The USA has a lot of road tripping potential. The North American continent in general has a lot of space for you to drive, backpack, and camp your way through, but the US has the kind of landscape that offers something for everyone!
However, it’s not the kind of country you can go across or around all in one go. You need to split your road tripping plans into pieces – unless you really want to give the historic Route 66 tour a shot. But even then, you’re not going to be covering the entirety of the country on your trip!
Most people take it coast by coast, with the West and East coasts being the most popular road trip adventures for tourists from all over the world. The west has California and the sun, while the east has New York and most of the history.
And speaking of the east coast, if you’ve never been on a road trip up and down it before, you’re going to need some beginner’s tips. It can be quite the hearty journey, so it’s best to set off as prepared as possible.
First, You’re Going to Need More Than a Week
Driving distances in the US are no joke. They’re some of the longest road trips in the world, and even if you’re a US resident who knows how long it can take to get around, you might not be quite prepared for being in the car that long.
So if you’re planning a tour of the east coast and you want to fit it inside a week, we recommend stowing this plan and adding a few more days. At least 3, but if you’re able to, try to add another full week onto the plan.
It might mean you need to use more of your paid time off, but if you want to see the east coast in as much detail as possible, you’re going to need that wiggle room!
Have a Mix of Hotel Stays and Overnight Camping
It’s best to mix and match the two types of accommodation, as camping night after night can wear down even the fittest of survival experts. Every 2 nights you spend in a tent, think about getting a hotel room or a motel booked for the night after.
In doing so, you’ll also keep yourself a lot safer on your road trip. Outdoor conditions on the east coast can plunge into icy temperatures, and it’s a lot more likely to rain than if you were visiting the west coast.
Get off the road and out of the weather for a bit, without having to use up all your travel budget on flitting between hotel rooms night after night!
Going Through a National Park? Keep it Slow
There’s quite a few to see on the east coast, and you can drive through them, camp overnight (check to see if you need either prior permission or a booked spot), and generally just enjoy the truly great US outdoors.
However, if you are going to take your road trip through a National Park, keep it slow. Both in terms of your speed and how long you take to get from one side to the other.
Some drives can be done in a day. Skyline Drive down in Shenandoah National Park will only take you about 3 hours to travel down. But a park like Acadia, up on the edges of Maine, is a wild, large, and idyllic natural reserve you’ll want to explore at length.
You’ll Want to Take Some Time in DC and New York
They’re the two major players on the east coast, and you’ll likely want to give them both a visit. The capital of the USA and quite possibly the most well known city in all of America – they’re a natural pick for a first-time road trip.
But they’re also quite densely packed locations, where you’ll spot a lot of things you want to see and experience.
If you’re a history nut, there’s quite a few museums to get through in either city – and you’ll need at least an hour and a half for each one. If you then combine that perusing time with the drive time you’ll need to get to your next location, half the day will be gone.
And remember, you do need to sleep at some point. So don’t try to squeeze DC and NYC into a day apiece. At least double the time you’ll be spending there, even if it takes you off the beaten track for longer than you’d like.
If you book an overnight hotel room slap bang in the middle, you’ll also have a quick access hub to sightsee from. We recommend boutique hotels for this, to keep you as on budget as possible – somewhere like Belvedere Hotel close to Central Park and major attractions will mean you get a good night’s sleep without it costing you an arm and a leg.
Give Yourself Some Down Time
All that driving is also going to wear on you. Being behind the wheel for 2+ hours at a time isn’t really all that good for anyone, and you don’t want to get a crick in your neck or have your knees lock up!
Get away from the wheel for a while by scheduling in a bit of down time, where you can get out of the car, stretch your legs, and even have a nap if it’s needed.
Plan an East Coast Road Trip That Works
A lot of people want to explore the length and breadth of the US east coast. And it’s a great place to see, no matter how much time you have to explore it in detail!
But make sure you don’t underestimate the time, conditions, or budget you may need to get your road trip plans going. Remember, if you want to visit the bigger cities, you may even need to book into a hotel for a little while.
