How to Plan a US Road Trip Using Our Tools

Plan Your Route with Distance Calculator

Start by mapping out your route and calculating total distances. This helps you understand the scope of your trip and plan realistic daily driving segments.

Popular US Road Trip Routes

Pacific Coast Highway

560 miles

San Francisco → LA → San Diego

4-6 daysCoastal scenic route

Southwest National Parks

850 miles

Las Vegas → Grand Canyon → Sedona → Zion

5-7 daysDesert & canyons

Cross-Country Classic

2,789 miles

New York → Chicago → Denver → LA

10-14 daysCoast to coast

Calculate Your Route Distance →

Pro Tip

Aim for 250-350 miles per day for a comfortable pace. This allows time for stops, meals, and unexpected detours without feeling rushed.

Calculate Driving Time

Knowing the distance is just the start. Use our driving time estimator to plan realistic schedules that account for breaks, meals, and traffic.

Driving Time Breakdown

Pure Driving Time

6 hours

350 miles at 58 mph average

Add breaks and stops

Gas stops (2 × 15 min)+30 min

Lunch break+45 min

Rest stops & photo ops+30 min

Traffic buffer+30 min

Total realistic time

Total Travel Time

8 hours

Plan to arrive by 6 PM if leaving at 10 AM

Calculate Your Driving Time →

Best Practices

Start early (7-8 AM)
Take 15-min break every 2 hours
Avoid driving after 8 PM
Share driving duties

Avoid These Mistakes

Driving 10+ hours daily
Not accounting for breaks
Ignoring time zone changes
Underestimating mountain roads

Budget Your Gas Costs

Gas is often the biggest variable expense on a road trip. Use our gas cost calculator to estimate fuel expenses based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency.

Gas Cost Calculation Example

Total Distance

850 miles

Avg Gas Price

$3.45/gal

Vehicle MPG

28 MPG

Calculation Breakdown

Gallons needed (850 ÷ 28)30.4 gallons

Cost per gallon$3.45

Total Gas Cost$105

Compact Car

35 MPG

$84

Most economical

Mid-Size SUV

28 MPG

$105

Good balance

Large SUV

20 MPG

$147

More space

Calculate Your Gas Costs →

Money-Saving Tips

Use GasBuddy app to find cheapest stations
Fill up in states with lower gas taxes
Maintain steady speeds (55-65 mph optimal)
Remove roof racks when not in use
Keep tires properly inflated

Find Perfect Stopping Points

Long drives need strategic stops. Use our halfway point finder to discover interesting places to break up your journey and explore along the way.

Strategic Stop Planning

Start: Las Vegas, NV

Departure point

Halfway: Flagstaff, AZ

Perfect lunch stop • 255 miles • 4 hours

Why stop here:

Historic downtown with restaurants
Gateway to Grand Canyon (80 mi north)
Cool mountain climate

End: Sedona, AZ

Final destination • 510 miles total

Find Your Halfway Point →

Overnight Stops

Book hotels near highway exits
Look for free breakfast options
Choose cities with attractions

Scenic Detours

Add 30-60 min for viewpoints
Research roadside attractions
Download offline maps

Complete Example: Southwest National Parks Road Trip

Let's put all the tools together to plan a real 7-day Southwest road trip.

Trip Overview

Total Distance

850 miles

Driving Time

18 hours

Gas Cost

$105

Duration

7 days

Las Vegas → Grand Canyon (280 mi, 4.5h)

Arrive Grand Canyon South Rim, sunset viewing

Grand Canyon (Full Day)

Hiking, rim trail, visitor center

Grand Canyon → Sedona (110 mi, 2h)

Red rock formations, vortex sites, art galleries

Sedona (Full Day)

Cathedral Rock hike, Chapel of the Holy Cross

Sedona → Antelope Canyon (140 mi, 2.5h)

Guided tour of slot canyons, Horseshoe Bend

Antelope Canyon → Zion (150 mi, 3h)

Angels Landing or Narrows hike

Zion → Las Vegas (170 mi, 2.5h)

Morning hike, return to Vegas for departure

Total Trip Budget Estimate

Gas (850 mi @ 28 MPG)$105

Hotels (6 nights @ $120)$720

Food (7 days @ $50)$350

Park fees & tours$200

Total per person$1,375

Your Complete Road Trip Toolkit

Access all the tools you need to plan your perfect US road trip.

Distance Calculator

Calculate miles between any US cities

Driving Time Estimator

Plan realistic travel schedules

Gas Cost Calculator

Estimate fuel expenses accurately

Halfway Point Finder

Discover perfect stopping points

View All US Road Trip Tools →

Download Your Free Road Trip Planner

Get our comprehensive road trip planning template with route planner, budget tracker, and packing checklist.

Route Planner

Map your journey

Budget Tracker

Track all expenses

Packing Checklist

Don't forget anything

What You'll Learn

Plan Your Route

Estimate Drive Time

Budget Gas Costs

Find Perfect Stops

Plan Your Route with Distance Calculator

Popular US Road Trip Routes

Pacific Coast Highway

Southwest National Parks

Cross-Country Classic

Pro Tip

Calculate Driving Time

Driving Time Breakdown

Pure Driving Time

Total Travel Time

Best Practices

Avoid These Mistakes

Budget Your Gas Costs

Gas Cost Calculation Example

Calculation Breakdown

Compact Car

Mid-Size SUV

Large SUV

Money-Saving Tips

Find Perfect Stopping Points

Strategic Stop Planning

Start: Las Vegas, NV

Halfway: Flagstaff, AZ

End: Sedona, AZ

Overnight Stops

Scenic Detours

Complete Example: Southwest National Parks Road Trip

Trip Overview

Las Vegas → Grand Canyon (280 mi, 4.5h)

Grand Canyon (Full Day)

Grand Canyon → Sedona (110 mi, 2h)

Sedona (Full Day)

Sedona → Antelope Canyon (140 mi, 2.5h)

Antelope Canyon → Zion (150 mi, 3h)

Zion → Las Vegas (170 mi, 2.5h)

Total Trip Budget Estimate

Your Complete Road Trip Toolkit

Distance Calculator

Driving Time Estimator

Gas Cost Calculator

Halfway Point Finder

Download Your Free Road Trip Planner

Route Planner

Budget Tracker

Packing Checklist

Quick Navigation

Road Trip Tools

Related Guides

Download Template