Let's share your Road trip experience!

[Daniela at 3W Auto Life]

We’d like to hear from the community about road trip experiences.


If you were planning a road trip and could choose two U.S. states, which would you recommend and why?
We’re especially interested in routes that stand out for driving experience, scenery, or overall practicality.


We’d also appreciate any vehicle preparation or maintenance advice for longer trips, such as:

• Items you always check or service before departure
• Small details that are often overlooked but matter on the road
• Lessons learned from past trips that you’d recommend others keep in mind

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

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[RedTailHawk]

When do you need this info?

In March 2026, I’ll be undertaking a documented expedition called the Memento Mori Run — a 7,000-mile round trip journey from Virginia to Georgia, across the southern states to Southern California, followed by participation in the EXO Baja Mitad 5-day off-road rally. The return east coincides with the Route 66 Centennial in 2026, providing a historically rich backdrop for this journey. That leg will include stops at key Route 66 landmarks for photography before concluding with a final weekend along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

This trip centers around a set of intentionally themed vehicles, each representing a role in the journey:
• The Grim One — a 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor serving as the expedition tow vehicle and central focus of the five-day EXO Baja Mitad run
• The Grey Ghost — a restored and re-engineered 1967 Volkswagen Beetle documenting the heritage side of the run. Aside from being trailered across country, the Grey Ghost is going to 3 classic VW car shows in Gainesville, GA; Yuma, AZ; and Silverado, CA; as well as cruising the beaches from LA to San Diego.
• The Reaper’s Chariot — a 2025 Futura RT500 open trailer, used to transport the Grey Ghost during long highway legs and between events.

For the past couple months, I have been working with key partners to ensure my Bronco Raptor is properly setup for the Baja Mitad portion, including mounts for gear, electronics for Baja navigation and communications, and recovery and safety gear for, well, just in case.

Pics for attention...

 

[BroncocnorB]

When does a drive become a roadtrip? Define roadtrip

 

[GnormalGnome]

I've been taking roadtrips since a week after getting my driver's license over 4 decades ago. I've driven coast to coast multiple times and driven in 34 of the 48 continental states. Currently, I routinely take 4-6 roadtrips annually that are anywhere from 1400-2500 miles.

Selecting 2 states is very subjective and will vary on the type of scenery and driving experience that is desired.

For remoteness, I would pick rural NV and eastern OR. Hwys 395, 95, 97 are some of my favorites.

For hours and hours of driving through absolutely nothing ND & MT win the prize, with an honorable mention for west TX.

It's hard to beat WA & OR for mountains and forest. Olympic mountains with a rain forest, Cascade mountains from Canada to the siskiyous. Too many natl and state forests to mention.

Vehicle Preparation/Maintenance Advice:
Stay current on scheduled maintenance (oil changes, etc.). But dont schedule any maintenance once you get within a week or two of departure. If something goes wrong in the shop, or immediately after, leave time to resolve it before leaving.

Fill up windshield washer reservoir.

Check air pressure manually, dont just trust the app or dash display.

Buy a case of bottled water and put it with luggage or back seat.

Allow plenty of time for random unscheduled stops.

When you see a sign that says "xyz miles to next gas"...believe it. Never let your tank go below half without filling up or at least knowing where the next gas station is.

 

[GnormalGnome]

When does a drive become a roadtrip? Define roadtrip

OP and others may have different definitions, but I'll give you mine...

I separate them into 2 classifications - day trip and road trip.

Day trips have a purpose, a destination outside the city/town you reside in and are going be somewhere in the 60-250 mile range. And, as the name implies, you're returning home the same day.

Road trips differ in that they may only have a specific destination so you know where to turn around. They don't need a purpose, though they can certainly have one. Road trips are often taken for fun, even if flying might be more convenient or economical.

 

[Wolfgang VTS]

Vehicle Preparation/Maintenance Advice:
Stay current on scheduled maintenance (oil changes, etc.). But dont schedule any maintenance once you get within a week or two of departure. If something goes wrong in the shop, or immediately after, leave time to resolve it before leaving.

Fill up windshield washer reservoir.

Check air pressure manually, dont just trust the app or dash display.

Buy a case of bottled water and put it with luggage or back seat.

Allow plenty of time for random unscheduled stops.

When you see a sign that says "xyz miles to next gas"...believe it. Never let your tank go below half without filling up or at least knowing where the next gas station is.

Solid advice right here.

 

[Ironiguana]

We’d like to hear from the community about road trip experiences.


If you were planning a road trip and could choose two U.S. states, which would you recommend and why?
We’re especially interested in routes that stand out for driving experience, scenery, or overall practicality.


We’d also appreciate any vehicle preparation or maintenance advice for longer trips, such as:

• Items you always check or service before departure
• Small details that are often overlooked but matter on the road
• Lessons learned from past trips that you’d recommend others keep in mind

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.

