There’s a certain freedom that comes with hitting the open road — windows down, music playing and the thrill of what you might discover around the next bend. But whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a longer journey, a bit of preparation goes a long way toward ensuring a smooth and stress-free road trip experience. Here’s how to stay organized, minimize disruptions, and make the most of the journey.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Plan Your Route
From avoiding traffic bottlenecks to knowing where to fuel up, grab a bite, or rest for the night, planning your route ahead of time can prevent extra stress on the road. It also helps with budgeting and ensures you don’t miss out on experiences that need to be booked in advance. If you’re traveling with kids, a pet, or someone who needs extra support, a plan becomes even more important. Schedule frequent breaks, time longer stops around mealtimes, and look for trails or open spaces where everyone can stretch their legs.
But a stress-free road trip becomes all the more unforgettable when it strikes the right balance between structure and spontaneity. Even with a mapped route, you can build in some flexibility by adding extra time between stops, as some of the best road trip memories come from unplanned moments, like stumbling upon an eclectic roadside diner or pulling over for a local market that you happen to pass by.
Plan just enough to keep things running smoothly while leaving room for the unexpected.
Choose Your Destinations Thoughtfully
The highlights of any road trip often come down to the stops chosen along the way. The key is selecting places that reflect what you enjoy.
For history lovers, heritage sites, old historic towns, and eclectic museums make for impactful stops. When traveling with kids, look for hands-on science centers and animal sanctuaries. Local parks and playgrounds also make for ideal stops as they often have picnic tables and restrooms, allowing everyone to get a much-needed movement break. For those drawn to nature, hikes, scenic overlooks, and hidden swim spots never disappoint.
But don’t just stick to the big-ticket attractions. Often, lesser-known detours, like roadside art installations, independent bookstores, and local bakeries, offer a richer story of the places you’re driving through and will give you a delicious taste of local culture.
Consider a Rental Car
A rental car lets you choose a vehicle tailored to your route and companions, such as a roomy SUV for a family or something rugged for mountain driving. One-way rentals also add extra flexibility, making it easy to plan trips that don’t circle back to the starting point.
Marriott Bonvoy® members enjoy benefits through a partnership with Hertz, including exclusive rental car rates, faster pickups and returns by skipping the counter at select locations with Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® membership, and up to 700 Marriott Bonvoy points on qualifying rentals. Booking early helps secure the best rates and widest selection and availability of car classes and popular specialty vehicles, like seven-seater SUVs, minivans, or pickup trucks.
Whether you want to fly and drive or leave from home, a rental car can be a convenient, comfortable option for all kinds of road trips.
Make Every Pit Stop Count
Stops for fuel, snacks, and bathroom breaks are a given on any road trip, but where you choose to pull over can shape the overall experience. Pro tip: You can get the most out of every refuel on your road trip with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, where you’ll earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy points on gas purchases (terms apply). Stopping to fill up isn’t so bad when you know that you’re earning points for perks and stays on your next getaway.
Food is one of the most fun and immersive ways to connect with the places you’re driving through, so skip fast-food chains commonly found at highway rest stops and take a short detour into a nearby town instead. Use apps like Yelp and Google Maps to find these hidden gems.
Just a few extra minutes off the main road can lead to homey diners, family-run barbecue joints, tasty taquerias, or specialty cafés that showcase regional flavors. And in agricultural areas, farmers markets and roadside produce stands are perfect for picking up fresh snacks. You might even discover a food truck using local, in-season ingredients.
Pack Smart
Beyond snacks, entertainment, blankets, and pillows for your passengers, it’s worth taking a few minutes to organize the car so essentials like water, wipes, and chargers are within easy reach.
It’s also wise to pack key safety items for emergencies, especially in remote areas where cell service is limited and roadside assistance might take time to arrive. These include a portable battery charger, jumper cables, and a well-stocked emergency kit that includes flares, a flashlight, extra batteries, extra water, and first-aid supplies.
Download These Essential Apps
These standout road trip apps help keep your journey smooth, enjoyable, and flexible when plans change. Before you hit the road, be sure to download essential maps, playlists, and podcasts, especially if you’ll be driving through areas with spotty service. Here’s what to put on your phone:
Autio: This app plays short, location-based audio stories as you drive. With more than 25,000 stories and counting, Autio uses GPS to deliver two- to five-minute clips about local history, legends, culture, and landscapes as you pass by, bringing the scenery around you to life.
GasBuddy: Find the cheapest fuel nearby with this free app that crowdsources real-time gas prices from millions of users.
Marriott Bonvoy Mobile App to Book Hotels: A smart road trip sidekick, this app makes searching, comparing, and booking last-minute accommodations quick and easy. Use the Road Trips feature on the Marriott Bonvoy App to find hotels directly on your route. With more than 9,000 properties worldwide to choose from, the app offers options for every budget and travel style.
Plus, features like Mobile Key let you skip the front desk, a major convenience after a long day on the road. Joining Marriott Bonvoy is free — and as a member, you can unlock lower rates, earn points, and enjoy free Wi-Fi. Starting with Silver Elite status, you can also enjoy benefits like bonus points on stays and priority late checkout.
Travel Responsibly
Road trips introduce you to diverse landscapes, communities, and cultures, so traveling thoughtfully and respectfully helps ensure your journey leaves a positive footprint. Before you hit the road, take time to learn about any traditional territories you may be passing through. When visiting sacred sites or cultural landmarks, show respect by following signs, staying on designated paths, and avoiding photography or touching objects when it’s not permitted.
Supporting local businesses, whether a family-run eatery, a small shop, or a nearby attraction, makes a meaningful impact, helping smaller economies thrive and deepening your connection to the places you explore.
Find more road trip inspiration on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler’s road trip hub.
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