Where to Find a Road Trip Planner

Taking Out a Book

• An abundance of books written about road trips exist, with the advantage being that you can bring them along without worrying about battery life. The key is finding the right one for your needs. Will your trip have a theme? What season are you driving in? Will you be driving in a car or motor home? In general, however, there are several titles that are recommended for getting you started. "Fodor's Essential USA" provides crucial information on many of Americas best-known destinations and hidden treasures. There is also an edition available for Europe. "The Most Scenic Drives in America" has a list of 120 road trip ideas along with color photographs. Finally, Patricia Schultz's "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" is not necessarily a planner but provides a thorough list of getaways to spark unique ideas.
  
  

Using the Internet

• The Internet has plenty of valuable resources to help prepare for a trip. Mapquest.com is a great place to start, as not only can it map out a destination, but it can provide valuable information such as mileage, gas usage and estimated travel time. Also, you can find sites that cater specifically to the type of driving you're looking for. RoadTripJournal.com is a great resource to see how others have fared on their own trips, with frank and oftentimes humorous stories from the road. RandMcNally.com provides detailed directions to reach some of the best off-the-beaten-path stopping points, and eTravelogue.com provides an automated trip-planner that includes information on weather and construction areas.
  
  

Using a GPS Navigation System

• For the more technologically inclined, having a GPS navigation system can yield surprising results. Just type in where you want to go and let the GPS system figure out the best way to reach your destination. Just be cautious: Sometimes it is the faster way to get there, and other times it can be frustrating being directed by a computer. The advantage is that along the way, you can search for various landmarks, food, lodging and gas stations on the fly, and many systems offer a voice that will lead you instead of having to pull over to look at a map or book.