38 Excellent Road Trip Tips For Couples To Have The Best Vacation Ever

If you’re ready to hit the open road with your significant other, you might be looking for some great road trip tips for couples to help you have a fantastic journey.

Being cooped up in a car for a long time with another person can end up being a good or a bad experience depending on how you handle certain situations and how you coordinate your trip.

You obviously want your road trip to go smoothly and you want to have fun, but what things should you do (or not do) to ensure the experience is memorable and positive?

Here’s the ultimate guide of 38 excellent travel tips to help you have a great couple’s road trip!

Road Trip Tips For Couples: Your First Trip Together

If you are taking your very first road trip with your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, you might not know what to expect.

Are they an early bird and like to hit the road before the sun is up?

Do they like to stop and stretch every hour?

Does the thought of listening to an audiobook for 8 hours make their skin crawl?

Here are some great suggestions to help couples who haven’t traveled together before get ahead of the game and make a successful road trip more likely.

1. Make sure you like each other

This should be obvious, right? I mean, if you are dating and planning to travel together, you probably like each other.

But here’s the thing: you might NOT like the person after being in an enclosed space with them for 6+ hours if you’ve never done it before.

You’ll probably discover there are things about them you didn’t notice before…and those things annoy the crap out of you.

This happens with every couple as your relationship progresses, but a road trip is NOT the place you want to learn that your girlfriend chews gum all day and REALLY loudly, or that your boyfriend refuses to listen to anything except rap in the car…EVER.

Before committing to go road tripping together, make sure you actually really like this person and that you are willing to put up with their quirks and things that rub you the wrong way for the duration of the trip (because trust me: it WILL happen).

2. Start with a shorter road trip

If your road trip is going to be for at least a few days, get your feet wet with a shorter version to see how you fare together.

Take that 3-hour drive to the beach and test out how things go. Or make a date of it and plan out a whole day of driving and hit up a bunch of places to see and restaurants to eat at. See if there are any issues that arise and address them early.

3. Set intentions for the trip

What do you want to get out of your road trip together? I mean, I’m sure you want to have a good time and explore some new locations, but what can you be intentional about in your relationship?

Maybe you want to be intentional about being present and staying off your phone so you can spend more time talking and getting to know one another.

Or maybe, if you tend to plan everything to a T and leave little wiggle room in your itinerary for any deviation (hello, it’s me), you will be more intentional about being spontaneous and just going with the flow more.

Whatever you decide, make your intentions known to each other (or pick one together) and help one another out so you can both succeed.

4. Listen to each other

At the beginning of any relationship, you don’t always know the other person’s cues for when they are tired or hungry or stressed.

In order to make sure you don’t misunderstand anything, take the time to listen to the other person when they tell you something and try to understand them, even if it doesn’t make sense to you.

Listening is so incredibly important, and when you take the time to try and understand what they are saying, it shows you care about them and want to help however you can.

5. Solve disagreements as quickly as possible

There is a very high probability that you will get into some sort of argument or disagreement on your trip, even if it’s something trivial.

Don’t let a disagreement simmer to the point of boiling. When you are unhappy about something, you should bring it up as soon as you are able and try to solve it quickly.

Nothing ruins a trip faster than a disagreement that swells into a full-blown fight simply because you let something sit for too long and now it’s a much bigger problem than it ever should have been.

6. Know how the other person destresses/diffuses tension

Going along with the above suggestion, you should ask and learn how the other person deals with tough situations and what they like to do to calm down when they are upset.

If they like to go for a run, find a park and let them blow off steam if they need to.

If you cool off (literally and figuratively) while eating ice cream, let your partner know and ask to stop for a treat when you need to destress.

Be willing to help them relax when needed and share with them when you need a break as well.

7. Communication is key

Basically, most of the tips above can be summarized with one word: communication.

Be open, be honest, listen to each other, don’t let conflicts escalate, and you’ll be on your way to a great, memorable road trip and also a great relationship.

Road Trip Tips For Couples: Planning

8. Plan it together…

Whether you are a natural planner or not, when you travel with another person, there are certain things you are going to want and need to plan together to have a great trip.

First, you’ll want to plan the route/destination together and figure out the places you want to stop and explore along the way. Having fun things to do on the journey makes it so much more exciting and gives you something to look forward to if you have a long driving day.