Colorado-Alpine Loop
Utah- Moab
Both relatively close to each other also

 

[AZ_Craig]

Colorado-Alpine Loop
Utah- Moab
Both relatively close to each other also

And can be connected by the Rim Rocker trail (something I need to find time to check out sooner than alter).

 

[Charley]

Damn GnormalGnome, I don’t have near that many years of roadtrips, but you pretty much nailed it.
I will add, tires, if you have a plug kit, check those strips to make sure they don’t dry out and are still removable/usable. Tire tools, if you are carrying a lot of luggage, etc, think about moving your jack and lug wrenches to a place that easier to access.
Since electricity is so important to us these days, and remember your vehicle could lose power, make sure all your portable batteries - small one for your phone in your go bag, the jumpstart battery and of course any you need to power coolers or camping accessories - are charged and have the correct cable to recharge them as well as the correct cables to connect to whatever.
To reinforce the fuel point, this sign referred to fuel, I knew about it as I was returning the way I came and planned to get gas, but who knew that the area near this sign where the gas stations were would lose power for a few hours?
Colorado - Marshall Pass via 203, Alpine Loop
Oregon - just find some forest service roads and start driving
Delta, Utah to Baker, NV there are dirt/gravel roads that more or less parallel Rt 50. Then head north to Wendover, Utah with a stop outside of town o drive fast at Bonneville Salt Flats.
research theses sights.
Backcountry Discovery Routes ridebdr.com
TransAmericaTrail transamtrail.com

 

[Daniela at 3W Auto Life]

I've been taking roadtrips since a week after getting my driver's license over 4 decades ago. I've driven coast to coast multiple times and driven in 34 of the 48 continental states. Currently, I routinely take 4-6 roadtrips annually that are anywhere from 1400-2500 miles.

Selecting 2 states is very subjective and will vary on the type of scenery and driving experience that is desired.

For remoteness, I would pick rural NV and eastern OR. Hwys 395, 95, 97 are some of my favorites.

For hours and hours of driving through absolutely nothing ND & MT win the prize, with an honorable mention for west TX.

It's hard to beat WA & OR for mountains and forest. Olympic mountains with a rain forest, Cascade mountains from Canada to the siskiyous. Too many natl and state forests to mention.

Vehicle Preparation/Maintenance Advice:
Stay current on scheduled maintenance (oil changes, etc.). But dont schedule any maintenance once you get within a week or two of departure. If something goes wrong in the shop, or immediately after, leave time to resolve it before leaving.

Fill up windshield washer reservoir.

Check air pressure manually, dont just trust the app or dash display.

Buy a case of bottled water and put it with luggage or back seat.

Allow plenty of time for random unscheduled stops.

When you see a sign that says "xyz miles to next gas"...believe it. Never let your tank go below half without filling up or at least knowing where the next gas station is.

Thta's really useful for us. Thank you for your honest reply.

 

[Daniela at 3W Auto Life]

Solid advice right here.

Cannot agree more

 

[Daniela at 3W Auto Life]

Colorado-Alpine Loop
Utah- Moab
Both relatively close to each other also

Utah is always a nice option! Our team will sponsor the EJS 2026 in Moab, if you'd like to join, we are welcome everyone to our booth!

 

[Daniela at 3W Auto Life]

Damn GnormalGnome, I don’t have near that many years of roadtrips, but you pretty much nailed it.
I will add, tires, if you have a plug kit, check those strips to make sure they don’t dry out and are still removable/usable. Tire tools, if you are carrying a lot of luggage, etc, think about moving your jack and lug wrenches to a place that easier to access.
Since electricity is so important to us these days, and remember your vehicle could lose power, make sure all your portable batteries - small one for your phone in your go bag, the jumpstart battery and of course any you need to power coolers or camping accessories - are charged and have the correct cable to recharge them as well as the correct cables to connect to whatever.
To reinforce the fuel point, this sign referred to fuel, I knew about it as I was returning the way I came and planned to get gas, but who knew that the area near this sign where the gas stations were would lose power for a few hours?
Colorado - Marshall Pass via 203, Alpine Loop
Oregon - just find some forest service roads and start driving
Delta, Utah to Baker, NV there are dirt/gravel roads that more or less parallel Rt 50. Then head north to Wendover, Utah with a stop outside of town o drive fast at Bonneville Salt Flats.
research theses sights.
Backcountry Discovery Routes ridebdr.com
TransAmericaTrail transamtrail.com

We will consider take a storage box if we take so many luggage, at least it will keep our car from being messy.

 

[HighVelocity]

I'm looking forward to a trip to the new state of Greenland.

 

[23OBX2.7]

CC, Sat phone, sunscreen and water

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