Road trip habits of happy travelers include enjoying the journey, knowing when to make and break rules, and finding great travel deals.
Many road trips are simply a means to arrive at a destination. Those type of road trips are not meant to be fun. Just long days of driving on the fastest route possible, stopping only for essential breaks and perhaps taking quick photos at state border signs.
This article focuses on road trips when you immerse in your current scenic surroundings and enjoy where you are, instead of driving as many miles as humanly possible.
Here are my thoughts about the Road Trip Habits which Happy Travelers possess.
Agree? Disagree? Please let me know in the Comment section below. Thank you.
8 Great Road Trip Habits of Happy Travelers
1. Set Some Road Trip Rules
You should know me well enough by now. I am a rule breaker, not a rule maker. I do not make rules that are not fun. Rules I establish for road trips result in happy travel. Some of my happy road trip rules include:
— avoid interstate highways. For me, smaller, side roads are almost always more fun, scenic, and memorable than the interstate highways. A corollary rule is I try to find roads where I cannot use cruise control. Curvy, hilly, and/or unpaved roads are my favorites.
>>> Please also read: Take Roads Trips on Smaller Roads Rather Than Highways
— fun > driving. A basic rule I have is to allow for one hour fun time for every four hours of driving. On my road trips, I tend to get distracted and stop often. So, I rarely drive for four hours in a row. I will, however, make sure that I spend an entire hour doing something fun, like a hike, sitting on a beach, going for a bike ride.
— no chains. On road trips, I will not eat at a place that I could visit at home; even if I do not visit such places at home. I have no desire (anymore) to eat mass produced food that tastes the same whether in Barstow or Boston or Boynton. That eliminates the large fast food chains, which, honestly, is better for my health. If I crave a sandwich, I will find a local deli or grocery store. Same with burger, chicken, ice cream, BBQ, and so on. For lodging, I find that independent motels offer better value, more space, and friendlier staff than large chains.
>>> Please also read: 8 Great Alternatives to Fast Food Chain Restaurants
2. Break Those Road Trip Rules
What? I just convinced you to set some rules and now I am telling you to break them. Have I lost my mind?
Happy travelers set their own rules but also will break those rules if necessary. Here are a couple of examples:
— I will drive on interstate highways if the weather is nasty or I am just not feeling it where I am. Life, and my road trip, is too short.
— Another rule I will break is eating at chains. If they are regional and places I rarely see, I will go. Chains like Pollo Tropical in South Florida and El Pollo Loco and In N Out on scenic drives along the west coast are favorites. You gotta do what you gotta do!
3. Eat Local on Road Trips
Well, I am just sort of restating one of my above rules here. Eh, get used to it.
Eating fresh food is one of the true joys of road trips. Sampling authentic food items and cuisine of another area is exciting, enlightening, and enchanting.
It is also, arguably, better for you.
Sure, that food may have more sugar, butter, salt, whatever, than you are used to. It also will not have preservatives, chemicals, be wrapped in plastic for months (hopefully), and shipped from another state or country.
See also 12 Great Ice Cream Places in US to Cool Off.
While on road trips, I make a special effort to visit bakeries, farmers markets, co-ops, roadside produce stands, festivals, food events, homemade ice cream stands, popup BBQ places (especially with hand-lettered cardboard signs), food trucks, and lemonade stands.
Well, that last one is because I am a sucker for children with an entrepreneurial spirit. Support local economy, right?
See also 8 Great Amazing Fish Tacos in US.
4. Stay With Locals on Road Trips
I prefer to stay in non-chain lodging, especially independent motels, because I find it has better value, more space, and friendlier staff.
First, better value. If an independent motel has the same configuration and size room as a chain property, which will cost more? The chain property has more overhead costs, with the marketing budget for the national (or international) brand. I find that the rates at independent properties (locally owned and operated) are typically 20% less than at nearby brand name properties. Agree?
