Now that summer is in full swing, you might be planning a 2022 road trip this summer.  Regardless of your plan to fulfill your summer road trip destinations via car, RV, or camper.  You will need to be prepared for any unexpected bumps in the road.  

Road trips are a lot of fun because your goal is to get from one destination to another without any limits or restrictions on time.  Flexibility is one of the best parts of the summer road trip aesthetic and if you follow our DriveSmart tips for planning a summer road trip, you will be prepared!

#1 The Destination

This may sound silly but the purpose of a road trip is to have an end goal and final destination, otherwise, it would not be considered a road trip.  It’s essential to know where you want to go and end up.  

#2 The Budget

One of the most essential things to planning a summer road trip is to figure out what your budget for the trip is going to be, because at the end of the day.  It is still a vacation, and you will need to figure out the total cost of what you are willing to spend.  

The budget should include the cost of travel, lodging, and day-to-day needs on the road.  Figuring out how much you want to spend daily is essential to your road trip planner.  

#3 The Hotels and Accommodations

It’s incredibly important to book accommodations in advance while also leaving room for unexpected changes.  There is a good chance that you might need to figure out a place to sleep unexpectedly.  Make sure that your hotel, motel, or campsite is at a reasonable distance from your location.  

Finding hotels that do not require an immediate payment is nice so that you can avoid paying any penalties before 24 hours, in case you change your mind while on the road.

#4 Google Maps

Learn how to properly use Google Maps before starting on your road trip.  This app is one of the best travel GPS apps to use whether you are in America or in another country doing a road trip.  We recommend that you always DriveSmart by using a car phone holder mount so you don’t need to look down while driving.  

Google Maps is helpful because it allows you to create an itinerary of different stops along the road trip.  

#5 Eat Local

The best part about being on a road trip is trying out the local cuisine.  It does not matter if you are in another country or in America, every state has something unique to offer in terms of its food options.  

As tempting as it might be to just grab something quick from a fast food location or gas station, stopping to eat at a local place is one of the best parts of a road trip.  

#6 Reusable Water Bottles

Road trippers tend to forget to bring water with them on the road, and its so important to hydrate.  Instead of spending tons of money at gas stations on water bottles and having to deal with the plastic.  
We recommend buying a reusable water bottle because there are many locations where you can fill it up at water fountains, rest stops, etc.  It also helps keep the planet safe and clean!  

#7 Carry Cash

Even though most places now accept credit cards, in some rural areas of the country or world.  They might not accept cards so bringing a bit of cash with you for the ride will be helpful.  You will want to have some cash especially if you are going to be in a small town or in the middle of nowhere.  

#8 Don’t Set Expectations

We all know that we set high expectations for our vacations but sometimes things don’t work out and you can become disappointed quickly.  That is why you should expect less, and enjoy the journey more.  

Approach every point of your road trip with an open mind.  Some stops might be awesome, and others might be disappointing but don’t get yourself overhyped until you get to the location.  

#9 Respect the Law

Before you begin your road trip, do some research into the local driving laws of each state or country that you plan to visit.  Every state has slightly different laws and regulations when it comes to driving, and other countries could have drastically different laws.  

Be a responsible tourist and pay attention to all the local laws, along with the people.  

#10 Have Fun!

At the end of the day, a road trip is supposed to be a fun adventure and not a lot of work.  If you are taking a personal vehicle on this road trip, we highly recommend equipping the vehicle with a DriveSmart Warranty 30 days prior to your road trip so that in the event that you suffer from a mechanical breakdown or failure.  DriveSmart will take care of all those repairs for you as long as your vehicle is in the United States.