Planning Your First Solo Road Trip And Outdoor Adventure
Your first solo road trip hiking adventure can be a bit intimidating, especially if you're a woman. Honestly, the first time I headed out on my own, I was terrified. All worst-case scenarios ran through my mind, and that little voice still makes an appearance once in a while.
And now that the weather in Texas is a bit cooler, it's time to get outdoors and take in the sights. And, what better way to do that than a good old fashioned solo road trip outdoor adventure?
Just the other day, while booking a camping reservation at Brazos Bend State Park, that little voice popped up. It said - 'What if there's an alligator outside my tent in the morning? What if an alligator gets in my tent and in my sleeping bag? What if an alligator gets inside my tent and in my sleeping bag while I'm still in it?’. FYI, Brazos Bend is famous for its alligators. And yep, I was spiraling. 😱😱😱
But I can’t let that inner voice stop me from jumping in my car and hitting the open road, and it shouldn’t stop you either. Traveling solo can be such a rewarding and empowering experience.
I've learned many valuable tips over the years - useful information like planning for a solo road trip, what to pack, and eating healthy even when grabbing something at the gas station. I'm sharing some of the most valuable things I learned from my experiences traveling the open road solo. And I've put together several solo road trip planning pointers to have in mind when mapping your route.
Select The Scenic Route For Your Road Trip
A few weeks ago, I set out on a solo road trip to Colorado from Houston. Planning is key to any successful road trip and even more so when traveling solo. They say, 'it's about the journey, not just the destination.' And I take this advice to heart; I'm always taking the scenic route. Map your journey to enjoy and photograph the sceneries you pass through.
During my road trip to Colorado, I detoured through Tucumcari, New Mexico. My intention was to travel a section of Route 66 and view off-the-beaten-path small towns and country roads.
While on the 110-mile stretch of road I traveled, I may have seen a handful of cars. I got to enjoy the landscape and even pulled over for a not so quick photo op.
Find Cool Stuff Along Your Road Trip Route
A road trip is much more than just driving the car to your destination. It's about finding interesting and fun places along the way.
One remarkable aspect of heading out on a solo road trip is you are on your own schedule. No need to rush to your destination, do some research, and map places you'd like to see and explore along the route. Plan some extra time to stop at viewpoints, state border visitor centers, and kitschy tourist spots.
Not sure how to find unusual places or kitschy attractions. Instead of putting in your destination, type 'tourist attractions' in Google Maps, move the map along your desired road trip route, then click 'search this area.'
You can find all kinds of unique and fascinating spots on Google Maps you never knew existed.
For example, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, draws quite the crowd.
But not many know about VW Slug Bug Ranch just east of town. Check out more quirky and odd attractions at RoadsideAmerican.com
It will take longer to drive to your destination, but the adventure is worth the added time.
Useful Websites and Corresponding Apps For Planning Your Solo Road Trip
There are so many helpful websites to plan a road trip; it's sometimes hard to decide which ones to use. A couple of my favorite sites also have corresponding IOS and Android apps to quickly adapt if a change of plans occurs while I'm on the road.
AllTrails – I use this app to determine which hiking trails are closest to where I'm staying, view trail photos, read reviews, and gauge the hike's difficulty. When I'm hiking solo, I tend to keep on well-trafficked trails. I may be hiking solo, but I don't feel alone.
The Hiking Project - similar to Alltrails but more manageable to navigate when on a laptop.
Texas State Parks App - Texas has a free app with all 89 state parks. Features include in-app dialing to make reservations, view detailed facility maps, see photos and videos, and filter by hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Google " the state name + state parks" to see if the particular state you're visiting has something similar.
Hotels.com - to find places to stay along the route. When searching for hotel rooms, I always choose a hotel with interior doors if I'm unfamiliar with the area, ie. La Quinta, Hampton Inn, etc. Feeling safe is my top priority. If you don't feel safe, it's not a fun experience. Selecting the right place to stay makes all the difference.
Airbnb - They have unique lodging, from treehouses to castles. It may seem strange if you've never tried this option but look for superhosts when looking into this possibility. Superhosts are experienced, highly rated owners who are committed to providing a great experience. Receive up to $65 off your first booking by clicking here. Airbnb.com
Tripadvisor – is useful for finding a local restaurant and reading some of their reviews. You can filter your search by establishment type, meals, cuisine, price, and atmosphere. Some restaurants even let you order directly from this platform.
Google Maps - for just about everything.