Second, more space. Bad news, most independent properties are older buildings. Good news, the room configurations were bigger back then. Today’s big brand cookie-cutter hotel rooms are teeny, tiny. Sure, you can pay more for a suite. Or you can just stay at the nearby hotel and pay much less.
Third, friendlier staff. As if the above two items were not totally subjective, this one really is. In my vast road trip experience, I have encountered countless independent hotel/motel/inn operators who are well-established business owners and longtime residents.
At a brand name hotel, the staff are usually locals, but with little work experience. They might be students or people with second jobs, while managers are likely relocated from somewhere else. Friendlier, then, is subjective.
However, I find a huge difference in the quality of information I receive. While hotel staff follows company protocol and suggests touristy places to eat and visit, the independent person will provide useful (to me) and fun information resulting in more enjoyable and memorable road trips.
5. Explore on Road Trips
What makes me happiest on road trips, I have learned after hundreds of road trips, is discovering new things. It may be a scenic view, unpaved road, shortcut not shown on my map or app, recently opened bakery not listed in Yelp, or whatever.
The act of exploring makes road trips very special and memorable for me.
I suppose you might be different. Maybe your idea of fun on a road trip is seeing how fast you can drive or how far you can go. I have done both.
Perhaps instead of saying Explore, I should say, do whatever makes your soul happy.
Is that better?
See also Uniquely American Road Trips.
6. Practice Serendipitous Travel
Think of your favorite travel memories. Take a couple of moments.
Hopefully you thought of some happy travel memories.
My theory may bomb here but I am willing to take the risk.
I believe that most travel memories arise from unplanned situations. No matter how much planning we do, our most vivid memories happen from something unexpected.
That is serendipity.
Am I right? Are your favorite travel memories from serendipitous occurrences? Or as a result of meticulous planning?
>>> Please leave a comment below and let me know if I am right or wrong about this serendipity thing.
True story, I actually planned an entire five day road trip—mapped the route, picked places to eat and stay—and chucked it all after being on the road for less than 30 minutes. I found some street that looked interesting, which took me on a detour, and the plan was blown to smithereens.
I practice serendipity on road trips. That is like saying I practice spontaneity; you can, but you really cannot. What I do, I suppose, is start each day of a road trip with a clean slate. I may have a guideline of the direction I should travel, some highlights along the way, but I leave plenty of opportunity for spontaneous exploration.
Serendipity!
7. Buy a Pass
Buying a National Parks pass makes sense (and saves dollars) if you will visit several parks. The pass is valid for over one year so it is a nice item for a long term US road trip.
Benefits of the National Park pass include skipping the long general admission lines at some parks, saving money (depending on how much you use the pass), receiving discounts at campgrounds and stores, and supporting the National Parks system.
This is just one example of a pass you can buy. During your summer road trips, keep your eyes open for other types of passes or memberships.
8. Vehicle Deals
Happy travelers know how to save money, time, and stress. Sometimes it might mean using your own vehicle for a road trip and knowing where to find the cheapest fuel. Other times it might mean planning a road trip around a great rental car deal.
One of my favorite travel deals year after year is rental cars leaving Florida for under $10 a day. During the Spring (any year) look for me on a road trip between South Florida and Washington, DC, serendipitously exploring the backroads and sampling local food.
What road trip tips and tricks would you add to this list of Road Trip Habits?
Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing those pictures with us. You’re right, this is amazing…
Thank you for the note.
Great post it’s very helpful for traveller.
Thank you, Ramya. May all your travels be happy and memorable.
The two best tips: keep it local, and keep off the Interstates. Those are ones we live by, too. That, and don’t be in such a damn rush that you never stop to see something that looks interesting. It’s not about getting there. It’s about the journey.
Wonderful words of travel wisdom, Tom. Thank you much for stopping by.
Some good reminders for me here. I am a planner and like to have a trip organized before I leave. Need to work on being more spontaneous and serendipiteous (is that a word?)
