do this abroad, I would hire a taxicab ahead of time on the day one has to go to the airport and the day to head back. Doing this will help ease stress on the start and end of the trip.

Thanks for sharing this information and also for giving us a bit of guide when it comes to towing.

You’re welcome, Jeff. Thanks for reading!

I’ve never really thought of some of this guide. THanks for sahring.

Thanks for reading!

I love posts like this. I’m going to take any help I can get to drive.

Enjoy your adventures 🙂

Hi Kristen! My name is Angelina and I am planning my first solo road trip. I will likely be staying in my car and I will have a tent in case it is warm enough. Do you have any tips about road trips in the winter? I am currently planning to drive to the south/ south west to enjoy the outdoors more.

Exciting! Just be sure to pack layers so that you have plenty of clothing options to choose from. A warm sleeping bag is also an important thing to have and an insulated sleeping pad if you plan on sleeping outside.

Very helpful, I plan on taking my solo trip across America next year your guide and tips are awesome thanks

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9 Things I’ve Learned Road Tripping Solo 

• Destinations
• Solo Travel
• Types of Travel

Many of the things that make road trips so great — the feeling of freedom, the focus on the countryside, the solitude — are magnified when you set out on a solo trip. For a brief interlude, it’s just you, your car, and the road. It’s wonderful, but it can be daunting too.

Looking back, I realize I’ve always had a soft spot for road trips, starting with a magical trip to the Oregon Coast in the family station wagon when I was 7 years old. I remember gazing up at giant redwoods, splashing in the ocean for the first time, and climbing massive sand dunes.

Since then, I’ve taken road trips to virtually every western-U.S. state, and to the Canadian Rockies and Mexico’s Sea of Cortez .

Up until recently, though, my road trips were somewhat sporadic and often taken with family or friends when flying wasn’t practical. That changed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic severely limited travel options for me and everyone else. All of a sudden, the only reasonable way to travel seemed to be by car. For me, that meant solo road trips.

I’ve since taken road trips to every corner of my home state of Arizona , the California coast , Nevada’s Great Basin National Park , southern Utah’s many state parks and national monuments , New Mexico’s White Sands National Park , Texas’s Big Bend , and the Guadalupe Mountains national parks.

My trips have all been great adventures, but there have been a few lessons as well. Here are 9 things I’ve learned road tripping solo.

1. Pre-Planning Is A Must

Without navigational input from a fellow traveler, I’ve found that it’s imperative to identify my routes and study the details (the main highways, major turns, and interesting points) before I head out.

I usually start by searching point A to point B on my laptop computer, check out the two or three alternative routes, and then program my preferred route into my phone’s mapping app. I use the Apple Maps app, but many people prefer the Google Maps app.

Another obvious reason for having a set itinerary is safety. By letting someone know your route before you go, you have some backup in case you run into trouble along the way. It’s also wise to check in with those people when you arrive at your destination.

2. Booking Hotel Stays In Advance Is Advisable

Central to a solo traveler’s pre-planning should be hotel, campsite, or short-term rental reservations along the way.

These days, especially in the summer, you’re likely to find yourself with no place to stay without proper planning. Road trips are more popular than ever, and many hotels along major highways become booked weeks in advance, while camping at national parks sometimes requires booking months in advance. The stress of looking for accommodations en route is compounded when you’re alone because you don’t have another person to research vacancies while you drive.

Pro Tip: I’m a big fan of my Marriott Bonvoy rewards card and I usually try to find a Marriott brand hotel for my nights on the road. There are plenty of other loyalty and rewards programs to check out as well, along with VRBO for short-term rentals, and Hipcamp for camping sites.

3. Frequent Gas Ups Provide Peace Of Mind

My car gets about 40 miles to the gallon, so I could conceivably drive more than 500 miles before I need to gas up. For my peace of mind, I never wait anywhere that long and usually stop to fill gas every 250 miles or so.

Part of the reason is that gas station stops give me a chance to stretch my legs, get a cold beverage, and take a restroom break. Another part is the uncertainty of when I’ll be able to fill up again. Especially when I’m driving on remote roads in Texas , Arizona , or Nevada . I never take a chance on waiting for the next gas station.

Pro Tip: Cellphone apps like Gas Guru can help you determine where the next gas stop will be, and the lowest prices.

4. Having Complete Control Over Your Trip Is A Blessing And A Curse

Yes, solo road tripping offers a feeling of freedom by giving you complete control over your route, your stops, and the length of your stays. Remember that the tradeoff is that it also means you have total responsibility for all of the driving and little decisions along the way.

There are definitely times when I’d like a second opinion on a route or become bored with the drive. That’s when pre-planning comes in handy.

5. In-Car Entertainment Is Crucial

Whether it’s music, audiobooks, or podcasts, having something to keep my mind occupied as I drive makes all the difference in the world on my solo drives.

For me, nothing beats an audiobook to help pass the hours. Not only do I become immersed in a fascinating story, but I’m able to transport myself to faraway places. Some recent audiobooks I’ve loved for road-tripping are Amor Towles’ The Lincoln Highway , Elin Hilderbrand’s 28 Summers , and Lucy Foley’s The Paris Apartment .

I also like to check out the channels on my SiriusXM subscription. On one memorable summer trip through Arizona and Nevada in 2020, I listened to the entire countdown of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Top 100 hits on the Tom Petty Channel. I’ve also been known to tune in to Comedy Central Radio’s hilarious sets and The Pulse’s recent hits.

Listening to podcasts is another entertaining option that many travelers swear by. Two fascinating choices to check out are Serial and This American Life .

Pro Tip: Free loans of audiobooks are available with a library card at many public libraries, via the Overdrive or Libby apps. I always keep my Overdrive account stocked with books so that I have plenty of choices on my long drives.

6. A Well-Serviced Car Is A Life Saver

As a road trip approaches, I make a point of getting my car in for service — if possible, by timing my regular oil changes with my trips. Then, I always mention to the service technicians that I have a big road trip coming up and ask them to check out crucial elements like the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, air conditioning, and fluids.

If and when unforeseen emergencies do come up, having a roadside assistance policy is crucial. To cover all my bases, I have towing coverage through my car insurance and also have a membership with AAA (American Automobile Association).

7. It’s Important To Pack Strategically

Although I typically subscribe to the mantra that it’s best to pack light, I believe a solo road trip is an opportunity to overpack a bit in the interest of being well-prepared. After all, you have the whole car to yourself!

I usually pack a jacket or two, along with an assortment of jeans, capris, blouses, sweatpants, a hat, and swimming suits. As a hiker, I like to have plenty of shoe choices, including hiking sandals, hiking boots, sneakers, flip-flops, and a couple of hiking packs.

I don’t like to carry everything into my hotel room each night, so I keep the shoes, jackets, and packs in separate large-size packing cubes that I leave in my car where they’re easy to grab, as needed.

Pro Tip: To deal with issues that come up on the road, I keep a supply of handy gadgets and products in my car, including jumper cables, a solar flashlight, disinfectant wipes, bandages, and duct tape. I also pack camping gear, including a tent, a sleeping bag, a pillow, and an air mattress — just in case.

8. Don’t Forget The Snacks And Drinks

To ensure that I have a supply of cold drinks, fresh fruit, and veggies for snacking, I keep a large 5-day ice retention Igloo Max cooler in the cargo area of my car, and a small cooler in the front seat where I can easily access it while I’m driving. I regularly replenish things from the larger cooler into my small cooler and add ice to both.

I like to stock my coolers with bottled water, sparkling water, soft drinks, and snack-size baggies full of grapes, orange slices, and mini carrots.

9. Finding Your Comfort Zone Enhances Safety

I’ve found that I can comfortably drive 8 to 10 hours in a day, but anything beyond that becomes taxing. As I map my route, I keep that in mind and make my hotel reservations accordingly.

It’s important to find your road-tripping rhythm, personal comfort zone, and never continue driving when you’re tired. Sometimes a quick nap in your car at a rest area can do wonders, but always remember to choose your spots with safety in mind. I carry small window shades that attach using suction cups to the glass to provide some privacy.

Pro Tip: The adage of “it’s more about the journey than the destination” is never truer than on a road trip. For that reason, I remind myself to be present, take it all in, and stop often to smell the roses (or the daisies or sunflowers or lupine). I recommend programming at least two hours of leeway into each day’s schedule to allow time to explore unexpected scenic byways and charming downtowns you encounter along the way.

For more tips on solo travel, check out these articles:

• 13 Inspiring Books Every Solo Female Traveler Should Read
• 16 Reasons House Sitting Is Perfect For Solo Women Travelers
• Lessons Learned On My Journey To Becoming A Solo Traveler

Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. Her blog, NearandFarAZ gives readers an insider's view of the wonders of the U.S. Southwest, and a traveler's take on far-off locales from Panama to Hong Kong to the Czech Republic. Regardless of the destination, her goal is to find the perfect scenic hike, city walk, beach stroll, or road-trip jaunt, and bring it to life in her blog. Cindy's articles about outdoor adventures have appeared in numerous regional and national publications.

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25+ Top Tips for a Solo Road Trip You NEED To Know

Planning a solo road trip but don’t know where to start? I’ve done loads all over the world, so here’s my tried and tested advice for enjoying a road trip by yourself…

I like being by myself, and judging by the fact you’re on an article about doing a solo road trip, I’m going to assume you do too. Solo road trips can be so much fun – they give you freedom to explore without restraint. No more having to accommodate everyone else needs, instead focusing on what you enjoy and taking breaks when you desire.

Going on a road trip by yourself comes with some unique benefits and challenges. This is why I have come up with the ultimate tips for the best solo road trip experience! 

Where to go on a solo road trip 

Taking a road trip by yourself is a great way to explore the world. Whether you prefer to stick closer to home or go international, there are many incredible solo road trips to choose from.

When choosing a destination it is important to consider the area.

Is it safe?

Does it have fun solo activities?

What are the road conditions?

Based on experience and knowledge gained on my travels, here are my top destinations for solo road trip adventures. 

The Lake District

Located in Northwest England, the UK Lake District is a great 3 to 7-day road trip. Voted as one of the best road trips in the UK, the UK Lake District is filled with wild swimming holes, quaint towns and breathtaking mountain views. If you are looking for an epic hike, then Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Helm Crag are popular excursions for the adventurous at heart. 

You could also try a Devon road trip , a Cornwall road trip , drive along the Jurassic Coast , or try driving along the Norfolk Coast . You can check out all my recommendations for UK road trips here . Oh, and can’t forget the time my friend and I did a wild camping road trip in the Outer Hebrides !

Iceland Ring Road

Iceland is a beautiful destination and fantastic for solo travellers. Safe, beautiful, and with plenty of activities, the Ring Road allows you to drive around the entire country of Iceland in one trip! Although you can technically complete the entire road trip in 13 hours, it’s best experienced over 10 days. This allows you to stop at all the amazing sites and villages along the way. 

If you’re looking for solo road trip ideas, this is a great one.

Vancouver to Banff, Canada

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a stunning site to behold, with a road trip being the best way to experience their wonder. Start your journey in the 2010 Olympic city of Vancouver, and end your trip by relaxing in a Banff hot spring. Along the way, there are many sites to explore, such as Johnston Canyon, Lower Falls, Lake Louise, Peyto Lake and Emerald Lake. 

New Zealand

New Zealand is a relatively safe country, with a stunning landscape and little to no dangerous wildlife. This makes New Zealand perfect for solo road trippers! Although you can explore most of the Island of New Zealand in 2 to 3 weeks, there are many smaller road trips you can plan. If you have less time, try to focus on either the North or the South of the island. In the North, you have cities like Auckland, the Bay of Islands and Wellington to explore. While in the South, you will find Christchurch and Queenstown. 

Route 66, USA

If you are looking to take a road trip across the USA, then Route 66 is perfect for your next solo road trip! At 3665km long, Route 66 starts in Chicago, Illinois, transversing 8 states and ending at the Santa Monica pier in California. With amazing stops along the way, such as Blue Hole, Calico Ghost Town, and the Petrified Forest National Park, Route 66 is calling you!

Take a look at this guide for the LA to Grand Canyon road trip for more route tips.

I’ve done quite a few road trips in America , including driving from Miami to Key West , road tripping along the Pacific Coast Highway in a Mustang and driving from Vegas to Yosemite.

READ MORE: All the Road Trip Essentials You’ll Need

What to take on a solo road trip

These are the most important solo road trip essentials you should consider taking with you.

• Solar charger: Charge your phone while you drive, but instead of a car charger, use the sun! Solar chargers are a great way to power up, while being more eco-conscious. Plus they allow you to charge your devices almost anywhere!
• Dash cam: Dash cams have become extremely popular, due to the extra level of security they provide. They can also capture exciting events on your solo road trip, you may miss otherwise. 
• Satellite phone: Are you an extreme adventurer? Are you planning a multi-day hike in the wilderness? Then you might benefit from a satellite phone. A satellite phone can be a great way of staying connected when in remote areas. Especially if you plan to venture out of mobile phone range for days at a time. 
• Roadside emergency kit: A roadside emergency kit is very handy, especially in extreme weather. Check out the RAC website for information on what to pack in your roadside emergency kit.  
• Powerbank: Although a car charger is a great way to charge your device on the go, just in case your car breaks down, invest in a power bank. There are many variations available, with some powerful enough to charge your cell phone, tablet and even laptop. 
• Bucket with a waterproof seal: Did you know that you can wash your clothes as you drive? All you need is a bit of laundry soap, water and a bucket with a waterproof seal. Make sure to only fill the bucket 3 quarters of the way, to allow for movement. As you drive the water and detergent will slosh around the clothes, removing dirt and debris. After an hour or two of driving, switch out the liquid with clean water to rinse. Voila! Clean clothes, without the laundry mat.  
• Carjack: No one wants a flat tyre, but it’s good to plan for one. Sometimes cell signals can be spotty on remote roads, making calling roadside assistance challenging. Having a carjack can make life easier, if you happen to get a flat.  
• First aid kit: A first aid kit is always handy, no matter where you are. Pop a first aid kit in your vehicle, just in case an itchy bug bite or scraped knee tries to infringe on your fun. 
• Paper map: Phone dead? No internet access? Although paper maps are not as popular as they used to be, they still are very handy in case of an emergency or even just for fun.
• Pack snacks : What’s a road trip without an epic snack fix? Sweets, chips, soda, and cookies are always fun, but try to pack healthy alternatives for the road, as they’ll be more difficult to find along the way. Nuts, canned fish, fruits and veggies can be great alternatives that do not require refrigeration. 

Great apps for solo road trips 

How to stay safe on a solo road trip? Use these apps!