Deciding together what kind of music/audiobooks/podcasts you want to listen to will help prevent tension or arguments on entertainment during the road trip and it will also give you something to look forward to on the journey.

You also can’t forget the snacks and drinks! Figuring out what you want to buy ahead of time will not only save you money on your road trip, but you’ll already have it with you so no one gets hangry (this is 100% me…I get hangry very easily).

You’ll also want to search for some nice restaurants to eat at or types of local food you want to try along the way or at your destination.

And don’t forget places to stay! Knowing where you’ll be sleeping each night prevents a lot of stress and helps plan out your road trip budget (more on that later).

There is lots of proof that planning for and anticipating a vacation is just as much if not more fun than the actual trip itself. Don’t deny yourself the enjoyment of planning together and getting excited about your road trip.

There are so many benefits to planning out aspects of your trip in order to hype up the excitement and also relieve some of the stress that will inevitably occur while traveling.

9. …But be willing to be spontaneous

I am guilty of planning a little TOO much and then getting really uptight if my husband wants to do or see something that is not on my perfectly curated list. FOMO is real for me, y’all.

I need to get better at this, and I’m sure I’m not alone.

Being flexible and willing to be spontaneous and deviate from the plan a bit can lead to some surprisingly great memories that never would have happened otherwise.

If you have a partner who is not a planner and likes to fly by the seat of their pants, compromise a bit and let them take the lead when something strikes their fancy.

Or if you and your partner both like to plan and have a schedule, promise each other you’ll loosen the reins a bit and look for opportunities to branch out and try something not on the itinerary if it looks like fun.

10. Don’t pack too much into each day

It’s going to be hard to be spontaneous and just wing it if every single hour of your day is scheduled out.

Plan some of your activities, such as the ones that require advanced tickets or need a little more structure, but leave the rest of your day free to be able to see and do what you feel like in the moment.

My husband and I plan a lot of our trips around hiking and outdoor activities, but if we have bad weather or are too sore or tired to hike, we often have to find something else to do.

You can still have a list of things you’d like to experience, but don’t put the pressure on yourself and your partner by deciding exactly what you’ll do each day. Have a list to choose from so you can pick what you’d like based on the weather and your mood that day.

Plus, if you tell yourself you have to see these 5 things and you end up exhausted and grumpy at the end of the day because you packed too much in, you probably didn’t enjoy yourself as much as you would have if you had gone at a slower pace and enjoyed each activity more.

11. Compromise… 

Let’s face it, there are going to be things that your partner wants to do that you don’t and vice versa. You are two different people with different likes and dislikes.

Some people like to visit museums while others shudder at the idea of walking around exhibits for hours.

Others want to spend as much time hiking as possible, and some people consider that torture.

If you want to create a road trip that is memorable for both of you, you’ll each need to compromise a bit and do things the other person wants to even if you think it’s silly or a waste of time.

Being agreeable and willing to try things that aren’t your cup of tea is very important in planning a road trip and also in relationships as a whole.

12. …But understand and respect boundaries

While it’s important to do things that the other person wants to do, everyone has boundaries and these should be respected too.

If your significant other is deathly afraid of water, don’t force them to do a kayaking expedition or snorkeling. Or maybe your spouse hates heights and really doesn’t want to go for a hot air balloon ride or a helicopter tour.

If your partner says they really don’t want to do something, respect that decision and pick something else. It’s not worth stressing them out or causing a panic attack and ruining the vacation. Plan to do that excursion another time by yourself or with someone else.

13. Drive your own car or a rental?

Depending on where you are going, you might have the option to either drive the road trip in your own vehicle or rent one.

Obviously, if you are going overseas or need to fly to get to the destination first, you’ll need to rent a car, but maybe you are going somewhere within driving distance, or it’s much easier/more convenient for you to drive than fly.

There are pros and cons to taking your own vehicle vs renting one, and those will be different for every trip and for every person.

Sit down and discuss with your partner what option works best for you and then plan accordingly.

If renting a car seems like the best choice for you, use Discover Cars to book your rental. They search 1500+ rental car companies to find you the best price, have 24/7 customer service, and always offer free cancellation in case your plans change (or you find a better deal).