So close. Serendipitous. It is one of my favorite words. My belief is that serendipitous travels result in the best memories. Give it a try.
We follow exactly the same rules when we go on road trips! We usually have a general idea of where we’re going, but if something else looks interesting along the way, that’s where we go! One of our favorite memories was a trip we took about 20 years ago, driving for 2 and a half months from San Francisco, CA to Connecticut via the deep south and all the way down to Key West. It was the best! The only place we drove on an interstate was in western Texas, which was just so big and flat and empty that we didn’t see much point to avoiding the highway. We didn’t use hotels, but rather brought a little pop-up tent with us, and generally camped in state parks, which are generally uncrowded and the facilities are just as good as at the national parks. It was the best road trip ever!
That trip sounds so blissful. Thank you, Rachel. Happy future road trips.
Yes! Maps are good..up to a point. You’ve captured the essence of what makes a road trip so appealing.
Thank you, Kristin. I appreciate the kind words.
I love those back roads! Have been on two just recently, one off of Highway 5 and another off of Highway 101. Unfortunately, they aren’t much fun when you are in a hurry, as I was with the second one. Also, I always avoid chains for food, with the exception of In-N-Out–LOVE that place!
Smaller roads are definitely more fun when there is not a time crunch. In N Out is always acceptable and recommended!
These are my favorite thoughts also in exploring a new place or doing a road trip, great tips.
Glad to hear it, Noel. Hope you are doing well.
Fun habits have taken root! The only thing we don’t do is stay local and vehicle deals. After being totally disappointed with a local lodge, I figured to be sure of quality, I should go back to a hotel chain. Maybe that is why we own four months of timeshare now. But it is right, I am 70 now! Also need comfort of our own car, especially since it is brand new. We bought it after selling our RV and the dinghy!
Love it. Every once in awhile I can sleep in my car but do not expect anyone else to do the same. Hopefully people will travel more often, longer, better, and cheaper. However they want!
Right one, Charles! Travel should be filled with fun and frolic. Chuck the rules and let the fun flow. that’s always been my motto, too. 🙂
There is no one right way to travel for everyone. That is the top rule, no rule!
Love this road trip rule list. It gives great definition, while still allowing some room for flexibility. Auto travel is our preferred method, as it lets us explore in greater detail. Thanks for sharing.
You summarized well. Some basic guidelines for funness but I definitely want people to mold the trips to their own preferences. Travel Happy!
These are FUN road trip tips! And thanks to you, we’ve decided to do a road trip of our own in March to Cape Cod from Florida. We were going to fly, but eating local and popping in on a few National Parks along the way make for a MUCH more fun and interesting trip! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Oh, so nice. Perhaps we will be able to meet you along the way. I love my road trips between Florida and DC, spending at least 90% of the time NOT on interstates. So many cool towns and people to discover.
Good tips. We follow most of them. Most of my road trips have been in Europe and most of the time we plan only the starting and finishing point. Everything in between is subjective. We end up talking to other travelers, mom and pop hotel owners or locals and get a good tip on going somewhere to see something interesting that wouldn’t normally be in a guide book.
Interesting dynamic. Thank you for the note. I feel there is no one right solution for all. Whatever works. Subjective, indeed!
Good tips. We follow most of them. Most of my road trips have been in Europe and most of the time we plan only the starting and finishing point. Everything in between is subjective. We end up talking to other travelers, mom and pop hotel owners or locals and get a good tip on going somewhere to see something interesting that wouldn’t normally be in a guide book.
Love it. Thank you, Phil. Perhaps one day we will explore European countryside together.
Great list, Charles. I’m usually on a tight time schedule for my road trips and travel the interstates. I do have rule that I stop for regional/local tourist food – nut roll in Georgia, boiled peanuts in Pensacola, kolaches and venison jerky on the way to Austin, the taffy and jell faux fruit slices in the Florida grove area, plus fresh fruit from stands. I wanted to expose my children to the foolishness of my childhood, at least once.
