Stop Waiting for Someone to Go With You
I used to think adventures were something you did with other people. But the more I wanted to explore, the more I realized that waiting for someone else to have the same schedule, the same destination, or the same sense of adventure could mean waiting forever. So I started going anyway. Solo road trips taught me that being alone doesn't mean missing out— sometimes it means having the freedom to stop when you want, change plans, take the long way, and discover what you're capable of along the way. The guide is everything I've learned from getting in the car and going.
Packing Guide
What to Pack
You don't need to overpack. Here's what actually earns its space in the car.
One Bag, One Personal Item
Resist the urge to pack for every scenario. Bring what you'll actually use, keep your everyday essentials easy to reach, and organize things so you're not digging through your entire car every time you need something.. A little organization goes a long way on a road trip.
Car Essentials Kit
Before any road trip: check your tire pressure, oil level, and wiper fluid. Pack a small emergency kit — jumper cables, a flashlight, a basic first aid kit, a phone charger, and a paper map of your route. Yes, a paper map. GPS fails.
Comfort Items
A good travel pillow, a blanket, a reusable water bottle, and snacks you actually like. Long drives are better when you're comfortable. A small cooler for drinks and fruit is worth the trunk space on trips longer than a day.
Solo Safety Essentials
A portable phone charger (fully charged before you leave), a door alarm for hotel rooms, a small personal safety device, and a written list of emergency contacts. Share your itinerary with someone at home. Check in daily.
Entertainment for the Drive
Download podcasts, audiobooks, and playlists before you leave. Streaming eats data and rural areas have spotty service. A good audiobook can make a six-hour drive feel like two. I plan my listening the same way I plan my route.
Planning Steps
How to Plan Your First Solo Trip
Five steps from idea to open road.
Pick a Destination You Actually Want
Not the most impressive one. Not the one that looks best on Instagram. The one you've been thinking about for years. Solo travel is your chance to go exactly where you want, at exactly your pace. Start with somewhere within a day's drive — close enough to feel manageable, far enough to feel like an adventure.
Plan the Route, Not Every Hour
Know your start point, your end point, and one or two stops you don't want to miss. Leave the rest open. The best moments on solo road trips are the ones you didn't plan — the roadside diner, the overlook you almost drove past, the small town you spent three hours in because it was perfect. Over-scheduling kills spontaneity.
Book the First and Last Night
You don't need to pre-book every night, but book your first accommodation before you leave and your last night before you head home. Everything in between can be flexible. Apps like Hipcamp, Harvest Hosts, and even last-minute hotel deals give you options on the road. Flexibility is the whole point.
Set a Daily Drive Limit
Four to five hours of driving per day is a comfortable solo road trip pace. More than that and you're just commuting. Build in time to stop, explore, eat slowly, and sit somewhere beautiful doing nothing. The drive is part of the trip — not just the way to get there.
Tell Someone Your Plan
Share your itinerary — even a rough one — with a trusted person at home. Text them when you arrive somewhere new. This isn't about fear; it's about being smart. Solo travel is safe when you're prepared. A quick daily check-in takes thirty seconds and gives you and your people peace of mind.
On Eating Alone
The thing solo travelers dread most — eating alone in a restaurant — turns out to be one of the best parts. Sit at the bar. Bring a book. Talk to the bartender. Order exactly what you want. Eat at whatever pace you like. Nobody is waiting on you, nobody is compromising, and nobody is splitting the dessert you actually wanted all to yourself. Eating alone is a skill. Once you learn it, you'll wonder why you ever thought it was something to avoid.
Route Ideas
Great First Solo Road Trip Routes
The best first solo road trip is one that feels achievable. You want enough distance to feel like an adventure but not so much that logistics become overwhelming. Here are the kinds of routes that work well for first-timers.
- ✓A coastal drive — Highway 1 in California, the Oregon Coast, or the Florida Keys
- ✓A national park loop — Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef make a perfect 5-day circuit
- ✓A mountain route — Rocky Mountain National Park to Taos is stunning and manageable
- ✓A city-to-city drive with stops — Nashville to New Orleans, Portland to San Francisco
"I pulled over at a rest stop somewhere in the middle of Nevada, got out of the car, and stood in the silence. No one needed anything from me. I was completely, perfectly alone. I had never felt so free."
Ready to Keep Going?
One solo trip leads to another. Once you've done it, the fear disappears and the planning gets easier. The Brave Beginner Series has more guides to keep you moving.