How To Plan the Ultimate Road Trip Across America
The United States of America is the ideal country for a life-changing road trip. From the bright lights of New York City to the deserts of Arizona and coastlines of California, there is so much to see and do in this broad and diverse land. If you're interested in a road trip across America, it's important to get organised so you can experience it as much as possible. Whether you've got one week or six months to spare, let's plan ahead so you can experience the trip of a lifetime.
Welcome to America
The United States is a large and diverse nation consisting of 50 states and 3.8 million square miles. Most of the country is located between Mexico and Canada in the North American continent, with the USA recognised as the world's third or fourth-largest country by total area. With an estimated population of over 328 million, America is also the third-most populous country in the world.
The geography of the United States is rich and diverse, from coastal plains and deciduous forests to mountains, fertile prairie, and deserts. The landscape changes dramatically as you head from coast to coast or north to south, which is what makes America such a fascinating road trip nation. Along with its natural delights, the United States is also rich in history and culture. From Washington to Texas, from Seattle to Arizona, each city and state offers a unique take on the American way of life. While it's impossible to see everything in a single adventure, with a little planning, you can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Stay Connected
Before you embark on a road trip to the USA for weeks or even months, it's important to think about how you'll stay connected. With a USA SIM card by your side, you can communicate with friends and family from your cell phone or tablet device. Simple prepaid SIM cards truly revolutionise the travelling experience. With nothing more than a SIM card and your favourite mobile device, you can navigate seamlessly, connect conveniently, and share your trip with friends and family around the world.
Choose a Timeline and Budget
The first thing to do when planning your road trip is to choose a timeline. While you can do a road trip in a single weekend, most serious road warriors will want at least a week and sometimes much longer. How long you have available will affect where you can go and what you will experience. While some people are more than happy sitting behind the wheel for days on end and watching the landscape roll by, others like to take breaks and relax between shifts at the wheel.
Along with a USA road trip planner, creating a budget is also important. While budgeting for a road trip is much like budgeting for any other holiday, you will spend much more money on fuel and may want to leave a contingency fund for possible car repairs. Unless you're free camping by the roadside, it's also important to budget for accommodation as you move across the country. Seasonal factors may come into consideration, with some locations much more affordable during certain times of the year.
Choose a Route
When you're dealing with a country as huge as the United States, not all road trips are the same. There are lots of potential routes between cities and states, many of which have made their way into American folklore. Once you have a working timeline and budget, along with a reliable vehicle, you can choose a route and drive across America to your heart's content. The following routes represent some of the best road trips in the USA:
1. Route 66
This is probably the most famous American road trip. Starting off in Lake Michigan and going all the way to LA, this road trip can be done in two weeks or stretched out to a month. There's a lot to see on this adventure, including spectacular golden sunsets, America’s oldest church, and more classic diners than you thought were possible.
2. Pacific Coast Highway
This iconic route goes between San Francisco and San Diego on the Pacific Coast Highway. This is a relatively short road trip by American standards, and only takes around three days to complete. Popular sights include Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Big Sur National Park.
3. The Loneliest Road
While it may be the loneliest road in North America, it certainly gets a lot of love from travellers. This route runs coast-to-coast from California to Maryland, with this 3,200-mile odyssey passing through 12 different states and four state capitals as it meanders from sea to shining sea.
4. The Deep South
This road trip USA goes from Chicago in the north to New Orleans in the deep south, with lots of fun stops in-between. This musically themed journey travels between six different states, from jazz to rock 'n' roll to blues to creole and back to jazz. The food available in the American heartland is also hard to beat, especially when you arrive in New Orleans.
5. The Las Vegas Loop
This route is about much more than Las Vegas, with the red rocks and majestic scenery of the American west explored on an extended road trip that takes in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Popular spots on this route include Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park.
Pack and Prepare
Before you set out on your next road trip adventure, it's important to pack your car and prepare your home. Once you leave your home city, it's too late to turn back, so make a list and try to be as organised as you can. While everyone has different things they consider to be important, reliable nation-wide communications is an absolute must for all travellers.
By organising a prepaid USA SIM card before you set off on your road trip, you can navigate seamlessly and share your adventures with loved ones back home. If you're looking for reliable and affordable communications, contact Simify and stay travel connected anywhere in the United States.