Useful Tips for Planning Your Honeymoon Road Trip

When planning a honeymoon road trip ...

... make sure you plan one a week after your wedding. In this one week, de-stress and get ready for your honeymoon.

A road trip is always a lot of fun. Whether it's with friends, family, or your spouse. However, when we talk about a honeymoon road trip, the situation changes a little.

This road trip, in all probability, is going to comprise the first few days after your wedding. You HAVE TO make sure nothing goes wrong―from the start, until the end, it has to be beautiful.

It is advised that you start planning for your road trip well in advance. As a couple, both of you have to be prepared for it. A road trip demands patience and determination. If even one of the two can't put up with it, it's going to lead to fights and maybe, even sickness. If both of you have agreed on this journey―probably your first as a married couple―it's time we get down to business.

Spontaneity is welcomed, but let it not be mistaken for carelessness. Don't be completely clueless about what you want to do. Know the places you want to see, the days you want to spend at a particular location, etc.

What you can leave for later is where you're going to stay, what you're going to do there or see, and perhaps, how much you're planning to spend at a particular destination. If you leave everything for later, you'll waste all your time planning your trip, instead of enjoying it.

It is always better to rent a car. If you are covering several landscapes in this trip, you probably cannot have a car suitable for each. Thus, rent. It might increase your costs, but will definitely save you a lot of trouble.

There may be areas where you might even consider hiring a bike. If you're planning a road trip in another country (countries), you must have an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you don't have one, make sure you get one as soon as possible. Last but not the least, make sure you rent a car that both you and your spouse can drive.

Cars in Europe usually work on manual transmission. Call a rental company in advance, and explain your requirements. For travel through multiple states, always rent a car from a company that has presence in those states. This will prove helpful even if your car breaks down en route.

As much as possible, zero in on one-horn towns or cities. This way, when you halt, you can cover everything in a day or two. If you have a city like Paris marked on your route, you're probably going to need a week there.

Cities like these score extremely low on road trip maps. Instead, hunt down spots that can be covered in a one- or two-day halt. There are a lot of unique, remote, and secluded places that don't make it to travel magazines.

You'll find information about these on the Internet though. However, make sure you don't choose something too secluded, it's just the two of you. Limit your adventure to the drive this once.

Select a route that both of you want to see. For a lovely, scenic drive, you can choose California's Pacific Coast Highway. For an adventurous drive, you can select the New Mexico to The Million Dollar Highway, Colorado. For those who want to wander and explore at the same time, national parks such as Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and Yosemite are what you should look out for.

Don't spend on things you don't need.

Road trips are NOT about shopping; they should never be. Don't spend a single penny on something that you don't need, or something that you'll get anywhere else in the world. You can pick up a small keepsake here and there, but that's about it.

If you're planning a trip through several national parks, you can get the annual pass. This will save you some pennies. Always let ALL the hotels you're staying in know it's your honeymoon; you might just be surprised by their hospitality.

Also, don't be too concerned about the accommodation. You will stay in most places only to rejuvenate, and not relax. If it's safe, it's fine, however it is.

Pack only emergency food.

Packing a little food is your best bet. Don't pack for the entire trip, but definitely pack things like a little chocolate, energy bars, etc. Convenience store prices are much higher than those at grocery stores. Don't pack anything that might spoil in a day or two.

It will cost you time and money. Keep refilling these few things at every stop, or at places where you find a grocery store. Always pack enough water at every halt, specially if you're traveling through secluded routes. You don't want to find yourself dehydrated in the middle of Death Valley.

Concentrate on doing things together.

You may find it difficult to decide what you actually want to do. Whether you should visit a famous festival, take part in adventure activities famous in the region, or just take in the marvelous landscape.

Instead of just looking at the beautiful scenery around you during your road trip, it is advised that you do things together. This could include taking part in adventure activities, hiking on a certain trail, exploring a certain locale, etc.

Take in the best of both worlds.

This is a little dicey, and it really depends on what you want to do. If both of you love wandering through places, talking to people, and discovering newer things about a particular place, you could invest time in knowing about the history of a particular place.

For example, visiting the various national parks will be a good option since it will let you hike, discover, see, and stay―all at the same time. However, if you're not all for discovery, you could probably avoid the interaction, and instead, cover an additional place or two.

Prefer an insurance if your road trip is long.

Well ... this is a tough one. Travel insurances don't always cover everything. Some don't cover the entire amount, some don't cover all countries, etc. The best thing to do would be to take your itinerary to a travel agent and seek advice.

Depending on the places you're staying at, the routes you're traveling on, etc., he'll be able to tell you whether you really need insurance or not. This decision can be taken only and only after your entire plan is ready.

Use as many apps as possible for a well-planned journey.

Though the age-old diary is the safest option, it's certainly not the best. Today, with so many people taking up so many different forms of travel, technology is being used to make these travels easier.

If you don't want anything to go wrong during your honeymoon, plan it thoroughly with some of the best road trip apps, that will not only make your listing tasks easier, but also provide suggestions, advice, and tips.

Ideally, the person who isn't driving should ...

... make a list of things to do at the next halt.
... call up respective hotels/resorts to see if what you want to do is possible or not.

... search for a good hotel, talk to concerned people, and book a room (don't forget to tell them it's your honeymoon).
... take care of both the cell phones.

And the driver should ...

... not be tempted at spots such as wineries, cities such as Las Vegas, and adventurous routes such as those in the Death Valley.

... not, at any point, exceed the speed limit. For God's sake! You just got married.
... not overdo with the driving. If you feel sleepy, halt somewhere soon, and take a quick nap.
... not take calls, unless extremely urgent.

Last but not the least, if you're traveling through several countries at once, make sure you've taken all the vaccinations. You don't want to fall sick during your honeymoon road trip.