A coastal road trip is one of those trips that sounds amazing until you realize the planning can eat the whole vacation. I have done a lot of them, chasing the coast road and the little towns along it, so I have the routine down. I’m Zoey, and here is how to actually plan a coastal road trip that does not stress you out.
I set off on one of my favorite stretches this way and caught a little of it on camera. This is the good part, headed toward the coast.
Choosing the route
The best coastal road trips follow the water, not the fastest highway. Look for scenic byways that hug the shore, and plan the route so the good parts come in the morning and late afternoon light. A route that strings together a few small coastal towns beats one long stretch of nothing. Give yourself room to stop, that is the whole point of a coastal drive.
How many days and miles
Do not cram it. A good rule is no more than a few hours of driving a day, with a real stop in between. That leaves time for spontaneous beach detours and a town worth exploring. Plan more days than you think you need. The coastal routes always take longer than the map suggests because you will want to stop constantly, and that is exactly what you should do.
What to pack for the car
Keep the car kit simple: water, a jacket even in summer, a towel, a phone charger and a car charger, and snacks that do not melt. Cash is worth carrying because some small coastal spots and roadside stands only take it. A little plan for where to stop for fuel saves stress in the stretch of road with no stations for ages.
The road trip I keep off the public feed
That is the packed, public side of the trip. The longer evenings and the parts of the coast road that stay behind the members area are 18+ only, and it is where the real fun lives. Come see the rest of the drive.