Travelling alone on the road without a specific destination is one of the most liberating and fascinating experiences. That may sound pretty scary at first to stay alone while travelling; however, if you only find the right information and plan everything accordingly, this activity is one of the most rewarding things you might ever try. This article will cover all the resources and Ideas for Road Trippers and Solo Travelers
1. Best Cars for Solo Road Trips
Selecting the right car for your one-man tour is very vital. Location can be a big plus or minus as far as accommodations go, regarding the feels, the pinch, and the presence of the latter two. This is what you should know when choosing the right car for your trip.
What Makes a Car Ideal for Solo Road Trips?
When considering a car for solo travel, think about these key factors:
- Fuel Efficiency: Choose a car that will not demand regular refuelling to save for the next purchase. Small cars allow a consumer to use minimum fuel and thereby consume less amount of money and time, especially for long journeys.
- Comfort: Long driving hours are inevitable when you go on a trip alone in your car. Statistically, a driver’s fatigue is higher during the night, so choose comfortable, height-adjustable seats and controls, and a car equipped with cruise control.
- Reliability: A breakdown can transform a fun journey into a nightmare. Autos with a sound mechanical background afford one the confidence of a worry-free ride.
- Safety Features: Slightly used cars should boast safety features such as airbags, anti-brake lock systems, lane change alerts, and backup cameras.
- Storage Space: There will be a need to accommodate personal effects and luggage, tents and stools, foodstuffs, and water, among others. People travelling alone also require ample space for their necessities and other belongings.
Top Picks for the Best Solo Road Trip Cars
Subcompact and Compact Cars
These vehicles can suit single travellers, especially for long drives, because they are cheap, efficient in fuel consumption, and easy to drive.
- Honda Civic: Being a small car, efficiency and cleanness can be considered an advantage of the Honda Civic for solo travellers who need a cheap but comfortable car.
- Mazda3: Characterized by driving dynamics, the Mazda3 provides good bang for the buck, a comfortable one-person cruiser for those solitary road trips, and today’s advanced technology.
- Toyota Prius: If cheap fuel is the criteria of choice, then the Toyota Prius, which is a hybrid and saves more on fuel, balances the road trip costs.
SUVs
If needed, you have more space, or if you’re planning on coming across some dirt roads now and again, then SUVs offer practicality with luxury appeal.
- Subaru Outback: It has an all-wheel drive and even has enough room for camping and other adventure equipment, making it perfect for rough-end roads.
- Honda CR-V: Praised for its sturdiness and, that’s right, the trunk space, the CR-V will make a great choice for a lone wolf who intends to drive through both the city and outback alike.
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: This is a vehicle that has incorporated the fuel economy of the Prius and the additional cargo space and capability of an SUV.
Electric and hybrid vehicles
With the focus on sustainability, it will come as no surprise that electric and hybrid cars are becoming favourites for road trips.
- Tesla Model 3: Combining the ownership of Tesla’s supercharger network ecosystem and a healthy range, the Model 3 is an appealing choice for eco-conscious and lone-run travellers.
- Hyundai Kona Electric: Combining the power of electric cars with features that are ideal for long-distance travel, the Kona Electric can take you far at a low cost.
2. Who Should Try Solo Road Trips?
The journey is a powerful experience when done alone on the road, but is it for everyone? Now, it’s time to define who can receive the most out of this adventure and why.
Is Solo Road Tripping Right for You?
Travelling alone on the road is not only for those who have a passion for driving but also for the searcher for self-improvement searching for freedom or just searching for the self. Consider solo road trips if:
- You Value Independence: Traveling alone by car allows doing everything one wants when one wants.
- You Seek Introspection: The isolation of the highway proves to be a good chance for introspection and self-development. Most tourists who travel alone clearly understand some issues in the period they are far away from home.
- You Enjoy Spontaneity: With solo road trips, people are privileged to change their plans in the middle of the trip. Whether it’s travelling to a new city or wanting to extend your stay at a national park, it is your decision.
