How Do You Plan a Road Trip?

Howdy! It's been a crazy year and definitely one for the books. So long 2020 and hello to 2021! 

Upon the return from our last trip, we received enough "How do you plan?" questions, that I felt it was worthy an address on the blog. Especially since it's going to be new trip planning time soon!

It all starts late at night with a thought and then muttering as we are falling asleep... "What do you think about going to..." Then the next morning I'm online obsessing about our next destination. I start with Google maps and begin shaping a road trip between home and the destination. Some of the ideas out floating around in the ether are Route 66, Grand Canyon, Disney World, East Coast in the Fall, National Parks, Burning Man (but not Burning Man), weird roadside attractions, etc.

Fire Tour 2020 was "What would it be like to take Highway 1 all the way up West coast?" that turned into a friends and family tour. Plus a hunt for Bigfoot through the Redwoods and a quest for One-Eyed Willy's treasure. Can I just tell you how many amazing things just pop up out of nowhere and you have to slam on the brakes to make it into the parking lot? Three very scary moments immediately come to mind... The Trees of Mystery, The Prehistoric Forest and Springfield from The Simpsons. The Trees and the Forest popped up out of nowhere around a bend. Springfield was a blink and ya miss it kind of thing and then we had to go around the block and make sure the trailer didn't run into low branches, lights or awnings.

After the map, I print a calendar for the time that we plan on being on the road. I start making a list on the back that includes, things and people to see, points of interest, campgrounds, etc. Then I start planning out how long we want to spend in each place and begin piecing together the rest. 

I also have to keep in mind that we don't like to drive more than 300 miles in a day, or more than 5-6 hours. And I keep track of mileage, both for the trip and overall for the trailer. It's useful if we ever resell.

Here's my chicken scratch for the Fire Tour 2020 trip:

 
Santa brought me a 2021 planner so I don't have to be this cluttered. 

I search Roadside America for the weird and unusual, because I myself am weird and unusual. Ha! I forked out the money for the Roadside America app. It's clunky, but I imagine it's because there is a lot in it. I've enjoyed having it, but could now give or take it if I've done additional planning. From there, if there seems to be a hot spot, I give it a Goog. I look for National Parks and interesting rest stops. I also reach out to friends and fam on social platforms to see if anyone wants a visit, i.e. let us camp in their driveway.

For portions of the trip where we need a campground, I search two places:
  1. Kampgrounds of America (KOA) website: It's not a secret that we are KOA members. The rate savings have made the membership fees WELL worth it. Having Spawn means having a routine and KOAs allow familiar settings while still traveling. We know there is always a playground and always a safe area to walk around. The sites are spacious compared to most and are usually quite level.
  2. Campendium app: I use the Campendium app because you don't have to be a member to see photos. The website is more robust, but the app works great for finding free and low cost safe sites as well as dumpsites. Which are oh so important to know when and where you will require such a visit.
Once we've put together an itinerary, then it's time to start getting the trailer together. That's a whole other thing... I have a 6 page checklist that includes everything (from Spawn to the kitchen to the tool kit contents to groceries) we could possibly need and then some. I go through this check list EVERY TRIP. It never fails something gets left behind if I don't. And Heaven FORBID it's the colors blanket or Pinky Bear or my sleep ball covers! I have two types of lists. I have one for regular trips where we will be in and out of civilization and I have one for boondocking trips that can last up to two weeks.
This list covers everything. Do we want the big grill, the hibachi or just the charcoal grill? Do we really need the big cooler, or can we get a way with the 6pk version? To propane fire pit, or to fire wood? How many LED lights do we really need? The answer is always all of them. Tiki torches? Fire bans? No. Shade structure? Movie screen? Projector? Toy cars? How many movies did we download? Should we bring any DVDs? Will we have service? Do we need the mobile signal booster? Do we have the flag? I'm bringing vitamins. Do you want yours?

I kill this organizing thing. Boom. So... Once everything is checked off and we are hitched up, then it's off we go!

Catch you all on the flip side!

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