Mountains, valleys, canyons, rivers, oceans, rain forests, deserts, grasslands, caves. There is no country in the world that compares to the United States of America in diverse, scenic, natural beauty. From the coast of Maine to the deserts of Southern California, from the swamps of southern Florida to the rain forests and glaciers of Washington state, the entire country is a treasure trove of natural wonders.
And there’s no better way of exploring it than an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip.
This is my all-inclusive guide for an extended road trip across America.
Table of Contents:
(click on link to jump ahead)
- What is an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip?
- How much time is needed for an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip?
- How to make your Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip happen.
- My top tips for an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip.
- How to plan your route.
- Where to sleep?
- Where to eat?
- What to do?
- What’s the total budget for a Great American Adventure Road Trip?
What is an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip?
An Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip is an extended road trip around America by car or van. It involves taking everything you need to survive and living out of your car for the duration of your time on the road. And it involves having a goal in mind, not just wandering around with no clear purpose.
The most important part of an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip is the adventure part. It is imperative that you don’t just drive around, stop to take a picture, then continue on to the next destination. You must get out of your car and remain out of your car for long periods. You must experience the places that you are visiting, not just see them.
What’s the best way to experience a place? Try everything the place has to offer.
If the place is a well-known hiking destination, get on your feet and go hiking for days. If there’s an iconic mountain, don’t just stand there and look at it. Figure out a way to climb it. Maybe the location is known for skiing or mountain biking, so get outside and try something new. Visiting a foodie destination? Sample everything you can get your hands on.
Remember, don’t just see the incredible places in the U.S.A., experience them.
How much time is needed for an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip?
Depending on where you live, it’s best to have at least 2 months for your road trip. The United States is huge and involves long driving distances to get from place to place. The shorter amount of time you have, the more you need to focus on one particular region. If you have 4-6 months, you’re opening up the opportunity to visit more regions. And if you have more than 6 months, it’s possible to hit up just about every region.
The more time you have, the greater chance you have at learning a new hobby and getting better at it. You won’t learn how to ski black diamond runs in one week. You need months of practice, so it’s best to give yourself as much time as possible for the pursuit of your dreams.
How to make your Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip happen.
The road trip can be part of a bigger Year Off or a shorter, free-standing jaunt around the country. And just like a full Year Off, there are several steps you need to take to get yourself prepared for your road trip.
1. Get out of debt and save money
I believe it’s important to get rid of any student loan and credit card debt before you start your trip. That way, if something goes wrong, you will not have to worry about defaulting on any loans and declaring bankruptcy. I think it’s equally important to get a good start on your retirement savings as well. That way you’re not jeopardizing any long-term financial goals.
You need to save the money to cover all your road trip expenses as well. I believe $40,000 for a whole year is what to shoot for. If you are only road tripping for 6 months, then $20,000 will be enough. That amount of money will give you one hell of a road trip! It can certainly be done for less though, so if saving that amount of money seems impossible, don’t despair.
2. Create the time away from work
After saving the money, you need to create the time away from work. The best way is through a leave of absence. But if that’s not possible, then you have to quit your job. If you’re already financially independent or retired, then you already have the time!
3. Develop a theme
Make sure you set out on your road trip with a purpose. Don’t just drive around the whole time, briefly getting out of your car to take a few pictures. Develop a goal you want to achieve or something you want to learn how to do. Try as many new activities as possible, but try to focus on one or two main themes.
4. Eliminate expenses at home
Move out of your apartment and stop your rent payments, utility bills, and cable and internet bills. Remove any recurring monthly payments so you only spend money on food, shelter, and the pursuit of your dreams while away. If you own a home, you’ll need to save extra money to cover your monthly mortgage payments.
Once you’ve completed these four steps, it’s time to hit the road!
My top tips for an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip.
So you’re ready to start your road trip. The beginning is only a couple weeks away, and you’re in the final planning stages. Here are my top tips for having a successful Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip.