My SOS Family Emergency Alerts: Planning a mountain hike or going to a remote area? When solo travelling it can be smart to set up a contingency plan in case something goes wrong. My SOS Family Emergency Alerts can notify your friends or family if you do not access your device in a set period of time or if you need to send out an SOS notification.  

ICE – In Case of Emergency: As a solo traveller it is important to have safety measures in place in case of an accident. ICE allows you to display your essential personal information, such as name, birth date and allergies, on your phone lock screen. This way, if you are unconscious or unable to respond, the first responders still have access to vital information required to keep you safe.  

Spotify: Every solo road trip requires an epic playlist and Spotify can help with that! Create your custom playlist or choose one of the many popular premade playlists available. For an ad-free experience, you only need to pay £9.99 / per month, making Spotify an affordable way to access all of your favourite artists and podcasts on the go. 

Google Maps: An amazing thing about Google Maps is that you can access maps offline for free. No more worrying about finding a cell signal or WIFI, when you can just open the app and check your location live via GPS. You can also start a journey and add stops along the way, such as bathroom breaks or quick excursions. Label your must-see attractions with a green flag so you won’t forget or flag the restaurants you visited, so you can remember them for next time. 

Headout: The Headout application allows you to book tickets for shows, concerts, excursions, tours and attractions. Explore activities available at popular destinations around the world and book your ticket straight from your device without waiting in line. Available for free on Android and iOS. 

Make sure you get your travel insurance sorted before you go on a solo road trip. HeyMondo offer 24/7 worldwide assistance with travel cancellation and interruption cover. They also have tailor made policies and cover medical expenses up to $10 million. Click here and you’ll get 5% off your travel insurance with HeyMondo.com too. Check out their App for more details. 

Good knowledge for a solo road trip

Schedule breaks: Solo road trips typically take longer, as you will be the only person driving. Driving for 12 hours straight is unrealistic, so make sure to schedule frequent breaks and stops to rest. 

Sort your car shipping: If you’re planning on shipping your car out to your destination to drive, you can get car shipping quotes online here .

Driving permit: Depending on the country you visit, you may be required to hold an international driver’s licence, like I had to get when I drove round Jeju Island in South Korea solo . To confirm, check the destination’s government website or contact the local consulate. 

Prep your vehicle: Before venturing out on a long solo road trip, make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape! Check the oil levels, wind wipers, gas level and tyre pressure. You may also want to wipe the interior down and do a quick vacuum. Nothing better than starting your trip off fresh. 

Morning start: Beginning your day early is the best way to start a road trip . Not only will you get most of your driving done early, but you’ll also be more alert and well-rested, making your drive safer and easier. 

Check your insurance: Not all car insurance covers driving excursions, so make sure to double-check with your insurance provider. It’s also a good idea to sign-up for roadside assistance, in case of a flat tyre or sudden car trouble. I actually get mine through my bank with my account which is pretty sweet.

Solo road trip tips

Have these solo road trip tips inspired you? Where would you like to go on your next solo road trip adventure? Let me know in the comment section below. 

Related Posts:

• Going On a Dog Road Trip? Here’s 10 Tips For Success
• 60+ Driving Affirmations for Road Trip Confidence This Year
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• My Tips for Travelling Vietnam Solo
• 7 Eating Tips for Solo Travellers
• 19 Best Road Trip Gifts for Every Kind of Traveller

Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

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Wanderful - Blog

• Travel Tips

Taking Solo Road Trips: 30+ Vital Tips From Leading Travel Experts

• Posted by by Wanderful Team
• August 12, 2020
• 6 minute read

Taking solo road trips can be such an exciting and liberating way to explore the world around you. These road trip tips from the experts will help you plan, prepare, and get out there!

Road trips feel like summertime freedom and independent fun! Whether you’re going an hour from home or straight across the continent, road tripping lets you explore along the entire journey, rather than only when you arrive at the end destination.

Road trips are especially an icon of the United States and a very popular choice for Europe via campervan. This type of travel can show off natural spaces and small towns , giving you better insight away from big cities and international airports.

If you’re considering taking a road trip soon, take note of these tips from leading travel experts!

You should especially review the session “ Road Trippers: Tips for Hitting the Pavement After Quarantine ” featuring Jennifer Broome of Swept Away with Jennifer Broome , Kristina Liburd of Viageur , and Allison Villasenor of AAA Exclusive Vacations .

The full recording offers all of their tips for a safe and successful road trip. You can also check out the sessions on small town travel, budget travel, outdoor adventures, and more!

It’s all available on-demand — and for free! — for your convenience:

With access to the Wanderful Woman Summit recordings, you also get a virtual swag bag! Enjoy discounts and perks from our sponsors in travel.

Taking Safe Solo Road Trips

So first and foremost, is it safe to road trip?

As of right now, travel is a very personal choice and your safety and the safety of the community around you needs to be considered.

Where you’re located, where you’re headed, and the details of your personal situation will determine whether or not you should be traveling.

But — if it’s safe and you are properly prepared — taking a road trip can be a wonderful way to explore during these uncertain times.

Adventuring in your own backyard and finding open spaces can be just the travel therapy you need!

Precautions to Take Before Your Trip

Plan ahead and find alternative options. If you’re looking at beaches, lakes, hiking, or other outdoor options, just be sure to check the local community restrictions. There are different protocols everywhere and you need to adhere to those wherever you go.

Seek out the alternative destinations and locations — asking locals is a great way to get insight wherever you travel.

There were lots of great tips for finding off-the-beaten-path locations, guides, and more. Be sure to listen in for this section on outdoor adventure!

Whatever you could normally do doesn’t necessarily apply right now. You might need to make reservations for a timed entry to certain spaces, including national parks and campsites.

Doing the research first will help prevent you from being turned away.

You can tap into the global Wanderful community for insider tips anywhere you go.

Where to Stay During Road Trip Stops

Hotels are publicizing their safety and cleaning procedures. Call beforehand for clarification if you need it. Hotel teams and restaurants are putting in the extra effort, but you should also do your due diligence.

Call the local, small places and ask them for their policies. Large corporations will publish their policies, but if you ever have questions — just ask!

Hotel rooms that offer a door to the outside offer a great option to avoid shared spaces.

Limiting office or administrative interactions with staff also helps.

You won’t get your turndown service right now, but you can still get the services you want and need. Things like robes have been taken out, while personalized amenities have been added for your safety.

There was more great advice offered from the live audience — check it out in the recording!

Using Rest Stops or Service Areas

These types of public spaces might not be open or available right now.

Just like if you were hiking, take along tissue and extra plastic bag to throw that tissue in when you head out on your road trip. You want to be ready when nature calls, just in case you have to stop on the side of the road.

Otherwise, try to plan your bathroom breaks. Wear your mask and wash your hands, but when you get to an open and available restroom, take advantage and make sure the kids do, too!

Gas stations could be an option, but being prepared and taking along extra toilet paper and wipes is advised.

Get all the expert tips on how to budget for travel

Recommendations for Road Trip Food

One of the best parts of road tripping is finding local food and unique places along the way. Can we still find those locally-owned restaurants and seek out the unique cuisine where we travel?

During times of upheaval, take these tips for seeking out dining options during your road trips:

• Seek out the outdoor dining spaces wherever you can
• Make a reservation to ensure distancing
• Explore farmer’s markets that are open-air

Jennifer made a really important point about hydration — plus back-up food options! Get her expert insight to make sure you’re fully prepared.

Takeaway is a great alternative during your trips. Picnics and dining al fresco are such fun options in great weather!

Take advantage of this time to sit on the hood of the car or grab a blanket and a picnic basket to enjoy a new-to-you park.

Packing for Road Trips

Should you pack anything in particular for your road trips? Create a travel toolkit so you always feel prepared for anything.

Here are a few things you might want to include in your “stay healthy” toolkit for the car:

• Disposable gloves
• Small-sized hand sanitizers
• Different kinds of masks
• Neck gator or buff for convenience
• Plastic baggies

These are handy no matter how far you’re traveling from home, but especially when you’re taking a longer road trip.

Shopping Along the Way

Stopping in different places during solo road trips lets you find and buy locally-created and crafted items. Buying momentoes to bring back home is a great way to celebrate your travels while also supporting locals in the places you visit.

Connecting with local artists and photographers can be a wonderfully unique way to remember your adventure. Doing your research in advance allows you to avoid time inside shops and instead find open-air markets or stalls.

Whatever you buy, less is more, even on a road trip.

When in doubt, ask the locals for advice! You’re sure to get tips for local creators and artisans from those who live in the area.

Outdoor Adventures to Seek

From hiking to paddleboarding, national parks to lakes and beaches, there are plenty of options to choose from for outdoor adventures!

The beauty of road trips is the opportunity to take that exit or detour and stumble upon something different.

You can veer off the typical trail to find smaller parks near popular places. Or seek out different stretches of sand that are less easily accessible.

Taking solo road trips especially allows for last-minute adventures! You can make every decision for yourself, compromising with no one.

Get all the tips you need for outdoor adventures

It’s a great idea to hire a local guide so you get even more out of your outdoor adventures. Always be sure to check tour companies’ policies and procedures before you book anything.

Want some specific recommendations for alternative destinations to check out? Watch the chat right here.

Not Taking Solo Road Trips?

Road trips with friends.

Taking solo road trips can be fun, but traveling with friends can definitely make a long journey more enjoyable!

But is it safe to travel with friends and other households? Know who your friends have seen and how they have been acting recently before making the decision to travel together.

It’s up to you and your own comfort level. Only you can make the decision.

Jennifer shared her own experience traveling with a friend and how they came to the agreement. Get her insights in the full recording.

Family Road Trips with the Kids

Taking a road trip with kids instead of going solo? No worries, there are tons of ways to have fun as a family!

Keeping the kids entertained at any age is a vital part of enjoying the road trip adventure. Of course, taking extra stops to stretch those legs and making sure there are plenty of snacks will be helpful.

Taking breaks to stretch and walk, making games of everything, and relaxing a little on the screen time limitations can help everyone get through a long journey.

And don’t worry about the kids making a mess in the back. It can get cleaned up later!

Top Apps for Road Trips

There are plenty of road trip apps that can help you plan and prepare for any adventure.

But — always remember! — if you’re going hiking and exploring outdoors, you might lose service. Paper maps as back-ups are critical if you’re heading off-road for a while.

Plant Snap is great for identifying plants and flowers wherever you go. Star Walk is a fantastic app for identifying constellations and stars when you’re in the great outdoors.

Dyrt Pro is a camping community sharing lots of helpful tips for campgrounds and campsites.

And, of course, AAA will help you no matter where you are! (Thanks to Allison for sharing that reminder.)

And, since Jennifer is a meteorologist, she reminded us to keep an eye on the weather! RadarScope, NOAA, and The Weather Channel all have apps so you can monitor storms and stay out of trouble as best you can.

There were tons of other apps shouted out in the comments, which our experts shared. Catch those and download the ones you need.

Are you feeling ready for your solo road trip? Get all the tips from our experts and get more guidance and advice from the whole Wanderful community.

Learn about membership options here and members, sign into your members-only app right here .

Feature image by Hector Perez on Pexels.com

Wanderful Woman Summit: Get all the tools you need to travel safely and confidently.

Wanderful Team

We are the Wanderful Team, helping connect women travelers everywhere. Join our international membership community of globally-minded women to connect, learn, share, and celebrate! Visit sheswanderful.com/join

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Top 10 Tips to Prepare for a Solo Road Trip

Road trips are often taken in pairs or big groups , but going for long drives alone can end up being even more fun. When you're on a solo adventure, you don't have to conform to anyone else's agenda or expectations. You're the driver, the navigator, the DJ, and the only one eating all those road trip snacks. And while it may get lonely at times, traveling alone has a way of pushing people out of their comfort zones. However, it can also be dangerous. Anyone planning a solo road trip should take extra steps to prepare and keep safety top of mind.

Talk to the People Around You

It would be easy for a solo traveler to go days without talking to anyone but drive-through workers and gas station clerks, but the lack of human contact can start to take a toll on your psyche. Make sure you keep communicating with others, whether it be regular check-ins with your family and friends or, better yet, meeting fellow travelers on the road. Ask whether you can join a group on a hike, sit next to another solo traveler at a coffeeshop, or strike up a conversation with your camping neighbor. You may even end up with a temporary travel partner, if that's what you want.

Tell Someone Your Plans

Image Source / DigitalVision / Getty Images

The number one safety rule is to always tell someone where you're going. Call a parent, friend, or spouse before embarking on a hike, spending a day at the beach, or settling into a campsite at night, then check in with your point-of-contact when you reach your destination so they know you've made it safely. Better yet, share your location with someone on your phone or purchase a wearable tracker, such as a Fitbit or a more budget-friendly alternative.

Try to anticipate when you might lose phone service and call beforehand, but in scenarios when you can't, at least leave a note on your car that says where you are. This is important in the event of an emergency that would require law enforcement to look for you.

Bring Your Four-Legged Friend

 Evgeny Vasenev / Aurora Photos / Getty Images 

Does it count as solo travel if you bring a pet along with you? Dogs and cats have been scientifically proven to relieve loneliness and depression in humans which must mean that they'd make great travel partners. You may run into limitations when traveling with a pet—there might be areas you want to explore that aren't dog-friendly—but on the flip side, you'll always have someone to talk to and to potentially protect you. Always talk to your vet and get a clean bill of health before embarking on a road trip with your pet . 

Prepare Backup Resources

 Hero Images / Getty Images 

Your cell phone will act as a lifeline during your solo adventure, but it won't do much good if it's dead and you're in no position to charge it. It's a good idea to bring backups for your vital electronics like cell phone batteries and chargers. Put a charged-up old cell phone in your glove box for emergencies. Even if the cell phone isn’t connected to a network, dialing 911 will activate the emergency mode and allow you to communicate with first responders.

In the same vein, you should have backup resources on your devices, such as important documents (your passport, credit card information, driver's license) saved to your Cloud. It's best to pre-mark a route on whatever virtual navigation system you'll be using and have a backup of that, too. In addition to Google or Apple Maps, download Maps.me , which lets you download maps of certain areas and use the navigation offline. To keep an eye on tourist sites on the route, you can use an app like Roadtrippers or carry a National Geographic paper map .

Make Sure Your Ride Is Ready

The surest way to get yourself stranded is to not have your vehicle checked over before heading on a road trip . Go through the trouble of taking your ride to a licensed mechanic. Make sure the tires are good and you have what you need to handle any inclement weather. Get the oil changed, top off the fluids, check the brakes, and make sure the cooling system is in good shape. Have the manual handy in case a light comes on during your trip. Before you go, double check your car insurance plan and secure a membership to AAA for round-the-clock roadside assistance.

