How To Road Trip Around The United States in a Month
Updated: Jun 24, 2020
Going on a road trip around the United States is hands down one of the coolest adventures you will ever experience. The US has so much to offer. From the Mountains of the Rockies to the desert oases of Utah and Arizona. To the lakes of Minnesota, to the Green Mountains of Vermont, and so much more, every state has something new and breathtaking to offer.
In this post, we'll lay out exactly how we did our road trip around the United States in a month. What we packed, where went, and what you should expect. If you're considering taking the journey of a lifetime, this post will help guide your path.
30 Days. 112 Hours. 7,100 Miles, 20 Stops
That's the outline of our trip. 30 Days. One hundred twelve hours in the car. 7,100 Miles of highways and backroads, 20 unforgettable stops.
As you can see from the map, our starting and ending point was Lake Tahoe, Nevada. My girlfriend and I had just graduated from college, and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than seeing the country.
Of course, you likely won't follow our exact route, but this should give you a general idea of where to stop, what to see, and roads to take during your road trip around the United States.
The Planning Stage
Start by making a plan of how long you want to make your trip, and where you want to go (scroll down to get some good ideas). Then map it all out on Google Maps. You can only add 10 locations to one map, so you may have to open up several tabs like I had to in the plans above. Once you have this, print it off, or take a screenshot of it and keep it on your phone, this is your outline. Now, you can plan the full trip around this.
One of the most critical aspects of planning is where you are going to sleep. It's the worst thing to arrive at your destination as the sun is setting, and you have no idea where you're going to catch some shut-eye for the night. Not planning is planning to fail. In our case, we camped the majority of the time. If you don't currently have a tent, it's worth the small investment upfront to save on the hotels' costs every night. We invested in a Yakima Skyrise Rooftop Tent, and it worked wonders for us, but more on that later.
Anytime you're planning on camping in a National or State Park, you need to look ahead on the park website and reserve a camping spot well in advance, especially in the summertime, as they fill up fast. A night at a federally or state-regulated campsite will typically cost you anywhere from $15.00-$20.00 bucks. However, if you want to save some money, you can always check out freecampsites.net. The site looks a little outdated, but it's an excellent tool for finding free campsites worldwide. Just make sure you're reading the reviews as they're usually a good indicator of whether or not the campground is in good shape.
Most regulated campsites will have bathrooms, but it's rare to find any with showers, and 30 days on the road without showering is pretty gnarly. You might be okay with it, but your travel buddy sure isn't! Make sure you bring along some biodegradable soap that you can use to rinse off and freshen up in a lake for this reason. If bathing in a lake isn't for you, then It's important to factor in a few nights in hotels, or try to find some old friends that can host you for a night along the way. It's probably about time you had a beer with them!
The Packing Stage
The part that everyone dreads, packing. For starters, you're going to want a car that offers plenty of space. Did I mention we spent 112 hours driving in the car? In our case, with it just being the two of us, my Subaru Forester worked perfectly. Ensure you have enough space, plan out what you're going to pack, and how you're going to optimize the space you have. Start by writing down a list of things you need. Here are a few of the things that were on my list.
Cooler
Ice
Propane Grill
Jet Boil
Spatula for grill
Pots and pans for the grill
Large water jug
Utensils- we have the plastic set
Cups. Mugs
French press
Blankets
Pillows
Bear spray
A container or two for organization
Tent rainfly
Hiking shoes
Swimsuit
Rain gear
Flashlight(s) or headlamp
Lantern
Knife
Propane
Lighter
Map to be safe
Dish soap, sponge
Ibuprofen and aspirin
First aid kit
Camera, charger, tripod, lenses
Hiking backpack
Speaker
Small Fold out table
Sunscreen
NPS pass- pick up at the first park
Wet naps/ Hand Sanni
Oil - you're going to put a lot of mileage on your car
National Parks Pass - Can pick up at the first national park you stop at for $80.00
You can grab a full packing list in a pdf here.
The list goes on. As you can see, it's no small feat to gather the gear you need for the trip, but once you have everything together, you'll be thankful for the work you put in. One thing to note, it's a very, very good idea to grab a couple of plastic storage containers and label each one for specific materials. You can use one for utensils, one for food, and another for essentials like flashlights, lighters, and first aid.
Once you have all of this, you're just about ready to go! Make sure you get your car into the shop before to ensure everything is good to go. It's probably a good idea to get an oil change before you leave as well.
Now, into the details of our trip. Read on to see places you need to visit, and our best suggestions for sleeping, hiking, and sightseeing.
Stop 1 - Craters of the Moon National Park, Idaho
Total Time Spent Here: 3 Hours
Rating (out of 10): 5/10
Our Suggestion: If you're near Central Idaho, it is certainly worth a stop, but I wouldn't go more than 2 hours out of your way to see it.
The first stop on our trip was Craters of the Moon National Park in Central Idaho. It's not hard to see where the park gets its name from, as the terrain is unique. Big boulders, caverns, and lava stone looking rocks surround the area.
