How to: plan a road trip in America

Every year to Greece (guilty) is delightful, or indulging in il dolce far niente in Italy, another gift. But making a trip once in your life (or more often of course) that you think back on with a satisfied sigh is truly a recommendation. On safari in South Africa, discovering Asia, or driving through Scandinavia in a camper, just to name a few examples. For me, a road trip through the USA is at the top of my list, but that requires some planning.

1. Enough vacation days 

You need to go to America for at least three weeks. Preferably longer, but not every employer is eager about this news. To make your plan succeed, you want to have plenty of vacation days, preferably with a surplus.

2. Route, route, route

Then I thought I would just drive in a random direction. Until I discovered within three Google searches that you really have to drive that west coast of America from north to south, because otherwise you won't see a thing (pardon my French) of that beautiful, rugged coast. To increase the anticipation, buy an old-fashioned, impossible-to-fold road map and lay it on the kitchen table. From there, you will determine where you want to drive.

Tip: turn off at Santa Monica for the Urban Wine Trail, a long street with more than twenty wine bars.

3. The best period

This has everything to do with what you desire. Unless you are going to a country with rainy seasons, but that is not the case in America. Do you prefer to travel on a budget or are you looking for peace? Then choose the pre-season or post-season, from April to June the temperature is pleasant and you don't have to crowd in the national parks. In September and October it is cooler and cheaper again. For the warm types, also in America, July and August are the warmest, but that is also the busiest time to travel.

4. A reliable rental partner

The word road trip says it all: we are hitting the road, and it is nice to have a reliable rental partner. I prefer to rent my car from a well-known address, such as at Sunny Cars. Your choice of cars is extensive, pickup is always possible near the airport, and with their all-in option, you buy off the excess. That's nice, because you never know what you will encounter on your trip.

5. Nice places to stay

Make sure you have an address upon arrival and an address for departure, then determine where you want to sleep in between but give yourself a night here and there to stay longer or just a bit shorter. It would be a shame if you end up in paradise and only have one night to enjoy it. In America, you can easily book via Airbnb, and Booking.com also has a nice offer in every category.

6. A Big Five

Now you might think: The Big Five, then I'm in the wrong country? But the USA also has its highlights: The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, and the road from San Francisco to San Diego. Yes, my orientation is quite westward. Make a checklist of what you would like to see and take it with you in determining your route.

Tip: also choose smaller locations to check off, like having a coffee at the Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey, for example. It's very Big Little Lies, I've been told.

7. Compensate more

You fly, you drive, and you emit, that's a given. Be mindful of nature, after all, you are going to America to enjoy it. Contributing can be very easy, because with your flight there is usually an option to offset your emissions, and this can also be done with your rental car. Sunny Cars has this option.

In collaboration with Sunny Cars