Excellent, Tequesta. Love those items, would make a great travel appetizer party.
This is a great list and a very intelligent post…Travel is highly rewarding on so many levels, but it is hard work that challenges us in so many ways. And that reinforces and teaches us new and useful skills that are important in life and the workplace. I truly agree and thank you for this important reminder!
Thank you so much for your comment. Travel Happy!
I totally agree with the ‘no chain’ rule. Sometimes we break the rule, when we get tired of not knowing of what we can expect on our plate. But in general, it is the only way to explore and ‘taste’ foreign countries.
Appreciate the support. It IS a rule but I also break the rule when necessary.
Love your road trip tips! We’re always stopping at little diners and bakeries along our routes. Two problems with this, we’re always late and we need expando pants. xox
Thank you, Sue. Diners and bakeries are usually on my docket!
I love road trips, too! Loved reading your tips, and I had to laugh when I saw myself in some of them, e.g. I eat local, and I’ve also done a TON of break screeching, especially when I see a great photo op!
Excellent. Thank you, Patti.
I love road trips and I totally agree that it is important to have a good experience by eating locally, trying new things and really exploring outside of what is typical for you to explore in a road trip.
Thank you, Noel.
David and I have been road tripping together for more than 30 years. They are such a great way to see the world. I definitely agree with Rule No. 1 – no intestates! Not sure about the rest. We probably break most of those most of the time. Right now I am writing this from our room in a chain motel having just had a great dinner at a chain restaurant – oh well!
Make em and break em, just keep on traveling!
I like your road trip habits, especially that you are willing to break the rules in some circumstances and you’re open to serendipity. My husband and I did a long road trip this spring – the first time we’ve been on the road for a long time to sight see as opposed to just getting from point a to b. You have to know what style fits for you and be flexible.
Definitely. Thank you, Donna.
Wow, agree 100% with all of this. We have never written our rules (or broken ones) but this is very much how we like to travel. We call it staying low to the ground.
Thank you my gypsy friends.
Great tips to remember as I embark on a mini road trip in a few days from Orlando to Savannah and then down to Miami!
Orlando up to Savannah then down to Miami? Love it. I intend to stop in Savannah on my road trip from Miami to DC in June.
Your posting about great road trip habits forced me to think about what my own habits are. I do agree with the eat local but would have to take exception to the stay local one in some situations. I prefer to be flexible rather than serendipitous, but that’s me. Thanks for a great posting!
Breaking rules is OK. I sometimes stay in hotels, resorts, heck, even fancy ones on occasion.
Although I’m not good with rules, I do like your rules Charles. Things like don’t eat at chains, and avoid interstate highways and just accept serendipity and embrace it – yep, totally agree!
Sweet. Thank you, Johanna. Fun rules, I like to think of them.
Great tips! Eat local and buy a NP Pass are my favorites! I’d love to be based in the States to take advantage of all the beautiful parks – i’ve done the Grand Canyon, Zion, Monument Valley and a couple of State parks – but there are so many more to see!
US is so vast and we are so fortunate to have so many amazing places to visit.
Useful list, Great advice! They are all very valid points! One of my favorites habits is staying local, glad you mentioned it tooA
Thank you. Always nice to hear that someone agrees.
I’ve owned national parks pass for several years. It’s definitely worth it! Well, I don’t do rules so it’s awesome that you included it in your “rules” book hahaha! Break the rules and do what makes you happy, go it!
Thank you, Adonis. The right way is different for everyone!
National park passes are great and I so agree- get off the Interstate. There’s so much to see and it’s a simple way to boost the local economy along the way.
Absolutely. I love finding those independent places.
I love it your rules are excellent and something that everyone should follow. For a start your rules would make your trip more authentic and help out local business with a boost to their pockets and not multi nationals who hardly need it. local food and lodging are an excellent idea
Thank you. Happy travels!