14 Tips for a Stress-Free Road Trip
Dreaming up your next road trip? These tips will help keep your dream road trip stress-free!
Because, let’s face it, traveling in any way can be more stressful than the romanticized vision in your mind. BUT with the right mindset and the heavy lifting I’ve done for you here, it doesn’t have to be.
📌 Bookmark this page, email it to your camping buddy, and pin it to your Pinterest for planning later! I’ve also snuck in the photos from our road trip to the Southwest with location-specific tips in the captions.
✨Please note, if you’re thinking about a road trip during the pandemic, consider the following:
- Follow all state guidelines and mandates
- Don’t visit at-risk communities.
- Plan out your meals and bring as many groceries from home as possible to limit your dependency on the resources of other communities.
- Limit your stops and avoid crowded areas (this is a great time to go boondocking in the woods).
- Always be prepared with proper PPE and be respectful of others.
- Make a plan for quarantining and/or testing when you return home.
Who’s ready for a stress-free road trip? Let’s make it happen:
Strike a balance between planning everything and totally winging it – here’s how:
I’ve done the “plan every single detail” type of road trip. I’ve also done the “free as a bird” road trip and, frankly, I find both to be stressful! The good news is, there’s a happy middle ground we can strike.
✨ Start by making a list of highlights – places you want to see the most, hikes you just have to do, experiences you’ve pinned to your Pinterest account! Have your road trip partner(s) do the same then compare lists and combine to make one final master list.
Have you ever heard that boulder analogy where you fill a container with boulders first, then pebbles, then sand? The things on your master list are the boulders.
We won’t worry about getting to the sand level – leave those question marks undefined to give you that stress-free kinda freedom. ✨ But do take things to the pebble level by jotting down the time of day you’d like to experience the items on your master list.
This will help you figure out how much time to dedicate to each location. For example, if you’ve got two sunset hikes in Sedona on your list, guess what? You just penciled yourself in for two days in Sedona. Your “schedule” will begin to make itself.
A few other things to consider when loosely planning your stress-free road trip:
- Consider peak weeks and seasons
- See what’s closed due to COVID
- Check out other COVID restrictions and be prepared to comply
Commit to settle in before dark
If you get stressed out about where you’ll spend the night, you’re in good company! We’ve said it a million times, “Tonight, let’s get to our campsite before dark,” with the most honorable intentions only to find ourselves nervously driving with the headlights on in search of a campsite.
✨To make your next road trip stress-free, commit to making camp in the daylight more often than in the dark. Yes, that means less exploring but it also means more unwinding, more campfire time, more cooking time, more quality time, AND better sleep!
Try these 3 tips for eating healthier on the road
You’re out on the open road, wind in your hair, easy fast-food at every exit. It’s enticing. I know because I had a lot of Chipotle and Panera on my last road trip.
But I would be doing you a disservice if I just said, “Remember to eat healthy on the road!” Because…how do we actually *do* that?
After feeling the effects of one-too-many broccoli cheddar soups to-go, I did some digging on how one actually accomplishes healthy eating on the road. ✨I found three tips to be incredibly helpful:
- If you’re in the United States, look here for every farmer’s market in the country. Make a plan to stock up on locally grown snacks along your route.
- Search for local health food stores and/or Whole Foods Co-ops. They typically have really tasty hot food bars.
- Consistently stock your cooler with picnic-type treats and beverages. Visit that cooler every few hours to keep yourself from getting hangry and stopping at insert your fast-food joint on impulse.
A well fed body = a stress-free road trip companion!
Never worry about finding (or paying too much for) a campsite ever again
“Excuse me, that campsite costs how much?”
“What’s that? All the campsites are reserved for the next two weeks?”
Not exactly a stress-free situation, which is why the majority of campsites we stay at are FREE and always have vacancy!
That’s right, I’m talking about dispersed camping.
✨If you do a quick Google search for BLM or Forest Service land nearby, you’ll likely find options for free camping. Check out this post – 3 Tips for Scoring a Free Campsite on Your Next Road-Trip
Get yourself one of these 📸
While this tip doesn’t directly combat road trip stress, it does add to the enjoyment and creates instant nostalgia.