- You Want to Challenge Yourself: When one travels alone, they feel forced out of their comfort zone. Managing where to go next to solving complications whenever they arise is not only confidence-building but also problem-solving.
Solo Road Trips for Different Types of Travelers
1. Adventure Seekers
The next time you feel the urge to go out and travel alone, a solo road trip is the best thing for the adventurous soul. In this mission, you can go hiking, camping, and exploring the areas that are unheard of at your own sweet will.
2. Introverts
Long journeys are perfect if you love being on your own; therefore, solo road trips are perfect for introverts. The freedom of the road and no one to talk to, plus the scenery, make long drives a fantastic way of recharging the batteries.
3. Those in Need of a Digital Detox
Since one may feel the need to be off the hook from social media or the noise of the outside world, road trips are outstanding alone adventures that make one concentrate on reality.
4. First-Time Solo Travelers
But if this is your first time travelling alone, then a road trip can be a perfect start. It’s up to you, and you can change the plan when you want to or go home if it doesn’t feel safe.
3. How to Find Solo Travel Groups
Even though travelling alone is a rather lonely affair, that doesn’t necessarily have to imply complete loneliness. One can form groups for solo travelling to be able to associate with other travellers who also have a passion for travelling alone.
Why Join a Solo Travel Group?
There are several reasons why solo travellers might want to connect with others:
- Shared Experiences: Traveling solo doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot share some of these experiences. Whereas, solo travel groups enable one to share his/her experience with others, get recommendations, and even join other travellers in part or the entire journey.
- Safety in Numbers: Sometimes, depending on where you’re going or what roads you plan on taking, security can be quite a bit higher when travelling in a group.
- Camaraderie: I found my travels to be empowering because, fundamentally, solo travel is all about autonomy. On the other hand, there is something rather magical about forming camaraderie with strangers with like passions.
- Local Expertise: When you are going to a new location, you may get many useful tips that you might otherwise not get when approaching an unfamiliar destination on your own by joining a local travelling group organization.
Where to Find Solo Travel Groups
1. Online Communities and Forums
There are several ways to look for groups or organizations that promote solo travel on the internet.
- Reddit: You see forums like r/solotravel and r/roadtrippers, which allow solo travellers to ask questions, give advice, and arrange for meeting places.
- Facebook Groups: Perhaps friends with interests in a similar vein can be found in forums such as “Solo Female Travelers” or “Road Trip USA.”
2. Travel Apps
Some are designed to connect single travellers, but there are specific apps for solo travellers.
- Meetup: Using Meetup, it is possible to find people and road trip groups from the area or a particular destination. This means that you are really only bound by location and interests when selecting which groups to be a member of.
- Couchsurfing: However, Couchsurfing’s hosts organize meetings of tourists who are willing to communicate in their country for free.
- Solo Traveler App: This app is for lifestyle individuals who are travellers travelling alone to look for people to interact with. Some of them are even recommendations and notifications about other single travellers in the area.
3. Travel agencies and companies
There are some companies that act specifically as group operators, and they create tours for groups of people for single travellers.
- Intrepid Travel: Provides small group trips appropriate for individual travellers.
- G Adventures: Tour operators with qualified single-friendly vacations worldwide with no single supplements.
Tips for Joining a Solo Travel Group
- Do Your Research: Do not join a group without doing a proper search or asking other travellers who have been in a certain group.
- Set Boundaries: When you’re in a group, it is also good to have private time that is needed for a recharge.
- Engage with the Community: The greater the level of communication you have with your group, the more enjoyable it will be. Post advice and be willing/needy for new friends or subscribers.
4. Essential Resources for Solo Road Trippers
Going for a drive alone isn’t a simple matter of planning for a trip and just going for it. You have to know what type of resources to bring to avoid stress and focus more on enjoying the trip.
Must-Have Road Trip Apps
These are great app incubators that help with everything from routing, lodging, finances, and safety.
- Google Maps: When it comes to navigation, it would be impossible to go without Google Maps. It is accurate, up-to-date, and offers more than one way to get there.