Stock up on Food and Water

 Westend61 / Getty Images 

It would also be wise to travel with a stock of non-perishable food items and water, just in case you must go miles without a suitable stop. You'll want to keep healthy, nutritious snacks on-hand and not just the standard road trip junk food. Be careful of your salt intake, as it can leave you dehydrated, and drink as much water as possible but avoid soda. For emergencies, keep trail mix, meal replacement bars, and dehydrated food packs in your car.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Accidents can happen, and if they do during your trip, you're going to wish you had made space for an emergency kit . The ideal kit would have first-aid essentials, blankets, and roadside hazard items such as flares and cones. Basic tools and jumper cables will come in handy if your vehicle breaks down and a flashlight is a must. In addition to car insurance, solo road trippers may also want to secure travel insurance, which covers things like medical emergencies, theft, and accident coverage while traveling. Allianz Travel Insurance , RoamRight , and Seven Corners all offer road trip-specific plans.

Don't Overdo It

Maya Karkalicheva / Moment / Getty Images

You should never operate an RV or vehicle for more than 12 consecutive hours without an extended break. In fact, eight hours of active driving is plenty for most. After a full day on the road, your eyes will be heavy and you'll start to lose focus anyway, making you prone to accidents. Most highways in the U.S. are dotted with frequent rest areas where you can take a nap or stretch your legs. Some even give away free coffee to keep drivers awake. Do some research before you go and plot the good stops on a map to make it more exciting.

Load up on Entertainment

If you're relying solely on the scenery to keep you alert, you may get bored. Boredom can lead to sleepiness and sleepiness can be detrimental to driving, so prepare some upbeat playlists, audiobooks, or podcasts before you go. If you know that the sound of talking may bore you even more, then make sure you have enough music to keep the tunes flowing. For your safety, try not to resort to talking on the phone.

Have a Little Fun

Nazar Abbas Photography / Moment / Getty Images 

Make the most of burning the miles by yourself, whether it means getting your favorite guilty-pleasure dessert, stopping by a roadside attraction you wouldn’t usually see, or buying yourself a few trinkets at a roadside stand. Spoil yourself. And don't be afraid to go to a bar, a coffeeshop, or sign up for a tour on your own.

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

15 Great Solo Road Trips: All Solo Traveler Tested

August 31, 2020 by Janice Waugh

Solo road trip? Yay!

Regular readers have heard this from me before. I love road trips.

And given that  A Road Trip Alone: Top 10 Tips to Prepare  has been the #1 post on Solo Traveler for the last six months, I gather that many readers love taking to the road solo as well.

So, it's time to line up the best solo road trips that some of our readers, Tracey, and I have taken and tell you a little about each so that you can decide which is right for you.

If you're new to road trips you may want to first read:  A Solo Road Trip: Why You Can and Why It Will Be Fabulous!

Table of Contents

Australia Road Trip Route: East Coast and Tasmania

On this trip, Solo Traveler reader, Jeanette, took a road trip of a lifetime. She flew into Cairns, eastern Australia, went north and then south to Brisbane. From there she flew to Hobart, Tasmania and did a large loop of the island.

In this post she shares what she did along the way, tips to make it easy for you to follow her route, and her favorite photos. From her experience on the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns to the Port Arthur Penal Colony in Tasmania, she shares it all. Solo Travel Destination: Australia Road Trip .

One Week Road Trip in Iceland

Driving the full ring road is a classic Iceland road trip but at over 800 miles, or more than 1300 km, it requires at least a couple of weeks to cover well. With only 8 days, I focused on the southeast coast. I picked up the rental car at the Reykjavik airport and discovered that it involved more instructions than usual. There are a few important things to know about driving in Iceland which are all shared in this post: A Road Trip Through Iceland .

A New Mexico Road Trip Alone

This road trip through New Mexico took Solo Traveler reader, Joanie up the Turquoise Highway to the funky art town of Madrid, then Santa Fe, Taos, and Abiquiú, where she stayed at Ghost Ranch (Georgia O'Keefe territory). On her way back to Albuquerque she stopped at Bandelier National Monument.

Natural beauty, art, local indigenous culture and, above all, solitude were enjoyed on this trip, which you can read about here: Solo Travel Destination: New Mexico Road Trip .

The Acadian Coastal Drive, New Brunswick, Canada

On this solo road trip you'll enjoy spectacular ocean views, the warmest ocean beaches north of Virginia, and dozens of small harbors where you can watch the catch come in and, in season, buy lobster for a song. There are also restaurants that feature Acadian food, the Acadian Village near Caraquet to give you a history of the people, and Le Pays de la Sangouine, which offers activities and entertainment springing from the novels of Antonine Maillet, a famous Acadian author. If you go in August don't miss the Tintamarre on August 15th.

Moncton is the natural starting point for this road trip. You can get there by plane, train, or bus. You can also rent a car or drive your own to your starting point. There are more details on what to do, and where to stay and eat here: The Great Acadian Road Trip: Itinerary, Tips and Lots of Pics

Acadian Shores: Nova Scotia

As the Acadians were dispersed all over North America, one Acadian experience is not like another. To get a completely different sense of Acadian culture and an amazing seaside experience, go to the Acadian Shores of Nova Scotia.

This trip starts in either Halifax or Yarmouth to which there is a ferry service in the high season from Bar Harbor, Maine. Read about this trip here: Acadian Shores Road Trip: How to Enjoy 4 Days of Sea and Sky

Solo Road Trip Exploring Medieval Germany

2017 was the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation which began with theologian Martin Luther posting his 95 theses, a list of questions and propositions for debate, to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. Doing so confronted the institution of the Catholic Church and changed Christianity forever.

Despite the anniversary being in 2017, you can still follow this road trip and explore the birthplace of Protestantism. There are towns which are given the moniker Lutherstadt before their name (Lutherstadt Wittenberg, for example). There is also the Lutherweg, which is a four hundred kilometer walking trail that goes through the many cities impacted by the Reformation.

All that sounds pretty serious, but, in fact, Germany celebrated this anniversary with reverence and kitsch. In the gift shops, there were Luther-themed socks, chocolates, wine, beer, Luther-shaped pasta, little Playmobil Martin Luthers, Che Guevara-styled Luther t-shirts, and, a favorite kitschy Luther item, Katharina Luther (Luther’s wife) perfume No.95 (get it…like the 95 theses).

Read more about this road trip: Taking the Scenic Route: Road Trip through Medieval Germany

Ontario, Canada Back Roads Trip

The shortest, most direct route to Killarney, Ontario, Tracey's destination, involved 250 km on a highway that is not known for being scenic. It is known for fast drivers, interspersed with swaths of construction projects and frequent, lengthy cottage country traffic jams.

Her response to the idea of driving that far on Highway 400 alone, as a relatively new driver, ranged from disappointment to boredom to fear. It wasn’t what she had in mind for the only trip out of the city she was going to get during a hot, humid summer.

So for her solo road trip she opted for the back roads. She asked Google Maps for a different route–one that would avoid major highways, toll roads, and ferries. The difference in timing was substantial. If she took the highway, she could be sitting by the water in 4 1/2 hours. Avoiding the highway would add at least 1 1/2 hours.  Ah, but read here about the pleasures that extra time delivered: A Solo Summer Road Trip to Killarney .

Solo Road Trip on the North Coast 500, Scotland

Scotland's North Coast 500 can be walked, cycled, and driven. But it's five hundred miles. A road trip is recommended.

Following the northern coast of Scotland, it offers dramatic landscape, narrow roads, lots of Highland cattle and sheep, and above all, lots of heartwarming Scottish people. This solo road trip was taken by Su from Austria. She did it in 12 days.

In Su's words, “Many visitors basically rush through in 5 days, which doesn’t make sense to me. It was just fantastic taking my time to explore the countryside on hikes and walks, catch up with the locals, and enjoy homemade food and drinks. This is not a place for high speed, it is a country to dive into and soak up the Scot Spirit. I recommend it to everyone who loves pristine nature and remote places with a bit of a rough spirit.”

Read more here:  Solo Travel Destination: North Coast 500 Road Trip, Scotland .

Road Trip through Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia – Circular

Now, this is another road trip that I took but, I confess, I did not take it solo. It was my honeymoon as I remarried in 2017. However, I would take it solo. The roads were in great condition and the signage was easy to follow, so I'm recommending it in this post.

The first post in the list below gives you our itinerary, driving times, and budget. It also covers what I learned about renting a car in Italy and how to book the ferry between Croatia and Italy. However, plans always get changed while traveling. The second post below compares our plan to what really happened. Then, there are some posts on the highlights in our different destinations. Read Planning a Road Trip Around the Adriatic: Slovenia, Croatia & Italy

Cape Breton Road Trip – Sea to Sky in Nova Scotia

Visit a bit of Scotland in North America. Nova Scotia means new Scotland and you definitely get the feeling of Scotland's highlands there, especially when you visit Cape Breton Island. The whole island has a population of about 150,000 spread over small towns and villages. It has fabulous music with ceilidhs (pronounced kay-lees) to be found everywhere, the top golf course in North America, the historical summer home of Alexander Graham Bell, great seafood, the Fortress Louisbourg, and much more. Unlike Scotland, you get to drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Most of this trip is easy driving. The roads in Nova Scotia are in good shape. However, touring the Cabot Trail raises the level of difficulty somewhat. I met a woman who was 70 who did the trail alone in a small RV. It is definitely doable but it will be a slight challenge for some people.

Unless you live nearby, you will likely fly into Halifax Stanfield International Airport and drive to Cape Breton from there. There are chain hotels on Cape Breton but you'll likely enjoy the small, family run enterprises better. Read these three posts for the highlights of any trip to Cape Breton plus where I stayed and what I ate. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: 32 Tips for a Great Trip

American Southwest – Phoenix, Arizona to Denver, Colorado

Get outside of Phoenix and there is magic in Arizona. From the Arcosanti community to the Painted Desert to Sedona's new age stores, spas, and galleries to the wonder of the Grand Canyon, there is magic everywhere. This road trip took me from Phoenix north through Arizona to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, to Zion National Park, then across to southern Utah and Monument Valley, and finally over to Colorado, Durango, and Denver. It was an exciting trip that was diverse and across landscape I had never seen the likes of before. It was spectacular! Sedona is as new age as you'll find and Durango looks like it's out of the old west. Driving over the continental divide near the end of the trip was yet another thrill in this road trip that offered many.

Most of this trip was relatively easy driving but if you include Colorado you will likely be challenged by the Durango to Denver leg, which includes the Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray. It's a two-lane highway with virtually no shoulder and a very steep drop-off. I approached it very early in the morning to avoid traffic and was glad that I did.

I flew into Phoenix and out of Denver and had a small RV for the trip. The RV was sponsored so I didn't face a drop-off fee but you likely will if you rent a vehicle. If you want to turn this into a loop I'd go as far as Mesa Verde National Park and then head back south through New Mexico back to Phoenix. You could also do much of this trip out by flying into Las Vegas if that is of interest to you. Here are the posts from that trip to help.

• Arizona Road Trip: First Feelings, Findings and Photos
• A Road Trip Through the American Southwest

Alberta from Border to Border

At under 500 km, this road trip is far from the lengthiest journey you could take to explore Western Canada. However, the variety of scenery that you’ll come across will leave you feeling like you’ve covered a lot more ground. This is the Alberta that not everyone gets the chance to see.

This post was contributed by Luke Fandrich, a photographer and filmmaker. His work showcases his home province of Alberta in a spectacular way. The road trip that he recommends does not include what are traditionally Alberta's highlights – Calgary, Edmonton, Banff, and Jasper. In his words, “Western Canada is a big place, and nothing will help you appreciate that more than a road trip that takes you across several distinct prairie landscapes in a matter of hours.”

His solo road trip ditches the Trans-Canada Highway and the Crowsnest Highway and covers a drive from the Saskatchewan border to the British Columbia border with a few detours. From the Cypress Hills to the Red Coat Trail, from the hoodoos of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump where the prairies meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Luke, with his photographer's eyes, guides us through this road trip to see its magic. Read Border to Border in Alberta: A Western Canada Road Trip .

Solo Road Trip around Lake Ontario

A circular road trip has symmetry to it. There's no backtracking. You're always moving forward and if you have rented a car you can easily return it to your starting place which saves money. In North America we have the Great Lakes: Superior, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Michigan. Circumnavigating any one of these lakes is an adventure.

Given that I live on Lake Ontario, this is the lake that I traveled around. Starting from home I went east to Prince Edward County and further on to Kingston, Ontario, then south across the border into the United States and west to Rochester then further west and north back into Canada and Niagara-on-the-Lake. This trip takes you through three wine districts, charming towns with wonderful restaurants, the major theater center of Niagara, the opportunity for exceptional cooking schools (I took a class at the Waring House Cookery School in Prince Edward County), and a few unusual museums like George Eastman House.

This is a super easy road trip. Other than two spectacular bridges, one ferry, and crossing the border between Canada and the US twice, it's all pretty easy, two-lane roads.

I did my trip in a week, though I would recommend longer. I suggest three nights in any one location, which makes the trip more relaxing. It should have been a 10 to 12-day trip.

Nova Scotia Road Trip for a New Driver

At the age of 49, Tracey received her driver’s licence. Two weeks later she flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia, picked up a rental car, and embarked on her first solo road trip. By the end, she declared her first solo road trip a success!

In this post Tracey shares, in detail, the itinerary and experience of her first road trip. Six days in all. Lots to see and do, plus confidence to be gained. In the end she concluded that a solo road trip is something everyone should do.

“If you have not taken one, I encourage you to give it a try. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can. Now that I’ve got one under my belt, I can’t wait to start planning the next.”

Read My First Solo Road Trip: Nova Scotia

New York City to Bar Harbor, Maine

New England is charming. I took this road trip after attending a conference in New York City and it took me into a small-town paradise. Boston may not be a small town but when you walk the city it can feel so. Otherwise, I was on Cape Cod relaxing on the beach, bopping around Provincetown, or exploring Hyannis and the JFK House Museum there. Further north I was in Bar Harbor and I camped in Acadia National Park where the sunrise over North America can first be seen on Cadillac Mountain. This trip would be an especially beautiful trip in the fall when the trees are in full color.

The driving is easy but the navigation can be a bit tricky. Avoiding the freeways can demand quite a few turns on this route. I was happy to have a GPS with me.

To return from Bar Harbor to New York City is an 8 1/2 hour drive. You need to plan for this unless you're dropping off a car somewhere.

