Road Trip Resources
The new AAA digital resource is even better than the printed, spiral bound TripTik of my youth.
Now they have an interactive map to plan your route and find points of interest, gas stations, campgrounds, etc. The TripTik was where we started when we planned our 35 day road trip to estimate travel distances and time between stops
My #1 recommendation before you hit the road – teach everyone in the car how to use Google Maps. Picture this – you’re driving, the kids are hangry, and you’re the only one who knows how to use the app to find a restaurant on your route –a restaurant that meets everyone’s dietary preference. Speaking from experience, it’s a nightmare.
We used Google Maps almost exclusively for directions and finding interesting stops along the route.
Trip Advisor is a great resource to explore “things to do” in areas where you’re traveling. You can create a folder for each destination and save favorites. I also find it helpful to read reviews and see photos from other travelers. I did this prior to our road trip so we had some fun things to do. That’s how we found out about the Opryland Hotel in Nashville and the Colorado River rafting company.
If you are traveling in an RV, you should definitely check out Harvest Host. For a membership fee you can access their database of wineries, breweries, farms, and other privately owned businesses that invite RVers to stay on their property free of charge. All they ask is for guests to make a purchase at their business. Most do not provide electric or sewer, but they offer a unique place to stay.
We used Harvest Host for our travels and these were some of the best memories. We stayed at a winery, a cherry farm, and on a ranch in Wyoming. All of the host sites were fantastic!