✨ I’m talking about the Polaroid camera! This is the exact one I have.
I bought it as a little road trip gift for Victor and me prior to hitting the road and I gotta say – money 👏 well 👏 spent 👏.
Skip the tourist gift shops and opt for a local thrift shop
It’s enticing to pop into one of the many gift shops lining main street of whichever destination town you’re visiting. BUT in my experience, if you’ve been to one you’ve been to them all.
Here’s the deal with touristy gift shops – they’re not what I would call “stress-free environments”! The traffic to get to them is often thick, parking spots are hard to come by, and the shops themselves are often crowded. You could skip the shopping all together but, I get it, sometimes your feet are tired from all the hiking and you need a change of pace.
✨Instead, try doing a google search for thrift shops and pick up a truly local souvenir, perhaps one that you’ll use more often too! My favorite wool sweater actually came from a thrift shop in Moab, UT!
To post or not to post? *The age-old question of a millennial. I say, go with your gut. Here’s why:
Some people are really good at enjoying the moment AND sharing it online simultaneously. I am not one of those people and it’s okay if you aren’t either!
If it feels like a chore to share online in the moment, simply don’t.
Repeat this affirmation:
✨I unapologetically savor enjoyable experiences in the moment. I share them with the rest of the world when it feels equally enjoyable to do so.
These apps will make your trip easier
- Google Maps – This is THE app you need. Not only do I use this app on the road but I also use it in the Boundary Waters because of the free Offline Maps function. All you have to do is zoom in on a region and download it to use in areas without cell reception or if you’re out of data!
- Hipcamp – A hidden gem! This app is like Airbnb for the camping world. On our last trip, Victor and I used Hipcamp one night when all the traditional campgrounds were booked and there was no dispersed camping to be found. We parked our truck top camper in the horse pasture of a rescue horse sanctuary for the night. Here’s the listing. We were even allowed to grab a couple of fresh eggs from the chicken coop on the property! You’ll find thousands of great little spots like this on Hipcamp. Use my “refer a friend” link for $10 towards your first stay. Pleaaaaase let me know where you stay if you try Hipcamp!
- Campendium – I love this site for finding both free camping and paid campgrounds! You’ll find lots of helpful reviews and photos.
- AllTrails – Great for planning out hikes!
- Audible – My favorite road trip app! Getting sucked into a good story can help break up long drives. We listened to the first book in the Red Rising series on our last road trip. 10/10, would highly recommend for science fiction/fantasy fans! Check out my books/podcasts favorites page for more ideas.
Budget for surprises with this app
I don’t mean bad surprises, although it’s important to feel financially stable in those scenarios too. I’m talking about fun surprises like one night in a hotel or a meal at a special restaurant or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
✨Budget for unforeseen fun using Qapital, which is an app that allows you to automatically squirrel away $$$ here and there to save up for your goals…like something special on your road trip! Get started now so you’re ready when you hit the road. You’ll thank me later!
Use my “refer a friend” link for a few extra dollars towards your road trip!
Ask your road trip partner(s) these questions before hitting the road
- What’s your budget look like for this trip?
- Which hours of the day are your favorite for driving?
- What’s your ideal pace for the trip? Slow mornings and late nights? Sunrise hikes and go go go?
- How much control would you like to have in planning?
- What are your pet peeves in the car?
- What stresses you out when traveling?
- Podcasts, audiobooks, playlists, or silence?
Don’t forget these (most underrated) road trip essentials:
- Emergency Roadside Kit – Not the most glamorous purchase but you need to have some tools with you! Hit the purchase button, throw it in the trunk of your car, and that’s that.
- Windshield Shade – This has come in handy for us so many times! The most creative way – we used it as an insulation layer in our pop up camper when the temps got below freezing. It kept our blankets from freezing to the canvas sides of the camper. Several uses for this inexpensive essential.
- Jet Boil with French Press – Never be at the mercy of a coffee shop again!
