Open either the Google or Mapquest website and enter the beginning location for your trip and your final destination. The route you are provided can then be customized according to your personal goals and plans for your vacation.
Plan your overnight stops. One of the features of the free mapping with Google and Mapquest is the convenient display of how long it will take to get to various points on your trip. You can choose a time to leave your home and plan your overnight stops based on where you will be at a given time. It is not advisable to drive longer than eight hours without a break and definitely not longer than 12. Use the route generated to find out where you will be anywhere from eight to 12 hours after beginning your journey. Use a travel site like Expedia or Orbitz to find a discounted hotel room in that area and book in advance.
Locate landmarks or attractions you would like to see along the way. If you plan in advance, you can maneuver yourself within range of an interesting attraction, state park or museum you've never heard of. Click on the "Get Directions" button on the Google maps or Mapquest page. Enter your departure location and final destination and, when the route is displayed, begin your search. Enter the word "Attractions" into the search box and each attraction along your route will appear as a red dot or lettered balloon. These seldom-seen attractions can be as simple as the Coral Castle in Florida or the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
Locate restaurants much the same way as you did attractions. You know approximately where your route will take you at meal time and you can use this information to plan your stops, too. Some people like to travel using a favorite restaurant as a common stop. Cracker Barrel and Waffle House, for example, are just two restaurants that offer maps of all their current locations so that travelers may plan a trip knowing they can stop at their favorite restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To plan a trip this way, just enter the name of the restaurant you wish to stop at and locate possible stops along the route you are taking.
Click on the "Other Options" button below the destination box. This will allow you to plan your route to avoid highways and/or avoid tolls. The trip may take longer, but you can possibly visit areas of the country that are not always seen by travelers.
Locate smaller state parks by entering the term into the search box. As with the hotels, attractions and restaurants, each state park will appear on the map with a red dot. If your trip involves the use of a recreational vehicle, you can plan your route according to the locations of state parks and temporary camping sites. Another nice feature of planning your trip maps using Google or Mapquest is the customer reviews of each hotel, restaurant, attraction and park. You will be able to avoid those areas labeled as high crime, or those with poor customer service.
