How to Plan a Cross Country Drive

America the Beautiful

"Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose." (from Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman)The lure of the open road sometimes calls to us; a sense of adventure beckons, the vagabond within us stirs. We decide to head out and drive this great land end to end to discover what's out there.Before you succumb to the call of the road or drive a single mile, a solid plan is needed to ensure you make it from one coast to the other.

Instructions

1. 

   Start practically. Is your car in good working order? Can it withstand a journey of 3000 miles? If you can't answer that question with certainty, have i checked out. There are many places such as AAA who will do a diagnostic exam of your car and let you know if it has any issues that should be addressed before embarking on a long journey. Be prepared. Get an extra tire, a jack, extra bottles of fluids. Get new windshield wipers, make sure your tires are properly inflated, that your air conditioner and heater are in good working order. If you are not a member of AAA, Good Sam, or another program that offers roadside assistance, purchase one before setting out on a cross country drive. A year's membership is less than the cost of a single tow.

2. 

   Make a list of each city you consider a "must see" along your route. Once you have completed the list, use a map program to plan your driving route. The map will give you the total mileage of your trip. Plan on an average of 2 hours to cover 100 miles. This includes time spent stopping for gas, bathroom breaks, etc. Taking that number into consideration, how many hours do you wish to drive per day? For instance, if your total trip is 2500 miles, and each 100 miles will take about 2 hours, you can travel about 500 miles in 10 hours time. Decide if you want to actually spend 10 hours a day driving, or if you'd rather only cover 400 miles and have more time to stop and look around along the way. Mark National Parks and Monuments you will pass and consider stopping at them for both beautiful views, and history lessons.

3. 

   Calculate gas and lodging costs. Once you determine how many hours you want to drive per day, you will be able to look for lodging along your path. There are many travel websites that give accurate costs as well as reviews. If you are just looking for a pit stop to rest for a view hours before heading back on the road, don't automatically rule out the low end motels. Many low cost chains have all the amenities you need for a single night of rest. To determine your fuel cost, take the number of miles you have to travel, divide it by the number of miles you can drive on a tank of gas. The number you get is the number of tanks of gas you will need for your trip. Multiply that number by the cost of a full tank of gas, and you will have a fairly accurate estimate of your fuel cost.

4. 

   Decide how you will eat. Do you and your traveling companions prefer to stop at a grocery store and get sandwich fixings for a roadside picnic, or would you rather pull off and find a local diner (and local color)? Once you decide which works best for you, budget accordingly. Look for coupon books available in many truck stops and gas stations along the way that offer hotel and dining coupons. Also, if you are a member of AAA, AARP, or an Entertainment Member, lodging and dining discounts are also available.Pack some in car treats like apples, crackers, and cookies for times when there are no diners or stores in sight. Also pack a thermos for coffee which you can refill along the way at most truck stops or gas stations with mini-marts. A case of bottled water should also be on your list.

5. 

   Plan to entertain yourself. There are certain portions of highway in the U.S. which are Radio Wasteland. You can drive for hours without any signal. Make CDs before you leave home to keep the music playing in the middle of nowhere.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear your seat-belt at all times, no exceptions.

• Calculate realistic costs before your trip - don't guess.

• Complete recommended auto repair before leaving home.

• Pick a travel companion with whom you can happily spend 24 hours a day.

• Stop at National Parks, historical landmarks, and other travel oddities you may never pass again.

• Stop at least every 2 hours, get out of the car and walk around for 15 minutes for both blood circulation and general alertness.

• If you plan to sue your cell phone, check your plan to make sure you get free roaming service.

• Don't try to drive too many hours in one day; you'll be exhausted and miserable if you push yourself beyond your limits.

• Don't forget to stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.

• Don't forget to pack your camera, batteries, cell phone, and charger.

Resources

• AAA