- Solar Powered Charging Bank – We have this exact charging bank and would be incomplete without it. I can’t tell you how many times all our devices died in the backcountry only to have this dude save the day!
- Reusable BPA Free Water Jug – Eco friendly, keeps you hydrated, and saves you money! You can fill up for free at state and local parks.
- Reusable Shopping Bags – eco-friendly and always handy. REI has my favorites.
Hit the backcountry, avoid the crowds, and get off the grid
If you’re feeling a little stressed out by the droves of road trippers and campers, venture into the backcountry of the local area or national park for the day, night, or longer.
This might mean skipping some of the big attractions but it also means connecting more with nature! In my opinion, that’s what it’s all about!
✨Often times a park ranger or local outfitting service can give you advice on how to best enjoy the backcountry wherever you are. This option takes a little more effort upfront but can easily be worth it!
Get a National Parks Pass before you leave home
If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks, like we did, you’ll want to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass.
It’ll cost you 80 bucks, valid for one year, and get you into all 61 national parks and 556 national wildlife refuges across America.
The average cost per national park is upwards of $20/$30. If you’re going to visit a handful, the America the Beautiful Pass is the way to go!
End every day with this ritual
No matter what the day brings, stressful or stress-free, close it out with this twist on “highs and lows” before bed (it’s great to do around a campfire):
✨It’s called “win and wonder”.
Win – “Everyone getting up before sunrise to hike to that overlook was my favorite win today.” You can share both an individual win and a collective win as a group, depending on how many people you’re road tripping with!
Wonder – “I wonder if the day could’ve been less stressful and more memorable had we put our phones away once we settled into our campsite.” This is a constructive way to check-in with each other. Make sure to keep things about “us”, “we”, or “I” rather than singling out your road trip partner(s).
*It’s okay to not have a wonder!
Are you planning a road trip?
Bookmark this post or pin one of the images below to your Pinterest for planning later!
Until then, I’m dying to know where you’re dreaming of going! Let me know in the comments below, pepper me with your questions, and share this post with your travel buddy(s) for your next stress-free road trip.
Happy Trails,
Dreaming up your next road trip? These tips will help keep your dream road trip stress-free!
Because, let’s face it, traveling in any way can be more stressful than the romanticized vision in your mind. BUT with the right mindset and the heavy lifting I’ve done for you here, it doesn’t have to be.
📌 Bookmark this page, email it to your camping buddy, and pin it to your Pinterest for planning later! I’ve also snuck in the photos from our road trip to the Southwest with location-specific tips in the captions.
✨Please note, if you’re thinking about a road trip during the pandemic, consider the following:
- Follow all state guidelines and mandates
- Don’t visit at-risk communities.
- Plan out your meals and bring as many groceries from home as possible to limit your dependency on the resources of other communities.
- Limit your stops and avoid crowded areas (this is a great time to go boondocking in the woods).
- Always be prepared with proper PPE and be respectful of others.
- Make a plan for quarantining and/or testing when you return home.
Who’s ready for a stress-free road trip? Let’s make it happen:
Strike a balance between planning everything and totally winging it – here’s how:
I’ve done the “plan every single detail” type of road trip. I’ve also done the “free as a bird” road trip and, frankly, I find both to be stressful! The good news is, there’s a happy middle ground we can strike.
✨ Start by making a list of highlights – places you want to see the most, hikes you just have to do, experiences you’ve pinned to your Pinterest account! Have your road trip partner(s) do the same then compare lists and combine to make one final master list.
Have you ever heard that boulder analogy where you fill a container with boulders first, then pebbles, then sand? The things on your master list are the boulders.
We won’t worry about getting to the sand level – leave those question marks undefined to give you that stress-free kinda freedom. ✨ But do take things to the pebble level by jotting down the time of day you’d like to experience the items on your master list.
This will help you figure out how much time to dedicate to each location. For example, if you’ve got two sunset hikes in Sedona on your list, guess what? You just penciled yourself in for two days in Sedona. Your “schedule” will begin to make itself.