1. Pack meaningfully.
When packing for your trip, the goal is to bring items that you know you will use regularly and that will bring you joy while gone. It’s best to leave anything that might be a burden at home.
With that being said, it’s important to minimize the amount of stuff you bring. Just because you have a car with plenty of room doesn’t mean you need to fill that car with things for every single crazy situation that might happen. Bring only items that you know you will use regularly.
Keep in mind the motto “I have everything I need and nothing I don’t”.
For more tips on how and what to pack for your road trip, check out my Ultimate Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip Packing List.
2. Get a reliable car with high clearance.
A big SUV with tons of room is not necessary for an extended road trip. I traveled around the U.S. for 6 months in a 2-door coupe. I had everything I needed in that car with plenty of room to spare.
It sucks to have to stop for car repairs while gone. Even though a lot of situations are unavoidable, you can minimize your chances of any emergency repairs by purchasing a reliable car, not a beat-up car from the 80s.
An added bonus is having a car with high clearance. This opens up the possibility of driving on some crazy, rough, dirt roads in remote areas and getting way off the beaten path. While many roads out west are accessible to low clearance cars, it’s best to have high clearance so you’re not limited in the number of places you can visit.
For international travelers who don’t own a car in the U.S., you’ll either need to rent a car or buy one. If you have the cash and a good amount of time, it may be worth it to buy a used car when you arrive and then sell it before you leave. You may take a hit in the value when you sell it, but it’s possible you’ll get your money back.
3. Have road-side assistance and a spare tire.
Many epic places out west are miles from anything and any cell phone service. If you pop a tire, a spare tire will ensure you can get back to town safely. And for added protection, get road-side assistance like AAA.
4. Limit driving time to 8 hours per day, max.
When driving long distances, I found my maximum driving time in a day was 8 hours before I got too tired and distracted to drive anymore. Make sure to break the drive up into smaller segments as well. Stop for an hour or two a couple of times per day to relax your mind and get some rest. If you’re feeling drowsy, pull over and take a nap.
5. Don’t try to see it all.
Have realistic expectations for how much of the county you will visit. It’s a massive country, and it’s not possible to see everything, even if you have a whole year. I was gone for 6 months and feel like I barely scratched the surface on what’s out there.
6. Leave plenty of down time.
Traveling full-time is difficult and can wear you out, especially if you have an adventure theme like climbing mountains. Make sure to give yourself breaks from traveling every now and then. Splurge on a nice hotel room in a city and spend some days just chilling out, doing nothing.
7. Slow down and “live” in a special place.
Your appreciation for a place grows exponentially when you can slow down and spend days or weeks in a place that’s special. The campground becomes your home. You learn the local weather patterns and come to recognize the wildlife and plants. You develop a day-to-day routine and the place becomes familiar. And it’s really cool when you can call an incredible place like Yosemite Valley or Zion National Park your home away from home.
8. Try new activities.
Certain outdoor activities are what make a place so special. For example, Moab, Utah is well known for it’s mountain biking, Bishop, California for it’s rock climbing, and Mt. Rainier, Washington for it’s mountaineering. Find out what a place is known for then give it a try. Hire a guide if you have to. Some of the fondest memories I have from my road trip are from the new activities I tried. Remember, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
9. Have a theme or skill you want to learn or get better at.
As mentioned earlier, have a purpose for your travels. Think of an activity you want to get better at and base your travels around it. If you try something new on your trip and end up loving it, change the theme of your trip to that activity and find other places to practice it. You’ll learn a lot about your new passion and will have the ability to pass your new knowledge on to other people.
10. Plan out big activities ahead of time.
If there’s a popular activity that you really want to do, then it’s best to plan it out ahead of time. Some things will book up months or years in advance, so plan it way ahead of time, then plan your other travels around those couple of activities. I wanted to hike the John Muir Trail in California while I was gone, but I knew the permits for it were reserved months in advance. So I reserved my permit before I left. All I had to do was make sure I was in California to start the trail on the day my permit was issued for.
