10 Tips for Western Road Trips

Driving through the Western US is an amazing experience, although you need to be prepared for potential drawbacks. These include: long stretches of barren land, diverse and constantly changing geography, and oftentimes harsh weather. These road trips are much different than taking a drive across any other area of the country as Mike and I found after relocating from the Midwest. Distances between cities are far, the landscapes are more desolate, gas stations are few and far between, and extreme weather events can occur in any season. It can be a bit inconvenient due to the lack of services and amenities, but on the other hand, also the most scenic due to the amazing mountain views.

Mike and I have been living out West for several years and to be honest, I love driving out in the desert; it gives me time to think. There is less traffic, more stars in the sky, and beautiful mountain landscapes everywhere you look. Being prepared is the best way to ensure that your road trip goes smoothly. Enjoy a few of my best tips to ensure a smooth roadtrip!

1. Fill up the tank before you leave

On many long drives, especially through the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, you may not see a gas station for miles upon miles. I’ll say it now – fill up every time you see a gas station. Never wait until the last minute because you never know when the next one will come around. On a few trips through New Mexico we almost ran out of gas after putting it off too long, so make sure to keep the tank full! Never let your tank go below the halfway mark!

2. Stop at every rest area

The rest areas are few and far between. Make sure to stop, not only to stretch your legs, but also to use the restroom, eat lunch, drink water, or pick up any snacks you need. Or else, you could be waiting hours until the next stop. There are many times when I should have used the restroom and instead had to hold it in for up to 2 hours! Not a fun experience.

Scenic rest stop — What I love the most about these drives are the super scenic rest areas! What a great place for a picnic lunch.

3. Don’t overload on caffeine

Caffeine is a diuretic, which will make you have to stop more often to use the restroom. Because you will be driving long distances in between rest areas, you are better off not filling up on the coffee. Always use the bathroom before leaving and stop at every rest area, especially if downing coffee and tea. I made the mistake too many times of enjoying a large mug of tea; waiting an hour for the next rest area made me wish I would have skipped the tea!

4. Leave a cooler with snacks and water in the backseat

In the extreme heat of the summer months, you are going to want a handy cooler filled with snacks and water. It is nice to have this at your convenience rather than waiting for the next rest stop, especially when driving through the 100+ degree heat in the dead of summer. You are not going to want to wait in between gas stations for that next drink or snack. An electric works perfectly well when traveling through the desert because of the high temps, lack of gas stations to refill ice, and lack of snack options/restaurants in many areas. Insulated bags often work for at least a few hours.

5. Plan plenty of detours along the way

Stopping at unique roadside attractions will add some novelty and excitement to your trip. Here’s an odd attraction we visited: The Hobo Pool in Saratoga, Wyoming. This natural mineral springs is open 24/7 year round; it definitely made a nice treat on a winter’s day to step foot in the hot water as the snow fell down around us. It was the perfect stop to break up the time/soothe our tired muscles on a very long road trip from Idaho to Illinois.