A few other things to consider when loosely planning your stress-free road trip:
- Consider peak weeks and seasons
- See what’s closed due to COVID
- Check out other COVID restrictions and be prepared to comply
Commit to settle in before dark
If you get stressed out about where you’ll spend the night, you’re in good company! We’ve said it a million times, “Tonight, let’s get to our campsite before dark,” with the most honorable intentions only to find ourselves nervously driving with the headlights on in search of a campsite.
✨To make your next road trip stress-free, commit to making camp in the daylight more often than in the dark. Yes, that means less exploring but it also means more unwinding, more campfire time, more cooking time, more quality time, AND better sleep!
Try these 3 tips for eating healthier on the road
You’re out on the open road, wind in your hair, easy fast-food at every exit. It’s enticing. I know because I had a lot of Chipotle and Panera on my last road trip.
But I would be doing you a disservice if I just said, “Remember to eat healthy on the road!” Because…how do we actually *do* that?
After feeling the effects of one-too-many broccoli cheddar soups to-go, I did some digging on how one actually accomplishes healthy eating on the road. ✨I found three tips to be incredibly helpful:
- If you’re in the United States, look here for every farmer’s market in the country. Make a plan to stock up on locally grown snacks along your route.
- Search for local health food stores and/or Whole Foods Co-ops. They typically have really tasty hot food bars.
- Consistently stock your cooler with picnic-type treats and beverages. Visit that cooler every few hours to keep yourself from getting hangry and stopping at insert your fast-food joint on impulse.
A well fed body = a stress-free road trip companion!
Never worry about finding (or paying too much for) a campsite ever again
“Excuse me, that campsite costs how much?”
“What’s that? All the campsites are reserved for the next two weeks?”
Not exactly a stress-free situation, which is why the majority of campsites we stay at are FREE and always have vacancy!
That’s right, I’m talking about dispersed camping.
✨If you do a quick Google search for BLM or Forest Service land nearby, you’ll likely find options for free camping. Check out this post – 3 Tips for Scoring a Free Campsite on Your Next Road-Trip
Get yourself one of these 📸
While this tip doesn’t directly combat road trip stress, it does add to the enjoyment and creates instant nostalgia.
✨ I’m talking about the Polaroid camera! This is the exact one I have.
I bought it as a little road trip gift for Victor and me prior to hitting the road and I gotta say – money 👏 well 👏 spent 👏.
Skip the tourist gift shops and opt for a local thrift shop
It’s enticing to pop into one of the many gift shops lining main street of whichever destination town you’re visiting. BUT in my experience, if you’ve been to one you’ve been to them all.
Here’s the deal with touristy gift shops – they’re not what I would call “stress-free environments”! The traffic to get to them is often thick, parking spots are hard to come by, and the shops themselves are often crowded. You could skip the shopping all together but, I get it, sometimes your feet are tired from all the hiking and you need a change of pace.
✨Instead, try doing a google search for thrift shops and pick up a truly local souvenir, perhaps one that you’ll use more often too! My favorite wool sweater actually came from a thrift shop in Moab, UT!
To post or not to post? *The age-old question of a millennial. I say, go with your gut. Here’s why:
Some people are really good at enjoying the moment AND sharing it online simultaneously. I am not one of those people and it’s okay if you aren’t either!
If it feels like a chore to share online in the moment, simply don’t.
Repeat this affirmation:
✨I unapologetically savor enjoyable experiences in the moment. I share them with the rest of the world when it feels equally enjoyable to do so.
These apps will make your trip easier
- Google Maps – This is THE app you need. Not only do I use this app on the road but I also use it in the Boundary Waters because of the free Offline Maps function. All you have to do is zoom in on a region and download it to use in areas without cell reception or if you’re out of data!
- Hipcamp – A hidden gem! This app is like Airbnb for the camping world. On our last trip, Victor and I used Hipcamp one night when all the traditional campgrounds were booked and there was no dispersed camping to be found. We parked our truck top camper in the horse pasture of a rescue horse sanctuary for the night. Here’s the listing. We were even allowed to grab a couple of fresh eggs from the chicken coop on the property! You’ll find thousands of great little spots like this on Hipcamp. Use my “refer a friend” link for $10 towards your first stay. Pleaaaaase let me know where you stay if you try Hipcamp!
