Solo Road Trips

When I'm retired (about 10 yrs give or take) - I will do more Renaissance festivals.
Usually a weekend is enough.

I love time alone, and I love to drive! I like to pick out places my husband isn't interested in, or people he likes but doesn't have memories of of as much in common with (college friends, for example). When my son was in college, I did several trips to get him (5 hours each way) and enjoyed them a lot. I went to a college friend's brother's funeral (so sad, but it turned into a mini-reunion of hall mates).

I make sure I have good music or a book on tape, and I leave plenty of time in advance. That way, I can stop along the way to rest, eat, stretch or enjoy something I spotted, and not get stressed out about weather or traffic jams. I usually plan to go the day before I'm need or expected at something.

I love eating alone, and I always have a couple of good magazines and a book of variety puzzles which I happily work on during lunch or dinner alone. I may ask for a table in a corner that's a bit apart from noise and hustle/bustle, and I have no problem if I'm off the wait staff's main area. I'll happily flag them down when I need a refill or a check, in exchange for some quiet. I'm aware of a busy place, of course, and I don't linger if they really need my table to "turn over" - and I tip well.

I do an internet search of fun things along the way, but I'm also not afraid to just pull over and browse in a shop or take some photos at a scenic vista. A river flowing over rocks? Great way to drown out the traffic noise. I also have snacks with me so I don't have to stop at a certain time to fuel up or wake up. If I don't know where I am, I don't stress out - I pull over, look at the GPS and a real, honest-to-God road map, and figure it all out. I also get the hell out of the way of aggressive drivers, moving over and letting them pass me so I'm not being tailgated. I'm good to truckers and I remember that they have a much heavier vehicle that needs time to slow down. I try to consciously get away from the stressed-out, hurry-hurry-hurry pressure that consume so many people.

I recently traveled across country to see my elderly mother - I had some long waits, and I didn't mind them. I made the most of the time without my phone ringing or my dog needing to go out or my vacuum calling "turn me on and do something about this room!" I had a hotel room with a small kitchen, so I could make my own food. I also went out to eat one time but bought a double portion (a big appetizer and a big entree), knowing I would have a doggie bag for the next night. I enjoyed sitting in the hotel room, where no one I knew was around, where my phone didn't ring and where I wasn't expected to do anything. I packed a corkscrew and some of those 99 cent liquor "nips" so I could relax with a drink in my hotel room if I so chose.

Options/options/options!

I did solo trips when I was married. It was a great recharger for me.

I don't road trip, I fly, usually to
Miami and stay in a nice hotel and enjoy the beach, pool and spa. I typically stayed 3 nights.

My road trips now are making sales calls and I always find something fun to do!

The one person who will always be right by your side to reminisce about adventures taken in life, is you. Make the most of it, go off the beaten path, have fun!

Since the city I live in is full of interesting sites, it is easy to do solo "trips" of just taking time to do something on my own - spend time at a museum, etc. If you are fortunate enough to be able to take a longer trip, I would suggest riding the bus or train - being able to enjoy looking out the window rather than stressful traffic, can add to the fun of the trip.

My kids are still in grade school, so the most I've done is day trips. They usually involve shopping, bookstores and coffee!

If I had more money or slightly older kids or a less busy husband, I would probably do things I don't get to do around here. See a Chicago Cubs game, go to a live show, do more shopping! Do the things I used to do when I was single and/or didn't have kids. One of my favorite things used to be to go to a book store, order a coffee, take over a chair or table and just read for hours. If I did that now, that would be the only thing I would have time for, and I have other things that I need to do. But that's probably one of the things I would do :-)

I didn't do a solo trip but last month we took a 2 week vacation. We drove from Florida to Connecticut. The only thing we planned on the way was to go to Busch gardens in Virginia. We had no agenda otherwise - stopped where ever we wantes. We drove through the back roads in a lot of states.

Before this trip, 2 hours was my limit in the car. This trip made me a long distance driver. I would do it again in a heart beat. I think everyone needs to do a big drive at least once in their lives. Theres so much out there to discover and see.

As for picking where to go the next time. I might get a map if the United States and throw a dart.

I haven't taken a solo road trip since I have had the kids, but I took many before having the kids. Those were usually either a couple of nights at the beach or a couple of nights shopping over the border. Since having the kids I have taken many road trips with the kids, or with friends. Destination varies. Parks, beaches, historic sites, cities etc. depends on what I feel like doing.

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I haven't taken a solo road trip since I have had the kids, but I took many before having the kids. Those were usually either a couple of nights at the beach or a couple of nights shopping over the border. Since having the kids I have taken many road trips with the kids, or with friends. Destination varies. Parks, beaches, historic sites, cities etc. depends on what I feel like doing.

From time to time I have to travel for work - sometimes I fly, sometimes I drive. My daughter has been in college about 400 miles away so yes - I have taken some solo road trips. I love road trips - with my husband or by myself. personally I get a teeny bit anxious when I'm alone in terms of being a woman. But I am a AAA Premier member and they've been awesome every time I've had to call them.
We will both retire in less than 3 years and intend to take quite a few road trips. There's a show by Smithsonian called Arial America that has given us great ideas for trips!