- Waze: Waze is an interactive social app that can offer accurate traffic information, traffic problems, and other roadways.
- Airbnb: Discover cheap places to stay that are different from popular hotels and motels on your way.
- Booking.com: Permits tourists to get different types of lodging service at a very cheap price, with prepared offers most of the time.
- GasBuddy is probably one of the best apps to help you identify the cheapest fueling stations on your trip.
- iOverlander: Recommended to all overlanders, it will assist you in locating freebies such as camping grounds, parking areas, and other necessary overlanding information.
- Roadtrippers: Devise your total route map for every stop, attraction, lodging, and approximate driving time on the road.
Safety Resources for Solo Travelers
Next in importance are security measures for someone who is travelling alone by car, and these resources will assist in achieving that goal.
- AAA Roadside Assistance: In the event of a car malfunction or being stranded, AAA provides emergency services all through the night throughout the United States.
- Find My Friends: This is an application through which a user can share his location with friends or family or anybody of his trust who can see him during the journey.
- My Panda: This is an individual security application that assists one in identifying the closest secure area or help in case of a risk.
- Google Safety Check-In: Google Maps has an option for shared locations where the individuals that you share your journey with can monitor the same.
5. Safety Tips for Solo Travelers
Less explored opportunities are the ones that single travel entails, albeit containing its own unique risks, especially concerning security. It’s very important to know how one can avoid danger when on the roads alone to make the trip as comfortable as possible.
1. Share Your Itinerary with Someone
However, it is crucial that someone other than you knows your route, your stopovers, and when you are expected to check in.
2. Avoid Isolated Areas
I would advise people to always avoid darkness, especially when you are in the odd hours of the night or in places that are strange to you, and ensure you are in areas with many people.
3. Pack emergency supplies
Always have an emergency kit that includes:
- First-aid supplies
- Flashlight including extra batteries
- Flares, or a reflective triangle.
- Charging your phone’s battery with a fully charged power bank
- Candy and chocolate and canned food and water
4. Trust Your Gut
This in part is because if a situation or location seems dangerous or out of order, the protective instinct is to get as far away from the area as possible. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
5. Take regular breaks.
Lack of sleep is one of the most significant threats to safety in conditions of single-car travel. Take breaks frequently to walk around and stretch your legs, but also to drink some water. If you have to sleep, then get to a rest area or a well-lit, busy area.
6. Packing List for Solo Road Trips
Whether to travel for several hours or several days on the road, packing could be a cinch, especially when on a solo trip, and at the same time, you have to pack lightly and also comfortably. Let me help you by giving you a comprehensive packing list so you won’t be caught unaware.
1. Essentials
- Driving license, registration of the vehicle, and proof of insurance
- GPS navigation system/nextgen maps/map or road atlas (just in case the GPS malfunctions)
- Sunglasses for driving
- A pillow and a blanket for fearful and chilly night travel
- Water bottle and small snacks that do not spoil
- Multi-tool through small repair works and duct tape
2. Technology
- Smartphone and charger
- Power bank or solar charger
- Tablet or Kindle for movies, music, or games during the breaks
- Wireless and headset-like devices allow for one-hand operation.
- Safety cameras (since some driving routes are scenic)
3. Clothing
- Easy, loose-wearing apparel for driving
- Outerwear and innerwear at different temperatures
- Shoes for work and sandals to wear during lunch break
- Rain jacket or poncho
- A warm jacket or sweater in case the evening gets chilly
4. Toiletries
- Soap, shampoo, and toothpaste in small travelling sizes
- Wet wipes for instances of washless freshening
- Towel and washcloth
- Travel-sized hand sanitiser
- Sunscreen and bug spray
7. Planning Your Route: Must-See Stops for Solo Travelers
Indeed, there is a lot of freedom when travelling alone on the road; you can make the schedule that you wish to have. Below are some scenic locations that every solo road tripper to various parts of the United States should consider.
