Two Hearts, Four Wheels, and at Least Three Arguments: The Real Guide to a “Romantic” Road Trip

So, you’ve decided to test the true strength of your relationship by voluntarily locking yourselves in a moving metal box for hours on end. Bold move. Whether it’s to escape the suffocating grip of routine or to finally have that fight about where to eat, this is your guide to planning the perfect couples' road trip. Spoiler: It includes snacks, Spotify battles, and at least one bathroom emergency.

Welcome to the only travel guide that’s honest about love, luggage, and long drives.

1. Choose Your Love Battlefield (aka Destination)

Before heading out on your four wheeled couples therapy session, you’ll need to agree on where to go. This part can take anywhere from ten minutes to three weeks and may require a mediator.

Destination Type:

1. Coastal Drives:

Nothing says romance like arguing about where to stop for overpriced oysters while driving 20 mph behind a rental RV on California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

2. Mountain Escapes:

If you’ve ever wanted to test your partner’s driving skills and your WiFi free patience, the Rockies are for you.

3. Countryside Retreats:

Vineyards, cute sheep, and an alarming number of couples in matching linen. Proceed with wine.

4. National Parks:

For couples who want to feel small against nature and possibly be eaten by bears while debating trail difficulty.

2. Plan Your Route (Because Getting Lost is NOT Romantic)

Sure, spontaneous detours sound magical until you're 60 miles off course with 2% battery and no signal. Pro tip: Plan the heck out of it and pretend you’re being “chill” when things go wrong.

Tips for GPS Managed Romance:

1. Map your route with apps like Roadtrippers or Waze (because "trusting your gut" is not an actual navigation method).

2. Aim for scenic byways to feel like you’re in a car commercial, not a commute.

3. Drive no more than 4-5 hours a day unless you "like" passive aggressive silence.

4. Romantic pit stops: cafés with unpronounceable lattes, cliffs for “deep talks,” and fields of lavender to walk through like you’re in a shampoo commercial.

3. Pick the Perfect Vehicle (No, Not Your 2008 Civic)

Your chariot matters. This is not the time to discover your car’s AC only works when it’s not hot out.

Choose Your Steed:

1. Convertible:

Great for coastal drives, bad for hair and hearing.

2. SUV/Crossover:

For those who want legroom and to pretend they might camp.

3. Campervan:

Instagrammable, cozy, and smells like commitment and wet socks.

Your Maintenance Checklist (aka Don’t Die):

✔️ Tires: Round and full

✔️ Oil: Not black sludge

✔️ Charger: For both your phones and your sanity

4. Pack Like You’re Escaping a Reality Show

Forget “packing light.” This is war. You’ll need snacks, clothes, music, and enough chargers to power a small village.

1. Romantic(ish) Essentials:

A. Blanket & Pillows – For snuggling... or setting up a comfy cold war silence.

B. Love Songs Playlist – Nothing like Barry White during a navigation meltdown.

C. Scented Candles – Because nothing says “road safety” like open flames.

D. Polaroid Camera – Because documenting emotional breakdowns is cute now.

2. Actual Essentials:

A. Snacks (Healthy + “I need sugar or I’ll explode” options)

B. Travel toiletries (wet wipes = road trip gold)

C. First-aid kit (for when you get bit by “nature”)

D. Power banks because phone death = death of a good time

5. Pre Plan the “Spontaneous Romance”

Romantic activities don’t just happen. You have to "plan" the spontaneity—because nothing kills a mood like “I dunno, what do you want to do?”

Romance on the Road Checklist:

1. Gourmet picnic (or sad sandwich on a rock)

2. Watch a sunset and argue over filters

3. Stargazing (try not to think about raccoons)

4. Surprise detour to somewhere with wine and no WiFi

6. Book Accommodations Unless You Like Sleeping in the Car

Look, spontaneity is great until the only vacancy left is a haunted roadside motel with a blinking “No Murder” sign.

Top Picks for Cozy Accomodations:

1. Bed & Breakfast, like grandma’s house but with fewer doilies.

2. Glamping, for those who like camping but also like flushing toilets.

C. Beachfront Airbnb, so you can wake up to waves and your partner’s snoring.

7. Document the Journey (and Try Not to Break Up)

Record time, write cringe captions, and make memories you’ll either treasure forever or delete after "The Great Argument of Day 3".

8. Don’t Die: The Safety Section

Seriously, do NOT become a Dateline episode.

Safety Tips from People Who Care:

1. Check weather. Flash floods and scenic selfies don’t mix.

2. Keep an emergency kit with you. Add snacks. Always snacks.

3. Share your itinerary unless you want to be a true crime podcast.

9. Budget Like It’s the Depression

Romance doesn’t have to cost a lot, but it will unless you’re careful.

Cheap(ish) Tips:

1. Grocery store > $24 roadside burger

2. Gas apps will save your wallet and relationship

3. Free hikes > spa treatments (unless you're very tired of walking)

10. Be Sweet, Not Syrupy

It’s the little things that turn a trip into a memory... and an argument into a love story.

