There are not many better ways to see America than on coast to coast road trips. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, or reverse, there are so many different cultures and peoples to see along the way, you'll want to carve at least a couple weeks out for this once in a lifetime vacation.
Planning Coast to Coast Road Trips
What is the difference between a simple car ride and a road trip? Car rides are meant to be just an easy means to get to a destination. The destination, in a car ride, is the means to the end. A road trip, however, is a vacation in its own right. There are places, people and scenic routes to discover on a road trip. There are unknown journeys that lie ahead and part of the fun of a road trip is the planning and anticipation of one.
When planning a road trip, a good place to start is to have a general idea of the route you are going to take. For example, you already know you are driving from the east to the west, and you know you want to cut right through the centre of the country, or perhaps which diversions you are desiring. Pick up road maps for all of these states and the major cities you will be entering. A road atlas is an easy way to have all of these maps in one little bundle. Remember, its the discovering and exploring of the smaller, (sometimes non-existent) lines on the map that make it a road trip.
What to Take on Coast to Coast Road Trips
It is always best to be prepared as well as you can, for every eventuality while on a road trip. You never know if or when the car might break down, or if you will be stranded in a remote location with the only civilization miles down the road.
* Cooler and water - top of the list. Never be caught without these items
* Battery operated weather alert radio it is sometimes fun to be caught in a thunderstorm, but when you are on the road and its unexpected and intense, you will be wishing you had brought this with you to allow ample time to take cover.
* Huge terry cloth towels. These will work well as towels for an unexpected swim, a roadside picnic cloth on the ground, a curtain to hide behind as you change, and a hundred other uses.
* Music and or audio books. Although there is much taking place outside the confines of the vehicle, you will still want to be comfortable and have your most cherished road tunes to listen to.
* Snacks. An empty and growling stomach means you cannot enjoy your surroundings. Pack healthy snacks like nuts, granule bars and fruit that is not easily bruised.
Routes to Take
* Highway 50 starts and ends in Maryland and California, or vice versa depending on where you begin your journey. Highway 50 cuts through the center portion of the United States through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and on over through Nevada and California. This is a historic and memorable route with many inspirations to be uncovered.
* Route 66 although not truly situated on the Atlantic coastline, this route is too popular and historic not to mention. Starting in Chicago and running to Los Angeles, Route 66 also has many beautiful spots to visit along the way.
* Of course, there are an endless number of routes to take for your coast to coast road trips, and its best to consult a well-respected online forum like map quest, or road atlases before beginning your journey.
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