Posts on How to Solo Road Trip

• A Road Trip Alone: Top 10 Tips to Prepare  
• A Winter Road Trip Alone: 32 Tips You Need to Know
• Driving Tips for Europe: Written and Unwritten Rules of the Road
• 50 Road Trip Songs: The Ultimate Solo Playlist

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Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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22 Best Solo Road Trip Ideas In The USA (Epic!)

This guide to solo road trips in the United States contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Looking for fun solo road trip ideas in the USA?

Then you’re in the right place!

Whether it’s your first time going on a road trip by yourself or the hundredth, the solo road trip destinations and routes mentioned below are sure to please.

Discover stunning coastal drives, adventurous routes showcasing national parks, and road trips that introduce you to local history, cultural, and even a few oddities!

Best of all, each road trip listed below has been carefully curated to appeal to solo travelers specifically so that you can confidently hit the road on your own and have an amazing time.

Ready to get inspired and find your perfect solo road trip? Keep reading!

Table of Contents

Road Trip By Yourself With Confidence (Free Course!)

But first, before we dive into our ultimate solo road trip guide, I want to invite you to grab access to the free Savvy Solo Traveler ecourse, which can help you successfully plan your  first solo travel experience !

The six-day ecourse is designed to help you feel confident about booking your solo trip and exploring the world alone. Lessons include:

• Common solo travel fears and how to overcome them
• How to choose your perfect solo trip
• How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
• Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
• Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
• How to take amazing solo selfies

Grab your seat in the course here . Then keep reading to learn everything you need to know about creating the perfect solo road trip itinerary and how to travel solo successfully .

Best Solo Road Trip Ideas In The USA

Now it’s time to dive into our list of epic solo road trip destinations in the United States!

One of the biggest solo travel advantages is having ultimate freedom over your itinerary, and this guide shares some great routes to schedule into yours.

This list is in no way exhaustive, so if you have a route to add please leave it in the comments below. For instance, while many of the trips in this list are shorter, you might also consider a cross country road trip alone .

My goal: To empower this solo female travel community to confidently hit the road solo!

1. NYC To The 1000 Islands

Start: New York City

End: 1000 Islands, New York State

Distance: 352 miles+

About the solo road trip:

Looking for solo road trip ideas on the East Coast ? This is one of my favorites!

First of all, bustling New York York sits in stark contrast to the laid-back 1000 Islands, a region that straddles the New York (US)-Canadian border and features 1,864 islands. This means you get two completely different experiences at the beginning and end of your trip.

In NYC, wander interesting neighborhoods like the Upper East Side and the West Village , book a private NYC photo tour or explore local culture through a fun group tour , enjoy outdoor adventure through hiking in Manhattan , dine at truly unique New York restaurants , and take in some of the best views in NYC for free , to name a few experiences.

Honestly, I recommend spending as much time as possible in New York City before your road trip begins, as it’s one of the best places to travel solo in the US !

In the 1000 Islands, take a SUP yoga class with River Yoga, sip your way through the Thousand Islands Seaway Wine Trail, go whitewater rafting on the Black River with Whitewater Challengers, take a sunset sail with Sail Ontario, hike in the 2,636-acre Wellesley Island State Park, and visit the famous Boldt Castle before relaxing with a waterfront meal at Bella’s Restaurant in Clayton.

But, that’s not all.

Along this solo road trip, you’ll have numerous options for interesting stopovers, like Corning (home to the famous Corning Museum of Glass !), Oswego County (with beautiful parks like the Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area and Salmon River Falls Unique Area), Lewis County (where you can explore rugged countrsyide), and Lawrence County (home to some of the best hiking in Upstate New York ).

This road trip is great for solo travelers because it truly offers a choose-your-own adventure experience. You can go off the grid and travel in solitude or choose popular activities that put you with other people.

Moreover, there are loads of things to do in New York State that you can explore along the route!

-Jessie Festa, Jessie on a Journey + Epicure & Culture

2. Las Vegas To Grand Canyon Solo Road Trip

Start: Las Vegas, Nevada

End: Grand Canyon, Arizona

Distance: 270 miles+

One of the coolest and safest road trips in the USA for solo travelers is the route from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, which is stunning and is also done on interstate highways. 

It will take about four hours one way to get there, covering about 270 miles. Drive down the Las Vegas Strip and head towards the Hoover Dam (via I-515 S and I-11 S), which you’ll get to in about 40 minutes.

Spend a couple of hours admiring this man-made engineering marvel, which straddles the Nevada-Arizona border. It is recommended that you book tickets in advance for touring the Hoover Dam and visiting special exhibits, which you can do here.

From the Hoover Dam, it is another 95 miles to reach the Grand Canyon West Rim and 240 miles to the Grand Canyon National Park. Once you are at the park’s West Rim, you can enjoy the glass-bottomed Skywalk Bridge ( tickets here ) and soak in the views of the natural gem.

If you are heading towards the South Rim, consider spending a night or two in the Grand Canyon village to sleep right in the park. This makes it easier to wake up early and take in a gorgeous Grand Canyon sunrise, as well!

– Mayuri from ToSomePlaceNew

3. Maui’s Road To Hana In Hawaii

Start: Paia, Hawaii

End: Haleakala National Park Entrance, Kipahulu District, Hawaii

Distance:  60 miles

About the solo road trip :

Maui’s Road to Hana is one of the most famous US road trips — and with over 600 hairpin turns, dozens of beautiful vistas, and plenty of exciting stops along the way, it’s easy to see why!

Plus, beautiful and safe Hawaii is a paradise for those traveling solo , making this road trip the perfect addition to a solo Hawaii itinerary.

Start your drive in Paia, a surfing town on the north side of the island. Follow the road east for the next 60 miles for some of Maui’s most beautiful scenery!

Technically, this road goes past the tiny town of Hana and ends at the eastern entrance of Haleakala National Park. This is one road trip that is definitely more about the journey than the destination.

For the best experience, rent a car and drive this road yourself. That way, you can stop along the route as much as you want!

To get helpful and entertaining commentary along the way, download an audio guide app before you go, such as the Shaka Guide. 

While there are dozens of stops along the way, there are a few must-visits. The first one is the Keanae Peninsula, which you’ll see just past Mile Marker 16. Here you can try the famous Aunty Sandy’s banana bread — made with sweet Maui bananas — and enjoy views of the ocean along the rugged, lava-crusted coastline.

Next, make sure to visit Waianapanapa State Park at Mile Marker 32! You’ll need an advance reservation to enter, but it’s worth it to visit Maui’s most beautiful black sand beach. 

Just past Mile Marker 45, you’ll reach the most photographed waterfall on Maui, Wailua Falls! This 80-foot waterfall is just a short hike from the road.

Finally, make sure to stop at Haleakala National Park at Mile Marker 42 (the mile markers start going down once you pass the town of Hana). Here you can hike the famous Pipiwai Trail — one of the world’s most beautiful hiking trails — which takes you through a bamboo forest and to the gorgeous 400-foot Waimoku Falls.

-Jennifer from Glassesandboardingpasses

4. Blue Ridge Parkway In North Carolina

Start: Cherokee, North Carolina

End:  Waynesboro, Virginia

Distance: 469 miles

Arguably ranking among the world’s greatest road trips and the most iconic driving routes in the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina to Waynesboro, Virginia. 

This stunningly scenic route was originally envisioned by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1935 as a means to connect Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia — where it turns into the equally picturesque Skyline Drive. 

The visionary plan was part of his historic New Deal initiative, which FDR designed to improve American infrastructure and create jobs as a means to accelerate the nation’s economic recovery after the Great Depression. 

The vast majority of the construction of the 469-mile parkway was completed by 1966, but it took another 21 years to finish the eight-mile stretch in North Carolina that includes the technically difficult engineering feat now known as the Linn Cove Viaduct.

Now, with more than 15 million people driving some portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway every year, it is the most visited unit of the US National Park Service. 

The fact that the Blue Ridge Parkway is so popular is a big part of what makes it so safe for solo travelers. You may be alone in your car, but there are virtually always other cars, RVs, and cyclists riding the winding, mountainous roads through the heart of the Blue Ridge region.

You’ll likely encounter friendly strangers at many of the 200+ breathtaking overlooks along the way, and the 200-mile North Carolina section takes you close to charming mountain towns such as Asheville, Cherokee, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, and Boone that offer plenty of overnight accommodation options. There are also great hiking trails near Boone !

The parkway is an extraordinary conservation initiative, with virtually no commerce — including hotels, restaurants, billboards or, importantly, gas stations — alongside the road.

What it does offer is jaw-dropping natural beauty, including Jefferson, George Washington, Nantahala, and Pisgah National Forests; numerous impressive state parks; and countless hiking trails, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and streams. 

The North Carolina section is where you’ll find many of the parkway’s most noteworthy landmarks, including Mount Mitchell (the tallest peak east of the Mississippi River), Grandfather Mountain, the Linville Gorge Wilderness, Looking Glass Rock, and Julian Price Memorial Park.

Each of these iconic places offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the splendor of America’s wilderness at its most pristine.  

-Bret Love & Mary Gabbett from Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide

5. Solo Road Trip Through New York’s Finger Lakes Region

Start : Rochester, New York

End : Syracuse, New York

Distance: 270 – 350 miles

New York’s incredibly popular Finger Lakes region is a peaceful getaway filled with world-famous wine, locally produced ciders and craft beers, stunning waterfalls, dramatic gorges, and some of the best hikes in Upstate New York . It’s the perfect combination for a solo road trip!

Road tripping routes through the Finger Lakes are completely open to your own interpretation. 

A more relaxing break might involve circumnavigating Seneca and Cayuga Lakes on boozy wine tasting tours and slowly exploring quaint lakeside villages.

However, the action-packed Finger Lakes itinerary I’ll be sharing begins in Rochester and ends in Syracuse, with a total driving distance of anywhere between 270 miles by main roads and 350 miles by taking the scenic route.

Up first is a true Finger Lakes hidden gem: Letchworth State Park, which is lesser-known and further out from the epicenter of state parks around Ithaca, New York. Three gorgeous waterfalls and a dramatic 400-foot deep horseshoe-shaped gorge are unmissable Letchworth highlights.

From hidden gem to magazine front cover, the Finger Lakes’ star attraction is Watkins Glen State Park , which is one place you absolutely can’t miss on a visit to the region. A beautifully crafted stone walkway transports visitors past 19 picturesque waterfalls cascading through Glen Canyon, climaxing at spectacular Rainbow Falls.

Take a break from the waterfalls by sampling award-winning wines, swimming in Seneca Lake, and visiting 19th-century Belhurst Castle in the small but charming city of Geneva.

Back to gorges and waterfalls, a scenic trip awaits in the famous college town of Ithaca.

First is Taughannock Falls State Park, which features the tallest single drop waterfall east of the Rockies. Next up, blow the cobwebs off with steep gorge hikes in both Robert H Treman and Buttermilk Falls State Parks.

The last stop after leaving Ithaca is arguably the prettiest and most tourist-friendly village in the region, Skaneateles. This quintessential and vibrant Finger Lakes hamlet sits on a clear blue lake with high-end dining and boutique stores a plenty.

New York’s Finger Lakes cater to solo travelers who enjoy photography, hiking, countryside drives, and escapism; however, starting out solo doesn’t necessarily mean staying solo. Join a highly rated wine tour to meet like-minded people and make new connections.

– Mark and Kristen from Where Are Those Morgans ?

6. Driving The Great River Road In Louisiana

Start : New Orleans, Louisiana

End : New Orleans, Louisiana

Distance: 280 miles

The Great River Road in Louisiana isn’t a shy kind of place. Its iconic images include grand avenues with dripping live oaks, opulent plantation homes, and mint juleps on the side. 

Yet, of course, there’s more to it than that. And through initiatives like the Whitney Plantation Museum, which focuses on sharing the stories of those enslaved rather than their owners, there’s never been a better time to explore this part of the US. 

Most road trips start and finish in New Orleans — and with very good reason. It’s a fantastic city to explore. Forget any notions of all-night parties (unless you want to), as in New Orleans you’ll find tasteful art galleries, cool gardens, acres of history, and an abundance of chicory coffee and sugary beignets. 

From there, consider a detour to Lafayette to see Vermilionville, a living museum that tells the tale of the Acadian people, refugees from French Canada and forerunners of Cajun culture and cuisine. Stop along the way for bowls of gumbo and foot-stomping Zydeco music. Just watch out for the gators along the edge of the road. 

Then follow the Old Man River and drive beside the Mississippi along the Great River Road. It’s fun to stop off at Louisiana’s state capital Baton Rouge to check out the museums and the bar that serves oysters in nearly 100 different ways. 

But the real draw is the story of those swamps and those grand plantation homes. 

It may not sound like it but a swamp tour is a serene way to spend half a day. Drift amid marshmallow and tumbling leaves on the bayous as alligators watch with glee. 

Then make sure to visit at least these two plantation homes: Oak Alley and the Whitney. 

Oak Alley is the famous one; the one with a tunnel of trees along the driveway and a feature in a Beyoncé video. 

Then there is the Whitney, a place with haunting statues of enslaved children. A graveyard for babies. Trading chains and shackles amid the Gone with the Wind era romance.

It makes for a sobering visit. And adds important context to an otherwise flamboyant and fun road trip from New Orleans.

In terms of why this road trip is great for solo travelers, you can explore the plantations at your own pace and yet there’s always company to be found thanks to the legendary southern hospitality.

-Abigail from Inside the Travel Lab

7. Death Valley To Yosemite National Park In California

Start: Death Valley, California

End: Yosemite National Park, California

Distance: 285 miles

An amazing solo road trip in the US is the drive through the Eastern Sierras from Death Valley to Yosemite. The views out your window will take your breath away, and this 285-mile trip through California features many spectacular outdoor spaces that you can explore to your heart’s content and truly enjoy solo.

Begin your solo road trip in the unique and unforgiving landscape of Death Valley National Park near the border of Nevada. This desert is the hottest place on earth, and you can visit the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin.

From there, head west to the town of Lone Pine to check out the highest point in the continental US, Mount Whitney. While you can hike to the 14,505 foot tall Mount Whitney summit in one day — if you’re lucky enough to win the permit lottery — it is a very intense hike. You can take an easier hike to appreciate this epic peak in the distance instead.

Then continue your road trip north to Bishop. This cool mountain town is a playground for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.

Continue your outdoor adventures by exploring all the things to do in Mammoth Lakes, where you can also rejuvenate with a relaxing soak in the local hot springs.

