10 Solo road trip tips: how to have an amazing journey

Ready to hit the road by yourself? From navigation to safety: check out these 10 practical solo road trip tips based on my own travel experiences.

Taking a solo road trip: it is always exciting…

Do you dream of solo travel, but find the idea of spending hours at the wheel by yourself in a foreign country terrifying? Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. In daily life in the Netherlands, I hardly ever drive a car and almost always take the train. In fact, every time I get into a rental car abroad, I spend the first thirty minutes behind the wheel with clammy hands and racing nerves.

And yet, I am now addicted to taking a solo road trip.

In 2019, I took a sabbatical and made a big three-month solo trip across America. From cruising in a huge Jeep on Oahu to driving an SUV through the Pacific Northwest for four weeks; that car really became my “home on wheels” at the time. I have since traveled thousands of miles on my own through Canada, America, Spain, Greece, and Portugal. And this year, my biggest adventure yet is planned: a six-week solo road trip across Canada, where the car (and my tent) will once again become my ultimate base.

The benefits of a solo road trip

Taking a solo road trip gives you a sense of ultimate freedom that you don’t experience with any other mode of travel. You decide when to stop for that beautiful view, what music is on, and where to stay overnight. Are you ready to conquer your nerves and hit the road? For me, these are the five main reasons why I get behind the wheel by myself every time:

The ultimate freedom: No compromises. If I feel like stopping for a picture three times in a row, I’ll do it. Do I want to listen to the same playlist for hours or drive in absolute silence? No one cares.

Stepping out of your comfort zone: Every adventure begins where your comfort zone ends. Just because I find those first 30 minutes so exciting, reaching my final destination at the end of the day feels like a huge victory. It gives your self-confidence a gigantic boost.

Time for self-reflection: Being alone on the road for hours on end is the ultimate form of meditation for me. During my sabbatical, I noticed how nice it is to really clear your head completely and think about what you really want in life.

You make contact more easily: When you travel alone, you are much more open to your surroundings. Locals or fellow backpackers are more likely to speak to you when you are alone at a viewpoint or having a coffee somewhere than when you travel as a couple.

Escape the daily routine: There is nothing like leaving the noise of home behind. A road trip forces you to live in the now: you are focused on the road, the nature around you, and that day’s journey.

Solo road trip tips!

What should you consider when you go road tripping on your own? 10 tips.

Tip 1: Make sure you have navigation

Map reading and paying attention to the road unfortunately do not go together, so make sure you have voice navigation. During my travels in America and Canada, I mainly used my phone in combination with Google Maps. It’s ideal because it also provides live traffic information. Just make sure you have a holder for your phone so you can see it clearly and it doesn’t slide through the car.

Pro tip: You don’t always have good coverage on the road. Make sure you download the maps of your route from Google Maps before you leave so you can use them offline.

Tip 2: Let someone know your route

When traveling alone, it is always helpful to let someone know where you are or where you are going. I usually indicated in my family app group where I was going. Especially if I expected to have no coverage, which is often the case in the national parks of America and Canada.

In addition, for big trips, I always make a roadbook (a personal travel guide). This contains all the information about the routes and places to stay overnight. I also give my family a copy of this before departure. During the trip itself, they can follow my live location and stories on Polarsteps. That way, the people back home always know approximately where I am.

Tip #3: Snacks at your fingertips!

If you are on a road trip with more people, you can always ask for something to eat or drink. But on your own, of course, you don’t have such handy help, so you just have to have it within reach. Always put a bottle of water in your cup holder. Preferably with a sports cap, because that opens easier with one hand than a twist cap. In terms of snacks, I always made sure to have candies without packaging (like licorice or Skittles), so you can easily grab them while driving.

Lesson learned: I once stood in a very long traffic jam to get into a national park. Then I had a rental car with a closed trunk with all my stuff in it. I got out in the middle of the road to grab some extra snacks and drinks from the cooler. Since then, on a solo road trip, my cooler always goes with me into the car, securely wedged behind the front seat so that I can access it easily!

Tip 4: Plan regular stops

It is very tempting to drive for hours by yourself, but not always wise. You don’t have another driver to alternate the trip with, so you have to watch yourself carefully. I often looked for some nice stops on the map in advance, such as a nice viewpoint, a park or a picnic area. Just to stretch your legs, read a book if you feel like it and get some fresh air so you can continue your ride completely refreshed afterwards.

Also, make sure to get comfortable when you take a break, especially when you’re going camping. So add a folding chair to your car camping packing list. You will thank me later ;)

Tip 5: Make sure you have a great playlist

You have no one to talk to, so it’s nice to have some music on. Before a road trip, I always create a nice playlist on Spotify (because you can also use it offline) so I can sing along. I can’t sing to save my life, but in the car by myself I love it! Another alternative is listening to an awesome podcast, and there are also many great audiobooks for road trips.

Tip 6: Lock your doors

For safety, I always lock the doors of my car when I take a solo road trip. Especially in cities and at traffic lights, I like the feeling that no one can just walk in. Of course that rarely happens, but you never know. Better safe than sorry.

Tip 7: Know where you sleep

Now I usually prepare my trips well, but especially when I’m road-tripping by myself. I always make sure that I know where I am going to sleep that night, or at least that I have a place to sleep before dark. It is convenient to be able to share a destination with friends and family, and besides, driving around aimlessly in the dark is not safe everywhere. I almost always book my hotels in advance through Booking.com, so I have the addresses in advance.

Tip 8: Know your own limits

When traveling alone, it’s always helpful to know your own limits and also be honest with yourself. Are you starting to yawn at the wheel? Then find a place to stop. Safety comes first, after all, you have no one to fall back on.

Tip 9: Get the right car

For those people who do not go roadtripping with their own car, but do so with a rental car: make sure you have the right car. Think about what requirements your car should meet to make you feel good. Personally, I always like a car with a rearview camera (I’m not the best parker) and also if I can connect bluetooth for my Spotify playlist.

Since you are traveling alone, it is also nice if your car rental is just right. I prefer to book my rental cars through Discover Cars. You can easily compare different rental companies, and you can opt for full insurance coverage so you don’t have to worry about damage or breakdown on the road. That gives a lot of peace of mind when you’re on your own.

Tip 10: Enjoy your solo road trip to the fullest!

Last but not least, enjoy your solo road trip! Stop when you feel like stopping and enjoy your freedom.

These are my tips for a solo road trip! Have you ever taken a road trip by yourself?