If you wish to visit a very popular place and spend a good amount of time there, it’s best to plan that out ahead of time as well. Campsites in Yosemite Valley and Zion Canyon, for example, are often fully booked months in advance. So if there’s a place you really want to go to, figure out ahead of time whether you need to reserve a place to sleep.
11. Don’t plan out too much.
While planning out some big activities is important, it’s very important not to plan out too much. Leave plenty of room for spontaneity during your trip. You will learn a lot while traveling and will likely want to change plans often. If you’re set in a particular itinerary, it’s harder to deviate and try something new. I found some of the best days of the trip were days I hadn’t planned out ahead of time.
12. Utilize a guide book but not too much.
Guide books are great for giving you an idea of what an area has to offer, from food and lodging to fun activities. I utilized the Lonely Planet guide books during my travels, and they gave me good info on many of the places I traveled through.
But once again, it’s best not to rely on a guidebook too much. Avoid unnecessary expectations of places and show up with a fresh perspective, not the perspective of the guide book authors. Bring a guide book along on your road trip but don’t rely on it too much. I found that the best info about an area was passed on to me by other people and not found in any guide book I had.
13. Avoid the busy seasons and busy areas.
Some places are just down-right crazy during busy season. If it’s peace and quiet you’re after, then avoid the busy seasons and travel more in the shoulder seasons or off-seasons. There will still be plenty to see and do without fighting the crowds.
It’s possible to visit during busy season but still avoid the crowds though. That requires getting out of your car and off the beaten path. Get up early every day and beat the crowds or linger well into the evening when the crowds have already left.
Crowded areas are best avoided by accessing remote areas by foot or car. That means backpacking and car camping in remote areas. Come prepared with everything you need in your car, and you’ll have no problems finding that solitude in an epic spot.
14. Chase the good weather.
Plan your travels around the best weather seasons for particular regions. For example, plan on visiting the desert southwest in spring then head north into the mountains in summer. Some climates may be too harsh to spend too much time in, so chase the good weather while road tripping. Beware though, the crowds will follow the good weather as well.
15. Make friends along the way.
I found some of the most interesting people I met were people doing the same things I was. When you share common interests with another person, it’s easy to get along. So when I was out backpacking or climbing around in the mountains, I tried to meet as many people as I could. It was fun hearing their stories.
16. The more you move, the more expensive it is.
Gas isn’t cheap in America so the more you drive, the more expensive your road trip will be. All the more reason to slow down and spend more time in fewer places, rather than speeding around the country trying to see everything.
17. Get travel insurance.
Don’t leave home without it. If you’re on a leave of absence from work or you quit, it’s likely you don’t have health insurance so you’ll need some kind of protection. There are financial risks associated with an extended road trip so protect yourself.
Get travel insurance that covers the activities you want to do. I used World Nomads and got their adventure insurance package which covered everything from white water rafting to mountaineering.
How to plan your route.
1. Organize it by state or region.
Depending on the amount of time you have on the road, it’s best to focus on one or two different states or regions. You’ll waste too much time driving from state to state if you try to see too much. Pick a logical starting point, then follow the main roads around the state or region.
For example, Utah’s big five national parks are conveniently located in a big circle around the state. Start at the national park that is closest to your home then move in a circle around the state. California is best done in a north to south or south to north route. Start at the bottom of the state then work your way north to the top.
2. Know the climate ahead of time and what areas will be open.
Some areas are inaccessible or undesirable to visit during particular times of the year. The desert southwest, for example, is ungodly hot during the summer so it’s best to visit in the spring, winter, or fall. The Pacific Northwest gets a lot of snow in the winter so if it’s warm summer days you’re looking for, avoid the winter.
Know what areas are open ahead of time and plan your route around the better weather. Keep in mind though, nicer weather means bigger crowds. For National Parks, visit their website to see what is open and the best times to visit.
3. Follow your theme.
If you have a theme to your road trip, plan your route around that. One of my themes was backpacking, so I followed the route of Colorado, to California, to Washington, then on to Wyoming, hitting up the best backpacking trips along the way. Figure out the best places to visit for your theme, then create a driving route based on that.
