10 Helpful Tips For Planning a Road Trip With Stops (And Finding Hidden Gems) – Episode 8
Have you ever experienced the feeling of regret when you realize you missed out on amazing places or experiences during a road trip? The fear of missing out (FOMO) can be disheartening, but fear not. We’ve compiled a list of nine resources to help you plan a road trip with stops. These resources will help you discover hidden gems and locate interesting places either en route or at your final destination.
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Why Plan a Road Trip With Multiple Stops
Planning stops on road trips offers an opportunity to discover hidden gems. The thrill of stumbling upon local restaurants, quirky roadside attractions, museums, and other points of interest can enhance the overall road trip experience. These stops provide opportunities to learn more about the destination and the local people and break up long drives, allowing you to savor the journey rather than just focusing on reaching the final destination.
There are some cons, though. Making stops on road trips can extend the total travel time, sometimes adding hours to your journey. It may also increase the overall cost of the road trip, as it may involve spending money on attractions, food, or activities at each stop. No matter the disadvantages, we are big advocates for building in stops into our road trips and hope you feel the same.
Where To Find Hidden Gems When Planning a Road Trip
The pre-road trip planning process plays a crucial role in discovering hidden gems. By doing research, you can uncover unique destinations, attractions, and experiences you may have otherwise missed.
Planning helps you effectively manage your time, especially if you plan on incorporating additional stops and activities, which may extend the total travel time. With proper planning, spend less time researching on the road and more time enjoying the experience!
We know what you might be thinking: how can I plan a road trip without spending hours researching? Planning a road trip doesn’t require a long, drawn-out process. Here are some of our favorite sources for inspiration when planning a road trip with stops.
1. Tourism Board Websites
Start your planning by visiting the tourism board website of your destination. Most destinations have a destination marketing agency, chamber of commerce, or tourism board that promotes tourism to the region and provides valuable travel planning resources to visitors.
These websites offer information about local businesses, attractions, events, and hidden gems that you may not find elsewhere. Some tourism boards have apps offering self-guided tours and walking routes, making it easier to explore the destination.
As mentioned, these websites are designed to promote the destination. They may only highlight the positive aspects of the location. We recommend checking out travel blogs for a more personal and in-depth perspective.
2. Blogs
Learn more about a destination by reading first-person travel blogs. Bloggers often share personal experiences, recommendations, personal photos, and insider tips to help you uncover what’s off the beaten path.
Bloggers, often content creators or journalists, provide honest and detailed insights into their experiences, including hidden fees, long lines, and unpleasant surprises. They may include cost details, honest reviews, and personal anecdotes that can help you make informed decisions. This level of transparency and authenticity can help roadtrippers make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls during their trip.
When reading an article, look for clues about the creator’s perspective. Articles and travel guides usually have a focus, whether for solo female travelers, family travelers, couple travelers, or something else. Read articles by creators that cover your interests.
Start with a simple Google search or a Pinterest search. For example, Danielle focuses on affordable luxury travel and the financial aspects of travel on The Thought Card. Christopher covers road trip ideas and itineraries in Ontario, Canada, on Road Trip Ontario.
Overall, blogs are valuable research tools that allow roadtrippers to connect with a destination on a deeper level and find information relevant to their unique needs and preferences. While tourism boards excel at promoting destinations and highlighting popular attractions, blogs offer a more personal and nuanced perspective on travel experiences. We recommend using both resources to develop a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of what’s in store.
3. YouTube Videos
Videos bring destinations to life in a way that other forms of media simply cannot.
By capturing the sights, sounds, and local stories from people who live, work, and play at a destination, videos can transport viewers to that place and make them feel like they are experiencing it firsthand. Video storytelling can help viewers connect with the destination and create a sense of anticipation and excitement for their visit.
Videos give a sense of what the town or park looks like, show behind-the-scenes footage, and showcase the journey to different places. Additionally, YouTube videos can offer insights into the local culture, food, and activities, helping you make informed decisions about each stop on your road trip itinerary.
We love watching YouTube videos when planning road trips with stops because they visually represent the destination and help us set realistic expectations.
Like bloggers, video creators often share their unique experiences, recommendations, and honest reviews of attractions, accommodations, and restaurants on their channels. Whether vlog-style or vlogumentary, these videos paint a vivid picture, taking you along for the ride.
4. Podcasts
While often overlooked, podcasts can be a valuable resource for discovering new destinations and getting insights from locals.
Podcasts offer a unique way to consume information about destinations, providing a more intimate and personal perspective than blogs and videos.
Podcast episodes can introduce you to lesser-known places, hidden gems, and unique experiences you may not have considered. Hearing about someone else’s adventures and experiences can spark a light bulb moment and inspire you to plan your own trip.
The lack of visuals may seem like a drawback at first, but it allows listeners to use their imagination and truly immerse themselves in shared stories.
Here’s a list of our favorite travel podcasts.
5. Facebook Groups
The power of community in travel cannot be understated, especially if you’re planning a driving trip with multiple stops.
Connect with like-minded travelers in Facebook groups dedicated to road-tripping or other interests. These communities offer a platform to ask questions, share experiences, and discover hidden gems that may not be widely advertised. So, next time you’re planning a trip, consider joining a travel community and tapping into the collective wisdom of fellow travelers.
We invite you to join Christopher’s Facebook Group, Road Trip Ontario, for information about all things to do in the province.
7. Instagram
Say hello to intentional scrolling on social media.
Instagram can be a valuable tool for planning road trips. Follow travel-related accounts to discover new places, attractions, and activities you may be interested in. Use Instagram’s search feature to look up specific locales or hashtags related to road trips to find inspiration and recommendations from other travelers.
We like saving posts in private or collaborative folders for later reference.
6. Welcome Centers
These often overlooked locations can be treasure troves of information, with shelves filled with pamphlets, guides, coupons, and postcards highlighting local attractions and activities that may not have enormous reach or aren’t widely advertised.
By taking a few minutes to browse these materials, you might stumble upon museums, trails, and other points of interest that were not on your radar during the planning stage.
Are tired of reading? Listen to this podcast episode on Spotify.
8. Billboards
Have you ever noticed how many billboards you pass on a road trip? It’s likely a lot. Watch for billboards advertising local attractions, restaurants, or breweries along highways and roads. Billboards can lead you to find something interesting you have missed.
9. Books and Travel Guides
Search for books about your destination on Amazon or at your local library. Often written by locals or knowledgeable travelers, these guides provide in-depth information at an affordable price.
Read Next: Using Guidebooks For Inspiration and Travel Planning
10. Google Maps
Plan your road trip itinerary using Google Maps to discover points of interest along the route. Use Google Maps to plot your itinerary and find things to do.
Are you worried about Wi-Fi? Google Maps allows you to download offline maps, ensuring access to your planned itinerary even without an internet connection.
Learn step-by-step how to plan road trips by watching this video.
In summary, following these ten tips, you can enhance your road trip experience and uncover exciting things to do to make your journey unforgettable. We hope you found these tips helpful. Let us know if you have other road trip planning tips or tricks. Happy road-tripping!
What’s the best way to plan a road trip with multiple stops? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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