- Campendium – I love this site for finding both free camping and paid campgrounds! You’ll find lots of helpful reviews and photos.
- AllTrails – Great for planning out hikes!
- Audible – My favorite road trip app! Getting sucked into a good story can help break up long drives. We listened to the first book in the Red Rising series on our last road trip. 10/10, would highly recommend for science fiction/fantasy fans! Check out my books/podcasts favorites page for more ideas.
Budget for surprises with this app
I don’t mean bad surprises, although it’s important to feel financially stable in those scenarios too. I’m talking about fun surprises like one night in a hotel or a meal at a special restaurant or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
✨Budget for unforeseen fun using Qapital, which is an app that allows you to automatically squirrel away $$$ here and there to save up for your goals…like something special on your road trip! Get started now so you’re ready when you hit the road. You’ll thank me later!
Use my “refer a friend” link for a few extra dollars towards your road trip!
Ask your road trip partner(s) these questions before hitting the road
- What’s your budget look like for this trip?
- Which hours of the day are your favorite for driving?
- What’s your ideal pace for the trip? Slow mornings and late nights? Sunrise hikes and go go go?
- How much control would you like to have in planning?
- What are your pet peeves in the car?
- What stresses you out when traveling?
- Podcasts, audiobooks, playlists, or silence?
Don’t forget these (most underrated) road trip essentials:
- Emergency Roadside Kit – Not the most glamorous purchase but you need to have some tools with you! Hit the purchase button, throw it in the trunk of your car, and that’s that.
- Windshield Shade – This has come in handy for us so many times! The most creative way – we used it as an insulation layer in our pop up camper when the temps got below freezing. It kept our blankets from freezing to the canvas sides of the camper. Several uses for this inexpensive essential.
- Jet Boil with French Press – Never be at the mercy of a coffee shop again!
- Solar Powered Charging Bank – We have this exact charging bank and would be incomplete without it. I can’t tell you how many times all our devices died in the backcountry only to have this dude save the day!
- Reusable BPA Free Water Jug – Eco friendly, keeps you hydrated, and saves you money! You can fill up for free at state and local parks.
- Reusable Shopping Bags – eco-friendly and always handy. REI has my favorites.
Hit the backcountry, avoid the crowds, and get off the grid
If you’re feeling a little stressed out by the droves of road trippers and campers, venture into the backcountry of the local area or national park for the day, night, or longer.
This might mean skipping some of the big attractions but it also means connecting more with nature! In my opinion, that’s what it’s all about!
✨Often times a park ranger or local outfitting service can give you advice on how to best enjoy the backcountry wherever you are. This option takes a little more effort upfront but can easily be worth it!
Get a National Parks Pass before you leave home
If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks, like we did, you’ll want to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass.
It’ll cost you 80 bucks, valid for one year, and get you into all 61 national parks and 556 national wildlife refuges across America.
The average cost per national park is upwards of $20/$30. If you’re going to visit a handful, the America the Beautiful Pass is the way to go!
End every day with this ritual
No matter what the day brings, stressful or stress-free, close it out with this twist on “highs and lows” before bed (it’s great to do around a campfire):
✨It’s called “win and wonder”.
Win – “Everyone getting up before sunrise to hike to that overlook was my favorite win today.” You can share both an individual win and a collective win as a group, depending on how many people you’re road tripping with!
Wonder – “I wonder if the day could’ve been less stressful and more memorable had we put our phones away once we settled into our campsite.” This is a constructive way to check-in with each other. Make sure to keep things about “us”, “we”, or “I” rather than singling out your road trip partner(s).
*It’s okay to not have a wonder!
Are you planning a road trip?
Bookmark this post or pin one of the images below to your Pinterest for planning later!
Until then, I’m dying to know where you’re dreaming of going! Let me know in the comments below, pepper me with your questions, and share this post with your travel buddy(s) for your next stress-free road trip.
Happy Trails,
Want more? I've got you covered ↓
