pingpong

Getting around

Plan driving stops for a road trip

Stops chosen for the people in the car work better than stops spaced by mileage. Give your route, who is driving, and any special needs before you ask for a schedule.

A text to start with

We are driving from [city A] to [city B], roughly [X] miles, leaving Saturday morning. There are two drivers who will switch every two hours. We have a dog, so we need stops with a grass area. One driver prefers not to drive after dark. Draft a rough stop schedule with suggested towns or rest areas and what to look for at each one.

Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.

What to check in the answer

Check that any rest areas or facilities the plan names are open, since closures and seasonal hours may not show up in general information. Compare fuel spacing with your vehicle's actual range, and adjust the schedule for congested stretches you already know about. Confirm that each stop has a grass area where the dog can walk.

What to do next

Check each rest area on your state transportation department's website before you leave, and download offline maps in case you lose signal. Leave room for at least one unplanned stop, so a delay does not push the second driver into the dark.