Mark Off a Marital Milestone With a Honeymoon Road Trip: 7 Tips

Getting married is the first of many milestones ahead. What better way to commemorate the beginning of a beautiful journey together than a memorable honeymoon road trip?

A road trip can be a unique experience that lets you see many sights within a week or two. Plus, traveling together allows you and your partner to deepen your love while learning how to work together. Preparing for the trip and cruising through different roads in a car for a few days can tell you so much about the person you’re about to spend your life with.

The best-case scenario is you’ll fall in love with them even more.

Honeymoon Road Trip Planning Tips

Part of the appeal of a honeymoon road trip can be the spontaneity. However, following a few steps can ensure everything is in order while having fun with your special person.
 

1. Plan Early

Plan around three months before the big day. Ironing out the details early on can foolproof your trip. Make as many tweaks as necessary to get on the road without a hitch. Thinking early also allows you and your partner leeway to save up for the trip. Need to have enough for all the attractions during the getaway.
 

2. Estimate Your Budget

Estimate your spending to ensure you and your partner don’t come up short while out and about. A road trip from New York to Los Angeles has an average cost of $1,151.69 in 2020. Gas and food will be your main expenses. If you want to sleep comfortably, include accommodation costs in the budget.
 

3. Consider Your Car

Some newlyweds may use their own vehicle for a honeymoon road trip, while others prefer to rent. You can also consider a more luxurious model if you want to splurge for the special occasion — cars like a Porsche Cayenne GTS can be rented for around $500 daily.
 

4. Pick Your Landmarks

Every couple’s road trip will look different, depending on what they want to visit and see. Try to map out the landmarks. Keep your shared interests in mind as you create your list. You can also make a bingo card of different places and cross them out as you drive around.
 

5. Be Practical With Your Route

As romantic as a honeymoon road trip can be, you must be practical with your route. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Time: Will you be on the road for a weekend or a week? Are the number of landmarks you listed realistic in the timeframe you have?
• Safety: Road safety is imperative for a car trip. The good news is traffic fatalities have decreased over the last 40 years in America. Northeast, Midwest and Rocky Mountains had the lowest fatal crashes.
• Fuel stops: The last thing any couple wants to do is run out of fuel while on a road trip. Mark the gas stations where you can stop to fill up your tank.
• Driving shifts: Do you and your partner both drive? Are there roads where one person is a little more familiar than the other? Discuss who will be behind the wheel throughout the route. You can also designate shift changes.
   

6. Make Arrangements

If you and your marriage partner have obligations or responsibilities, make arrangements for your time off. Here are some examples:

• Work: Remember to file for some time off from work. Let your manager know when you’ll be back and how projects can be handled while away.
• Children: Older kids can manage the household responsibilities, but younger ones need supervision. You can call up your parents or in-laws to watch them briefly. Let them stay in your home or allow the children to sleep at their place.
• Pets: If you have pets, you must find a sitter to care for them while you’re gone. Dogs and cats can get incredibly anxious when you’re gone. Consider a familiar face like friends or neighbors to keep them company.

 

7. Pack for the Trip Efficiently

Too much luggage can put much weight on the car, so be mindful when packing for the road trip. For example, only bring out the clothes you’ll truly wear during this outing. Rather than bringing countless gallons of water, get a reusable water bottle to refill on the road. You can minimize single-use plastics and stay hydrated at the same time.

Honeymoon Road Trip Suggestions

There are many infamous routes newlyweds can adopt for their romantic road trip celebrations. You can follow these long drives to a tee or create your spin on them.
 

1. Ten Mile Drive

Ten Mile Drive in Rhode Island is a short yet lovely route to see different homes and mansions. This route is perfect for historical buffs who want to see a variety of state parks. There’s also a stop at the Gooseberry Beach. Catch the sun and discover different caverns and coves while looking at the blue water.
 

2. Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway is a longer journey around Virginia and North Carolina. You can take a romantic drive and see the mountain views. Have a picnic and take pictures while you have your fill of nature. Some couples also like to stop and hike, making a mission to see as many waterfalls as possible.
 

3. Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway

The Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway in New York lets couples circle the Catskill Mountains' Northern High Peaks. This trip spans about 41 miles, with plenty of room for detours to neighboring regions. If you want to stick with it, drive through the beautiful terrain of the mountains and stop by creeks and cloves.
 

4. Route 66

Route 66 is one of America's most famous road trips, taking you along Arizona, Illinois and so much more. Visit plenty of museum stops along the way, including the self-named Route 66 Museum in Kingman and Oklahoma. You can also find a variety of stop-off diners to get your fill in American cuisine.
 

5. Last Frontier

The Last Frontier road combs through the largest U.S. state. Getting married during spring and summer makes this route all the more attractive, as this season makes it less snowy and safer to drive through. Touring Alaska and its wonderful landscapes will take over a week, so pick your stops wisely.

 

Start a Couple’s Tradition

Celebrating your first marital milestone through a romantic drive with the love of your life can be exciting. Take the tips above to make an unforgettable honeymoon road trip and start a couple’s tradition. Don’t forget to take pictures to keep the memories forever!

 

 

Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.

 

 

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