Remember, don’t plan out too much in advance. Have a general route planned but be open to changing the route along the way.
4. Use Google Maps and Apple Maps
When I was traveling, I found Google Maps was the best app for searching for the location of a particular place, like campgrounds or trailheads. When I had an actual address or known location I wanted to get to, I found that Apple Maps was best at navigating to the place.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good old road map though. Cell connections are bad or non-existent in the remote areas. I had a Rand McNally road atlas I used, and when I arrived at a place, I would get a more detailed local map. They’re easy to find at visitor centers.
Where to Sleep?
1. Hotels and motels.
Hotels and motels are the most convenient and comfortable places to stay on your road trip but are also the most expensive. After several days of camping in the wild, there’s nothing more enjoyable than a nice bed to sleep in. Keep in mind, prices can vary dramatically from location to location and during busy seasons.
It’s relatively easy to book a room the day you plan to arrive in most bigger cities and more populated areas. The more remote the area, though, the more expensive and booked up the place will be. Lodging in Yellowstone National Park, for example, gets booked many months in advance and will cost in the $150-$300 a night range.
On my road trip, I stayed in a hotel or motel once or twice a week on average. I would time my hotel stay with times of transit, when I was driving from one area to the next. And I would camp or backpack in the national parks and public lands where the lodging was expensive and difficult to book the day of.
The Expedia App was my go-to room-booking tool, quick and easy to use. Sometimes, if I was on a major highway with regular towns and hotels, I would just drive until I got tired then pull off the highway and find a hotel room.
2. Airbnb
Airbnb is becoming more and more popular, so it’s easier to find a place to stay. Airbnb’s can offer good locations and cheaper prices than hotels, so it’s a good option to consider while on the road. They are more difficult though because you can’t just drive up to an Airbnb and expect to have a room for the night. The exact location often isn’t revealed until you book the place so you have to book in advance. It’s a good option if there is a popular place you know you want to visit and camping and hotel options are limited.
3. Campsites
Camping, in my opinion, is the best way to truly experience a special wilderness place in America. And luckily, there are many developed, well-kept campgrounds all around the country. They vary in upkeep and amenities, but if you come prepared with everything you need, even the worst campsite can feel like home.
KOAs and private campgrounds.
The campsites with the most amenities are KOAs and other private campgrounds. They typically have showers and laundry facilities and a camp store. Some even have a small restaurant. These are usually popular so booking at least a day or two in advance is advisable. They have a nice app that makes booking easy.
Many KOAs are located close to big cities, so they’re good, cheaper alternatives to an expensive hotel room. And they have locations close to big national parks as well where lodging can be difficult to find.
State and National Park Campgrounds
State and National Park campgrounds are excellent options, but usually very popular. Some of the campgrounds are first-come, first-served so it’s possible to get a campsite the day you arrive. Others can be reserved in advance on the agency’s website. Some of these campgrounds have showers (usually at an extra cost) and all of them typically have bathrooms with running water.
You must visit the state or national park’s website to find information on the campgrounds. The websites are a great resource, and I would always visit the website before arriving to figure out what my options were. Here is a great example of Yosemite National Park’s campground page. Each national park has a detailed website just like this, so check it out before arriving.
Some campgrounds in really popular areas like Yosemite get fully booked many months in advance. If there is a special place you really want to visit, plan that out way ahead of time to avoid the disappointment of not having a place to camp. Weekends are also way more popular than weekdays in many areas. Try to arrive at a place mid-week to increase your chances of getting a campsite.
BLM and National Forests
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas and National Forests often have really nice developed campgrounds like the national and state parks. These campgrounds can also be very popular and get booked months in advance, but many are first-come, first-served. The best resource on these campgrounds is at recreation.gov. They also have a nice app for booking as well (RecGovCamp on the app store).
