An Outland Adventures Blog: Planning the Perfect Travel Day

Planning the Perfect Travel Day

A smooth travel day doesn’t happen by accident. Over time, we’ve learned that a little planning makes a huge difference—not just in getting from point A to point B, but in actually enjoying the journey. Here’s how we plan our travel days to keep them as stress-free as possible.



1. Start with the Route (But Stay Flexible)

The first step is mapping out the general route. We look at:

  • Distance and estimated driving time

  • Road conditions and major construction areas

  • Weather along the route

We try to avoid pushing too far in one day. Shorter drives mean we arrive with enough energy to settle in, cook, and relax instead of collapsing into bed.

Of course, flexibility is key. Detours sometimes lead to the best unexpected discoveries—quirky roadside stops and small towns are kind of our thing, after all.

2. Plan Fuel and Stretch Stops

Driving for hours straight isn’t fun or safe, so we plan stops ahead of time. We look for:

  • Gas stations with easy pull-through access

  • Rest areas or parks where we can stretch our legs

  • Places that feel safe and not overly crowded

Stopping regularly keeps everyone in a better mood and helps prevent that travel-day fatigue from sneaking up on you.

3. Check Parking and Arrival Details

Before we leave, we confirm:

  • Where we’re parking

  • Check-in or arrival instructions

  • Any tricky turns or narrow entrances

Knowing what to expect when we arrive removes a lot of stress, especially after a long drive.

4. Prep the Rig Before Hitting the Road

A few quick checks in the morning can prevent big headaches later:

  • Secure anything that might shift while driving

  • Make sure essentials are easy to reach

  • Double-check doors, windows, and storage compartments

It only takes a few minutes, but it’s worth it.

5. Pack Easy Meals and Snacks

Travel days aren’t the time for complicated cooking. We keep things simple:

  • Sandwiches or wraps

  • Cut fruit or easy snacks

  • Drinks within reach

Having food ready means fewer unnecessary stops and a much smoother day overall.

6. Keep Entertainment and Navigation Ready

Long drives go faster with good company, music, or a podcast. We also keep navigation updated and double-check directions before pulling out, just in case service drops along the way.

A little preparation here keeps the driver focused and the navigator relaxed instead of scrambling.

7. Leave Room for Fun

One of the best parts of travel is discovering things you didn’t plan. If we see a sign for a strange museum, scenic overlook, or local landmark, we try to leave enough time in the day to stop and explore.

Those moments often end up being the most memorable.

Final Thoughts

A perfect travel day isn’t about perfection—it’s about preparation, flexibility, and keeping things simple. With a good plan and the right mindset, the road becomes part of the adventure instead of just the space between destinations.

Thanks for following along with us What’s one thing that makes your travel days smoother?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

September Blog Schedule

Image
  What’s Coming This September on Outland Adventures Hey friends, Chris & Amanda here. and we're changing things up again. Let us know your thoughts on this format in the comments below!  We’ve got a fun month ahead, and we thought it would be helpful (and exciting!) to share our September blog lineup with you. That way, you’ll know exactly what’s coming and can follow along as we dig into the real, quirky, sometimes glamorous, and sometimes not so glamorous sides of RV life. Here’s what you can look forward to this September: 📅 September Blog Schedule Tuesday, Sept 2 → Behind the Scroll: The Real Life of Social Media on the Road We’ll pull back the curtain on what it really takes to keep Outland Adventures’ social channels going strong while living full-time on the road. Spoiler: it’s not all perfectly posed pictures! Thursday, Sept 4 → Campground Amenities Are Cool, But A Good Shower Is Everything Let’s talk about the true luxury of RV life — a big, hot, cle...
Read more

Campground Neighbors (The Good Ones)

Image
  🏕️ The Campground Next Door: Shoutout to the Great Neighbors We’ve Met on the Road Hey there, fellow travelers and tent-side philosophers! It’s Amanda & Chris from Outland Adventures , and today we’re getting a little sentimental (don’t worry, we’ll blame the campfire smoke). Because while RV life is full of gorgeous views and weird roadside attractions, one of the best parts of this lifestyle is something that rarely gets the spotlight: 🫶 Really great campground neighbors. Not the kind that blast music at 2 a.m. or let their dog poop on your rug mat (you know who you are) — we’re talking about the kind, helpful, hilarious folks who make this lifestyle feel like a real community. The ones who wave in the morning, chat by the fire, and lend you a wrench before you even realize you need one. 🧰 The Guy With Every Tool Ever Made There’s always one . He rolls in, sets up camp in eight minutes flat, and somehow has a spare part for your rig stashed under his stairs. ...
Read more

July Blog & Video Schedule

Image
 Hey Y'all, How's your summer going? We're enjoying NW Indiana most days, when it's not 100 degrees. July's Schedule: 1st Tue- Blog & Video Schedule Short, Anything Goes 3rd Thurs- Our New Home Tour Meet Wildebeest Tour Video 8th Tue- Social Media Growth A Look At Our Analytics   10th Thurs- Things We're Loving Right Now Product Reviews 15th Tues- 3mo in, Workamping Thoughts Lots of shorts, Workamp and Campground Content 17th Thurs- And Now A Word From Our Sponsors... Our Recent Collabs 22nd Tues-  Day In The Life DITL 24th Thurs-No Blog 29th Tues- DITL: Camp Store 31st Thurs- August Schedule Chit Chat Video Happy 4th! Thanks, The Outlands On another note, we've got some collaborations coming up soon that we're excited to share with you! One is a film like color grading plug in, another is a book we're reviewing, from TikTok we have a portable telescope on the way, and lastly a backpack from Viking Bags:   https://www.vikingbags.com/ collections/...
Read more