Romantic Moves That Actually Work:

1. Surprise playlist of “your” songs

2.Leave love notes (that aren’t just directions to the nearest bathroom)

3. Book a photoshoot so you have at least one picture where you both look happy and not sunburned

Final Thoughts:

A couple’s road trip is less about where you go and more about how you get through it together. Laughing, loving, and maybe yelling about whether you already passed the turnoff.

Ready to hit the road? Great. Just make sure your Spotify privileges rotate evenly and someone packed the snacks.

Frugal, Frosty, and Free-Spirited: A Cross-Country Winter Journey

In January 2020, just two months before the world shut down, my boyfriend and I embarked on the road trip of a lifetime. Armed with $300, a rental minivan, and an insatiable thirst for adventure, we set out to conquer nearly 4,000 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast.

You might be thinking, 'Are you two crazy?' How did we pull it off? And, most importantly, why? We’ve heard it all, but I’ll save those answers for another day. For now, I’m here to share our ultimate guide to road tripping North America in the middle of winter, an epic route filled with stunning sights, quirky stops, and a sprinkle of chaos.

The Journey Begins: New York to Washington, D.C.

We hit the road on January 11, 2020, leaving New York State behind. Our first destination? Washington, D.C.

“Why skip Pennsylvania?” you might ask. Truth is, we’d already explored plenty of quirky towns, lighthouses, and nature spots there on other trips. This journey was all about *NEW*, new sights, new adventures, and new memories.

In D.C., we spent half a day soaking up the iconic monuments and glimpsing the White House. Traffic and time constraints kept us moving quickly, but we couldn’t resist diving into a few conspiracy theories about the city’s design before hitting the road again.

Falling for the Ocean in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach was my second time seeing the ocean, and it was love all over again. Visiting in January meant we had the beaches to ourselves an off season perk we savored.

We cooked breakfast on the shore, letting the sound of waves set the perfect backdrop for deep conversations about life and our future. The clouds touched the horizon like a scene out of a mystical movie, making it one of the most magical stops on our trip.

The Carolinas: Where Food Feels Like Home

Driving south, we accidentally crossed from North Carolina into South Carolina on the same day. Oops!

This is where Southern cuisine began sneaking its way into our hearts, and waistlines. Between the mouthwatering BBQ and surprising gems like Indian cuisine in Charlotte, the Carolinas quickly became a foodie paradise. Don’t even get me started on the beautiful parks and warm, welcoming people.

Georgia: A State That Feels Like Home

Ah, Georgia. The food, the culture, the city vibes it all holds a special place in my heart.

We explored Atlanta’s Ponce City Market and Euclid Avenue, where unique shops and second hand stores gave me plenty of treasure hunting thrills. Though we missed out on seeing the iconic pink TRAP House up close (it was closed), just driving by was a cool experience.

Mississippi’s Unintentional Comedy Gold

Mississippi gave us one of our funniest road trip memories. Picture this: an old man driving a pickup truck, pulling a car, which is pulling *another* truck bumper to bumper, all tied together with string. It screamed, “I don’t need your permission,” and we couldn’t stop laughing.

Louisiana: A Feast for the Senses

In Louisiana, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Visiting during the off season meant quieter streets, which gave us the chance to savor the city’s French inspired architecture and iconic foods without the Mardi Gras crowds.

Beignets at Café du Monde lived up to the hype, and brunch at the Ruby Slipper was unforgettable. The French Quarter was serene almost unrecognizable from the busy image it’s known for.

Texas & New Mexico: Unexpected Turns

We crossed into Texas late at night, too exhausted to explore. Though it’s a regret, it’s a promise to return one day.

New Mexico, however, offered a slice of cinematic nostalgia. Driving through Albuquerque gave us serious Breaking Bad vibes (if you know, you know). A spontaneous late night drive up a snowy mountain turned into the most breathtaking sunrise spot we’ve ever stumbled upon.

Arizona: The Magic of Sedona

Sedona was everything people say it is: mesmerizing. The red rocks, the spiritual vortexes, and even the turquoise McDonald’s arches made it a place unlike any other.

Sedona embodied the spirit of this trip saying *YES* to new experiences and embracing the unfamiliar. Scared? Say yes. Out of your comfort zone? Say yes. It’s a mantra that carried us through every twist and turn of this journey.

Nevada: Vegas, Baby!

Las Vegas wasn’t new to me, but it felt like a completely different world this time around. We spent three weeks exploring the city both the glitz of the Strip and the hidden gems off it.

If you’re curious about all the fun we found in Vegas, comment "Vegas, baby!" and I’ll spill the details in another blog.

California: A Bittersweet Finale

California was the last leg of our road trip. Cloudy beach days and unexpected traffic led to some missteps, but we still found magic in the little moments like standing in as background extras for a game show filming in the mountains.

Our time in California was cut short by the emerging health crisis that would soon change the world. But this wasn’t the end of our journey just the beginning.

Looking Ahead

This adventure taught us to embrace change, solve problems on the fly, and say yes to life’s surprises. It’s a mindset we carry with us every day.

Want to hear more about our travels? Subscribe to our Ko-fi for updates on how we navigated road tripping through COVID and what’s next for our 2025 travel plans. Who knows, we might even become travel buddies!

How to Plan the Perfect Romantic Road Trip for Couples