10 Tips For Cross Country Travel In The US

Ever wanted to travel the United States?

America is known for its vast landscapes and the iconic cross-country vacation so many people try to take. There’s plenty of movies about cross-country road trips and lots of information about what to do and see. It can seem so confusing and overwhelming but it's definitely worth the trip.

Buffalos
Image from Courtney White

Here are 10 tips for planning and executing your cross-country road trip.

1. Plan plan plan!

The best thing you can do before you even pack a suitcase is to sit down and map it out. Sure, there's going to be some stuff you can't plan (like how far you want to drive in a single day or if traffic will push you back a day or two), but you should book the hotel for at least one day. This gives you a mark point, like how far you should get. Also, definitely do some research and take note of what places you really want to stop at.

2. There’s not much between NYC and Chicago

If you're going from the east coast, there isn't much to see between New York and Chicago. It's a lot of cornfields and dead highways. The landscape changes quickly after Chicago and it gets more and more barren. Be prepared for hours and hours of corn, grasslands, and highway. Definitely pack things to keep you entertained in the car.

3. Pack plenty of snacks

Packing your own snacks will save you plenty of time and money. Not only will it limit the number of stops you have to make, but it’ll also keep you occupied in the car. While it's awesome to stop and eat and support local businesses (definitely ditch the chains while traveling, you have Applebees back home), you can find some cool local snacks at gas stations or rest stops. Some great car snacks include cheese, crackers, granola bars, Goldfish, cookies, fruit, veggies, and juice.

4. Don’t be afraid to save knick nacks

There's plenty of things you can take home as souvenirs that you won't have to pay for. It's okay to be sentimental, after all this trip should be memorable. Things like brochures, ticket stubs, and maps are awesome things to take home and keep. You can also keep things like bottles from wine, rocks, and pressed flowers. There are all sorts of fun things you can keep from your trip. Don't be afraid to hit the gift shop too! Pins, postcards, and flags are really cheap souvenirs you can display in your home!

5. You can never know too much!

Research is always good to have. Knowing the history of where you are is always cool to know. You can also look into other tips and tricks previous travelers have to offer. There are also tons of hidden gems to be found along the road. See some really awesome ones here!

6. Don’t be afraid to ask the locals

 Locals are some of the best sources of information. They tend to be people who know shortcuts, great food spots, the best photo ops, and other such things. The best locals to ask are waitresses, gas station workers, and cops!

7. Be prepared for some things to be underwhelming

Mount Rushmore
Image from Courtney White

Some things that get super hyped up are actually kind of underwhelming. Things like Mount Rushmore, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or the US side of Niagara Falls can be super underwhelming. Be prepared for it to be a lot less than what the brochures have to show. 

8. Be prepared for things to be overwhelming 

However, be prepared for things to be a little overwhelming. Places you're likely to stop are likely going to be very crowded. If you stop at cities, it'll be a lot more fast-paced than the rural areas in between. There’s a lot to see, so take your time and enjoy everything! 

9. Bring a spare of everything you cannot afford to miss 

Always always always pack a spare of multiple things. Bring a spare SD card if you're bringing a camera. Bring batteries for any of your devices. Bring a spare portable charger. There are some things you don't want to be without! 
 

10. Don’t avoid roadside attractions

Chandelier Tree
Image from Courtney White

You probably went out thinking to see the big ones, like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or new cities, but there are tons of fun and different stops along the way. Don’t avoid them! They make out for a great place to get out and stretch your legs. They also tend to be fun photo ops! 

No matter what you plan to do when taking a cross-country trip, it'll definitely be a lot of fun and a great learning experience. Take lots of pictures, make a lot of memories, and most importantly, go out with an open mind. You never know what you might see!

Opinions and Perspectives

I love road trips! The advice about packing snacks is spot on. I learned this the hard way when I got stuck in the middle of nowhere Kansas with nothing but gas station jerky.

The point about NYC to Chicago being mostly cornfields is so true. I drove that stretch last summer and thought my GPS was broken because the scenery never changed.

A spare of everything is crucial! My camera died in Yellowstone and I had no backup. Still kicking myself over all the missed photo opportunities.

Not sure I agree about Mount Rushmore being underwhelming. I found it pretty impressive, especially during the evening lighting ceremony.

Actually, I have to agree about Mount Rushmore. The photos make it look massive but in person it felt smaller than expected. Still worth seeing though!

These tips are really helpful but I think they missed mentioning the importance of getting your car checked before such a long journey.

The locals tip is golden! A waitress in Arizona told me about this amazing hidden canyon that wasn't in any guidebook. Best detour of my trip!

I wish they had mentioned something about weather preparation. Driving through different climate zones can be tricky.

Anyone else think its funny they say to avoid chains but then list Goldfish as a recommended snack?

The tip about roadside attractions is underrated. The worlds largest ball of twine was surprisingly fun!

Good article but they should have mentioned the importance of paper maps. Your phone GPS isn't always reliable in remote areas.

My family tried to avoid roadside attractions during our cross country trip and I regret it now. Those quirky stops make the best memories.

You really do need to plan carefully. We tried to wing it and ended up sleeping in our car because all hotels were booked in Yellowstone.

I actually love the stretch between NYC and Chicago. The rolling farmland has its own kind of beauty if you look for it.

This brings back memories of my trip last year. Saving ticket stubs and brochures really does help preserve those special moments.

The article downplays the Hollywood Walk of Fame but I found it fascinating. The atmosphere and street performers make it worth visiting.

Has anyone tried bringing a cooler for snacks? Im planning my first cross country trip and wondering if its worth the trunk space.

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