Don't forget to download the apps to your phone before heading out.
Invest In Offline Resources For Your Road Trip
Maps
Always bring a map with you in case you lose cell service, or your GPS is offline. I'm fond of Rand McNally's Road Atlas for its paperback spiral format.
They also have a National Parks Atlas and Guide, a 132-page color guidebook detailing each park's best drives, natural wonders, trails, park programs, museums, and lodges. It also contains points-of-interests and hundreds of photos capturing the spirit of each park.
Trail Maps
Print a copy of your itinerary and two copies of the trail maps you plan on hiking. Give your itinerary and one a copy of the trail maps to a family member or close friend. Keep the other trail maps in your backpack in case of dead smartphone battery mishaps.
You may think email is more straightforward, but your itinerary and maps may get rerouted to a spam folder or possibly not delivered at all.
Want a quick list for what to keep in your pack for a day of hiking read The 10 Hiking Essentials For A Day On The Trails.
Guidebooks
Head over to your local library and check out a few guidebooks about the area you are traveling to and exploring. Hiking books, regional guides, and travel magazines are helpful when planning a trip. When you find publications you like, purchase the recent addition and take them with you on the road trip.
A few of my favorites are
Road Trip Entertainment
There's nobody in the seat next to you when traveling alone; bringing a few items to keep you occupied on the road and when you stop for the night is a must.
Create and download a road trip music playlist from your favorite app. There is no better time than on a solo road trip to sing your favorite songs out loud, banging the steering wheel like drummer Gina Schock from the Go-Go's. I have a Spotify Premium Family Membership that allows our whole family to use one account.
Discover songs or playlists by genre, everything from Classical Woodwinds to EDM Mixes. Premium memberships start at $9.99/month and allow for unlimited skips, zero ads, and downloading music to listen offline.
A few other streaming services are Pandora, Sirius XM, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Apple Music.
Enjoy reading; how about listening to your favorite books or podcasts on Audible. You can also download your favorite podcasts from Castbox and SoundCloud.
Creating A Budget For Your Solo Road Trip Hiking Adventure
It may not be one of the most delightful aspects of planning a road trip. Still, budgeting for your trip helps squash those 'Did I really spend that much?' blues when you open your credit card statement.
Budget The Largest Fees First
After deciding where you want to go, budget the essential items first when planning your road trip. Budget for park entrance fees, hotel or camping site costs, and rental car prices if you choose not to drive your vehicle. Plus, food expenses while traveling to and from your destination.
National parks charge a substantial entrance fee. Consider purchasing a National Parks Annual Pass to save money in the long run. Plus, it's a great incentive to visit other national parks across the country.
Purchase a State Parks Pass for your area and enjoying a weekend getaway closer to home.
Map Out The Gas Stations and Create A Road Trip Fuel Budget
When planning a solo road trip, map the gas station locations. Gas stations are sometimes few and far when traveling in rural areas. And nothing can ruin a day quicker than running out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Mapping out where the well-lit and clean gas stations are is essential when traveling alone.
Don't forget to create a road trip fuel budget. This is often overlooked when creating a road trip budget. I use the Gas Buddy Gas Trip Calculator to map the stations and create a fuel road trip budget. With handy tools like the Gas Price Map, Fuel Outage Tracker, and Ways To Save At The Pump, this website is quite beneficial for planning a solo road trip.
Perform Routine Car Maintenance Several Days Before Your Solo Road Trip Hiking Adventure
Make sure to schedule a routine oil change and fluids checked before heading out on your road trip.
Have your tires rotated, the spare tire sufficiently aired, and all tire changing equipment, including locking bolts in the car. I have left home without my tire's locking bolt once and had to have the vehicle towed to the closest dealership. I laugh about it now, but at the time, I was not a happy camper.
Also, ensure all the exterior lights, front, back, brake, and turning indicators are operational.
Wrapping Up
Traveling solo can be such a rewarding and empowering experience. Preparation is key to any successful road trip and even more so when traveling solo. Planning out the journey is the first step to enjoying going out on the road solo. And enjoying the adventure of visiting off-the-beaten-path small towns, hiking state and national parks, and photographing the sceneries you pass through.
Don’t forget the get travel insurance when you’re planning your big trip. Flight delays, cancellations, and accidents do happen on the trail. Get a quote from InsureMyTrip.com
Have you set out on a solo road trip? Share your experiences and any tips in the comments below. And if not, what do you feel is holding you back?
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