14. Prepare your car

If you are renting a car, you won’t have to do much prepping since it should be good to go when you pick it up.

However, if you are taking your own vehicle, there are some things you should do ahead of time to make sure your car is set for the journey.

Take the car to a mechanic

If you are taking a longer trip, I’d highly recommend getting an oil change and tire rotation before leaving and also having all the fluids topped off. The mechanic can also let you know if there are any issues that should be addressed or recommendations before you set off.

If it’s a short trip, at the very least I’d double-check the tire pressure and top off the fluids so you don’t have to worry about those things.

Have a roadside emergency kit

Even if your car is pretty new and in good shape, things happen and I’m sure you’d rather be prepared than caught unaware.

Consider having these items in your car for those “just in case” situations:

• Jumper cables or portable car battery
• Spare tire and jack
• Portable air compressor (not necessary but SUPER nice to have)
• Flare/cones & reflective vest
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• First aid kit
• Blanket or emergency thermal blanket
• Extra food and water
• Car manual
• Ice scraper, shovel, hat & gloves (for winter travel)

Get a AAA membership

I think AAA is a great roadside service membership that gives me peace of mind and also has tons of other fantastic benefits, such as attraction discounts, rental car discounts, passport photos, and so much more.

Road Trip Tips For Couples: Money

16. Create a budget and stick to it

Money is a huge trigger point for a lot of couples, and this can certainly be true when it comes to spending money on road trips and vacations.

When you are in the planning phase of your trip, determine your budget and stick to it! Being able to afford your trip and not having to stress about whether or not you have the money to do certain things will make the trip better for both of you.

Make sure you account for all the major categories, such as flights (if applicable), accommodations, car rental (if applicable), gas, parking/tolls, food, attractions, etc.

If you want to read more about determining how much a road trip will cost, check out this post.

17. keep track of money spent

So what’s the easiest way to keep track of the money you are spending while on vacation?

If you like to use your phone and apps, there are plenty out there that will get the job done. I’ve used Wanderlog and Wanderlust Travel Budget and Expense Tracker in the past and they both work great.

If you’re a pen-and-paper kind of person like me, check out my road trip planning workbook. Not only does it have a sheet for expense tracking, but it also comes with dozens of other great planning resources for your next trip.

18. Set aside extra money

One of the categories I always include in my travel budget is “Miscellaneous.” Basically, I allocate a certain amount of money for any unforeseen expenses so that if and when something pops up that I wasn’t expecting to pay for, like a crazy high parking fee or an extra night in a hotel, I’m not freaking out about how I’m going to pay for it. It’s already in the budget!

19. Have some cash on hand

While credit and debit cards are widely used in many parts of the world, cash is necessary for a lot of situations, and it’s always good to carry some on you.

Cash is good to have in case your card gets declined, you want to tip your tour guide, or you see a souvenir at a stall at the farmers market and they only take cash.

Basically, you never know when you might need some, so make a habit of carrying a little bit on you while you are traveling.

I recommend setting up a specific travel checking account with a bank that has no ATM or foreign transaction fees and no minimum balance or monthly fees. I love Charles Schwab for this. I only put enough money into it that I plan to use while traveling, and I can get money out of any ATM in the world and pay no fees.

20. Decide how you will split expenses

If you and your partner aren’t married or don’t have shared finances/bank accounts, you should determine ahead of time who is going to pay for what.

Maybe you decide that you will pay for the accommodations and your boyfriend will foot the bill for the gas and food.

Or maybe you want to split everything in half, which then means you’ll need to keep track of who paid what and who owes whom.

However you decide to do it, discuss this ahead of time and agree on a plan so there’s no confusion during the road trip and no one gets mad because there was a misunderstanding.

Road Trip Tips For Couples: Packing

Ah, packing for a vacation…you either love it or you hate it (I personally love it).

Regardless of which group you fall into, it’s something you have to do, so why not make the most of it? Here are some tips for what and how to pack for a road trip for couples.

21. Create a packing list

I know some of y’all wake up the morning of, grab the first clothes you see, toss them into a bag, and call it good.

And hey, no judgment here. This is pretty much how my husband packs and despite all my efforts, he rarely packs more than 12 hours before we leave, so I’ve just learned to let it be.

