Get a calendar and count exactly how many days you are going to be away on your road trip. When planning a road trip, read the guide book and consult the map to find out how many driving hours are involved. Calculate how many hours you want to drive each day.
Study the guide and figure out which sights you want to see along the way. Make a list, with the most important first things you want to do first -- the pyramids if you are doing a road trip in Egypt, the Statue of Liberty if it is your first trip to New York -- and then identify your second and third choices if you have enough time.
Consult the guide and see which hotels are recommended. Check the recommendations online, and make your bookings. Another option for road trips is to camp along the way.
Read up on any insider information the guide provides. If you are going to do a road trip through South America, for instance, find out if you have to get a visa for each country ahead of time or if you can get one when you drive up to the border crossing.
Buy a week-at-a-glance journal or download a travel diary. Based on the information gleaned from your guide book, mark in your destination and plans for each day. Do it in pencil so you can erase and move the side-trip if need be. Travel is one of those things that has a way of taking on a life of its own. You may get a flat tire or spend less time in a place than anticipated.
Pack your guide book and take it with you on your trip. Once you are physically at a location, you will see the information in the guide book from a totally different perspective. The maps and instructions will also be clearer once you are at your destination.
Consult your guide for restaurant recommendations. With guide book in hand, you can head out to find the eatery of your choice.