This awesome road trip culminates in the iconic Yosemite National Park. Enjoy the beauty of Tuolumne Meadows on your drive into the park as you head to Yosemite Valley. Here you’ll find yourself in the shadow of the grand granite walls of Half Dome and El Capitan. Be sure to spend at least a night or two in the park to cap off your Eastern Sierras solo road trip!

-Allison from She Dreams of Alpine

8. San Diego To Los Angeles California Road Trip

Start: San Diego, California

End: Los Angeles, California

Distance: 120 miles

If you’re looking for solo road trip ideas that are simple yet scenic, this one is for you.

A road trip from San Diego to Los Angeles might not win you any points for originality, but it works perfectly if you are a solo traveler looking for a convenient and safe adventure with stunning scenery and plenty of options for lodging, entertainment, and dining. 

Unlike some other California road trips, the drive from San Diego to Los Angeles doesn’t require you to spend hours on the road and go to remote areas with scarce cell phone coverage. 

Moreover, if you decide to take a 120-mile drive from San Diego to Los Angeles, you will have countless options — from the upscale La Jolla just north of San Diego where you can visit galleries and admire wildlife to beautiful Orange County famous for its surfing spots like Trestles and San Onofre and the historic mission in San Juan Capistrano. 

Another spot that is worth your attention is Laguna Beach, home to the stunning Crystal Cove State Park showcasing unspoiled beauty and rich marine wildlife. If you’re looking for a solo beach vacation , it’s perfect for that, too.

And then there is Dana Point, a small seaside town that has been dubbed “the whale capital of the west” that offers daily boat tours if you want to see these iconic animals. 

Of course, solo travel in Los Angeles also offers tons of things to do and see, from beautiful beaches to amazing shopping to world-class restaurants to epic LA hikes with waterfalls .

If you plan to do this route for the first time, make sure to spare enough time because you will have an infinite amount of places to choose from. 

-Daria from The Discovery Nut

9. Route 66 From Chicago To Los Angeles

Start: Chicago, Illinois

End: Los Angelos, California

Distance: About 2,500 miles

Route 66 is an iconic highway in the United States , originally created to connect Chicago to Los Angeles. It has since been re-routed and extended.

Moreover, it’s also known as the Will Rogers Highway or simply “The Mother Road” and has been recognized in popular culture on TV shows like The Simpsons and Doctor Who and on video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Start in Chicago at the “Begin” sign and see a bit of the city before heading off on your 2,500-mile adventure road-tripping from Chicago to Los Angeles while traversing eight states:

• New Mexico,
• and California.

Make your way over two weeks to Los Angeles, where you’ll be rewarded with Pacific Ocean views. Most choose to end their adventure at the Santa Monica Boardwalk.

There are many attractions along Route 66, but some of the most famous ones are the St. Louis Gateway Arch in Missouri, the Blue Whale of Catoosa outside of Tulsa in Oklahoma, and the Grand Canyon, which is one of the most popular day trips from Route 66. 

Plus, there are so many fun things to do when traveling solo in Texas .

This road trip is perfect for solo travelers because it’s fast-paced and provides many opportunities to meet other travelers on the road. While you may spend your nights in interesting kitschy motels, you’ll spend your days in diners and at roadside attractions where quirky characters abound.

-Stephanie from Oklahoma Wonders

10. Florida’s Gulf Coast

Start: Destin, Florida

End: Marco Island, Florida

Distance: 600 miles

As one of the largest states in the US, the Sunshine State of Florida has a huge diversity of culture, climates, and landscapes that’s often lost on many travelers who may build their vacation around just one place. From north to south, Florida has so many faces, making it perfect for exploring on a road trip.

The Gulf Coast of Florida in particular offers a variety of local foods, ecosystems, and some of the best beaches in the country.

Your road trip starts on Florida’s Panhandle — so named as the handle by which the entire peninsula can be carried. 

Known as the Emerald Coast, one visit to the town of Destin will show you why. The emerald green waters beg you to stay for at least a few days, and you should. Hike the dune trails at Henderson Beach State Park then spend time lounging on these gorgeous beaches.

From Destin, head east to the state capital of Tallahassee. The landscape becomes wooded and the small city is easy to navigate. Don’t miss the Tallahassee Museum and a Shakespeare performance at the Amphitheatre.

The next day set off for Cedar Key to explore one of Florida’s hidden gems. Foodies will love a visit here as the small town is famous for their clams.

This part of the Gulf coast below the Big Bend is where Florida’s Nature Coast begins. Drive south to Crystal River and Homosassa and spend a few days exploring Three Sisters Springs by kayak where you can swim with manatees in the crystal clear warm springs.

Just south of the Nature Coast is Tampa and St. Petersburg where you should visit Ybor City, the historically Cuban quarter of Tampa. The food and local culture here are worth the day trip to the city.

After exploring the many things to do in Tampa and Sarasota, the drive south reveals a landscape that’s more remote and coastal as you head to southwest Florida.

Fort Myers is a vibrant and vintage city made famous by its notable summer residents Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, who both had homes here. Plan a visit to tour their houses and spend a day swimming and sunbathing on Sanibel Island or Fort Myers Beach.

From here, wind your way to the Paradise Coast of Naples and Marco Island, the gateway to the Florida Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands, one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in Florida.

-Lori from Naples Florida Travel Guide

11. Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway In South Dakota

Start: Black Hills, South Dakota

End: Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

Distance: 20 miles

If you’re looking for solo road trip ideas for the Midwest , this route takes you through 1,000-foot limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and stunning scenery without the crowds!

Head to the Black Hills of South Dakota for a spectacular drive through the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. This peaceful 20-mile winding drive runs through a canyon between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing and is filled with breathtaking scenery, waterfalls, lakes, and limestone cliffs — natural beauty you have to see for yourself!

There are three waterfalls in the canyon and all bring their own unique appeal. The first being Bridal Veil Falls, which you can see from the road, making it a convenient stop. The other two are Roughlock Falls and Spearfish Falls, both near the Spearfish Canyon Lodge. Viewing all three is a must.

If you’re up for a little adventure travel , you can rent an ATV across from the Spearfish Canyon Lodge and explore the area, ride around the trails, and jump in a cool creek.

Other than near Roughlock Falls, you likely won’t run into anyone except the free-range cows, which makes for a fun way to explore the canyon. There are also numerous hiking trails throughout the route.

As you’re probably gathering, if you want to spend the night, the Spearfish Canyon Lodge is a great place to do that as it sits along the Scenic Byway and is near two of the three falls. There’s an on-site restaurant and Little Spearfish Creek runs behind the lodge and provides a serene setting to relax. 

While in the area, you’re near so many historic sites, such as Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. There’s so much to see and do! The area is beautiful any time of year, but fall is especially pretty when the autumn colors come alive. 

This route is perfect for solo travelers, too, as it’s easy to get to and traverse, and there’s a sense of solitude and calm. That being said, you’re still close to amenities and civilization. Bonus: The people of South Dakota are very friendly!

You can go at your own pace, stop when you want to stop, and take in the peace and beauty that surrounds you.

-Erica from Ericakeel

12. Solo Road Trip From NYC To Boston

Start:  New York City

End: Boston, Massachusetts

Distance : 200 miles

The drive from New York City to Boston is ideal for those searching for a quick and reasonable road trip. It’s a great choice for solo travelers since it’s not too long and there is lots to see along the way. Along the route, you’ll get to enjoy two of the East Coast’s major cities as well as the stunning coastline. 

Go on this road trip during the summer, when the weather is pleasant and great for sightseeing. This area of the US is especially beautiful during the fall when the forests are tinted orange and make a great photo subject.

With just over 200 miles this road trip takes around 3.5 hours one way — although you could drive for slightly longer and take the scenic road through Providence, a highlight of New England. Definitely make a stop in New Haven, Connecticut for some fantastic museums, beautiful architecture, and delicious thin-crust coal-fired New Haven-style pizza.

This is the perfect weekend road trip, although you could also spend an extra week if you want to explore the many fun and unique things to do in NYC and Boston .

You’ll start in New York City and head north. If you’re up for it, make a little detour to Long Island to explore the local wine country , hiking trails , and beaches that are perfect for a picnic along the way.

– Victoria from Guide your travel

13. Length Of Vermont To The Canadian border

Start : Brattleboro, Vermont

End : Canadian border near Alburg, Vermont

A road trip the length of Vermont to the Canadian border is a delight for solo travelers. Vermont locals are typically kind, friendly, and willing to help out when needed. The charm of tiny Vermont villages and their residents enhances any road trip through the Green Mountain state.

Start your journey in the south at Brattleboro. The first stop is at the West Dummerston covered bridge, one of over 100 covered bridges in Vermont.

Head up scenic Route 100 through the heart of the Green Mountain. Stop at picturesque towns with nary a stoplight. Don’t miss the Vermont Country Store in Weston for unique gifts.

The iconic town of Stowe is an all-season destination on your solo road trip. It’s a world-class ski destination in the winter and a popular foliage spot in the fall. In summer, outdoor enthusiasts have loads of choices for adventure travel , including hikes to waterfalls, biking on the Stowe Rec Path, or scaling Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.  

The vibrant city of Burlington is your next destination. Rent a bike to pedal along the Burlington Bike Path, one of my favorite beautiful bike rides . The bike trail leads to spectacular beaches with views of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain.

For a relaxing afternoon, take a cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen with narration about the history and nature of the Lake Champlain Valley. 

The final stage of your solo road trip is a drive through the bucolic Champlain Islands. Search for the mysterious miniature stone castles along the roadsides and sample some local agrotourism products. Apple picking and wine tasting opportunities also abound.

The road trip is just over 200 miles from Brattleboro to the Canadian border. Each mile is packed with Vermont charm and friendliness. 

-Karen from Outdoor Adventure Sampler

14. Southern Utah Solo Road Trip

Start : Las Vegas, Nevada

End: Las Vegas, Nevada

Distance: 1,049 miles

One of the best solo road trips in the US is in Southern Utah exploring the state’s five national parks and everything in between. It’s best done in 10-14 days as a loop from Las Vegas. 

In terms of distance, the route is a little over 1,000 miles in total, but I would leave wiggle room for side trips and any last-minute additions.

While the five national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands — are the main highlight, there are so many other amazing things to do and see. A few recommendations include:

• trekking the Burr Trail (of the best Utah hiking trails ),
• driving Scenic Byway 12,
• exploring Goblin Valley State Park and Snow Canyon State Park,
• seeing the giant sandstone buttes of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park,
• hiking to the Horseshoe Bend overlook,
• walking inside of Antelope Canyon,
• and swimming at Lake Powell, to name a few.

This is a particularly great road trip for solo travelers because it’s popular and easy to be around people, though it’s just as easy to get away from those crowds if you wish. 

No matter what you do, you’ll see some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. 

This is a must-do for outdoor enthusiasts, no matter the skill level. Just be sure you’re prepared according to that level and always let someone know where you’re going and when to expect you back.

-Megan from Red Around the World

15. Savannah To Charleston Solo Road Trip

Start : Savannah, Georgia

End:  Charleston, South Carolina

Distance:  105.9 miles

If you’re a fan of beautiful architecture, Southern food, and coastal cities, Savannah and Charleston make an ideal option for a road trip. Southerners are known for their overt friendliness, and both cities are accustomed to hosting solo travelers.

The two cities are close to one another, so you won’t waste much time driving — which means more time for exploring.

The distance between Savannah and Charleston is approximately two hours, and the most common route is HWY 17 to I-95 and then back to HWY 17.   

The best place to stay in Savannah is the Historic District, and The Marshall House is a good centrally located hotel for solo travelers.

River Street, City Market, and the Plant Riverside District are known for being entertainment hubs. They’re packed with the highest concentration of restaurants and bars and are where you’ll find the most live entertainment — and also the largest crowds.

If you prefer enjoying lovely old architecture in a more romantic setting, try strolling along Jones Street. It’s known for being one of the prettiest streets in the city and walking it is one of the best things to do in Savannah .

A few must-see attractions include the stunning Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Bonaventure Cemetery, Wormsloe, and Forsyth Park. The Olde Pink House is the most iconic restaurant in Savannah, while ghost and trolley tours are the most popular activities.

On the drive from Savannah to Charleston, be sure to detour through Yemassee to see the Old Sheldon Church Ruins, and then stop to visit The Angel Oak, a giant 60-foot-tall oak tree estimated to be over 400 years old located on the outskirts of Charleston.

Once you’re in Charleston, the Spectator Hotel and Planters Inn are two fantastic hotel options. It’s easy to walk to numerous attractions and restaurants from either spot.

Charleston is also a great city for shopping! Visit Historic Charleston City Market to watch local Gullah artists make sweetgrass baskets by hand, and then head over to the shops lining King Street to do more high-end shopping.

If you’re a fan of architecture, be sure to stroll down Charleston’s cobblestone streets, which are lined with historic churches and beautiful mansions. The always-popular Rainbow Row makes an ideal place to snap a few selfies.

Stroll down The Battery to catch a sunset along the water before heading to Husk for dinner and then on to Babas on Cannon for an evening cocktail.  

-Erin from Savannah First-Timer’s Guide

16. Overseas Highway In Florida

Start: Miami, Florida

End: Key West, Florida

Distance: 150 miles

Driving the Overseas Highway is the perfect solo road trip for travelers that love the Florida weather and dream of visiting the beautiful Florida Keys.

This route starts in Miami and takes you all the way to Key West, the southernmost city of the United States. The 150-mile scenic drive is iconic and offers unbelievable views of the Gulf of Mexico and all of the islands in the Florida Keys.

Even though the drive can be made in only three and a half hours, the best way to do it is by taking at least two or four days to fully take in the route’s beauty and take advantage of the excellent stops along the 42 bridges that make the road. So take your time!

Some of the must-do stops on the way are the stunning Islamorada (a village of six islands), the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, and the Seven Mile Bridge — the largest segmental bridge in the world.

Other nice places to stop along the way include the Coral Castle Museum in Homestead, Everglades National Park , Bahia Honda State Park, and Key Largo, one of the best scuba diving destinations in the country.

This is an excellent road trip for solo travelers because it is easy to navigate, has amazing weather all-year-round, and allows you to visit some of the prettiest places in Florida.

-Camila from Travel Cami

17. Geronimo Trail From Arizona To New Mexico

Start: Douglas, Arizona

End: Cloverdale Cemetery Animas, New Mexico

Distance: 54 miles

If you are a solo road tripper and crave a drive that is totally off the grid, I have one for you. After hundreds of US road trips, my favorite remains the Geronimo Trail in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. 

It is one of the most unique US road trips and it is much more remote and isolated than the famous highway in Nevada that claims to be the Loneliest Road. How lonely? On a 90-minute drive on Geronimo Trail, I saw only three cars.