The best camping on BLM and National Forest lands though is their dispersed camping. Many of the back roads are lined with excellent places to pull off and camp. It’s important to check at a ranger station, visitor center, or website ahead of time though to figure out where you can camp. There are rules you must follow and only certain areas where dispersed camping is allowed. Don’t be an asshole and camp somewhere you’re not supposed to.
Dispersed camping is free but don’t expect any toilets or running water. Bring everything you need from toilet paper and a trowel to dig a hole to poop in to gallons of clean water for drinking and cooking.
I cannot stress this enough, but you must practice Leave No Trace ethics when dispersed camping (and in a campground as well). There’s no one around to clean up your mess, so it’s very important to leave these great wilderness areas in their pristine condition. Visit www.lnt.org to learn about Leave No Trace ethics.
Backcountry Campsites
My absolute favorite places to camp require work to get to. They are backcountry campsites that require backpacking and hiking, often for many miles, to get to. But they are the most pristine, beautiful places to pitch a tent.
Backpacking requires special knowledge and skills so if you’re new to it, by all means jump right in, but do some reading ahead of time, take a course at a local outdoor gear store, or join a guided trip first. Start out with shorter, easier trips then build yourself up to bigger, longer trips.
And don’t forget, Leave No Trace ethics applies big-time with backpacking so learn the rules ahead of time and don’t be an asshole.
4. With friends and family
Friends, family, new acquaintances, ex-girlfriends or boyfriends, anyone who will take you in is a great sleeping option. It’s fun to reconnect and get a local’s perspective on an area. Don’t be an asshole though and over-stay your welcome or leave the place a mess.
5. In your car or van.
Buy a van and turn it into your home. Then you never need to worry about where you’re going to sleep. Or if your car is big enough to sleep in, then lay your weary head to bed in the back. All you need is a nice inflatable sleeping pad and a sleeping bag.
Keep in mind, there are restrictions, especially in cities and towns, for where you can park your vehicle and sleep. It’s best to do it in a campground or dispersed campsite. Wal-Marts, oddly enough, allow free overnight parking in their parking lots so that’s an option.
What’s a good sleeping budget?
Most campgrounds cost about $25 for one night of camping. Hotels, anywhere from $50 to $100 for the cheapest option available. Your budget depends on how much you want to sleep in a hotel versus camp.
On my trip, I averaged around 1 hotel room-stay per week, 4 paid campsites per week, and 2 free campsites per week. That gave me a sleeping budget of approximately $200 per week. It’s possible to go cheaper though, especially if you have a van. It’s conceivable to not spend a single dollar on lodging, depending on where you are.
Where to eat?
1. Restaurants
Wow, there’s a lot of good food out there. And a damn McDonald’s on every street in America. It’s not hard to find restaurants, but if you’re going off the beaten path, don’t expect to find a Chipotle anywhere. And if you’re on a budget, eating out for every meal is not possible.
2. Home-cooked meals
Besides costing a lot of money, eating at restaurants can also get really old after awhile. Americans aren’t the healthiest of cookers, so all the greasy food can wear you down. That’s why I preferred buying groceries and bringing everything I needed for food with me.
Bring a small cooler to keep some refrigerated items. Fresh fruit and vegetables are an amazing treat, especially in a remote campground. Get creative and try different campground cuisines with your camp stove or stick to favorites from home (camp-stove chicken fajitas!!!!).
Check out my Great American Adventure Road Trip packing list for a good list of all essential camp kitchenware to bring.
What’s a good eating budget?
If you’re only buying groceries and not eating at restaurants, then whatever your budget is at home will work on the road. The more you want to eat out, the more money you need. I found a budget of $150 per week was more than enough for groceries and for eating out once or twice a week.
What to do?
1. Get outside.
Please don’t just drive around the whole time and never get out of your car. The best experiences are out of the comforts of your car or van and in the great wild places of America. The more time spent outside, the better. Try to experience the places the best way possible, not just see them.
2. Go on an epic drive.
Driving is obviously required to get around America. But instead of sticking to the main highways and routes, try taking the road less traveled. The major highways can be dreadfully boring, so add some extra miles or driving time to your day’s drive and take the back roads. You’ll see more of the country and get a better lay of the land.