1. Pacific Coast Highway (California)
Well known for views of the ocean, cliffs, and beaches, this one is perfect for the solitary PT who wants to enjoy the scenery of the California coastline. I’ll add here that you have not visited the Bixby Creek Bridge or Big Sur.
2. Route 66 (Illinois to California)
This is rightfully called the “Mother Road.” Route 66 runs from Chicago to Santa Monica and is packed with memories of the past, oddities, carnivalesque allure, and retro driveway bump detours to strange towns.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia to North Carolina)
The Blue Ridge native is best known for its mountain views, which makes it appropriate for travellers in search of solace in nature. Some of the best hiking trails are to be found in Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
4. Going to the Sun Road (Montana)
This trail is in Montana’s Glacier National Park and covers a distance of approximately 50 miles, featuring mountains, forests, and waterfalls. For the lovers of off-road, it is quite an interesting route.
5. Great River Road (Minnesota to Louisiana)
Explore this 3,000-mile route that goes through 10 states, following the path of the mighty Mississippi River. The Great River Road is a blend of a cultural geographic point of interest, history, and a quiet, stunning view of the river.
8. Budgeting for a Solo Road Trip
As it was mentioned before, one-person car travel can be cheap; however, certain attention should be paid to the organization of the expenses. Here’s how to carry out your financial planning before you start your trip so that you don’t end up worrying about your finances on the road.
1. Fuel Costs
To find out your fuel costs, it is essential to determine your car’s fuel economy and the approximate number of miles you will be able to travel. To be able to locate cheaper fuel, one should incorporate the use of apps such as GasBuddy.
2. Accommodation
Budget-friendly options include:
- Campgrounds (you can use Ioverlander for free camping)
- Budget motels or hostels
- Airbnb for longer stays
3. Food
Bring your sand and other meals, or use fast foods/takeaways and supermarkets if you do not want expensive meals.
4. Miscellaneous Costs
- Admission charges into national parks or other forms of popular tourist attractions
- Souvenirs or gifts
- Tolls and parking fees
5. Travel Insurance
As highlighted in this article, one should consider taking travel insurance, especially in case of hiring a car or crossing the country or regions that are considered dangerous. It will help pay for things like a broken-down car or a sudden illness.
9. Tips for Maintaining Your Car on a Solo Road Trip
Everyone knows that if you want to have a successful solo road trip, then you need to have a reliable car, indeed. Below are some guides that will help you to maintain your car throughout your trip.
1. Check Your Tires
Now that you’re ready to hit the road, be sure to check your tyres for proper pressure and tread. You should always carry a spare tyre and a jack in case your tyre gets flat.
2. Inspect Your Brakes
Take your vehicle to an auto mechanic for a brake check-up before you hit the road. If a wheel squeaks or rolls softly, then most likely, it is high time for a change.
3. Top off Fluids
Ensure that the oil, coolant, and wiper fluid are full in your car all the time. For long distances, always carry extra oil and coolant for the car.
4. Clean Your Car
This is true since a clean car always feels more comfortable as compared to the rest. Wash the interior and exterior of your car before your trip and as many times as possible when on the trip.
10. How to Stay Healthy on a Solo Road Trip
It is however important to understand that throughout a solo road trip, undue stress is placed on the body; hence, developing a rudimentary health check is critical. Here are some tips that travellers can take as they set off on their trips.
1. Pack healthy snacks
Stop buying fast foods in school; you can carry fruits, nuts, as well as granola bars.
2. Stay Hydrated
Take an empty personal water bottle and try to refill it in any break chances. Prolonged water depletion can cause tiredness and, of course, headaches.
3. Stretch regularly.
When one drives for many hours, he or she can develop stiff muscles, and the body feels uncomfortable. Take a break at least every several hours to at least get up, stretch your legs, and adjust your back.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Especially, sleep is important when it comes to driving safely on the roads. Do not drive after dark and ensure you get the required 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
5. Protect Yourself from the Sun
Those who are going for long hours on the road are advised to put on sunscreen, sunglasses, and anything that might shield you, for instance, a hat from the sun.