Geronimo Trail starts just east of Douglas, Arizona, where 15th Street turns into Geronimo Trail at the small Douglas Airport. A few miles later, the pavement ends and Geronimo Trail is a dirt road from this point. 

Note: A 4WD vehicle is highly recommended! Also, please pack solo road trip essentials like a spare tire and extra food and water just in case you run into any issues. I had no problem with a small SUV. 

About 35 miles later you will reach the Arizona/New Mexico border. About six miles into New Mexico, Geronimo Trail officially ends and turns into County Road 002—which is even more lonely. I saw only one car in 90 minutes!

The massive appeal along Geronimo Trail is rustic vibes, wide open spaces, astounding scenery, and time to be at one with your thoughts. The beginning of Geronimo Trail runs along the US/Mexico border and you will likely see Border Patrol agents and vehicles. 

As Geronimo Trail turns northeast, San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge signs appear. The refuge is an oasis in the surrounding desert and features protected fish and seldom-seen migrating birds. If you enjoy hiking, the Black Draw Trail is a great spot for bird watchers. 

Between the refuge and the AZ/NM border, there are a handful of large ranches, intense side roads (like Sycamore Canyon), one Mormon Trail historic marker, and a few small pioneer cemeteries. Basically, Geronimo Trail’s allure is miles and miles of dirt road, astounding scenery, and just you and your vehicle. Crank your tunes—or turn the radio off to let your deepest thoughts surface.

To find this approximate route on Google Maps, search Douglas, AZ to Cloverdale Cemetery Animas, NM in “Get Directions”. Note that Street View (the blue man) is not available for almost all of this road trip, which lends to its mystique.

-Charles from McCool Travel

18. Kansas City To Rocky Mountain National Park In Colorado

Start: Kansas City, Kansas

End: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Distance: 650 miles

A road trip from Kansas City to Rocky Mountain National Park is an essential trek through Americana. 

Around 650 miles separate these two disparate destinations. The craggy peaks of the Rocky Mountains are a stark contrast from the flatlands of Kansas. But both offer stunning beauty in their own rights. 

Starting in Kansas City, you do what pioneers, prospectors, and cowboys did 150 years ago; head west!

Crossing the prairie, you can imagine what those early settlers saw. So much of it remains as it was back then. 

Especially beautiful are the rolling grasslands of the Flint Hills in Kansas. The springtime is especially amazing as the fresh shoots of grass carpet the hills in a lush green blanket.

Stop into the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve to stroll through the hills of native grasses and herds of bison.

But don’t dally too long. You still have a bit of a drive to get to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Until you reach Denver, you will be covering mile after mile of this grassland. Although beautiful, you’ll likely be ready for a change of scenery.

And what a welcome sight Denver is! The Rocky Mountains set the backdrop behind the skyline to welcome you to the next part of your journey.

There are so many fun things to do in Denver for solo travelers , too. Additionally, nearby, Boulder is a smaller college town with plenty to explore. And Estes Park is right outside of your final destination. Any of these are also great stopping points for a bite to eat or to pick up supplies. 

Stop into Mountain Sun Pub in Boulder for some great food in a lively atmosphere. There are only booths along two walls with the center lined with tables. As a solo traveler, this is a great way to meet the locals and fellow visitors alike.

But don’t forget what you came for: The amazing hikes and camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. Honestly, this park has some of the best hikes in the world ! Stop into the visitors center and pick up your map. You have endless trails to choose from.

The park offers shuttle service to many of the trailheads, which makes it great for hiking as you don’t need loop trails to get you back to your car. 

Alpine lakes, streams, and trails open up plenty of ways to explore or relax. 

The long, open road and the serene mountain trails both offer solitude for the lone traveler. But there are lots of places to mingle with locals and visitors alike for the more social solo travelers. 

-Steve from Maps Over Coffee

19. Michigan’s Lower Peninsula

Start:  Benton Harbor, Michigan

End:  Mackinac Island, Michigan

Distance: 340 miles

The west side of Michigan features natural beauty, food and drinks, and fun cultural attractions worth writing home about.

This 350-mile route is great for solo travelers because the driving is easy, there are plenty of places to take breaks, and you can see the best scenery without having to venture too far off the beaten path.

Starting from the southern border, work your way up Lake Michigan along I-94 and then I-196. You’ll find tons of beach towns as well as plenty of lighthouses as you make your way to Holland. This small town is known for its Dutch heritage and features a windmill originally from the Netherlands.

Continue northeast to Grand Rapids, also known as Beer City USA. Sample drinks at one or more of its breweries and visit the larger-than-life sculptures at Meijer Gardens or the Gerald Ford Presidential Library.

Heading west on I-96 brings you to Muskegon where you’ll find even more beaches. This small town also has an amusement and water park called Michigan’s Adventure, which features a handful of roller coasters. Closer to the lake, you can tour the USS Silversides, a WWII-era submarine docked along the shore.

Continuing north on US-31 and then M-22, you’ll arrive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which is highlighted by sand dunes towering 400 feet above the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan. You can take a scenic drive to the top of one for stunning views with minimal effort or try climbing up one yourself.

Continue on M-22 around the Leelanau Peninsula through the heart of Michigan’s wine country. Stop into tasting rooms yourself or continue to the resort town of Traverse City and join a tour so you don’t have to drive.

While you’re in Traverse City, try its famous cherries and dine in the local farm-to-table restaurants. Once you’ve had your fill, continue north on US-31 to I-75.

Mackinaw City serves as the gateway to both the Mackinac Bridge and Mackinac Island. The bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas and there are great spots to view it from Fort Michilimackinac and the beaches to the east. Mackinac Island is most easily reached via ferry. 

The small island in Lake Huron has no motorized vehicles, so visitors and locals walk, bike, or ride horse-drawn carriages. It’s famous for its Victorian architecture and delicious fudge and is the perfect cap for your Michigan road trip.

-Kris from My Michigan Travel

20. Montana Road Trip On I-90 & Highway 93

Start: Billings, Montana

End: Glacier National Park, Montana

Distance: 637 miles

If you’re looking to safely road trip alone as a female , I highly recommend visiting Montana.

After growing up there and taking several of my own, there are many reasons to consider a drive along I-90, including the fact that some of the most beautiful nature is located along this route. 

I recommend starting your trip in Billings, which is easy to fly into and is Montana’s largest city, before heading to Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park. You’ll need to make a slight detour from I-90 to get to the park on Highway 191.

Along the way up north on Highway 93, make sure to add stops in Butte, Missoula, and Whitefish. All offer unique reasons to visit and a different feel—Montana is more varied than you might think! 

If you have the time, also make sure to stop off at the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, which features cave formations that are millions of years old.

The remaining drive is super easy with very clearly marked signs that take you from one town to another. Most of it is highway driving with little traffic and plenty of beautiful views. 

Finally, if one national park wasn’t enough, you get to end your 637-mile trip at another national park: Glacier. I do recommend planning your accommodations in advance if you can in order to make sure you have a place to stay when you get there!

-Alex from Alex on the Map

21. California Solo Trip Along The Mendocino Coast From San Francisco

Start: San Francisco, California

End: Redwood National Park, California

Distance: 311 miles

Highway 1 from San Francisco up to Mendocino Coast and Redwood National Park is one of the most beautiful drives on the planet, maybe comparable to the Canadian Icefields Parkway in Banff and Jasper National Parks in its grandeur. One is through the mountains and the other along the Pacific, both equally fantastic. 

You can do a loop or drive out-and-back from San Francisco. The route on 101 is inland and boring but it’s a lot faster.

The route on Highway 1 is drop-dead gorgeous but very time-consuming because of the many stops, activities, and the winding road. You can do 101 going one way and loop back on Highway 1 to get both the benefits. 

The drive from San Francisco to Redwood National Park is 320 miles and takes about six hours on 101. You can choose to go further up or do a shorter route depending on your timeline. 

Some of the top attractions on the drive include Redwood National and State Parks where you can spend a few days and do many hikes and activities.

The scenic Avenue of the Giants runs parallel to the freeway and has many amazing stops. You can drive the entire road or a section as you coast through redwood trees and stop at many state parks along the way. 

Another recommended stop is at the Laguna Point Beach at MacKerricher State Park, which offers some of the most spectacular tide pools absolutely worth visiting for half a day or more.

Additionally, next to MacKerricher State Park is Glass Beach, a popular spot for finding sea glass — though note that because so many people take the sea glass it’s becoming increasingly harder to find.

There are many more attractions along the drive so you can take a day or a few days to drive. 

This is a great road trip for solo travelers because it’s an amazing way to experience natural wonders in peace. The solo road trip allows for solitude but it also offers fun beaches and mountain towns with great food and company. Moreover, the drive is very safe for the solo traveler. 

– Jyoti from Story at Every Corner

22. Skyline Drive In Virginia

Start: Front Royal, Virginia (northern entrance to Skyline Drive)

End: Rockfish Gap exit, Virginia

Distance : 105 miles

Skyline Drive is pure sky! From the second you enter this highway winding through Shenandoah National Park at Front Royal until you exit at the Rockfish Gap Entrance Station there is a big blue sky ahead. And if you’re lucky enough to own a convertible, you will feel like an eagle on your solo trek. 

No matter what season you visit Shenandoah National Park—spring, summer, fall, or winter—you’ll delight in the deep forests, curving roads, and waterfalls to be discovered. Wild creatures abound, including bats, turkeys, and black bears. 

Located within convenient driving distance of Richmond, Charlottesville, and Washington, DC, Shenandoah National Park attracts solo runners, hikers, and walkers.

This is a great getaway for city folk especially with all the Airbnb rentals available. That being said, if you want to stay at the park campgrounds or at Skyland Resort and Big Meadows Hotel , you need to book early. 

Note: Depending on what season you visit, the 105-mile Skyline Drive can turn into a traffic jam. This is also not a road built as a raceway. Skyline Drive weaves its way across western Virginia with a speed limit of 35 mph.

For Washingtonians, the best entrance is the Front Royal Entrance. 

Stop at the Dickey Ridge Visitors Center to shop for books on hiking or get a panoramic portrait. There are regular stops along the way where you can park in a lot to hike through forests, climb Stony Man or Hawksbill, check out the Appalachian Trail, or meditate at the Shenandoah waterfalls.

Expect to take three hours traveling the entire length of the park on Skyline Drive. 

Skyline Drive ends at Rockfish Gap; it is the northern entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are 200,000 acres of protected land at Shenandoah National Park for you to explore.

– Terri at FemaleSoloTrek.com

Renting A Car For Your Solo Road Trip

Need a rental car for road tripping by yourself in the USA?

Use  Discover Cars  to quickly compare your car rental options. Their comparison tool does the homework for you, so there’s no need to have up 10+ tabs trying to figure out which company is the most affordable. Actually, you can save up to 70% using their tool!

How To Road Trip Alone

There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to traveling alone , though ultimately solo travel is an empowering experience that gives you total freedom over your itinerary.

That being said, if it your first time heading out on a solo adventure by car, the following solo road trip tips can help:

-Make sure you have good car insurance as well as roadside assistance (like AAA) in case of an emergency.

-Travel with solo road trip essentials like a spare tire, extra food and water, a sleeping bag and pillow, and sunglasses.

-Know your limits when it comes to how far you can drive, especially as nobody else will be in the car to help keep you awake.

-Keep loved ones informed of your travel plans and check in regularly. This way your absense will be noticed right away in an emergency.

-Install personal safety apps on your phone — like the Emergency App from the American Red Cross.

Travel Insurance For Your Solo Road Trip

When visiting the USA — or anywhere else in the world — it’s wise to get travel insurance.

One of the  best travel medical insurance for travelers  is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

What solo road trip ideas would you add to this list?

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Great article! Discover everything America has to offer from the freedom of the open road. Travel with pleasure, be free from the schedule.

Top 10 Tips For Surviving a Solo Road Trip

Most road trips are taken by groups or pairs .

However, it is not always the case. Unlike what most people think, road trips can also be fun when you do it all alone. And no, it is not lonely!

I think it is, indeed, necessary!

My First Solo Road Trip

I remember myself, sitting at my cluttered (with paperwork, colorful pins, and supposedly motivational post-its) desk one busy afternoon. Looking at the clock, there’s only about an hour left before my shift is done. As I struggle to make my way through my workload, I suddenly stop and whisper to myself, “what the hell I’m doing?”

Well, obviously I’m working to survive this life . But it feels like I’m not living anymore! I’m like a robotic human with “working my ass off, 8, sometimes 12 (yes 12!) hours a day” as my default settings.

That’s when I suddenly have the urge just to do it— pack my bag, fill up my car, and drive to wherever the long road takes me.

Mind you, it took me the remaining one hour of my shift to fight that guilty voice (or perhaps that fear) inside me, stopping me from doing what it thinks as “stupid”.

In the end, I threw my hands in the air and said whatever, went to my supervisor and asked for a time-out. Maybe she saw the dull and struggling look in my eyes. And perhaps that’s why she just said, “Okay then, have fun!” and jokingly asked me to bring her souvenirs from wherever I’m going just to lighten up my spirits.

So, the whole night I planned. This was my first road trip. And no, I did not take anyone with me. It was just me, myself, and I!

Yes, I was scared. But, I knew I needed this. To make things balanced, I only went for a short, 2-day trip . But that solo short road trip changed me forever!

I don’t like being cramped in the car for long hours. But I do love sceneries and the beach . Thus, I took the overseas highway road trip. It was a beautiful, heartfelt and jaw-dropping experience. It usually takes 3-4 hours to drive this 113-mile highway , but it took me almost half a day, stopping every now and then to take selfies and enjoy the scenery. And from my Miami, I arrived and found myself enjoying the Cuban-infused culture of the sandy, beautiful Key West.

That trip is not only memorable. It awakens something inside me I don’t know. So, now I plan scheduled multi day-offs from work and checking off items on my solo road trip destination list. I do sometimes take my family with me, but most of the time, I like to do it on my own, or with my furry buddy.

So, if you’re like me, who finally convinced yourself to go and see the world for yourself , then here are some of my best tips to survive a solo road trip.

10 Tips To Survive a Solo Road Trip

1. prep your vehicle.

First and foremost, your only buddy on this trip will be your vehicle. So make sure that you have one reliable buddy.

Have your car inspected and tuned up at least a week before your trip. This should give you enough time for any repairs and problems required.

The essential items you need to check should be:

• Air conditioning system
• Suspension and steering
• Cooling system
• Emergency Survival Kit

2. Are You Covered?

As your car gets inspected and tuned up, you have the time to cover and protect yourself with insurance.