Let’s look at an example of what I mean here. Let’s say you’re done exploring the national parks in Utah and you want to head to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. Instead of taking Google’s suggestion and driving south on I-15 to Las Vegas, head directly west on Highway 50 and Highway 6 through Nevada to California. Incredible scenery and way way way off the main drags.
3. Try an adventure activity.
Go white water rafting on the Arkansas River in Colorado. Backpack the John Muir Trail in California. Hire a guide and climb Mt. Rainier in Washington. Rent a mountain bike and go cruising on the single track in Moab, Utah. The adventure activity options in America are astounding, from coast to coast.
Make one of these adventure activities your main road trip theme and try it in several different states or locations. Or just settle down in one place for a month or two and live like a local adventurer.
4. Build in down time and utilize it.
There were days when I would have nothing planned and just spend the whole day reading or lounging around. I sat by the Virgin River in Zion Canyon one whole afternoon just reading.
Bring along an instrument you always wanted to learn how to play and take the time to teach yourself. If writing is your thing, then have a notebook or computer handy to practice. Learn a new language. Study an interesting subject. Listen to new music. Practice drawing or painting or photography. Chase some dreams of yours. And chase them in a really cool place.
What’s a good activities budget?
Your budget all depends on your favorite activities! One day activities like mountain biking or white water rafting or rock climbing will cost $100-$300. Multi-day activities like hiring a guide to climb the Mountaineer’s Route on Mt. Whitney will cost around $1000. Factor in 10% tips for guides as well.
My philosophy was to save as much money as possible on food and lodging while spending the most money on fun activities. Those activities brought me the most joy and are my fondest memories of my road trip.
Remember too, the better you get at something, the more it’s possible to do things on your own without hiring a guide. I had some experience backpacking, so I spent the equivalent of weeks in the backcountry backpacking around, and it was all for free because I didn’t need to hire a guide.
So what’s the total budget for a Great American Adventure Road Trip?
I think it’s best to look at it from the perspective of a monthly budget since your goal should be to take a road trip for months, not just a week or two. Let’s break it down by category and come up with an estimated cost per month.
- Sleeping – $800 per month ($200 per week based on camping at $25 per night for 4 nights a week, hotel room for $100 per week for 1 to 2 nights, plus 1 to 2 free nights of sleeping per week)
- Eating – $600 per month (based on a budget of $150 per week for groceries and the occasional restaurant meal)
- Cell phone bill – $100 per month (don’t skimp here, get a good data package so you don’t need to worry about finding WiFi all the time)
- Car insurance – $50 per month (save on this by paying for a full year or 6 months at a time)
- Gas – $300 per month (this can vary wildly depending on how much you’re moving around, but I averaged a fill up at $35 once or twice a week while gone)
- Miscellaneous car expenses – $50 per month (oil changes, emergency expenses, AAA, whatever might pop up along the way)
- Travel insurance – $120 per month (for the adventurer’s package)
- Miscellaneous travel expenses – $100 per month (occasional shower, park entrance fees, tolls, etc.)
- Adventure activities – $1000 per month (for all the fun stuff!)
Grand total per month for an Epic Great American Adventure Road Trip: $3,120. Or around $18,720 for 6 months on the road.
For comparison’s sake, look at your current monthly expenses at home. I found it shocking how much I was able to save on monthly expenses while road tripping and having a blast doing adventure activities.
This, of course, is an estimate. Besides the money you need for the daily and weekly expenses, you should have an emergency fund to cover any unexpected costs. I think $10,000 is a good amount to shoot for. You should save this money before you even start your road trip savings. Read my post The 7 Financial Steps to a Year Off for more information.
And keep in mind, it’s possible to cut way back on expenses and live even cheaper. But I do believe there’s a point where living too cheaply will affect your happiness level on the road. It’s best to delay your road trip for a few months or years to save even more money. It’s better to have too much money than too little and have to live too cheaply or return home early.
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