However, I do think it’s important that at least one person creates a packing list and makes sure you have all the important stuff. Otherwise, you might end up having to spend some of your miscellaneous budget money on toiletries or a rain jacket or something else that could have been avoided if you had created a packing list.

Everyone’s packing list is going to look different depending on where you are going, the weather and temperature, where you are staying (camping vs hotels), your planned activities, if you have to fly to get there (weight and size limits on luggage), and other factors.

Take some time a week or so before your trip and start jotting down items you don’t want to forget. The reason I like to do this a little early is so that as I think of things throughout the week, I can write them down in case I don’t think of them the day I’m packing.

22. Bring snacks and drinks

No road trip is complete without some snacks and drinks.

Even if you plan to eat out at restaurants the entire journey, having something to munch on will really be a lifesaver in case you have trouble finding a place to eat and you can feel the hanger setting in.

Sometimes things happen and you might end up staying longer at an attraction than you meant to, or you get stuck in a traffic jam, or you have been driving for a while and can’t find any good food options.

Keep some non-perishable road trip food options in your car throughout the trip so you always have something to eat.

23. Keep blankets/bedding in the car

This is an item that is recommended to always keep in your roadside emergency kit, but I wanted to mention it because having some nice blankets and pillows in your car can not only be helpful in case you get stranded but also for making the drive itself more comfy and enjoyable.

If you are one of the lucky ones who can sleep in a vehicle (man, I envy you!), cuddling up with a blanket and pillow could be the difference between getting some quality sleep and not. Or if your boyfriend has the A/C cranked up and you are freezing, a blanket will be your saving grace.

They could also come in handy if you want to have a picnic or even if you want to sit around a campfire at night. There’s something romantic about cuddling up together around a fire and making s’mores. At least, I think so. Anyone else?

24. Pack a spare car key

I mention this one because it’s not something that most people think to pack but it could make a huge difference if you accidentally lock your keys in the car or even lose your keys.

If you are renting a vehicle this might not be an option, but if you are taking your own, I highly recommend packing a spare key for emergencies.

Road Trip Tips For Couples: Things To Do

25. Discuss and plan your must-see places

There will probably be certain places and things that you both are excited to do on your road trip, but there’s a good chance there will also be things that one person wants to do that the other may not consider a high priority.

As I mentioned earlier, compromising and planning to do activities that you each want to do will help make the vacation memorable for both of you.

In order to make sure that you see the things that are the most important to each person, create a list of the must-sees for each of you and make it a priority to get to those places.

Even if you can’t hit everything you want to (and you probably won’t), knowing that you saw the most important choices for each of you will ensure you both have a memorable trip.

26. Plan a fun date night (or two)

“But Stef,” you say, “isn’t the entire road trip a date if it’s just the two of us?”

Well, I suppose it could be, but I think anyone who’s been together for a long time knows that spending time together doesn’t necessarily mean you are on a continuous date.

Dates take intention. Maybe this can be one of the intentions you set for the road trip.

Make a point to plan an actual date with your significant other. Maybe it’s a fancy restaurant that you wouldn’t normally choose, or maybe you do the penny date where you flip a coin and turn right or left a certain number of times and then have a picnic there.

Whatever you decide, be intentional about it and let it be a part of the road trip that you really look forward to.

27. Consider spending some time apart

This suggestion throws a lot of people off.

Why would I spend any time away from my spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend when I’m on vacation with them?

There are a few reasons why I think this is a good idea.

First, there may be a couple of places that you each want to explore that the other person really doesn’t want to, and instead of compromising and going together anyway, you compromise by splitting up and doing it alone.

Another reason is that you may realize you are getting a little annoyed with each other and need to recharge or take a break. Take an hour or two and spend some time apart, whether you each go somewhere separate or one of you stays in the hotel and the other wanders around.

Last, I think being independent of your partner is really important, and you shouldn’t rely on them for everything. Even if you are going to be spending a lot of time together while driving and do thoroughly enjoy each other’s company, you shouldn’t feel obligated to spend every waking minute with them.

Be OK with doing some things on your own and respect your partner if they express the desire to spend some time alone.

Road Trip Tips For Couples: On The Trip

So you’ve planned out your route, budget, things to do, and packing list – now it’s time to hit the road!

Here are some things for couples to keep in mind while on the road trip.

28. Take frequent breaks

I’ll admit I’m guilty of not doing this. I’m one of those people who like to go for as long as I can without stopping so I can make good time.

However, frequent stops are important because they allow you to stretch your legs, go to the bathroom, fill up the gas tank, get something to eat or drink, and just take a mental break. Driving can definitely be mentally draining, and you also need to stretch your muscles and keep yourself from getting stiff.

It’s important to keep yourself hydrated too, so I make a point to try and drink enough water so I have to go to the bathroom every hour or so. It makes me need to stop and then I can’t justify why I should keep going longer. 

29. Fill up gas at half tank

This is another suggestion that I personally have trouble following. I’m definitely that person who waits until the last minute to fill up and then panics if I can’t find a gas station. You’d think I’d learn, but I don’t.

Make a point to start looking for a gas station when you have a half tank of gas. This will make sure you can find a place without running too low on fuel, and then you’ll never have to stress about whether you have enough gas to make it to the next fill-up.

30. Switch drivers often

Assuming that both of you have your driver’s license, I recommend taking turns behind the wheel. This ensures that the driver stays alert and it allows you to take turns navigating and being in charge of the entertainment system.

When my husband Sam and I travel, I’m the morning driver because I’m much more awake first thing and don’t need caffeine to function. Sam usually sleeps or drinks coffee while I drive the first few hours, and then we take turns until night when he drives because I can’t see well in the dark.

31. Use a GPS

While I definitely recommend having a physical map or atlas in case your GPS fails, I think it helps to let the GPS navigate so there is no fighting about the right route to take and who knows best.

Let the GPS decide, and then if the GPS messes up, you can complain together about how awful it is and you won’t get mad at each other.

I’d also recommend turning the volume up so you can both hear the directions and don’t miss your turn because you are deep in discussion (this has happened to us quite a few times).

32. Avoid sensitive/trigger subjects

A road trip is not the best time to bring up topics that might get heated or will make your partner uncomfortable. Arguing is going to make the road trip miserable and you won’t be able to easily get away from each other if you need some time apart.

Even if it’s something that you do need to talk about, leave the sensitive or trigger subjects for another time if possible.

33. Be present

Road trips are a great way to get to know each other and have fantastic discussions. With how busy life gets, it may have been a long time since the two of you actually talked about anything meaningful. Make the most of it!

Make a point to stay off your phone or computer as much as possible and spend some quality time together. If the road trip happens to be a work trip or you do need to do some work, communicate expectations with each other and try to have separate work and couple time.

34. Have driving entertainment

If you will be putting a lot of hours behind the wheel, having something to listen to or do is a great way to make the time go by and still spend time together.

Here are some great ways to keep yourselves entertained on a road trip:

• Listen to podcasts
• Listen to an audiobook
• Listen to music (put together a fun road trip playlist)
• Play road trip games
• Ask each other road trip questions (here’s a great list of suggestions!)

For even more ideas, check out this post on ways to make your road trip not boring.

35. Stay organized

Keeping the car organized will make it much easier to find what you need when you need it. It’s also a good idea to have a designated trash bag or can to throw away your garbage so you can dispose of it quickly and easily.

36. Check the weather

While you probably can’t change your plans too much even if the weather is crummy, knowing what to expect will allow you to make any adjustments that you can and will give you a heads up that you may need to allocate a little extra driving time.

37. Be flexible

It’s highly likely that some things will not go your way and that plans will have to be changed. Maybe the museum you really wanted to see is closed for renovations, or the hiking trail you wanted to walk is off-limits because of bear sightings.

Don’t let it ruin your trip. Be flexible and make adjustments as needed. Find something else and who knows? It may end up being the highlight of your trip.

38. See mishaps as part of the adventure

Oftentimes the things that go wrong on a trip are the things you laugh about later and remember the most.

Like the time Sam and I got locked out of our super sketchy hotel room and had to climb in through the window to get our stuff. 

Or the time we had to completely change our destination and itinerary because the city we were driving to was getting pummeled with a blizzard that dropped 3 feet of snow.

At the time, these things were frustrating and weren’t exactly fun. But we shrugged it off, figured it out, and made it work. And now those memories are some of the ones we remember and talk about the most.

Be willing to see the adventure in the mishaps and roll with it.