Travel insurance should be your priority. I have never traveled without this. Depending on the coverage you get, travel insurance can reimburse the cost of medical examinations, doctor fees, medication cost and even accommodation to hotels.

It even helps cover the cost of getting your family to your bedside after an emergency or even return you home if necessary.

Regardless of how tuned up your car is, there’s still a chance of encountering problems on the road. From getting a flat to running your battery down or even a stupid mistake of locking your key in the car, roadside assistance should help solve the problem and allow you to continue your delayed trip.

3. Know Your Limits and Strength

Remember, road trips should recharge your spirits. So, never over-stretch yourself. Plus, there’s no one who will take over the steering wheel for you.

I can drive cross country alone the recommended 8 hours a day. Some can drive up to 13 hours without stopping. Others can’t sit still in just 4 hours.

If possible, I recommend not driving at night. And while there are people who are “nocturnal” and prefer traveling under the moon, your concentration level is just not the same. Plus, there are the headlights you need to face, causing strain in your eyes. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Whatever your limit is, make sure to get enough sleep, stretch your legs, take that stopover and talk with the locals. In addition, you should make a realistic limit for your car, determining how far the fuel can take you and how it reacts to a bumpy, dirt road.

Furthermore, when planning your road trip alone, you should also determine your strength. If you can only speak the universal language, then don’t go somewhere you think you’ll be crazy communicating.

If you prefer solitude or an introvert, then forget about the language barrier and go where your heart takes you. You can just drive through scenic routes or enjoy an aromatic coffee while you watch people and their culture.

4. Have a Rough Plan

You might have the urge of just going with the flow and seeing where you end up to. I like that too! But, hey, it is always better to at least research your route options and the kind of challenges you can face when starting your trip.

Check any possible roads you can take, the traffic, the kind of accommodation that fits your budget and more importantly, those heaven-sent fuel stations, towns, and stopovers for a nice stretching, bathroom breaks and replenishing— both fuel and food.

Make sure to have a map, whether the advanced GPS feature on your phone or the old-school physical paper map.

Also, tune in to local radio stations. They may play songs you probably never heard off, but they are your best bet for info about the area you are traveling in— any route diversion because of accidents, closures, road works, etc.

5. Bring Your Four-Legged Buddy

I know it’s called a solo road trip. But, since our four-legged buddy is not another human being, I like to think he’s an exception.

And while most people think that dogs and cars are not natural friends, a road trip with a dog in tow can mean less stress and more fun. Just make sure to pack all your pooch’s belonging from his bowl, food, water to his bed, leash, toys and poop bag.

Before you hit the road with your furry friend, check one more thing. Does he suffer from allergies, gastronomic disorders, or dog periods? If you suffer from allergies, make sure to clean your car, bring some clean blankets, and take some medical precautions. If he has gastronomic disorders or a dog period, prepare some washable dog period diapers . Taking your pup along for a drive is now safe.

When staying overnight, make sure that your accommodation allows pets and you have his kennel with you. If you have time and energy, make sure to give him playtime and bathroom breaks a few times on the road. Lastly, always talk to your vet and make sure to get a clean bill of health before going on a solo journey with your best bud.

6. Stay In Touch

Having a “me time” and going on a road trip alone does not mean that you can just disappear without anyone knowing.

You need to have someone looking out for you. So, make sure to let someone at home know when you leave, your route, and your arrival at your destination.

A quick text message should be enough. Or if you have Wi-Fi, you can update them on social media or send them an email.

My parents support me in all my solo travel goals, but they still want me to check in every now and then so they won’t have to overthink and worry if I made it safely to my destination.

7. Light Travel

You’re traveling solo. That means you have the whole car space for your things right?

Cruise 101: Things You Should NEVER Do on a Cruise

For solo travelers like me, it is always best to travel light and bring only the essential items .

It allows you to manage your luggage and easily navigate the crowds. And regardless of where you’re staying— hotels, B&Bs, hostels or whatever— you’re going to be taking your luggage in and out when moving to your next destination. Plus, it is also helpful when going to the bathroom, since there’s no one to watch your luggage for you. Thus, having a single bag makes it so much easier.

I recommend getting a lightweight rolling convertible backpack, so you can just use it as a rolling bag whenever you get tired of carrying it.

For your car, it is a great idea to store a multi-head screwdriver, duct tape, pliers, flares, coat hanger or two. Don’t forget a car blanket and a first aid kit too.

Then here’s what you should load up— Food and water! So, have a nice cooler of food and drinks packed up so you can picnic along the way. It really is a delightful experience having to snack on your favorite chips without someone snatching them from you.

I’m not selfish, but it’s my Cheetos— go get yours if you want.

Also, I would recommend stocking up on plenty of water, not soda so you won’t end up dehydrated with all the bags of chips you bought. (I’m not judging.)

8. Have A Backup Plan

Traveling alone in an unknown place can be scary. I know you got it all planned, but what if something doesn’t go the way you want it to?

This is the reason why I always have a backup plan.

First is your phone. It does not do much good if it goes dead on you in the middle of nowhere. Thus, it is important that you bring backup batteries, a portable or car charger with you.

While you might have several credit cards, always take cash. This is useful in case you went to a remote place without ATM or your credit card gets flagged. When crossing borders, you should also keep copies of important documents such as passports in your bag or online like Google Docs. Take a hotel business card in case you get lost following the sceneries and need to hire a taxi in order to bring you back.

Having backup plans, you lessen the chances of being stranded or putting a dent to your budget to buy a necessity.

9. Blending In

Traveling alone, especially for women, you do not want to stand out and call attention to yourself as a lone tourist. Dressing that blends into their culture can help others accept you as a foreign traveler.

So, before going, research about the dress codes or cultural etiquette of the city or state you are visiting. Also, try to avoid dressing revealing or provocative dress. Don’t even wear pieces of expensive-looking jewelry and a target for scams , thief and even shops demanding higher prices.

Lastly, you need to enjoy the road! After all, it is a road trip!

Enjoy your destinations and every mile that leads to your destination. If you ever get bored (which is possible if there’s not a wonderful backdrop to wow you), bring along plenty of CDs, audiobooks and podcasts. Go on and hold a concert, like what I do for at least 2 – 3 hours of my drive.

Stop often. Take some Instagram-worthy selfies. Talk to people. Enjoy the air and the freedom that comes with solo traveling. And remember, always stay safe!

Why You Should Take Solo Road Trips

With a solo road trip, you’re on your own without having to wait or consider anyone. You do not have to schedule dates with someone, stop on places you’re not even interested in, eat and sleep in sites you’re not comfortable with.

You get to be 100 percent selfish! Selfish with your time, what you eat, where you want to go, when to go to bed and to get up and when it’s time to go home. Contrary to what people say, being selfish is good and healthy every now and then.

So, don’t hesitate. Pack your bags, start your car, and let’s go on a road trip !

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Fascinating read! But I doubt I have the courage to do road trips alone 😂

Hey Lillian,

We all got to take the first step 😉 Try doing short ones that doesn’t require a huge commitment and slowly build up your confidence.

I’m planning a solo trip myself so this is very helpful…

Always prefer driving alone, much more relaxing and actually able to enjoy the sceneries

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Madelyne on the Move

Road Tripping Alone as a Female: 18 Road Trip Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Have you ever wanted to embark on a solo road trip as a woman , but talked yourself out of it for what seems like a million reasons? I felt that way for a long time before I stopped letting my fear of the unknown (and the opinions of others) get the best of me.

If you are hesitating to take the leap and go on a road trip alone as a solo female traveler, then know you’re not alone! I was in the same situation as you. What started with small solo trips to build up my confidence eventually turned into me driving cross country alone as a woman. I drove from North Carolina to Washington state and back with just me, myself, and I. It was quite the experience, and I learned so much about myself.

I won’t deny that solo road trips can be intimidating. Why else would we let fear hold us back? In this blog post, I’m sharing my best tips for how to stay safe on a solo road trip to help ease your mind and give you a little nudge to get out there.

Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links which means I earn a small percentage of every purchase at no cost to you. I appreciate your support!

How to Road Trip Alone as a Female

If you’re wondering how it feels to travel alone, then I think you need to go on a solo trip 😉 You might be worried about being lonely, which is completely normal! Think about all the benefits of traveling solo, though… YOU get to pick all the restaurants, YOU get to choose what to do, YOU get to decide where to stay. It’s wonderful!

You might be wondering, “Who the heck takes your photos when you travel solo?” I either use a tripod and remote or meet up with friends along the way! Here’s a list of my camera essentials .

Is it safe to travel alone as a woman?

This is subjective, but I wanted to address it because it’s a frequently asked question when it comes to road tripping alone as a woman. You’ll find that people will discourage you from traveling alone because it’s “unsafe”. I choose to ignore such close-minded comments. I think it can be both safe and unsafe. The best advice I can give you is to never let your guard down .

At the end of the day, someone who does everything right could find themselves in an uncomfortable situation and someone who is reckless could be just fine. Stay hyperaware of your surroundings and never assume that you don’t need to take the utmost safety precautions.

# 1: Plan in advance

I cannot stress the importance of making plans in advance enough. Whether you need to make hotel or campsite reservations, map out what hikes you want to do, or figure out your route, having these sorts of things figured out will save you so much frustration on a road trip. I love using Roadtrippers to create road trip itineraries.

You don’t necessarily have to follow the exact itinerary you create (and you probably won’t), but it’ll give you some direction and a better understanding of your destination(s) because you can’t make a plan without researching.

# 2: Share your location with a trusted friend or family member

Once you have a plan mapped out, share that plan with someone. It’s not a bad idea to also share you location with this person, so they’re able to check on your whereabouts in case of an emergency. If you’re moving around a lot, let this person know when you’re tucked in for the night at your new destination.

Make sure to let this person know if your plans change! Also, always carry a power bank to ensure that your phone stays charged as an extra safety precaution.

# 3: Don’t broadcast your travel plans or the fact that you’re traveling solo

It can be easy to let it slip in conversation, but I recommend against telling others that you’re traveling solo . I’ve even had the front desk at hotels ask me, “Are you traveling alone?” during check in. If this comes up in conversation, there are a many casual ways you can go about it.

I might say something like, “Oh, no. My husband is grabbing a few things from the car.” Or, if someone is inquiring about my travel plans, “I’m out here visiting family that recently moved.” These types of statements are to the point and suggest that you have family in the surrounding area.

# 4: Avoid being out and driving after dark

When I did my solo female USA road trip, I did everything in my power to avoid driving in the dark . I was working full-time at the time, so I’d wake up extra early to drive in the mornings or move to my next destination after work. I did this to avoid being stranded in the dark in an unfamiliar place. Thankfully, I never experienced any car trouble during my XC road trip, but I wanted to play it safe!

Also Read: Road Trip Essentials

# 5: don’t keep all of your important belongings (cash, id, etc.) in one spot.

This is a good tip for travel in general! Never leave all of your important items in one spot , but don’t put them somewhere you’ll forget (I might’ve done this).

Someone could break into your vehicle and snag your wallet. If your ID, cash, credit cards, etc. were all in that wallet, you’re going to be in a tough spot. Avoid this by keeping some items on you at all times (a hip pack is great for this) and then placing other important belongings in an unassuming spot you’ll remember.

# 6: Keep photos of your ID and credit cards

It’s not a bad idea to take photos of your ID and credit card(s) and save them to your email in case you lose them or they get stolen. Of course, you’d want to cancel your credit card ASAP in this situation BUT if it’s your only payment method because everything else was lost or stolen, you need that info! This is why it’s so important not to keep all of your important belongings in one location.

# 7: Switch up your routine

If you’re going to be in one location for awhile, don’t follow the same routine every single day . Unfortunately, you never know who might be paying attention to your habits. Switching up your routine can be as simple as trying a new coffee shop, filling up at a new gas station, or changing the route of your walk/run!

Also Read: Car Camping Essentials

# 8: pay attention to your surroundings.

Duh, right? But it’s SO easy to get distracted by our phones that I felt like I needed to include this. When you’re road tripping on your own in an unfamiliar area, it’s crucial to be on high alert .

You’ll come across as a more difficult target if you’re paying attention to everything, making direct eye contact, etc. Plus, you want to be able to provide as much detail as possible about the entire situation if something were to happen.

# 9: Trust your instincts

I highly suggest reading The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. This book goes into great detail about trusting your instincts and paying attention to nonverbal cues in dicey situations.

Most importantly: Don’t worry about being nice . I’m a people pleaser and don’t like to come across as rude if someone tries to strike up a conversation with me. You might be the same way, but it’s important to remember that your safety comes first when traveling solo. You don’t owe strangers the time of day. If you don’t want to talk to someone, politely decline and go about your day. Trust me, seeming a little rude is much better than feeling like you have to carry on a conversation that makes you uncomfortable.

# 10: Carry protection

This will look different for everyone. It’s about what you’re comfortable using for protection on your road trip alone as a female. Personally, I like to carry pepper spray and a stun gun because they’re effective, lightweight, and I don’t have to worry about different regulations across states.

# 11: Dial 911 and be ready to hit the call button if you feel unsafe

It can be hard to think straight if you feel unsafe, but dialing 911 is a quick way you can feel a bit more at ease in a sketchy situation. If things escalate, all you need to do is press the call button.

# 12: Be flexible

It’s important to have a plan, but sometimes plans simply don’t workout. It’s important to be flexible . Remember that you can problem solve no matter what happens.

For example, I booked a hotel that didn’t actually have any rooms available that night on my XC road trip (thanks Expedia). Finding out I didn’t have a place to stay was not at all what I want to hear after driving all day, but it wasn’t the end of the world. HotelTonight saved me and is one of my favorite resources for booking last minute stays! Moral of the story: You have to roll with the punches when you’re on a solo road trip.

# 13: Stop at hotels instead of sketchy gas stations or rest areas to use the restroom

I avoid rest areas like the plague when I’m on a road trip alone as a female. If I stop at a gas station, I like to stop at well-known truck stops like Love’s, Pilot, Circle K, and TA Travel Centers.

Can I let you in on a little secret? I prefer to stop at hotels to use the restroom when traveling solo! The front desk doesn’t know whether you’re a guest or not, so you don’t have to explain yourself. I simply ask them to point me to the restroom in the lobby and then am in and out in a matter of minutes.

# 14: Don’t let your gas tank drop below half full

Keeping your gas tank at least half full at all times is a good rule of thumb for any road trip, but especially if you’re on a road trip alone as a female. You don’t want to have no choice but to stop at a random gas station in the middle of nowhere for gas. Or even worse, not be able to find a gas station when you need desperately need one.

