Is there anything more American than a good old fashioned road trip? When someone says ‘road trip’ it conjures up images of passing snacks and the aux cord, and someone in the backseat guiltily saying, “I have to pee again”. I think of open windows, quirky gas station finds, and two-lane highways.
However, what if you don’t have anyone to go with? Most of my friends have different work schedules than I do, or don’t want to drive as far.
Enter: The great American solo road trip.
Should You Road Trip Solo?
In short, yes.
If your friends aren’t coming, and you have somewhere you want to go, then go!
Many people, women especially, are worried about hitting the open road solo. They’ve got cars, people, and Coronavirus to worry about – and all are legitimate concerns.
However, take the time to take proper precautions, and do what feels right to you. If personal safety is an issue, make a point to only be in public areas, share your location with someone, and don’t go to campgrounds, parks, gas stations, etc after dark.
If you’re worried about Coronavirus, pick a place with less people. Bring your own disinfectant towelettes and sprays. Camp instead of staying in a busy hotel.
Afraid your car will have issues on your solo road trip? Invest in AAA and go places that have a modest amount of traffic so you can be ‘rescued’ quickly if you need to be.
As someone who has road tripped solo for weeks at a time, don’t let anything hold you back from the growth experience that is solo traveling.
How to Choose A Solo Road Trip Destination
To be honest, choosing a solo road trip destination is typically the easiest part of the trip! You’ve probably decided you want to go somewhere, invited some pals (or not), then decided to hoof it alone.
If you’re struggling to decide where to go, ask yourself these questions:
- What is my comfort zone? Are you super comfortable driving in the mountains but not in the big city? Do you feel safer around groups of people than out in nature? Solo road tripping is a personal growth experience on its own, so you might want to choose an environment that you’re comfortable in.
- What do I have time for? If you have a 3-day weekend and want to get from Dallas to Nashville, you might spend more time in the car than enjoying your destination. This is especially true if you don’t have someone to share the driving time with.
- Where is open/safe? This is a question not only for many women but is amplified by current events. For example, last summer I drove solo to Minneapolis to visit friends. Right now might not be an opportune time to visit the city. Also, if you’re planning to visit a specific attraction, call ahead to ensure that it’s open and understand if you need to preorder tickets, wear a mask, etc.
- What do I want to do? Perhaps the best part about traveling solo is that you get to do what you want, when you want. If you’ve always wanted to hike Pike’s Peak, then get yourself to Colorado. If you want to drive endlessly on the open road, find a road trip like the ones listed below.
Where to Go
Want some suggestions for some of the best solo road trips? Here are some of my favorites:
The Classic: Highway 1/Big Sur
Want a ‘choose your own adventure’ style road trip? Highway 1 is definitely one of the most iconic road trips in America. People fly in to California from all over, rent convertibles, and enjoy the scenic coastline.
If your idea of adventure is hiking through the redwoods, then Big Sur has you covered.
More interested in a picnic on the beach, whale watching, and catching the sunset? Also Big Sur.
Or perhaps you fancy a nice hotel (or camping spot!), a glass of wine, and watching the surf from above. Also an option here.
It’s important to note that this is a destination as well as a through point. Highway 1 is the epitome of the cliche, “It’s about the journey, not the destination”. Big Sur itself is about 70 miles of Highway 1. It twists, turns, and gives drivers some of the most breathtaking views in the country.
So, take the time to enjoy Big Sur and the California coast – slow and steady wins this race.
For the City Girl: New Orleans, Louisiana
If the idea of camping, hiking, and all things ‘outdoorsy’ makes you cringe, then turn your sights toward The Big Easy.
New Orleans is home to the Saints and the Pelicans, but also hosts the annual Zurich Classic (PGA) and horse racing.
Not a fan of sports? Try going to some of the most famous bars in the world. From the famous Spotted Cat Music Club to the daquiri-dealing Bourbon Street scene, the nightlife in NOLA never seems to end.
Prefer history, tours, and more? Check out the St. Louis Cemetery #1 with a free walking tour, or take one of the popular ghost tours. Taking group tours is a great way to meet other travelers as well!
And, since this is a road trip, my #1 most recommended thing to do in New Orleans is to drive to the Whitney Plantation. The Whitney Plantation is the only museum devoted to slavery in the United States. Take a guided tour and learn about the lives of enslaved people while touring slave quarters, vast plantation land, and the massive home in the center of it all.
Cheese & Trees: Door County, Wisconsin
If you’re in the Midwest, you might get discouraged that there are so many amazing road trip destinations on the coast. However, don’t look over the popular Door Peninsula in Wisconsin.
Surrounded by Green Bay and Lake Michigan, this picturesque piece of land has a 90-mile scenic loop that includes stops for hikes, ferry tours, fishing, camping, local restaurants, and more.
Door County is especially popular in the fall as a ‘leaf peeping’ destination, so if your trip is happening as the leaves change, you might want to make reservations at hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants ahead of time.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin acts as the unofficial gateway to Door Peninsula, so gas up there and you’ll be good to go.
Need itinerary ideas? Check out this post, or just ask a local. Wisconsinites are known to be incredibly friendly. Who knows, they just might invite you to their favorite pub for some cheese curds and a brew.
New England’s Escape: Vermont
Whether you’re in it for the beer, hiking, and quirky towns, or simply want to get out of the crowded cities like Boston & Providence, Vermont has a little something for everyone.
In the winter, Killington, Stowe, and other ski resorts attract thousands of tourists a week. In the summer, head north to Burlington to enjoy Lake Champlain views and crisp apple-based brews.
Year round, Vermont takes pride in its breweries, and you can find a brew tour in almost every city, and day of the year. They even have a beer passport that tourists & locals alike use to track their Vermont patriotism.
Vermont is also popular for leaf peepers, so in the fall, be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
Wild West: Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming is home to some of the most idyllic skiing, hiking, and driving in the country. It is home to the main entrance to Grand Teton National Park, which is one of the easiest mountain drives I’ve done on a solo road trip.
One of the best parts of Jackson for solo travelers is The Hostel in Teton Village. Teton Village has hotel rooms that reach in to the four-figures per night, but The Hostel has beds for $50 a night. Plus, it has a kitchen, lawn games, and more. It’s the perfect place to meet people as a solo road tripper.
From The Hostel, you can hike or take the Bridger Gondola up the mountain (it’s free after 5pm!) to the restaurant or to enjoy the views, ski, or take day trips in to the national park.
If you’re on a longer trip, you can go up through Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park, and on to Montana. Billings, Bozeman, and Big Sky are all popular road trip destinations and would make a perfect set of road trip destinations.
More Solo Road Trip Information
Road tripping solo might sound daunting at first, but let me tell you – after you’ve done it, you’ll be hooked! I’ve taken solo road trips in:
- In Hungary, I rented a car and visited five countries over the course of 10 days. I did part of it with a friend.
- I rented a car in Barcelona and drove through the Pyrenees in France and Andorra
- Six weeks from Texas to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, and back to Texas