Planning a road trip across the US? The USA Road Trip Planner is our free PDF guide to planning a road trip with a rental car, from the route and budget to the right car, safety tips and classic drives like Route 66, the Overseas Highway and Colorado’s mountain passes.
How do you plan a road trip in the USA?
Pick a destination and route, check the weather along the way, set a budget, choose a car that fits the terrain and your group, and pack with a checklist. Then hit the road on a classic drive: Route 66 runs about 2,400 miles through eight states, the Overseas Highway links the Florida Keys over 42 bridges, and Colorado’s Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the US.
What’s inside the guide
- How do you plan a road trip in the USA?
- How do you plan your route and charging stops?
- What is the best rental car for a road trip?
- How much does a road trip cost, and how do tolls work?
- How do you stay safe on a long-distance road trip?
- Which classic US road trips should you drive?
- Which road trips work best in summer and winter?
- Road trips with kids and pets
- Road trip essentials: the packing checklist
- Frequently asked questions
Traveling with kids? Our Family Road Trip Guide covers car seats by age, choosing between a minivan and an SUV, road trip games and snacks, and four family routes.
Find the right car for your road trip
Choose from our distinctive fleet, from high-end convertibles to premium SUVs, add unlimited mileage and GPS when you book, and share the driving with an additional driver.
Ready to hit the road? Rent the car. Rent your road trip car with SIXT, from compact cars to SUVs, minivans and convertibles.