I like to stop for gas anytime I’m approaching the halfway mark and see a busy or familiar gas station (again, I prefer Love’s, Pilot, Circle K, TA Travel Centers and other big truck stops).

# 15: Download offline maps

If you’re going to be traveling in an unfamiliar area or somewhere where you know you won’t have good cell service, it’s a good idea to download offline maps .

Here’s a mini tutorial on how to download offline maps in Google Maps:

• Enter destination in search bar on Google Maps
• Once it shows up on your map, click the red pin
• Tap the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of the screen
• Select “Download offline map” option

# 16: Invest in roadside assistance

Roadside assistance might not be necessary if you’re going on a small trip in an area where you have someone you can call for help if needed. I knew that wouldn’t be the case when I went on my XC road trip, so I opted for the AAA Plus Membership . I never had to use my AAA membership, but it gave me extra peace of mind (which goes a long way when you’re traveling solo).

P.S. – Some travel credit cards offer roadside assistance, but it’s typically premium cards with expensive annual fees (ex: Chase Sapphire Reserve and Delta Reserve). If you have a travel credit card, it’s worth doing a little research to see if it comes with any roadside assistance!

# 17: Start small

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with starting small . In fact, I recommend it so that you can test what works best for you in terms of planning, protection, etc. Even if it’s just a day trip to a nearby city and you return home at the end of the day. That’s a start! Eventually, you’ll build up the confidence to branch out.

# 18: Relax and have fun

Hopefully I didn’t worry you too much with some of my tips for going on a road trip alone as a female. While you need to stay hyperaware of your surroundings, don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself! At the end of it all, you’ll be able to say to yourself, “Wow, I did that.” That proud feeling is so empowering!

Have you ever gone on a solo road trip or are you planning one in the future? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments! I can’t wait to see what solo adventures 2022 brings!

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Ahh, this makes me sooo excited to travel solo AND road trip!!!

I am thinking about a drive from mi to Az. I once drove to Texas on my own, but that was 40 years ago. I love driving and am not afraid of this trip, however, my family thinks I should fly instead. Ugh!

Thanks for sharing this article! I had my first solo trip almost 5 years ago (30th birthday). I was going to take a road trip to the Rocky Mountains but shied away after having conversations with friends and family about me having to drive through the desert alone and whatnot, so, I ended up flying to Denver and from there rented a car. Drove to Boulder, Aspen and a few other places. Had the time of my life. Almost 5 years later, (35th birthday coming up) I think I’m ready to take that road trip. I can’t deny feeling a little nervous but I think I really want to do this, although this time, I want to drive to Yellowstone national park. You made some good points and I took note of many of them so thank you so much!!

The Wayward Home

12 Awesome Hacks for The Best Solo Road Trip

Posted: March 15, 2024 | Last updated: March 22, 2024

Embarking on a solo road trip is an exhilarating way to explore at your own pace, but it also means taking extra steps to ensure safety and enjoyment. Balancing the thrill of adventure with the practicalities of solo travel requires some savvy planning and smart hacks.

Whether you’re a seasoned road warrior or a first-time solo adventurer, there’s always something new to learn about making your journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

From keeping safe to maximizing fun, these tips are designed to enhance your solo road trip experience.

Let’s hit the road with some of these game-changing solo travel hacks!

1. Keep Your Doors Locked

According to Reddit, one of the most important things to do when solo road-tripping is to keep your doors locked. When discussing this safety tip, one Redditor wrote, “Ensure you manually lock the doors. It may sound like paranoia but why risk someone testing their luck on your unlocked door when you’re stopped at the lights?”

Other Redditors added to this tip, advising travelers to keep their doors locked at drive-throughs and parking lots. For obvious reasons, you should always lock your doors at night!

2. Stay In Secure Hotels

This next safety tip took us by surprise but it makes perfect sense. One of the top comments was from a woman who likes to stay in hotels where the rooms are accessed from inside hallways. 

The reasoning is the reduced risk of break-ins. The Redditor who left this tip said, “There is less of a chance of a random person trying to get into my room and any disturbance might be heard by others easier.”

This goes to show that even the smallest details can help keep you safe!

3. Don’t Broadcast Your Situation

Most solo road-trippers believe the worst thing you can do when traveling alone is tell others. Unfortunately, not everyone has good intentions, so it’s best to keep your circumstances to yourself, even if someone seems innocently inquisitive about your plans.

Here’s what one of the community members had to say about this tip:

“Listen to your spidey sense/gut. If a situation or person seems weird or creepy, or you just get a bad feeling, get out of there. Be prepared to walk away from accommodation if the check-in staff are making you uneasy.”

4. Be Prepared

Without the appropriate preparation, there’s an increased chance you might run into trouble during your road trip. 

Luckily, Redditors from the r/SoloTravel community shared some top tips for being prepared. One of the top tips was to ensure your car is well-maintained.

One community member told solo travelers to “make sure your tires are filled with air and get an oil change.” Or in other words, “if there’s something your car needs and you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to fix it.”

Other simple things you can do to prepare include packing food, drinks, a blanket, and a first-aid kit.

5. “Carry A Personal Locator Beacon”

To some travelers, it may seem excessive, but many Redditors believe there’s no harm in carrying a locator beacon. We agree!

Carrying a personal locator beacon allows your friends and family to keep tabs on you. They work outside cell coverage and leave bread crumbs every 5 to 10 minutes. They can be a valuable tool if you’ve never done a road trip alone. 

When talking about why he carries a locator beacon, one solo road-tripper said, “For me, the peace of mind is more for my family than myself as they seem to worry more than I do.”

6. Use Your Common Sense

To avoid trouble when traveling, you need to use common sense. A helpful Redditor told solo road-trippers to “just use a bit of common sense when camping. If the place looks sketchy then move on.” 

Other readers shared their thoughts too, providing different useful ways to stay safe. These included things like avoiding dangerous neighborhoods, staying inside late at night, and taking breaks on long journeys to avoid fatigue. 

Sometimes, it’s as simple as that!

7. Don’t Show Off Your Valuables

According to Reddit, one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a solo traveler is leaving your valuables where others can see them. The reasoning is simple. You’ll be seen as someone worth stealing from.

In other words, you’ll make yourself an easy target!

Some of the things Redditors told road-trippers to keep out of sight included large sums of cash, iPods, iPhones, and laptops. 

8. Follow The Speed Limit

We’d like to think everyone already follows this safety tip, but unfortunately, not everyone does. Not only is speeding dangerous, but it can also land you in trouble with the law. 

Most Redditors take speeding super seriously. One comment even read, “By far the biggest risk you’d be taking on this trip, is driving at high speeds.”

With that in mind, make sure you stay under the speed limit if you want to steer clear of avoidable accidents and police attention. 

9. Sleep In The Driver’s Seat

One of the most upvoted recommendations on Reddit is to sleep in the driver’s seat. While we would agree that this isn’t too comfortable, a lot of people do it because it offers more security. 

This might seem strange, so let’s look at what one Redditor said for an explanation. The most upvoted comment said, “I always feel safer sleeping in my driver’s seat than I would in an apartment… In my car, if someone tries to get in, I’ll hear it because I’m right there and I can run them over.”

While we don’t condone running over anyone, this safety tip could help you make a quick getaway. However, it’s worth noting that sleeping in a vehicle in some places in the US is illegal. You could even be fined.

Therefore, check the local laws before parking for the night!

10. Don’t Sleep In Remote Locations

Redditors quickly admitted that the chances of anything happening to you are slim should you need to sleep in a remote location. However, choosing not to sleep in remote locations does minimize risks. 

One community member wrote, “Don’t sleep in rest stops or in the middle of nowhere,” before advising solo travelers where to stay instead. They recommended 24-hour Walmart parking lots and truck stops. 

If you spend the night at a truck stop, you can use the facilities too, which always comes in handy.

However, once again, you should check the local ordinances regarding sleeping in personal vehicles at night. Some counties/cities don’t allow car camping.

11. Don’t Pack A Weapon

There are travelers out there who’ll tell you to pack a weapon in case you need to act in self-defense. However, doing so could land you in big trouble, especially if you have to cross any borders.

One Redditor told us to “Ignore the idiots that are recommending guns, pepper spray, and tasers.” He then added, “You can’t bring those over the border. Any solution that involves you using one of these will land you in a police department and ruin your trip.”

Having said that, it might be worth carrying bear spray if you’re heading into bear territory. 

12. Don’t Drive At Night

While it can be tempting to beat the traffic by driving at night, experienced solo road-trippers don’t recommend it. Driving at night isn’t always a bad thing, but you could find yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you break down.

According to Reddit, there’s a greater chance of strange characters and criminals being out at night too. If you decide to travel at night, a few Reddit users recommend driving through well-lit areas and avoiding off-road routes. 

12 Scintillating Road Trip Ideas For The Ultimate Nerd

While we can all appreciate the simple joys of a picturesque road trip across the United States, adding an element of intrigue, mystery, or even nerdiness often leads to more memorable experiences. Reddit users recently discussed the best road trip ideas for the ultimate nerd. Here are 12 of the top responses:

• Read More: 12 Scintillating Road Trips for the Ultimate Nerd

Road-Tripping America’s Most Haunted Routes

Who isn’t intrigued by haunted tales? They’re a magnet for curiosity, especially when they’re woven into the fabric of America’s most chilling roads. These stories aren’t just spine-tingling entertainment; they also touch on concerns for safety and the unknown. Ready for a thrill? Let’s dive into the most haunted routes across America that will surely give you goosebumps.

• Read More: Road Tripping America’s 12 Most Haunted Routes

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In Open Roads, you either explore everything or miss out

The good news is that it’s not hard to explore everything

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There are some secrets that feel too big or too painful to share. It’s easier to take on the burden yourself, you say, to withhold knowledge in the desperate desire to prevent someone else’s pain. Open Roads , the Gone Home -style road trip game published by Annapurna Interactive, is about those secrets, and what happens when those secrets slip — no, explode — out into the world.

Open Roads begins at home — specifically, a home that once held three generations of women: the grandmother, Helen, recently deceased; her daughter, Opal; and Opal’s daughter, Tess. Much of the simple, two-story house has been picked through by estate sale shoppers by the time the game begins, but the stuff left behind reveals a whole lot of secrets. Players begin in Tess’ room, where you’re encouraged to pack up her things, since with Helen gone, the house will be sold.

It’s also where developer Open Roads Team defines the next two hours. Like Gone Home before it, this story rewards curiosity, because the narrative is told mostly through the objects you pick up. You’ll learn about the family by checking out items in Tess’ room, and then elsewhere in the house — namely, the basement and attic — many objects untouched by strangers’ hands. Helen was a single mother and an accomplished potter, and she kept her business close to her chest. Opal, on the brink of a divorce, is struggling to keep her community theater alive. Tess has a different idea of success than her mother and, like most teenagers, feels misunderstood. Each of these women has her own secrets that define her, but it’s one major revelation, discovered in an old suitcase in the attic, that sets Opal and Tess out on the titular highways.

For a game called Open Roads , you don’t spend much time physically on the road. Each small but important location — the secret family summer house, a mobile home, a motel room, and a houseboat — is stitched together with a brief segment in the car, where you, as Tess, fiddle with your phone and talk (or argue!) with your mom. While these moments are just a small part of the two-hour experience, they’re at its core. Through text messages to Tess’ friends and father, we learn about her and her mom’s strained relationship and, again, those secrets. Sometimes, Opal and Tess work through things during their road trip stops, but at other times, they seem to be talking through each other, unable to fully understand the other’s perspective.

You’ll have a lot of stuff to pick up at each of these locations, but the most important items will often provide a “Hey mom!” option, which lets Tess call Opal over. Opal’s role in these situations is to provide context about her childhood, how she experienced the past, and what these items (and the secrets that come with them) do to color those memories. They’re all essential conversations related to the big, overarching mystery, but they sometimes feel stilted; the “Hey mom!” button gets repetitive, making all the potential sincerity feel cheapened.

There are very few items in Open Roads that you have to pick up. Those are largely keys, which are what literally unlock a lot of the story’s secrets. If you aren’t curious enough to pick up other items, let alone call your mom over, then you’ll miss some of the crucial context that builds out Tess’ and Opal’s worlds. Open Roads rewards that curiosity, both for the player, who gets a more nuanced story, and narratively, with Tess’ and Opal’s understanding of each other. For instance, in Tess’ room, there’s a printout of a forum post about how to cope with a grandparent’s dementia; Open Roads Team, therefore, didn’t have to say anything about the last several years of Helen’s life, with Tess and Opal caring for her.

One of the best usages of this sort of gameplay comes when Tess is alone at the motel while her mother is picking up takeout. Playing as Tess, you move around the room alone, rifling through your mom’s things. If you’ve got your flip phone on you, you can text your best friend about your discoveries: I found some pills in my mom’s bag. What do you think it’s for? If you choose to snoop and get this moment, it widens the split between mother and daughter, with Tess feeling like her mom doesn’t trust her. But for the player, it’s also some important context: The pills are antidepressants, and they set the tone that Opal is struggling, too. The game is about picking things up, but it’s also about choice. Because you found the antidepressants, you’ll later be able to ask Opal about them. But, again, you don’t have to — there’s another option to turn the conversation toward a different secret.

The tension between the two characters — and what the player knows but the characters don’t — is both poignant and mundane. Most people with strained parental relationships will see the authenticity of the conversations, played out with brilliant voice acting by Kaitlyn Dever ( Booksmart ), who plays Tess, and Keri Russell ( The Americans ), who plays Opal. (Unfortunately, Open Roads ’ conversations are only semi-animated, so eventually mouths will stop moving while the voice actors talk over a static screen. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be jarring.) It’s so rare for a video game to explore the nuanced, everyday experiences of women, let alone a mother and daughter. The video game industry has spent a lot of time thinking about fathers and sons , but very little about mothers and daughters. Regardless of how they pan out, Open Roads ’ car scenes are short, but crucial. I almost wish they were longer and more drawn out, allowing you to revel in the boredom, tension, and awkward moments. (I may be alone in this conclusion!)

At just two hours long, Open Roads moves too fast through its most impactful moments. Still, it’s a game that I’m so glad exists. It’s a touching, sweet introspection on the relationships between mothers and daughters, and the secrets that families keep from one another. It can be a bumpy road at times, both narratively and control-wise — playing on Nintendo Switch, I found it hard to find the exact right place to trigger a prompt to pick things up. But at the end of the trip, it’s easy to look back at the game and know that Open Roads ’ sentimentality was worth the ride.

Open Roads was released March 28 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed using a pre-release download code provided by Annapurna Interactive. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here .

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse