Solo Road-Tripping

Don't have anyone to go on holidays with right now?  Are you going to let that stop you exploring?  Of Course not!  A road trip is a great solo escapade.

You can go where you want, when you want and change your mind whenever you want.   If you're worried about getting a bit lonely, the warm friendly environment of campgrounds is a great way to go home with lots of new friends.

Making the right decisions before you go will ensure you have a memorable experience

Campervan v Motorhome

A campervan - have a look at the Apollo HiTop as an example.  Easy to park and drive but only the basic facilities.  No bathroom facilities might be a deal-breaker, it means you always have to use a campground, but you still have cooking facilities, hot and cold water and a fridge.  If you want the size of a campervan but some 'basic' bathroom facilities, for emergencies, have a look at the Apollo Euro Tourer which has a basic bathroom, but it is a bit bigger.

A motorhome will be much more spacious, they are also easy to drive but quite a bit bigger where parking is concerned. You don't need to rent a large 6 berth vehicle, have a look at the Let's Go Jayco Cruiser. All the luxury of the bigger motorhomes, with cooking, bathroom, fridge facilities and air conditioning on a smaller scale.

Decide what your priorities are and put those requirements into the search filter, you will then be able to compare the costs and brands available and make a considered choice.

Safety

• Because you can't share the driving you need to make sure you're not too ambitious about the distances you travel each day, always rest every 2 hours.  It's always good to spend more time in the back than the driver's seat.
• Always call ahead to book your campsite and let them know you are a solo traveller so they can consider what site to assign you. You will find that campgrounds/holiday parks are very considerate of your needs.
• Your mobile phone is your best friend.  Make sure you have the right charging equipment so your navigation, phone and campsite apps are always at hand. Have some paper maps as well.
• Have someone at home that you check in with each night.
• Use the services of the regional Information Centres wherever you are travelling,  they can make sure you don't go astray.
• Join guided walks and group tours were available,  it's a great way to enjoy the comradery of other travellers,  you will even find free tours at regional Information centres.

Great areas for solo road-tripping

• overnight stops that are not too far apart
• popular regions for holidaymakers, not remote regions
• areas that suit your interests
• the right time of year for the weather of the area

Australia

Coastal trips Sydney to Brisbane and Sydney to Melbourne

Tropical North Queensland - Cairns roundtrip

Tasmania - Hobart to Launceston

Western Australia - Perth, Margaret River, Albany

New Zealand

North Island - Bay of Islands , Coromandel Peninsula

USA

New York, Washington, Niagra Falls 

San Francisco - Las Vegas

Canada 

Vancouver - Calgary

Britain

Just about anywhere but the Cotswolds, Cornwall and Devon, Ireland and Scotland are particularly good.

Wherever you are travelling across the world don't forget to pay your respect to the traditional custodians of the land, elders past, present and future. 

Shelley Richardson

Shelley has been working in the travel industry for over 30 years, in aviation, for tour operators and since 2016 for DriveNow. Having travelled extensively worldwide, alone, as a couple and with her family, Shelley has experience to share about how to make the most of your holiday, especially road-trips to amazing destinations.

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